LD Rally FAQ 

Who participates?

LD rallies bring together riders who enjoy riding long distances.   But they also enjoy the challenge of creating routes; in particular, routes that maximize their ability to reach different points on the map within a specified time frame.  The best rallies allow the participants to see interesting places and hang out with riders who not only enjoy a long day in the saddle but share their fascination with this unique powersports competition.

 What’s the point?

You are told how long you can ride in total [anywhere from 12 hours to several days] and, if a multi-day event,  how long you have to be stopped to rest/sleep. [And there may be no sleep requirement.]  Most rallies are weekend events.  Rallies geared to Novice riders are shorter.  One well known national rally, The Iron Butt Rally, is eleven days long.

You are given a list of “bonus locations” – places on the map you can choose to visit.  For each location, you are also told the things you need to do/observe to prove you visited that location.  Often you’ll be asked to take a digital picture that includes your bike and your “rally flag” – thereby proving you took the picture during the rally.  Some locations can be a bit tricky to find and that is by design.  You cannot possibly visit all locations given the distance between them and the time allowed.  Each location has a point value.  You need to pick the bonus locations you think you can visit and document in the time allowed.  The rider with the most points wins.

Your challenge:  determine and run and efficient route allowing you to visit the most [high value] bonus locations and get back to the rally site before the finish time.

Who does well?

Ultimately this comes down to (a) visiting the most [high value] locations per unit of time riding and (b) your time in motion as a percentage of overall riding time allowed.   So Rider Joe can achieve the same point score as Rider Sam even though Sam ran 10 mph faster on average when rolling.  But Sam was slow at gas stops, took more time to rest, and had a less efficient route.  And, he did not carry extra fuel via a fuel cell so he stopped for gas more often.   [Check rally rules as to total fuel capacity allowed.]

At more established rallies you are probably competing against riders who are good at routing, efficient at gas stops, take only the required rest, and, in general, stop “infrequently” and for as little time as possible, while they also push the speed limit envelope consistent with safety.   

More On Bonus Locations and Rider Proof

The rally master will release the list of bonus locations ahead of time, and the release time (date) varies by rally.  Some rallies release the locations a week before the rally, some two days, and some the morning of.  

Example: Your State Park Pine Forest.  Follow the road to the  Visitor  Center.  Continue approximately 12 miles to a gravel road marked “winter snowmobile trail”. Turn right, follow the road 1 mile to the parking lot.  At the entrance to the parking lot is a sculpture of a snow mobile.  Take a photo of the plaque at the base of the sculpture.
  
The rider will be given a rally flag prior to the start of the rally.  (This will vary in size and material by rally.)  Each flag has a unique number on it.  If a photo is required, they will want your flag and perhaps your bike in the photo.

Rallies may require that the photo show a digital time and date stamp but generally this is based on embedded EXIF data.  There may be limits on digital image size such as a restriction to 640x480 pixels.  You may wish to check the rules and learn to set your digital camera as required.  The rally will have the means of uploading pictures from your camera once you check in.

For some bonus locations proof may involve a “reciept” such as a gas receipt and this receipt must have a day and time stamp.  But it can also be an “item” of some sort that is purchased, for example, a lottery ticket.  Or proof may consist of your having the answer to a question that can only be answered by those visiting the bonus location. 

 You will need two receipts [start and end] to document your rest stop if rest is required.  And usually you will need to have all gas receipts and they should be marked with your odometer reading.

Novice riders would do well to focus on the specifics of the receipt requirements for a rally and seek input from the Rally Master.   And of course you will need a “receipt holder” that can keep them dry and organized.

Summing Up