WHAT'S NEW

The board has been approached by onX Offroad about participating in their club group buy program, which would give all PPO members a significant discount on annual onX Offroad Elite subscriptions. This is a great opportunity for our members to save money on what many of us consider an essential tool for trail navigation and trip planning. However, participating in the group buy requires an upfront commitment from the club treasury to secure the discounted rate for our membership.

We'll need to put this to a member vote at the January meeting to determine if the club should allocate funds toward this program. Depending on participation levels and treasury balance, we may also need to discuss a potential modest increase in annual membership dues to cover the cost. Please come prepared to discuss the pros and cons—this is your club, and we want to make sure everyone has a voice in how we spend our funds. If you can't make the meeting, reach out to any board member to share your thoughts beforehand.

It's that time of year again—time to start planning our annual club camping and overlanding trip for 2026! Last year's trip to the San Juans was an absolute blast, and we're looking to make next year even better. We want to hear from YOU about where we should go. Whether it's a Colorado classic like the Alpine Loop, an out-of-state adventure to Moab or the Rubicon, or somewhere completely off the beaten path, we want all ideas on the table.

When submitting ideas, please include approximate dates that work for you, estimated difficulty level, and any logistical considerations (permits, reservations, etc.). The more detail you can provide, the better we can evaluate each option. Let's make 2026 our best trip yet!

The holiday season is right around the corner, and that means it's time for the Pikes Peak Offroading annual holiday party! This is always one of our favorite events of the year—a chance to celebrate the season, swap stories from the trails, and enjoy some good food and company with our overlanding family. Mark your calendars and get ready for a great evening.

This year we're bringing back the White Elephant gift exchange, so come prepared with a wrapped gift (suggested value around $25-30, bonus points if it's offroad or camping related). You know the rules—steal wisely, and don't get too attached to that gift you just unwrapped!

• Price: $55 per person
• Dinner Options: Chicken Marsala, Steak and Asparagus, or Salmon and Rice
• Drinks: Cash bar available
• Gift Exchange: White Elephant style (~$25-30 value)

Please RSVP in the forums or contact Sarah by December 1st with your headcount and dinner selection. We need accurate numbers for the venue, so please don't wait until the last minute. Bring your significant other, bring your appetite, and let's close out the year in style!

Exciting news for the tech-minded members of PPO! We've set up a dedicated Meshtastic MQTT server for club use. For those unfamiliar, Meshtastic is an open-source mesh networking project that allows low-power devices to communicate over long distances without cellular coverage—perfect for backcountry adventures where cell service is nonexistent. With our club server, members running Meshtastic nodes can stay connected during trail runs even when spread out over miles of terrain.

To get login credentials for the club MQTT server, please email pikespeak.offroad@gmail.com with your callsign (if licensed) and forum username. We'll get you set up with access.

Additionally, we're partnering with the Pikes Peak Amateur Radio Club to establish a dedicated DMR talkgroup for PPO members. This gives us another communication option for those who prefer digital radio. More details on the DMR talkgroup will be announced once the partnership is finalized. If you're interested in getting your amateur radio license, several club members are happy to help you study—just ask in the forums!

What a fantastic turnout for last weekend's club range day! We had over 20 members come out to Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex to punch some paper, share tips, and enjoy perfect fall weather. A huge thanks to everyone who attended and helped make it such a great event. Special shoutout to Mike T. for bringing his precision rifle setup and letting folks try their hand at the 500-yard targets—several new shooters walked away with big smiles after ringing steel at distance. We'll definitely be planning another range day in the spring, so keep an eye out for the announcement. For those heading into the backcountry this fall with tags in hand, we wish you the best of luck—stay safe out there and may your freezer be full!