Friends of Off Road Cycling

Ya know we're like a month away?

Dirt — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:42:50 GMT

Don't know about you but this event is really sneaking up this year. Thought I'd just make an attempt to stir the pot a little tonight. Your Fest committee has been working really hard to secure funding and has come through in a big big way! From a financial and preparation standpoint, we are equal to or ahead of last years pace. Now we need to get the word out and make sure we not only get all 200+ festers from last year back. It add some new blood this year, too. When you're out and about and see riders, please encourage them to come out. Here are some highlights to mention:

- Beer Pot Luck (could I just stop here?)
- Bikers coming to town from all over the Midwest
- Be sure to mention that this is the last year for at least 10 years that it's local
- the much anticipated return of Douchey & Porkchop
- Sunday Funday
- trail tours, demos, food, beer
- not lame games
- dry wick t shirts
- Fester Jones on Facebook (how can I forget?) Dont know Fester? Look him up!
- Can Team Goodlookin defend their title? Will Lambinas choke again?
- new games, new bikes, new stories...it's all to be had.

Please work to generate buzz because the more festers the merrier. That's an undisputed fact! We only get one last run at this thing. Let's make it ( dare I say... ) EPIC!

Don't forget to support our sponsors! Many are our own members!

If you're excited for the Fest, post up here , post up On Facebook, spread the word however you can. Let the hype begin!!!

Farmboy is a gypsy.

Unapproved Rogue Trail - Sunderbruch Park

jimithng23 — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:07:28 GMT

***DISCLAIMER***

This post is meant mostly for non-FORC members and possibly some FORC members, new and old, that may not completely understand the priviledges granted to FORC through the exhausting efforts of current and past members.

[Scroll to the bottom for the Cliff Notes version]
Monday night I was JRA (just riding along) and having a great time.

Flowing along Sugar Bottom I was until I happened upon a "jump" right in the middle of the trail.

Now, this was much to my surprise since I knew *nothing* about said "jump." I stopped, got off my bike (which is SO MUCH FUN while in the middle of a sweet, flowy section of trail) and removed the 2 dead and rotten logs that were halfway buried and then dirt was piled on top of them to make a "jump."

Had the "jump" actually been thought out and built properly I prolly would have hit it, laughed a bit, and then removed it.

Not only was the material of this "jump" of substandard quality, the "jump" was so poorly designed that the landing zone was nearly 2 feet off the trail. Coupla geniuses built this one for sure.

Lesson here?

At Sunderbruch Park I, Aaron Mielke, am GOD.

You wanna build trail? Cool.
You wanna put in an awesome jump or a crazy skinny? Awesome, let's do it.
BUT, I need to clear it first. Ask around and find someone that had an idea, presented it to me and the Trail Care Crew, and they were denied. Highly doubt you're gonna find that person. If anything's been turned down it's been because there hasn't been time in the last few years to add to the Trail Plan.

I may sound like a bit of a prick here, but ask anyone on the Trail Care Crew and they'll tell you most of what's been done at Sunderbruch in the last few years has all been thought out and designed between all of us on the Crew. It isn't me sitting in my ivory tower telling people what they can and can't do.

That said, anything constructed or modified without the approval of me, GOD of Trail at Sunderbruch, will be removed.

Brash? Ayup. Egocentric? Possibly. But at this point, I need to be.

Everyone reading this needs to understand FORC and the City of Davenport have a signed written agreement that lays out clear expectations and understanding of each other's responsibilities pertaining to the trails at Sunderbruch. If/when this agreement is violated, mountain bikers run the risk of losing access to the park. Not cool.

Notice I said "mountain bikers" not just FORC.

Here's a list for those that like lists:

Cool (Trail Steward approval not required):
-weed whacking
-clearing trails of debris
-clearing downed trees
-picking up litter
-or any other minor maintenance that does NOT involve removing dirt from or modifying the trail surface.

Not Cool (Trail Steward approval required):
-building trail
-jumps
-rocks
-logpiles
-skinnies or any other trail feature
-re-routing trail around an obstacle when the obstacle is within IMBAs standards for trail-rating guidelines (see Russhole's Blue Mound video for an example @ 1:31)
-repairing "wet areas"
-any action that involves removing dirt from or modifying the trail surface
-anything else I probably missed.

Cliff Notes (TL;DR): [<--- that means Too Long, Didn't Read ;-) ]
Stop building unapproved trail features, stop creating re-routes around obstacles on Black-rated trails, and stop building rogue trails wherever you please. Contact me or any member of the Trail Care Crew if there's something you're wanting to do to the trails.

Otherwise....STOP

Stolen mtn bike from local shop

Bexter — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:28:27 GMT

Bike n Hike had one of their mtn bikes stolen from the store -- a Giant Revel 1 but with higher-end componentry than is normally spec'd out for that bike. Here's a similar Revel from the Giant website. Check their Facebook site for a picture of a "person of interest."

Trek Store had a bike swiped from them on Monday. I am awaiting details about that bike and hopefully a picture of the bike. There are enough of us out and about that maybe we can catch the thief(ves) or at least get our LBS their stuff back. Not much more worse than a thief... well other than a cheating, lying spouse! LOL.

Trail Day 05/19 @ 9am (Cross Post w/SBP Forum)

jimithng23 — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:40:04 GMT

Trail Day this Saturday, 05/19 @ 9am.

Party Deck Construction!
Dirt Work - lots of new trail to build!
Weed Whacking!
HFDB'n!

See ya there!

Visit this thread and vote in the poll ---> http://www.qcforc.org/showthread.php...s-Saturday-9am!

Trail Day - This Saturday @ 9am!

jimithng23 — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:36:41 GMT

Ok boys and girls, this is gonna be a trail day for the ages.

One week ago, on Mother's Day no less, 16 FORC members made huge leaps and bounds towards the completion of the Jubilee Extension.

Now, we bring you.....

PROJECT: PARTY DECK CONSTRUCTION

The deck has been designed and laid out, materials have been purchased, and now construction can begin! :rockon:

Jake Ralfs, PR Director, FORC Facebook Manager, and Sunderbruch Trail Care Crew Member extraordinaire will be DA MAN for the day. He's got everything organized and will make sure things go smoothly.

If you've got some carpentry/construction experience, that will be a HUGE help! If you don't have this experience and want to help, come on out anyway!!! Be aware that heavy lifting will be involved in this phase of construction. We'll need a crew of 4-5 peeps to help with this project.

We'll need some tools so if you have any of the following, bring 'em along:
-impact driver
-screw gun
-circular saw
-chainsaw
-tape measure
-6' ladder(s)
-batteries, batteries, and more batteries

Building the Party Deck is just one phase that we hope to make big strides in during this trail day.

We have A TON of other work that needs to be done, so we're looking for a great turnout!

- There's a few stretches of trail that still need built, so hopefully we can put together a Dirt Crew and knock out a big chunk of trail.
For the Dirt Crew, we'll need:
-flat shovel (we'll have 2 on hand)
-rogue hoes (we'll have 3 on hand)
-garden rake

- Also, weed whacking needs done. We'll have 2 Stihl w/whackers available for use. Depending on turnout, we'll put together a crew to knock down the weeds likely starting with the Green trails. If you have a w/whacker that can handle the tall weeds - this isn't your lawn we're talking about here - bring it out. If it's electric or battery powered, you're better off leaving it at home and hopping on the Dirt Crew instead ;-)
-weed whackers (we'll have at least 2 on hand)
-loppers
-any other tools to whack weeds, face slappers and arm/leg grabbers

So all in all, we're shooting for 12 peeps at a minimum to get all this done. We're hoping more of you have a few hours of your Saturday morning to spare and help make this club and the trails even better than they already are!

One last point I need to make, and it's VERY important --- if you've never built trail or if you've never built a deck or even if you've never run a weed whacker, we want YOU. Building trail is something that only takes about 10-15 minutes of swinging a Rogue Hoe and suddenly you're an expert. There will be plenty of peeps to provide direction and answer any questions that you may have.

We greatly encourage you to show up and help. This isn't the status quo. Seriously, come help. You'll have fun, trust me. You'll want to wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and a pair of gloves.

This club was built on 2 things (well, 3 if you include beer): The Sylvan Island Stampede and TRAIL DAYS. There's no way FORC would be what it is today if it weren't for the members, old AND new, that come out and volunteer their own free time to create a better riding experience for everyone...and, we have a damn good time doing it!

The 2012 Midwest Mountain Bike Festival is right around the corner. Let's bust our butts, get this trail finished, and show all our visiting knobbies the kind of work FORC has become known for!

PLEASE, join your fellow FORC members in this monumental moment in this club's existence - Building the first ever Party Deck!

Owls & Eagles Ride Again!

jimithng23 — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:34:13 GMT

Sunderbruch, Wednesday morning. 5:15am.

Charge your lights but you won't need 'em long...it's light enough by 5:50-6.

See ya there.

Weekly Group Ride - Illiniwek Park - 6:00pm Thursday 5-17-12!

SweetSVT99 — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:38:54 GMT

Mother nature seems to be in a good mood this week! The Steward at Illiniwek has graciously offered to lead a group ride around, so let's meet in the parking lot and be ready to take off about 6pm!

Don't forget your post ride refreshments. I plan on having my small grill out there, feel free to bring something to throw on it (no for real this time, it'll be there!).

:bike:, :beer:

Trailwork: Illiniwek, Friday 5/18/12 @ 5:30

DH001 — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:24:03 GMT

We are continuing work on the overlook trail this week and will be meeting in the lower parking lot off of IL-84 at 5:30 on Friday 5/18/12. Plan on working for 1.5-2 hours. If you show up late, go up the stairway to the overlook clearing. We will be working on the right hand side of the clearing when facing the river.

We have 2 extra rogue hoes and 4 flat shovels for people to use if you don't have any tools of your own. If you do have these tools, please bring them just in case we run short. Just standard benched trail construction this time, nothing fancy.

Remember to wear long sleeves, pants, and sturdy shoes.

ScoCoPa 5:30

ew_perry — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:17:39 GMT

Joe Westerhof and I are riding there tonight.

First Taco Ride of the Year! THIS Wednesday.

ew_perry — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:34:37 GMT

It is not mountain biking but has a lot of the same spirit. Being outside, friends, drink, and food. Hope you and your family can join us!

Lot's of people have been asking when this was going to start again. So here it is!

Wednesday after work I am inviting everyone to join in a casual ride from Moline to Rapids City. The plan is to leave from the Ben Butterworth Parkway near the Celebration Belle and ride up to the Bridgeview Inn in Rapids City. It's a super FLAT 10 miles each way.

The ride will leave promptly at 5:35. We will take a short break at about the halfway point, Empire Park, to rehydrate and let people catch up.

They have hard and soft shell tacos for a $1.25 and $2 bottles of Coors Light.

Invite anyone you know who might enjoy a casual bike ride and eating/drinking.

I got the idea watching IPTV(it's what you watch when you don't have cable)
http://www.tacoride.com/

Ride at Sunderbruch 05/14/2012

skinney — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:57:57 GMT

I havent been on my bike in years! (OK since Friday) WHo wants to do a couple laps at 5:30ish? I have a large group of one if anyone wants to join.

MTB 101 Saturday at 9 AM

Vibrato — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:51:55 GMT

Tell your friends the time has come to learn the basics and get on the beaten path!

Sunderbruch park at 9 AM tomorrow, if you want to come out and bring someone who is interested, we promise to treat'em right.

Patrollers, Ambassadors and all other FORC members are welcome to help out also as we will need spotters.

Weather permitting, I hope to see you there!

Vibrato

Sunderbruch @ 6 if interested! See you there!

Augustice — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:18:50 GMT

Wifie and I are getting beer and then on to ride. Well ride first then beer!:rockon:

Very Disappointed

Fester — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:33:27 GMT

Me loney after hibernation. Me want someone to go to mtb fest with...

I gonna invite her, but she say gotta wash hair. Sho no even have hair. :cwm23:

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/it...velty_Doll.asp

Front Street Brewery at the Freight House

AG — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:00:37 GMT

Front Street Brewery will be having their ribbon cutting/grand opening this Saturday the 12 at 10:30am @ The Freight House. Their new location is primarily a brewey but will have liquor and evently a very limited menu. They will remain open at their current location as a resturant. The new location will give them the ability to brew more beer and keep up with the higher demand they have been experiencing for years. The new brew house is a custom built system constructed right here in the QC. It is a real show piece. Come check it out and support their new venture.