Ross,
sorry you and Dan did'nt get the tickets fixed by the DNR.I was hoping they would give a break on this?I have my own idea on what should be done to make this right for you guys,since you were following the inked part of the map,but I'd rather remain idle on my thoughts.

You are correct,permits can be issued and obtained IN ADVANCE to an event like this,rest assured that Rich will have that done for the upcoming ATV events.Nobody wants this to happen again.

I personally would LOVE to have the shoulder of the road open to us ATVers,not only in the U.P,but the L.P as well.I can maybe see that happening in the future in the U.P.I dont think the 25mph speed limit that the DNR talked about could EVER be enforced or even legal.There are far more ATVs out there WITHOUT speedometers than there are with them,so how can you know how fast your going if your ATV has no factory speedo?The more we ATVers organize,the more rights we will have.



Bill

 

Boy, am I tired of beating this drum.

My trails were checked out last year with a Sargent with the DNR in Newberry. Not the one that talked to us, but his counter part, John Cishke. I was informed that the DNR and all agencies were honoring what the townships had in place. I also talked to the townships and they were under the understanding that their resolutions and ordinances stood.

You guys (Ross especially) keep insinuating that I purposely put riders on illegal trails. I can tell you that I didn't know about the Hiawatha National Forest. My fault. When I take the time to call the DNR and sheriff, not my fault.

I did what I could do to remedy the problem. Don't think that the DNR would pull their forces just for us. There is great confusion on the county road thing. I got a ruling on it last year. I brought up the fact that Forsyth Township in Marquette County enacted an ordinance and won in court over the use on county roads. I brought this up to the agent on Friday night. He said he is aware of the case and that is one of the reasons he is pulling his officers.

I cannot say anything bad about the DNR on this one. However, while you guys were partying Friday night, I was on the phone at 12:30 am with the head of law enforcement trying to get an understanding of what we, as riders, perceive to be legal.

I have heard about enough of the crap. The MATVA did not sponsor this event. I sponsored it and worked my *** off to make it happen. Everybody had a great time. I think you will get your money back because I believe the DNR is very sketchy on what is being told to the riders.

Just be happy you had the 2 ORV stickers that I gave to you (without reimbursement). You wouldn't have gotten away with that ticket. Bill is right. Each individual has the burden on his/ her own shoulders. We tried to take the burden off and we did what we could to help.

I never told anybody to don't worry about it, the cops don't bother people on that road. I checked with the authorities and I was told before last years run, that I was legal. End of story. I am guessing that within a month or so, the county will enact an ordinance and all will be well. Until then, we will live with what we have. 6 people out of 55 got tickets. 4 deserved them. The other 2 are getting their tickets dropped (most likely). I can't do much more.

If you want to bitch, bitch at the kids that wrecked 2 bikes in town. One Friday and one Saturday. They need to hear more from older adults than me that we are not impressed. That will help the sport more than bitching at me. Luckily, neither got seriously hurt, but the wheelie driver is not to work yet.

We will do it again at the end of September. If you don't feel comfortable riding, stay home. If we just sat there and didn't call the DNR at home at midnight on a Friday night, we would have sat around all day Saturday bitching more. That is where the voices of the riders come in. I can guarantee you that the DNR has never had so many riders in one room. Next year there will be twice as many or more.

We won't quit riding. The end of September sounds great, but I don't get back from Quebec until the 26th. Don't worry about the hunters up there. There are tons of roads to ride. The hunters go a lot further in the woods than we will. Best color is last week of September, first week of October.

Hope to see you then.

Rich

 

Rich,
well said and you did indeed work your tail off for this event.In a way,im glad this happened now and not 3 yrs from now when we have 300 ATVers up and running for this event.It was a learning experience for all involved.

Count me in for the September run,I think Chuck wants to run it too.

Bill

 

Ross,

Why did they say they wouldn't drop the tickets? The sarge told me that he talked to the officer and he would drop the tickets. He also said that one of you was left of center. I don't know.

When I talk to Polceen again, I will ask him why.

I do not believe they will issue permits to break state law for an event. They may help plot a direction, but they won't issue permits to ride.

I have called my cousin who is an attorney in the Soo and he is going to contact the county commissioners and find out the status of the county wide deal.

How much are the tickets? They shouldn't be $100.

Let me know.

Rich

 

Rich my ticket says ORV on the HWY.even though we were on a county rd. nothing about being left of center. i was honest enough with the sarge to tell him that i did not cross directlly, but angled down the road to the right side. The DNR officer never said anything about any of that to me.just it was illegal to be on the road. as for the orv stickers check is in the mail ( although we did not even know we needed them )We had to use credit cards to get home had no cash. . you put on a great thing we just had bad luck, but the bigger this thing gets the more you will have to inform people on the rules and so on, if anyone can figure them out. I agree with Rich lets quit beating this drum and hope for abetter time next year. I hope that i have'nt bitched so much on this that were not welcome at the Tahquamenon. I love the U.P. plan on bringing lots of people up this winter, am tired of cadillac Ross

 

Butt, butt, butt, Ross! Cadillac's a nice area too! I like it there, got lots of hills and creeks... Be kool Ross... Chill my friend...
You're gonna win... We're all winners...
Chuck

 

HEY RICH?
I thought you said you were gonna be coming by the plant. I told you, tell them you're coming to see me and they'll let you in. Even though you don't look like anybody in my family, the guards will be OK with it...
I got a surprise the other day... I was in the office talking to others about the U.P. trip among other things and a guy called out to me, " Hey Chuck"!
I looked around and he said, "Were'nt you up north last weekend?" Yeah, I said.
"It's me, Tony", he said.
Man, that was scarey... Getting so "we" can't go anywhere and not be noticed... OK, I'm never gonna be as popular as you but we had a good time talking about the trip, after the shock.
Chuck

 

And you thought you knew a lot of people eh Chuck? I assume your talking about Tony P., the short Italian that rode my Honda. He called and asked for some prices on rebuilding a tank at your plant.

Give him the job.

He had so much fun, he caught the fever and wants to buy a bike. He'll be back.

Have a great day and I won't have the guards call you. I'll just run the gate.

Rich

 

Great! I hope Tony buys a King Quad! Then I won't have to do all the pulling when you guys get stuck... Oh! One more thing... Don't rush the gate, the guards will think you're part of my family...
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]
Chuck
ps. I'll get 'em the job too...