adopt a newbie feedback...

[Fore Wheeler]

let's talk about this. those who were involved, both the newbie and the big brothers, what is your opinion of how this worked?

do it again? drop it? keep it with changes?

my newbie and I never actually got to get together other than a quick conversation. he was late and I was broke.

 

[RedHeep]

Outside perspective:

If it's going to work, new guys have to be paired with old guys that are going to run the same trails. Otherwise, you're trying to find each other all day and they're hung out to dry with a bunch of people they don't know.

I mean, we're friendly and all, but getting thrown in the middle of WF and not knowing anyone can be daunting.

 

[XJosh95]

I thought it was a great effort. It seemed that some of the newbs just didn't quite know how things ran as far as how punctual we need to be. I mean, sure, things happen and people get way-layed and show up late. We need to stress how important it is to not be late.

It's something we prepare for 6 months in advance. People get extra time off work, show up a day or more early, line up for a quarter mile to get in, spend an hour doing tech and the driver meeting and people still show up late.

I understand that s4it happens. But getting people together earlier would be our biggest advocate, imho.

Edit: I also realize that there are people registering up to the last minute and signing up for the program at the last minute...That for sure throws a wrench in the works, but we need to make sure everyone is up to speed ASAP.

 

[RedHeep]

The timeline can be hard too. Not everyone is used to getting up at 6 or 630 to be ready to roll out at 7 for breakfast, back at 8 for getting into the park.

Sometimes just getting Nate out of the tent before 9 can be a challenge.

 

[kmanxj5050]

Never been. But think it'd be nice to get shown around by one of you "masters" Haha

 

[85xjwoody]

I didn't mind doing it last year, even though my buddy broke before he even got to line up for the park to open. They both rode with me for most of the day, so at least they got to enjoy the park and the rest of the day.

 

[89eliminator]

this is by no means a dig at anyone or anything, just a perspective of mine.

this past summer i went to the Cherokee Crawl that the SEC hosted. this was my first time being on those trails, as well as my first event with SEC. let me say that the guys involved with putting the event on where SUPER friendly and helped me out. both Glenn and Ed asked to make sure that i was in on a trail ride for all the days and just generally made sure i was having a good time. i dont know if it was because i drove 11+ hours to get there, or if it was just genuine southern hospitality, but it really made we want to go back next year. obviously WF is a larger event then the Crawl (I think there were 30 rigs or so) but i think it would be a good idea to delegate some people to "check" on the newbies to make sure they are setup and ready to go/having a good time. my first WF experience was kind of a figure it out yourself deal. luckily i knew the trails so i knew what ride to pick, but some people have never been to the Badlands.

anyways, thats just an opinion and maybe i am the only one that feels that way.

 

[FlexdXJ]

Maybe we could do a newbie run? That way experienced guys who don't care what trails they run can help the newbies get some seat time on the easy trails under supervision of more seasoned wheelers.

As for Glenn and Ed, Wade, its southern hospitality. They did the same for me at the 2010 Crawl! :cheers:

 

[SAMSET]

heres another thing i was thinking...when you pull up to check maybe you could let them know your new and have no idea whats going on. then if for said new person the could be directed to another "check area" were there would be a staff member that can(in full detail) explain the entire event to them... just a thought. cuz i have been to 2 and i know to pull into check and then go from there but after check a newbe is lost in a sea of xj's

 

[87manche]

The timeline can be hard too. Not everyone is used to getting up at 6 or 630 to be ready to roll out at 7 for breakfast, back at 8 for getting into the park.

Sometimes just getting Nate out of the tent before 9 can be a challenge.

just sayin.

 

[87manche]

heres another thing i was thinking...when you pull up to check maybe you could let them know your new and have no idea whats going on. then if for said new person the could be directed to another "check area" were there would be a staff member that can(in full detail) explain the entire event to them... just a thought. cuz i have been to 2 and i know to pull into check and then go from there but after check a newbe is lost in a sea of xj's

I like this idea.

I also like a separate "newbie" run. As it could help alleviate the massive green trail run as well.

 

[cherokee-for-me]

Maybe at said check in some type of defining mark (Green sticker) could be put on the rigs of the newbies and the reverse some type of mark (Red sticker) on the rigs of the designated people who have signed up to be guides/helpers.

 

[emptypockets86]

I was Dan's newb last year and yep, I showed up late (missed the time change, otherwise I was doing good on time ). Coming late and not knowing anyone was a killer on the day. We spent the time before the quarry gathering meandering down green trail by our lonesome. I've never been to the Badlands before and I have a HORRIBLE sense of direction, so not much fun was to be had at that point since I somehow kept ending up on the same flippin' trail.

At the quarry there was some confusion on who I should give my payment to, no one seemed to know where to send me, and in the end I just used PayPal after the fact. I agree with 89eliminator, in that it would be nice to have some "newb control" folks. Maybe they could have a different color shirt so we know who to come crawling to with questions.

Again, I was late and that threw my WF experience off kilter. If I had shown up on time, even with Dan's alt issue, they could of pawned me off on some other poor soul. All in all, I think it's a great idea and hope you guys continue with it. Even if you come in knowing no one, you'll at least (if you show up on time) know your big bro. I'm hoping to come back again this year and give it another try... and hell, I'll even try showing up early this time!

 

[85xjwoody]

Show up again!!! Even if I have the big jeep with, I will gladly take the newbs on an easy run if they even show up late. I have been to enough Winterests to wait till the end to take so people out.

 

[seanR]

... the SEC hosted.

Yea but they are gay

 

[darksidemj]

I think the newbie program was a good idea. I was Kim's newbie and like he said I broke before even making it into the park. I did arrive extra early since he advised it, and I am always early. So even if I wouldn't have broken I think I would have been fine since I had time to talk with my BB before hand and he kind of went over things with me. I would say keep it just stress the importance of being early, not just on time.

 

[emptypockets86]

Show up again!!! Even if I have the big jeep with, I will gladly take the newbs on an easy run if they even show up late. I have been to enough Winterests to wait till the end to take so people out.

Trust me, I want to and if I'm late, I'll take you up on that offer! My buddy (who rode with me last year) bought an XJ last month in hopes of making the trek to WF12. Hopefully he'll get his junk done in time and I'll be able to get the time off to make it out.

 

[Fore Wheeler]

I like a lot pg what's being said. There will be changes for this coming year. nothing runs as smooth as you would like it to the first time, I have got some ideas that are being refined by when you guys are saying

keep up the discussion

 

[Rev Den]

I like it, and think we should keep doing it.

Rev

 

[cherokee0317]

Well i thoughtt i posted a reply but apparently i still havnt figured this thing out. But as some of you know im a newb and i think this is a great idea. I plan on going to WF this year, and i know if i go ill be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I do plan on making it to the badlands before WF so i can at least get a feel for the trails. But having a veteran wheeler there to help out would be great. I know my jeep can do alot, im just not sure what yet. lol. And having someone there could really help me get a feel for how my jeep performes, and the proper way to do things.
(Jeep should be out of the shop this week. Finally get to try out the lockers. First time with them, super excited!!)