FAQ: Frequently-asked questions
The 2024 event has some slight rule changes from previous events. Please read them carefully, even if you are an experienced TT rider so you can plan your event to match your skills and interest in the event.
Q: Is there an actual TT2000 official route like some of your earlier years?
A: It depends what award you wish to go for. The Ride the Beat has an exact route and the GPX files and route are on the resource page. For the Emergency Responder, the exact route is left completely up to riders to decide for themselves, but each rider must visit enough checkpoints to gain the required distance and points and collect the compulsory checkpoints for the award.
Q: Do I have to get to all the checkpoints and if not, what is the purpose of so many checkpoints?
A: No, you do not have to get to all the checkpoints and we believe that's unattainable anyway, given their geographic spread. You only have to ride to enough checkpoints (inc. mysteries) to gain the minimum required points. The total number of checkpoints is to give riders options and allow them to create a ride that suits their bike and their abilities. You will get credit for every checkpoint (up to the maximum) but make sure you are aware of the requirements to finish the challenge.
Q: I want to ride JUST the minimum 2,000 kms. Which checkpoints do I have to go to?
A: The Ride the Beat Award sounds just the match for you. Check out the requirements for it.
Q: I just want to ride 2,000 kms and not mess about with checkpoints. Can I?
A: No, not at this rally. If that's all you want to do you don't need to enter the TT, just go out one weekend and have a long ride. To earn the TT2000 rally badge you need both minimums - 2,000 kms AND the minimum points. There are other rallies in New Zealand that cater for those who just want to ride from A to B.
Q: Why have the points and what relevance are they?
A: The points are to make the rally more interesting than merely a weekend's outing. By theming it with checkpoints it entices you up roads you've never ridden before, adds a novelty value in finding things like bridges and gates and puts your name on a results list for brag value. There are no trophies, simply a ranking on a sheet. For most riders the personal accomplishment of a damn fine weekend's ride is motivation enough.
Q: Can I simply ride 2,000 kms from my hometown, back to my hometown, and not bother with any checkpoints?
A: No, the purpose of the TT is to promote advance planning, stretch riders to achieve personal goals that they would otherwise simply mull over at home and think about one day doing, provide an event with sufficient safety parameters and to intersect with other like-minded riders both on the road and at the finish. If you want to do a solo effort then no need to join the TT... just go out and ride 2,000 kms anytime you feel like it.
Q: What happens if I fail to complete the 2,000 kms distance or fail to arrive at the finish by 4pm on Sunday?
A: You are classified as a DNF in the results and miss out on the rally badge, fridge magnet & barbecue BUT you get to keep the t-shirt. Every year a few riders pull out, finding the distance too onerous or the TT fates have a surprise for them. At least they gave it a crack.
Q: Some checkpoints are vistas. What if I'm there at night & can't capture the view?
A: The GPS location that is included in the checkpoint information will take you to a generic area of the location not to the exact spot needed for the photo. This will mean either you take a small amount of time during the rally to locate the photo location, or you may wish to do some research to find the exact position. In most cases the photo is of a sign, but in other cases they are of other easily recognisable locations. In most cases you will be able to light up the location with your bike lights.
Q. Do I need to get the bonus points?
No, the bonus points are there to add an additional challenge to riders who wish to add a level of complexity to their ride. The bonus points will be automatically added as part of the scrutineering of the photos after the event.
Q. What happens if I have more than 5000 points?
To make this event a challenge without encouraging speeding or pushing riders beyond their limits, the 5000 point is a cap and no record will be published with the points over this.
Q. Do the photos have to be at the exact spot shown in the run sheet?
Yes! In the past there was more latitude towards the location of the photos, as long as the photo proved you were in the general location oftentimes it was accepted. This year the requirement of having the exact location is necessary due to the other challenges that are being added. With the efficiency and navigation challenges, riders are trying to ride the least amount of km for the points they need, and to be fair to all riders the photo needs to be in the specified location. Prior planning to identify the photo locations will help. The locations are usually fairly easy to find, but make sure you get the correct sign/location as some locations may have several.
As the checkpoints are located at emergency services - do not park your bike in any position that would get in the way of the services. It can be difficult to get to parks at times in these areas, so if you are unable to park safely and legally in order to get the photo - a selfie of you in front of the station sign with your shirt is acceptable. If you take this photo and you are riding with a pillion, they must be in the photo as well. A group of riders can be in the photo as long as - every rider and the pillion is in the photo (including the photographer) and all riders have their Tee shirt. Make sure you are not blocking the access for the emergency services when doing so.
Q. Can I use a GPS track for my distance record?
If you take your starting odo and finishing odo photo then you can also submit a GPS distance (with a GPX track to back it) and this distance will be used. If you don’t provide a track you will be ineligible for the Twisting Throttle Award.
Q. What if I am riding in a group, what distance do we use?
Where riders are riding as a group - they can use 1 speedo or GPS as indicative for the group (as long as the GPS requirements are met) and photos of all the bikes and tee shirts included in this group are in all the photos.
Q: Is there an actual TT2000 official route like some of your earlier years?
A: It depends what award you wish to go for. The Ride the Beat has an exact route and the GPX files and route are on the resource page. For the Emergency Responder, the exact route is left completely up to riders to decide for themselves, but each rider must visit enough checkpoints to gain the required distance and points and collect the compulsory checkpoints for the award.
Q: Do I have to get to all the checkpoints and if not, what is the purpose of so many checkpoints?
A: No, you do not have to get to all the checkpoints and we believe that's unattainable anyway, given their geographic spread. You only have to ride to enough checkpoints (inc. mysteries) to gain the minimum required points. The total number of checkpoints is to give riders options and allow them to create a ride that suits their bike and their abilities. You will get credit for every checkpoint (up to the maximum) but make sure you are aware of the requirements to finish the challenge.
Q: I want to ride JUST the minimum 2,000 kms. Which checkpoints do I have to go to?
A: The Ride the Beat Award sounds just the match for you. Check out the requirements for it.
Q: I just want to ride 2,000 kms and not mess about with checkpoints. Can I?
A: No, not at this rally. If that's all you want to do you don't need to enter the TT, just go out one weekend and have a long ride. To earn the TT2000 rally badge you need both minimums - 2,000 kms AND the minimum points. There are other rallies in New Zealand that cater for those who just want to ride from A to B.
Q: Why have the points and what relevance are they?
A: The points are to make the rally more interesting than merely a weekend's outing. By theming it with checkpoints it entices you up roads you've never ridden before, adds a novelty value in finding things like bridges and gates and puts your name on a results list for brag value. There are no trophies, simply a ranking on a sheet. For most riders the personal accomplishment of a damn fine weekend's ride is motivation enough.
Q: Can I simply ride 2,000 kms from my hometown, back to my hometown, and not bother with any checkpoints?
A: No, the purpose of the TT is to promote advance planning, stretch riders to achieve personal goals that they would otherwise simply mull over at home and think about one day doing, provide an event with sufficient safety parameters and to intersect with other like-minded riders both on the road and at the finish. If you want to do a solo effort then no need to join the TT... just go out and ride 2,000 kms anytime you feel like it.
Q: What happens if I fail to complete the 2,000 kms distance or fail to arrive at the finish by 4pm on Sunday?
A: You are classified as a DNF in the results and miss out on the rally badge, fridge magnet & barbecue BUT you get to keep the t-shirt. Every year a few riders pull out, finding the distance too onerous or the TT fates have a surprise for them. At least they gave it a crack.
Q: Some checkpoints are vistas. What if I'm there at night & can't capture the view?
A: The GPS location that is included in the checkpoint information will take you to a generic area of the location not to the exact spot needed for the photo. This will mean either you take a small amount of time during the rally to locate the photo location, or you may wish to do some research to find the exact position. In most cases the photo is of a sign, but in other cases they are of other easily recognisable locations. In most cases you will be able to light up the location with your bike lights.
Q. Do I need to get the bonus points?
No, the bonus points are there to add an additional challenge to riders who wish to add a level of complexity to their ride. The bonus points will be automatically added as part of the scrutineering of the photos after the event.
Q. What happens if I have more than 5000 points?
To make this event a challenge without encouraging speeding or pushing riders beyond their limits, the 5000 point is a cap and no record will be published with the points over this.
Q. Do the photos have to be at the exact spot shown in the run sheet?
Yes! In the past there was more latitude towards the location of the photos, as long as the photo proved you were in the general location oftentimes it was accepted. This year the requirement of having the exact location is necessary due to the other challenges that are being added. With the efficiency and navigation challenges, riders are trying to ride the least amount of km for the points they need, and to be fair to all riders the photo needs to be in the specified location. Prior planning to identify the photo locations will help. The locations are usually fairly easy to find, but make sure you get the correct sign/location as some locations may have several.
As the checkpoints are located at emergency services - do not park your bike in any position that would get in the way of the services. It can be difficult to get to parks at times in these areas, so if you are unable to park safely and legally in order to get the photo - a selfie of you in front of the station sign with your shirt is acceptable. If you take this photo and you are riding with a pillion, they must be in the photo as well. A group of riders can be in the photo as long as - every rider and the pillion is in the photo (including the photographer) and all riders have their Tee shirt. Make sure you are not blocking the access for the emergency services when doing so.
Q. Can I use a GPS track for my distance record?
If you take your starting odo and finishing odo photo then you can also submit a GPS distance (with a GPX track to back it) and this distance will be used. If you don’t provide a track you will be ineligible for the Twisting Throttle Award.
Q. What if I am riding in a group, what distance do we use?
Where riders are riding as a group - they can use 1 speedo or GPS as indicative for the group (as long as the GPS requirements are met) and photos of all the bikes and tee shirts included in this group are in all the photos.
