Perry Mountain 24 Hour Challenge -- June 1-2, 2019

[snydes]

Some lighting notes/observations that may help;

Stock EX/EXR headlight (I believe it to be a Polisport Halo) - 35 watt, couldn't find a lumen specification.
Polisport Halo LED - 508 lumens low beam, 1007 high beam (no wattage spec on their site) $140 ish online
Polisport Lookos Headlight (battery powered w/option for solar) - 800 lumens, 10 watts, prices ranged from $270-$400 depending on seller.

Now taking into consideration that the stock EX/EXR headlight is a 35 watt bulb, I am ASSUMING that unused plug behind the number plate would be adequate for at least that wattage figure. The dual sport kit that Elite Motorsports sells for the MX and MXR uses that plug for the entire system, so it possibly should be able to handle a little more than 35 watts. Looking at Task Racings options it would seem from the descriptions that the 10" bar would be the minimum (and cheapest) of their racing level lighting. The 6" bar would be significantly better than any stock headlight with 3100 lumens and at 35 watts should also be able to be plugged in to that stock plug. But that might not be enough light for the job. The 10' bar is 4650 lumens at 54 watts. So that unused plug on the Alta may not support that much draw so we would have to go the battery route (extra cost).

I guess we need @Emoto2577 to weigh in with his experience at this race as to what is a good level of lighting.

 

[Speedkills]

I just picked up an LED H4 bulb, will have to install it later this week and see how the beam looks.

 

[revoltlution]

I just picked up an LED H4 bulb, will have to install it later this week and see how the beam looks.

Got a link for us?

 

[leeo45]

Having experience with this race for several years, although quite a few years ago, I can tell you that you will want A LOT OF LIGHT. You want to come as close as possible to projecting daylight. Here are a few thoughts which you can use or ignore as you see fit....

First and foremost, have fun and be safe. If you have not done it, racing at night in the woods on challenging single track is unlike any other riding. Add dust or mud and you will never complain about too much light, although you might complain about the type of lights. IMO, using the 12v plug or the stock headlight on the ALTA will be nearly irrelevant anywhere but pit lane. Even on ICE bikes with a big stator, you carry battery packs and recharge them while using fresh packs.

Ideally you will have VERY bright lights mounted to both the bike and your helmet. Helmet lights will project where you are looking, which is a good thing in tight turns, in the woods, and on elevation changes. You will even learn to turn your head more than normal to use the helmet lights. However, most years the trail and the conditions are very dusty by nightfall. Helmet lights are bad about reflecting back into your eyes in dusty conditions, plus as the trail gets covered with dust (or mud) the shadow cast by the helmet lights is not visible to the rider. With only helmet lights you cannot see ruts, braking bumps, roots, and at times even the trail. (The light source is too close to your eyes so everything is dirt-monochrome.) The bike mounted lights give you a shadow on all of those features and the perspective you need to ride at speed. Plus, you can typically mount larger, brighter lights on the bike than you would want on your helmet. The multiple lights also give you redundancy should something fail or get broken in a crash. (Disclaimer: I have never been involved with a multi-bike team and I understand that will complicate the lighting scenarios and potentially increase the expense.)

Quality helmet lights with the batteries on the rider are great should you have a get-off and be separated from the bike. And they are handy for working on the bike should a mechanical gremlin appear; not that it would ever happen in a 24 hour race. If you are serious about actually racing, you may also want to put some kind of marker lights on each bike so you can easily tell when it comes through scoring or is headed down pit lane.

And finally, don't wait until the race to try the lights or experience riding in the woods at speed in the dark. Some people adapt to nighttime conditions much better than others. With six riders you may even find that you have some fast nighttime specialists and others who simply can't see well enough to be safe in the dark. It is best to know this before you start the race.

 

[snydes]

Having experience with this race for several years, although quite a few years ago, I can tell you that you will want A LOT OF LIGHT. You want to come as close as possible to projecting daylight. Here are a few thoughts which you can use or ignore as you see fit....

First and foremost, have fun and be safe. If you have not done it, racing at night in the woods on challenging single track is unlike any other riding. Add dust or mud and you will never complain about too much light, although you might complain about the type of lights. IMO, using the 12v plug or the stock headlight on the ALTA will be nearly irrelevant anywhere but pit lane. Even on ICE bikes with a big stator, you carry battery packs and recharge them while using fresh packs.

Ideally you will have VERY bright lights mounted to both the bike and your helmet. Helmet lights will project where you are looking, which is a good thing in tight turns, in the woods, and on elevation changes. You will even learn to turn your head more than normal to use the helmet lights. However, most years the trail and the conditions are very dusty by nightfall. Helmet lights are bad about reflecting back into your eyes in dusty conditions, plus as the trail gets covered with dust (or mud) the shadow cast by the helmet lights is not visible to the rider. With only helmet lights you cannot see ruts, braking bumps, roots, and at times even the trail. (The light source is too close to your eyes so everything is dirt-monochrome.) The bike mounted lights give you a shadow on all of those features and the perspective you need to ride at speed. Plus, you can typically mount larger, brighter lights on the bike than you would want on your helmet. The multiple lights also give you redundancy should something fail or get broken in a crash. (Disclaimer: I have never been involved with a multi-bike team and I understand that will complicate the lighting scenarios and potentially increase the expense.)

Quality helmet lights with the batteries on the rider are great should you have a get-off and be separated from the bike. And they are handy for working on the bike should a mechanical gremlin appear; not that it would ever happen in a 24 hour race. If you are serious about actually racing, you may also want to put some kind of marker lights on each bike so you can easily tell when it comes through scoring or is headed down pit lane.

And finally, don't wait until the race to try the lights or experience riding in the woods at speed in the dark. Some people adapt to nighttime conditions much better than others. With six riders you may even find that you have some fast nighttime specialists and others who simply can't see well enough to be safe in the dark. It is best to know this before you start the race.

Excellent info, thanks for sharing.

 

[snydes]

Talking specifically about Task Racing products light options and what sounds to be the minimum amount of lighting we would be looking at;

10” Rechargeable Light Bar Package (unclear how to mount this) $329.95

OR

Same as above with their fork mounting $529.95

And single helmet light
Moto Adventure Helmet Light Package$169.95

If the dual helmet light is necessary than double that price.

Definitely will need a lighting plan. Even with some sort of a sharing arrangement I can’t see getting away with less than a couple sets.

Hopefully we can get some insight into how previous 6 bike teams handled it.

 

[CK696]

I have to say guys, the response to this is amazing.

If there are enough people interested, I'm willing to start a second team, for the 24 hours, as well. Maybe a different class, if that option is available.

I have never raced the 24hr Perry Mountain race, but I have done the 24 hours at Glen Helen a few times, both ironman and team class. Also the Score series, like the Baja 1000, as well. Everything @leeo45 is on point. Error on the side of too much light. You might think its crazy at the time, but its not.

CK696
2018 Redshift MXR
Enduro Engineering Bark Buster, Warp 9 Pegs, Alta Skid Plate, Acerbis Front and Read Disk Guards, Alta Left Hand Rear Brake

 

[Philip]

I have never raced the 24hr Perry Mountain race, but I have done the 24 hours at Glen Helen a few times, both ironman and team class. Also the Score series, like the Baja 1000, as well.

Damn, these are impressive credentials!

I had no idea they had 24hr races at Glen Helen. I bet they are well-lit though, and no headlights are requires, else it would be ridiculous to jump those huge doubles and triples in the dark!

 

[Philip]

Racing Baja 1000 on a motorcycle at night is something that I might want to do if I have a death wish, LOL.

I almost got to co-pilot a dune buggy at night there about five years ago. I was scared shitless! When the crew before me broke the car, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. With all the practice runs and strip club partying the night before the race I had enough of excitement already.

 

[bluefxstc]

There is an unused 12v plug on the MXR and (I assume) the MX behind the number plate that could possibly be utilized.

There are probably a couple of other 12v circuits you could use to power your lighting needs. Not sure how much power is available, but it is different from the head light so probably additional power. On my EX there is a second small bulb in the head light and you have the tail light circuit. Both are independently controlled by the bike, separate from the headlight. They both also have separate wires so there is probably a plug somewhere on the bikes that you can access. I really doubt that Alta has different DC to DC conversion circuits on the different bikes, so you should have access, somewhere, to the same circuits/12v power sources that I have.

 

[Philip]

Just read some of the rules 24 hour challenge rules. Here are some of the things that caught my attention:

C. SIX BIKE, SIX RIDER TEAMS

• Up to six riders per team. No rider substitutes after 9:00am on Saturday.
• Each rider may use his own bike or share a bike with a fellow rider. Max of 6 bikes allowed.
• 6 Bike teams are not eligible for ‘Overall’ payout money. They are only eligible for their class payout.
• 6 Bike teams are not allowed a ‘backup’ bike in the impound. Only the six race bikes.
• Open Six Bike is an unlimited rider ability class. No restrictions on rider ability or age.
• Novice Six Bike teams are limited to only ‘B’ and ‘C’ class racers. No A riders allowed in Novice.
• 30+ Six bike team riders must be over the age of 30 at the time of the race. ID’s will be checked.
• 45+ Six bike team riders must be over the age of 45 at the time of the race. ID’s will be checked.
• Women Six bike team riders must be female at the time of the race. ID’s will be checked.

5. BIKE INSPECTION

• Inspection Hours of Operation: Friday 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00a.m.
• Inspection will be held at the bike impound. Refer to the pit map for this location.
• At inspection, the bike frame number and engine numbers will be recorded.
• All bikes will be inspected for 4 inch or larger numbers on the front and side number plates. Numbers must be on the race bike and the impound bike. No ‘home made’ numbers will be allowed.

7. START

• Start Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
• Starts will be dead engine style start
• Riders will start in this order one minute apart:

One Bike Classes ------10:00
Six Bike Classes---------10:01
Duo Classes -------------10:02
Iron Classes--------------10:03

10. PIT RULES

• All campers, trailers, etc used in your pit must fit within the pit area. No exceptions.
• Only race bikes allowed on pit road after 9:00 am. All trucks/trailers/campers must either be moved to the campground area or parked inside of your pit and left there for the duration of the race.
• No smoking or open flames of any sort will be allowed on pit road. Too much gas/flammables.
• Speed limit is 10 mph and is strictly enforced with radars placed throughout pit row. It would be best to go 7-8 mph rather than run the risk of a penalty if you exceed 10 mph. Consider this your first warning. Violations will result in a penalty.
• No riding backwards in the pit area.
• No smoking in the pit area. No open fires or cooking in the pit area.
• Chilton County is a dry county. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the pit area.

11. RIDER SAFETY

• First Aid Station is located in the pit area staffed with trained EMT’s
• Ambulance service is on standby if needed.
• Course marshals will be sweeping the entire course for riders with mechanical problems or injuries.
• If you be break down on the trail, stay with your bike and tell a passing rider your number so it can be relayed to scoring. Assistance will be dispatched ASAP.
• Broken down bikes will be retrieved by club members only. You cannot go looking for your bike or rider. PMMC will handle this and be fair to everyone. The bike and rider will be returned to the pits by a club member only. The rider will then have to start the lap over, You cannot finish a lap from where you broke down.
• Do not ride backwards on the course. You WILL be disqualified.
• At night, ALL riders must wear flashing safety light provided by PMMC.

12. PENALTIES (NO WARNINGS)

• First offense = 5 minutes
• Second offense = 10 minutes
• Third Offense = 1 lap
• All additional offenses will be a one (1) lap penalty.
• You will be notified of your violation and your penalty will be assessed by a PMMC official at your pit. The penalty will be executed upon completion of your pit stop. The penalty will be marked on your pit sign with an X. The X will remain on a the pit sign the remainder of the race.

 

[OneLapper]

Errrrr....... This caught my attention:

• Chilton County is a dry county. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the pit area.

 

[Philip]

Errrrr....... This caught my attention:

• Chilton County is a dry county. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the pit area.

LOL! Yeah, let me underline that one too.

 

[Philip]

So, BYOB then, just do not drink it in the pit lane. No victory champagne celebration either.

But I googled "Dry counties in Alabama" and did not find anything that prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Usually alcohol cannot be sold on weekends, like the old "blue laws" or something. I do not understand how dry counties are different.

 

[CK696]

@Philip <laughs> Please allow to me to be clear. I didn't even come close to winning any of those. I Am happy to be an intermediate level racer. I've made some great friends racing, and was invited to race with some really really fast guys, at some amazing events. Please do not think I am some super fast guy. I am now old (47 years), and happy to be able to still ride and race.

I was simply saying those things, so people who might be interested in this event know I have some experience, and will not embarrass myself.

CK696
2018 Redshift MXR
Enduro Engineering Bark Buster, Warp 9 Pegs, Alta Skid Plate, Acerbis Front and Read Disk Guards, Alta Left Hand Rear Brake

 

[bluefxstc]

@Philip I am now old (47 years), and happy to be able to still ride and race.

Hmmmm, I think 47 is young. If it wasn't 2100 miles and 4 days of driving I would be interested in the ride/race. Anyone find one of these in the NW, I am in, but I will not be fast. Compete to complete and not get hurt, not to win.

 

[Philip]

Please allow to me to be clear. I didn't even come close to winning any of those. I Am happy to be an intermediate level racer.

No worries. I was just saying that simply entering and racing Baja 1000 on a motorcycle commands respect. That race is no joke. Every year they have someone crash and die, and it is usually a motorcyclist. Sometimes it is a Mexican family that was in the wrong place as the wrong time.

 

[Philip]

And you are never old if you still ride dirt bikes!

 

[teddyquinn]

I can see this leading to the start of another thread: (Non-corny) Team Name Ideas!

Also, this got me thinking, wonder how long until Alta has official gear / a gear partner. I'm sure many would enjoy an officially licensed jersey / pants / gloves, etc. Probably next to last on their priorities, but would still be nice.

 

[Philip]

I have made a new 24 hours of Starvation Ridge thread so that all the West Coasters could participate!

24 hours of Starvation Ridge in WA -- October 27-28, 2018