McGrew 2010

[Ebag333]

Now that we've wrapped up McGrew 2009, it's time to start thinking about 2010.

Next years run will be an important run for 3 reasons.

1) It will be the 10th anniversary of the McGrew Trail run.
2) It will be the first year to be fully hosted by JSC.
3) Tony and Jeff are a tough act to follow. Thanks for setting the bar so high, guys.


So while McGrew is fresh in your mind, I'd like to see some thoughts on ways that we could make it even better. What did you like? What did you hate? What ideas do you have to make McGrew 2010 even better than this years?

[retrofive]

We stopped by an old client of Knolly's on the way out. She runs a bar & grill in Wonder. It was really nice to sit and relax on the way back for a minute. On the side of the highway and close to the river. Plenty of parking, outside beer garden, etc. We were thinking a pre or post thing there.

[knoll0351]

And the food is killer with good prices. Not to mention Katie is our kind of people, don't have to hold anything back in her place

[Ebag333]

Here's some random ideas/thoughts that I've had, in no particular order.

• The group always seems to get split up (no matter how big or small) into a fast group, and a slow group. We saw that with the Friday run, and with the Saturday run. It might be an idea to have two groups for each run, a fast group of vets and a slower group of the stock/newer folks with some seasoned folks to walk them through the rougher stuff. Two groups would help keep the dust down too (especially for the slower group).
• Along the same lines, it might be worth while to have designated spotters for the couple of tougher obstacles on the trail. Travis, Tyler, and I drove up to the sluice on Sat and took pics and helped some people through, having multiple people in place (so they could hand each vehicle off to the next person at the next obstacle) would speed up how fast folks could go through the sluice.
• The prizes were killer this year.....so I think we need to make them even better next year! If we start watching for stuff now, we can acquisition a nice horde of loot for next year. Stuff will pop up on Craigslist cheap, maybe the club could acquire some of it.... (It occurs to me that a lot of tire shops get in barely used tires, maybe Rivertown could scrounge up some decent tires in common sizes and we can raffle them off.....call it the "Gabe-Bennett-I-Didn't-Bring-a-Spare" Raffle. )
• Free McGrew tickets: We should give away (at least) 2 free tickets to every single even we can until the next run. Let the events raffle them off (good for them) and send more folks our way who might not have come anyway (good for us).
• Maybe an actual catered style meal (as opposed to a potluck) on Sat night? I happen to know some folks who have done decently large group catering and can do so for extremely cheap (probably the price of the food if I were to ask nicely ). $10 per plate (kids eat free) or something should cover the food and then some.

Just some random ideas....I'm sure more to come.

[gnob]

i think we should ban the use of A/C.
that way you get the whole IV experience.

one suggestion i would offer is for food labels at dinner. for the sake of allergies.

[retrofive]

Originally Posted by gnob

i think we should ban the use of A/C.
that way you get the whole IV experience.

one suggestion i would offer is for food labels at dinner. for the sake of allergies.

Next year Ill be sure to label the vodka, jager and tea differently LOL.

[knoll0351]

G double and I were discusing some of these ideas this morning. We will get the SAR team up and that will solve the spotters issue. And having designated spotters this comming year was one of the plans. As for the multiple group idea I think that both the Friday and Saturday runs were rather good this year. No groups were really left behind. Additional runs meens additional leaders and sweeps....

As far as no AC goes....

Unless the Sami is up and going next year...but since it's TLCA gonna role the FJ...

[jmkfj60]

I have only attended the Mcgrew and PMC swap Meet. Saying that, I don't have the experience from other TLCA events. For the people that have attended other events, what can we add to the Mcgrew. What do they different for this style of event. These are my thoughts and they are not worth much.

I like the potluck style feeding. I think that this brings everybody together. I like the fact that you don't know what is going to be there. My first year (4 years ago) was the year of the pasta salad, there must have been 6 different pasta salads, It worked. Plus some people go over top on there cooking, there have been some smoking good meals. I like the Idea of the labels, we will just have to post somebody at the tables to make this happen. Maybe we could have a cook off like the Pismo trip, and the winner could get free registration the next year.

I think the two runs are working. The Friday/Saturday run is a good idea for the people that want to camp two days in Sourdough. I think that we need to make the Friday run offical, was there an inspection from the USFS on Friday? I don't know how or what would change from making it offical, except for the USFS would know that the trail is being used. I think that you are always going to get split groups. I think it is the nature of the beast.

I think that we are just talking about having spotters at the end of the trail near the top of the ridge, correct. If that is the case, then the guys that ran in Friday (if they want too) could handle this. I have not been spotted very much, but I know that my comfort level would be better if I knew the person spotting me. Some people might not like being spotted by some one they don't know. Good Idea, but I wonder how much time it would really save?

Anytime that we can improve the raffle is a great Idea. I started my own tradition of bringing a Hylift to be raffled off, just because that is where I won my first Hylift and I want to return the favor. I guess next year I will bring two. The only thing with the tire Idea is getting those things out of Mcgrew, and what size do people actually need. I won a set of used 35's at the PMC event, I have nothing that I could run on 35's, I sold them to Marlin. I guess if you got a specific size and had its own raffle that people could enter, that would work.

The one thing that my wife brought up, was that maybe we could offer some sweatshirts as part of the registration. There would be a cost factor in the registration.

I think how far we take this, is on us. I like the family style event Tony and Jeff created. I'm not sure how much bigger this event can get, only being a weeken trip. Saying that, I want JSC to be the standard for putting on all TLCA Events.

[TRT2]

for me, the best enhancement I found this year was approaching the wagon ruts and finding Travis and the other handsome gentleman standing there ready to either point easy or hard line, and help spot. This allowed the Saturday group to keep moving and I swear, saved us at least an hour which was an hour more of swimming in camp. So I would offer that Yes, the Friday group enters to the wagon ruts on Saturday to help the sat group get thru fast. That was awesome. Plus... many times we end up with trucks in the ruts who absolutely did not want, or was not prepared, for that line. That was a huge improvement. And the easy up with cool drinks was nice too although as noted, I did not stop.

[knoll0351]

Thank you Tony this will definately be implemented in future runs, although next year I think we will have a couple of improvements ie shade for the handsome guy (Ty) at the entrance as well And probably a couple of our SAR team guys at the top to help spot and choose lines for the built vs semi stock rigs.

[skfj80]

I want to remind people to really be on the "alert" for newbies. This was a solo first time drive for me, and I was on one hand flattered that Garett felt I was driving good enough to handle things on my own, forced me to push on. Made me stronger, but I did feel a bit displaced being the "leader" for part of the time (due to width of trail,) and taking the bypass on the slough on my own. As a leader, sometimes one has to give into the "weaker" ones. Communication is really important, let others know your intentions and plans.

[TOY350]

Originally Posted by skfj80

I want to remind people to really be on the "alert" for newbies. This was a solo first time drive for me, and I was on one hand flattered that Garett felt I was driving good enough to handle things on my own, forced me to push on. Made me stronger, but I did feel a bit displaced being the "leader" for part of the time (due to width of trail,) and taking the bypass on the slough on my own. As a leader, sometimes one has to give into the "weaker" ones. Communication is really important, let others know your intentions and plans.

You are right Sue. I tried to get you pulled over before leading the trail but without a CB it was hard. As for the sluice I busted up the bypass in order to spot for the people coming up it not realizing that spotting was needed on the bypass which it was. You did great and next year you will show us all up! The key factor being with a CB everyone can communicate and call out for help or a spotter. Next year will try to keep the rigs in order after the obstacles.

[skfj80]

Hey Garrett,
Thanks for responding. Yes, having a CB would have been a great idea, Gabe tried to hook me up, but my cigarette plug in was not working, therefore the CB would not work. Maybe, we should make it "mandatory" for people to have CBs. I know in Moab, they require one to go on trails. I did not think to think of one for this trail. Not prepared on my part for the trip. By next year, I WILL have a CB on board, as Moab expects you to have one and I DO expect to be going to Moab next year!!!!

[retrofive]

IMO I dont think it should be mandatory. But highly recommended.

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by retrofive

IMO I dont think it should be mandatory. But highly recommended.

I have mixed feelings on it. On one hand, it'd make it 1000000x more easy to communicate with people. On the other, it's not that tough of a run...

[knoll0351]

I'm with Ty not required but good to have. With experience it becomes easier to see lines and know where other vehicles are. But the more green you are the more it helps to hear what is going on around you. Just my .02

[retrofive]

Although an easy "run" it has plenty to offer.

Maybe we should create a quick sheet. Something to the degree of yes you can run this stock, but we suggest these things.

Its difficult to gauge those thing because not everyone wants to "upgrade/mod" there truck just to make the run. And like a lot of 60's, 80's, 100's, and FJC's they run it fine stock.

This is where JSC can help organize and inform people before they hit the trail and on trail feeling overwhelmed with "i didn't expect that" type thing.

What you guys think?

[TOY350]

Originally Posted by retrofive

Although an easy "run" it has plenty to offer.

Maybe we should create a quick sheet. Something to the degree of yes you can run this stock, but we suggest these things.

Its difficult to gauge those thing because not everyone wants to "upgrade/mod" there truck just to make the run. And like a lot of 60's, 80's, 100's, and FJC's they run it fine stock.

This is where JSC can help organize and inform people before they hit the trail and on trail feeling overwhelmed with "i didn't expect that" type thing.

What you guys think?

Sounds good Ty and if any of us have extra hand held CB's we can loan them out too.

[yooper]

I bent a rear control arm in this spot and having a spotter would have prevented it. It's juuust steep enough that I couldn't see the rocks right in front of me. It was a pretty hard left turn and then pretty steep but short climb, if that helps you figure out where it is...






It was a GREAT run though, I'm not complaining one bit and now I have an excuse to buy better rear control arms!

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by yooper

I bent a rear control arm in this spot and having a spotter would have prevented it. It's juuust steep enough that I couldn't see the rocks right in front of me. It was a pretty hard left turn and then pretty steep but short climb, if that helps you figure out where it is...

It was a GREAT run though, I'm not complaining one bit and now I have an excuse to buy better rear control arms!

Don't buy one. Get a tube bender (a cheap Harbor Freight hydro one works) and straighten it out. Buy some round tubing that will fit over (3/16ths or 1/4 inch wall). Get the round tubing cut in half, weld it to the bottom of your rear control arm. Now you've got a control arm that can be drug over anything, for less than $100.

[yooper]

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Don't buy one. Get a tube bender (a cheap Harbor Freight hydro one works) and straighten it out. Buy some round tubing that will fit over (3/16ths or 1/4 inch wall). Get the round tubing cut in half, weld it to the bottom of your rear control arm. Now you've got a control arm that can be drug over anything, for less than $100.

I might do that. I'm always happy to buy a new tool. I think I can get a tube bending fixture for my Harbor Freight hydraulic press...

If I ruin it I can still buy new ones.

[retrofive]

Bummer on the bend. Like Ebag said pretty easy to remedy. I followed suit and welded up some half circ steel to mine. Keep in mind the 95+ have a different dia.

[yooper]

Originally Posted by retrofive

Bummer on the bend. Like Ebag said pretty easy to remedy. I followed suit and welded up some half circ steel to mine. Keep in mind the 95+ have a different dia.

Mine's a '99! Probably a completely different part from the 80 series. The hardest part will be finding someone to cut it for me. I might end up going with C channel or angle instead...

[TOY350]

The steel shop where I got mine line torched it for me and it came out clean.

[Kief]

Ah, just bungee a 4x4 in there and hit some speed bumps...

BTW, I came home and had a friend telling me about seeing all these landcruisers in Eastern Oregon, I think you guys were in the mix.. small world..

[yooper]

Originally Posted by Kief

Ah, just bungee a 4x4 in there and hit some speed bumps...

BTW, I came home and had a friend telling me about seeing all these landcruisers in Eastern Oregon, I think you guys were in the mix.. small world..

Yep, met those folks at a campground at East Lake on Newberry Crater where we stopped for a shower after camping on the lake. He said he wants to get an 80, I told him to get a 100.

campsite at East Lake

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by yooper

He said he wants to get an 80, I told him to get a 100.

Why, so he can break more stuff?

[yooper]

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Why, so he can break more stuff?

I figure I break less stuff 'cause I'm more skeerd.

[strever]

i have added a very good web description of the Mcgrew trail i found to our JSC Mcgrew web page
see half way down the dialog
TLC McGrew Trail Ride

it would be really cool if JSC had some pages like this ?
we need good descriptive images and somebody willing to write the script

[TOY350]

Very cool Dick, the more content we can get on our site the better for sure. We need to get you pics of the run and find a way to get info up and running in a timely fashion. Hopefully we can put this on the topic list for next meeting.