FORWARDThe Cleveland National Forest’s annual Toad Festival, which is organized by The Warriors Society, is forwarded. It starts and ends at ONeill Park. This is a great event where riders can compete in games of skill and chance (darts or horseshoes, helmet-tossing, helmet tossing, and Blackjack cards). The highest combined score wins prizes. Otherwise, you won’t be permitted to continue.
Here’s the Warriors Society’s report:
It was a great relief!
The Toad Festival participants didn’t have to contend with temperatures in the low 254cms, unlike our previous event, The Traverse. It was a beautiful day with temperatures on the Main Divide ranging from the high 178 to the low 203cms.
It was not surprising that the Toad Festival saw increasing popularity.
This course is fun, but it isn’t easy. Holy Jim climbs 3200+ feet and has an average grade of 7 percent. The Main Divide’s steepest climb is 15.5 miles away and 17 percent. There are approximately 5,0.0 m of climbing over the total distance of 27 miles.
If you reached West Horse Thief, you were treated with root beer floats!
The 10 mile course was a blast for both parents and children. Participants enjoyed a wonderful ride through ONeill Park Open Space.
We are grateful to 2008 major sponsors Shimano and Rock N Road, Sho-Air Clif Bar Clif Bar, Switchback Cyclery and Switchback Cyclery. El Pollo Loco provided lunch which saved us a lot and also meant more money for TACA. You can find a complete list on warriorssociety.org of all our sponsors, including minor sponsors.
The volunteers who served as checkpoint/course marshals and the communication teams were greatly appreciated for their assistance with the Toad Festival. We are also grateful for the assistance of the SOARA Ham club in the use of their repeater.
Barry Wood, our Graphics Director & Web Master, came up with another fantastic t-shirt design. He never ceases to amaze with his web design skills and t-shirt designs.
ONeill Park staff is amazing and have been great help with 2008 events including the Toad Festival. They even bought raffle tickets!
After the event expenses, we expect to have raised approximately € for Talk About Curing Autism Now.
Without the participation of mountain bikers, no funds could have been raised.
The Toad Festival at Camp Pendleton next year will serve as a fundraiser for the Marine Corp Wounded Warrior Program. This program aids soldiers who are injured in combat.
Register for 2009 events starting in these months (we expect all 2009 events to sell-out)
2009 Vision Quest & Counting Coup (Saturday March 7th). Registration begins October 1st
2009 The Traverse to Benefit the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund (Saturday May 9th). Registration begins November 1st
2009 Toad Festival will benefit Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior Program (Saturday June 6th). Registration begins December 1st
The 2008 raffle to raise funds for TACA was won by:
*Scott Balgio Newport Rib Co gift certificate donated by Newport Rib Co
Eric Foltz Photography donated *Tom McAndrews1114 prints
*Brenda GilbertSanta Cruz bullit frame donated by Switchback Cyclery
Shimano donated the *Don SteeleXT disc brake system
Geax donated *Stealth KenGeax Pit Stop Kit
*Maria FahieDolphin Artistry donated to Denis Duty Fabrications
Bionicon donated the *John EarlyNevegal Tire Set
*Keith Parsons gift certificate for Jerrys Dogs
*Mina CukCommuter Pack donated by Canari and KHS
Denis Duty Fabrications donated *Maria FahieHorse Artwork
*Scott Van De Kreeke gift voucher to and donated by The Path and XT pedals donated and donated by Shimano
*Tom McAndrewsSurf Art donated by Denis Duty Fabrications
*Munoz Osvaldo gift voucher to Rose Canyon Cantina and XT pedals donated by Shimano
*Linh TranCrank Brothers. Troupe Racing Company donated Acid 2 pedals
Bionicon donated the Alex Wheelset/Paul GeorgieDT Swiss/Alex Wheelset
*Pamela EvansXrays and exam donated to Gateway Rehab and Wellness
*Keith Parsons Free 1 hour flight in a Cessna 172 donated to Chip Leopard
*Denise Ittell1-year free valet parking at South Coast Plaza donated to PPS Parking
Eric Foltz Photography donated the *Steve CiconFree 810 image
*Kimberly StaffNiterider evolution smart light donated by RocknRoad Cyclery
Rose Canyon Cantina donated a *Mike Dulin gift voucher
*Lauren McAndrewsSpa package donated by Stressbusters Spa
Studio H Salon donated *Bob RustHaircare Basket
*Troy LiposecJuice Plus Basket donated to Juice Plus
Troupe Racing Co. donated the *Jim StewartErgon Bd1 Backpack
Troupe Racing Co. donated *Jim SimescuCrankBro Eggbeater SL pedals
*Troy LiposecKenda small block 8 tire set donated by Bionicon
Super Suppers donates *Andrew Winger Take n Bakers
*Paul GeorgieTraitor Sunglasses Donated by Serfas
*Troy Liposec Take n Bakes donated to Super Supers and XT pedals donated from Shimano
*David ZingeryCalifornia pizza kitchen dinner for two donated by CPK
Shimano donated *Randy ProfetaXT disc brakeset
Shimano donated the Mark YeeXTR crankset and XT pedals to Shimano
*Pamela EvansXTR Shadow rear derailleur and XT pedals donated to Shimano
Shimano donated the *Dennis CaballaXT Disc Wheelset
*Jim WellsXTR Shadow Derailleur donated to Shimano and gift certificate donated By The Path
*Scott Van de KreekeCalifornia pizza kitchen dinner for two donated by CPK
We are grateful for your continued support and contributions to this great cause.
Chris Vargas, Sherry Panttaja
AKA Dances with Hornets and Holds Her Ground
The Warriors Society Executive Directors
