2024 Event Info | Cranks MTB Festival

2024 Cranks Event Notes

Hello Cranks attendees!

Welcome to the 14th 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.

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 are here:

Beginner clinic

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA8AB2CA7FCCF8-cranks

Novice

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA8AB2CA7FCCF8-cranks1

Intermediate

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA8AB2CA7FCCF8-cranks2

Event Notes