Providing proof for your 'Virtual Event' ride
COVID sucks, but we all have to work with the hand we've been dealt. And so we've decided to offer a 'virtual event' option for the 2021 North Island 800 and North Island 1600 rides.
This change has the following benefits:
While the event can be virtual, with an online route-reveal and without any mass gathering of riders, the riding itself will certainly be real - we think that's the most important thing - right?
Historically we've always been particular about checking each rider's photos to ensure that 'finisher's status' is only awarded to people who have managed to complete these challenging rides. That will be no different this time around.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO START / END YOUR RIDE IN TURANGI.
This change has the following benefits:
- You ride when it suits you - pick any time within the next 12 months. Hmmm, long warm summer days...
- You won't be subjected to mass groups of riders and we're not having to deal with impossible-to-manage COVID requirements on event gatherings.
- No COVID transmission as a result of being at a group event.
- We can continue to offer an event and allow continuity for riders who have been collecting pins and patches and who wouldn't want to miss out on 2021.
- You can manage your own risks entirely, not only COVID related risk, but also in terms of cancellation costs for accommodation, etc.
While the event can be virtual, with an online route-reveal and without any mass gathering of riders, the riding itself will certainly be real - we think that's the most important thing - right?
Historically we've always been particular about checking each rider's photos to ensure that 'finisher's status' is only awarded to people who have managed to complete these challenging rides. That will be no different this time around.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO START / END YOUR RIDE IN TURANGI.
- If you are taking part in a Virtual Event option, then you can choose where along the route you would like to start.
- Your START / END receipt will have to be at the same business. Choose this carefully based on what is going to be open when you finish your ride! This point MUST BE ON THE ROUTE.
- You need to ride the route in the prescribed direction. (As outlined both in the route sheet, John's video introduction to the route, and the number details on each of the checkpoints - do them in numerically ascending order (smallest first, through to the largest number).
- If you do not start / end in Turangi, then you must also add in a checkpoint in Turangi, either the (old) Holiday Park barrier, or a documented fuel stop in Turangi, as an extra photo checkpoint!
How are we going to check your ride?
You are all well prepared for photo checkpoints, so you'll all have some form of digital camera sorted for your ride.
We're asking you to extend the use of your camera to capture all of the following:
We're asking you to extend the use of your camera to capture all of the following:
- A selfie before you start your ride, showing you and your bike.
- If you're riding in a group of people, then we'd like a group shot too.
- A start receipt, photographed with your bike's odometer (ODO). *
- All of your checkpoint photos clearly showing your bike at the required stops.
- An end receipt, photographed with your bike's odometer (ODO). *
- For riders on the NI1600 route, we have already requested a SpotWalla trip. Now that things are virtual, this has become even more important. Each NI1600 rider is required to make a best-efforts attempt at capturing a full, and working SpotWalla Trip showing your entire ride. In the case that you make a fair effort to do this, but you fail - you can request that we consider using a fully time-stamped GPS track taken directly from your bike's GPS (assuming you have one) but you'll have to show a fair and exhaustive effort before we'll accept this.
Example of an 'ODO' photo for start / end receipts *
- Here's a sample of what we need for #3 above. - This is commonly a fuel receipt, but it doesn't need to be, it can be any printed, business receipt which shows the address of the business and the time and the date. You can use ATM receipts or balance printouts if they contain the address on the printed paper. ALWAYS write your ODO number onto your receipts before you photograph them.
- When you're ready to officially start your ride, go and fill up. We recommend the local Z station in Turangi since it's open 24 hours, has pay-at-pump and has a choice of all of the types of fuel you may want.
- Shift your bike's odometer display to show your bike's overall km travelled. Please DO NOT USE A TRIP METER distance, that's no good for ride validation purposes.
- Grab the receipt and hold it carefully next to your ODO, make sure that the time / date is clearly shown on the receipt. - Take a photo of it, this is your start receipt photo.
- When you end your ride, repeat steps 1-3 for your end receipt.
If it's done well, then it should look like this:
Where do I send all of this?
Send us an email with your full name, your contact phone number and all of the items required for us to check your ride to: distanceriders@gmail.com
We'll let you know if we need anything further from you.
THANK YOU. ENJOY YOUR RIDE!
We'll let you know if we need anything further from you.
THANK YOU. ENJOY YOUR RIDE!
