My answer ain't going to sound like the majority of the other responses, but I want yall to understand that I ain;t trying to be a smartass, this is just how I feel about it. I'm not a member of any clubs or nothing like that, and it sounds like they would be a pain in the butt. To me it's like it takes the fun out of the "sport" as ya'll call it. Sounds more like a "job" than a "sport".....trail maintenance, meetings, membership dues, etc.,.etc.,.etc..... Maybe clubs work for some folks in some areas, but around here, we work our tails off every day , and every now and then, we get a few extra minutes so we hop on our atvs and ride a little! ............I might have taken it wrong , but I don't have to be a member of a club to ask questions or answer questions or even voice my opinion on this web-sight! ..................just because someone is a club-member , does'nt make 'em better than me!

 

Hey Scram - I'm from Omaha, Nebraska and there are no areas to ride in eastern Nebraska. There is only one ATV club the Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association (NOHVA). They are a relativley small club that has a hard time getting the attention of our local government. I joind four years ago when I first moved to Omaha from Maryland. I then quit the club and sold my ATV for lack of support and riding areas.

I just bought a brand new ATV and again find myself looking for places to ride that don't require a half day trip. My problem is I have so many hobbies and belong to so many clubs (tournament bass fish, state racquetball tournamnet, hunting and of course work! I find it difficult to really make a difference. I try to do my part my giving dues to my NOHVA ATV club, however I'm realistic and don't expect much.

 

Scarey - Ease up man! That's fine if you don't want to join a club. I think you missed the point. This web "sight" (I know this thing needs spell check but geesh!) is intended to help share information not to criticize ideas. Besides no body on the web site is saying they are better than you by participating in clubs and trail maintenance. Have a nice day. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

The fact of the matter is the ones that do nothing but bitch about the lack of riding area's are usually the ones that dont give some type of support to a riding association or club.If you do nothing to support your riding sport,dont bitch about the lack of riding areas!A single voice to support the wants needs/interests of your riding sport will go UNHEARD.Voices in NUMBERS,you can bet that others will listen.

In Michigan,the cyclists have the Cycle Concervation Club.The snowmobilers have their own snowmobile associations to.These guys have 1000s of members.ATVers,on the other hand,are now just STARTING to get organized.And until we become organized,legislators/politicians will CONTINUE to make laws that support the best interest of greenies and other tree huggin idiots that have nothing better to do than bitch about the endangered,and rare yellow spotted cobweb that we ATVers may hit while travling the trail.So bye bye to the trail you USED to ride.It now belongs to the yellow spotted cobweb.In closing,I'd like to also extend my hand out to other ATVers and ORVers that do trail maintenance.Without YOUR continued efforts,our sport would die.And those of you that have done this work before,know it is not a real easy task at times.Lets all gel together and soon we to will be as strong as the other Off Roaders!
You by yourself=NOTHING!
Strength in NUMBERS=RESULTS!

Bill

 

Scaryfast,
Thank you for stating your position. Now here's my personal opinion if I may. There is tons of excellent riding around my area and up to 6-8 hours away if you want to travel. Some is private, some is state, the rest is federal. I do not feel I need to belong to a club to ride today or in the future. This is America and I am a taxpayer. I choose to use my congressman to voice my concerns and ideas about ATV activities. If they do not hear me, they don't get my vote. Now I am not saying that clubs/dues are bad, they are just not for me. 99% of the people I meet on the trails are non-members and are responsible riders having a great time. I have been riding almost 35 years and today is as fun as the first day. I think 1 voice can make a differance if you believe in what you are saying and stand your ground. Save your money.....

 

I have been a member of the Blue Ribbon Coalition for several years but did not renew when it came due again. I got disgusted trying to get them to give us information on certain issues in PA to combat the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club is trying to block everyone from doing anything but breathing here in PA and think they are the spokesman for the entire outdoor community. They are anti everything. I asked the BRC for information on certain issues that could be used to combat negative editorials in local newspapers. First to a BRC representative, then the pres., but no one would even respond. Finally I called and talked to a secretary that basically told me that they were "too busy" to help.

I informed her that I will be "too busy" to send in my $$ to renew my membership the next time around. It is my opinion that the BRC will jump on anyone who even threatens to spit in the dirt on our western lands. But here in PA and the east in general, our issues are not important enough to gather their interest. I've not seen them involved in "one issue" here in PA, which tells me they just don't care. Go ahead, try to find one issue in PA that the BRC has publicly been involved with.

What have you done for us in PA lately BRC? . . . not much!

Trader Jack

 

Jack,
I understand your position and I also agree with you.If the BRC has no time or interest in you or your concerns,than they really need to re-organize where they are focusing their efforts at.I dont blame you for your bitterness.


Baddad920,
so you think that one voice can make a differance if you beleive in what your saying and stand your ground?GREAT!Since you are also from Michigan,and have been riding for 35 yrs,I'd like to request that YOU ''stand your ground''and get back all the ATV riding area's that we ATVers lost in the Lower Penninsula in 1991.Dont forget to use your Congressman to voice your concerns and idea's to!Than after he blows YOU away,please come into this same Forum and tell all of us how just YOUR one voice made a differance in Michigans ATVing?PLEASE,get the L.P riding area's back for us?I know im coming on pretty harsh with these statements,but I speak the truth.YOU alone will make NO differance in Mich ATVing no matter who you talk to.Thats just the hard facts.

The reason that 99% of the ATVers on Mich trails are not members of ATV clubs is because there were no ''ORGANIZED'' ATV clubs in the State of Michigan before MATVA.I know this wont change your mind about many things,but I felt compelled to speak my mind on this subject,it can be a touchy issue.

Happy Trailing,
Bill

 

Bill --

The AMA is only interested in competition.

I think it's time that there was a national ATV organization, and not be the poor stepchild of the AMA or any other organization for that matter. ATV riders have many other issues, particularly trail and open land issues to deal with that the ama does not get involved with.

With the growth in atv sales the past several years you would think that there could be a national organization that could have local affiliate clubs belong. There is not such a hierarchy set up yet that I'm aware of in the USA.

Maybe it's time . . .

 

Scarey - Ease up man! That's fine if you don't want to join a club. I think you missed the point. This web "sight" (I know this thing needs spell check but geesh!) is intended to help share information not to criticize ideas. Besides no body on the web site is saying they are better than you by participating in clubs and trail maintenance. Have a nice day.
..........sitndux - I think that perhaps you are missing the point. The first question was "How many of us on this board belong to a riding club or group"? I would not have replyed to this question, but later he asked "Why don't many of you belong to clubs"? This I replyed to. I warned that my response was divergent. I did not criticize anyone's ideas about clubs or groups. I did share information about why I did not belong to a club. Whether you or anyone else agree or disagree with me, this is still my answer to his question. And by the way "no body" does not have a space.geesh! Have a nice day.

 

Scary and BadDad...

I am in no way criticizing or trying to demean either of you by asking this question.

Up until approx 2 months ago I was not overly concerned about joing a club or organization. I did not feel there was any benifit or really a need to do this. I had areas that were "safe" to ride and thought I was in no danger of falling victim to what I had heard so many others talk about with regards to losing riding trails. But then one afternoon riding in what was my favorite spot and had been for 22 years I was fined 140.00 and change and I was also informed that this area was no longer available to ride. If I return the next fine would be more because it would be a second offence.

I was upset to say the least but not so much about the money but that I was now left with very limited choices to ride without driving 2 hours. How did this happen? The sad part is I dont even know. I had no knowledge that there were any issues about my riding area and how I could have helped. Maybe being part of a club would have made no difference whatsoever but then again maybe it would have. I will never know.

I also work very hard at my job Scary and put in long hours. I only get to ride about once a month or so. If me paying some dues to a group that has enough members to truely be heard or a representative that has the ability to help keep me informed then to me its well worth it. I dont feel that your philosophy of one voice is very realistic in todays world BadDad not when the Sierra club and other "green" groups have the ability to speak for thousands and thousands of members. I wish it were that easy.

I have no less of an opinion of any of those who responded in way. I was only curious as to how far our sport has to go in order to have any future.

If we sit back and let our futures be decided by those who have no interest in ATVing then we have NO reason to ask why later.