Richloam Date

[Jeff Williams]

Has anyone considered pushing the date back one weekend? IMO it could be the new Sandlapper of Bike Week if promoted the right way. With Sandlapper being a National and being moved up a week, I think a lot of folks that normally start with Sandlapper and do the 4-race FL/GA swing might start with Richloam if moved to the following Sunday. My 2 cents...

[Mike Belle]

They can't move it. They took BSTR's cherished date for their HS and BSTR would kill'em if they moved it now! rof1

Mike

[Dillon Swaim]

Has anyone considered pushing the date back one weekend? IMO it could be the new Sandlapper of Bike Week if promoted the right way. With Sandlapper being a National and being moved up a week, I think a lot of folks that normally start with Sandlapper and do the 4-race FL/GA swing might start with Richloam if moved to the following Sunday. My 2 cents...

That's funny, I was thinking the same thing around the same time yesterday, just didn't happen to be on the FTR Forum...

[Keith Finnerty]

When you say push it back do you suggest to move it to 3/6/2011 or 2/20/2011 ? Please review all the schedules before answering please ?

[Jeff Williams]

When you say push it back do you suggest to move it to 3/6/2011 or 2/20/2011 ? Please review all the schedules before answering please ?

I would suggest 3/6 - to make it part of bike week. Here is a link to a pretty good calendar of SE and National off-road events for 2011...

http://jaredbolton.com/2010/11/25/2011-off-road-racing-calendar/

[jeremy powell]

3/6 would be AWESOME!!!!

goracing

[Robbie Carstens]

They can't move it. They took BSTR's cherished date for their HS and BSTR would kill'em if they moved it now! rof1

Mike

Mike, I agree with everything you said except the rof guy!!

[Jeff Williams]

Well I must say it was for selfish reasons I noticed it since myself and my son are competing in both FTR and SETRA, and my son in Nationals.

For FTR that should not be a consideration. I'm sure the date might have been originally set to NOT compete with Sandlapper, then it became a National and changed and impacted Richloam.

It just appears to me it would work for better attendance if promoted and communicated, especially up north. And I might not be considering everything. But that's for the clubs involved and FTR officials to decide.

Again, my 2 cents. It's worth what ya paid for it.rxmas

[Alton Snellgrove]

Mike, I agree with everything you said except the rof guy!!

I did a little math Gatorback Had almost 800 entrants -Richloam had 43, i'm wondering how much the move is going to cost FTR.
From what I remember about Richloam there wasn't enough parking for more than 60 vehicles.
I would like to know what the clubs reason was for taking the date.
I also don't think its funny

[Keith Finnerty]

The sixth conflicts with The Daytona Supercross Tuesday is the GNCC and Thursday is the Alligator and Sunday is another GNCC event. As for taking BSTR's date we are only allowed to to use the forest that we all pay for at certain times. This event has pulled over 300 entrants in the past and we have 65,000 Acres for parking. We have put on this enduro for 38 years and unfortunately with the support we have received over the past few years we have seriously questioned our reasons as well,. 10-20 people five to six weekends before the event and 60 plus people the day of the event 10-20 people at least one weekend after to clean up so that 43 people can have another event.

How about you all put in an effort to support a local event! or just tell us not to apply for an event next year!

Just my .02

[jeremy powell]

Personally, I think Enduros are making a strong comeback. If we listened to Jeff's intentions with his 2 posts, we could make the Richloam an event worthy of 300-800 riders. This is especially true if Gatorback falls the weekend before and Richloam is a warm-up for the GNCCs and the Alligator.

Would I go to the Supercross in Daytona? (Yep - I always do) And with "The real racing" starting at 7:00 PM, I could probably make it to both in one day. (Of course that means you would have to be fast with scoring and trophies!)

Would I rather race than spectate? (Yep - I always prefer competing over watching).

Could I do both in one day? (You Betcha!!!)

I would bet there is some common ground here!

goracing

[Jeff Williams]

Since I started this mess I will say one more thing and then back out. First, I am a first year FTR guy - the last thing I want to do is cause a bunch of friction within FTR. Really, that's not my intention at all, and am not trying to get FTR to comply to my personal wishes. FTR has to look out for itself as an organization and do what is best for the organization, clubs, promoters, and riders.

As the schedule stands right now, I would not be able to make Richloam. Tough for me, but I think quite a few people outside FTR would fall in the same boat. So we will go to Sandlapper obviously. Then have a leisurely weekend at the GNCC, race Tuesday, Alligator Thursday, and The General back home on Sunday.

Life happens and things could change, but if Richloam moved, we would do Sandlapper, then come down for Richloam, River Ranch, Alligator, and General. And I think more people would come for an extra enduro date and hit Richloam and Alligator, and either race or spectate River Ranch. It might be too late this year. There might be many more variables than I am considering.

Again, just one mans opinion, and life goes on either way for all of us. No harm intended. Happy trails.

[Tom Missimer]

Personally, I think Enduros are making a strong comeback. If we listened to Jeff's intentions with his 2 posts, we could make the Richloam an event worthy of 300-800 riders.
Someone might want to check with CFTR to be sure that the Forestry Division has not set a rider limit. Also, look into parking at the start area as well as the gas stop.

[michael goodman]

The sixth conflicts with The Daytona Supercross Tuesday is the GNCC and Thursday is the Alligator and Sunday is another GNCC event. As for taking BSTR's date we are only allowed to to use the forest that we all pay for at certain times. This event has pulled over 300 entrants in the past and we have 65,000 Acres for parking. We have put on this enduro for 38 years and unfortunately with the support we have received over the past few years we have seriously questioned our reasons as well,. 10-20 people five to six weekends before the event and 60 plus people the day of the event 10-20 people at least one weekend after to clean up so that 43 people can have another event.

How about you all put in an effort to support a local event! or just tell us not to apply for an event next year!

Just my .02

I sympathize with CFTR on Richloam's poor attendace. Putting on an Enduro is a ton of work. We need a gimmick to revitalize Enduro's. The most logical scenario is to draw HS racers over somehow. Enduros are fun, but, dare I say, MOST? HS racers have never ridden one. Maybe there could be a rule proposal allowing a work credit or extra points for the HS series if you participated in an Enduro. It's about time we did something more aggressive to show people what they've been missing. Another bold idea is to redefine Enduros altogther. Make them a little shorter perhaps.

[Alton Snellgrove]

This event has pulled over 300 entrants in the past and we have 65,000 Acres for parking.

How about you all put in an effort to support a local event! or just tell us not to apply for an event next year!

Just my .02

Didn't we run Richloam 2 times the year before last and neither was on this weekend. So why did the forest service mandate this weekend? 65,000 acres to park, I had to park in the road the last 2 times I was there.
Apparently yawl didn't get the hint from last years turnout.

[Sam Boydstun]

Another bold idea is to redefine Enduros altogther. Make them a little shorter perhaps.

Michael, this has already been done!!! Maybe we can rename them also.

Change the name from "enduro" to "easyduro" so nobody gets scared about the "endurance" part!

[jeremy powell]

I love it!!!!

We already have people talking about ENDUROS that occur in February // March!!!!


goracing

[Keith Finnerty]

Before my last post I had sent a request to the Forestry to see if they will allow a change!

We have a 200 Rider cut-off Since we are never close to that number we will never convince the forestry that this a sport that demands we let the tax payers of the state use the forest we own for the things we like to do in the forest. We are all welcome to go walk through the Forest anytime we like!


Apologies for the obvious frustration displayed in my previous post.

[Jack Allen]

Didn't we run Richloam 2 times the year before last and neither was on this weekend. So why did the forest service mandate this weekend? 65,000 acres to park, I had to park in the road the last 2 times I was there.
Apparently yawl didn't get the hint from last years turnout.

The first priority was to move it from spring to winter because it's a low property that collects water in the rainy months. We had a wet winter last year so it ended up being cancelled all together.

The forest service gives them options of days that work around the hunting seasons. The club has to take into account weekends leading up to the event so they have time to get in there and set it up without getting shot at.

Overflow parking is along that dirt road that leads further into the forest. It must be 20 some miles long so it would be hard to run out of parking.

As far as the club taking a hint, I'm not sure what you're talking about. If you want to contribute to making it a better event I'm sure they could use your help.




The property is what it is. Excellent when dry, tricky when wet. One 60 mile trail (not a 2 lapper). No whoops! Parking isn't ideal but accomodates the turn out, and there's always the forest road.

If they do manage to move it to bike week sign up early.

[Joey Young]

Is it really a good ideal for FTR to have 2 enduros spaced 4 days apart? I doubt it. Riders have to recuperate and there could be some maintenance issues to address. Not to mention a GNCC grabbing traveling riders as well.

If I had my own parts truck and was in top shape I might say yes, but what about my fellow riders that don't and aren't? I would do it if that's the decision but... like Jeff said, we should do what's best for FTR.

[jeremy powell]

I would take 4 days apart over competing against a national (if this were a democracy and we are voting) :)

[Joey Young]

Jeremy, I agree that it does create quite a dilemma. Whatever solution FTR and the club come up with, I will support and race both FTR events god willing!!!

[Thomas Miller]

Before I got carried away with adding to and/or changing the schedule, you might want to poll the current FTR membership and see if they would support and actually attend such an event. Because without the regular FTR enduro riders base support you can’t count on additional riders showing up in mass numbers making things right and the program even close to being cost effective for the club. Besides if many regulars can’t make it for what ever reason (or conflicts) lessens the number of enduro events they can ride.

[Alton Snellgrove]

Is it really a good ideal for FTR to have 2 enduros spaced 4 days apart? .
Joey its not uncommon to have 2 endures that close together; look back there is normally a out of state FTR enduro the weekend before the Alligator, and gatorback the next weekend. Thats three races in 2 weeks, all right around bike week.

[Joey Young]

Alton, it may not be uncommon but is it a good ideal? I'm a old ?art and I've got limited time/availaility to fix my bike. I had a couple of friends (from KY) wanting to borrow my bike last year because they broke down at the GNCC and they wanted to race the Alligator but couldn't get their bikes fixed in time.

It may have been done in the past and if we need to do it I will with hopes that my bike is serviceable enough...and Myself.

[jeremy powell]

Before I got carried away with adding to and/or changing the schedule, you might want to poll the current FTR membership and see if they would support and actually attend such an event. Because without the regular FTR enduro riders base support you can’t count on additional riders showing up in mass numbers making things right and the program even close to being cost effective for the club. Besides if many regulars can’t make it for what ever reason (or conflicts) lessens the number of enduro events they can ride.

I will set up a poll online (but we will have to remember that not all members read or post on the forum.) Our poll could be pretty unsuccessful . . . but I am willing to put one up.

Let the voting begin!!!

[Dave Edwards]

The first priority was to move it from spring to winter because it's a low property that collects water in the rainy months. We had a wet winter last year so it ended up being cancelled all together.

The forest service gives them options of days that work around the hunting seasons. The club has to take into account weekends leading up to the event so they have time to get in there and set it up without getting shot at.

Overflow parking is along that dirt road that leads further into the forest. It must be 20 some miles long so it would be hard to run out of parking.

As far as the club taking a hint, I'm not sure what you're talking about. If you want to contribute to making it a better event I'm sure they could use your help.

I don't care how wet that property got this year or last. The place can't be any wetter than we've seen it at times before, and those events still went on.

The Straight Arrow Enduro was held in May for YEARS. I don't believe that the dates regarding hunting seasons have changed dramatically. I am aware that there is a "Spring turkey season" but I don't know the dates for sure (I don't hunt). It is an issue that Big Scrub and Apollo and countless other clubs have been able to work around to hold enduros in April/May.

Your parking area does the opposite of BLOW. Ask anybody.
(I tried to put in "Your parking area ?????", but the forum masked it).

Pokey is a very hard worker and excellent contibutor to trail layout/clearing/marking. It would definitely be to CFTR's benefit if he were to contribute towards making the Straight Arrow a better event! Fortunately, he's a member of Big Scrub....so we get to take advantage of his skills. I don't wanna speak for the man, but I think you're out of luck there.