mark spit Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 As first timers on the RBR this year, my brother and I thoroughly enjoyed it.It was a big challenge both for us and the car, lots of effort went into the car before hand and fortunately paid off as we had no mechanical problems all the way round.Yes, we didn't get much sleep as we were in a Spit as well. However, resting back with low pulled cap, earplugs and snuggled under a sleeping bag did the trick for us. Gavin rested on the way up to Blyth, me after and we rested as much as we could after this. I didn't see any of Glencoe in the sun as I was snoozing. The physical effort is the biggest hurdle in my opinion. Entrants have to be aware of this.As from Tims email some parts weren't good. Last bit to Land's End (which we did in the fog) and the bit before the M25 but they'll probably go anyway. The rest was okay, absolutely fantastic in parts. Doubt I'd have ever visited JOG if not for this event.However I probably won't do another RBR now, much as I enjoyed the event. Cost and time being the two biggest concerns for me having a young family. Might be different if we hadnt completed it though. Easy to see why it's addictive for those who do it.100 entries seems fime Tim, just run a reserve list again. Might even have a marshall stop for you in the North East area for the next one.CheersMark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark spit Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 jcarruthers wrote:All I'm saying Si is that I wouldn't find driving up to Newcastle fun either - that's not where the "fun" lies at all.James, I beg to disagree, in Newcastle there lies lots of fun :).Unless you happen to be a football fan that is.Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shedmonkey Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 HERO have run LE-JOG for years it is regarded as THE toughest UK endurance event its costs ££££ to do,people who take part know the danger -its classed as "motorsport" just because this is a "Club Run" does not mean it is every bit as tough mentally physically and mechanically as an event such as LE-JOG (Which has speacial tests regularitys etc) dont think of it as a "Fun" run and you will enjoy it - it is a challenge you need to approach it with that in mind and the enjoyment will followWho gives a toss about the cash or work - I have neither but as a petrol head do you think I am going to turn down the chance to challenge my self and a self prepared car (shed) to 2000 miles in 48 hrs round some cracking roads with like minded peopleI feel it wont be long before an event such as the RBR will be regulated out of existance by wankers-when that happens I suggest we meet at JOG for breakfast the first weekend of October every other year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raider Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 It's understandable Si hasn't had a fun time with breaking down only 1/8 of the way into it.It's also understandable that Si feels you can't sleep in an old sports car if his experience of the RBRR was cut short like this - I have never been able to sleep until well into the Saturday as there is too much of a buzz at the start of the event.So - no problems with the comments but Si, give it another try ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I think everyone's entitled to their opinion and that includes all those who say "you're wrong" - that's an opinion too.Personally I think you have to enter into the RBR with the right frame of mind, with good preparation and with a sense of humour - it's a daft thing to do. The Atlas wasn't exactly he best choice for the RBR but that's why we chose it :-) I don't think the choice of vehicle makes any difference - it's all in your head. OK so some people don't like it but no one should try and justify their dislike by telling us it's dangerous - crossing the road is dangerous, life's dangerous but we still do it. Make a choice and be secure in that choice - I'll think nothing less of someone for choosing not to do the RBR but until they've done the whole thing I think their opinion may just be limited. 40 years of RBR and only 2 serious accidents, no serious casualties and several hundred pounds raised for charity - I think we need to keep a sense of perspective.As for donating the petrol money direct that sounds great, why not just bury ourselves now as we're all guaranteed to die? We can raise £50k for a good cause and have fun doing it. I'll collect all my sponsorship money even though we only made 1700 miles, DNF shouldn't mean no cash.I think we'll have a smaller entry next year but that's fine, I would hate to see people on the RBR who aren't enjoying themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJP Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I didn't do the RBRR this year, I do wish I had however after reading the diary, and the many messages posted here. I did do the 10CR last year and the Spit failed after 480 miles, but I have to say that the real benefit for me was the cameraderie of everyone when we broke down terminally at Morez. There was nothing anyone could do and we had to bid everyone goodbye, that for me personally was the hardest part. It has made me determined to be back on the 10CR next year, and I already have co-drivers for the 2010 RBRR, but I'll be using the Stag for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger saunt Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Hi i know how dissapointed you must feel ,we must have been the first to retire, we had 9 stops from the start up to Peterboro revices before we said enough is enough and then another twice before getting to grantham and heading back home in Leicestershire at around 2 am, We have completed 5 rbrrs the first back in 1998 just myself and my wife colleen, We were last to finish that time way behind everyone else and we even had a wheel bearing change on telegraph hill just outside Exeter at 3am ,i admit it was very hard with two so since then we have made it afamily affair and always made it four up and it is alot easeir but there is room in a 2000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted User Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Theo and I finished the event, two up in a GT6.We finished the event without the exhaustion that I had expected due to forcing ourselves to rest and sleep when we had the chance, which allowed us to pace ourselves through the route.Many of those who whizzed past us on the road could be seen "shagged out" at the stops later on Saturday night and Sunday morning.Despite losing time with a water pump change and a fuel pipe that came adrift, we never felt under any pressure to push on beyond our limits.We kept up a respectable average speed through the RBRR and usually saw the same faces at each control - those who have done the event many times before, so we felt that we were doing something right.Whenever one of us felt tired, we swapped seats and continued onwards but at no time did it feel that we weren't having fun, enjoying the car, the roads, meeting the marshals and the camraderie of fellow Club members.The RBRR is not a competition, so there is no need to push yourself to your limits for 48 hours solid.If it is regarded as a bit of fun and a challenge for the cars and the participants, then where is the harm?As for the accidents, 110 cars, each doing 2000 miles, that's 220,000 miles and only 3 accidents.I'm sure that we all know people outwith the Club who drive their everyday cars and have more than one accident every 73,000 miles.At least we're using our Triumphs.Mine would probably still be gathering dust in the garage unless there was the urgency to have it ready for the RBRR.So, that's at least one more Triumph back on public roads.That, in itself, is an achievement.Jim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpbarrett Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 This was our first RBRR, we did the 10CR last year but abandoned after 4 countries (btw not due to car failure). We did a lot of prep on the car before the RBRR, new engine, exhaust, carbs etc but did lots of 'test' runs to make sure all was working. In the end the car was perfect no problems at all!We both got very tired but made sure we had drinks at each stop and got out and walked around whenever we got petrol, in fact we stopped more often for petrol than we probably needed to but it meant we had regular breaks. When we got to the Welsh stage we were knackered and decided to head East pick up the M5 and take the easy route towards Bristol. Its a shame we missed some nice roads but we realised we were very tired and adapted our route to suit. I was very aware of how tired we were and did pull over to a quiet part of one of the stops to get some sleep. That was always part of the plan; if too tired we would stop or miss parts of the route. I was with my daughter and did not want an accident.We finished, were probably one fo the slower cars but had a great time and will do it again. Half the fun is achieiving something that is difficult and hard but very good when you have done it. Everyone will get somehing different from an event like this and I suppose it depends on your expectations.BTW I have been surprised by people reaction when I have told them about it, most have been 'you must be mad, but what a great thing to do...'. A TVR driver at work response was 'great idea can any car take part'! I think this poves we are not completly mad :)BTW the Herald was good lots of room for 'stuff' on the back seats and the MX5 seats are very good to sleep on!Mike and Libby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cook1e Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 ajp wrote: I suggest we meet at JOG for breakfast the first weekend of October every other year! Yep, an evening meal at siome pub in Enfield on a Friday evening, JOG for breakfast on a Saturday Morning, then Lands End for breakfast on a Sunday morning and back to that same pub in Enfield for another evening meal on the Sunday night.Just 100 or so Triumph's happaning to choose to eat at the same places over a weekend by pure conicidence! No harm in that...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slimboyfat Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 thescrapman wrote:Mine had done 750 in the last 20, most of those in the week before the event!CheersColinIs that a challenge Colin? My van hadn't seen the road since 1973, and the week before the event I only managed to put 50 odd miles on it (back and forth to the paint shop). If it hadn't been for a certain handbrake incident we would have completed the event, and I would have been using it to come to work in this week :'( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard B Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 AJP wrote:I feel it wont be long before an event such as the RBR will be regulated out of existance by wankers-when that happens I suggest we meet at JOG for breakfast the first weekend of October every ... cook1e wrote:Yep, an evening meal at siome pub in Enfield on a Friday evening, JOG for breakfast on a Saturday Morning, then Lands End for breakfast on a Sunday morning and back to that same pub in Enfield for another evening meal on the Sunday night.Just 100 or so Triumph's happaning to choose to eat at the same places over a weekend by pure conicidence! No harm in that......Yes it would just be a traditional thing that Triumph owners do. I'm sure it would be a 'breach of our human rights' to ban it. 8) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne S Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Just to add, that me and my old man did the RBRR for the first time ever this year in his GTR4 Dove. We spent many weekends prepping the car and knew that it would be a real challenge. We had an unusual strategy with my Dad driving full distance from London to JOG and myself from JOG to Lancaster but it worked for us as with sat nav you were able to get long periods of deep sleep. We pushed on the pace when we could and were the first to arrive at Edinburgh but had fuel pump issues and a fouling plug in no.4 cylinder that caused us a total of 5 hard shoulder moments. But we're mad so we just kept going, fixing problems and swapping to shorter stints as and when we felt neccessary.At the time it felt hardcore and we doubted whether we would ever do it again, but the sense of achievement and the high points like Glen Coe and Dartmoor spurred us on. 2 years is a long way off in these uncertain times, but Im hooked now and will be back - maybe in my V8 Grinnall next time....If you dont underestimate this and prepare properly - its the most rewarding thing you can do on 4 wheels - awesome event!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shedmonkey Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Sounds like you shared the driving in a similar way we do, we have sort of got into a routine over the last 12 years!Me; Plough to EBurgh,Ben;- EBurgh to Inverness,Me; Inverness JOG,Me; JOG sterling, Ben; Stirling Lancaster, Me; Lancaster Bristol, Ben; Bristol Bodmin. Me; Bodmin LE, Me; LE - FinishI do some fairly big stints but I feel confident Ben is fresh enough to take over anytime if I feel shagged or get headache/ill etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sorbington Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 MWG445 wrote:At least we're using our Triumphs.Mine would probably still be gathering dust in the garage unless there was the urgency to have it ready for the RBRR.So, that's at least one more Triumph back on public roads.That, in itself, is an achievement.Jim.I find it really odd that it takes an event like this to make people get their arses in gear use their cars??!!?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Still at least they get their arses back in gear! Love the way cars are being re-born to take part in the RBRR. 2 or 3 rare or interesting cars back on the road,Nigel Gair's 2000 mk2, Dave P's Atlas David Aspinall's mk2 2.5pi and Colin's mk1 2.5PiInspired me to get into the garage and strip down one side of the rear suspension on the GT6-which is a dodle now the car has CV shafts-Autosolo in two weeks time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 My car had been off the road since 1992,I put it back together with the RBRR in mind, no regrets it was great fun.Perhaps I should have left it parked behind the old garage I picked it up from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT6DavidMK1 Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 We shared the driving, though I am use to long distance driving, but we did sleep when not driving. I missed all the M5 sleeping ;DI had one power nap of 10 minutes after leaving Lands Ends, though was interupted by a phone call, asking if we had broke down ??)Me Plough to Eburgh,John, Eburgh to JOGJohn, JOG to Conon Bridge,Me Conon Bridge to Sterling,John, Sterling to Lancaster,Me, Lancaster to Chirk,Me Chirk to Gordino Services,John, Gordino Services to Lands EndsMe, Lands Ends to Badgers Holt,Me, Bagders Holt to Pimperne,John, Pimperne to DicotMe, Dicot to The Plough,David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rust Restorer Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 See if this will stir up anything, how many 2000/2500s would there be about if it where not for the RBRR :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Probably a true observation,more people have learnt how good they are as a result of the RBRR....is that what you meant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sorbington Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I just find it weird that anyone would allow their car to drop into a state of disrepair in the first place. I hate my 2000 being unusable even for a few hours. The whole point of owning it is that I can jump into it and drive it whenever I want to.When I bought it, it hadn't been on the road for 10 years. A total waste of a great car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sorbington Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Rust_Restorer wrote:See if this will stir up anything, how many 2000/2500s would there be about if it where not for the RBRR :PLots I'd imagine. Anyone with any sense knows what nice cars they are. :)When I bought mine I'd never heard of the RBRR or CT, I just knew it was a good car that I'd enjoy driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willows40 Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 david but you had only just left lands end so you should have been wide awake :)as far as driving is cocerned i drove the plough to blyth servicejog to somewhere in scotlandgordano service to about 20 mies from lands endby which time i was into much pain and didn`t drive anymore until tuesday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I agree Alan but when people have familys,work commitments and or financial constraints something has to give.I once owned a MK3 cortina that had only done 17,000miles in 25 years,the widow of the owner couldnt bare to part with it although it had sat unused for 10-15 years in the end she did and I did a further 55,000 miles in it in about 4/5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rust Restorer Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 sorbs wrote:Lots I'd imagine. Anyone with any sense knows what nice cars they are. :)When I bought mine I'd never heard of the RBRR or CT, I just knew it was a good car that I'd enjoy driving.Dont disagree, good car, just curious as to how many would normally be driving a Spit/GT6/herald/Vittesse for their normal driving, and just got the big saloon for the run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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