LIOR Trail Report

N.H. Class VI road and Wayne’s World, June 27-28, 2009

Story and photos by Joe Levanti

A Friday afternoon trip off of Long Island is always a nerve racking experience. Traffic is usually tough as it is, throw in bridge work to the tune of one lane open and you have a real mess. Seven and half hours later, some took nine and a half, we were at the Seven Maples camp ground in New Hampshire for the start of our annual Willie Vasquez Memorial Trail Ride. Glen, Evan, Garrett and Amanda, and Ed and Connie soon followed. Camps went up and grub was had. We talked and laughed, something about Vaseline in Ed’s lighter, then hit the sack.

Eighteen of the twenty one NEA clubs met for the administration hearing of three clubs, LIOR being one of them. After one long explanation and a promise to be good we left with probation. Bob, Rob and Peter, and Mariano and Kim came later on for the wheeling afterward. Special thanks to Skip, who traveled to NH just to show his support at our hearing. The class six road ride after the meeting was a little tame but nice. There were two rough spots that come to mind. One muddy rocky spot where some needed a tug, and big rock spot where the highest line made for a wheel lifting show by Evan in his brown beast. It is nice to unwind from a long meeting with some wheeling in the forest among the exquisite trail side homes.

Camping LIOR style is a blast. Everybody brings something that we cook up and share. Rob and Pete picked up the camp fire entertainment and we all had fun telling stories and singing some Led Zepplin and Ozzie songs around the camp fire all while roasting some empty bottles. The fun died down after the camp owner came around, and people start wandering off to prepare for the next day.

Wayne’s World is private property that Scott Hatch arranged for us to wheel on Sunday. Paul, the NEA treasurer, volunteered to lead our ride in his vintage CJ 5. Two of his club members showed up in their buggies to wheel the red trails. Just into the trail a downed tree roots dislodged Garrett’s fender flare before he decided to go over the tree. Moose Poop, Axle and Slash, up and down we went. Bypassing the red trail Harley Hill, to attempt the black rated Owl Snot proved to be a wise choice. We walked the climb then decided to try it. Snot it is and it gets snottier with every truck that goes up, especially after a fresh rain and all the rain we had this spring. Garrett was the first to attempt the climb making it most of the way before winching. Andy got himself stuck between a rock and a hard tree early in the climb having to jack and winch to free the Blue J. He went on to bounce and claw his way to the top. By the third truck there was no traction left leaving winching as the only way to the top. Evan helped Ed repair a radiator leaving him as last to attempt the Snot. Ed also had some other problems. The crank sensor broke in two leaving him stranded. Evan and Garrett helped get it running with JB weld and a rewiring job. Way to go guys. Glad to have had you along. Ed also lost a muffler and tail pipe, rough day for Ed.

The last climb was on the Flume from what I can tell on the map. I took the driver’s seat for this one and was the first to climb the steep boulder strewn trail. With a couple of back ups and some wheel spin in the sloppy sections the YJ made it to the top on its own. The Howler was next, having more problems than the first truck but also making it to the top on its own. Kim stayed in the jeep for Mariano’s wild attempt, brave girl. They made it ¾ of the way with wheels spinning looking for any kind of traction. A pull was needed at the top to crest this obstacle. By the time Garrett and Amanda got to attempt this hill it was looking really sloppy; so Garrett did it Garrett style with pedal to the floor and the Jeep bouncing and flying. It was a good show with the Jeep cresting the top with only some wind shield frame to tree contact. Evan, being last at the hill had no chance of finding any traction. The CJ made it ¾ of the way up then slid back to the bottom. After a couple of attempts a pull was needed. We spent a good amount of time on this climb with Ned spotting and I taking some photos. After all who wanted had their chance at this hill Ned and the other buggy climbed the hill with nary a slight wheel skip. Guess it’s the double steering and 40 something Krawlers.

Back at the field we aired up, chatted, then headed back to the camp. All of us had another good day of wheeling. With rain off and on all day some bailed to the local motel and a nice shower and a restaurant dinner while some braved the rain at the camp. The ride home was much smoother than the trip there. The Sub delivered 11.5 mpg there, even with 4 grand second gear hill pulls, and 12.5 mpg home which isn’t much worse than its round town mileage.

Till the next time. Keep the paint side up.