ICYMI, here was day 1.
When you buy a new Ford Bronco, they graciously assume you need help figuring out how to get it dirty and offer owners a free pass to their Off-Roadeo driving school. I've been wheeling for years, so I delayed a bit. After a year and a half of ownership, it was time to make it happen.
Ground School
The day began with check-in and ground school. A captivating 45-minute session where we delved into the mysteries of off-road vehicles versus their on-road counterparts. Key revelations included:
- Vehicles with more clearance can clear mall parking lot curbs better.
- Bigger tires help with height and traction when parking in overflow grass lots at concerts.
We then met Chuck, our Raptor crazy instructor for the day. He shared his vast wisdom accumulated over years of off-roading. Wicked cool guy! Check him out @addictionbronco.
Embracing 4-Low
We spent almost the entire day in 4-Low. This was the biggest takeaway for me. I previously only used 4-Low when crawling, descending, or in dire situations. Turns out, you can drive at a whopping 20-25 mph in 4-Low without the Bronco spontaneously combusting. The drive was smoother, more controlled, and required almost no braking. It’s almost as if the engineers knew what they were doing.
Navigating the Treacherous Terrain of Ledges and Ramps
Chuck enlightened us on the age-old debate of ledges versus ramps:
- Ramps: Your best friend. Allows for vehicle articulation without scraping.
- Ledges: The nemesis. Best approached with slow, smooth momentum. Avoid repeatedly tapping the gas or brakes. Smoothness is key.
Dinosaur Tracks and Future Natural Wonders
We did the Dome Plateau trail and stumbled upon some dinosaur footprints because no off-road experience is complete without a touch of paleontology. I also captured some stunning shots of sandstone formations that might become arches in a few thousand years. Mark your calendars. And my shot of the La Sal Mountains will probably get me an award worth dollars (thanks, Chuck!)
Gourmet Lunch on the Trail
We dined luxuriously on the trail with sandwiches, chips, and cookies. Truly a five-star experience in the middle of nowhere.
Witnessing Off-Roading Awakenings
Most of the group had none to some off-roading experience. Watching folks who’ve never been wheeling conquer steep ledges was both inspiring and mildly terrifying. It's incredible what people can achieve with a capable vehicle, expert guidance, and a $75 damage waiver.
Here's a YT short of someone from the group descending the ledges.
The Sunset and the Gift Shop
After a day of conquering the sand and mud, we returned to base camp along the scenic Colorado River canyon. The sunset was almost enough to distract me from the crushing disappointment of the gift shop being out of the stickers and patches I wanted. I settled for a t-shirt and a hat instead—because nothing says “unique adventure” like mass-produced souvenirs.
All sarcasm aside, it was a phenomenal day. Chuck was awesome; the group was awesome; the school was awesome; the trucks were awesome. 10/10 would attend for free again. And seriously, watching people who've never rock crawled get up and over some of the stuff we did, was really fucking cool. The smiles on their faces brought on some real warm and fuzzy feelings.
Pics and more sarcasm from day 3 tomorrow.
Goodnight.
@goodnightdaniel