Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => 2017 and before: SW & WF => Speedweek 2012 => Topic started by: Seldom Seen Slim on August 05, 2011, 06:50:12 PM
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I'm modifying what I said earlier -- because I've just been notified by BLM that camping at the bend is allowed after all. The BLM doesn't want, and has posted signs saying so -- no camping will be allowed on ONLY the gravel pad at the inside of the bend at the very corner. All other area is available and is BLM land, not Intrepid's as I earlier stated. It turns out that the information I got was incorrect.
Nancy and I are packing to leave tomorrow morning dark and early -- so can't be here all of the time this evening.
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It's obvious they don't like the idea of being seen as the bad guy in the whole loss of salt thing so they have stepped up with the big FU stick. I wasn't planning on bringing a tent but I plan to pick one up on the way down now so I can put it up in the middle of the night.
So how come the BLM & the Sherriff Dep were policeing Intrepid Property last year??
Sid.
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The Race Director will be there tomorrow and get the official word. Let's all wait until we're sure what we are talking about. Jon, I know you tried to do the right thing, and did, but let's withhold judgement until we get the official word.
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Jon, your green addendum is still very confusing? Camping only right at the bend not spread out in the general area?
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It is ONLY the gravel pad at the bend that you can't camp. There were too many close calls and accidents right there, so BLM said no more.
One of my security people is out there now and told me that it is only...only...only...the gravel pad at the bend, every place else around there is fine.
Lynda
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Thanks Lynda! I will copy this to the HAMB, news even wrong news spreads like wildfire!
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Whew . . . I just about soiled myself. I had a vision of myself propped up and face down in front of a slot machine trying to look awake, my alarm on my cell phone going off every 15 minutes to drop another nickle so I don't get rousted.
Lynda, our angel on the ground, thanks for the clarification.
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http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=40.761374,-113.969416&spn=0.002913,0.004801&sll=40.741246,-114.072499&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&gl=us&t=h&z=18
Nick 3rd.
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IF, and I mean IF, that's what it is, it makes sense. It's packed so close up to the road that's it's hard to see someone entering, especially when you're negotiating the turn.
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I have had several close calls on that turn with guys pulling on to the road without looking. It does make sense to keep that area clear to avoid a big collision. Tony
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My earlier post noting that camping would not be allowed at the B I R has been modified to show that it's okay after all, as have the story on the home page of the site. We now return control of your lives to you. (remember the old TV show - "The Outer Limits"?)
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It's packed so close up to the road that's it's hard to see someone entering, especially when you're negotiating the turn.
And that is EXACTLY why they put the sign up!
Remember our unwritten rule #1..... Safety FIRST! We know where the road goes, but there are thousands of people coming out that are trying to follow a map on an unfamiliar road, with a blind turn that has a blocked view from all the campers. At least they put the sign up before someone got seriously injured or worse instead doing it after the fact! Huh, fancy that!
Lynda
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Ok, I feel all better now! :evil: :-D :-D
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Sounds like an excellent idea; it has been pretty scary down the the past few years.
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There are reasons for calling it Dead Mans Corner.
FREUD
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There are reasons for calling it Dead Mans Corner.
FREUD
As a long time camper on the gravel pad on the 'inside' of the bend in the road(since 1978), I do not recall ever seeing or hearing of an accident with the exception of the three fellows from Scandanavia who beelined it going westbound off the 'outside' of the corner while inebriated after leaving the salt one afternoon a couple of decades(or more) ago. They flew into the ditch as I recall. My onsite observations are that 'most' folks realize there is congestion and a rather tight corner there and slow accordingly.
I would worry more about all the campers on the drylake being stuck should a healthy rain hit the bend.
Burly
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It's there rule and we all need to obey it' Stirring up anything with the BLM is not a good idea.
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It's there rule and we all need to obey it' Stirring up anything with the BLM is not a good idea.
Not saying to swim upstream, I just do not understand the reasoning Glen. Like you say, our relationship with the BLM is always tenuous, so better safe than sorry.
Burly
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Burly,
I can recall at least two times when I had to jump on the brakes because some idiot came off the pad on the backside of the bend. Like the signs on the back of big rigs - "If you can't see me, I can't see you."
I am for this new rule.
DW
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Burly,
I can recall at least two times when I had to jump on the brakes because some idiot came off the pad on the backside of the bend. Like the signs on the back of big rigs - "If you can't see me, I can't see you."
I am for this new rule.
DW
Sounds like most folks on this forum agree with you DW. I had not read anything contrary in the previous posts and just wanted to give voice to what may be an unheard segment of the discussion, those folks who have camped there since the old Bonneville Cruise In days in the early eighties where we originally camped at " Road End" until our growing numbers began to cause crowding with the security and entry crews and we were asked to relocate to "the Bend".
I might suggest relocating the courtesy Porta Pottie(s) from the pad to the dirt lakebed to discourage folks from setting up camp on the pad or making a "brief visit" which would cause a similar safety concern senario.
Burly
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I've spent a good handful of time in the past week or so working with the BLM and SCTA folks to make the toilets and garbage rolloff be where they should be for safety. Rather than go into a description here (we're on the interstate in North Dakota and typing isn't all that easy) -- the equipment will be where all feel it needs to be for best safety first - and convenience second. That, however, doesn't mean that strewing garbage any ol' place is okay - please make the trek to the rolloffs to dump your waste, and to the toilets to void (nice word, isn't it?).
The potties arrive Wednesday and the garbage containers on Thursday.
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I agree Slim, "void" has a cleanliness about it that "crap" could never espire to.
Sid.
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I think Kiwi humor is more funnier than British humor. :-D
Steve
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I think Kiwi humor is more funnier than British humor. :-D
Steve
Thats because they are upside down!
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Okay, I just got back from Land's End, well, 5 minutes ago anyway. There are signs posted surrounding the gravel pad at about 10 foot intervals. All the signs say the same thing....
REMEMBER, THIS ON THE PAD ONLY!!!!!
one hour parking, No camping, No Fireworks....
Also, remember, I am unofficial, as DW keeps saying go to the Official SCTA website for the official word.
Anyway there are a lot of people out there because they are launching rockets and lots of motorcycles headed to/from Sturgis!!
Okay, that's it for me, I've got to finish all my stuff so that I can get to Land's End in the morning.
See you on the salt!!!
Lynda
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Linda look at the map on the SCTA web site; http://www.scta-bni.org/pdf/2011%20SpeedWeek%20Camping%20areas.pdf
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Linda can you camp at the end were you do anymore?? :|
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Mike -- remember that map is for ALTERNATIVE sites -- the Bend in the Road still appears to be open.
And I believe the camping at Road's End is supposed to be only for Lynda's crew.
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alternative sites oh just checking :wink: thanks Stan Roadsters ready to go Stan?
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Like you said, Mike, next year.
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:? What about the bend in the road gang? Where they be?
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I don't know about the "bend in the road gang", but the "end of the road gang" relocated last year do to urban sprawl. :wink:
Don
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Mike -- remember that map is for ALTERNATIVE sites -- the Bend in the Road still appears to be open.
And I believe the camping at Road's End is supposed to be only for Lynda's crew.
Yes, we can and you're right, it's just for me and my crew, in fact some of them will be at the Bend as well.
Don't panic guys....everything will be fine, just finish getting ready and come on!!
Lynda
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Other forums with interest in Bonneville and camping at Roads Bend have picked up 'portions' of these camping changes. I have posted the following on one site in hopes of clarifying the changes. If further adjustments need to be made, please advise me here or by PM so I can pass on any updates.
Burly
Clarification ! ! ! !
"ONLY" the gravel pad on the inside of the corner at Roads Bend is restricted ! All the camping areas on the lake bed surrounding the raised gravel pad are still open to unlimted camping. The two areas shown on the overview map are 'alternate' camping areas open to those folks not wanting to camp on the lake bed surrounding the gravel pad.
It is unfortunate that the wording of this minor change has not been more clear and is causing some confusion for those who enjoy both the convenience and social activities at the Roads Bend camping area. I am leaving for Speedweek early Saturday morning AND WILL BE CAMPING at Roads Bend just off the raised pad that night. I will let you know if any problems arise from this adjustment but I do not expect any. The porta potties will also be relocated just off of the pad but will be available.
The reason for this change is concern for the safety of folks driving around the bend and encountering vehicles or people entering or crossing the road from the pad as it's view from the incoming road is blocked when motorhomes and trailers are present. The BLM, with support from the SCTA/BNI, feels removing these large vehicles from the pad will reduce the possiblity of a an accident and injury.
I hope this clarifies the camping situation at Roads Bend.
See you on the salt.....................
Burly
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I had to clarify this to a couple folks on the HAMB
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There are two toilets just off the gravel on the inside of the bend. And there are two toilets inside the bend but on the far side of the ditch. And there are two toilets on the outside of the bend and to the side of the road that heads up into the hills. The garbage rolloff is on the dirt just below the gravel pad. Everything is accessible - and everything is located where the BLM and law enforcement folks want it to be for safety.
Camping is allowed everyplace except on the gravel pad - both inside the corner and outside. No restrictions - but room is going fast, so hurry. There were a half dozen or so there this morning -- and about thirty this afternoon. I expect that by this time tomorrow there'll be a few hundred.
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There are two toilets just off the gravel on the inside of the bend. And there are two toilets inside the bend but on the far side of the ditch. And there are two toilets on the outside of the bend and to the side of the road that heads up into the hills. The garbage rolloff is on the dirt just below the gravel pad. Everything is accessible - and everything is located where the BLM and law enforcement folks want it to be for safety.
Camping is allowed everyplace except on the gravel pad - both inside the corner and outside. No restrictions - but room is going fast, so hurry. There were a half dozen or so there this morning -- and about thirty this afternoon. I expect that by this time tomorrow there'll be a few hundred.
Thanx Jon for the update. Please save me a space.......................
Burly
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There really was no camping after Sundays DELUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lost my tent, found the floor of a pals hotel room. Almost could not get the truck out.
How dry was it come morning? I had to leave early so I bugged out when I thought I would the least impact on the mudflat, not like the idots in teh Bug and on Quads. :x
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Has it dried out at all? I'm at the KOA for Tuesday night, but the plan was Wed/Thursday at the bend.
Will I be using my inflatable mattress as a life raft? :roll:
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It was greasy slippery sticky Sunday night as we left after Salt Talks. I had the truck in 4WD and was sliding around but got out with no issues. This morning we stopped to get the trailer - and the traction was much better, but still like driving on Crisco. No issues getting the trailer, but I still collected lots of mud on my shoes.
This evening we stopped at the location again, to get the grill we had left out -- and while still damp, there wasn't much of a traction issue. It's pretty good -- but not dusty dry yet. Chris, I think you'll have mo trouble finding a place to camp. If nothing else -- head up the hill a bit and it'll be just dandy, I betcha, hey?
Come find us someplace while you're here. Our pit is about five or six from the main pit entrance, and the front row, right next to the White Goose Bar trailer. Easy to find us -- 'cept that we're planning on making at least one, maybe two, runs before lunch (when Nancy reports to the sales trailer for her 4-hour shift). While she's there I usually hang out around our pit or visit close-in ones. The pit bike won't run - so I haven't been exploring all over the place.