I just bought my Sportsman 800 last October, so I'm pretty new to the sport. I've ridden short trails on family and friends quads before, but this is my first time owning a quad. Anyhow, I'm from the Albany area in NY and looking for places to ride. I'd like to put some miles on, that is I'm not all about riding the same 1 mile loop over and over again going up and down moguls and through mud pits, etc. I like using the ATV to get me through the woods to explore places that I wouldn't be able to take my truck to. Anyhow, I know there are trails on the Tug Hill that offer long distance riding, but I'm looking for something closer to home.

I'm thinking of joining a trail club in Bennington, VT which is only about a half hour from my house. What I would like to know is if I join a trail club in. Bennington, or one near Rutland that is affiliated with VASA, can I ride all the VASA trails? I'm familiar with VT's VAST snowmobile trail system and it is awesome. I was hoping that the VASA trails would be the same. From some of the pics on the website, it looks like the kind of riding I would enjoy, with panoramic mountain views from some trails and varied terrain, etc. Ideally, I would love to be able to drive from Southern VT all the way to the Northernmost parts of the state like can be done on the snowmobile trails. Can anyone tell me if the VASA trails are like the VAST trails, or will I have to buy a membership to each trail club that I want to ride at? Thanks

 

Can someone help shed some light on this subject? The website doen't seem clear on the answer. Heck I'd be happy if someone can include a suggestion on where to put some miles on my ATV within 75 miles or so of Albany, NY. Thanks

 

I'm just guessing here but I think as long as you are a member of one of the clubs and a member in VASA (which I think is a seperate membership) you are okay. You might submit a question to VASA to fine out. http://www.vtvasa.org I have trails near some property in Barnard, VT that were just cut in, in the last few years. Nice trails. I may join up there in addition to the club I am a part of in Claremont, NH. I actually live in Massachusetts.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Lt CHEG

Can someone help shed some light on this subject? The website doen't seem clear on the answer. Heck I'd be happy if someone can include a suggestion on where to put some miles on my ATV within 75 miles or so of Albany, NY. Thanks</end quote></div>

I just saw your post.

You have to join a local club plus VASA and you can ride on any VASA trail system in VT. Our goal, (Local clubs-20 of 'em & VASA) is to some day connect all club trails through out the State of Vt. This will take time as we have to work with State land, towns and private landowners for permission of atv trails.

Much as motorcycles and snowmobiles have had to do in the past, we have to overcome the negative image of atv's.

We formed our club one year ago and have made great progress in promoting a very positive image in our community. What I consider the most important consideration is communication. And what most members appreciate is good communication about what is going on with the club and when.

FYI, our Trail Coordinator is from Glens Falls NY and 2 of our Trail Patrol members are from NY. I think they're addicted to the MT. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] We have 900 acres and alot of old roads, ski trails to discover and open. Sometimes I think they intend to do it all at once. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] But, they might do trail work/clearing for a few hrs. then take off and ride. They've been at it practically every weekend.

Right now we have an added connection to the west towards the NY border. Just have to get it (the old roads opened up) and another club WRASC is working on moving towards us.

 

Thanks for the info guys. It looks like I just have to make my way up and over to sign up for the club. If VASA can do for ATV's what VT has done for snowmobiles with VAST, then it'll likely be THE place to ride east of the Mississippi. Hopefully I'll be able to make it over this weekend.