APC Rally 2014 – “Get Ready to Rumble”

Remember – this is no rally in 2015!! Entries are still open for the 2014 Rally

Don’t miss out – you can book on line at www.apcrallystore.com. If have already booked your spot and you are looking for some kit the APC Rally Store has loads of equipment to choose from.

GPS is essential

All riders need a GPS and SPOT tracker in the Rally. There are no exceptions – this is how we keep you safe. When purchasing a SPOT tracker you need to set it up with live tracking. Check out this guide How To Setup Live Tracking for a SPOT Tracker – APC Rally.

Please bring your SPOT tracker to the GPS loading night so I can check it is working. You can purchase the trackers direct from GPSoz – please ask them to include the tracking subscription and ask them to set it up. You will need to provide them with contact details. If you don’t have a GPS please get it through these guys as well because they know how to set them up for the Rally. I sell them on my Rally Store but I would prefer you go through GPSoz so they can do the setup for you.

2014 Rally News Update

Tilpa Start Point Moved

We have moved the Tilpa starting point to Craddock because we are now going to the Flinders ranges.

The Route

I am getting asked questions about the route. Please understand that I cannot give out too much information until I have done the pre ride. Our tyre points and start points are set in stone, however, I may change the route between them to suit the conditions and surprises that I find when pre riding.

Gates

Gates will be marked with silver tape. Sometimes gates can have tape removed – if you get to a gate and there is no tape just have an extra look at your GPS before going through it. There is never an occasion where the route would go through a locked gate.

Track Notes

You will be given track notes that will include pubs, fuel, camping spots and distances. These will be emailed to you just before the GPS loading nights. You will need to print them out and take them with you. Don’t forget them – they are bloody important.

Accommodation

Some riders will try to plan where they are going to stay each night – could I suggest that this is not a wise thing to do. My suggestion is that you just ride until lunch time and then ring the pub at lunch time when you know how far or where you may get to. You should book accommodation at the start point two weeks before the event starts and maybe book a pub on the first night of the Rally – after that we will all be spread out and accommodation will be easy.

Fuel and Water & Getting Started in the Mornings

What I would strongly recommend is to always fuel and water up at the end of each day and just have some toast in the morning or a light breakfast. You then go and do 200 to 300km and then pull up for an early lunch. By doing this you will save a lot of time.

If you are travelling with another rider or in a group, always come up with a realistic leaving time that everyone knows. You all need to get to your bikes 30 min before the leaving time so you can get sorted. Remember to turn on your SPOT tracker when you turn your GPS on. In cold conditions, there is nothing worse than waiting for a rider who is stuffing around – those who are waiting will get very hot in their kit.

Be Realistic

When the going is good always make a mile. In the mountain country 550km is not a bad distance to achieve. Out in the western country 750km per day is about right.

Road and Weather Conditions

Try and watch the weather each night. If you get to a section and the conditions are terrible, please just get to the bitumen then phone Rally H.Q. We will then advise the petrol stations on the course to advise riders behind you.

Live Rally Updates

Try and set up your smart phone so you can read updates in the APC Rally Forum at Advridermag.com.au.

If possible, try to load Tapatalk (its an APP) on your smartphone so you can post photos and make comments. If this is too hard just send the photos to Rally H.Q so we can post them for you. Up to 140,000 hits happen during the Rally so lots of people enjoy following the action.

Some important points

1. No dangers are marked on the course !!! The reason is that weather conditions will always change and this changes the dangers.
2. Fuel range of 320km required
3. Three litres of water minimum to be carried at all times
4. Make sure all GPS units are hard wired
5. SPOT trackers only work with lithium batteries – please have a spare set with you. Remember to turn the SPOT tracker off each night.
6. When you get your SPOT tracker URL address please send to Rally H.Q and a photo of yourself so we can put it on the APC Rally website and on the Advridermag forum.
7. Many riders now have smartphones and if you have the SPOT tracker URL of your mates on your phone you can use it to look for them if they don’t show up to the pub – you should sort this out before you start.

GPS LOADING and Information nights

Brisbane

Thursday 8th May – 4:00pm

“Bulimba Golf Club”, 103 Quay Street, Bulimba, Brisbane

Sydney

Saturday 10th May – 6:00pm

“The Rag and Famish”, 199 Millers Street, North Sydney

Melbourne

Sunday 11th May – 4:00pm

“Charsfield Hotel”, 478 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

If you cannot make these information nights please send your GPS to:

APC RALLY
P.O BOX 785
Bulimba QLd 4171

Please include $10 so I can post it back to you. I will set up your GPS with all the correct settings and make sure the course is loaded.

Please send on the 4TH MAY 2014.

Tyres for the rally

Order them in the next week

Marburg Qld starters

  - Tyres at Wodonga KTM – ph 02 6056 588

Cradock starters

  - Tyres at Singleton Motorcycles – ph 02 6572 3620

Wodonga starters

  - Tyres at Dalby Moto – ph 07 4662 1211

Sydney starters ( Wisemans Ferry)

  - Tyres at Dalby Moto – ph 07 4662 1211

Murrumbateman

  - Tyres at Dalby Moto – ph 07 4662 1211

Some other bike shops that will be on the route include:

• Glen Innes Motorcycles – 02 6732 1646

When ordering your tyres please ask them to include the fitting cost. You will need to prepay – I would suggest all riders will at least need a rear tyre if you want to be as safe as possible.

Starting Point Notes

Starting point accommodation information will be sent out in another 2 weeks. I will start pre riding the course on the 16th April 2014. Please keep an eye on the APC Rally Forum at Advridermag.com.au to see photos of the course as I am pre riding.

Thank you for supporting the event.