Gordon,

My camera had a quad accident itself a while back so it is not functional. so yeah bring yours.



Bob "Insert your own concept of wit here" Bobman

 

My camera should be there, and I can usually get some pretty good pics with it.

The hard part about it, would be getting me to actually upload the pics for others to observe/admire.

 

I'm going to Stillwater tomorrow & am thinking of taking my 4 wheelers. Does anyone know the best place to ride? I understand there are 2 or 3 places to ride, So any input will be helpful. If anyone is that way tomorrow or Monday, Give me a call at (405) 584-0921.

Thanks,

Jason

 

Brink,
I've been to Stillwater's "Mud, Sweat and Gears" trailhead a few weeks ago during my research and this is what I found.

There is NO on-duty person at the trailhead to take your money. Instead, you have to purchase your "yearly" permit in town (choice of 3 different locations) for $25.00 per person, per year. They may have family permits that I'm not aware of - maybe someone else on here would know.
Once you purchase your permit, they will give you the combination/key to the park, let yourself in, and ride at your own leisure.
In my opinion, this management system is not effective, but works great for the people who want to "cheat the system".

Anyway, they have 500 acres to ride on, but I have no info on if they are fun trails or not.

I think that I read that Cooperland has 40 acres of trails (unless that was a misprint on the website I saw it on). Not many trails could be constructed on that small partial of property.

I also noticed a track,trail south of Perkins, Ok but I didn't get the name or any info on it. The guys on this board can probably help you allot more than I can, so I'd rely on them more than me. So far, I can only respond on what I've "been told", not what I know.

James

 

James,

Where roughly is this Mud, Sweat and Gears located? Which direction and how far out of Stillwater? I will look on the web and see if I can find anything relating to it.



Bob

 

Mud, Sweat and Gears is located approx 5 1/2 miles southwest of Stillwater. When I visited, about 5-6 weeks ago, there was some major road construction going on that limited access to it. But, it "was" accessible. The unfortunate thing is that very few people know about the trail system. I asked 4 people before I finally found a deputy sherriff who had even heard about it. Fortunately, he new exactly where it was and gave me directions (even escorted me part of the way).

Once I got to the trailhead I found the gate was locked with no way to access the property but to hike in, which I did for about 3/4 mile. But, my wife who was with me had on street shoes so we turned back.
Back at the trailhead I found a sign that had 3 different locations with phone numbers on it where you could buy a permit to ride the trails. I finally reached someone at the 3rd number I called (which is understandable since it was a weekend and the other 2 numbers were to the Park Director's office and another ATV dealership).

The person who answered the phone identified themself as a member of the Stillwater Trail Riders Club. She stated that "they" take care of the trail system and informed me that, if I would drive back into town, she would sell me a "yearly" permit at a cost of $25.00 and give me a key/combination to the gate - no dayride fees are provided. You either join for the year or you don't ride. No exceptions.

There are NO improved ammenities provided such as electric, water, bathrooms, etc... and there is NO overnight camping allowed.

She said that some years they sell as little as 500 yearly permits and some years they sell as many as 1000 yearly permits.
If you lived in the vacinity and utilized this trail often, you would probably come out ahead. If you were a one-time visitor, you lose.

I made some subtle recommendations to her about how her club could improve attendance and generate more revenue and she soundly refused. She said, "If we get more people out there that just means we'll have to pick up after them. I can't keep up with the litter as it is, so why would I want more people coming out"?
My thoughts were two-fold:
1) I can't believe people who so desperately need places to ride would abuse the few trail systems available to them and thought that they would be getting what they deserve if the trails get shut down, and

2) If the City of Stillwater and the Stillwater Trail Riders Club would manage their trail system "properly and more adequately" they wouldn't have those problems.

Anyway, if anyone would like to visit Stillwater's Mud, Sweat and Gears trails, I would suggest calling the Stillwater City Hall and ask for the Park Director's office. They should be able to give you adequate directions to the park and answer any questions you have about permits and such.

Sincerely,
James

 

Ok Guys,
I have an idea and I want you to blow holes in it. Then it will get out of my system.

I want to rent ATVs to customers. I have checked all around Texas and there are some places in Houston, but not any in North Texas or Oklahoma.
I know insurance would be a killer,but what other items are needed. Trailers, and trucks to deliver the machines are no problem. What else am I missing.
Gordon

 

You should probably include helmets and other protection. That way, if they get hurt and they wern't wearing a helmet, they can't take you to court, cause you gave them the stuff and they didn't wear it. Also, you probably already know this, but make them sign a waver. You also might need to rent out trailers. Thats all I can think of. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Tyler

 

Gordon,

The only thing I can think of that you are missing is start up capital. The insurance as you stated would be substantial, perhaps to the point that it would not be cost efficient, perhaps that is why there are currently no such operations in the area. At least that is why I had always assumed taht there were none. I don't know anything about Texas law, ,and I do not know much about Oklahoma law, but I think that anything to do with transportation has to obtain a license from teh Corporation Commission. Now whether an ATV rental enterprise would constitute what they classify as transportation bI don't know. But you might give them a call.


Bob

 

Ok good points
If Helmets were given out, Start up capital was not a problem, Trailers, and Trucks were available. What else would you need? I think picking someone up at the airport and delivering them to the trails would be a good deal. I am just really frustrated with the dealers around here. If you can rent motorcycles, wave runners, skiboats, horses, and motor homes, why hasn't someone done the ATV rental thing.
THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING I AM MISSING!