COMPLETED: TECORE III

[Trail X]

TECORE III
June 4-6, 2010

THE PLAYERS:
JamesDowning
Hardtrailz
BartonMD
Splivkramer
AlekG
Darknight

CAMP LOCATIONS:
Meadow Knob - N 38.507159, W -79.154191
Gauley Ridge Valley - N 38.595345, W -79.024833

ITINERARY:
Friday:
Meet at Noon: Splivkramer, Hardtrailz, BartonMD, JD
Kephart Run
Old 33 Trail
Unnamed Trail
Meet at 4: Darknight
Union Springs Trail
Slate Springs Jeep Trail
Meadow Knob Campsite

Saturday:
FR 85 to Flagpole
Down Skidmore Fork Road
Up Long Run Road
Lunch at Clines Hackling (not a restaurant, the name of a junction)
2nd Mountain Trail up to Lookout
Dictum Ridge Trail
Gauley Ridge to Vepco Trail
Setup Camp in Gauley Ridge Valley
Night run down Vepco Trail

Pictures and videos to follow.
Videos may take a while... that's my disclaimer.

[Trail X]

A few pics to temporarily satisfy you...

One of the overlooks (left to right):
Kyle (Hardtrailz), Mike (BartonMD), JD (me), Alek (AlekG), Todd (Splivkramer), John (Darknight)


Kyle throwing up a roost:


Camp on Friday Night (no hillbillies this time):


A hill climb... Harrisonburg farms in the background 2500 feet below.


Overlook:


Do'h... swaybar carnage:


Climbing up Vepco:

[Trail X]

Finally a good picture from Flagpole Knob. Thank Todd's shoulders for this one.

[rgraboske]

Looks like a lot of fun!

[gotspeed1]

Looks awesome, can't wait to see all of the pics and videos . By the way, JD, did you run without your front sway bar? If so, how much of a difference did you notice?

[Trail X]

Looks awesome, can't wait to see all of the pics and videos . By the way, JD, did you run without your front sway bar? If so, how much of a difference did you notice?

I did. Big difference in smoothness and ease of getting over obstacles. No way to fully explain it without you trying it. In my opinion, 100% improvement on pavement, 200% improvement off pavement...

[bartonmd]

I was planning on having Kyle's awesome side trail posted by now, but Premier is playing the video at 10x speed while playing the audio at 1:1... Same vid plays perfectly on Media Player...

Mike

[SteveTB03]

JD you said that there was swaybar carnage but I'm not seeing what's wrong with it???

And was that the only carnage any of you guys had on the trip?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Alek's swaybar link busted as did one of mine. Actually both on the same side. I ran part of Friday completely disco'ed, but while everyone said it looked and worked fine. It was unnerving as shit and I got some parts and got the rear connected. I connected the front today for the first time in months and it feels way different. Coming back to disco front asap.

It was a great time. I cant wait to see the pics and videos myself since my camera washed out everything.

[Trail X]

I'm pretty sure one of my wheel bearings is going too. It's in that stage where it's hard to tell.

[Trail X]

More pics!

Todd making a rock look easy.


Kyle blasting up a switchback.


Meadow Knob campsite.


Some flora and fauna from Meadow Knob.


A visitor on my tent.


Kyle on another hill climb.


Don't remember where, but I thought it was a cool shot.


Butterflies seemed to be everywhere. Made for a cool sight.


Todd on some downhill rocks (why is it that taking rocks going downhill seems harder?)


Kyle 'rockin' out.


The AlekG mobile on Dictum Ridge.


Campsite in Gauley Ridge Valley.


Meadow Knob campsite, the view, and the trail.

[The Roadie]

...why is it that taking rocks going downhill seems harder?...

Assuming this isn't rhetorical, it's because of extra compression in the front struts from the descent and use of brakes. CG is shifted forward also because of the tilt. Using the engine to go uphill unweights the front a bit, and you get more clearance.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Quite true. I call it floating the front end with a bit of throttle to keep clearance going uphill, but I perfer really tough stuff going down since you get gravity helping to keep the tire on the ground.

Great pics James.

[Gordinho80]

Damn job! I really wanted to make it out for this trip. Looks like you guys had some fun. Keep the pics coming!!!

[DJones]

Don't remember where, but I thought it was a cool shot.

I like that one as well.

Any more pics?

[bartonmd]

Here's a taste of TECORE III...

[fishsticks]

Nicely done.

[djthumper]

Nice teaser

[Zero]

Man I couldnt cause i had to stay home to help the family.....but yesterday I end up getting hit head on by a car on my motorcycle!!!!!

I am fine for the most part....considering......but looks like u guys had a way better time then me. hahahahaha.

[Trail X]

Doesn't look as crazy as it did in person... haha. That ledge is easily 30" high. It was pretty cool seeing Kyle drop in there - no fear.

You can also see where I mistakenly was using "my left" instead of "driver's left". That kind of mistake can end poorly. It's just another reason why we all need to get into the habit of saying "driver's side" and "passenger side" - myself included.