Last yr,
in the U.P of Michigan,myself and 7 others in our group participated in the 1st annual Poker run for ATVs in Hulburt Mi.We all had a total blast.There are 10 total stops in which to get your cards stamped at.It costs either 25or30 dollars to get your card.We covered 235 miles in a little over 2 days.Alot of wide open areas up there.The more stamps you have on your card,the better your chances are at making a better Poker hand.Chuck[Ecorman]took second place last yr and opened the bar to all in his riding group until his winnings ran dry.WHAT A GUY!You start your Poker run riding on Friday morning and check in with your stamped card late [7pm] Saturday to see who the winners are.

Myself and friend Barry rode together and shared a double motel room together.The rooms up there are not very expensive,it was like 40 dollars a night for a double occupancy room,and they have them less exspensive than that.Im planing on leaving Flint Thursday morning the 12th of July and it will take about 5+ hrs to get there from Flint.I will find a motel when I get up there and get set in and do some riding later.Some friends from the Detroit area will ride with me as well,I'll be headed back home early Sunday morning.Come join us if you can,your sure not to forget this trip!
Bill

 

MUDDY,
I sure would like to go ,But it will have to wait for next years. Sounds like a blast.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]

 

Midwest riders,

Our group (8) is coming in from WI.; Western U.P. and SW MI. and are really pumped to check out what Bill has described above. TELL your wife/significant other/husband/boyfriend/whatever that you'll be gone(oh my gosh!) for a few days or better yet bring him/her along(rentals in Newbery last I knew). We all need to support this event as it is the only one that I am aware of in the entire state! These local township boards will be unable to take back our riding areas if we 'show the money' to the locals. This is also a prime location for us 'downstaters' looking for reasonable traveling time. Quit making excuses and make this an annual event.

 

Michimaniac,
and I also urge all Michigan ATVers to join the MATVA or Mich All Terrain Vehicle Assoc.It is the largest organized ATV related association in the State of Mich.Richard Rondeau[President of MATVA] is on the ORV Board of Directors,so we ATVers FINALLY have a voice in what goes on in our sport.

He can be reached at 313-565-9310 or e-mail at matva@miatvassoc.com

And lets not forget,voices are heard IN NUMBERS,the more of us ORGANIZED ATVers,the more we get what we want in trails/laws ect.A yrs membership only cost 20 dollars for a single person or you can join the ENTIRE family for only 35 dollars a yr.


Make the differance,join a ATV club,
Bill

 

Further information on this Poker run can be had by e-mail at goupille@aol.com.Or you could call 906-876-2388.

Bill

 

Billo,

I agree wholeheartedly. From what I understand, historically there has never been an ATV group that has reached the organizational level(manufacturer sponsorship,training,etc.) that Richard(MATVA) has been able to achieve in Michigan. If this club falls on its face; it will probably be a while (if ever) before we are as represented and organized again. These clubs also function like PACS in that they need(much as most would like to ignore)........MONEY and MEMBERS! There isn't a politico in Lansing that respects a lack of either.

 

Michimaniac,
I got a call last night from a DNR officer who might be interested in joining our association.I think that would be a great contribution to have someone like that involved with us.Hope it happens,
Bill

 

Bill,

It would be great if he could spread the word about your safety training considering the larger number of riders he is able to interface with on the job. Sometimes I think part of our problem is not having the opportunity to get the word out to people on a consistent basis. Regardless, glad to have another person that beleves in what the group's about.

 

Michimaniac,
as it stands,he also is interested in becoming a Safety Instructor.I told this guy to STAY OUT OF MY AREA though!He lives really close to me and said he would like to maybe persue this safety training on a limited basis.Im planing on meeting up with him this coming Sunday and giving him some of my Safety cards to hand out instead of tickets to the under age riders.

I will spend as much time as needed to help him reach his goal.I recommended to him that we should team up as instructors if he becomes one,at least for the first few classes anyway,
Bill

 

Bill,

I'm not around kids much and probably way out of touch with what their interested in. Sure would be nice if we could get them(all ages) involved somehow with the club to ensure our efforts today aren't wasted for the future. Maybe some 'rad' stickers for their quads or a special section in our upcoming newsletter for a start. You deal with them all the time and maybe have some thoughts. Good idea on the safety cards; maybe yak over a beer at the run.

John