Wisconsin area events- TIGERTON AUGUST 8-10!!!

Here's a link to all the pics I took.

https://share.samsungcloud.com/sharedalbum/8FTGzb8ymT

 

The Yoko's are much much better offroad.
Dave told me at one point I had both rear wheels airborne.

 

Man... and I, quite literally, went to the mall today in my truck.

Looks like a blast! I'll make up for not being there today when I'm in Arkansas trying to keep up with Pat and Dave. Thanks for sharing all the pics and vids!

 

I, quite literally, received a crash course in offroading.
I said, I've been driving tacomas for 21 yrs. Today, I learned how to drive them.

 

Yea... sorry man. We did you dirty. I did not know... But you proved up to the challenge!

 

That doesn't phase me. That's why I bought the cheap ones.
If I wouldn't have been able to drive it home........that would've been a little unsettling. lol
I had a blast putting all that work to play!

 

I like this statement,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,feels real good doesn't it!

 

Probably still can't wipe the smirk off his face!

 

When I saw daylight under both rear tires I thought, "Nope, no way am I going down that now". Until that point, I was gonna do it. Was cool meeting you, Brian. I'm sure we'll get out again.

 

How exactly does that happen?

 

Likewise.
Thanks for the trail tips.

 

32's and a Turd Gen, Man!
raptor lights (for dramatic effect)


edit: When I got to the bottom, "32's Babay" (Dick Vitale style) is what I yelled out the window. lol

 

That's what I wheeled with for 2 years.

The 32s. Not the brotato lights

 

Wanted to write down some thought while they are still fresh regarding Apple Valley Farms.

So, many of you have seem me at Tigerton and the sheer giddiness that I exude when playing there. Apple Valley is not like. It is not the same kind of playground. Granted it was our first visit, but it has a different vibe. Fun. But different.

Dave commented at some point yesterday that this place was harder than Moab. I dismissed it at first, but after thinking on it some his comment has merit. Apple Valley has a lot of terrain, but it has on theme: difficult little gullies. Off camber, straight down, rocks, ruts, mud, ice, logs, rock shelves all of it. At once. For me, I relish the challenge of crawling up something (usually rock.) At Apple Valley there ain't no crawling... you need a different style of attack: wheel speed and often a good amount of inertia. Kinda like a big mud hole... With exposure to a nasty outcome if things get sideways. The consequences felt a bit higher than at Tigerton where I can only think of a couple of places that you might tumble rather than just flop over if it goes wrong. Ultimately, I think Dave is right. It was harder than Moab. In specific ways. The big one is: it's not a beginners playground (although we did see a woman in a built jeep who clearly was "learning" working her way around obstacles-good on her!) Anybody can find a week of joy in Moab to match their skill level but Apple Valley would be a lot more intense for the joy.

Did I have fun? Yep! Did I push myself? Yep. Did I get the winch out? No, but I also didn't get rambunctious. The theme at Apple Valley is not my cup of tea. I might have enjoyed watching the caged rock buggies climbing up the gullies as much as me trying them. Apple Valley is only open three days a year. I think for good reason-with all those 40+ size tires running around it would be unusable for most vehicles withing a year (especially since those guys don't seem to stay out of the throttle ever...) Some of the ruts we saw were epically big. I am glad I went. I bet the summer days are a hoot and a rather large party. Doubt I will go back unless someone really wants to go-oh, okay twist my arm...

That said, my next look for a wheeling park is over in Gilbertson MN. This seems more like my thing. Hopefully this summer will give up a day or weekend when I can get there and explore. Here is an introduction: Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area - Gilbert | Minnesota DNR I will post up if it happens, maybe some of you hooligans can come north...

 

Yes, Apple Valley is a different style of wheelin'. Traction is at a premium, unlike Moab where the trails are like velcro, momentum is your friend and sliding backwards downhill for 40 yards will cause a bit of anxiety. Gotta stay in the tracks and avoid the trees. One of the bigger downhills was a stab-the-brake-let-'er-coast-to-steer cluster fucks. And when I stabbed the brake, ALF refused to go straight. Was a kiddie-whompus ride to the bottom. The 1st big climb (and probably the most difficult) we did was on untracked snow. I did not think I could make it without a locker. I was pretty sure the winch would be needed, but ATRAC and some finess with the steering wheel, skinny pedal and a very 'lil sideways push from Pat got me to the top, a half inch at a time.
There is no way I would do Apple Valley when it's muddy. If it is dry, the place would be a blast.

 

Steep downhill then a 3 ft drop, jam brake at bottom of said drop and momentum takes over.

 

Two back wheels in the air? Holy Schnikey!

I remember my first group trip with @pearing . Although the moment you find out what he means by “a little scratchy” was eye-opening, it was the beginning of a change. Now, I’m known as the guy that lives at Tigerton.

When all is said, it’s probably for the best you didn’t know what was coming lol.

Serious respect for jumping in at the deep end of the pool! The dings and scratches hurt when they happen, and you never want them to happen, but the memories and planning for the next trips are fun.

Also, thanks for all the vids!

Are you telling us it’s already time for a flatbed conversion!?!?

 

Glad you three had fun over on the Farm (farms) would of joined if I wasn't busy seeing you were close to the house.

 

I'm not ready for a flatbed.
I slapped a band-aid (electrical tape) on it for now.
The hill I had the wheels in the air wasn't my most nerve racking. The one with the pond at the bottom and the 1st climb that pearing mentioned. Both you had to immediately turn or you were hitting a tree or going in the pond.
Both I could've cracked a walnut between my cheeks.
If I recall, Dave's advice on the pond decline was, "Stay out of the water"
This video is the 1st hill pearing mentioned. At the end you'll see what he was talking about with Stoney Ranger getting out of the way and then pearing having to turn off at the top.

https://youtube.com/shorts/VE6zi11ZOnM?si=a8sEj18t60-RK0XU

 

I'm following.... Also mark your calendar for ATR at Windrock. August 29-Sept 3rd.

Sounds and looks like a blast. Y'all need some more... Experience (eeeaaaasssssyyyy there, this is the internet. We're supposed to throw shade and crack a beer)

A solid front bumper makes a good tree brake.