RUST magazine: RUST#42

Long Termer
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500 on the majestic Mona’s Isle is the
finale, in September. The 500 bit refers
to the approximate distance of each
event, being about 500km. These are
no speed events; the competition is
measured on accuracy of navigation
(each competitor is GPS tracked), while
the terrain is not extreme either, being
designed to be ridden by adventure
bikes on road tyres (predominantly
being gravel tracks).
You can see the V-Strom XT is a
perfect fit. And so the RUST entry went
in for the first round, the Kielder 500,
pretty sharpish (or pretty late if you’re
Robert Hughes the organiser, but early
by our standards…). The fact was it
wouldn’t just be a 500 for the V-Strom,
as with riding up to the venue and back
the total distance wouldn’t be 500km,
instead 1100 miles (nearly 1800km).
GETTING THERE
This being an adventure event we
took an adventure strategy. No van,
no trailer, no hotels – just bike, rider
and some canvas. The Suzuki was as
good as ready to go. The modifications
I’d made in 2018, using parts from SW
Motech and R&G, together with a set
of Metzeler Karoo Streets, meant all I
needed was to load it up with my Giant
Loop Coyote Roll Top Saddlebags, a
Touratech camera/tank bag, and my
latest addition, a Cool Covers seat
cover to help with the long hours in
the saddle. Long time RUST buddy July
Behl came along too, for laughs and
company, resting up his BMW RnineT
Scrambler in favour of his KTM 1190
Adventure R.
The 400 miles trip from Kent to
Northumberland was despatched
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