Thursday, January 17, 2008

BASH Planning Underway

Two of the most important parts of the BASH for 2008 are CONFIRMED -- no not the trailer of beer -- but Camp Muckelratz if reserved for the weekend from Thursday evening around 4:00ish, to Sunday afternoon around 4:00ish, and of course our famed caterer, GONDER's GRUBB HOUSE is confirmed. Last year, we almost lost Gonder for the Day. Between Gonder and his yellow sticky notes everywhere not exactly sure what's on his calendar and what's not, and Keith not quite remembering if 1) he called Gonder and 2) did he give him the right date, when the time finally came to confirm, Gonder didn't have us on his calender! And he had 3 other events that same day. So...Gonder loving as much as he does, figured it all out, called in the extra help, and showed up with his belly-bustin yummy chicken. So this year, when he got his new calendar on January 1, I was on the phone with him on January 2 confirming the dates. He laughed like hell when I called and said "you're calling already!@!!" And I said, YUP! We ain't messin' up this year. Turns out Gonder DID already have a wedding on his calendar, but its not unusual for him to do 2-3 events in one day. So he's confirmed and has us down for the BASH, and we're happy to have him back again as you are too, I'm sure! We did have to change the price of the extra chicken dinners to $8.00 this year cause that's what Gonder charges us. We were losing money on the extra dinners other years! DOH!

Latest update on Rattling Marathon 2008

In a previous post, I mentioned that the Mountainside Bike Team was approached about putting on the Rattling Marathon -- that last year's promoter, Mike Kuhn, bit off more than he could chew and didn't' think he could promote the race this year. Well, Mountainside can't do it, so as of today, the Marathon is still up in the air.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

First 2008 BASH Sponsor Signs On

Our first 2008 BASH Sponsor has signed on and its a new one this year. SIMBREE, A Seattle, Washington company is producing organic energy bars, bites and granola that is incredible tasting. I discovered them in Orlando last year and have been hooked since. They use all organic ingredients with non-GMO soybeans AND minimal additives. Awesome product. Check them out!

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Rattling Marathon in 2008?

Last year saw the first race on the Rattling Creek trails. And it didn't come about without a little controversy amongst some of the trail builders in the club. For the most part, the club members were fairly divided -- since the race was a "Marathon" and the riders wouldn't be tearing things up like a typical XC race, coupled with the fact a Marathon isn't going to draw the entries like a XC race, many felt the race would be acceptable and minimal damage would occur. The opposition felt ANY "racing" would damage trails and should be avoided. In the end, since it was pretty much a half and half vote, the club stood "opposed" in the interests of our dedicated builders, but at the same time certainly couldn't deny the race happening since it IS public lands. So the race went on, with conditions -- alternate course if wet (it would have been all fire road/snowmobile trail and maybe Rock's Ridge and Wolf Pond), the trail inspectors would be surveying after the race to check for damage and if there WAS damage, no race in 2008. Post race, all trails held up well and saw minimal impact with the exception of Doc Smith which was rode twice in the race AND is not as rock-strewn as the others, so some of the turns were ever-so-slightly banked on Doc Smith, but certainly not "damaged." So the race-day guru, Ricky Brown, was ok with the turnout of the race, as were our very-concerned volunteers who came out to help assure the trails would be "protected." So this year? Not sure yet. The race promoter cannot do as many races as last year -- he bit off more than he could chew. So the search is on for a new race promoter of which the Club already said no, they are not interested in promoting a race mainly because they already do the BASH which is a pretty big deal for them. Kuhndog approached Mountainside Ski and Sports as a Team to put the race on, but the jury is still out on that. Bottom line, it takes a lot to organize and run a race and no one simply has the time. Sure, lots of folks said they'd "help", but it takes that one person to glue it all together and make it happen.