What about this idea for BB06 (your input)

[CK5]

Just have a formal hangout time, and bring your own food, and everyone can eat when they are ready, hell some may eat before and some may eat after.

This is what I am talking about, every year after the BBQ, we all leave and hang out in little groups where we are camping/staying why?
Why not just hang out in one central location in small groups if wanted but one group none the less with no worries about raffle/BBQ etc.. We can bring it back again if it continues to grow. I think sometimes you can fall into the over orginizing thing, I like to keep thing simple.

I can still make dash plaqes and t-shirts and just sell them at basicly my cost for those that want them, that way you can spend the registration on something like gas or food if you desire.

I only have one suggestion, take it as its posted. I love to wheel in Moab, it's one of the may places we wheel every year, but notice the word I posed "Wheel in Moab". The groups are getting bigger and the trails are the same size. It's really tough to have a HUGE group on the same small trail every year. It's really hard to stay patient when there is a huge group on a trail and it's a two locker trail and there are 20 rigs on the trail and 6 rigs are open in the front. I'm not knocking the unlocked rigs, or lesser built rigs, hell I'm one of thoes guys in some peoples eyes, but, it sure makes for a very very long day.

I agree, we need to do a better job of that, I think having people meet at different locations for each trail may be in order.

 

[CK5]

I think that the food and bbq are an important part of getting everybody in one spot at one time. I would still do it by I also know that it is a huge pain in the butt.

We shouldn't have to brib people to come, if they don't want to be there then maybe they shouldn't, hope that doesn't come off as sounding bad.

I know I go to meet and greets that are in town simply to meet people and check out there rides, in fact most of them are in the parking lot of a Sonic (fast food joint) with no worries about food or raffle, just like minded people getting together.

 

[CK5]

I'm also wondering whether everyone would bother to show up at the park rather than having something to eat in town.

Maybe that's an option, meet at Moab brewery or something? But then it's hard to mingle etc..

 

[CK5]

Another thing I have noticed is that there seems to be more people at the BBQ than that have registered, which leads me to believe that most people don't care so much about the food?

 

[miniwally]

I am a fan of the bbq but I do agree that the cost/work involved does not really pay off.
Rob I hear what you are saying about keeping things moving all of the time.

I hate to say this but the "trail bosses" really need to take a hard line approach. Three shots and you winch, don't try the "new" line out for an hour ect. If your vehicle isn't prepared correctly you go on an easier trail.

One thing that is hard to deal with during these events is that everybody wants to do the "big name" trails. Pritchett canyon is one of them.

I have just decided that these events are for the guys that travel a great distance and only get to Moab once in a great while. I am only three hours from there and when I want to wheel like I enjoy wheeling I go with a small select group and we travel light and fast.
Trail breakage is one thing but general standing around and BS'ing gets old in my book. One thing I have picked up from my Snowmobiling adventures is when you stop DON"T get out of the vehicle. I usually either lead the trail or take up tailgunner. When I lead I stop to make sure the guy behind me is coming along fine, if I get out the group ends up stoping for some time, if I stay in they don't. I have decided to always stay in unless an we are going to be in one area for a bit due to toughness.
In Pritchett for instance there is no reason to stop before Rocker knocker because you are going to be between rocker knocker and yellow hill for hours and hours. At the same time that area is where the trail boss needs to step up and keep things moving as fast as possible.

The slow trail thing is exaclty the reason I ended up on Maob Rim on Saturday last year. I blame my breakage on all of the slow people.

How about this for an idea. Lets try to get everybody to stay at either the Slickrock camp ground or the Motel Six. These two are close enough to each other to get together. Maybe a 5:00 "show and shine" informally in the Motel six parking lot. The grand prize is a 12 pack or something kinda cheap/usable instantly. This would get everyone in the same area somewhat easy.

I know that if I thought I could win a 12 pack I would make the buggy so bright it would hurt your eyes.

 

[miniwally]

Let's keep the Friday nite at the Park thing, maybe as potluck or simply bring your own. Let's ditch the raffle. Let's have some 'driver introductions'; a projection system for pictures would be cool. Keep the focus on our trucks and on 'wheeling. As mentioned above, let's get together on Saturday and Sunday as well - we did that last year in the Brewery and at Zaks Pizza, and it was fun; emphasis on the get-together/fun part, not the restaurant part.

Couple of suggestions regarding trail runs:

1. a poll on the board to determine interest for certain trails
2. vehicle limit 12 per trail
3. 3 categories - 2 lockers, 35 and taller // 1 locker or LS, 33 and taller // open,stock
4. registration is essentially a sign-up for trails
5. number of trails per day offered commensurate w/ attendance, lets plan for 3, with #4 as contingency
6. non-democratic decision on trails - otherwise we'll have 'Pritchett-on-Saturday' and nothing else...
7. volunteers to step up as trail leaders and tailgunners
8. Early-bird run on Friday
9. meeting spots to start each run
10. meeting spot in the evening to get together after the run

And before anyone gets too worried that they might have to run a trail they don't want to run, keep in mind that it's always easier to topple a house of cards than to build one - since it's (usually) not that many of us, things should be relatively flexible.

Vehicle clasification is what we need to do. JMS your list sounds good to me. Change 35 to 37 and add a winch and things are good.
I'm in for this and I think we are going to need to add some more hardcore stuff than Pritchett this year.
I for one will be on for the early friday run and then lead/tailgun ( I won't bail this time for a quick run to break my junk) any of the hardcore stuff.

I think Friday.
open to all rigs: Hells revenge/potato salad
Meet n Greet: TBA

Saturday.
Stock: Need suggestions??
Moderate: Gold bar rim??
Hardcore: Pritchett/area BFE

Sunday.
Stock: fins and things???
Moderate: Behind the rocks??
Hardcore: Coyote/Area BFE

I think that Coyote needs to be 6 rigs or so.
Area BFE is a good place for everybody to go and have fun. There is way more Moderate to Hardcore but a stock rig can have fun just moving around the property.

I know it is 12 miles from town but do we do a get togther at AREA BFE Friday afternoon/evening.
There is good wheeling/parking and out of the way for some good times??????

 

[CK5]

Let's keep the Friday nite at the Park thing, maybe as potluck or simply bring your own. Let's ditch the raffle. Let's have some 'driver introductions'; a projection system for pictures would be cool. Keep the focus on our trucks and on 'wheeling. As mentioned above, let's get together on Saturday and Sunday as well - we did that last year in the Brewery and at Zaks Pizza, and it was fun; emphasis on the get-together/fun part, not the restaurant part.

Couple of suggestions regarding trail runs:

1. a poll on the board to determine interest for certain trails
2. vehicle limit 12 per trail
3. 3 categories - 2 lockers, 35 and taller // 1 locker or LS, 33 and taller // open,stock
4. registration is essentially a sign-up for trails
5. number of trails per day offered commensurate w/ attendance, lets plan for 3, with #4 as contingency
6. non-democratic decision on trails - otherwise we'll have 'Pritchett-on-Saturday' and nothing else...
7. volunteers to step up as trail leaders and tailgunners
8. Early-bird run on Friday
9. meeting spots to start each run
10. meeting spot in the evening to get together after the run

And before anyone gets too worried that they might have to run a trail they don't want to run, keep in mind that it's always easier to topple a house of cards than to build one - since it's (usually) not that many of us, things should be relatively flexible.

Some good ideas, lets keep this going!

 

[CK5]

Area BFE is a good place for everybody to go and have fun. There is way more Moderate to Hardcore but a stock rig can have fun just moving around the property.

I know it is 12 miles from town but do we do a get togther at AREA BFE Friday afternoon/evening.
There is good wheeling/parking and out of the way for some good times??????

Brandon, is there a place to have a large fire (without getting a ticket ) at area BFE etc. that might be cool if there was enough room for everyone to park and have a small party type event.

 

[miniwally]

Brandon, is there a place to have a large fire (without getting a ticket ) at area BFE etc. that might be cool if there was enough room for everyone to park and have a small party type event.

Provided there are no fire restrictions we could have a mega bonfire out there.

Huge areas to park and have a fire. The big problem with it is that it is 12 miles south of town so it is kinda a destination to get to.
I think everybody could have fun out there for a day honestly.

 

[willyswanter]

I think having the meet and greet at BFE on Friday night is an awesome idea! We can screw around on some rocks and everyone can be close enough to watch.

 

[CK5]

We might be on to something.

 

[CK5]

From what I understand, there is camping (dry, no hookups etc.) right accross the street from this place.

Here are the trail descriptions: http://areabfe.com/trails.php

Main site http://areabfe.com

 

[justmeburb]

hope you don't mind a noobs input. I have wheeled in Moab just not at blazer bash. There is an idea in the whole meet somewhere between motel 6 and slickrock. Most like to drink when they get together to bull**** driving back to where you are staying is not a good thing so what about talking to slickrock about the dirt lot they use for overload parking. That way we are between places most stayed at have lots of room to show our junk and bs maybe they would even allow us to do dinner at the campground?? instead of potluck when you are talking about people trying to get into town and do some wheelin on friday do a sh** load of pizza and what not. Just a few ideas from reading this post

 

[CK5]

Keep the ideas coming, thats what this thread is about.

 

[miniwally]

hope you don't mind a noobs input. I have wheeled in Moab just not at blazer bash. There is an idea in the whole meet somewhere between motel 6 and slickrock. Most like to drink when they get together to bull**** driving back to where you are staying is not a good thing so what about talking to slickrock about the dirt lot they use for overload parking. That way we are between places most stayed at have lots of room to show our junk and bs maybe they would even allow us to do dinner at the campground?? instead of potluck when you are talking about people trying to get into town and do some wheelin on friday do a sh** load of pizza and what not. Just a few ideas from reading this post

You hit the problem with Area BFE on the head.
for those that don't know.
Area BFE is the private land that contained the entrance and most of Upper Heldorado. It was bought several years ago by a few of our fellow wheelers and has since become a wonderful offroad park. Check out http://www.areabfe.com/news/news.php Camping is onsite but it is dry camping. I don't know if they have the Porta potties there all of the time or just for big events like Easter Jeep etc.
I think that there really needs to be some thought put into the Friday night kick off deal.
One thing that I thought of last night:
Perhaps part of the reason the party always seems to stop at the park after the raffle is that people have already been there for a bit, BS has flowed somewhat as well as the booze. I know that I always wait until I get to the final evening desitination to settle in for the night of fun with booze.
I just wonder about having the get together someplace that everybody has to drive a ways to get back to camp or hotels if they won't bail real early for that reason.

I still firmly belive that the friday night get together needs food and a good spot to cook it and enjoy cocktails while doing it. If that food is provided or a bring and cook your own is not my decision. Area BFE provides some positive points but at the same time something around the Motel 6 and Slickrock has it's upside.

 

[CK5]

Area BFE provides some positive points but at the same time something around the Motel 6 and Slickrock has it's upside.

I wonder if we could all stay at one of these locations and maybe have the Meet and Greet at Slickrock campground, that might be kind of cool?

 

[CK5]

OK, have been thinking about this more today, and yes it hurts.

1. No registration fee at all.
This way no worries about, I forgot to register or I did register but have no way to prove it.
Also, registration was for 1 rig, but many bring family of 12 or something so that messes with food amount etc. and is the biggest hassle of the event.

Except for the first year (biggest turn out) we normally have 40 rigs for the last 4 years so not like having a registration is going to be like "you will not know how many people will come" type of thing.

2. Would like to still have the raffle under these conditions.
Simply sell raffle tickets for a dollar a ticket "at the raffle location", if there is nothing on the list that interests you then simply do not purchase any tickets.
This way people will not have to pay a registration fee and feel like there was not enough items on the list or whatever, plus I wouldn't have to keep track of people and mail stuff out etc..

This would eliminate the hassle of "I didn't get my ticket" and I have to keep track of who got sent what etc..

3. T-shirts and dash plaqes?
Maybe I could print up some t-shirts and dash plaques and sell them near cost at the Meet and Greet, not having them included with a registration fee would eliminate any "I paid 30.00 or whatever for this gay design" .

It also would be an incentive for people to show up at the meet and greet if they wanted to pick up a t-shirt or dash plaque.

It also would eliminate a major hassle for me shipping them to people and/or keeping sizes straight etc..

Would get popular sizes and sell until I run out or sell left over on CK5.

Maybe offer Vendors who donate a certain amount can have their name on the shirts?

3. Food
Have a low key list going of food to bring ala "pot luck" style, this way we wouldn't have to worry about a certain price for adults and children etc..

If everyone brought a little extra food, I'm sure we would have more than enough food to go around and an added benny is there shouldn't be much waiting for something to get cooked or the food was late getting there etc..

4. Keep the current location or maybe have at slickrock campground where most would be camping.
Still need more input on this one.

5. Trails
Might be better to meet at different locations for different trails, have a leader at each location with cell phone to inform them if a stragler is coming etc..
This would allow smaller groups for that "just a few guys going wheeling feeling". Would also be a hell of lot easier to manage.

Maybe still do the P Canyon on big Saturday as a group for that big event feeling (still have a smaller run that day) then have smaller groups Friday/Sunday.

This will need more details ironed out of course.




So, what do you think?

 

[therobzilla]

Steve,

I like your ideas, it's what the Bash should be about. This way it's allows more time for everyone to have FUN. Remember this is why it all started. To have FUN.

This way, you and the people that always have to put the time in to plan the even, will be able to throw the shirt in the back of your truck, and at the meet and greet, say "Hey I got some shirts for sale, who wants them". And it's over, no fuss no muss, lot's of fun, and hell you can even have some of my food

I like this idea, and I even like the whole camp in one spot thing also, with a hotel as being the main hotel.


I think you have something here! I just may have to make the trip again this year!


Great Idea!


Rob

 

[miniwally]

I will work the Hotel rooms agian this year only this time I am going to do it at the Motel 6 even though I think it will be about $10 per night more. I will know in a few days.

Somebody that is going to camp should start getting the Slickrock crowd lined up and out.

I will post a hotel thread shortly.

 

[CK5]

What I really think about the attitudes quoted above is unprintable.

I'm not happy at all that it is such - in my opinion totally unwarranted - attitudes that threaten a fun event such as BlazerBash.

I don't think that was the prevaling attitude at all, just a few people... that were probably drunk also, but I was a bit disapointed in the raffle this year. But want to say a big thank you to the Vendors that did donate.

I still say some form of registration is needed, if only to let us plan for trail runs. But no more raffle tickets in the mail; I would not have imagined this to be such a hassle.

Trust me, it's a hassle, people forget to bring their tickets all the time, then there's the "I just registered 2 hours ago" which I would have know way of checking. I also have to mail the tickets out and then keep track of them at the event to make sure everyone got theirs, this is on top of all the other stuff that needs to be done.

Fee: $95

I know a lot was included but you know as well as I do, that fee would never fly for our group.

1. Choose from the list of trails offered
2. List of trails included vehicle requirements
3. Designate 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice of trail for each day
4. Indicate vehicle capability

Do you still have a copy of this list, sounds like it could be helpful with BlazerBash.