Rookie mistakes!

[gronno]

After spending quite a few hours sorting and tweeking a platinum route in the generally south west corner of Wales, I've just seen that the manned check points close at 6pm !!arrrgghh need to re-route.
Any other typical rookie mistakes I might fall for?

What's the special test been previously then?

[WWoTN]

Don't worry about not noticing the checkpoints closing times. It's something a lot of people miss so you're not alone there. The other mistake people make their first time is to assume they'll be averaging speeds greater than they actually do. Of course this depends on your experience you can't normally travel on the little Welsh lanes as fast as you can on, for example, the English rally. Also, having a faster or physically bigger bike isn't always an advantage over things like scoots or Honda 90s because they can nip round cow poo covered tight bends on single track roads with little drama whereas some bigger bikes need more room so have to take it steadier.

My suggestion is to have a contingency plan. Have a bit of your route towards the end that you can easily miss out so that if you get behind time and are in danger of not finishing you can cut it short and still finish with an award of some sort.

[WWoTN]

Forgot to say, the special test is some silly game such as hoop-la or three darts to get points. The score only really matters for people who are aiming for prizes as well as the normal awards.

[gronno]

Good call on the contingency. llandovery manned stop will be a decision point for me, it'll be late pm when i get there (fingers crossed) will be either a straight no stops run to Wpool or keep hitting the stops if I feel up to it. Hope its dry on the day.

[gronno]

What sort of average would you recon on then? Sadly 40mph across country like this might seem prudent?

[mark c]

Plan for 30, especially if you are doing a big mileage. Your average speed can drop right off if it is dark and you are still looking for checkpoints. The manned points are very spread out this year.

[WWoTN]

I'd go along with Mark on this, with an average speed of about 30, maybe a bit more if you can get a move on whilst on the major roads. You only need to get stuck behind a flock of sheep or a tractor and your average drops drastically. Don't panic though. I've done platimun on a bike that has a top speed of less than 50mph, and averaging about 25mph in Wales, so if you're sensible and don't have too many meals breaks you should be fine. Remember, you've some stoppage time in that for finding the answers to the questions at the stops, and writing them down on the soggy control card in the rain. Oh, shouldn't I have mentioned that it always rains?

[mark c]

Oh, shouldn't I have mentioned that it always rains?

Shhhhhhhhhh.................

[DANDIY]

Well Janet I have to admit you were correct about the rain.
How did you get on I looked for you at the finish but did not see you .I managed a gold ,and was pleased with myself because I only got lost once this year(looking for the Abagavenny control on the wrong car park)
We left at 9.15 and returned at 5.45 covered 270miles and had 2 short breaks and one for about 1hour so as I said not bad.
Now for the National Rally Oh and where is LM83? Then?
Ride safe
Dandiy