03 Apr 06, 10:00 am
NOTE! Please post with constructive critizim. If you think I was picking on anyone in general, please PM me and I'll apologize!
I realize I'm not a member, but as someone who participated in the run, I'd like to take a moment to comment on the run. I thank you for letting me come along and participate (which I did heavily!). It was a wonderful day and I enjoyed myself. Please don't think that I'm being too critical, it's just this would be a good time to think about our weakness as a club and strengthen them!
The beginning of the run started late while we were waiting on the trailboss, who couldn't make it. Not to bag on Stompr, who had vehicle issues, but heu should have called someone who was going. We were all waiting for you dude!
I was pleased to see that everyone who drove up to FCT was driving responsibly. I didn't see burnouts, unnecessary passing, speeding or other forms of reckless driving. I was proud to be in formation with you guys! TJ did a great job leading us out to the trail, even calling back on the radio to let us know of the ice at scuggie gulch (the twisties).
I led the group down the road to the trail head. I was told to lead, but I should have stopped at the trailhead and let TJ get up front. I didn't think about that till later. Sorry TJ! I'm following you next time!
At the trailhead, we got our first glimpse of who might have problems further on down the trail. It might be a good point next time to evaluate your rig based on what you are seeing going on ahead of you and from your immediate performance. That won't help if the trail becomes tougher later, but at the beginning "I" knew there were a few vehicles that weren't going to get very far. If I was trailboss (and member), I would have said something. That's not to look down on anyones rigs. All our rigs are in various stages of being "all set-up".
Putting the larger vehicles in front definetly made for a harder run for the people following, This will work better on drier runs, but in the snow, I think that we either need to different trail rides, or better yet, stick the big guys in the back. May not matter though, since we usually have to come back on the same trail! :eek:
Once the vehicles were starting to get stuck and develop problems, we seemed to have many people who would become spectators. I found myself pulling line, asking people for chain, hauling it up to my rig, burying my rig and pulling them out. My brother usually was the spotter for me. He also spent the whole day digging people out, as did I. We only had 4 shovels (maybe 5), but only had about 3 people using them at any time. With at least 12 people, we should have had 3 groups of people digging. I found myself walking up and down the hill all day long just to get people moving. No matter your sex, if your wheeling your rig on the trail.....you get to dig.
The trip was very kid friendly (except for the waiting!). I know I cussed a couple of times, but there were a few that were pretty vocal and didnt' really get the hint. When kids are present, if you can't keep from cussing, don't talk!
Ryan's overheating. What a cool opprotunity to get "creative" on the trail. I need to write up a tech thread on that one!
With Canchaser's schedule, we should have had her in the back, or at least 2nd to the rear. It would have been much easier to get her out in time like that. Speak up if you have scheduling concerns.
The winch weights weren't used all the time. I'm guilty of that twice. Safety has to come first. Those that were feeding the line would let their hands get way to close to the spool. Keep your hands back a couple of feet. I saw a few times people with fingers inches away from the spool and I would have to stop and get them to pull back. Don't put your fingers in the spool guard to get the line straightened out unless the remote is unplugged at least! I know that if I were to pinch your fingers, my luck is that I'd accidently spool in rather than spool out. Not a pleasant thought. A winch lead like Eric makes should be mandatory equipment for those operating a winch. Snatch blocks would have made it easier to pull vehicles back onto the trail or in the right direction. I don't know if the club has one, but if not, it should be a next purchase!
Around 11am, we realized that we were not going to get people any further. At that point, I stated that we should use the hill as winching practice, but instead it became just more of watch the toyota try to climb the hill without help. We missed a good chance for everyone to get time in on running the winches, connecting them properly and proper spotting techniques.
A few people got frustrated. This is a trailride! Sometimes we are not going to get very far. I for one thought it was a beautiful day to be outside.
With all the people present, we should not have left any equipment on the trail. I know that I am missing a strap. I realize I need to keep a better eye on my own equipment, but everyone who was standing around can also keep their eyes open for our trash and equipment. I don't like the idea of a strap still lying out there, it makes our club look bad.
I encourage anyone who wants to discuss this to post up and give your suggestions. If you are just mad at me for my opinion, please PM me. Save this thread for constructive uses if you could.
I realize I'm not a member, but as someone who participated in the run, I'd like to take a moment to comment on the run. I thank you for letting me come along and participate (which I did heavily!). It was a wonderful day and I enjoyed myself. Please don't think that I'm being too critical, it's just this would be a good time to think about our weakness as a club and strengthen them!
The beginning of the run started late while we were waiting on the trailboss, who couldn't make it. Not to bag on Stompr, who had vehicle issues, but heu should have called someone who was going. We were all waiting for you dude!
I was pleased to see that everyone who drove up to FCT was driving responsibly. I didn't see burnouts, unnecessary passing, speeding or other forms of reckless driving. I was proud to be in formation with you guys! TJ did a great job leading us out to the trail, even calling back on the radio to let us know of the ice at scuggie gulch (the twisties).
I led the group down the road to the trail head. I was told to lead, but I should have stopped at the trailhead and let TJ get up front. I didn't think about that till later. Sorry TJ! I'm following you next time!
At the trailhead, we got our first glimpse of who might have problems further on down the trail. It might be a good point next time to evaluate your rig based on what you are seeing going on ahead of you and from your immediate performance. That won't help if the trail becomes tougher later, but at the beginning "I" knew there were a few vehicles that weren't going to get very far. If I was trailboss (and member), I would have said something. That's not to look down on anyones rigs. All our rigs are in various stages of being "all set-up".
Putting the larger vehicles in front definetly made for a harder run for the people following, This will work better on drier runs, but in the snow, I think that we either need to different trail rides, or better yet, stick the big guys in the back. May not matter though, since we usually have to come back on the same trail! :eek:
Once the vehicles were starting to get stuck and develop problems, we seemed to have many people who would become spectators. I found myself pulling line, asking people for chain, hauling it up to my rig, burying my rig and pulling them out. My brother usually was the spotter for me. He also spent the whole day digging people out, as did I. We only had 4 shovels (maybe 5), but only had about 3 people using them at any time. With at least 12 people, we should have had 3 groups of people digging. I found myself walking up and down the hill all day long just to get people moving. No matter your sex, if your wheeling your rig on the trail.....you get to dig.
The trip was very kid friendly (except for the waiting!). I know I cussed a couple of times, but there were a few that were pretty vocal and didnt' really get the hint. When kids are present, if you can't keep from cussing, don't talk!
Ryan's overheating. What a cool opprotunity to get "creative" on the trail. I need to write up a tech thread on that one!
With Canchaser's schedule, we should have had her in the back, or at least 2nd to the rear. It would have been much easier to get her out in time like that. Speak up if you have scheduling concerns.
The winch weights weren't used all the time. I'm guilty of that twice. Safety has to come first. Those that were feeding the line would let their hands get way to close to the spool. Keep your hands back a couple of feet. I saw a few times people with fingers inches away from the spool and I would have to stop and get them to pull back. Don't put your fingers in the spool guard to get the line straightened out unless the remote is unplugged at least! I know that if I were to pinch your fingers, my luck is that I'd accidently spool in rather than spool out. Not a pleasant thought. A winch lead like Eric makes should be mandatory equipment for those operating a winch. Snatch blocks would have made it easier to pull vehicles back onto the trail or in the right direction. I don't know if the club has one, but if not, it should be a next purchase!
Around 11am, we realized that we were not going to get people any further. At that point, I stated that we should use the hill as winching practice, but instead it became just more of watch the toyota try to climb the hill without help. We missed a good chance for everyone to get time in on running the winches, connecting them properly and proper spotting techniques.
A few people got frustrated. This is a trailride! Sometimes we are not going to get very far. I for one thought it was a beautiful day to be outside.
With all the people present, we should not have left any equipment on the trail. I know that I am missing a strap. I realize I need to keep a better eye on my own equipment, but everyone who was standing around can also keep their eyes open for our trash and equipment. I don't like the idea of a strap still lying out there, it makes our club look bad.
I encourage anyone who wants to discuss this to post up and give your suggestions. If you are just mad at me for my opinion, please PM me. Save this thread for constructive uses if you could.
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