September 2019 FCOHC Newsletter

Where to start! August was one for the record books in terms of Fairfield OHC activities. To start out the month, a pretty large group camped and rode at Tar Hollow 8/1 through 8/4. The temperatures were moderate for riding but the rain and storms had played havoc on the trails. I personally have never seen the number of trees down that we encountered that weekend. This was not from neglect, but simply a chore that those who clear the trails could not keep up with.

August 9 through the 11, I had called for an unscheduled club ride at Stone Church to make up for a couple other rides that had been canceled earlier in the year. The ride was well attended with 9 trailers and 13 riders. I love this place. The trails are gorgeous and well maintained by the Wayne National personnel. The camp ground is smaller by comparison to Hocking or other places we visit, but well laid out and simply a pretty place to hang out.

I have seen on facebook and have been told in person numerous members have been day riding at multiple parks in the area. Keep tract of all of your trail miles, I think we are well on our way to top last years numbers.

On 8/17 Tom McGuire organized a work detail to erect tie rails at Artisan Well at Hocking State Forest. This was the second half of grant project we had been awarded from South Central Power. Thanks to Jamie McGuire, Sam Underhill, Donna and Keith White, Mike Kempton, Richard Reisinger, and Tom and Julie McGuire for donating their time to make this project happen. It will be a big plus for the riders at Hocking for years to come.

Now for the big final event of August, Our Labor Day State Ride. I know there are always conflicts that prevent members from attending this or other rides we host and we all understand that. I don't know how else to put it, but this was an absolutely awesome weekend. I hope that doesn't make anyone that could not attend feel bad. Here is the good news, god willing, we will do it all again next year so pencil it in on your 2020 calendar.

Just a few of the highlights of the ride.

• At the peek of activity on Saturday, there were 44 paid campers on the grounds, a ruff count of horses estimated something over 80, not sure of the exact number of people in camp, but 65 showed up for the pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday morning.
• A huge crowd listened, laughed and danced for 3 1/2 hours at the Saturday evening concert provided by Pete Blevins and his side kick Jack. And if that wasn't enough, we all stuffed ourselves at the community meal on Sunday evening.
• Oh wait, I forgot June's Sunday fun day games for our youth and adults plus the 50/50 drawing and the raffle of donated gifts.

If we could have missed the rain storm on Friday afternoon and if I had not had to have been pulled out by a Dodge when we left on Monday, it may have been a perfect weekend. Check out our Face Book page for pictures posted by several in attendance.

Looking ahead, we have our September meeting this coming Sunday, September 8th. Several important items are on the agenda so I encourage your attendance.

We have a ride scheduled at Paddle Creek on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 13, 14,and 15 of September. This is a beautiful place to ride. If you have not been there, clear your calendar and repack the camper.

We have a couple more work projects we have to get done in September. Mowing the new 5 mile trail at Great Seal for one that will require all hands on deck. We’ll talk about these projects in more detail at the September meeting.

Sorry if this newsletter seems short and to the point, but I'm in RR after the Labor Day Ride.

Chris