Cranks Around the Campfire Mountain Biking Festival

DanBrodeen

Well-Known Member
Our event venue, Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation, tested positive for E Coli in one area of their facility 3 weeks ago. The water was used for 2 weeks without incident before results came back and was used for drinking and showers. We just wanted to give everyone a heads up and encourage you to bring your own drinking water or jugs to fill at Camp Wheeler which is on other side of reservation.
 

MadisonDan

Well-Known Member
Team MTBNJ Halter's
Our event venue, Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation, tested positive for E Coli in one area of their facility 3 weeks ago. The water was used for 2 weeks without incident before results came back and was used for drinking and showers. We just wanted to give everyone a heads up and encourage you to bring your own drinking water or jugs to fill at Camp Wheeler which is on other side of reservation.
still ok to drink from the showers tho? AFAF...
 

DanBrodeen

Well-Known Member
Hello Cranks attendees!


Welcome to the 13th Annual Cranks Around the Campfire MTB Festival! Thanks for signing up and supporting the event! This email will do its best to inform you and guide you through your Cranks weekend. The Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation is almost 900 acres and contains two separate camps. The camps are Camp Somers and Camp Wheeler. Our event takes place at Camp Somers.
*There will be signs posted around camp with QR codes for the schedule and Mt. Allamuchy Map if you need to access info.

**Water**
Be advised that the Camp had a positive result for E Coli 3 weeks ago. The water was used for two weeks by hundreds of campers before the results came back. Not a single person got sick from drinking or bathing with water. The water is likely safe but not yet cleared for drinking. It is advised that visitors bring their own water for the weekend to drink. Shower and bathroom water should be fine for use according to property officials.

Schedule
https://www.cranksaroundthecampfire.com/cranks-schedule
Map
https://www.cranksaroundthecampfire.com/map

WAIVER
Attached or visit this link https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dLl3k0BZEvHmgPW2YnvL1jFiJK5c-LDDtBbueSVQUiE/edit
-Please print and sign one waiver for each member of your party. It'll speed up the registration process. Thanks!

Registration
-located at the Camp Somers office in main parking lot.
-all visitors must visit registration to sign a waiver and get a wristband. -Noone may be on the property without a signed waiver and wristband.
-Day of registration will be available. Cash, check, Venmo, or Paypal only.
-Prepurchased T-shirts and sweatshirts will be available for pick up and for sale at registration but in limited amounts ($20 each).

Parking
-Visitors should drive straight up road off of Waterloo Road. You’ll enter into camp past the dam and stop in the main parking lot area to go to our registration area. Once registered you can proceed into the campground to pick your site. There is some room for parking within the campsites but if possible please bring your vehicle back down to the main parking area. This will help others have room to unload at the campsites and keep sites more natural looking. Day visitors should park at the end of parking lot near the first aid building.


RV, PopUp, and Travel Trailers
-Small RV/trailers around 20 feet and pop ups may find spots in the group sites.
-Larger RV/trailers should use the RV sites in the main lot. You may need to unhook your tow vehicle depending on location and size of trailer. Please ask for more info at the registration table.
-There are no hookups on site.

Camping
-Sites are designed for groups. There are over a dozen group sites in Camp Somers and each one can hold at least 30 tents.
-Each site has a BBQ grille and fire ring.
-Some sites have pavilions and/or latrines (bathrooms).
-Some sites have electric outlets. If this is a necessity we suggest parking and investigating the site before unpacking to make sure there is access to electricity. Bring a powerstrip and extension cord for shared use of the outlet. Please limit outlet use to charging and other low power devices.
-All of the water in the camp and sites is drinkable.
-Families are encouraged to camp closer to the shower house and others use the sites on the outer edge of the camping area.
-Please limit noise after 9:30pm as a courtesy to other campers.
-Please no cars traveling through campsites after 9pm and before 7am. If you plan on traveling between 9pm and 7am please leave your vehicle in the parking lot

Food Vendor
-Scout Troop 86 from Stroudsburg PA will be our food vendor this year.
-They will be serving breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
-Please make arrangements for food on Friday if you are camping.
-Menu here: Troop 86 Menu
-Cash, Venmo, cash app, or card ($1 fee) accepted.

Campfires
-Firewood is free. Please only use what is needed..Located at Pole Barn (south end parking lot behind the health lodge) Wheelbarrows will be available for transporting wood and are located at the barn on the way up to Vollers Field on the left. Please return wheelbarrows to the barn after use.
-If located within NJ you may bring your own firewood
-All fires must be in pre-existing fire rings in campsites. Use best judgment on fire size based on ring size, weather conditions, and wildfire warnings.
-Bring a small tarp to keep your firewood dry.

Ice
-Ice for your coolers is free and available in the dining hall courtyard starting Saturday AM. Please use only what you need, supplies are limited.

Kids Activities at Cranks Kids Corner
-Sign up your child here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tT0BWnFDrqBgReg1boDDQnY4zKbQGpr1K7KNZI81HV4/edit
-Leave your children with responsible staff members and enjoy a bike ride of your choice! At the Crank Kids corner, we have certified teachers and professional adults who will supervise your children during the hours of 8:30am-12 pm.
-Activities include fishing, crafts, and of course, a kids bike ride! Alternate activities (hiking, crafts, coloring, etc) provided for those who do not wish or are not ready for a kids group ride (beginner).
-Please send your child with a water bottle. Snacks will be provided (peanut free, goldfish, pretzels, etc.) or send your child with a labeled snack.
-Drop off at the dining hall both mornings between 8:30 and 9am..
-Call or text for any additional questions.
Amanda (Mandy) Brodeen 570-977-5435

Swimming
-Swimming is only permitted during posted hours or when lifeguards are present.
- Hours Friday 4-7pm Saturday 2-8pm Sunday11-2pm
-Lifeguards on duty have final call on area usage.
-No swimming if there are thunderstorms in the area.
-Children under 15 must have a parent/guardian at the waterfront with them.
-Use of personal kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle boards is permitted but a PFD must be worn at all times. No exceptions.

Garbage
-Dumpster located at the back loading dock area of the dining hall. Look for signs. It is about 100 feet down from the entrance to the dining hall courtyard. Please check your site for trash before leaving on Sunday.

BBQ
-Saturday night 5pm to 7pm. Located in the courtyard at dining hall. BBQ wrist bands given out at check in. Please wear to BBQ.
-Adults $15 Kids (10 and under) $10 Tickets should be purchased at check in. Will not be available at BBQ.
-The BBQ includes hamburgers/cheeseburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, Macaroni salad, watermelon, and garden salad.
-Bring your favorite beverage. Bottled water will be provided.
-First Mountain Band live during the BBQ!

Kids Ice Cream Social
7pm Saturday night. Cranks Crew provides frozen treats to the under 18 crowd. (Located at the Dining Hall/Waterfront)

Dance Party​

-7:30-9:30pm at the Dining Hall patio.
-DJ rocks the waterfront with a mix of music for all ages.
-Make your requests here: Dance Party Requests

S’mores Movie Campfire
Join the Cranks Crew at the fire ring located across from the showerhouse for a classic movie the whole family will enjoy. S’mores ingredients and roasting sticks will be provided.

Group Rides
-We will be running group rides throughout the weekend but also encourage you to discover the trails on your own. The trails in the state parks are easy to follow on the Trailforks App.
-Our self guided loops are marked with paper plates. The first is for intermediate or better riders (5 miles long) and the other stays in camp which takes about 10 minutes to ride The shorter one is perfect for kids and beginners.
-All rides will be no drop but please be courteous and ride at the appropriate skill level.
*Use our ride rating system to determine which rides are best for you.
-Please follow the Ride Rating Categories to make sure you are riding at the appropriate level and with similarly skilled riders.
-Advanced riders meet at the lake’s dam located at the south end of the lake just off the camp road.
-The intermediate rides will meet at Vollers Field. The field is located by going to the end of the parking lot, then uphill on dirt gravel road, past the barn on the left, and enter on the left.
-Beginner Rides will meet at the camp office. If you are comfortable sweeping the ride, please volunteer to the ride leader. They will appreciate it!
-Ride Rating Categories
BEGINNER- Beginner rides are on dirt roads and short trails on the camp property. These rides are a good way to get familiar with the shifters and controlling the bike.
NOVICE- Novice rides are on single-track trails with short ups and downs but not a lot of overall elevation gain. Rides include rolling over logs and rocks.
INTERMEDIATE- Intermediate rides are on single-track trails and include significant elevation gain, rocks and logs.
ADVANCED- Advanced rides add technical features and more miles to the ride.
EXPERT- Expert rides include all of the above at a faster overall ride pace and greater mileage. Rides may include Rolly Polly and Lumpy Bumpy.


Clinics
There will be multiple clinics throughout the event. Please sign up for only one clinic because space is limited. Sign ups will be available to registered riders on 8/17.
Beginner clinic 9:15am Saturday
Novice 10:30am Saturday
Intermediate 2:30pm Saturday


Event Notes
Participants can reach the event organizer
Dan Brodeen at 570-977-0874 call or text.
-The no pets rule will be strictly enforced.
-Please keep beverages in cups when not in campsites.
- There will be a bike washing station at the shower house.
-Group Rides are subject to change and rides may be added or subtracted based on attendance.
-Kids Rides leave from the dining hall and office.
-Campfire Friday located by shower house and cabin #5
-Event is rain or shine. We are mountain bikers!
***Remember to always wear your helmet on camp property!***
**NO DOGS ALLOWED ON CAMP PROPERTY**

Map of Camp
Schedule

Please reach out to us with any questions!
Looking forward to an awesome weekend with you all!

Dan Brodeen
Cranks Organizer
 

iman29

Well-Known Member
**Water**
Be advised that the Camp had a positive result for E Coli 3 weeks ago. The water was used for two weeks by hundreds of campers before the results came back. Not a single person got sick from drinking or bathing with water. The water is likely safe but not yet cleared for drinking. It is advised that visitors bring their own water for the weekend to drink. Shower and bathroom water should be fine for use according to property officials.
-All of the water in the camp and sites is drinkable.
Hey Dan,

Thanks for all the updated info.

All kidding aside Just noted these points contradict each other in your summary - assuming you may have copy/paste from previous years when there was no E Coli issue.

Will be bringing a cooler with our own drinks/water for the day either way but thought to make note of it.

see you Saturday!
 

DanBrodeen

Well-Known Member
Hey Dan,

Thanks for all the updated info.

All kidding aside Just noted these points contradict each other in your summary - assuming you may have copy/paste from previous years when there was no E Coli issue.

Will be bringing a cooler with our own drinks/water for the day either way but thought to make note of it.

see you Saturday!
There may be ice. The water may be cleared for usage by Friday. We will otherwise buy ice locally and provide it.
 

zip

Active Member
Facts about the water. Camp Sommers has their own closed system and well. I filled my water bottle at the shower house last wednesday and drank freely with no effect. During scheduled testing the water is sampled at multiple locations in the camp. Only one sample was tainted and that came from the slop sink in the auto shop which is also where the cat is fed. So yea, shower all you want but don't use up the hot water, save some for me!
Camp Wheeler has a separate water system and a different well. There is a ground spigot in between the gravel road and the pool. Please wait to insure the water has stopped flowing completely before you leave it,. There is also an outside spigot on the Kent Center porch. Both at Camp Wheeler. The self guided ,marked loop passes right by these faucets.
 
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iman29

Well-Known Member
Hey all,

Just dropping a short note in here to get some meet ups and riding time in with other peeps here Saturday. I'll be there for the day with my now 16 year old Zach who is still a Novice rider, but enjoys the challenge.

We will be joining the Novice group ride at 9am and then then Novice skills clinic at 1030am.

After that would be interested to go on some trails that would be suitable to try out those skills with some others that may know the trails better. If I recall from last times, the demo/rental loop may be a bit too advanced for him so I want to maximize fun and success and not get him frustrated with something over his head.

Is it feasible to ride down and across to Stephens and do the Maze section (I have been there before) or is anyone interested to team up if you are bringing any juniors along?

Any other ideas welcome.

Thanks peeps see you Saturday.

ian
 

Mtbdog

Well-Known Member
Cranks around the Campfire
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The trails are in awesome condition come on out and get some!
 

knobbyhead

Next off the Island.
Thank you @DanBrodeen for all your work. Thanks for all the volunteers!!

Thanks @Stef for leading the intermediate stephans and alumuchy group rides. They were so awesome!! Even if my bike broke.

I rented a ebike for the Saturday afternoon Stephens group ride. It was lots of fun.

Thanks Anthony for leading.

Lastly, thanks for the boy scouts for all their hard work!!
 

avc8130

Active Member
Thank you @DanBrodeen for all your work. Thanks for all the volunteers!!

Thanks @Stef for leading the intermediate stephans and alumuchy group rides. They were so awesome!! Even if my bike broke.

I rented a ebike for the Saturday afternoon Stephens group ride. It was lots of fun.

Thanks Anthony for leading.

Lastly, thanks for the boy scouts for all their hard work!!
Great ride, thanks for joining in on my shenanigans!
 
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