Post by Brian on May 4, 2007 8:23:34 GMT -5
"As the group on here continues to grow and some of the old timers find their way back I thought I would mention a couple of tips for planning an Ultimate Jeep Event.
1. An Ultimate Jeep event does not have to be a weekend of hard core wheeling where breakage and severe body damage is to be expected. In fact, we have never planned such an event that I know of, but sometimes things happen, which is why we carry spare tires, car insurance, and some of us even an extra engine in the passengers seat.
2. An Ultimate Jeep event can be a trip to a destination or simply a rendevouz at one, much like what Harley riders do. Maybe you can plan a day at the beach. You may all get there by a differant route, but once there you can meet, greet, check out each others Jeeps, enjoy the beach, share a meal, or whatever. You may learn what most of us have, that Jeepers are great people and you may make some new friends along the way.
3. If planning an Ultimate Jeep event at an Off Road/Highway Vehicle Park, be sure to check their web sites and find out what the fees, rules, and restrictions are at the park. Make sure everyone that is coming can comply with them so no one shows up and gets turned away. Examples would be that most parks require two way radio or CB's, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and that at least one Jeep in the group have a winch. Some park, like Paragon also require that you mount a flag on your Jeep, since they have a lot of two way trails. Then, once the group is there, plan your day(s) together as a group and wheel trails that everyone can do. For example, unless you know, or the trail map clearly indicates, that there is a bypass around the harder obstacles, you shouldn't include that trail. Then go out and have some fun and help each other out. At my first Ultimate Jeep event I had the least built Jeep of the group, but with the help of folks like HiVolt, CCJ, Wonk and others I had a great time, did trails I would never have done on my own, pulled some winch cable, stacked some rocks, and helped push, but they all did the same for me, and my Jeep is my daily driver and I had a 900 mile trip home.
4. Ultimate Jeep events are not macho, who has the biggest Jeep and can go the fastest or roll over the most type events that you see on TV. These are not competitive events, they are about getting together with other Jeepers, learning about what your Jeep can and can't do, and also learing more about yourself. They are designed for all participants to have fun. When you go to a place like Superlift Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, when Superlift is also having an event, you get to see lots of Jeeps and other off road vehicles, built to all levels, meet some vendors, see what new products are out there, maybe get your picture taken, or maybe even video of you will show up on TV some day. And if you are really lucky you get to have some fried catfish courtesy of the Arkansas Rock Crawlers.
5. Don't get hung up on trying to plan anything big either. This Sunday Bongo and I are planning to go wheeling and a few other local Jeepers are going to join us. This is as simple as saying "Hey, if you want to go wheeling meet us at the parking lot on the Old Stage Road behind the Broadmoor at 1030 on Sunday and we plan to do Eagle Rock." Nothing fancy, just a day out with some other Jeepers enjoying Mother Nature and having fun.
I am sure there are some other good points I have not listed, but the bottom line is if you plan to go wheeling and want some company, post a message with the details. If you know of an event, please post that info as well in case someone on here wants to go. "
1. An Ultimate Jeep event does not have to be a weekend of hard core wheeling where breakage and severe body damage is to be expected. In fact, we have never planned such an event that I know of, but sometimes things happen, which is why we carry spare tires, car insurance, and some of us even an extra engine in the passengers seat.
2. An Ultimate Jeep event can be a trip to a destination or simply a rendevouz at one, much like what Harley riders do. Maybe you can plan a day at the beach. You may all get there by a differant route, but once there you can meet, greet, check out each others Jeeps, enjoy the beach, share a meal, or whatever. You may learn what most of us have, that Jeepers are great people and you may make some new friends along the way.
3. If planning an Ultimate Jeep event at an Off Road/Highway Vehicle Park, be sure to check their web sites and find out what the fees, rules, and restrictions are at the park. Make sure everyone that is coming can comply with them so no one shows up and gets turned away. Examples would be that most parks require two way radio or CB's, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and that at least one Jeep in the group have a winch. Some park, like Paragon also require that you mount a flag on your Jeep, since they have a lot of two way trails. Then, once the group is there, plan your day(s) together as a group and wheel trails that everyone can do. For example, unless you know, or the trail map clearly indicates, that there is a bypass around the harder obstacles, you shouldn't include that trail. Then go out and have some fun and help each other out. At my first Ultimate Jeep event I had the least built Jeep of the group, but with the help of folks like HiVolt, CCJ, Wonk and others I had a great time, did trails I would never have done on my own, pulled some winch cable, stacked some rocks, and helped push, but they all did the same for me, and my Jeep is my daily driver and I had a 900 mile trip home.
4. Ultimate Jeep events are not macho, who has the biggest Jeep and can go the fastest or roll over the most type events that you see on TV. These are not competitive events, they are about getting together with other Jeepers, learning about what your Jeep can and can't do, and also learing more about yourself. They are designed for all participants to have fun. When you go to a place like Superlift Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, when Superlift is also having an event, you get to see lots of Jeeps and other off road vehicles, built to all levels, meet some vendors, see what new products are out there, maybe get your picture taken, or maybe even video of you will show up on TV some day. And if you are really lucky you get to have some fried catfish courtesy of the Arkansas Rock Crawlers.
5. Don't get hung up on trying to plan anything big either. This Sunday Bongo and I are planning to go wheeling and a few other local Jeepers are going to join us. This is as simple as saying "Hey, if you want to go wheeling meet us at the parking lot on the Old Stage Road behind the Broadmoor at 1030 on Sunday and we plan to do Eagle Rock." Nothing fancy, just a day out with some other Jeepers enjoying Mother Nature and having fun.
I am sure there are some other good points I have not listed, but the bottom line is if you plan to go wheeling and want some company, post a message with the details. If you know of an event, please post that info as well in case someone on here wants to go. "