Long Island Off Road Event

St. Patricks Day Run - MaBell Trail

March 17, 2012

by Blaine Bush

Trail report for the MaBell (aka Evan’s Birthday Run) run – names may have been omitted to protect the innocent or guilty (or that I Just cannot remember names that well). This is my first trail report, so please don’t judge me too harshly if I get some of the events out of order.

It’s 3:30am on a cool foggy Saturday morning. Individuals start to wake with anticipation and intimidation on their minds. As they gather their thoughts and organize their necessities for the day, they head to their vehicles and begin their long journey. Small groups form in Stony Brook, at exits 52 and 43 along the LIE. As the first group passes each successive group, the convoy of Jeeps, tow rigs (both gas and diesel) towing their treasures grows.

As this group of tireless warriors head down the highways, the fog only adds to the impending ominous of the day ahead. The 3 and one half hour drive was subdued and uneventful except for the one bathroom stop for those with week bladders. We arrive at scheduled parking area about 8am only to find that it is fenced off. Undeterred, they head back down the road to another parking area to park their tow rigs and unload their treasures.

It was this point where the entertainment began. Most watched in awe or at least some state of amazement, while others were just annoyed, at seeing Blaine attempt, over and over, to back his tow rig into position. Did I just say back? I don’t know if that is what most people would have called it, but it is something you would just have to seen to believe. Anyway, as the Jeeps and Toyota are unloaded, and the outwardly joyful group head to the Blue Bonnet restaurant for breakfast.

Entertainment was provided by the waitress, as after she took the orders, she proceeded to retrieve the orders one at a time. In customary LIOR fashion, they leave the restaurant late, drive to the trail head and start to air down by 9:45am.

There were 21 rigs lined up in anticipation of this moment. Dimitri is the first to attempt the initial rock face. He tries and tries, but to no avail, he winches over. They ask if anyone else wants to try. One poor sole boldly states, “I just want to get through this day, MaBell spooks me!” With that, the rest just drive around, as they feel MaBell beginning to flex her muscle already.

Several minor obstacles are navigated with minimal resistance from MaBell, until the first major obstacle. Here we have 4 paths to choose from, the far right which is difficult with many large boulders and a slippery tree root to navigate around. The middle, which is moderate with only a slippery, muddy rock to climb while trying to avoid the trees on either side. The left which has a steep, 3-4 foot rock face to climb, and finally to go-around. Dimitri take the far right path, hammers, spins, bounces and before you know he is at the top. A just reward for his earlier denial. Next up is Evan. He hits it, get to the middle and once again MaBell flexes. Evan does not give up, he backs down and tries again and again until he makes it.

It is now evident this is going to be a long day. They then encourage people to start taking the other routes as well to speed things along. Blaine then takes the far left trail, approaches and begins to crawl up the rock face; halfway over all forward progress stops. He backs up, gives it a little more gas and pops up landing on the top. Others line up and attempt the obstacles. Having 3 or 4 people make these obstacles has started to piss off MaBell, as evident in the long string of denials and winching and the occasional success (mind you, only after many, many attempts) begins. It is now lunch time and only half the rigs are over this spot, so lunch is setup and the BBQing begins. It was a feast that would have fed several small villages. There were Brauts, Hot Dogs, hamburgers, BBQ Chicken, Grilled Chicken, Spicy Italian Sausage, Brownies, Soda, Chips of all kinds.

As lunch passes, they continue trying to get the rest of the club over this set of obstacles. It can only be assumed that with the jubilant atmosphere of lunch that MaBell really started to get mad. Up next was Brian on the far left rock face. He makes one attempt and is denies, he tries again. If it was not for all the people watching him, MaBell would have taken her first real victim. Brian teeters and starts to roll, the spectators run to the rescue and grab hold of his Jeep and keep it rubber side down as he slowly backs it down to a stable position.

With this MaBell is really getting mad and tries to take off Ed’s hand as he pinches it between a tree and his door post. Ed is OK with some minor cuts and an extremely bruised hand – This is mentioned only for the seriousness that this represents – ALWAYS KEEP YOUR HANDS, FEET, HEAD, ETC IN THE JEEP AND NEVER HOLD THE ROLL CAGE OR TRY TO PUSH YOUR SELF OR YOUR JEEP AWAY FROM AN OBSTICLE.

Everyone has made it up or around and the group progresses up the trail. The next major obstacle is once again attempted by Dimitri first. He tries, spins gets sideways, and the Jeep is now teetering on the edge of rollover. Again all the spectators run to the rescue and prevent the Jeep from rolling over. MaBell denied again.

They continue on, many denials and a lot of winching. The last obstacle only a few people try as body damage is extremely likely. Of the 5 that tried it, only 1 experienced some minor damage, MaBell must have been plotting and noticed us there or it would have been worse. Trying to get back over it, two tried and two winched, the other three went around. As we continued to navigate the route back to the trailers, MaBell had not given up.

Her next attempt came when Jake was driving his Bronco down the first second major obstacle when he nearly flipped over. The front end went over the rock and back end tried to follow coming a good 2 feet or more off the ground before settling back where it belong.

As we navigated the first obstacle, Dimitri is watching Evan head down it. Dimitri is having a conversation with himself that went something like this “He’s gonna roll! No he OK, no wait he’s gonna roll, well maybe not, no I think he is OK, No wait he’s going over…”. Evan is having a similar conversation with himself, “I’m going over, no wait I’m OK, no it’s gonna roll, well maybe not, maybe…” And Evans Jeep is arguing with MaBell, “No you are not doing this to me again! STOP! NO, I said NO, MaBell Stopppppp…..” This went on for about 15 seconds and finally MaBell won. E-Rex was on its side in possibly the slowest roll on record. E-Rex is quickly up righted with only minor damage. At this point Evan states, “OK, I took one for the club. I would not want any of you shiny guys to get scratched.”

The rest proceed to the entrance without incident. A sigh of relief could be heard for miles as the last vehicle exits. They then air-up and head back to the trailers. Once all vehicles are stowed away safely, the dinner discussions began. Cracker Barrel or Hooters – The club breaks into two groups – the ones that are heading home and the ones staying the night – The ones headed home head to Cracker Barrel and the ones remaining go to Hooters.

In conclusion, MaBell still had her way with us and sent us home licking our wounds, however, she showed signs of weakening, giving us hope that next time we will be victors. Anticipation of next time has already begun……

Howell added: