TRAIL GUIDES

Hey all!

Recently, we experimented with splitting off groups (back in July we had 19 rigs of varying skills) and then had Steven and Ken both lead 2 groups this past weekend.....with MUCH success on both monthly trips. It's been great seeing what trails you have been doing and what people like. As I said before, I do not want anyone getting bored with the same trail itinerary....and I'd pretty much been making them up since the beginning (and even before that) and I needed a change. Well, that and the fact that no one would speak up on what they wanted for trails....and even worse, no one ever stepped up to lead.

Very many thank yous go out to Steven and Ken for doing it.

Chris and I are looking for a couple of people who would want to do some leading on a more 'often' basis. We'd love for Steven and Ken to keep doing it when available....but also would like a couple other people to step up for when they aren't available. I know some of you know the park pretty well. You know what you like to do. Really the only requirement is to show up and make sure people in your group are on board with the trails you are going to do.

As far as gatherings at a big obstacle to watch goes, that's awesome and most of the fun is all watching and talking (and usually laughing and ribbing the stuck person!) The only negative about it (and the group can decide when enough is enough) is when it starts to become a huge time consumer and people feel like they're starting to waste the $35 they paid to wheel. For the most part, no one has really ever felt that way....but again, like I said earlier, people have a tendency to just smile and shrug when you ask what they want....or just simply say that they are just happy being out on the trails (but secretly want to do something in particular!).

I was very pleased with the group split offs that we did in July and from the sounds of it, this weekend was quite a success with that too.

With Chris working weekends (hopefully it'll just be sundays soon) we need someone to lead. Since wrecking my Xterra, I do not have anything to wheel but can ride along with someone to lead a blue group. Then someone could lead a black group. We will work it all out.

But we really would like for someone (or two) to seriously consider helping out with it.

Thanks guys!

I am always willing to lead when I can make it out to the runs. Leading can actually be a lot of fun -- you get to pick the trails, the direction you run the trail, what order you run the trails, etc. It can also be a lot of fun being the first person in the group, you get to decide when to stop and scout out the trail, and you also have the thrill of running an obstacle first and usually without anyone spotting you. You can teach any new comers, and you get to assess what trails are appropriate for the trucks and drivers in your group. It is really not much work, and it makes the run more interesting. I am just surprised sometimes that people are willing to follow me and to follow a Nissan. I guess they figure that if a Nissan can make, their rig can too.

As far a congregating at an obstacle or a stuck -- that is always going to happen. People do get stuck, and obstacles do slow a group down. But getting out and watching, and busting chops in a friendly way, is sometimes the best part of getting together. As long as the trail being run is appropriate for the trucks and for the drivers' skills, it should not take up too much time. I think the obstacles and Jeff's stuck were the best parts of this past weekend. My stuck was also fun, but I could not get out of the truck.

I am always open to having new people lead. It does not take any great skill. All you need is to know your favorite trails, and keep within the color designation that the group has agreed upon. So, I encourage anyone that wants to stp up that plate, to do so.

k_enn

k_enn wrote:

I am always willing to lead when I can make it out to the runs.

Thank you!!! You do such a great job! You always made me feel good about wheeling when I first started!

k_enn wrote:

You can teach any new comers

That's our favorite part. Lynn (at RC) sends lone wolves/newcomers our way knowing that we have a great group and do appropriate trails. I just want to be able to send off the modded guys with a good leader to do the blacks and stuff.

k_enn wrote:

As far a congregating at an obstacle or a stuck -- that is always going to happen. People do get stuck, and obstacles do slow a group down. But getting out and watching, and busting chops in a friendly way, is sometimes the best part of getting together.

EXACTLY!!! One of my favorite stucks was Chris following RJ down Crawler Ridge (back when it was much harder) with his Tacoma with 31s after we were all like...."Ummm are you crazy???" It took 1.5 hours to recover him and we had a BLAST!!! Ken will remember it...I think that's him in the red sleeves!!!! Here's a motivational poster I made of a pic I took of his stuck....oh, and Ken, there's another poster under it that proves people love the Xterra!!!:









Thank you again for leading Ken. I hope you can make it again soon. I'll probably hop in with you the times Chris is working. I have to save $1200 for my 6" Superlift....but with a wedding coming, I cannot seem to just 'put away $1200'. (even though my mom and dad are paying for everything but the DJ!)

Anyway....thanks.

ill trail guide thats ok. just dont want to do it everytime. i feel bad for when people get stuck especially if i told them to go a certian way. im just not a good spotter. britton firgured that out this weekend.

Don't worry buddy, spotting is harder than anything else in this sport. Not many are naturals at it.

XterraXtian wrote:

Now that is funny.

I remember it well. Chris had just sold the Tacoma, and the buyer was coming the next day to pick it up. That made it all the more crazy.

k_enn

I know the park pretty well and can lead if needed when I'm there.

I knew we could count on you, Mike....and you are capable of the hard trails, which is a bonus for the group that likes doing blacks from get-go. I'll definitely add you to our 'list of leaders' that we'll use to make sure we have optimal trails.

You guys rock. Funny, I LOVE change.....yet I still despise Obama! HAHAHAH!

XterraXtian wrote:

Funny, I LOVE change.....yet I still despise Obama! HAHAHAH!

I love that bumper sticker: "I'll keep my guns, religion and money, you can keep the change."

I am willing to guide

k_enn wrote:

I love that bumper sticker: "I'll keep my guns, religion and money, you can keep the change."

Love it!!

squiggy wrote:

I am willing to guide

Thanks, Clay!!! That would be awesome!!! You're a great wheeler and know the park pretty well. Plus, your pretty built up, so you can hang with the black trails and stuff too!!! We will however need people to guide the green/blue people if Chris has to work, someone knowledgeable to show them what they can do. Would you do that occasionally too? I know Ken likes to.

You guys are awesome!!!

i am good with green/blue.
I have to drive home afterwards.

squiggy wrote:

i am good with green/blue.
I have to drive home afterwards.

hehehe this made me giggle. I'll take you up on it occasionally...but I know you like the harder stuff too...and you're darn good at it!!!