I'm 18 years old, and I bought a honda 350 ES to keep at my family's lake house to help do some work around the house, but mostly just to have some fun. I came up here yesterday, and took it out, but had some problems keeping it running. After getting all of the kinks worked out, I decided to take it out today, and have some fun. I found this small little trail that went straight down to the lake, and then there were some fun spots at the end of the trail to take it off road and what not. I decided to take a break for lunch, and then I took it back out to the same place. Just as I was about to head back and call it a day, I saw a large white truck turning a curve. When the truck honked, I realized that I was probably in an illegal spot and the guy in that truck was pissed off about it, so I decided to jet up the trail, and try to outrun the truck. I wasn't able to lose the truck, but luckily by the time he caught up with me, I was off of the illegal property. It wasn't a real big deal, but the guy was just some old bastard that got put in charge of something, and took it a little too seriously, so why not bitch at someone when he has the opportunity. He told me that I was on property owned by the core of engineers, and that I could get a heavy fine for riding an ATV there. After that, he explained that the trail was not made for ATV's, and that an ATV would mess up the roads around it. After that, he accused me of causing a large A-frame shaped hole at the beginning of the trail that was definately already there when I discovered the trail. Okay...here's what I don't understand. Although you can say that it is illegal to ride on that property, how can it be explained that the ATV will mess up the roads when trucks can drive on those rodes, and how could a trail be off limits to ATVs when the only other mode of transportation that could make it through that trail would be on foot, which would not only be completely pointless, but it isn't near any houses or cabins that anyone could get to quickly by foot, and it is so bumpy that no old fatass trying to lose weight would leisurly walk down it to lose calories. So my question, is where is legal to ride (that's still fun), and why is this illegal???

 

OK, I am going to try and be civil about this, but in reality, I think you need a bit of an attitude adjustment. First off, the guy is right. You don't own the property, and in reality it is your reponsibility to get permission when riding an unknown area. The guy is probably citing past experience with other ATV riders when he states that they will cause damage. The fact is, he is right. Trucks etc can also cause damage, but typically you find the ATV rider uses a bit more throttle than the truck driver.

the bottom line here is the responsibilities fall on your shoulders to do the right thing. Just because you have spent the $ for your ride, does not give you a license to ride anywhere you feel like pointing it. You are lucky, in many parts of the country, your machine could have been confiscated and sold. A hard lesson that can be easily avoided if you take the time to do a little local research.

Just remember, you are probably number 6 thousand and 26 that he has had to deal with over time. And after a while even the best intentioned of us "OLD" guys lose patience. Especially when the offender runs.. and puts us at risk chasing you.

I find it interesting that instead of admiting that in reality, you were wrong, you place blame on the OLD guy with a little authority having a bad day... See our point?

 

Seems to me this kid is not out spinning tires and riding wheelies....I cannot defend him however because he did try to get away. Maybe the "OLD FART" would have a different tone if you would not have run. My 2 cents

 

I agree, the comments were not directed to him in particular with regard to riding style etc. Purely statistical in nature. I mean let's face it, even the best intentioned of us have given in to urges to peg the throttle in a mud hole from time to time. I have, and I doubt there is anyone among us that hasn't. The damage that this momentary lapse in judgment causes can be a major concern. Especially if you are the one that has to clean up afterwards and make the road passable again.
I guess with age comes wisdom... we have all done what this kid did. I know I did. But my perception of right and wrong and my ability to accept the consequeces of my actions has been hard won over time. Ah the lessons of life.

 

I agree with squeege. I'm willing to bet that if chrisrocks had gone to the truck instead of running - the encounter would have been much different.

Sure - as a kid - I think most of us ran - because we were afraid we'd get yelled at, impounded, etc. but when I got older, I stopped running, and talking - even to cops. I've never been impounded or arrested, but have been asked not to ride there any more.

I think a lot of the outcome depends on one's demeanor and attitude when stopped. If you're pleasant and respectful, you have a better chance of riding away instead of being impounded.

Kudos to chrisrocks for asking where he can ride legally !!
Head to the "where to ride" forum and ask where you can ride in your state. Even - find who the landowner(s) are in your area and talk to them - you may even get permission - you never know.

 

Being one of those that quaify for the Old Fart moniker.. I think we might have a different point of view. I think a lesson that everyone should learn, is to take teh environmental impact message to heart. We are not the only people at fault, but we are teh target of the environmental lobby. And that in it's self is a major problem. They can and do twist facts around in an attempt to get rid of ATV's for good.. and they have been pretty successful in taking our riding areas away from us one area at a time. We need to be proactive and show that we do have concerns and are taking steps to fix the problems ourselves as an industry. I know of several clubs that are taking a hands on approach to trail maintenence and building by working on bridges to cross boggy areas and protect fragile environments. These are small but important steps... and are examples that we can use to demonstrate our action. By doing things like this... we take the wind from the Enviro lobby's sails.

What we need is an awareness on everyone's part that this battle concerns us all. All of us have to pull together to protect the riding "rights" of teh younger generations. THEY need to be involved as well, otherwise they won't have anywhere to ride when they reach our level of maturity...

 

Completly agree with all of the comments. Its good that this guy came here to vent rather then to go back out a cause some real damage. Remember that old guy could be an avid ATVer just doing his job to keep the land and you safe. Some land owners just need to keep people off for liability. My dad and I love to ride on his land and we invite people over all the time in the winter after hunting season, but when people tresspass even we get alittle disgusted with the offenders. But my father tought me at a young age the best thing to do is confront the person/persons in a professional manner, educate them and explain why. This approach will hopefully squash the situation and prevent retaliation from a misinformed youth.

 

Your definetly on the right track to being a responsible atv rider in the community. Talk to other people around where you live and ask them where they ride as well. You might end up with some new friends and riding buddies(plus its safer to have at least one other person with you incase the unthinkable happens.)

 

Let me chime in as another person who has had problems with ATVs on my farm. Frustrating, as I'm an avid rider, too.

ATV's aren't the only thing that damages land, but they do cause a high amount of damage when misused or ridden destructively. So there is a reason that ATV's tend to draw a lot of flack - they can do a lot of damage.

What's especially troublesome are the city people who seem to think that if something isn't surrounded with razor wire, it's fair game. The fact is - it's your responsibility to know where you are. If you don't know where you are, you probably shouldn't be riding there, and it's almost guaranteed that you'll be getting someone mad. This is why trails get closed, and why new trails have trouble getting opened - many of us have seen what a few ignorant yahoos can do. Look at it this way: If I came tearing through your back yard, you probably wouldn't like it.

I don't like being mean, but I don't like ruts being ripped on my hills, either. Once erosion starts, it's very hard to stop. Every ticked off landowner is another vote for an ATV hating politician. We have enough of them as it is.

 

I have found out that if I talk to the offenders they listen to what I say. They may not like someone older telling them what to do but they listen. Next time I ride I think I'll invite them.