Event size

[Trollhole]

Yes, our events are growing in size. We have never really had an issue in the past with the size. But I'd like your opinion. How do you feel about the direction of the club as far as events? Anything you would like to see more or less of going into 2008? You okay with the size?


Personally I'd like to continue with the something for everyone format. I'm cool with the sizes of our events. Some are small and some are bigger. I think the only events we need to work on keeping limited in size are the Cullowhee runs and I think the best way to do this is limit them to UC members only. All the rest including OTMT I'd like to keep open to anyone. UC members will always get preference in all events of course but one of the main reasons why we are who we are today is because we have a relaxed policy and so many events.

 

[GXO]

I think that is the locale demands a smaller event we keep it small...otherwise, we should fill up whatever venue, etc we choose to have an event at!

We are growing to where even if we limit things to club only we will still be getting very large events going forward.

 

[Southeast Overland]

As UC grows our events will in turn grow. We can take certain measures (requiring UC membership) to keep some events smaller (Cullowhee) but this will only work to a certain extent. We can also be selective about how we advertise events to help manage size.

Having multiple types of events for different types of members is GREAT and we should continue to plan this way.

 

[BMThiker]

I guess its a good thing we've not had every UC member show up at once?! Cullowhee is definitely a small group kind o fplace. As we did last time, we'll just have to break up the groups into different routes and/or days. UC membership should be required for the "holy land" as Alex put it.

 

[concretejungle]

Agree with what's said above. another observation i have noticed quietly, is that sometimes the leadership get's the raw deal on these events. I say this because some times the leaders deep inside really want to take the hard trails, but because there are those that don't want scratches or damage (and that's fine, i'm not putting those down) someone has to lead the "easy ride". THat's the tuff one IMHO. As long as we can break down into smaller groups and everyone is happy with that i think we keep on keeping on.

 

[GXO]

I am fine with leading smaller/beginner/easy rides to help out the leaders! I have just as much fun. Marshall, Alex, the next pres of the club, etc...feel free to ask, I am happy to help!

Concrete makes a good point though...leadership doesn't always have to mean sacrifice. We are a club afterall.

 

[cruiser4life]

I led the easier ride at N meets S and everyone in the group had a great time it appeared to me.

As far as event size, we are learning as we go / grow!!

You can't make everyone happy with a group as large as UC but making sure members of all kinds have a good time and want to participate at some point is what it is all about!

 

[BillWright]

I think the trick would be not to limit the event size but to break out the trail groups and possibly camping by size according to interest/capability level. For example there might be a primitive camping area that takes some hard wheeling to get to. Maybe a developed campground or even a cabin where the more expedition type wheelers could start from. I think we've headed this way, just need to be a bit more definitive perhaps.
If more than, say, 10 trucks, maybe 8, want to go a certain way stagger the start and separated them. Or start from opposite ends and cross in the middle. Etc.

At the holy place there could even be a discover group that planned to hit trails that no one has a clue where they go. There are lots there. They could come back and add their finding to the lore. We found some of those were down right boring, some were just rough on the paint and some were out-and-out treacherous.
b

 

[BillWright]

I think the only events we need to work on keeping limited in size are the Cullowhee runs and I think the best way to do this is limit them to UC members only.

I guess this is as good a place as any to get this off my chest:
I don't see how we can plan an event on public lands and expect to bar anyone from it. If we rent Gulches, say, for a weekend-yeah sure. But a National Forest is public land, how to we tell people they can't come in?

Just my $0.02.
b

PS: OTOH we don't have to make public any mapping or privately discovered info do we?

 

[GXO]

Your PS answers your question

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

we certianly can not bar anyone from public land and we aren't suggesting such, but at the same time we don't have to go out of the way to show them the trails or lead them thru if we don't see it fit........... Plus the rover map is already out there on the net and available to anyone. All you have to do is a little research on your own and you can figure out where the trails are.

heck that trail we ran this past Sat. to Wet Camp gap isn't on the rovers map but I put alot of time into researching the USGS maps of the area, you probaly noticed the huge map I had pieced togerther that we were using...... so the info is out there for those who take the initiative to retrieve it


with all that said though I am all for taking people to cullowhee and showing them what an awesome place it is, I mean I myself wouldn't have had the oppurtunity if it wasn't for Alex and Jason. My concern though is Cullowhee in my mind doesn't setup well for large crowds, I think the hassle would be much greater than the reward. So I am in favor of at least attempting to keep this thing small.

I guess honestly though my biggest hang up is that Cullowhee has always been kind of a hidden place only the locals knew about and didn't recieve much traffic, but now it seems to be drawing alot of attention and is getting much more in the way of 4x4 traffic and I am truly afraid that it is only a matter of time before the DNR/NFS comes in and closes it down for good because of the increased wear and tear on the area as they have done to so many of our clubs local offroading oppurtunities. That is why we as a club are currently trying to establish a relationship with the NFS to hopefully prevent such a tradegy from happening and it is also why I am not so big on the idea of opening up the club run to everyone and their brother or essentially handing out flyers and detail maps to the area either

..........so yeah those are my thoughts

I guess this is as good a place as any to get this off my chest:
I don't see how we can plan an event on public lands and expect to bar anyone from it. If we rent Gulches, say, for a weekend-yeah sure. But a National Forest is public land, how to we tell people they can't come in?

Just my $0.02.
b

PS: OTOH we don't have to make public any mapping or privately discovered info do we?

 

[cruiser4life]

Plus a map is already out there on the net and available to anyone. All you have to do is a little research on your own and you can figure out where the trails are.

Agreed that anyone that wants to go just has to have an adventurous spirit and some motivation to research and they are set. Just make sure you aren't violating any rules or regs, especially in relation to NCWRC / USFS owned and managed Game Lands.

OK, I just edited / erased the rest of this novel I just wrote and sent you a PM instead JP...

 

[CandyPants]

OK, here's my thing.

I think that UC does a great job at providing something for everyone. Small events, larger ones, private ones, public ones, wheeling ones, and social ones. It's all good.

Now, as far as Cullowhee and open vs. closed events are concerned...I think JP hits on the issue well in his post above. And Alex and others have said this too. You can't trust people blindly to act as you would. UC is a club that I am proud to be affiliated with on the land use side. We are responsible and we are careful. As much as I hate to say it, everyone in this sport is not the same.

Now, I also think that belonging to club should have it's benefits. One of those is participating in a private wheeling event on a particular weekend with the folks that you CHOOSE to wheel with. I don't want some asshat showing up and ruining my weekend. I pay to be in this club because I LIKE YOU PEOPLE (God help me). And generally, the people you bring to the club will be people you like, so I'll probably like them too. Who know if I'll like some schmoe off the street that wants to go just because they've heard of this run. They can come to an open event, see if they fit in with the club, then join the club and reap the benefits of membership (I sound like an Am Ex commercial).

OK, that's my 2 cents. Off my soapbox now...

 

[Southeast Overland]

I don't want some asshat showing up and ruining my weekend.

That's why UC now has two bouncers!

Back on topic - good points Heather - I agree with your statement and what JP has said.

 

[GXO]

Next event we need to get some of these made:

 

[mpeagan]

newbie

As a newbie I do not have an opinion on the open/closed debate. Those with more tenure and experience have made great comments.

I like Dan's idea. Well maybe just a bit modified. Some of the younger crowd may not remember the Flying Fickled Finger of Fate award, or other such awards given somewhat in jest, some what seriously, to offenders. It could be 1 trophy, shirt as desiged or something everyone agrees on. It is "awarded" to any one who acts outside of the club limits. It can be made fun and get the point across to all club members, this is what we expect and how we expect every one to act. Done in this manner it not only educates new recruits but re-inforces the expectations to all.

Anyway, just a thought.

Mike.

 

[Trollhole]

We could call it the Richard award.

 

[cruiser4life]

LOL.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

We could call it the Richard award.

I don't know about that one............. I think the "Richard" award should be reserved for web wheelers in the club

 

[cruiser4life]

Double LOL.