Riding to Elephant rally 2010 on a C90?

[poodlebiscuit]

I'm riding to the Elephant rally in East Germany on my trusty little c90 and was wondering if anyone else wanted to join me? I would advise being on an equally crap bike haha as it could be quite boring. (was going to take my Husqvarna 610 but that the enemy would be expecting that hehe)
The rally is Jan 29-31 btw.
I'm currently buying the bits to kit it out for the snowy and cold journey, just fitted the amazingly uncool beige screen and hand shields and I'm about to wrestle with fitting the basket to the front . Next job is the single seat conversion and rear racks.
Poor little thing doesn't have the power to run heated grips haha so i'm looking into heating them off the exhaust using thin copper tube filled with water or something (prob won't work but it's worth a go)
Anyway...let me know if you're attempting an equally stupid effort and need someone to help you pick up and gloat over all the huge BMWs that have fallen over on the ice.

Ed

[backofbeyond]

I did it some years ago on a c50. Good luck and don't worry about heating, you won't go fast enough to get cold! Actually you probably will. Pack some extra socks, look what happened to me -



I have been toying with doing it next year, just got to find a suitable bike.

[Threewheelbonnie]

I'm sprinting in and out of the elefant between a couple of social calls, but if I happen to spot any C90's I'll give you a wave and have lid off the Jamesons ready for when you arrive.

I wouldn't worry about the heated grips. I did my first Elefant with them and was frozen, the second without and was fine. They only heat the palms of your hands, fine if you are already otherwise comfortable, a waste if you are cold. Concentrate on keeping the core warm. That's frequent enough stops for carbs and non-caffeine hot drinks and the right layers. My big mistake in 2004 was believing Hein Gericke. Wet cotton over goretex over dry cotton equals *****y freezing. Waxed cotton over wool and pile equals warm. If you buy one more piece of kit, get a rain suit, wear it but take it off when you stop.

Enjoy

Andy

[poodlebiscuit]

cheers for the offer of the Jamesonsmight need that to warm up
as far as my gear situation goes I was hoping to use some of what I've already got:
thermal long johns and vest
long sleeved t shirt and thick trousers
jumper
spada winter 2 piece thermally lined suit that zips together
one piece rain suit
thick winter gloves
thermal waterproof socks and massive enduro boots
one of those windstopper scarf thingys


sorry for the layout of this message but I'm typing it on my phone
all this advice is awesome
thanks

[poodlebiscuit]

wow panniers on a c90...now i've seen everything.
When was this picture taken? looks like a blast from the past.

Ed

Originally Posted by backofbeyond

I did it some years ago on a c50. Good luck and don't worry about heating, you won't go fast enough to get cold! Actually you probably will. Pack some extra socks, look what happened to me -



I have been toying with doing it next year, just got to find a suitable bike.

[backofbeyond]

Hi Ed

Yes, it was taken quite a few years ago - early 90's if I remember correctly. The panniers were something we just had lying around - I think they came off a bicycle originally.

When the picture was taken we'd just been thrown off the German (might have been Belgium?) autobahns by the police as the bike was undersized - minimum 50cc needed - and we were parked up trying to figure out what route to take. Sensible I suppose as the C50 struggled to keep up 15mph on some hills.

Looking back it probably wasn't the best choice of bike. A C90 should be a lot better but the 50 was just too slow. The round trip took a week and I spent another week in bed with flu when I got back.

[poodlebiscuit]

Jesus, a c50 on the autobahn? lol 15mph does sound a bit slow! i've had a look and you're allowed on if your bike was designed to go more than 38mph (c90 might just about get a away with that )
I've had a large screen on mine which turns out might be slowing my top speed a lot, i've just got back from enduro riding on the 90 with some friends on big singles (was quicker than them in some tight boggy sections ) and managed to headbutt it and break it in half so won't be taking it now anyway haha.
how many miles did you do each day? or rather how much time did you spend riding each day? i'm trying to judge what is realistically achieveable.

cheers

Ed

[Newtsalad]

Hello, I too am gearing up to attempt the Elefant on my 90. I also am not sure how long it will take to get there.
It's roughly 800 miles from Calais avoiding motorways and Highways.
I have to say, I think 350 miles a day is optimistic.
Apparently, it's simply too cold to travel after 4:30pm.
I suppose much depends on the weather. If it's snow all the way it'll take much longer. I don't fancy riding on highways on snow in a blizzard at 20mph with trucks and lorries coming up behind at 40mph plus.
I'm thinking of four days each way, and not sure it'll be enough.
Also, not sure whether to attempt to camp right through. Could be too wrecked to enjoy the party if I camp on the way, so not sure whether to do hotels, they're cheap enough as far as I can see, prob less than £25 a night, and could make all the difference.
Not sure if I want to team up with anyone, I don't want to be a burden to anyone, neither do I want to be burdened down by someone ill equipped/prepared.
Good to discuss it and talk it through though! Cheers, Newt.

[Threewheelbonnie]

MPD depends on the weather, the rider and tyres. Some years its plus five and the only hassle is the odd shower. Others it's minus fifteen or there are blizzards. The main thing I'd suggest is look at the elevation on your route. The Ardennes and where the Alps start to rise is where it gets cold and dangerous after dark. IMHO Plan to ride a couple of hours in the dark at either end of the day in the lower areas to cover the distance and save the shorter days for when you need them.

Campsites will be closed, so if you want to crash in a bivvy bag on the services that's about the only option short of hotels. Personally I'll be looking for somewhere I can get a in the warm.

Andy

[Newtsalad]

Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie

MPD depends on the weather, the rider and tyres. Some years its plus five and the only hassle is the odd shower. Others it's minus fifteen or there are blizzards. The main thing I'd suggest is look at the elevation on your route. The Ardennes and where the Alps start to rise is where it gets cold and dangerous after dark. IMHO Plan to ride a couple of hours in the dark at either end of the day in the lower areas to cover the distance and save the shorter days for when you need them.

Campsites will be closed, so if you want to crash in a bivvy bag on the services that's about the only option short of hotels. Personally I'll be looking for somewhere I can get a in the warm.

Andy

Sound advice, thanks. Are you Andy from cub90? Cheers!

[sgooed]

Hi am hoping to do it on my vespa maybe two up just to make thing intresting.let me know when your going and ill try to meet up all going well.350 miles a day sounds a bit optamistic cosidering the wether and short daylight hours,id be looking at about 250 thats alowing for a few morre at the start and a few less if the wether kicks in

[justme411]

WOW.... you people are nuts! But how fantastic it is.... Please do keep us all informed on how the trip goes. I look foward to hearing more about it.

[Newtsalad]

Originally Posted by sgooed

Hi am hoping to do it on my vespa maybe two up just to make thing intresting.let me know when your going and ill try to meet up all going well.350 miles a day sounds a bit optamistic cosidering the wether and short daylight hours,id be looking at about 250 thats alowing for a few morre at the start and a few less if the wether kicks in

SO what day are you getting the ferry across? I reckon on allowing 4 days to get there, I might try to get back quicker as I'm hoping to go straight to the Dragon!

[sgooed]

Originally Posted by Newtsalad

SO what day are you getting the ferry across? I reckon on allowing 4 days to get there, I might try to get back quicker as I'm hoping to go straight to the Dragon!

im looking to get the ferry/train about 20 noon on the monday and hoping to do do about 100 miles on the outher side before stopping for the night that should leave about 550miles to do over the next 3 days

[trophydave]

Originally Posted by Newtsalad

SO what day are you getting the ferry across? I reckon on allowing 4 days to get there, I might try to get back quicker as I'm hoping to go straight to the Dragon!

I am going to be at the Dragon,hopefully see you there.