North meets South in the Blue Ridge Mtns October 24-26 - Page 2

GarnerFJ40 · 09-24-08, 08:07 PM

Won't be able to make this one, I'd love to take the 40 out on some cool crisp trails this fall. Coincides with the one event my wife HAS to do each October. HollyFest in Holly Springs....

BZEP · 09-25-08, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillWright

I can be up there anytime after about 2AM Saturday, but preferably around 9-11AM Saturday.
b

This Saturday meet time sounds good to me, I think I have a 3 hour drive from Charlotte.

BMThiker · 09-25-08, 10:23 AM

Hey gang, I posted this on the UC board, but thought it might do well here too...

For those that have never been on this run before and will be participating 2 or 3 days, I have a few pointers. For those that have done this trip, these are good reminders.

First of all, this is not a typical wheeling event with major obstacles around every corner, but we can be on the trails for 5-8 hours a day. Most stock vehicles can do this trip. Rear lockers are not a must, but those that have run without them, wished they'd had them. In any case, everyone helps everyone, and if a strap is needed, don't feel embarrassed. The worst this trail ever gets is muddy (with recent rains) and becomes difficult for some hill climbs. Expect some areas to be off-camber and some to be a bit rocky. Pinstriping can occur in the wooded areas of the trails. Make sure you have a proper spare tire. I cannot think of a time in recent years that someone did not change a tire (myself on two occassions). Bring extra gas cans if your truck burns gas the way mine does at 3 mph for six hours.

Secondly, this is primitive camping. There are no nearby port-o-johns, showers, or electrical hook-ups. You will need to pack ALL of your food for the weekend and some means of preparing it. You will not have an opportunity to go back to town and stock up or get take-out.
Leaving camp or your group is reserved for emergencies only.

It is very likely you WILL be out of cell phone range. Bring your HAM/CB radios, or FRS/GMRS radios at a minimum. If we have caravans of 8+ rigs, trail communications will be key to arriving safely and timely at camp.

We can be several hours from the nearest town, depending on what trail we are on. Please be knowledgeable about your onboard First Aid kits should you need them. And above all, just be safe on this trip.

In the past, the weather has varied from very windy & chilly to warm & sunny. We'll keep an eye on the weather forecasts up until we depart and try to prepare everyone for the conditions. Plan to bring a good outer shell and insulating under layers. On some previous trips the camps have been extremely windy and unsafe for campfires. So you need to be able to bundle up warmly in case we cannot safely keep a fire going. Don't forget to bring a folding chair too. Another tip I have for windy weather is to bring an extra tarp if you are tent camping. It can be set up as a wind deflector, as the high mtn winds seem to blow right thru a standard tent.

We'll have great views from several spots on the trails and definitely at the camps. Bring your camera and extra batteries.

Also, dogs are welcome, if well behaved

jfz80 · 09-25-08, 02:29 PM

You calling Denali well behaved???

Great list Rick, excellent info to plan by. Thanks for adding this to our side. The greatest risk on the trail is complacency w/ hours of wheeling on seemingly easy trails. Right when you drop your guard or get a little too relaxed that root or rock you didnt see rears its ugly head. Second would prolly be bees

little_joe · 09-25-08, 04:55 PM

Rick, that is an excellent primer/reminder for everyone.

I would like to mention two things most folks take for granted but IMHO are of utmost importance.

First, have frame-mounted recovery points suitable for your vehicle front and rear.

Second, this ride is not the time or place to do maintenance. Make sure everything is taken care of prior to this ride and your vehicle is in top running condition. Breakage is one thing; not having a maintained, well-running vehicle for this one is not fair to the group.

addicted56 · 09-25-08, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_joe

Rick, that is an excellent primer/reminder for everyone.

I would like to mention two things most folks take for granted but IMHO are of utmost importance.

First, have frame-mounted recovery points suitable for your vehicle front and rear.

Second, this ride is not the time or place to do maintenance. Make sure everything is taken care of prior to this ride and your vehicle is in top running condition. Breakage is one thing; not having a maintained, well-running vehicle for this one is not fair to the group.

Don't worry I won't bring the 40 if I make it

southerncruiser62 · 09-25-08, 05:48 PM

Great information Rick, thanks for posting that to remind everyone.

Great indicator of a well organized ride, hope to see everyone there.

uzj100 · 09-26-08, 08:49 AM

I have the tentative ok for this.

What time on Friday do we need to leave RDU?

Thanks,

uzj100

jfz80 · 09-26-08, 09:07 AM

If your aiming for the Noon meeting group then youd need to be out of town by 7 am. Sounds like there are enough RDU and surrounding area folks to organize a caravan.

jfz80 · 09-26-08, 09:16 AM

Rutbeer.......

No group dinner plans have been made, but it something we could certainly do. Friday night would be ONSC night and ideal for say, someone w/ a mega outdoor camper kitchen to drag up into the woods and produce amazing quantities of tantalizing tasties

know anyone?

But seriously we got a month. We can see what the group says. ID be up for a group (NC) dinner friday night and a fend for yourself saturday since the group will be so large. We can all pitch in for a collective dinner and let the chef choose or propose a few simple options that will feed the masses.

this is our trip, mention what is on your mind to make it even better !!!!

uzj100 · 09-26-08, 09:54 AM

This is going to be fun. Is there any night time wheeling? I was planning on sleeping in the 100. If we wheel at night, I will bring a tent instead.

Anyone want to start a need to take list?

southerncruiser62 · 09-26-08, 11:07 AM

We should defenitely get a caravan together. It would be ideal for us to gather people along the way, Raleigh caravan meets up with a triad caravan in Mocksville:

EXIT 170 WESTBOUND I-40 at the BP Station.

uzj100 · 09-26-08, 11:16 AM

Sounds good to me.

jfz80 · 09-26-08, 02:40 PM

There are a few camping areas that would allow some night time loops, but generally after a long day of wheeling and having camp set up in the 80, I just hunker down for dinner and the campfire.

caravan sounds good, we just need to leave enough time for the stops along the way.

Mtbcoach · 09-30-08, 09:05 PM

Looks like I will be stuck in Cary until ~2:30p on Friday. Sometimes it just sucks to actually have to work.

The question will be if I should try to meet up with the Friday group Friday evening? Or, should I drive close and hook up with the Sat morning group?

Sorry to be the pain, just don't want to miss out on this trip...

southerncruiser62 · 10-01-08, 04:36 AM

Jerry I would advise driving up to meet the Friday group, we will be sure to leave a mark for you to find us and it eliminates the efforts of having to make a speedy trip on Saturday.

rutbeer · 10-01-08, 07:34 AM

[QUOTE=Mtbcoach;3703245] Sometimes it just sucks to actually have to work.

QUOTE]

And that may be the quote of the day right there!

S4Cruiser · 10-01-08, 07:49 AM

I really want to make this trip. I've yet to meet the group, sounds like a blast and the

is actually excited about it.

One question though...I don't have a full size spare at the moment. A rear bumper/tire carrier is on my list but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. How important is it to have a proper spare for this trip? Can I hold out or should I bite the bullet and go ahead and get a rear bumper/tire carrier?

Thanks for the advice.

-Jon

jfz80 · 10-01-08, 08:11 AM

You should definately use this as your excuse to buy a bumper; esp if the princess is already excited

There will be several folks with 35's but I wouldnt want more than one person w/out a spare. If you want, stop by the house, I have an extra we can throw in just in case. The storage compartments looked great!!! they should come in handy for you on this trip.

jfz80 · 10-01-08, 08:14 AM

Post up when you plan to come and make sure ive added you to the list on the first post. We will need a head count before we decide on which route to take. Also the number of groups and times for departure may affect our trail selection as well. IF needed we could probably do the friday noon, friday eve., and sat am meetings. Id prefer to keep it to just two, but lets see what we got, and between the NC and SC sides im sure there will be someone to hook up with to guide you in to one of the groups.

ill be bringing marking paint and flags

Mtbcoach · 10-01-08, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southerncruiser62

Jerry I would advise driving up to meet the Friday group, we will be sure to leave a mark for you to find us and it eliminates the efforts of having to make a speedy trip on Saturday.

I like that plan...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfz80

Post up when you plan to come and make sure ive added you to the list on the first post. We will need a head count before we decide on which route to take. Also the number of groups and times for departure may affect our trail selection as well. IF needed we could probably do the friday noon, friday eve., and sat am meetings. Id prefer to keep it to just two, but lets see what we got, and between the NC and SC sides im sure there will be someone to hook up with to guide you in to one of the groups.

ill be bringing marking paint and flags

I know its more than you want to have but I would prefer to get there Fri evening. As long as you have the marking tools, and I have some GPS info, I should be able to find my way to the group. But, having said that, I'm sure to get lost...

BillWright · 10-01-08, 02:11 PM

Jerry I don't know when you'll be coming this way but if you like perhaps we could caravan from Greenville or Asheville.
I have to go to a party in Greenville (well, have to may be a bit strong, intend to is more accurate) and was planning on coming home and leaving early Saturday. But if you want to head on up there and chance getting lost at least there would be company.
I can probably connect with Jason and get a pretty good idea of how to find them. We don't like to put too much detailed directions on the public domain to keep it private as possible and restrain traffic pressure on the holy land but I can probably work out the details by PM. I have a fairly good working knowledge of the area.
Probably could even get some GPS coordinates, I think JFZ80's buddy Concrete Jungle has long/lats for most of the pertinent turns.
I would prefer to leave Greenville no earlier than eleven but if that's too late maybe could pull out by ten.
b

swampthing · 10-01-08, 05:30 PM

I'm definitely up for this trip. I'll likely meet the group out in Asheville/undisclosed park or thereabouts on Friday.

I've been needing to get out to W. NC to visit some accts so hopefully I'll be able to kill two birds with one stone.

concretejungle · 10-01-08, 07:26 PM

couple more teaser pics to keep us excited...

Mtbcoach · 10-01-08, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillWright

Jerry I don't know when you'll be coming this way but if you like perhaps we could caravan from Greenville or Asheville.
I have to go to a party in Greenville (well, have to may be a bit strong, intend to is more accurate) and was planning on coming home and leaving early Saturday. But if you want to head on up there and chance getting lost at least there would be company.
I can probably connect with Jason and get a pretty good idea of how to find them. We don't like to put too much detailed directions on the public domain to keep it private as possible and restrain traffic pressure on the holy land but I can probably work out the details by PM. I have a fairly good working knowledge of the area.
Probably could even get some GPS coordinates, I think JFZ80's buddy Concrete Jungle has long/lats for most of the pertinent turns.
I would prefer to leave Greenville no earlier than eleven but if that's too late maybe could pull out by ten.
b

Thanks for the offer. Coming from Cary (Raleigh), it may be a bit out of the way to meet you in Greenville.

I'm hoping to crawl in friday evening some time but all of this hinges on getting done with the NCISAA Cross-Country meet at the Wake Med Soccer park in Cary. Final event awards are supposed to be at 2 pm which means everyone should be off the course by then. All I'll have to do is drive by the house for final load check and head for the hills...

uzj100 · 10-02-08, 09:12 AM

Those pics are awesome. I still plan to come. I hope to leave early Friday morning.

southerncruiser62 · 10-02-08, 11:25 AM

Guys I will be leaving Raleigh between 6:00 and 6:30 friday morning the 24th. If you want to caravan please PM me.

BillWright · 10-02-08, 06:36 PM

K
I was thinking meeting in Ashevegas but looks like you'll be coming through too early for me to make it.
I have to be in Greenville at least until 10.
b

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtbcoach

Thanks for the offer. Coming from Cary (Raleigh), it may be a bit out of the way to meet you in Greenville.

I'm hoping to crawl in friday evening some time but all of this hinges on getting done with the NCISAA Cross-Country meet at the Wake Med Soccer park in Cary. Final event awards are supposed to be at 2 pm which means everyone should be off the course by then. All I'll have to do is drive by the house for final load check and head for the hills...

concretejungle · 10-02-08, 08:17 PM

i'm going to cheat and drive up and stay with my grandma Thursday night in Sylva. That way i can be fresh to meet friday.

BMThiker · 10-03-08, 03:13 PM

I was going to wait for Jason to post this up over here, but I figured I'd just go ahead and spill the beans...T-shirts will be ready to pre-purchase on the UC website soon! We should have them in time for the event. We don't have an exact price on these, but I can say that they will be under $20.

[crosspost]
Thanks to Carp for his amazing work on this shirt design and the logistics to get it printed in time for the event. Especially since he has a brand new baby girl, now 7 days old!

Here's the proof from the print shop. We are going to offer this shirt for the first time in a long sleeve cotton T. [Please disregard the proof's short sleeves below.] Perfect for the fall weather! Very shortly we'll have this available for pre-purchase on the UC.org website.

TSHIRT LINK HERE

Click the Add button for each size you need and then look in the right column for the Go To Checkout link. Your shopping cart contents will appear on the right as well as you hit the Add button.

Now what this means is that we will have a short window of pre-orders and then we'll have to stop taking size requests. If you want a guaranteed size, then you must pre-order. I will make the merch page link available as soon as we have it up. Once we reach the cutoff date (probably late next week = 7 days from now), you won't be able to request a specific size.

All pre-purchased shirts will be distributed at the event when you arrive.