By: Jack Moore "LT-80" in chat

Hello all,

Cochranton Pennsylvania, April 7th 2001, 6800 quads gathered for the Allegheny Highland Pulling Association's annual poker run. People started pulling in on Wednesday for the event. Friday the rain showed up giving campers a little "pre-trail" fun, as just parking was getting difficult because of the mud. but with a little help from a few tractors everyone seemed to slide into place and have a good time!

Vendors row consisted of Arctic Cat, Kawasaki, and Suzuki for the manufacture's. Moose Outdoors, Four Stroke Tech (and Mickey Dunlap himself), Goodyear Tires, Weisco, and Street Track and Trail was on hand with aftermarket accessories.

Kawasaki had a 4x4 virtually cut in 1/2!! and Arctic Cat had a Motor with a majority cut away, this was interesting to see all the moving parts and switches that normally are never seen. Suzuki had their complete line-up there, from the JR-50 to the big 500cc 4x4's,i personally liked seeing the DRZ-400 dirt bike, Doug Gust is racing that motor in a Walsh Racecraft framed quad, and is doing very well, Angela Moore is having one built also but the frame isn't ready as of this post. Mickey Dunlap sported a nifty looking 502cc warrior, and 2 other enormous thumpers. MOOSE had most anything you wanted for hauling/carrying equipment, camping gear, etc. GOODYEAR tires proudly showed off their "run flat" tire, this tire has a thick wall, very thick! and can carry you 50 miles without air! cool eh?!

John Pellan from Fast-Trak promotions was there promoting their new cross country series the "Buddy-Up Cross Country Series" this is a team XC race but there is an ironman class for single riders (visit www.atvscene.com for more info). ATVTRACTION (www.ATVtraction@aol.com) and "ARRA" Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (www.responsiblerecreation.org) these are groups looking for members, their purpose is to keep riding area's open and related topics. I had the privilege to meet Doug Morris our new director of the ATVA, the ATVA is the newly formed ATV division of the AMA. This is a welcome split for all ATVers. The ATVA will benefit all quad riders and we all need to join!! Call toll free @ 866-ATVA-JOIN

On Friday night the "Kapn Krunch Band" played some good tunes to about 200 people, the mud I think kept people back at camp, but for those that waded through, it was well worth it!

Ok, now for the fun :)
We woke up at 4:30 am and was on the line at 5:15am getting ready for the 8am start. I was first off the line at trail A, With me was 2 friends Paul and Ken, Paul has a warrior and Ken borrowed my wife's LT-230, I have a TRX-250R. Seeing that it rained we all knew what we were in store for ""MUD"" After going down a couple roads we turned into the woods and prepared to do battle, and battle we did!
Now I have been on harder rides and much easier ones, this seemed almost perfect, the sun came out and made a great day of it. At 1pm we were a little over 1/2 way through. By the first check point the LT-230 broke a bottom ball joint, but Ken was ok from going over the bars when it hit the dirt. Now folks, this is the great part, we asked the first 4x4 that came by to give us a tow and the gentleman was happy to help!! I just have to believe that quad riders are some of the greatest bunch in the world. We did offer to pay the man but he refused payment, wished Ken luck, and off he went.
The 3rd checkpoint they gave all riders 2 hot dogs and a Pepsi, I thought this was very nice, as they really didn't have to. We made the fuel tent, the warrior was on fumes, I still had some left, but we both filled up, I had used 2 gallons. and off we went again heading for the finish. Not too long after that I turned into a field and the rear brakes locked up solid, Paul came up beside me and showed me his badly out of adjustment chain (dude's don't buy 30$ chains, they stretch like rubber bands), we were done! We waited for a courtesy vehicle, but one never came. My brakes finally cooled down and we limped back to town on the roads.

My summary: This was yet another great ATV event!!! There were pro's and con's but lets face it folks, WE GOT TO RIDE!! And that's what we love to do. So sun or mud, lets turn those tires and smile when we get back to camp. Support ATV organizations so that we can keep the right to ride, and ride responsibly so that it's easy for all of us. I had a great time riding in the "new mudllennium", although I got to admit, cleaning the machine after a long ride in the dunes is way easier!! :)

HAPPY TRAILS