MORC Lingo

From MORC Wiki

On this page you will find a number of terms, events etc. used in the MORC forums or out on the trails. It will help provide new individuals with some quick insight so you will no longer feel like an outsider. We don't want that!

This is a VERY un-official and fun wiki page. Most of it completely useless information. Please add too it and enjoy!

[edit] B E E R ?

You may have been on a group ride at one point or another and heard different riders yelling out letters.. "B", "E", "E", "R". Its obvious what it spells, but what does it mean and why do they do this?

This was invented during the Thursday night group rides at Lebanon Hills by riders such as John Lundell, Bob Shepherd, Ted Wiegandt and Craig I$hman (to name a few). It is common for the group rides to last about 2 full laps. Toward the end of lap 2, people started saying "BEER!" as if they were ready to be done riding and ready to start enjoying some refreshments. Often riders took this as a sign to hurry up, and the pace kicked up to a full on race to the parking lot. This eventually morphed into calling it out by letters... when a person says "B" they feel its time to bolt to the lot as quickly as possible. Its good form to wait until "R" is called before the race is on. Now you will often hear the letters at other trails, but usually only on group rides involving the original creators.

Who can call out the letters you ask? Well.. anyone can. However, there are a few guidelines.

1. Don't call it out until you mean it. Be ready to see the pace picked up once "R" is called. Its good to leave 2 miles or less of trail before you call it out.

2. Sometimes "B" is called out in fun, say in the first minute of a group ride. This just means someone is joking around (or not) and wants beer vs. riding. Disregard this improper use of the letters.

[edit] To "Beer" a Thread

To "Beer" a thread often means to try get a conversation (sometimes heated) to cool down or die off by talking about beer, or posting pictures of beer. Most mountain bikers enjoy a good beer now and again, so its typically done with success.

[edit] Trail Treasure

A few years back a MORC Board member came up with the idea to hide some treasure out on the trails as part of the offering given back by the Gnome (see Gnome definition). The idea is that when the Gnome is feeling good, he sneaks out and plants this trail treasure in a hidden area. Eventually someone will post up a hint to its location, and then riders are welcome to go out in search of said treasure.

Often it will be a small booty of stuff, like a few MORC stickers, some bike swag, goo packets, etc. Sometimes the treasure is small, sometimes quite significant! All trails are subject to trail treasure, but currently the gnome resides at Lebanon Hills so it is more likely you will find it there than anywhere else.

[edit] The Gnome

The Gnome first appeared at Lebanon Hills back in 2003. He has taken shape 3 times and currently resides on the Gnome Tree located in the XX loop at Lebanon Hills. You will see him as you climb out of the XX on your way to the common area. Here are three pictures of the gnomes that have resided at Lebanon Hills.

Original Gnome

Sometimes referred to the Tomten, this Gnome lived at Lebanon for a full season. Eventually critters ate him to pieces, or he ran away, we will never know. This photo shows him already missing his hat, but also shows various treasure that people left him.

Gnome II

Gnome 2 replaced the original gnome the following spring. He was not built well and fell down, ultimately being crushed by a biker... or he ran away, nobody will ever know.

Gnome III, Current Gnome

The Gnome refused to return to Lebanon Hills because of the disrespect shown by many riders. It was almost 3 full seasons before he returned to his tree. He was stolen the fall of 2007 but was recovered and will be back again soon!

There is more! Read Nita's awesome legend of the Gnome story here.

Note that it is good form to donate to the gnome via the gnome fund. It is said that the Gnome has enough powers to help riders stay away from harm, or lesson the blow of a fall. The Gnome watches the trail for poachers and has been known to cast evil spells on these types of riders.

[edit] Circle of Love, or COL

A.K.A. The Circle of Trust. This is the term for the circle that forms post group ride where everyone pulls up their lawn chairs and coolers. This is a very fun part of all group rides and everyone is welcome into the circle! You don't even have to have had ridden the group ride to enter the circle. Sharing of refreshments: chips, cookies etc. is encouraged. The group tends to get quite silly so keep that in mind and join the circle at your own risk.

Please know that this is not a clique within MORC. The circle has a name, but has no owner. Everyone is welcome - just barge right in and ask for some room if the circle appears uninviting. Its a good idea to remember some kind of folding lawn chair as the group will sit for quite a while, often until the parking lot closes for that particular trail.

Circle Rules:

• You may enter and exit the circle at any time.
• The circle should remain a circle. Standing inside the circle for an extended amount of time is considered bad form.
• A circle is like an O, not a Q or a G or a U. Keep the circle a circle.
• Respect the rules of each trail in regards to alcohol usage.

Some might say the COL is so 2007... thats because it is. However, the COL still lives on at some group rides.

[edit] Trail Names

Often people will refer to various parts of our trails by name. Joey Trail, Dream Trail, Log, Log of Death II, Centerfold, Manhandler, Fern Alley... to name a few. For now, refer to the trail review section to get more details on where these trails are located and how they got their name. Maybe eventually we'll identify some of them here. Its important to note that some of the names are not officially labeled (yet). We should probably define how an obstacle or trail gets its name - but then we'd have to figure that out. More on this topic soon?

[edit] Poachers

Poachers are riders who use a trail or section of a trail that is obviously closed (usually due to muddy conditions). Poachers are heaped with scorn on the boards and are considered to be a great evil with many feeling their actions are a personal attack. The Gnome also hates poachers and their actions and will retaliate with vicious spells of doom. Poachers deserve any mechanical failure their mudding causes and some say this is the work of the gnome. Riding when conditions are such that the trail is damaged is not always considered poaching but is always poor judgement.

Poachers can sometimes be converted if they are told how they are affecting others and there have been some who have become regular trail workers after being confronted.

Fill it in, be nice!

[edit] Skidders

Someone who is a little heavy on the rear brake in corners causing trail damage.

[edit] Troll

Not to be confused with the Gnome. In Internet terminology, a troll is someone who intentionally posts derogatory or otherwise inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community such as an online discussion forum to bait users into responding. Official Wikipedia definition here.