Reflections on JOC

[UKTJ]

If I am not mistaken, this will be my 1,000th post on the JOC forum.  I thought it might be worth recording some reflections and thanks as I reach this milestone.

 

When I stumbled on the JOC website in September 2021 I had already owned my little TJ for quite a few years, but it was just used for sunny day onroad fun with the family.  However, at that point I had decided that I wanted to try taking it offroad.  It was very fortunate as I saw that JOC had an event coming up within a month at the Aldermaston site, only half an hour from me, so I signed up.  What a great decision that was!  I was more than a little nervous as I arrived in my almost completely stock little TJ, especially looking around at some of the modified Jeeps that had already arrived.  But I need not of worried, @digger had said on the forum he would take me around and give me a few pointers, he was extremely generous with his time and helpful.  I spent the day driving around with @Cameron and had a great time.  I was hooked!

 

Since that start point I have attended as many other events as possible.  I've made friends and received huge amounts of help and support, particularly on technical matters as I have picked up spanners for the first time to try and upgrade my Jeep.  Lots of help from lots of people, but a particular shout out to @V who is always generous with his vast experience on all things Jeep.

 

One of the few regrets I have is that only discovering JOC when I did meant I only got to meet Jim Olexa a few times.  His enthusiam for the Jeep brand and JOC were amazing.  For me, something that told you everything about Jim was the video he produced for the campaign to keep green lanes open.  He shared personal details in a candid and open at what must have been such a difficult time for him.  None of this was for his own benefit, but for the future benefit of the Jeep and wider offroad community.  Simply inspirational.  But, his legacy is safe in Lou's hands, who (with the wider JOC team) is doing a fantastic job of taking things forward.  You're smashing it @Volant165!

 

I can't tell you how much I look forward to my next 1,000 posts on the JOC forums and to many more JOC events, where I will have the chance to catch up with old friends and make yet more new ones.  But for now, a huge thankyou to everyone I have come across through JOC since September 2021!

[Overlander21]

7 hours ago, UKTJ said:

at that point I had decided that I wanted to try taking it offroad

 

This is most definitely on my bucket list. 

 

Alas, I fear my poor old dog would get rag dolled in the back of the Wrangler so I've not even contemplated going off road yet

 

Thanks for sharing @UKTJ - I'm only on 1/4 of the posts you've made so I've got some way to go yet

 

 

 

[UKTJ]

49 minutes ago, Overlander21 said:

 

This is most definitely on my bucket list. 

 

Alas, I fear my poor old dog would get rag dolled in the back of the Wrangler so I've not even contemplated going off road yet

 

Thanks for sharing @UKTJ - I'm only on 1/4 of the posts you've made so I've got some way to go yet

 

 

 

You should exchange notes with @MGomes, he takes his dog offroading in his Wrangler.

[Volant165]

17 hours ago, UKTJ said:

If I am not mistaken, this will be my 1,000th post on the JOC forum.  I thought it might be worth recording some reflections and thanks as I reach this milestone.

 

When I stumbled on the JOC website in September 2021 I had already owned my little TJ for quite a few years, but it was just used for sunny day onroad fun with the family.  However, at that point I had decided that I wanted to try taking it offroad.  It was very fortunate as I saw that JOC had an event coming up within a month at the Aldermaston site, only half an hour from me, so I signed up.  What a great decision that was!  I was more than a little nervous as I arrived in my almost completely stock little TJ, especially looking around at some of the modified Jeeps that had already arrived.  But I need not of worried, @digger had said on the forum he would take me around and give me a few pointers, he was extremely generous with his time and helpful.  I spent the day driving around with @Cameron and had a great time.  I was hooked!

 

Since that start point I have attended as many other events as possible.  I've made friends and received huge amounts of help and support, particularly on technical matters as I have picked up spanners for the first time to try and upgrade my Jeep.  Lots of help from lots of people, but a particular shout out to @V who is always generous with his vast experience on all things Jeep.

 

One of the few regrets I have is that only discovering JOC when I did meant I only got to meet Jim Olexa a few times.  His enthusiam for the Jeep brand and JOC were amazing.  For me, something that told you everything about Jim was the video he produced for the campaign to keep green lanes open.  He shared personal details in a candid and open at what must have been such a difficult time for him.  None of this was for his own benefit, but for the future benefit of the Jeep and wider offroad community.  Simply inspirational.  But, his legacy is safe in Lou's hands, who (with the wider JOC team) is doing a fantastic job of taking things forward.  You're smashing it @Volant165!

 

I can't tell you how much I look forward to my next 1,000 posts on the JOC forums and to many more JOC events, where I will have the chance to catch up with old friends and make yet more new ones.  But for now, a huge thankyou to everyone I have come across through JOC since September 2021!

 

Thanks @UKTJ! 1000 posts that is impressive! 

Jim would loved to have been able to get you know better.

He was truly passionate about everything and anything jeep especially the wonderful Jeep community. This is a point that was beautifully captured & echoed by both the plaque Jeep UK had made in his memory & the Green Lanes Association video. An image of the plaque can be seen below. Both I will forever cherish!

Wishing everyone the most wonderful week & I very much hope to see you all soon!

Lou (Mrs Volant) 

[Raakhee]

On 23/05/2023 at 22:37, Overlander21 said:

 

This is most definitely on my bucket list. 

 

Alas, I fear my poor old dog would get rag dolled in the back of the Wrangler so I've not even contemplated going off road yet

 

Thanks for sharing @UKTJ - I'm only on 1/4 of the posts you've made so I've got some way to go yet

 

 

 

@MGomes takes his dog all the time. Get a dog cage installed and come off roading

[UKTJ]

10 hours ago, Raakhee said:

@MGomes takes his dog all the time. Get a dog cage installed and come off roading

Cage will get the animal welfare people up in arms I think you mean a crate

[MGomes]

Feel so happy that my name was mentioned a few times when we say dog... I am definitely a dog person and Willow, aka my #jeepdog goes pretty much everywhere with me, holidays, hospital visits (use her as a Therapy dog), holidays etc... as some on this forum noticed on JeepTrek (still to do a post about that) - Willow was my +1 on that amazing experience

Fortunately pretty much all Jeep events I have attended have always been dog friendly (SpeedFest is the exception) - Willow is such an active dog that she is happy to be bounced around on her crate (her reward is playtime with everyone) - if i spot a really tricky obstacle I will ask someone to have the dog out (Walters Arena last year rock crawling or this year in Slindon doing the extreme flex - you do get a winy dog in the background of your videos - but that is easily editable lol

Willow has been all over with me, Salisbury Plain, multiple lanes in Wales (she has done Strata twice, being in the car with me doing the bomb hole the two times) - she loves that crate so much that even when I am out doing bits in the car she will be always with me happily snoozing there - @Overlander21 your dog will love greenlaning