The 2005 PRFH RAT

The 2005 MTF Poker Run From Hell

The Ride Around Texas - The RAT

October 2 - 8, 2005

Kerrville, Texas

Long Distance Ride Coordinator:  Doug Woodall

All information on this page is tentative and will likely change.  It  is presented here for planning purposes only.

Everyone knows everything is bigger in Texas, but have you ever wondered how big Texas really is?  Here's your chance to find out.   Come ride around 3400 miles of Texas with us and be among the first to ride one of the IBA's newest rides.   The RAT is not for everyone, but if you like long distance riding, this will get you a big dose of what you need.

This challenging ride is offered in two versions, The RAT Insanity and The RAT Insanity Gold.  The rides differ only the amount of time allowed to complete them.  All other aspects of the rides are exactly the same.   Both rides are intended to be challenging and should be undertaken with the understanding that they require experience, planning, and maybe a little luck to complete.   Almost all of this ride is on two lane roads.  The idea is to hit the geographic corners of Texas, plus a few additional stops to keep the ride "interesting" and to prevent any temptation of taking a short cut.   

The mandatory check points are in the table, below, along with their approximate mileage and leg distances.

The following time limits have been established for this ride. 

The RAT Insanity Gold level is designed so that a well prepared and experienced long distance rider should be able to successfully complete it.  There is no margin for error in this ride.   

The RAT Insanity level is a somewhat more forgiving but is not a trivial challenge and will require adequate preparation and experience in riding long distances.  

Both rides require that you keep your wheels turning.   Time management is an extremely important aspect of these rides.   These are not "canned" rides.   All ride planning is left to the rider.  We have made no suggestions as to rest stop locations, gas locations, or how you manage this ride.  When planning this ride, it is extremely important that you take these stopping locations into account.   Every rider is different and has different requirements for rest, gas, and riding distances.   You will need to take these in to account as you plan your ride.

When riders register they will declare what ride they are intending to ride. This is so we can verify the prerequisite.  It should be noted that any rider who doesn't meet the prerequisite for The RAT Insanity Gold, but finishes in Gold time will not be certified as a Gold finisher. This is our best attempt to curb inexperienced riders from making the attempt.   Riders that sign up for The RAT Insanity Gold but do not meet the time requirements for that ride and do meet the time requirements for The RAT Insanity ride will be shown as finishers of The RAT Insanity.   Note that The RAT ride times are measured from Del Rio to Del Rio 

All riders must present a log with time/dated receipts from each of these locations, in the specified order, to be considered a finisher.   If a receipt is unavailable at a location, and we know there there are several that is extremely possible, please note the time, mileage, address and description of where you stopped.   The mileage and time from your adjacent two documented stops will be used to validate stops where documentation is unavailable.

In all cases, all riders MUST be back in Kerrville by 12:00 noon on Friday, October 7th to be considered a finisher for this ride.  This should allow ample time above the prescribed RAT times.  This does not mean that you have additional time to finish the Del Rio/Del Rio portion of the ride, but only sets the absolute limit for return to Kerrville.

The base route in Microsoft Streets and Trips (2004) can be downloaded here.

The list of mandatory stops, Microsoft Excel, can be downloaded here.

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites must be met by the close of registration.   

RAT Insanity - IBA membership. 

RAT Insanity Gold - Bun Burner Gold or any certified IBA ride of 2000 miles or more or a qualifying rally.

Rules

This ride will differ slightly from the IBA ride in the following areas.

1.  All riders will start from Kerrville

2.  All riders will proceed to Del Rio for the first segment of the actual RAT.  Your RAT time will be determined by your starting and ending time in Del Rio

3.  All riders will ride counter-clockwise.

4.  All riders will return to Kerrville by Friday, October 7th at 12:00 noon.

5.  It may or may not be possible to get a receipt of any form in some of the locations you are asked to stop.   We are fully aware of this and you don't need to bring it to our attention again.   If you are unable to get a receipt please document the time, location, and your mileage at that point.   We will not require photo's of these stops and they will not be considered as suitable documentation.  We will use your mileage and the mileage of your previous and next documented stops to validate any stop where you can not obtain a receipt.   It is possible that you may have successive stops where a receipt is not available.  We don't think this is likely, but it is possible.  The same procedures apply.  

6. Any rider exhibiting unsafe practices will be disqualified.  Excessive speed is considered unsafe.   

7. All riders are required to check in with their emergency contacts or a member of the MTF team once every 24 hours.   This allows us to have some clue about where you are should you have any difficulties along the way.   This is for your good as well as ours.  Please comply with this simple request.

Witness forms and logs

The witness form, Microsoft Word, can be downloaded here.

The gas log form, in Microsoft Excel, can be downloaded here.

Registration

Riders must register via the MTF Ride Registration site.  All registration, including fees and  prerequisite documentation must be finalized no latter than 15 days prior to the start of the event.   All prerequisites must be met by the closing of the registration.

Mementos

Mementos for the ride will be available for purchase via the MTF merchandise page.  Mementos will be shipped to all finishers that order them after the ride is complete.

IBA Certification

IBA certification will be submitted by the MTF Long Distance Team after the event.   All rider documentation must be submitted to the MTF team no latter than 15 days after the completion of the event.   

If you have any questions, contact the event manager.  However, questions such as motel, gas availability, etc should be posted on the MTF forum in the Long Distance Rides folder.

All content is copyright 2005 Motorcycle Tourers' Forum unless otherwise noted.  All rights reserved.  No information contained herein shall be copied or used in any way without the expressed permission of the MTF.