This info was in the Head Coch/team director channel of slack. This is good information. Can the appropriate parties place it on the website and in Heja?
If we could ask the parents to fill out the release of liability forms and bring them that would save time, but we could also print some and have a pen. Lastly Doug will have them on site.
Camping area for Hutch is not in our “usual spot”. It is actually closer to Doug’s House and the exit chute for the race course. I think it will be a good spot. I will be there Friday, hopefully early and will get myself set up on the south end of our area, Kurt could be in front or behind me and we can “save” the north end for our two larger campers to pull through. It might make sense for them to drive in from the east and and face west, for easier departure. Then we could set up tents in the remaining area. Thoughts?
I also plan to participate in the Bike gear swap meet. I will be bringing what I can fit in the trailer and in my truck. I also have brought another table. I plan to man the table, if you have stuff you are looking to part with, bring it, price it and I will sell it.
Hello Team Directors and Leadership,
Weather: The race course is ready for whatever mother nature has in store. It is pretty darn dry and could honestly use a bit of rain but the forecast looks dry for the weekend. The temps should be very pleasant for the end of March with lows 35-45 and highs 65-80. The wind is forecasted to be a little breezy out of the south but manageable.
Course: This year’s race course will provide lots of new views, smiles and giggles with a complete rebuild of ‘Locust Grove’ and many new shapes and features scattered throughout the course. The walking bridge to cross the creek west of the start/finish is still in place and offers a great place to see students several times as they pass by.
Camping: In an effort to streamline the flow of campers and accommodate the differing camp sizes I went ahead and made some camping area SUGGESTIONSbased on historical locations. I realize that I originally stated first come – first serve, but with the numbers planning to camp I felt that this was the best way to focus the teams. I placed flags in each of the camping zones that have the teams name on them. I will do my best to make power available for at least one camper at each location. All of the water hydrants onsite are good drinking water through our rural water district. Sorry that I couldn’t put the team names on the map. See attached map for zones. See legend below: I do not intend to police, regulate or manage in any way who is parked where. Please use the attached map as a guideline and setup as you arrive.
You are also welcome to tent camp in your designated areas or anywhere you can find a spot!
1: Sunset – Manhattan
2: Top City SHRED – Topeka
3: Southwind – Wichita
4: Trailblazers – KC
5: Sunflower – Lawrence
6: Disciples of Dirt – Hutchinson
7: Golden Belt – Big Creek – NW KS Comp
8: NCK-Raptors – NCK
9: Coyotes – Emporia
10: Smokey Valley – Lindsborg
11: Trailcats – Louisburg
Liability Waivers: In an effort to manage the liability to myself and the farm for allowing free camping, all individuals who are present onsite for any activities outside of NICA’s regularly scheduled programming, MUST SIGN LIABILITY WAIVERS. A copy of the waiver is attached and will also be available Saturday at the Registration Desk. Team Directors and Head Coaches: Please help me with this task to ensure that we can continue to enjoy the trails at this private venue and the others that we race at throughout the year. To minimize paperwork onsite, I would suggest that you share the waiver with your team this week and have them bring signed copies to the race. When you turn in these waivers at the registration desk you will be given the wrist bands. Again – we will have blank copies onsite for those who don’t have them done upon arrival. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER! CLICK HERE FOR WAIVER
Food: As mentioned earlier – I have secured a great food truck, Big T’s Diner and Catering, to be at the farm the entire weekend Saturday noon through Sunday evening. He will accommodate any food needs that you have while you are here. I have utilized him many times at Cruise the Blues and he is a local favorite. The foundation of his offering is BBQ meats with assorted sides including fries, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, homemade mac-n-cheese, peach cobbler, etc… https://www.facebook.com/groups/443882927285016/ PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT HIM DIRECTLY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANY LARGE GROUPS TO BE SERVED AT ONE TIME WITH PLATTERS OF FOOD. (Tony Prochaska – 785.569.7169 cell number) He is self employed and easy to reach about anytime.
NON-NICA Activities:
· Friday 7:00 pm – SUNSET ON LONE HILL – anyone interested to take in a short ride to the top of Lone Hill is welcome to meet at the BIG FLAG by the barn at 7:00 pm. Depending on how long you stay on Lone Hill after sunset, it might be good to have a headlamp with you. It is also possible to access the top in a vehicle if that is better for your group. I would ask persons to car-pool if possible to limit the number of vehicles driving up.
· Saturday 7:00 – 8:30 pm – BIKING GEAR SWAP MEET – The barn will be available for anyone who wishes to participate in a swap meet for biking gear. Please bring your own table, gear and someone to watch your stuff and make the transactions. The remodeled barn has a concrete floor and good lighting so it should be a great place to swap biking gear with family and friends. Pack it in and pack it out. PLEASE do not leave any wanted or unwanted gear in the barn when you are finished and leave for the night.
· Saturday 7:15 pm – KANSAS MTB PHOTO – We will have a drone flying and would like to get a few nice aerial photos of the entire league students, coaches and families that are on site.
· Saturday 7:30 pm – CARDBOARD SLIDE – A friendly competition between teams might yield the winning team a cool prize, or at the least, plenty of bragging rights! Details are still being worked out but my thought would be to have a 5 member squad from each team compete against other teams in a single elimination tournament bracket.
· Saturday 8:15 pm – NIGHT RIDE – An organized and casual group ride will depart from the BIG FLAG by the barn at 8:15 pm. Helmets, headlamps, common sense and adult leadership, (parent or coach) are all requirements for participating in this fun ride. Access to the Race Course for this activity will be at the full discretion of the League Director and Race Director that evening. Independent of Race Course access, I request that there be NO RIDING on ANY TRAILS after 10:00 PM
· Saturday 8:30 pm – CAMPFIRE AND SMORE’S– (weather permitting) We will build a community campfire and everyone is welcome to bring their lawn chairs and Smore materials to make new memories on the farm while building even stronger friendships and connections among our teams and families.
Sorry for being so long…lots of details…see you soon on the FARM!
Doug Palen
