A question for everyone that rides
Oct 3, 2001 | 01:25 AM
#22
Thread Starter
|
Pro Rider
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 282
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It seems the overall theme here is that there arent enough opportunities for us as far as riding clubs. I would have to also agree on the statement made earlier that people tend to get very quiet when asked "what are you doing to help our sport". There is still a big difference between hits and posts for this topic. 270 or so hits and 20 posts. I think this answers my question to some extent. I'm not trying to sound like a parent scolding their child but I do know from first hand expierence that we are losing trails at a very high rate. I never really concidered joing any riding clubs until very recently when I lost a riding spot of more than 20 years. I hope someone will read this post and maybe do something in their area before they lose a great spot like I did.
Oct 3, 2001 | 02:25 AM
#23
Pro Rider
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,412
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Scram-
You want more replies, so for what it's worth, I'll throw mine in. I am a contributing member to the BRC, do what I can (donate funds when I have excess available), while it isn't much, at least I know it goes towards a good cause. As far as an actual ATV club, I honestly don't know of any around my area, otherwise I'd join it as well. When trail riding, the only guys I usually ever run into are fellow hunters, and as you know, that is only during season, or possibly a weekend or two before, out scouting. The rest of the year, I am usually "solo", or with a partner, whoever I take with me, that is it, period-no other riders around. Pretty sad really. But, I do my own part for maintaining and cleaning the trails we do have available-clearing fallen trees with chainsaw and winch if necessary, removing other debris, filling in area's of erosion or divert water flow to help prevent erosion, stuff like that.
On a side note, I am currently looking for employment, and have sent 9 different application packages in to the forest service now, hoping to get hired on with them. I would love the opportunity to work with them, and maybe have a say or some impact as to what laws are being made, how the land is effected, and how the "public" is concerned with our national forests and other public lands that may be available to us, or taken away for that matter. Granted, even if I am lucky enough to get accepted in, I probably won't be able to do much alone, but even getting one of us on the inside is a start.
Best of Luck, and Happy Trails!
Mike
You want more replies, so for what it's worth, I'll throw mine in. I am a contributing member to the BRC, do what I can (donate funds when I have excess available), while it isn't much, at least I know it goes towards a good cause. As far as an actual ATV club, I honestly don't know of any around my area, otherwise I'd join it as well. When trail riding, the only guys I usually ever run into are fellow hunters, and as you know, that is only during season, or possibly a weekend or two before, out scouting. The rest of the year, I am usually "solo", or with a partner, whoever I take with me, that is it, period-no other riders around. Pretty sad really. But, I do my own part for maintaining and cleaning the trails we do have available-clearing fallen trees with chainsaw and winch if necessary, removing other debris, filling in area's of erosion or divert water flow to help prevent erosion, stuff like that.
On a side note, I am currently looking for employment, and have sent 9 different application packages in to the forest service now, hoping to get hired on with them. I would love the opportunity to work with them, and maybe have a say or some impact as to what laws are being made, how the land is effected, and how the "public" is concerned with our national forests and other public lands that may be available to us, or taken away for that matter. Granted, even if I am lucky enough to get accepted in, I probably won't be able to do much alone, but even getting one of us on the inside is a start.
Best of Luck, and Happy Trails!
Mike
Oct 3, 2001 | 07:37 AM
#24
Pro Rider
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Michimaniac::
Just how many times have you offered or for that matter even shown for a trail cleanup/grooming on any trail in Michigan other than just to use it!!
Well, Baddad, I can only assume that you are a fellow member involved in trail maintenance that presently involves 4 trails(out of how many) on the northeastern side of the state. I live in SW MI.(probably wouldn't make a difference to you if it was extreme western Upper Peninsula)and rode with/volunteered personally to the head of trail maintenance for our club. This involved a trail that he had been trying to release from the DNR that is reasonable for me to travel to on a regular basis. I just prepaid my 2002 dues 6 mos. in advance,donated to an upcoming fundraiser I won't be able to attend and let Rich know regularly that I'm here to help when needed(enough for right now?) I suggest you contact Richard; have him give you any information you need to contact me personally and keep your personal attacks in person and off this forum for the good of our club. Always availiable for you, Baddad.
John S.(probably only member in SW MI. when you get with Rich)
DJ425,
The website for an atv club in southern MI. is www.michiganatv.com ; believe me, we do NOT have the attitude as expressed above and would welcome your opinions/support any way possible. Funny, this is exactly how this thread started; sick and tired of the bashing.............
Just how many times have you offered or for that matter even shown for a trail cleanup/grooming on any trail in Michigan other than just to use it!!
Well, Baddad, I can only assume that you are a fellow member involved in trail maintenance that presently involves 4 trails(out of how many) on the northeastern side of the state. I live in SW MI.(probably wouldn't make a difference to you if it was extreme western Upper Peninsula)and rode with/volunteered personally to the head of trail maintenance for our club. This involved a trail that he had been trying to release from the DNR that is reasonable for me to travel to on a regular basis. I just prepaid my 2002 dues 6 mos. in advance,donated to an upcoming fundraiser I won't be able to attend and let Rich know regularly that I'm here to help when needed(enough for right now?) I suggest you contact Richard; have him give you any information you need to contact me personally and keep your personal attacks in person and off this forum for the good of our club. Always availiable for you, Baddad.
John S.(probably only member in SW MI. when you get with Rich)
DJ425,
The website for an atv club in southern MI. is www.michiganatv.com ; believe me, we do NOT have the attitude as expressed above and would welcome your opinions/support any way possible. Funny, this is exactly how this thread started; sick and tired of the bashing.............
Oct 3, 2001 | 05:16 PM
#25
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4
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Now,Now Michimaniac;
Please do not blow a fuse and over-react. The point here was that after reading all your threads and numerous reminders to all of your status and major commitment/involvement to the MATVA, we were just looking for some true examples of your actual work on the Michigan trail system. Not offers to work, but actual work. Knowing this we were going to make you our HERO.....SORT OF OUR MAN CARRYING THE TORCH... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]
Please do not blow a fuse and over-react. The point here was that after reading all your threads and numerous reminders to all of your status and major commitment/involvement to the MATVA, we were just looking for some true examples of your actual work on the Michigan trail system. Not offers to work, but actual work. Knowing this we were going to make you our HERO.....SORT OF OUR MAN CARRYING THE TORCH... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]
Oct 3, 2001 | 05:27 PM
#26
Range Rover
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
I am a BRC member, ATVA member and an AMA member. There are no ATV clubs in this area(wish ther were). Have contemplated starting a club. And who knows, in time it may happen! As for now myself and a few other friends get together to do maintenance on our trails.
Oct 3, 2001 | 06:52 PM
#27
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 0
Baddad920,
Now just how did you expect John to react to a post like yours?Keep in mind,not EVERY ATV associated member is able to contribute his/her time for all the things that are important to an ATV association.So if John can NEVER devote a second of his spare time to trail maintenance,thats Johns business and no one else needs to bother him with questions directed as such.I have personally met John and can tell you that his dedication to being part of a sucessful ATV related Association is not lacking.And he has many posts that remind fellow ATVers of the importance of such involvement in these clubs ect.That in its self is a HUGE contributing factor to the sucess of our sport.
You come on a little strong with your sarcastic question to him,lighten up,Johns a great contributer to the sport.
Sincerly,
Bill
Now just how did you expect John to react to a post like yours?Keep in mind,not EVERY ATV associated member is able to contribute his/her time for all the things that are important to an ATV association.So if John can NEVER devote a second of his spare time to trail maintenance,thats Johns business and no one else needs to bother him with questions directed as such.I have personally met John and can tell you that his dedication to being part of a sucessful ATV related Association is not lacking.And he has many posts that remind fellow ATVers of the importance of such involvement in these clubs ect.That in its self is a HUGE contributing factor to the sucess of our sport.
You come on a little strong with your sarcastic question to him,lighten up,Johns a great contributer to the sport.
Sincerly,
Bill
Oct 3, 2001 | 08:55 PM
#29
Pro Rider
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 286
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Bill,
I do appreciate you taking the time to say what you did. I'm sure there's nothing more constructive that would come out of this keyboard by continuing and I thank you for putting an end to it. If these replies are bashing for entertainment sake; hope you enjoyed it as I'm going to take a break. I guess we'll always have to wade through those who 'just want to have some fun' to get to those that want to help and take a chance on people they don't know.
Thanks again,
John
I do appreciate you taking the time to say what you did. I'm sure there's nothing more constructive that would come out of this keyboard by continuing and I thank you for putting an end to it. If these replies are bashing for entertainment sake; hope you enjoyed it as I'm going to take a break. I guess we'll always have to wade through those who 'just want to have some fun' to get to those that want to help and take a chance on people they don't know.
Thanks again,
John
Oct 4, 2001 | 01:13 PM
#30
Trailblazer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 62
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My wife and I just joined MATVA a few days ago. We're hoping to get involved in some group activities soon. Sorry we can't make the trail maintenance on Saturday, but we've had the M6 event at Stanton planned for a couple months now [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]