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 Phil Factor
Bobcaygeon, Ontario
Our fearless leader pulls some cable for Mike Amos and his 1985 CJ – on the back 40 Trail at Phil Factor – the annual event hosted by the Chatham Jeep Club. During my annual swing through Ontario this year, I managed to squeeze in an extra event we hadn't planned on. "Phil Factor" is put on by the Chatham United Jeep Club (CUJO), and takes place in Bobcaygeon Ontario on a private lot of land owned by – Phil. I guess that helps clarify the event name for you now! Phil gladly lets the club use his family's large tract of property located a few miles from town for events and club runs. In turn, the club clears and keeps the trails active. There is a large clearing that serves as base camp each year and the club and guests fill most of it for the event. Trails come in all levels of difficulty, and kids are encouraged to attend (I think more than a few were eying the prize I won at the end of the night). This is definitely a family type of event. Grant Cole from Top Five Racks joined me for the run up to Bob and we arrived quite late but not too late for a few pieces of cold pizza and time to chat before finding a place to crash for the night. The club holds registration in the town of Bobcaygeon then escorts the guests to camp. While there is camping at the event most guests use the local hotels and B&B's for accommodation, as it is such a short drive to Phil's spread. 
Mike Roy gives his 1977 CJ-5 a little fuel while playing in a muddy section of the Back 40 trail. His CJ is equipped with an AMC 304 and stock 3 speed tranny and Dana 20 t-case. To pitch the mud he uses a set of 35-inch Pitbull Rocker tires. Even though I have been to Bob a few times, I haven't gone through the little town itself. Bobcaygeon is very quaint and is at the confluence of two large lakes (Sturgeon and Pigeon Lake) that connect to other smaller lakes such as Buck Horn and Chemong, which together make a great chain for boating through the region. A lock to the west at Fenelon Falls raises boaters to Cameron Lake, part of the Trent-Severn waterway. The area is a favorite with the cottage crowd and offers trails for summer and winter use, though some have come under pressure as of late for the off-road crowd in the summer. Once I got to the event site, Grant and I split up and took on two different trails. I rode as a passenger (since the Yukon that GM lent me wasn't exactly a trail machine), while Grant took on one of the harder trails. 
The vehicles at the event came in all sizes from YJ with Dana 60 axles and 44-inch Boggers to ken Wilson's 1947 Willys. Our group consisted of a variety of vehicles, including a few Cruisers, an early Willys and a standard assortment of CJ/YJ/TJ Jeeps. The trail twists through typical Ontario forest and is dotted with muddy bogs, tight trees and short drop-offs. At several points we needed to assist vehicles through sections as they got bogged down in the deep, dark mud. Our trail saw its share of breakage, with the $500 YJ I was riding in popping a front axle, and a TJ snapped a rear driveshaft on one of the optional steep climbs. We had a range of driver experience in our group and some needed more coaching than others. All in all, it was a great trail for all and very challenging for some. Grant also enjoyed the harder trail he ran. 
Ryan McIntyre started to get his 2004 TJ Rubicon hopping on one of the optional obstacles and broke the yoke on his rear axle. Lucky for all the trail is close to camp and only a tub strap was needed to get him over a few logs on his way out. Back at camp the club put on a full steak spread with kettle corn. They also erected a huge tent that came in handy during the unpredictable weather the week was bringing. We all enjoyed the food, company and prizes, of which there were plenty (even an extra draw that I won!). I think it cost me more to ship the Razor electric bike home than it would have been to buy one (I don't think I could squeeze it into my carry-on bag for the plane ride home). But hey! I never win anything so I was going to take it at any cost! While I was only able to attend one day of the two-day trail event I had a great time with all the club members and guests that were there. Chatham is located off the 401 near Windsor, Ontario. If you live in the area, drop in on one of the clubs meetings – they are a great group of wheelers to hang out with and it may turn out to be the club for you to join! 
Behind Ryan (before the break) is Bud Pitchford in his lifted 1992 YJ and Richard Clark in his 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser. 
Richard Clark from Frankford, ON took a winch after after he got sideays in his 78 Cruiser on one of the steep hill climbs. All makes and models of Jeeps are welcome to join CUJO Jeep® Club. However, if you wish to off-road, your vehicle must be in a safe condition and be insured. Voting membership is restricted to those living within 150 km of Chatham, Ontario. CUJO is a family oriented club that practices Tread Lightly™ and proper etiquette when on the trails. In order to protect our image within the community we do not allow drugs or alcohol on the trails. This is both dangerous and illegal. Vehicles, at the very least, for the first time off-roading should be equipped with a set of receiver hooks front and back and by the second run the owner of the vehicle should have a tug strap onboard for extraction purposes. Please take the time to go here and review the mandatory club requirements for trail riding. The list provided will not only make your vehicle safer on the trails, it will also make your outings more enjoyable. 
Ken Wilson was letting his 13 year old son Michael take the wheel of his 1947 Willys. The small size of the Willys and the 3.8 Buick V6 and Turbo 350 auto mke for a fun rig! Before becoming a member you must attend a meeting and submit your dues with your application. The new meeting place is the All Canadian parking lot, next to Jersey's Bar on Keil. (old Co-op building). We'll be on channel 4 if you can't find us. For the winter we will be meeting in Jersey's. Your dues will be required once you have become an official member. The fee for the calendar year Jan 1 - Dec 31) is $35. You can give your dues to one of the executive at the next meeting. More details and information is available in our Club By-laws. Membership includes your profile on our web site, discounts at various vendors, guided 4x4 trail rides, Newsletter's, Website classifieds. Also included is a vote at meetings for coming runs and club activities. President: George McFadden  |
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