mikeexplorer

Yesterday we ran the course and Corey and I got to lead parts of it to look for weak spots in markings. So additional ribbons and arrows were placed. After the ride Joe treated us to hamburgers and hot dogs before we rolled out. Next week the plan is to run the course as a group, stopping at all card stops and the mud pit to get the timing down. Then we will break up and go out in small groups with us in the lead (and having one of them behind us) Joe said if needed he can arrange for a get together the Saturday (16th) Mike

Ok since Joe is working the trail I will be going to Hallstead. I will see you guys at the rest stop. Mike, if you would rather go up by route 171 thats probably better for you anyway, we will just see you at Joe's house. Dennis: Sorry to hear about your father and other family problems. Family is first and the poker run will be there next week. Mike

Dennis, double check with Joe, when he called me back last night he indicated he might do the Mehoopany run instead. If you can call him today to confirm his plans, I will be on the ride with LVATV club and probably will be out of cell service area. If he is planning to work the trail Sunday, I have no problem bowing out of Mehoopany. If he plans to go to Mehoopany, there probably won't be a get together. Let us know what you find out. Mike

I am sure they will have a gathering on Sunday, Tried calling Joe, no answer but I don't know when he will be back from vacation.

Did you contact them yet to find out? I would like to do Mehoopany as well, but if they are planning to get together I will go to Hallstead instead. Mike

Not off hand, I will PM you his cell # Mike

As long as you can ride it to learn it a few times before the event, you should be good to go. Mike

Joe also told me he could use some non-riding volunteers as well. Mike

I will be skipping this Sunday, with SSRT on Saturday, it will be just too much. Joe will not be there this Sunday but the crew plans to do the route and mark the route with ribbons and arrows. I would call Joe and see who the contat person should be for this Sunday. The radios will be needed, that will cover 4 groups. Given that there was no spring runs, and it seems Hallstead will be the only fall run, they expect to get hammered with people, well over 500. Mike

We have five from our club plus fifteen from the fire company. They decided since we had a good turnout to run the trail and time it. We ran the pace and stopped at the planned card draws. The course is about 22-23 miles and has some technical spots in it. It took about 3 hours to run the whole course with stops at the card draws and the mud holes. After the ride Joe treated us to some home made chili. Next Sunday they plan to mark the course with arrows and signs to help keep us on track. Then its just a matter of running it to learn it. It was a great ride today! Mike

I will be there too. Mike

Yes, if thats not a good spot for you, we can figure something out since it might be back-tracking for you. Last week we met at 8:00am and left at 8:30am. Mike

Sure we can meet at the rest stop, same time. Mike

I plan to head up Sunday. Mike

This thread is for a head count of who is willing to help with the poker run. They mainly need leaders and tailmen. They plan to run the course every Sunday, the meeting place is at Joe's house at 9:00am. Joe asked for anyone who is willing to do this to do the course at least twice before the actual date. They can also use other help with non riding activities such as selling shirts and so forth. So if you would like to volunteer to help out, post it here and also indicate which you prefer to do by say posting "riding" "non-riding" or "either" They anticipate a huge crowd this year since it seems nobody else is planning a poker run. We need to get Joe a firm count and names ASAP. Ill start, I am in as a rider. Mike

No big deal, after you left, there was only some small trimming done in the pine trees. Joe then took us to the starting point which is the same as last year. That mud certainly was sitting for awhile and was well.. ripe. Took the power washer to blast it off, it was stuck on there like cement. Mike

Corey and I made it up there plus six they had made a good group. We ran the course backwards because there was some trimming and a few trees down that had to be taken care of. Rain held off and only started to mist after 2pm but we were mostly done by then. Joe offered a late lunch but I decided to trek it home. I did manage to get stuck real good in a mud hole. Took an hour to clean the quad off after that one. Next Sunday they plan to run the course and mark it. (arrows and so forth) Mike

Just spoke with Joe, it is going on as planned, he told me they have no rain up there. I looked at the weather map. A band is coming through right now, but looks dry behind it. Should be rain free for a few hours. Looks like its just you and me Corey, Ill see you at the rest stop. Mike

I call Joe, he said if it isn't a downpour then they will work. I can call him at 6:00am to confirm if they are working before we trek it up there, then post it here. Mike

Looks like 8:00am leave by 8:30am. Mike

When I called Joe, he had no plans for working on the trail Saturday. So far Sunday is looking like scattered showers. Mike

You don't have to make every planned get-together before the run but if you do plan to help out on that day as a leader or tail-man, Joe asks that you can do the route at least twice before the actual day so you can learn it. That would be great if you can help out, they are great people and have the best poker run in the area. Mike

Ok, then want to make it meet at 8:00 and leave at 8:30 ? Mike

Just spoke with Joe, the plan is to meet at his house Sunday at 9am. They still need help clearing the trails so tools needed would be pruning shears, loppers, work gloves. They will have chainsaws so we do not need to bring any. From what he said they only worked for a few hours so its apparently not an all day thing. So maybe we could do what Corey mentioned, meet at the rest stop off I-81 @ MP202 say 7:30am leave at 8:00am ? I think for next Mondays meeting, we should get a total head count of who is planning to help out for the poker run so he can have the number to plan the event. If I remember right, we had about 10 people interested. I will look over my notes to confirm this. Mike

Sounds good, just have to figure a time. Ill give Joe a call today and see what time he wants us up there and if we need to bring anything in case they are doing any clearing. Mike