Lebanon Trail Tomten (Troll, Gnome etc.)

[gopherhockey]

http://d21c.com/AnnesPlace/Fant/Gnome.gif

Those of you with Scandinavian blood already know this I'm sure.

Tomten is a shy, solitary and longlived human-like being, very bound to the ground of his. Tomten regards the humans as temporary lodgers in his domain. Tomtar are not known to reside in urban settings, but a few less reliable reports say that Tomtar might dwell in the woods as well.

To show the tomte appropriate respect is very important. Otherwise he would get averse and cause misfortune; and riders could be forced to move on. Misdeeds from freeriders or negligent trail riders the tomte might punish directly.

The Tomten also guards the treasures hidden in the earth and mountains.

One such Tomten has taken up lodging back in the XX loop at Lebanon. (you'll see him next time you ride there) He has been known to hold treasure for riders that help take care of his trails from time to time. He already gave up a tube/gu/raffle ticket for a Trek Fuel 80 today!

Keep a watch for this little guy and show him your respect as you pass by. Please don't move or deface him either, or we'll all be cursed.

We're also holding a Tomten picture contest. The person that comes up with the best picture of or with the Tompten will get $20 off a MORC jersey (or $20 back if you already bought one). Using photoshop to alter the image is ok, but moving or defacing the troll in any way is not allowed. Upload your pictures here in the photo gallery and we'll vote on the best one.

[socrates]

Originally posted by gopherhockey


He already gave up a tube/gu/raffle ticket for a Trek Fuel 80 today!

Keep a watch for this little guy and show him your respect as you pass by. Please don't move or deface him either, or we'll all be cursed.

We're also holding a Tomten picture contest. The person that comes up with the best picture of or with the Tompten will get $20 off a MORC jersey (or $20 back if you already bought one). Using photoshop to alter the image is ok, but moving or defacing the troll in any way is not allowed. Upload your pictures here in the photo gallery and we'll vote on the best one.

Darn it John!!!! You didn't say I needed a picture with the little guy...I must have rid'n through there about a min or two after you placed him.....just think...I almost rode river bottoms today...thanks for the prize John!

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by socrates
Darn it John!!!! You didn't say I needed a picture with the little guy...I must have rid'n through there about a min or two after you placed him.....just think...I almost rode river bottoms today...thanks for the prize John!

Hey, thats like the 2nd time in a row you were out there when I was. Anyway, glad you got it! I put the thing up there, rode back to the lot to get the loot - rode back and put the loot in his hands, took another lap and it was already gone.... ;)

Be sure to send me your address so I can get it on the other half of the raffle ticket....

[socrates]

Originally posted by gopherhockey
Hey, thats like the 2nd time in a row you were out there when I was. Anyway, glad you got it! I put the thing up there, rode back to the lot to get the loot - rode back and put the loot in his hands, took another lap and it was already gone.... ;)

Be sure to send me your address so I can get it on the other half of the raffle ticket....

Actually I see your van quite a bit...but for some reason I never see you (Dunno if that's good or not...must mean I keep pace with you on the trail though...)

[ice ice baby]

Can we have some hints were this little Troll is? - Help me out; I'm Norwegian!:banana:

[socrates]

Originally posted by ice ice baby
Can we have some hints were this little Troll is? - Help me out; I'm Norwegian!:banana:

Trust me...you can't miss it...he'll be watching over you to make sure you safely exit the XX loop

I actually did a double take when I first saw it (figured someone had dropped it at first..then I wondered why anyone would ride with it...then I saw the prize)

[manual63]

Can this thing scare away bees?

Actually, this kind of reminds me of Smoky the Bear or That Crime Dog guy (forgot his name). So even as adults we can still have little icons to remind us to behave.....:)

[socrates]

Originally posted by manual63
Can this thing scare away bees?

I didn't see any bee's near him so maybe

[Trevize1138]

Ha!

I noticed him right away yesterday at Lebannon. Funny little guy. :)

[Burke]

So John... If you're really looking for fun, you should allow people in the know to move him around from trail to trail and have a metro-wide "Where's Tomten".

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by Burke
So John... If you're really looking for fun, you should allow people in the know to move him around from trail to trail and have a metro-wide "Where's Tomten".

Hmmm... an interesting idea. Kind of like those things where someone steals a lawn ornament and brings it around the world taking pictures of it and sending them back to the owner.

Maybe after he is done giving up some more treasure at Leb, we'll turn him loose on the rest of the trails...

I'm surprised nobody has stolen or removed him yet. Makes me feel good that people can leave things like that alone. Makes Mr. Tomten want to give out more and even better treasure! ;)

[socrates]

Originally posted by gopherhockey
Hmmm... an interesting idea. Kind of like those things where someone steals a lawn ornament and brings it around the world taking pictures of it and sending them back to the owner.

Maybe after he is done giving up some more treasure at Leb, we'll turn him loose on the rest of the trails...

I'm surprised nobody has stolen or removed him yet. Makes me feel good that people can leave things like that alone. Makes Mr. Tomten want to give out more and even better treasure! ;)

Well think about where he's at...only skilled riders will make it that far through the XX loop and the "riff-raff" will be long gone by then

[Crash]

Originally posted by gopherhockey
Hmmm... an interesting idea. Kind of like those things where someone steals a lawn ornament and brings it around the world taking pictures of it and sending them back to the owner.

Yea - my neighbor took these big arse pink flamingos from their neighbors pond and have been sending them pictures back from all over the country with notes that say "having a wonderful time in________". Hillarious! Plus I am just glad I don't have to look at those damn flamingos.

That gives me an idea - Bright Yellow and I are heading to Moab at the end of September............

:shocked:

[emarkwardt]

Well, I figured if I was ever going to get Tomten to give up some his swag to me, maybe I needed to make an offering to him in order to get on his good side so I brought some purple and gold bead necklaces with me this morning and annointed Tomten.

Tomten is a Vikings fan, you know (being Scandanavian and all), and with the Vikes' preseason starting this weekend it seemed appropriate.

Note that Tomten said he would NOT be relinquishing the bead necklaces to anyone that decided to flash him while riding by. The last thing he wants to see are some sweaty, dusty mountain biker ta-tas. :shocked:

[socrates]

Originally posted by emarkwardt
Well, I figured if I was ever going to get Tomten to give up some his swag to me, maybe I needed to make an offering to him in order to get on his good side so I brought some purple and gold bead necklaces with me this morning and annointed Tomten.

Tomten is a Vikings fan, you know (being Scandanavian and all), and with the Vikes' preseason starting this weekend it seemed appropriate.

Note that Tomten said he would NOT be relinquishing the bead necklaces to anyone that decided to flash him while riding by. The last thing he wants to see are some sweaty, dusty mountain biker ta-tas. :shocked:


Dunno how to tell you this but when I was there at 10:30 the swag was gone...I did see some female riders out there so maybe Tomten was impressed enough to part with the beads

[EmL34]

I was there after 1 and they were there. Maybe they gave 'em back?

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by emarkwardt
Well, I figured if I was ever going to get Tomten to give up some his swag to me, maybe I needed to make an offering to him in order to get on his good side so I brought some purple and gold bead necklaces with me this morning and annointed Tomten.

Sweet! Tomten likes beads... he told me so. Very nice. No doubt he has once again blessed our trail and soon will bring forth much goodness to all that ride under him.

(or he might just give up some cool sh#$ hehe)

[socrates]

Ok guys...I don't like the "clown" Tomten has been hanging around with lately :etard: (sorry been dying to say that)

Not sure if the clown was added yesterday or early this morning but nice touch

[EmL34]

Hey, are the tire levers a prize, or an offering?

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by EmL34
Hey, are the tire levers a prize, or an offering?

My guess that its trail find that has been offered up to the Tomten... but if someone needs them or has lost them, help yourself. If it isn't nailed down to the tree or Mr. Tomten isn't wearing it, its probably available.

Rumor is Tomten may give up some good stuff today... he sent me an email this morning letting me know.

[gopherhockey]

For those that have not seen him yet...

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/513/1IMG_0063.JPG

[JHM]

EmL34,
The tire levers were sort of an offering. I found it on the trail and put it on Tomtem's right hand. I was hoping it would work like a lost and found spot. If it wasn't yours and you needed it fine, but if you already have some, think about putting it back?
JHM

[gopherhockey]

Tomten sometimes gives away prizes, so I can see where it would appear the tire iron was up for grabs.

If you have an offering for Tomten that is bike related, it is likely to be taken. Non bike related offerings (beeds etc.) should not be taken (of course)

Most lost & found stuff gets put at the trailhead kiosk. There is currently a trip computer and a water bottle there.

Most reflectors get donated near their appropriate log or rock pile (go for a night ride if you doubt me hehe)

Someone last night lost a pair of Smith (black) sunglasses - if anyone finds them let me know, I have her number.

Oh, and Tomten used to have a santa-style hat, but it appears animals have been biting pieces off our trail guardian. Anyone know how I can get that to stop? They are now chewing on his leg.... (or maybe that was Tim?)

Tomten needs a new hat though... its getting cold out. Anyone have like a small twins or vikings helmet, or better yet - a Wild goalie mask? ;)

[Tetreves]

Originally posted by manual63
Can this thing scare away bees?

Actually, this kind of reminds me of Smoky the Bear or That Crime Dog guy (forgot his name). So even as adults we can still have little icons to remind us to behave.....:)

It's McDuff! McDuff the Crime Dog!

As for animals chewing at Tomten, I would try mothballs...(in him maybe)....sounds scary...:crazy:

[Krejci]

Wow i dunno about you, but if i were to all of a sudden see Tomten, like look up and see him, Id, crap my pants! I mean HOLY SCHKINES!

[gopherhockey]

He can be scary... just show him your respect and he won't harm you. ;)

[SickBoy]

This reminds me of the time at Buck Hill about four years ago when someone put up a whole bunch of porn on the trees in the woods.... lol...

[Krejci]

HAHAHAHAHAHAH Yeah we all respect tomten, except the damn animals!

[gopherhockey]

HAHAHAHAHAHAH Yeah we all respect tomten, except the damn animals!Rumor has it that a new (and more weather/animal resistant) trail troll/gnome will be taking the place of the poor chewed up tomten this year... look for him on the tree underpass near the end of the XX loop... pay homage, and look for trail treasure!

[noise_is_life]

Rumor has it that a new (and more weather/animal resistant) trail troll/gnome will be taking the place of the poor chewed up tomten this year... look for him on the tree underpass near the end of the XX loop... pay homage, and look for trail treasure!Poor Tomten gets left out in the cold all winter to be gnawed on by wild beasts only to be replaced as soon as it gets warm.

[SuperClydesdale]

Rumor has it that a new (and more weather/animal resistant) trail troll/gnome will be taking the place of the poor chewed up tomten this year... look for him on the tree underpass near the end of the XX loop... pay homage, and look for trail treasure!
John

Did Tomtem's girlfriend survive the winter??

When will on-line renewals be in place?

Mark

[gopherhockey]

John

Did Tomtem's girlfriend survive the winter??

When will on-line renewals be in place?

Mark
Online renewals.. you can renew now online by just joining straight out - they will take into account and extend your membership. However, online "smart" renewals... we talked about that last night. Still some discussion and research needed. The forums have a built-in system, but as of yet its not very powerful.

Not sure about tomten's girlfriend... to be honest I haven't been back in the XX loop area for some time. Boy do I miss it!

[Brick]

I saw this posted on skinnyski this AM:

A hike in the woods seemed a good way to get out of the house as well as the wind today. The hiking trails at the Lebanon Hills ski skating area were mostly ice so I ventured onto crusted portions of the singletrack mountain bike trails and also followed meandering off-trail snowshoe prints. The mountain bike troll near the "hi point" looks like he had a rough winter, his clothing was gone other than the hat and squirrels had chewed his face and ears.
If it snowed two or three inches a person could bomb around the ski trail on rock skis, a crusty walked on base still remains.

http://www.skypoint.com/%7Eenevala/totmen.jpg

[gopherhockey]

Too funny. He's famous, the poor naked guy....:shocked:

I saw this posted on skinnyski this AM:

A hike in the woods seemed a good way to get out of the house as well as the wind today. The hiking trails at the Lebanon Hills ski skating area were mostly ice so I ventured onto crusted portions of the singletrack mountain bike trails and also followed meandering off-trail snowshoe prints. The mountain bike troll near the "hi point" looks like he had a rough winter, his clothing was gone other than the hat and squirrels had chewed his face and ears.
If it snowed two or three inches a person could bomb around the ski trail on rock skis, a crusty walked on base still remains.

http://www.skypoint.com/%7Eenevala/totmen.jpg