Rubithon 2009

[FRIZZLEFRY]

Originally Posted by Hanna Quality

I will be there at Loon Wed morning after running the trail backwards from the Tahoe side. Look for you then.

My co pilot and I will be at Loon late Tues. night

See ya Wed. morn

[FJ40_owner]

Originally Posted by worknplay

I am sure some are aware of the "problem" on Ice House Road/Loon Lake area. The Forest Service LEO that patrols the area seems to have a hard on for 4wdirve vehicles, tow rigs and anything else he can think of.
If anyone has been following the thread on PBB they know what I am talking about. Apparently he has been at it again so just be aware.
So have all your vehicles correct/legal/etc.
List of citations are varied but very ticky tacky. He will get you for something. So do whatever you can to keep him bored to tears.

Here is the link to the last page of the thread.

Law Enforcement in the Rubicon, version 2 - Page 10 - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

Hopefully this is not a major buzz kill.

See ya'll up there Wed.
Jerry

That would be USFS LEO Kenny Marcus. He is a member of Pirate and reads and responds to posts. He also carries a remote microphone and video tape recorder.

He cites any and all infractions, from missing front plate to cracked tail light lense. One of his favorite persuits is unsafe towing or tow rigs that have CA street legal issues. DO NOT cross over the fog or yellow line. Observe the posted speed limit. Do not leak fuel. BE SURE your turn and stop lights work. Be sure to have mud flaps.

There is no spirit of the law with him. It is the intent of the law. And forget discression. It won't happen. Take your ticket and go on your way. Choose to fight it or not.

[rockclmbr]

My wife and I will be hitting the road before noon tomorrow. We'll be departing from the Bay Area and up there before dark. Can't wait!!!

[wagon4wd]

I made it back home, in the jeep, surprisingly enough without breaking anything.

Two things from the trip come to mind. The first is from one of the environmentalists out doing surveys. They saw a red 40 on the trail with mudrak, and were apparently quite impressed that he had the oil slick cleanup kit not only on board, but in view and with easy access. They seemed quite impressed with the rigs that rolled in based on that.

Second was from one of my co-pilots. She made mention about having ridden on trails with a bunch of other rigs, and noticed a difference in attitude, in maturity, and in just out to have a good time without being unsafe and a knucklehead than what she was used to. Tip a beer back you guys, you all deserve it.

[84runner]

wagon4wd - Kevin? Thanks again for the option of the air up, but we filled up at a gas station and made it home safe too. I'm glad you guys had such a good experience. I've always had a good time too. It sure does seem to go fast though, doesn't it. Good meeting you guys, even though you were in a Jeep! Excellent driving by the way...

[TRT2]

A huge roung of thanks to all TLCA Members who registered and attended Rubithon! Despite our unique format this year and reduced attendance (due to the economy), the event was successful and it appears everyone had a great time!

My appreciation to all the vendors and sponsors, and TLCA members, who graciously offered up raffle prizes this year. TLCA members such as Jeff Acquistapaci (Yep, I spelled that) who brought in a Stihl chainsaw complete with safety gear, oil and a fuel! This grand prize was highly desired by all!

Thanks to all the Rubithon committee members who make my job easy and keep me coming back for more! New team leads including Jim Henli (Trail Comm), Robert Mutzig (Camp Comm) and Ross Woody (who fully took over kitchen this year) did an outstanding job and brought fresh energy and ideas. Thanks to Geoff McGuire, Bob Brown and Terri Henli who served those roles prior.

Bruce Shoff (First Aid) and his team had a relatively quiet weekend except for two log stumbles Friday night. We will try to mark those camp fire sitting logs better to avoid the common tripping problem they pose in the dark. :-)

Committee members Larry Kitahara, Dion Mattei, Andy Pollock, Alvaro Rodriquez, Jim Adams, Leon Daniel, Bill Jackson, Knorr Bros, Glen White, Manny Contreras, Mudrak, Radio Dave, Terri Henli, Jerry Reffner, Bob Brown, Pete Newall, John Pardi, Becky Pardi, Jerry Shroeder, Phil Pasciak, and Mog Driver Jeff (and guarantee many more who I omitted) are all to be commended on doing an excellent job! It is these folks that make Rubithon happen! I simply cannot express my appreciation to them enough.

and of course, my wife Cindy Twiddy who took on registration in an effort to free up my time to complete our move to Auburn. How lucky am I to have a spouse who not only supports my efforts, but also goes along on the journey. Thank you!

I look forward to hearing the comments! For me, the change of the exit to both Saturday and Sunday seems to have been very successful. We left at 1 on Saturday and had no wait at all. Nice!

I look forward to seeing everyone, and more, in 2010!

Tony
Rubithon Chair type guy.

[green73]

I had one HELL of a good time!

Thanks to everyone that made Rubithon happen.


A special thanks from me to Mudrak and crew for helping me out with the broken lug studs prior to even getting on the trail. My rig was on the trailer and I was ready to head home, thinking I broke something in the diff. They helped me diagnose exactly what was wrong and supplied parts and labor to get me off the trailer and on the trail.

Another thanks to whoever it was (I am horrible with so many new names) that helped me get my tow rig up the gravel hill at the Loon Lake staging area. I lost momentum, and wasn't going anywhere. I had to unload the trailer, get a tug up the hill and reload. I am sorry to anyone that was backed up behind my fiasco. Never again will my 2wd tow rig be parked down in the staging area. Lesson learned!

All in all my 1st trip to the Rubicon was like I said in my first line here One Hell Of A Good Time!

[Enigma]

Is there a pics/video/tall stories thread up yet? I need mah fix! Glad to hear it went well, hopefully I can try again to make it next year.

[beno]

Just walked in after my 1260 mile trip back to ABQ.

What an epic event!

Thanks to the Twiddy's and Ross Woody and the Kitchen Crew and then entire Rubithon event team who put together an outstanding event.

Special thanks to Andy Pollack and the NorCal team for the backwards and forwards trip through the Rubicon.

And for....um.....other things as well.

Off to bed.

Best.
-onur

[beno]

Originally Posted by wagon4wd

I made it back home, in the jeep, surprisingly enough without breaking anything.

Two things from the trip come to mind. The first is from one of the environmentalists out doing surveys. They saw a red 40 on the trail with mudrak, and were apparently quite impressed that he had the oil slick cleanup kit not only on board, but in view and with easy access. They seemed quite impressed with the rigs that rolled in based on that.

Second was from one of my co-pilots. She made mention about having ridden on trails with a bunch of other rigs, and noticed a difference in attitude, in maturity, and in just out to have a good time without being unsafe and a knucklehead than what she was used to. Tip a beer back you guys, you all deserve it.

It was nice to meet and hang out with you guys/gal.....

Next year you'll come with a Toyota right?

[Cruiserdrew]

It's impossible to describe all the good times had during Rubithon week, but here are some highlihgts:

-My son Jeff made his probable last appearence at Rubithon. He starts college in the fall and will likely have better things to do next summer. He and I have done every Rubithon together since 2001.

-We had an outstanding group of individuals on the wagon run. Good thing since we had 18 trucks! Everyone was compatable and the rigs were well prepared. The only breakage was a broken rear axle on one FJ60 quickly repaired by the owner and Robbie Antonson.

-The Oregon guys. A cool group of 3 Cascade Cruisers came down-Boots4, Port62, and Dirtgypsy. They brought wives, dogs, brothers-in-law and a great attitude. All 3 trucks got basically no damage-I could not believe it! Oh yeah-Boot's build thread is outstanding and so is his truck.

-Cruiserdan came within a hair of flipping over my FJ40 at the top of big sluice. I hope someone puts that picture up.

-Weather....Interesting that every day it looked like it was going to rain, and every day it held off. Cold, though, for Rubithon.

-The reverse run was awesome. We had a small group of trucks and ran the whole trail in reverse before the start of the Rubithon event. This has been a tradition the last 4-5 years and always a great adventure.

-Beno does not remember the events that transpired at Buck Island Lake, and I think that's best. It involved mud, rock, and lots of tequila. No driving, fortunately.



Thanks to Tony and Cindy for an outstanding event. I'll look forward to next year.

[green73]

There was a a few of us that left at 7am just before the Wagon Group on Saturday morning. When we got to the parking lot there was a ton of G-Wagons and Mogs. We were thinking that would make for some interesting traffic for anyone exiting through Cadillac Hill. Anyone know how that went?

[TRT2]

that group only went to the lookout...

[beno]

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

-Cruiserdan came within a hair of flipping over my FJ40 at the top of big sluice. I hope someone puts that picture up.

You mean these?

[FJ40_owner]

My apologies to the person I was short with operating the radio link Saturday night. My diabetic blood sugar was <35 and I was running on fumes.

If anyone would like a refresher on using the radio link I would be happy to help.

BigJim

[PKP80]

Thank you to Tony and everyone for making this event possible and to all of the sponsors who stepped it up despite the harder economic times. I look forward to hopefully being able to make it next year.

[wagon4wd]

Originally Posted by green73

There was a a few of us that left at 7am just before the Wagon Group on Saturday morning. When we got to the parking lot there was a ton of G-Wagons and Mogs. We were thinking that would make for some interesting traffic for anyone exiting through Cadillac Hill. Anyone know how that went?

Wasn't really a problem for me, I pulled over for them after the observation point. They didn't seem to be in a big hurry.

The biggest problem is I couldn't stop drooling over the white U1250 doka. If he took that thing down cadillac, I want to see pictures.

[wagon4wd]

Originally Posted by 84runner

wagon4wd - Kevin? Thanks again for the option of the air up, but we filled up at a gas station and made it home safe too. I'm glad you guys had such a good experience. I've always had a good time too. It sure does seem to go fast though, doesn't it. Good meeting you guys, even though you were in a Jeep! Excellent driving by the way...

You're welcome and thanks.

Originally Posted by beno

It was nice to meet and hang out with you guys/gal.....

Next year you'll come with a Toyota right?

Absolutely

[cruiserdan]

Originally Posted by beno

You mean these?

When is a flop a flop?

It was on it's side, against a rock, which prevented further tippage. I think that is fairly close.

Andy hinted that he might be thinking of selling it and I almost bought it from him right there....

Last year I swore once was enough but my memory faded and we went back. Sarah drove her truck again and came through with a wacked tierod (like last year) and the same dent on the passenger dog-leg as last year, at the same part of the trail. Her rear pinion seal also surrendered to the muddy water crossings above Cadillac Hill.

My thanks to Andy, Tom F, Alvaro, David, Jeff P, Robby, Chris G, Beno, Rick C and everyone else I did not mention.

D-

[wagon4wd]

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

When is a flop a flop?

I think that's a question best left for BK.

[Cruiserdrew]

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

When is a flop a flop?

It was on it's side, against a rock, which prevented further tippage. I think that is fairly close.

I don't think it's a flop when you can drive out of it. So in this case, only a flopetta.

[wapitidon]

Kevin? sounds like you might have been in the wagon right behind me coming up the hill. I was in the little blue 40 with my daughter. Hope you were ok coming around the turn. thought about it driving home and realized I should have stayed back closer to the rocks before I stopped. You seemed to do fine cruising up the 2nd half to the lookout.

The Mogs are just another part of the entertainment

[beno]

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

Andy hinted that he might be thinking of selling it and I almost bought it from him right there....

And Andy and I were laughing the entire time--though I did see some green bills in Andy's eyes as you tipped further towards a new-to-you FJ40

[wagon4wd]

Originally Posted by Enigma

Is there a pics/video/tall stories thread up yet? I need mah fix! Glad to hear it went well, hopefully I can try again to make it next year.

Check out the 60 series rubithon thread under the 60 forum. One of the Oregonians (Clint?) posted up a BUNCH of pics.

Originally Posted by wapitidon

Kevin? sounds like you might have been in the wagon right behind me coming up the hill. I was in the little blue 40 with my daughter. Hope you were ok coming around the turn. thought about it driving home and realized I should have stayed back closer to the rocks before I stopped. You seemed to do fine cruising up the 2nd half to the lookout.

The Mogs are just another part of the entertainment

Yup, I was the cherokee. Guess I've been outed. No worries, you were plenty close enough. Just close enough for me to follow your lines and stay out of trouble

[woooody]

Just wanted to post up a short THANKS to all of the Kitchen Crew that helped yet again. They are the reason things turn out the way they do. I think this was the least stressed I've ever been for the dinner. Lower numbers helped that, but even if we did have more to feed it would have been OK.

I suspect a number of people missed dinner, but we had plenty of food.

Thanks to (in no particular order):
Jim Job and Teri Henli
Glenn White and Clinton
Bill Jackson
The Knorr Brothers
Pighead (Greg - I can bring your stuff to the Swap Meet)
Rick Dias
Dion Mattei and Spencer
Mr Manny
Mudrak
Yodaman (Larry)
Jim Job's buddy Mike (from Windsor)
Roger Taylor and Tim Werher

I know I missed one or two... But without all of you, it never happens!

[Dunkane]

Sad to not be with you this time...i've read you had a lot of fun , hope everything was good

special message to the norcal wagon team , andy, alvaro, samy and all the others , i hope to be with you in november for the surf N turf, really ...else i'll try to participate to the next Rubithon...in 2010 with maybe my own car ? (i can dream..it's...expensive without sponsoring..but one day... one day i'll make it !!!!!)

argggghhh lucky guys !!!
Prenez soin de vous les mecs !

[bkcruiser]

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

When is a flop a flop?


D-

In my mind ( whats left of it ).

A flop is when your rig has fallen to one side far enough to need outside assistance to be righted. It's not a flop if you are still moving or can drive out of it

[Pighead]

Originally Posted by bkcruiser

A flop is when your rig has fallen to one side far enough to need outside assistance to be righted. It's not a flop if you are still moving or can drive out of it

The master has spoken.

[cruiserdan]

Originally Posted by bkcruiser

In my mind ( whats left of it ).

It's not a flop if you are still moving or can drive out of it

OK then, I'm still flop-free...............

[FRIZZLEFRY]

Originally Posted by bkcruiser

In my mind ( whats left of it ).

A flop is when your rig has fallen to one side far enough to need outside assistance to be righted. It's not a flop if you are still moving or can drive out of it

Cool!

Then I didnt flop three times at the bottom of Cadillac Friday night

I cant begin to say how awsome this event was and how way beyond cool everyone was!I didnt know anyone before going on this run and was a little worried.But I met alot of great people and made alot of new friends!This was my first Rubithon and first all Toyota event ever and I hope to be back next year.

A huge thank you to the TLCA and all its members and sponsorers who made this event come together

And a special thanks to Andy for putting up with me and my fat pig on the trail for three days

And to Pighead,
Nice Jeep