Yeehaw!!!.... It's that time of year again!

Time to kick off the 2003 riding season with the 6th Annual Rage On Otis and Trail of Tears Weekend. This year the dates are May 9-10-11. We will again be camping at the Shawme-Crowell State Park in Sandwich, MA.

We will ride at Otis on Saturday morning and then Trail of Tears on Sunday morning. This year's events: we’ll wrap Udder up in a turban-shaped helmet and play “Tease the MP’s” at Otis Airforce Base…seriously, if anyone is nervous, rest assured – riding is still cool there and there may also be a small group going to Nickerson SP which is not far from the campsite.

Please send an email to Tim (Tim@rageMTB.com) saying:

·        "Yes - I want to go and be part of the 5th Annual Rage On Otis & TOT Weekend"

·        Let him know if you are flying solo or bringing someone else (# of campers).

·        This is important – give him your real name – not your cyber-alias, aka, mumbo-jumbo, rage nickname, etc.

·        Complete payment will be required to reserve a campsite and it won’t happen if it is last minute. You are not on the list unless Tim has your payment.

·        The final cost is $7 per person total (yes, for the whole weekend!), so ante up fast!

·        If you have PayPal setup please make a payment to post_t@hotmail.com.

·        If PayPal is a real problem for you - then you can pay Tim directly with cash or a check at Redbones the Thursday after next (April 17).

If you want to see what you missed the past few years, check out these links:

Otis 2002

Otis 2001

Food
Bring your own!! Everyone is in charge of their own food, drinks, etc.

If someone wants to sort out clubbing together for food and getan entire cow or pig then please do. Farm animals only make the experience that much more memorable. For those of you not into that type of thing, there is a Stop & Shop very close to the campground.

Schedule
Friday  Afternoon  - Leave Boston 
Friday  6-9pm  - everyone arrives and pitches tents + juggle/beer/BBQ
Saturday  9am  - get up + eat breakfast 
Saturday  10.30am  - ride in Otis 
Saturday  3pm  - lunch + chillin at the beach 
Saturday  night  - Bon fire and beer 
Sunday  9am  - get up + breakfast 
Sunday  10am  - pack up everything and drive to Trail of Tears and ride it 
Sunday  3pm  - more chillin out and BBQ at the TOT parking lot

Camping Gear
it is recommended that your bring the following equipment

a tent 
sleeping bag 
sleeping mat 
stove if you have one 
towels
Bug Spray 
Fire Wood 
Cups / plates etc.
Camera
Bike Locks 
Night riding lights 
tarp
Food/Drink 
As much fire wood as you can carry! 
whatever - you're camping you know what you need. 

Lights
Bring your bike lights charged if you have them, we may nightride? They will be useful around the campground anyway.

Camera
If you have read down this far and you have a camera - bring it and maybe you'll find your picture on the Otis 2003 Pictures page!!! (or at least be able to supply blackmail pictures of other Ragers acting stupid - perfect material for the web page!!!).

Where
We'll be staying at Shawme-Crowell State Forest, in Sandwich. The cost is $7 for the whole weekend

Please note that this park is run by the Massachusetts Foreset and Parks Dept.  and therefore DOES NOT ALLOW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES (Section 12.06 of the Forest & Parks Regulation Book).  Please be discrete if you bring beer into the campground. We would like to be able to go back next year - all it takes is one roadie to mess things up!

 http://www.state.ma.us/dem/parks/shcr.htm

Directions
From Boston:  Take Rte 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge. After going over the bridge, take your first exit which should say Rte 6A Sandwich. Follow the exit ramp all the way to the traffic light. Go right at the light onto Rte 6A East towards Sandwich. Follow Rte 6A past the baseball field on your left and then past a Texaco gas station on your right. About 0.5 mile past the Texaco on your right will be Rte 130. Take this right onto Rte 130. Follow Rte 130 approx. 1/2 mile and the entrance to Shawme-Crowell State Park will be on your RIGHT!!!!

From Worcester/West:  Take 495 south to the Bourne Bridge. After going over the Bourne Bridge, go 3/4 or the way around the rotary to Rte 6A following signs for Sandwich/Hyannis/Provincetown. Follow Rte 6A along the Canal unitl you go under the Sagamore Bridge. Then the baseball field will be on your left and you can follow the directios from above.

Pet Policy
Pets restrained on leashes are allowed in restricted areas of many DEM properties, but all pet owners must comply with the DEM regulations.  Please see the following link:

 http://www.state.ma.us/dem/pets.htm

I would highly discourage you from bringing your dog on the rides in respect for your fellow riders.  Dogs often get in the way and can be a hazard to other riders as well as themselves.