I saw there was another post on the Ultimate Adventure being on TV and someone said it was just a bunch of vendors on 35s tearing stuff up. The vendor part didn't bother me, but did anyone else think that this year's Ultimate Adventure was just plain weak?

I liked the idea last year when they got together and ran the Hammers, then went to the Southwest and ended up on Die Trying. I am not dissing the Northwest, it just seems like they were on the road the whole time this year. They said it took two weeks and they did three trails!

Originally posted by Dirty Harry:
<STRONG>They said it took two weeks and they did three trails!</STRONG>

That does sound a little weak, though I personally haven't seen any coverage of it yet.

TEX

I think it was alot more tame then last years. Definatly alot more breakage then seemed necassary. 11 of the 19 vehicles had mechanical failures. Would of been nice if they had some more dedicated wheeling vehicles instead of a bunch of lifted TJ's. My truck may not have cruise or air, or working radio for that matter, but I would still drive it to all the trails and duopt it would break

I am with you SquirrelMaster. Last year they said that everyone needed to DRIVE their rig to each trail (even though some people didn't). That seems to have been interpreted as "only TJs on 35" MT/Rs". Tim Hardy gets props though for driving his Sami with 35" Boggers and a stock 1.3L motor. That is the kind of thing I wanted to see! Well, that and more (and more difficult) trails.

I think they should have stopped by the Tillamook forest instead of high balling it all the way to Yakima. They only did one trail in Cali, one in Wahington and the one in BC. They drove all the way through Oregon w/out even hitting a trail. That is weak!!
I bet they could have broken more rigs had they stopped out there instead of hitting Kaner/Shoestring. Kind of a bummer they called it a Pacific North West run and just blew through Oregon. <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

Ah now you see the beauty of the pacific northwest....... all the good 'wheeling is really spread out .......not like the southwest where everything is a two hour drive on a flat road <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> ( extreme jealousy <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> )

I just saw the coverage in the mags .......

I think the over riding thing was:

a) they said you HAD to DRIVE it. They said that last time, but most didn't actually drive it. For instance, Sam Patton said no way am I driving this thing down the highway with unbalanced 39 X 18 boggers.

b) the route they took meant a LOT of road miles.

give those two facts, who would drive anything other than a radial tired (ie: no more than 37 X 12.5) rig? It basically left anyone with big swampers out of the equation. I saw a couple of entrants who normally drive bigger rigs instead bring stock TJs with flavour of the month suspensions and tires, can't blame them with all those road miles.

So, yes I thought it was kinda lame, but don't blame the drivers OR the trails, that was kinda dictated by the fact that you had to drive your rig through a LOT of road miles.

I thought was OK though, because at least they're spreading it around a bit - otherwise I can see how the ultimate adventure every year would be 'let's go the hammers'. I think they should make sure to spread it out, but what the hell, let them trailer 'em so we can get some real rigs in there. Not that I don't like everything they did, but for 5 bucks I want to see something special!

Just my opinion.

one of the rigs had the stock d30 and d35 thats pretty lame in my eyes, especially if he didnt break it

I'll say it right here and now <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">

Those guys are PU$$YS

I drive my rig everywere

even back 6 hours from the hammers w/a tire WAYYYYy out of ballance

they just need to invite some benders on that thing, then it would be worth while

and btw I'm running 39.5x15x15 bias TSL's

[ 09-04-2001: Message edited by: FrostyFJ ]

Wanna get invited?

ADVERTISE with 'em.

Otherwise, :cryaby:

Randii

How bought most of the TJ losing rear link parts. <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> Get a real jeep <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Just kidding for those who are going to take it the wrong way <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

I just thought that it was <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> that half of the rigs where bolt-on TJs. That isn't really what I want to see. There is really nothing "ultimate" about driving your shiny TJ through the pretty Pacific Northwest. That is why I thought it was weak. A little diversity and some crazy (Bender style?) antics would have livened it up.

The Skyjacker rig was running SXs and I didn't see him complaining. Hell, 4WOR wrote a while ago that they expect to see tow rigs on Swampers. <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by badfish:
<STRONG>How bought most of the TJ losing rear link parts. <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> Get a real jeep <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Just kidding for those who are going to take it the wrong way <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Yeah, I did notice that. All of the manufacturers were breaking their rear track bar relocation brackets!! <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0">

See, the caravan blew right by the mountains in Oregon. They were looking to stay away from the populated areas and enjoy (yeah, right) the scenery. That kinda counts out the western side of Oregon, being the I-5 corridor and all. They came up the eastern side, right by one of the hottest spots for sand dunes, besides Glamis. Lots of decent rock out there too. Would have been one place they could have stopped. Now, if they would have detoured about 300 miles out of their way, there are plenty of mountain trails that get way hairy up in Northeastern Oregon.

Where they messed up was they were looking for some trails that were fairly well known. They think that people don't wanna see hillclimbs out in some redneck's backyard. Me personnally, I don't care. Wheelin is wheelin. For next year, they need to find people like the SNORT boys, the Axlesnappers, the TinBenders, and of course, the Pirates, and have them take the lead and find the real wheelin. Get away from the well known spots and show people that there are still great places to spin a tire besides driving all the way down to the Hammers, or Tellico, or the Rubicon. IMHO, that is why there are more and more people filling up the trails. The popular media has people convinced that there is nowhere else to go.

My take: Yeah it was a decent enough article (I read the mag). The article was about racking up some serious road miles, and seeing 3 very different types of wheeling... With mild to moderately built Jeeps.

Jesus, I saw better action on that Cannonball 2001 thing USA had on a while back (strictly on road).

It was NOT by ANY stretch of the imagination the "ULTIMATE" anything. <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/jeep1.gif" border="0">

<IMG SRC="smilies/massey.gif" border="0"> NOT!

who would drive anything other than a radial tired (ie: no more than 37 X 12.5) rig? It basically left anyone with big swampers out of the equation. I saw a couple of entrants who normally drive bigger rigs instead bring stock TJs with flavour of the month suspensions and tires, can't blame them with all those road miles.

I drive my rig to work everyday with wobbling tires, no AC and a parade of cops behind it. I got the impression they'd rather sell some bolt on jeep parts than have an "ultimate" adventure.

How is it a "baddassed" rig can't drive 55 MPH on smooth, flat asphalt?

the Samurai was cool, the rest of that stuff was pretty dull. I see cooler stuff driving around here in Sacto.

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: scottz ]

Originally posted by scottz:
<STRONG> the Samurai was cool, the rest of that stuff was pretty dull. I see cooler stuff driving around here in Sacto.
</STRONG>

<IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laughing.gif" border="0"> You probably do. It would have been cooler with open tops and Swampers on all of the rigs. While we are at it, they should have camped instead of staying in hotels, that is weak too.

I was a little disappointed that they had three 4Runners, two Early Broncos, and who knows how many TJs. A little diversity in vehicles would have been nice.

Originally posted by randii:
<STRONG>Wanna get invited?

ADVERTISE with 'em.

Otherwise, :cryaby:

Randii</STRONG>

100% agreement, that article was a blatant pay back for advertisers. In this case at the expense of the reader cause the whole thing was lame. They will probably counter criticism by saying it was an 'Adventure' not real hard trail run's, and it would have been a fun vacation. But, I don't buy the magazine to check out pictures and a write-up of someone else's vaction.
And everyone is correct, the trails up here for the most part are lame <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Here's one for you magazine types. Get some average Joe Wheelers out there. Grab some guy's you don't know from Adam off a trail some place and follow them around, take some pictures and do a feature. Move around the country every month doing a feature on a local club. Let 'US' know you might just be interested in what we do rather than the tired old ass kissing of advertisers.
Yeah Randii I know it's never going to happen <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0">

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: FearMe ]

Originally posted by FearMe:
<STRONG>
Here's one for you magazine types. Get some average Joe Wheelers out there. Grab some guy's you don't know from Adam off a trail some place and follow them around, take some pictures and do a feature. </STRONG>

Best way to make that happen is to set the date, time, place (preferably all at least 6 months in advance) and get in touch with the mags to say you're going on a run & want them to come along. I thought Cappa did a decent writeup on my 08/14/99 mud race, but no way he would have been there if I hadn't gone to Cole Quinnell & told him "Hey, I've got something great for you guys to put in the mag....."


TEX

Originally posted by FearMe:
<STRONG>Here's one for you magazine types. Get some average Joe Wheelers out there. Grab some guy's you don't know from Adam off a trail some place and follow them around, take some pictures and do a feature. Move around the country every month doing a feature on a local club. Let 'US' know you might just be interested in what we do rather than the tired old ass kissing of advertisers.
</STRONG>

Actually, on a positive note: our club had a VERY positive experience with Rob Reaser (formerly of JP). It was a short notice, spur of the moment thing, he was in town, and needed some wheels and local guides. We put together a small group of folks, went out and had a blast.

I'm talking average joe's out on something fun (not extreme by any means). But the man had the right idea, he wanted to see what we do on a regular basis, so we showed him.

Based on our communication with him it sounds he may have the right idea, and be trying to carry this forward with more experiences around the country.

I thought the Suzuki they had was weak. I think there is alot of Zuk's that could have done better and finished. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: fatkid ]

Originally posted by FearMe:
<STRONG>100% agreement, that article was a blatant pay back for advertisers.</STRONG>

Even the ads for Skyjacker and Tuff Country this month were plugs for the Ultimate Adventure.

<STRONG>And everyone is correct, the trails up here for the most part are lame <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Sure they are when you are all driving 1/4 elliptical tube buggies. THOSE are the kind of rigs I want to see going down the road for the ULTIMATE adventure!

Here's one for you magazine types. Get some average Joe Wheelers out there. Grab some guy's you don't know from Adam off a trail some place and follow them around, take some pictures and do a feature.
Hmmm -- can't we get most of the same coverage by hitting major events? Sierra Trek, Rubithon, EJS, etc?

Move around the country every month doing a feature on a local club.
Tougher to do with a limited travel budget. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> I know the print mag guys do try to prioritize such field trips, but they are the first to fall under the knife of budgets... and time constraints. Last year, JUST hitting Moab 'Zu Zoo, WRCA, ARCA, NWRCA, EJS, SEMA, an Trek was tough -- and I got in way too little 'wheeling on my own. <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0"> I really want to get back to wheeling OR, WA, CO, NV and AZ, like I have in years before. CA is awesome, but you lose your depth if you just wheel here.

Let 'US' know you might just be interested in what we do rather than the tired old ass kissing of advertisers.
The best way to do this is organize an EVENT (not just a club-level trail ride, sad as that is) and keep lobbying them.

Randii (who reads the magazines even if they do resemble catalogs)

The write up was a bit lame. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> I have been through Kaner and Shoestring in a full size Bronco and found them to be fun and challenging. <IMG SRC="smilies/jeep1.gif" border="0"> They could have shown some great photos as there are views from this area that would drive many wheelers crazy with envy. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> There are many other trails in the Northwest that would have served the article well.

The trails of the Northwest do vary greatly and we do have a variety of challenges here. We don't have anything as tough as the Dusy, and Rubicon, but we do have great trails. I hope to someday have the chance to go all over the country and see the trails elsewhere. But I would never lead anyone to think the trails in the Northwest are not as good as another area unless I had first hand experience, not just some pictures slapped together in a mag. Maybe next year they will try another area again but show the good stuff, not just pictures of the highway. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Dirty Harry:
<STRONG>Yeah, I did notice that. All of the manufacturers were breaking their rear track bar relocation brackets!! <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Yeah, that doesn't give me much confidence in my <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> TJ's bracket, when they're all bustin' them...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by randii:
[QB]Here's one for you magazine types. Get some average Joe Wheelers out there. Grab some guy's you don't know from Adam off a trail some place and follow them around, take some pictures and do a feature.
Hmmm -- can't we get most of the same coverage by hitting major events? Sierra Trek, Rubithon, EJS, etc?

No, you can't. I'd just like to see what other non-major things are happening around the country. Some mud club from LA. See the guys in the garage working on a rig, how they build it what they do then how they play on Saturday. Same thing for a bunch of guys in NY, PA, or WI. How about some club with maybe only one Jeep, or dare I say no Jeep, a few Toys and a Scout from Quartsite? No big name's, no big trails. The kind of upgrades, repairs, mod's and wheeling most of us do. Hell, that 'Ultimate' run was so far removed from the real world of 4wheeling as to be almost funny.

How many people on staff at those big magazines? Send one staff person to one place once a year and they would have 6 good articles with something other than the obvious formula and pandering to advertisers. Yeah, I know they have to have advertising to pay because subscriptions won't cover it. But I bet Warn, BFG, Interco, Atlas, Klune etc. would get a lot of good honest coverage because most of us will ask our wheeling buddies and watch how their stuff works.
Just <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0"> on my part I suppose but every article in those magazines is so predictable.

snip

Originally posted by fatkid:
<STRONG>I thought the Suzuki they had was weak. I think there is alot of Zuk's that could have done better and finished. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
</STRONG>

I am pretty sure that you are kidding FatKid(der), at least I hope so. The Sami was the coolest rig of all (35" Boggers, 1/4 eliptic, and the stock 1.3L and he DROVE it) and Tim Hardy is supposed to be a wheeling stud.

Tim is Old School and Fully Gets It Awn............he know his Zuks

Originally posted by fatkid:
<STRONG>I thought the Suzuki they had was weak. I think there is alot of Zuk's that could have done better and finished. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[ 09-05-2001: Message edited by: fatkid ]</STRONG>

I hope you're kiddin! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> I'm pretty sure Tim could stomp a mudhole in your ass. <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> and that's without toy axles! <IMG SRC="smilies/eyemouth.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by randii:
<STRONG>
Hmmm -- can't we get most of the same coverage by hitting major events? Sierra Trek, Rubithon, EJS, etc?

</STRONG>

I'm gonna go with FearMe on this one & say "no". I think one of the problems I often have with the mags is the repetitive coverage of the same events every year. Granted, going to BIG events that are well publicized is a great way not only to do a feature on the event, but also to do side features on the VEHICLES involved. But, it all starts to blend together after awhile.


Now, I'm gonna go out & suggest something a little radical. What about having the mags arrange for corporate sponsors for these offbeat events? Follow along here. Let's say that the mag makes arrangements to send one person to cover a small-time trailride. There's an expense involved there. So, let's say Warn agrees to pay for the editor's way to the event AND to donate money to the host club - and in exchange for that, they put big Warn magnets on all or some of the vehicles involved so the Warn logo is visible in all the pics? That way, the advertiser is happy, the mag gets a "free" story, the club can use the $$$ for their charities (or, if it's a competition event, they can put it toward prize money).

Seem like a doable way to get mag coverage of events, trails, buildups, & folks who otherwise would go unnoticed?


TEX

Hmmm -- can't we get most of the same coverage by hitting major events? Sierra Trek, Rubithon, EJS, etc?
No, you can't. I'd just like to see what other non-major things are happening around the country.
I agree -- but it is damn hard to make it out to the list of 'must-do' events AND hit the 'nice-to-haves.' I feel for the print guys, who have WAY fewer folks contributing than most e-zines.

No big name's, no big trails. The kind of upgrades, repairs, mod's and wheeling most of us do. Hell, that 'Ultimate' run was so far removed from the real world of 4wheeling as to be almost funny.
Agreed -- I think there's some middle ground, and few publications are really hitting that mark.

How many people on staff at those big magazines?
Fewer actual staffers than one might think -- especially with the merging and morphings that have gone down lately... they're all working outta the same Wilshire Blvd office!

But I bet Warn, BFG, Interco, Atlas, Klune etc. would get a lot of good honest coverage because most of us will ask our wheeling buddies and watch how their stuff works.
<IMG SRC="smilies/idea.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/idea.gif" border="0"> Yup. Wouldn't it be cool if the writers had to *BUY* what they reviewed? That sure would disrupt the whole publication model (e-zines included!)

...but every article in those magazines is so predictable.
I agree that *most* are... that's one of the reasons why I like the 'net so much. People are trying odder stuff, less predictably... sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes its a bad thing ( <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> Safety? ) ... but new ideas abound.

Randii

Originally posted by randii:
<STRONG>[b]
snip

that's one of the reasons why I like the 'net so much. People are trying odder stuff, less predictably... sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes its a bad thing ( <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> Safety? ) ... but new ideas abound.

Randii</STRONG> I don't know if the online publications will ever take off. I just can't see pulling a computer out of my back pocket then squatting on a turned over 5 gallon pail in the garage and reading the computer...or pulling it out of the glovebox while sitting in a traffic jam <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by FearMe:
<STRONG>

I don't know if the online publications will ever take off. I just can't see pulling a computer out of my back pocket then squatting on a turned over 5 gallon pail in the garage and reading the computer...or pulling it out of the glovebox while sitting in a traffic jam <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Yeah, I've gotta say that online reading is a major PITA compared to a mag or book. But, as far as being "inventive" with stories, well there's a chore for some ambitious freelancer <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

TEX

I don't know if the online publications will ever take off. I just can't see pulling a computer out of my back pocket then squatting on a turned over 5 gallon pail in the garage and reading the computer...
I gotta say, that image is just about enough to make me want to send in my resignation! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Randii

Overall I was not very impressed, yea I know they have to run fast to through all the trails so they can write their stories, but it is getting repetitive since they all sound the same no matter where they go now. I wonder sometimes why I read them since most of the mags are owned by one company and it really seems like the same articles are in everyone of em. Only my $1.389 input.