Delaware Valley Orienteering Association

Topic created by dreider on Sun Mar 26, 2017 at 6:46 pm

dreider
Num Posts: 60
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map:
First O: 2010

The Gear Grinder was a hit with the riders, including two guys riding hand cycle bikes. No tandem mountain bikes or mountain unicycles… maybe next time.  Wyatt Riley ran the long course.   I heard a lot of compliments. There was a lot of chatter and smiling faces back at the Pavilion during the pizza party.  They were very happy muddy people.

We weren’t sure the trails would be clear of snow for Saturday’s event and were finally able to make a firm commitment on Tuesday evening.

Wednesday it was full speed ahead to figure out the logistics and recruit help.  One of the logistical problems was possibility that the Hay Creek could be running too high for the riders to cross or people like me who don’t like to get their feet wet.

We also had multiple start & registration times and a pizza party.

I’d like to thank all those that helped make the event a success.  Erik Eddy, for developing an idea, designing the courses and having the courage to try something new. The owner of a company I worked for used to say, “If nothing is going wrong, you probably aren’t doing anything.” 

Bob Gross and Brad Hall were our bridge trolls.  There was a lot of traffic on those cable bridges, Bob said he was busy promoting orienteering to the climbers and hikers while they waited their turn to cross.  Maybe we should set up a DVOA table promoting orienteering at the parking lot on nice weekends.  Bob also helped with start for the Full Gear Grinder.

Dave Morgan helped with set up and registration.  Lauren Eddy did a great job entering the contestants into the E-punch system.  I couldn't have kept things running smoothly with out you.

Erik gave the preride briefings, starts & was the award ceremony emcee.

We had two photographers, Kathy Urban and Bob Gross (he was everywhere).

Control pickup by Rich Boehm, Dave & Kathy Urban (sorry about the pop-up shower), Erik Eddy, Ed Scott and me.   I only picked up one control on my way to gather Ed’s controls from his front porch.

Thank you Mark Frank for taking the kit away.  Of course thanks to all the people who do all the behind the scenes stuff to make these events possible.

I forgot to mention the two pink elephants that showed up with their bikes, we had to turn them away because they exceeded the cable bridge weight limit.  OK, I’m just checking to see if anyone is going to read my entire ramble.

Reply by Sandy on Sun Mar 26, 2017 at 8:01 pm

Sandy
Num Posts: 312
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Hickory Run 1:15000
First O: 1993

Lots of folks at FCN today were talking about how much fun the Gear Grinder was.  I'm sorry I missed it! 

The Kemp's came down from Canada for the weekend and are hoping that it becomes an annual event.  They said if it happens again they'll be talking a whole crew from Ottawa into coming with them next year!

Reply by BobGross on Sun Mar 26, 2017 at 8:57 pm

BobGross
Num Posts: 70
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Nolde
First O: 1990

Had fun at the wire bridge. 

Reply by ErikEddy on Sun Mar 26, 2017 at 9:50 pm

ErikEddy
Num Posts: 409
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Mount Penn Antietam
First O: 1998

Thank you to all of the day of workers and special kudos to all-star ED Diane! Day of organization was spot on. Very glad the conditions dried up just in time. We actually (half) competed with a Sunday adventure race at Fair Hill which originally was on another date. I bet we could of had another 10+ competitors. A large portion of participants were new to DVOA and maps and impressed with the organization. In fact, biggest complaint was it was too cheap :). I think the Saturday-Sunday combo worked well. We could even do two day totals next time. The cable bridges are fun for many but definitely an obstacle. It's a shame because the middle of the park is really excellent for beginner foot and bike courses. Look forward to more. If anyone knows of a good park for MTBO and is interested in course setting I'm happy to help!

Reply by ErikEddy on Sun Mar 26, 2017 at 9:52 pm

ErikEddy
Num Posts: 409
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Mount Penn Antietam
First O: 1998

And thank you Sandy and Janet for taking on French Creek! Having the Kemps from Canada was really cool.

Reply by rpboehme on Mon Mar 27, 2017 at 9:40 am

rpboehme
Num Posts: 126
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Nolde
First O: 2012

It was fun to do a little hiking and pick up the controls out in the western edge by the Horseshoe trail.  The woods there seem really open and perhaps we can work out some sort of access deal for races with the rod and gun club that the HST runs through.

Reply by ErikEddy on Tue Mar 28, 2017 at 10:12 am

ErikEddy
Num Posts: 409
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Mount Penn Antietam
First O: 1998

Thanks Rich.  That park looks pretty decent for mtb-o, but maybe a tough draw being so far.  I'll have to bike there sometime.

Reply by CNYO-South on Mon Apr 3, 2017 at 8:56 pm

CNYO-South
Num Posts: 22
Primary Club: CNYO
Fav map: Rockwood
First O: 1974

Reply by ErikEddy on Thu Apr 6, 2017 at 3:14 pm

ErikEddy
Num Posts: 409
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Mount Penn Antietam
First O: 1998

Hey Robert- you are completely right- the links above in this thread have the results in the format you like, and also has some corrections to the Mini.