OCC's primary activities are safe and prepared OHV driving, trail maintenance, helping each other build our OHV rigs, socializing, camping, and fighting the OHV road closures. OCC is a close-knit group of people who enjoy the company of friends. Members and guests are always encouraged to bring their families to club events, "Wrench-a-thons" to repair or modify your rig, or to just learn by helping out others to get together when you can't make it to the trail.
Trails: Forrest Road 85 & 85a to Meadow Knob and Flag Pole Knob.
After a Drivers meeting at Sheetz on E Market St, we hit the road just before 10AM. After all 7 rigs making it through Old Town Harrisonburg we made our way down Clover Hill Rd to Union Springs Rd and into the George Washington National Forrest. Once on Forest Rd 85 we stopped to air down, lock in hubs, and then continued on. The trails were slightly wet and the weather was clear with a little wind. After the step switchbacks near a scenic overlook we stopped for a family potty break. A short while after we got going we came upon the mud-hole area. An opportunity for picture and movie taking was made, and lots of splashing was done. With mud dripping from the 7 rigs we continued on to the rockiest sections of the day. First was the down-hill rocks with many possible lines. Each rig took a little different line and we pushed on. Soon we got to the long up-hill with protruding rocks at the top. Everyone made it up with little problems, and some looked for the hardest possible line they could find. At the final rocky outcrop by the Old Stone House we stopped for some play time. The 2 JKU’s climbed up with little problems and some good flexing. Jon’s 5” open/open XJ required a little rock stacking, but he made it. Finally Jim made an attempt, but after some more rock stacking his lower stance and not wanting to tear up his rockers any more than they already were, he backed down. A short drive later we were all lined up on top of Meadow Knob. Everyone ate, the kids played, the dogs begged for food, and we talked. The weather was turning. Clouds were coming in, rain was starting to fall, and the sun was coming and going. About 2:30 we hit the trail again to make our way to Flag Pole Knob. A light rain had started to fall, there were plenty of water puddles to slash in, and the trails had several rough sections we bounced across. By the time we got to Flag Pole Knob the rain was coming down harder. Then some more bouncing, more splashing, and more rain we made our way down to the end of Forrest Road 85a to Briery Branch Rd. The rain had slowed a little, but we decided to head back to Harrisonburg to air up and fuel up before going our separate ways. We stopped at Waterman Square Shopping Center. Some aired up The Staiman’s and Robertson’s went on their way, Jim went to the 7-11 next door, aired up and headed home. Matthew, John, Mike, and Pat headed to Sheetz for fuel, food, and clean restrooms before heading home themselves. It was a good day wheeling! Everyone had fun, no one got hurt, and other than some scratches all the rigs were unscathed. Rich Martinez was missed on this trip. We hope he’s feeling better and back out on the trail soon!
OCC Members:
Keith Robertson and Family in 2007 JKU Rubicon, built
Allan and Melanie Staiman and pups in 2000 F-350 4x4
Bryan Folts riding in Matthew Folts’ 1991 XJ Sport, mild lift
OCC guests:
Patrick Wilson and Family in 2012 JKU Rubicon, built
1 Myself, Bryan Folts, my navigator, Kevin McHale, and my two Sons, Matthew and Adam in my '99 XJ 2 Jason Blackwell and his Daughter Katie in his '99 TJ 3 Doug Masnick and his Stepson Andrew in his 93 4Runner 4 Erik Sosa in his 06 Rubicon
We started at 10AM after a drivers meeting and check-in.
We went to the North-East section and ran the Green N and X trails over to trail 36(blue). I climbed the first hill and it was Jason's turn next. Luckily, before Jason started, Doug noticed Jason's front end was moving too much.
Big Dogs Main Jambo September 9th-September 11th 2011
We had originally planned on leaving Thursday night, but due to Tropical Storm Lee and the massive amount of rain he gave us we decided to leave Friday...Route 1 was closed and we could not get to our trailer and Jeep.
We finally arrived at The Cove about 3:30 pm on Friday. Pete Soski met us at the Big Dogs sign in table and then we headed to Camp 2 to set up camp. We got a new "Family Tent", which we decided to try out. Chip Woods arrived about 5:30. He forgot his tent, so it was a good thing we bought a new tent, so we could lend him our other one. We decided to venture over to the mud pit around 8pm. Not much to talk about. Same spectacle, different year. We headed back to camp around 9pm. After many attempts to start a fire we gave up. Pete Soski even tried spraying brake cleaner on the logs and then lighting it, but that did not even work. The wood was to damp.
Saturday the drivers meeting started at 9am, the meeting was surprisingly short.
Saturday morning we started a little bit late waiting for the last few stragglers to show up, so we did not begin until about 9:30am. Unlike the past few years, Jeff and I decided to just do all of the classroom stuff as a whole group. We went through all of the presentations from the 101 (which can be found in the files section of this Yahoo group). And then Jeff touched on a couple of things from the 201 packet since a lot of the information had already be brought up and there was no need to be redundant. We finished up with the instructional portion around 11:30am and called for lunch while we figured out who was taking which groups where.
After lunch we split into three groups. Jeff took the highest level group, I took the middle group, and Charles took the lower group.
Regular Monthly meetings are held at Kilroy's in Springfield, VA (5250 Port Royal Rd, Springfield, VA 22151). The meetings are on the enclosed deck in the rear of the restaurant. Most folks drive around and park behind the shopping center and enter the deck from the back of the building. The meetings are typically held on the second Sunday of the month at 6:30pm, but we do move them around for holidays or venue conflicts, so be sure to check the calendar.
