Sorry for the long post.
I attended the ECXC that offered both parks, wheeled them both that year and have fond memories of the event.
I’ve helped organize and lead runs at both Rausch and AOAA.
I would like to visit AOAA again.
I have volunteered to help organize ECXC for a few years now and have run the morning line up of the event a few times including last year.
I am NOT in charge of the ECXC event in any way; I share my opinion and help when asked by the folks in charge. I bow to their will in how the event is run, when and where it takes place.
That said; every time I have helped organize ECXC it has been a PITA.
You would think that organizing an event for likeminded, self-sufficient mf’ers driving the same make and model vehicle would a relatively simple task.
As far as I can tell it has never been…simple.
It has to date been an exercise akin to herding stray cats.
Everyone has a complaint; it’s too hot, no water provided, no lunch, why no breakfast, no coffee, no vegan option, I want to run with this person, I’m not going to lead that guy, I’m going to run Greens instead of the Blues I signed up for…I could go on and on.
There are sometimes conflicts with other events, someone else already booked the pavilion, the restaurant for Friday night closed or is on vacation.
I’m not even going to get into soliciting sponsors and the fucking raffle.
There always seems to a better way, a preferred date, different food, another campsite, maybe to include different makes, different models, changing the venue…adding another.
I’m sure some things will change over time.
The folks that run the event have had to deal with this stuff year after year so for me the familiarity of Rausch and Twin Grove easies some of the pain of any unforeseen monkey wrench that inevitably gets thrown their way. At least that’s how I see it.
I believe you mean well and want ECXC to thrive. I know that the folks in charge of ECXC welcome all suggestions.
IMHO if you would like to lead a splinter group up to AOAA on Friday I don’t see a problem with it. Kind of defeats the spirt of the whole “ECXC idea” as I see it but then who the f@ck am I.
I know that Gotham Cruisers did something similar a couple years ago during their “Coal Mine Run”.
I believe it would need to be separate from the ECXC groups. NEXTerra/ECXC19 would not provide any organization of it and therefore be exempt from any liability. You’d be on your own so to speak.
As Ernie has pointed out, there was an event at AOAA last April. There is one in November that Stephen is running with GPAX open to all makes and models!
Again, it’s not my call but for me when it comes to ECXC19;
I love Rausch Creek, no need to drive further.