Deep thoughts... (1 Viewer)

[valkyrie610]

Chris, don't' make this harder than it is.

First off, 360 is illegal, period.

Secondly, BMRA is great for everyone, beginner to extreme. Clayton is the same way, except the beginner area is very separate from the moderate/expert area... not even the same mountains.

I would recommend BMRA for a "clinic", but the trail is the best way to learn your rig and to learn wheeling.

Practicing putting a tire on a rock is not how you learn to wheel, doing it is how you learn.

 

[chris777]

not tring to make it hard, Chris. I just believe in exploring all the possibilities... leaving no stone unturned... brainstorming... that kinda thing. If BMRA is the final choice, then I will be grateful and all for it. Just wanted to share my experience as an off road clinic instructor. there are siimilarities, and there are differences between 2 wheelers and 4 wheelers. I've taught dozens of off road clinics for mountain bikers, and I have put a lot of thought into it and have learned a lot. I am in no position to take charge on these clinics, of course (I want to be a student). But if anyone wants my input, I am happy to oblige.

 

[Kotter]

NEWBIE RUN!!!!!


I've been eyeballin' this thread, but hadn't had a chance to pipe up till now. There are lots of good thoughts posted here. Now we just gotta get out and do it. LSLC had its most members AND its most number of active members right around the time of the Newbie Run a few years ago. Was it a cause or a result - I dunno, but I'm sure they were related somehow. It must have been 5 years ago, because it was in March, the first Roundup was the following year, and we haven't had a newbie run since.

The comments above are dead-on. I remember when I was a newbie and first involved with the club (some would argue I'm still a newbie ). You want to tag along and learn, but you don't want to be a "tag-a-long." You have a dread of getting in over your head, obligating someone else to help you out if you do get in over your head when they coulda been wheeling themselves, etc. This leads to hanging back and possibly not getting involved. This leads to the terminal stages of losing interest.

Justin Ward was great at my first ICBM. He came to me, new I was a newbie and headed out on the trails with me and a few other newbies. Next was the Newbie run in Clayton where Butch Baker and Nolen Grogen did an excellent job of essentailly teaching a class with handouts (I still have mine) followed by hands on experience(ie. driving Butch's cruiser over an obstacle until you had your fill) followed by a trail run. Its been all downhill for me and my wife since.

Doing something like this in the Metroplex probably isn't practicle unless there are some places to go I don't know about that are definately legal and not infested with drunk idiots. Maybe we could organize small groups to Gilmer, Clayton, Katemcy etc. Do it on a set weekend of the month and rotate someone willing to "lead" it such as Jason, Justin, myself, and any others interested. I would love to take 5 or 10 or even one newbie out and have them get there feet wet. I am perfectly willing to lead a "Newbie Run" at our next Roundup starting with a 10 min. "class" with a handout to include driving basics and trail etiquette. I can't tell you how many people I've seen at various trail runs picking bad lines, holding the clutch in down a steep grade, flailing for umpteen tries at the same obstacle, and running off and leaving the truck behind them well out of sight and clueless where to go at the next turn.

I do think LSLC is basically a wheeling club. Having a few small newbie runs, I think, will improve membership, improve safety, and improve fun. Someone else needs to do the August Katemcy run - I ain't doing that one.

Maybe I shoulda said:









NEWBIE RUNS!!!

 

[wngrog]

YOu guys could contact the guy that held the We_rock event in Boyd too.

He would rent out his place for cheap for something like this and there is all sorts of stuff to play on out there and it is easy access and close to the metroplex.

If anyone is interested, I could did up his info.

Marshall Gilespie is his name.

 

[chris777]

GREAT! this is going to be great! thanks for stepping up. sounds like between kotter and justin, this is really going to happen! I hope this is not just a beginner run, but a beginner clinic. But whatever it is, I am looking forward to participating in it.

 

[JasonH]

I'm working on getting a copy of the old class materials we used the last time. My intention is to do it as a class, then go out on some easy trails with plenty of instruction and guiding along the way. I think it'll be easier to find instructional situations on a trail. I was thinking about doing a day trip to Gilmer for it, but it doesn't have to be me doing this. If someone wants to set a date, I'll try to be there and help.