Events/Trails 4th Annual 200LCDC Event (2 Viewers)

[Markuson]

Canyonero was also involved in planning... but it sounds like he’s leaning toward no longer owning a 200 series(!)...

 

[Yossarian]

Canyonero was also involved in planning... but it sounds like he’s leaning toward no longer owning a 200 series(!)...

That was the " & Co." part, but wasn't trying to leave anyone out.

Regarding not having a 200 (or an LC) anymore, I have mixed feelings about it. Some have been bitten by the Land Cruiser bug, others are just passing through the marque. In another section on Mud someone said something like "it's a religion", another replied "it's just a truck". Well, we are on Mud, talking Land Cruisers, and in the 200 section, so.....

Here is an observation only, not passing judgement on anyone. In fact I'm a big believer in the old saying, win on Sunday, sell on Monday (a little phrase from the old school Detroit car days). A lot is learned from racing, wheeling, building, and running these trucks hard. Probably one of the biggest reasons many are here, to be a voyeur to said activities.

But is some of the broad utility lost when the build is so singularly focused that in return it sit's unused?

 

[Markuson]

That was the " & Co." part, but wasn't trying to leave anyone out.

Regarding not having a 200 (or an LC) anymore, I have mixed feelings about it. Some have been bitten by the Land Cruiser bug, others are just passing through the marque. In another section on Mud someone said something like "it's a religion", another replied "it's just a truck". Well, we are on Mud, talking Land Cruisers, and in the 200 section, so.....

Here is an observation only, not passing judgement on anyone. In fact I'm a big believer in the old saying, win on Sunday, sell on Monday (a little phrase from the old school Detroit car days). A lot is learned from racing, wheeling, building, and running these trucks hard. Probably one of the biggest reasons many are here, to be a voyeur to said activities.

But is some of the broad utility lost when the build is so singularly focused that in return it sit's unused?

I wasn't thinkin you left anyone out. I was just lamenting the possibility of losing some great members, and hoping they are still here.

And I think you make a good point. For some of us, we can't imagine ever NOT having a Land Cruiser (that would be me). For for others, it's one of many vehicles, and not necessarily a central focus or a lifestyle enabler, etc. I do think there's a certain thrill in the BUILD itself. Now that my 200 is full beast mode, mods from here on out will be less Earth shattering. For some, that might mean the "thrill is gone..." (like B.B. King's legendary song... For others, nothing is lost in that & we're now enabled to live it bigger and farther and better. I guess we'll always run the gamut.

Hobbies are interesting to juggle. I've found that there are only so many hobbies one can passionately embrace all the time. For me, a Land Cruiser enables the other hobbies I enjoy though. I like to fish...hike (when my leg is back up to snuff), mountain bike, landscape and wildlife photography, and just get away. For those things I enjoy most, the Land Cruiser is the ultimate enabler, so it's a keeper. But like you say, for some it's the win on Sunday, sell on Monday. For me? I'm in for the long haul, and if I ever sold this Cruiser, I'd be replacing it with another.

Edit: I would add here, too, that WHEELING itself is an absolute blast! But the LC is so much more than just a wheeler.

Overlander...where the drive IS the trip...
Wheeling...where you try to conquer the trail itself...
Enabler...with utility and capability enough to make other activities possible.

The LC is a sweet solution for ALL THREE & that's why I think it's the greatest vehicle on Earth.

 

[Yossarian]

I wasn't thinkin you left anyone out. I was just lamenting the possibility of losing some great members, and hoping they are still here.

And I think you make a good point. For some of us, we can't imagine ever NOT having a Land Cruiser (that would be me). For for others, it's one of many vehicles, and not necessarily a central focus or a lifestyle enabler, etc. I do think there's a certain thrill in the BUILD itself. Now that my 200 is full beast mode, mods from here on out will be less Earth shattering. For some, that might mean the "thrill is gone..." (like B.B. King's legendary song... For others, nothing is lost in that & we're now enabled to live it bigger and farther and better. I guess we'll always run the gamut.

Hobbies are interesting to juggle. I've found that there are only so many hobbies one can passionately embrace all the time. For me, a Land Cruiser enables the other hobbies I enjoy though. I like to fish...hike (when my leg is back up to snuff), mountain bike, landscape and wildlife photography, and just get away. For those things I enjoy most, the Land Cruiser is the ultimate enabler, so it's a keeper. But like you say, for some it's the win on Sunday, sell on Monday. For me? I'm in for the long haul, and if I ever sold this Cruiser, I'd be replacing it with another.

This section on Mud has been growing so fast, to see some of the relatively long time members considering moving on is disheartening. But that is life, and every family must do what's best for them. I agree with the thrill of the build part, very similar to the "it's the journey, not the destination" saying. Also I'm totally on board with the LC being a means to do the things we want to do in life, especially for the outdoor enthusiast.

To bring this back on topic for the sake of the thread, the LCDC event is a great way to see some of the builds and what they can do, like Bubba.

 

[LALC]

Here's hoping this is in July. Wife and I are taking a month off to travel, so this would absolutely be in the plans.

 

[Canyonero]

But is some of the broad utility lost when the build is so singularly focused that in return it sit's unused?

If I understand you, maybe you are implying I've lost some of the OEM 200 usability by building my truck as I have? If that's what you're saying, I can see why you might think that. But honestly, the truck drives just as well as it did new. 34" tires, armor and suspension, etc. don't really do much to undermine the 200 "goodness."

For me, the thought of maybe selling is similar to @mcgaskins - I think we are vehicle enthusiasts far more than we are vehicle loyalists.

Plus, for off-roading, the 200 is sometimes a little more of a compromise than I'd like. Capable? Hell yes. As capable as a $20k side-by-side? Not even remotely close. So I find I've been doing a lot more trails in my sxs as a result. It's a little more raw, a little more exposed - like a Jeep with no top - but it's a situation where you don't worry about banging your bumper, sliders, skid plates, etc. You don't sweat pin-stripes. You just go.

I'm not 100% sure I'm selling the 200, but I wanted to float the idea to see what other members think a truck like mine might sell for on the open market. There's nothing else like the 200 out there (IMO) and likely there will never be. There will probably come a day when Toyota doesn't see a reason to offer the 200 in the US as well. So that's on my radar; the 200 could be a future collector vehicle.

Maybe if LCDC is somewhere really cool I will hold onto the truck. But I haven't heard anything about LCDC.

Maybe someone should start a poll instead of having one of us dictate the location? The idea from year 1 forward was to have LCDC (which wasn't even coined in year 1) be a gathering of 200 Series owners. We wanted it to be a lot LESS like FJ Summit, Cruise Moab, etc. and more like some people getting together to run trails. Less red-tape, less "you must sign up in advance" and just a more informal fun time. At least, that's my way of looking at it.

Colorado is awesome, but you guys have all "been there, done that" right? There are always more trails to run in Colorado and Moab, but Moab seems to work out well as a "pre-run" destination.

I'm crazy, so I think it would be fun to convoy to Alaska and take a month traveling there and back. But maybe California makes sense. Maybe somewhere up in the PNW, in @kreiten's 'hood would work?

Ideas?

 

[Canyonero]

Some ideas...

Results are in from the Partcatalog.com 2016 #TopOffRoadTrails in America survey!

Ocotillo Wells in California looks like a lot of fun. Might have to check it out to do some winter wheeling.

Might have to pick this up: All Things Jeep - Jeep Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails

 

[Dan Higgins]

As for ideas, I'll throw out the idea of the rest of Southern Utah. Escalante, Grand Staircase NM, Capital Reef NP, San Rafael Lift, etc. It would be convenient to Moab. But not nearly as much lodging as Breck or Moab or even Ouray. And maybe better suited to overnight trips. Oh, wait, you all did an overnight trip in Moab last year.

As for owning a LC. I'm with @Markuson on the "means to other ends". For me, it is not about the LC but about what it enables. I'm not really a car guy like some of you. The closest I came was with my Land Rover LR4. But that was also my introduction to having a true off road vehcle and much of the excitement that came from it was driving those roads. The LC, for us, is more of an all around beast. From towing our 6000# travel trailer to doing long, freeway road trips to doing the occasional backroad. And being about to count on the reliability and longevity. And my modest build reflects that. So I can see us keeping ours for a long time. As for hobbies, I spent a lot of years getting good at golf. And a lot of years getting good a riding road bikes. And eventually burned out on both. I think I'm reaching a time in my life where it is less about conquering and more about enjoying the journey.

 

[Markuson]

Some ideas...

Results are in from the Partcatalog.com 2016 #TopOffRoadTrails in America survey!

Ocotillo Wells in California looks like a lot of fun. Might have to check it out to do some winter wheeling.

Might have to pick this up: All Things Jeep - Jeep Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails

Ocatillo Wells is near me...but while it can be fun, I don't think it would work for a main event like LCDC.
Super hot in Summer... Super dry... Almost zero greenery...
No facilities.

During flower season it's nicer, but in the summer? Too dry...too hot...too dead.

But like @TonyP said... Winter weekend run? I'd be all over that!

 

[indycole]

As a Californian, the annual visit to Colorado has been the highlight of our year the last couple years. I recall tossing around some CA-based destinations with folks last summer but it's hard to find a spot with enough, varied, terrain that also works in the summer. The area around Death Valley would be awesome during another part of the year. There aren't as many trails near Lake Tahoe proper as folks may imagine. Just the 'con (still waiting for @Markuson and @Taco2Cruiser to give it a try in the 200s... I'll bring the tools) and some short nearby trails (Ellis Peak, Buck Lake). The High Sierra region has a ton of trails but they're not maintained very well and there's the high risk that they'd be covered with snow year around (like many were this year).

Utah is awesome. A bit warm in the summer but I found it pretty comfortable in Moab this year.

I'd love to do a multi-night camping trip with some other rigs before or after the main event.

 

[TonyP]

Not to push Utah because I live here (maybe a little), but beyond Moab there's a lot to see farther south in Utah as well. Plus, it's close to Vegas. VEGAS!

But anywhere is fine. It'll be a good time regardless.

 

[RET2]

Summer in Ocotillo Wells would in my opinion be a real disaster, triple digit heat, little or no shade or shelter. Utah has promise. Any thought to a progressive event that spans a couple of destinations?

 

[Dan Higgins]

Utah will be hot - but not as hot as the SoCal desert. And it should be cooler at night when some of you like to go out. Southern Utah has a lot of variety. The biggest risk can be that some of the trails have mud (clay) issues if they get wet and you do need to keep an eye on possible storms. You don't want to be a couple miles down some wash when a flash flood hits. But, again, there are plenty of options. And, depending on how people handle lodging, a "progressive" event sounds interesting. Even if some folks can only catch one half or the other. BTW, it is off-peak season due to the heat so lodging may not be as difficult. But if you're hoping for great restaurants or awesome microbrews, you are not likely to find them in that area. So you'll need to bring your own.

 

[mcgaskins]

As for ideas, I'll throw out the idea of the rest of Southern Utah. Escalante, Grand Staircase NM, Capital Reef NP, San Rafael Lift, etc. It would be convenient to Moab. But not nearly as much lodging as Breck or Moab or even Ouray. And maybe better suited to overnight trips. Oh, wait, you all did an overnight trip in Moab last year.

I agree that Utah outside of Moab would be super cool (Moab is still one of my fav places on the planet - go twice a year). There is much beauty in that state I'd really like to explore. I know @TonyP will be a great resource for UT knowledge and scouting - any other Mudders in the area willing to help? I'm trying hard to get out to Utah for some Thanksgiving camping with the new AT Habitat, and I could do some exploring then if it works out.

 

[Yossarian]

I think we are vehicle enthusiasts far more than we are vehicle loyalists.

Well said.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Well... I do love the “different places” each time this happens idea. Almost like a JKX does (google it).

I think of two things that happen with this though, it will be awesome for guys that are ready to push a little hard (not necessarily crazy, but a little hard), and because of that, we will not bring in newer members until they are ready.

I for one through still would love to support the “destination”/Overland trip, keep moving style trip. I think that with a little planning, and an understanding of coming to the event self sufficient, and an understanding of the trip might get weird, like, we might get lost, or hit barriers, and that’s okay, would be awesome.

Moving around the country also helps from year to year. I think Vermont, as in Vermont Overland trophy trails would be amazing. Then anther year do a New Mexico to Moab trip, then an Alaska run. With a little advanced planning, we all would have plenty of time to prepare.

 

[TonyP]

Well if we're doing that, then I submit San Diego to Cabo to Mazatlan to Phoenix

 

[Markuson]

I think some of those might be better for smaller off-shoot groups before of after a main, general event. Both Ouray and Breck allowed all levels of wheelers to feel welcome. I think that’s kinda important.

The Moab pre-run is an example of an off-shoot group that is awesome and a little more challenging... but doesn’t step on the main event.

I do think it would be cool to have several offshoots as people feel inclined before or after.

I also remember how much work Cody and others put in to Breck. I think it’s important to let those who assume those lead roles to hold major sway. They are dealing with sponsors and venues that are tricky to balance.

I’d also love to do a spring break-ish group thang... Might open up desert runs that are just too hot in July/August.

 

[Markuson]

If it's not, are you down for another pre-trip to Moab?
I want to do the hell-night route again but start early and run rusty nail at the end. Shouldn't be as bad, plus we'll both have winches this time around. Maybe camp halfway in Golden Spike.

In.

 

[Dan Higgins]

SW Utah does have plenty of variety but I’m not sure where we would locate the “center”. I’m not the expert on the hard core stuff. But I know there is plenty of easy and moderate stuff in the north part of Capital Reef (I think they call it Cathedral Valley - primary obstacle is fording the Fremont River) and the San Rafael Lift. Also, the Burr Trail Rd is awesome though it is mostly paved. There is a three mile section near the east end that is a moderate 4x4 road that tales you to a very short hike to an amazing overlook of the Waterpocket Fold. Some folks may want to venture down into The Maze district of Canyonlands. I’ve seen a vid of a group driving up and over a pass in The Henry Mountains. And there are various ways to get down to Lake Powel. But others have much more knowledge of this area than I do.