Riding motorcycles is what brings us together and keeps it so. And there is nothing better than getting together to ride, to learn, to share and for a change also to compete! Here’s something that I had been wanting to introduce in the community since for quite a while but guess it is time now. A Sunday morning spent grappling with a simple TSD format motorcycle rally. Time-Speed-Distance.

Here’s a brief description of what it is all about. Let’s do a pilot run in Delhi this coming Sunday i.e. the 7^th of September. And if it excites you, then the same can be done in any city.

Short duration TSD rallies are about planning and timing a ride right and also involves the fun of bagging bonus points by working out the bonus location riddles.

The X-Rally Pilot Run Format

The ride involves leaving the start point and touching 5 check points manned by marshals around the city and returning to the start point to finish the course. The catch is that the rider needs to maintain a certain average speed over the entire course. He/she earns points for every check point touched. The rider with maximum points wins the rally. Returning early or late both invite deduction of points, arriving early proving more costly than being late in the interest of safety. And complicating things are the bonus points. There shall be certain bonus locations spread out over the entire course. Each participant needs to identify the location, reach it and take a selfie with the bonus location in the background. The bonus location will usually be an easily identifiable landmark in the city. Every bonus location has bonus points associated with it which will be added to the riders’ tally.

Making things more interesting are two things:

1. The check points and bonus locations will be disclosed to the participants only 20 minutes before the start of the rally.
2. The bonus locations will not be explicitly identified but through a riddle kind of a description that you need to decipher yourself.

To check if each participant maintains the designated average speed the following method is used:

1. All participants, marshals and rally staff synchronise their watches when physically together at the start point.
2. The odometer reading and time of departure of each rider is noted both at the start and finish points and at every check point. This gives the distance covered in measured time, both between check-points and start to finish, making average speed calculation a simple affair.
3. No participant is to exceed the designated average speed between checkpoints and over the entire rally duration.

Point-wise description

5 check points
These will be designated check points, preferably DTC bus shelters identified by the location name painted on them and will be manned by marshals.

4 bonus locations
Relatively well known landmarks around the city. Description will be in the form of a riddle. An Xbhp flag will be given too each participant. He needs to have the flag, the location and of course himself in the selfie he takes on location.

Example: Enter here for animals wild and yet safe, a picnic or a class we make!
Ans: The Zoo entrance

Bonus Points
300 points for completing the course by registering at each of the 5 check-points
20 points deducted for every 1kph average speed above 40 kph between any two check points. 2 kph over means 40 point deduction and so on.
10 points deducted for every 1kph average speed below 40 kph between any two check points. 2 kph under means 20 point deduction and so on.
Bonus location points will be according to level of difficulty in deciphering the riddle and reaching the checkpoint. Will lie between 50-100 points each.

Total freedom of route choice but registering at all 5 check points compulsory for qualifying. The rider may or may not opt for earning bonus points.
Participants are welcome to bring along a pillion.

Timeline

0645 Arrival at dhaba for briefing

0700 Briefing begins along-with handing out of participant number stickers for the bikes.
0730 Watch sync time which also is departure time for check point marshals for their designated locations.
0740 Route and bonus description handed out in sealed envelopes.
0800 Flag off of participants begins
0900 Flag in of participants
0945 Declaration of top 3 winners

Stuff needed by participants:

Bike in proper working condition.
Bike with 4 mandatory documents. (DL, RC, PUC and Insurance)
Helmet, gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirt/jacket and shoes mandatory.
Phone camera or the two devices separately.


Electric powered 2-wheelers get extra 50 eco-points for helping reduce pollutants and the carbon foot-print

Extra 50 points for every rider in full riding gear - helmet, riding jacket, riding gloves, riding pants/full knee guards, riding boots

A rider + pillion team so fully attired get 75 extra bonus points.

You can use any amount of support gadgetry too plan your route. The easiest to get are some applications on smartphones like -GPS Speed Graph, My Car Tracks

Check out the screen shots for both that give ready instant values of average speed



GPS Speed Graph



My Car Tracks

There will be small token prizes for the top 3 finishers (tees, keychains, stickers etc) This is just a beginning. If the format catches on, then corporate participation will not be far.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A FRIENDLY FUN ACTIVITY. AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME XBHP IS DOING IT. SO LEARNING TIME FOR ALL WHICH IMPLIES NO FIGHTS OVER RESULT/CALCULATIONS .

Calling upon Delhi members to participate though anyone visiting town is also welcome. But locals will have an edge over visitors going by their familiarity with the city. We'll also need 2-3 volunteers for marshal duty apart from the core team which will be there in strength. So please make a show of hands on this thread either as a participant or a volunteer and if neither be around to check out the participants and cheer them along. . The date is 7th Sept 2014.

And last but not the least - I am open to suggestions upon this and so please do send them in too.