Just a few thoughts on BB'10...

[MNorby]

I'm curious. What kinds of things did we see this year that yall felt made for rigs that shouldn't be on the trail?

I had a carb on prichett.....
but i drove it up every obstacle
It did get me on Hell's Revenge but that was a pump issue. Prob wouldn't have run period on low fuel psi with tbi.

I'll be back with TBI though next year, didn't wanna be tuning it and wheelin it at the same time last minute.

 

[Jason4x4]

I had a carb on prichett.....
but i drove it up every obstacle
It did get me on Hell's Revenge but that was a pump issue. Prob wouldn't have run period on low fuel psi with tbi.

I'll be back with TBI though next year, didn't wanna be tuning it and wheelin it at the same time last minute.

uh huh, sure...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

uh huh, sure...

He did, and I've done it too with my old Q-jet, doesn't mean that's the preferred way. And a few more vehicles on that run were carbureted and had issues the whole way keeping things running.

Even if it works well most of the time, carbs eventually can be a PITA and that's why I moved away from it.

 

[jms]

Without changing my stance on the things we discussed earlier, here's on to a little more pleasant tack:

I'm really happy to see that BB'10 has created a fair amount of buzz on this board. It appeared (to me at least) there were a few more new faces than usual, and a lot more people have expressed right away that they plan on being back. That's great. Now, while we all appreciate the hard work the Scott and Nicole are putting in to make this event successful, and it seems we'd have a hard time making it without ORD feeding and rescuing us, it is after all an event about the people, and the trucks on the trail. It's fun to see this part come through.

 

[Jason4x4]

He did, and I've done it too with my old Q-jet, doesn't mean that's the preferred way. And a few more vehicles on that run were carbureted and had issues the whole way keeping things running.

Even if it works well most of the time, carbs eventually can be a PITA and that's why I moved away from it.

I was referring to this

but i drove it up every obstacle

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

He was always behind me but I'm pretty sure he did drive all of the obstacles, if that's what you're getting at.

 

[Jason4x4]

he was in front of me on hell's revenge...

 

[blazinzuk]

Micheal enjoyed meeting you and yes you made a heck of a go between/messenger boy while I enjoyed my dinner, thank you!

I for one will volunteer to do tech inspections, first day bbq day whatever is needed. I think I have enough knowledge to understand whether or not a rig is capable of a certain run. I also don't mind running to someones camp to do a tech inspection. Really not a big deal to me.

So pencil me in as one who is certainly willing to help with that aspect of things.

When I have attempted to run the trifecta, I always plan on bringing lunch dinner and a midnight snack, its just a long run if you have any problems at all. But on that subject after Kert and Brent and I thought we had all our problems licked we were flying through that trail. As it turned out we still had overheating issues. So we turned back. You can make it through there in daylight but you have to move quickly. That is all there is too it.

I truly enjoyed myself this year. This was my first blazer bash but probably my 15th or so time to Moab. I think it went very well. I will do everything in my power to make sure I make it next year

 

[MNorby]

he was in front of me on hell's revenge...

I never saw ya behind me on Hell's.... always saw ya off to the side on the highway.....

I drove it up every obstacle on hell's too except the big hot tub. Made it farther than the fuel injected guys. Scott, Marv and I did pretty much the whole trail in rear too...

But efi or 'pane is definitely a benefit, mine should be on in the next month or so. The only obstacle that gave me a problem on prichett was the straight up line on rocker knocker, finally had to do the turn-left-around-the-big-rock line to get up and figuring out the line on that un named big ledge. Neither of those problems were carb related.

...Now back on topic. Some thing I see could help is to specify how long we stop for lunch, say half hour or something. I don't generally mind hanging out and makin some food but at the same time I wanted to get some seat time in while in Moab. Also I wasn't there but when the 2 groups were selected for the trifecta was there any criteria for the split to keep equally matched rigs together or just random name draw? All in all though I thought it went really well. I organize a few events and it can derail really quick if thing don't happen when they need too. Thanks Scott and all the organizers and trail volunteers!!! Cheers!

 

[mtnman]

I have opinions But I JUST read the whole thread and now I have to go to work Post my opinion later

 

[mrk5]

...Now back on topic. Some thing I see could help is to specify how long we stop for lunch, say half hour or something. I don't generally mind hanging out and makin some food but at the same time I wanted to get some seat time in while in Moab. Also I wasn't there but when the 2 groups were selected for the trifecta was there any criteria for the split to keep equally matched rigs together or just random name draw? All in all though I thought it went really well. I organize a few events and it can derail really quick if thing don't happen when they need too. Thanks Scott and all the organizers and trail volunteers!!! Cheers!

I split the groups up by the people I thought were in Moab together. It was guessing to some extent, but I know from past experience if you split up people traveling together they'll just jump groups to run together anyway. I don't have quite enough information to confidently split the groups by vehicle capability. Even looking at trucks, you never know what someone's driver skills are, like the Toy Michael mentioned previously - a stockish rig with a very capable driver.

Actually my runs on Sat & Sun did not stop for lunch. Honestly doesn't bother me I don't typically eat much on the trail anyway, just snack as we go. Nicole just made her sandwich while we were moving. Typically that's something I would leave up to the trail leader. Usually if it's a big issue, someone will speak up.

 

[jms]

Actually my runs on Sat & Sun did not stop for lunch. ... Typically that's something I would leave up to the trail leader. Usually if it's a big issue, someone will speak up.

Nobody said anything on Sunday, and we had quite a ways to go, so I kept motoring onwards...

I bought lunch on Friday morning, a turkey sammich and some carrots... didn't get around to lunch on Friday, or Saturday, or Sunday - they were still in the truck when I unloaded everything on Monday evening... and while I usually don't throw food away, I didn't feel I was up to any microbiology experiments...

 

[mrk5]

That's how I usually feel. I'd rather keep moving along and just stop occassionally as needed. The only time I make a point to stop is on the easy trails that don't require frequent stops for spotting and spectating over difficult obstacles. However I've been on runs where people ask to stop for lunch and we've always accomodated those requests.

 

[mrdrinksalil]

I'm curious. What kinds of things did we see this year that yall felt made for rigs that shouldn't be on the trail?

You may not get many responses for that question.

i got a couple via PMs Thanks for those.

 

[MNorby]

on prichett we kinda ate while everyone tried rocker knocker and all. Sunday we stopped at white knuckle for about half hour. Half of us were more than ready to motor on and the other half was still grilling food so we split the group in half and it ended up working good. Might be something for the trail volunteer to see what people want to do at the first meeting time and make a plan with everyone.

 

[Stephen]

For me, requirements vary by the trail, number of vehicles on a run and time of day. I'm willing to help a new driver play around in the morning but when it gets dark, do what I say so we can go home.

All vehicles should run on hills or be run on flat trails. A good q-jet can run good enough on hills. I don't know how to test this other than getting on a trail and maybe that's part of our answer, go back to running everyone through Hell's Revenge to break them in and make sure the rigs are solid, then move on.

I think shorter runs would be better. I'd be far more willing to look at a night run somewhere after coming back to camp at 3 or 4 in the afternoon than being forced to beat feet back in the dark just to finish a trail. And on the spike, we blaze right past all the big name obstacles just to get out. I'm all for eliminating the trifecta run in favor a "crack and back" run.

This is also as good a place as any to throw out a "request for understanding":
My trail leading style changes through the day. When it's late and we have a long way to go I'm going to be relatively short and expect you to do what you need to do to just keep your rig moving and get through obstacles with the least amount of hassle. When it's time to go home I switch from "seeing what the rigs will do" mode to "we're traveling, take the easy lines, keep your junk together and keep moving". Don't let your feelers get hurt, I still love ya, even in the dark when I really really want a cold beer and a campfire.

 

[76zimmer]

Just a newbs POV here, but groups of 4-6 vehicles seemed to move along well, and when problems arise, there is enough rigs to pitch in to help out, and usually have what is needed to repair on the trail.
Being new to all of this was an awesome experience, and for me completely new. We don't have these big rock formations in MI, so learning was part of the experience for me. Eric let me have his rig for a climb on rocker knocker, and although I have done some wheeling, this type was completely new. Eric, Chaddy, and Brent all guided me to good lines, and coaching to throttle, and steer my way through it. Without the patience of these guys, and the small group we had that day, I can see where it would be frustrating to many waiting for the Newb to learn how to drive.
Perhaps a moderate course on Thurs or Friday should be a requirement for newcomers to Moab, before going on to a class 4 or 5 trail Sat. or Sun. This would also test the rig to assure it is worthy of those higher rated trails.

 

[mrk5]

The hard part about trying to run smaller group sizes is getting enough trail leaders. I have a good core group now to cover the number of runs we've been doing. I'm very appreciative to have those guys I can count on. I've had other people volunteer to lead, but then they never seem to want to run the trail that needs a leader.

That's one thing to remember the trail leaders are sacrificing, some of them may prefer to be running something different but they are willing to run a trail just to make sure we have a trail leader for it.

We used to run everyone on Hell's Revenge Friday, but then I had a lot of complaints about it being a madhouse. So we started offering alternatives. Technically the Friday run used to be "unofficial". Also now that we are a legal permitted event we do have to follow some limits for the maximum number of vehicles allowed on the trail.

I have been thinking about doing the mass invasion of Hell's Revenge for next year's Bash on Friday, but I'll have to check the maximum number of vehicles allowed on that trail.

 

[76zimmer]

Scott, I'm sure you know, you'll never please everyone. Sometimes its best to take an experienced view of things and just lay down the rules. It could be drug out a long time trying to get an acceptable table of events for everyone. I can appreciate the time, organizations, sacrifice, and skill it takes to lead the group through the long weekend. My hat is off to you!

 

[mrk5]

No problem, thanks for the compliment. I've always been the type when no one can make a descision I just say okay then this is how we're going to do it. I don't mind the thoughts and ideas being thrown out. Some of it is good stuff to apply to future events. Some of it isn't pratical, but it gives me a chance to explain why we do things the way we do. Honestly I'm just impressed with how much interest this thread is creating.