BACKCOUNTRY ADV – DESIGNATED ROUTES KEY TO SUCCESS

Designated "jeep-type" Route for Street Legal Vehicles Only

Eldorado National Forest

Backcountry exploration on Adventure (ADV) motorcycles continues to be a popular recreation activity on public lands that also creates a significant economic benefit.  Recent studies by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Outdoor Industry Association highlight that fact.  In addition, those reports are being supported by other research such as an economic study by the Backcountry Discovery Routes organization.

BDR Adventure Bike Study

https://www.americantrails.org/images/documents/BDR_Tourism_Whitepaper_0219.pdf

QWR believes it is important for new ADV riders - who are not familiar with “OHV” travel management programs on Forest Service lands – to be sure and download a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) before planning a big ride on your favorite National Forest.

Link to MVUM Maps

https://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ohv_maps.shtml

According to agency information, the MVUM is a product of the Forest Service 2005 Final Travel Management Rule.  Those maps detail what routes have been designated for use by both street-legal and non-street legal motorized vehicles.

Travel Management Sign - Eldorado National Forest

The MVUM also displays allowed uses by vehicle class (street-legal vs. non-street legal, roads managed as trails for larger OHVs such as SxSs, vehicles less than 50 inches wide such as dirt-bikes/ATVs, and motorcycles), seasonal allowances, distance allowances, and provides information on other travel rules and regulations.

Backcountry Adventure Awaits - Eldorado National Forest

The MVUM is a black and white map with no topographic features and can be hard to read. QWR recommends that you have other information handy such as GPS tracks or a Forest Visitor Map that is more detailed.

ADV or dual-sport riding is a lot of fun and having good information on what routes are open or closed is an important key to a successful and safe backcountry experience.

Natural Wonders Await Adventure Riders in 2016

Don Amador on Mendocino NF

Exploring less-traveled backcountry forest roads on a dual-sport or adventure motorcycle is one of the reasons that riders, in growing numbers, have taken up the sport.

Road 18N04 on Mendocino NF

Because of the increased precipitation this spring in California’s Northern Coastal Range, adventure riders can experience a wide array of natural wonders that await them along the route.

High elevation meadows that have been brown for the last 4-5 years are now a lush green color.  Douglas Fir and other conifers are sprouting new growth.  The Dogwood Trees are in bloom.

Dogwood Tree

Depending on the elevation, you will see a lot of California Valley or Mountain Quail.  Deer antlers are now covered in thick velvet.

Many Blue Oaks have dense foliage and look healthier than folks can remember.  Ponderosa Pines are looking good too.

QWR just wanted to share a few photos and some thoughts from a recent trip on the Mendocino National Forest in the hopes that some of you will take the opportunity to explore and enjoy some of our natural treasures in 2016.

See you on the trail.

Adventure and Dual Sport Recreation is Growing Segment of OHV-Related Economy

Don Amador at 2014 Lost Coast

 Dual Sport Adventure Ride

According to a 2012 Economic Impact Study from the Outdoor Industry Association, OHV related expenditures have an estimated $66 billion dollar fiscal benefit to the nation’s economy.

Motorized recreationists stay in hotels, use campgrounds, buy fuel, purchase vehicles and accessories, patronize grocery stores, and order parts.

According to Motorcycle USA.Com, The Dual segment (adventure/dual-sport motorcycles) continues to enjoy the most robust growth trend in the US motorcycle industry.  However, they note that the total sales for the 1^st quarter of 2014 for the on/off-road capable bikes were 7644 units which is about ½ the number of  Off-Highway motorcycles sold.

QWR believes that Dual motorcycle recreation will continue to grow in popularity and import as part of the OHV recreation economic equation.   Other recreation leaders appear to share that view as well.

John Lane, Founder of Rocky Mountain Adventure Riders, states, “Most dual-sport, adventure riders stay in a hotel and eat in restaurants.  I am amazed as I travel throughout Colorado on a regular basis, by how many DS/Adventure bikes I see parked at motel/hotels and restaurants.” 

Dual Riders at Grocery Store on CO/UT Border

 (photo credit: Don Riggle)

Motorcycle icon and publisher, Don Emde, says, “Adventure bikes open up unlimited opportunities for riders to expand their horizons and experience new riding areas around the United States and the world.”

Mattole Road South of Ferndale, CA

QWR believes there are a number of factors that are contributing to the rise in popularity of Adventure motorcycling.  First, the 2005 Forest Service Travel Management Rule resulted in the closure of thousands of miles of forest roads historically used by non-street legal dirt-bikes.  This resulted in riders purchasing dual-sport motorcycles so they could connect between various trail networks.

Second, many non-traditional  “off-road motorcycle” interests from the tech world, conservation movement, 4x4 community, and other stakeholder groups have found that Adventure riding is a great way to escape the city and experience the great outdoors.

Third, adventure and dual-sport motorcycles can also serve as commuter vehicles during the week.

The aforementioned observations are based on QWR’s work at a number of adventure/dual-sport rides including the Oakland Motorcycle Club’s SheetIron 300 Dual Sport Ride and the North Bay Motorcycle Club’s Lost Coast Dual Sport Adventure Ride.

Dual Sport Riders Ready for Take Off at SheetIron 300

QWR looks to expand our Adventure Bike Module in 2015 to better serve the exploring community and promote the many benefits of Dual motorcycling to both the riders and economy.  This addition will enhance our ongoing efforts to champion responsible non-street legal and street legal motorized recreation on public roads, trails, and areas.

  

Adventure Riders Are Part of the Land Use Equation

"New Regulations" Close Adventure Route

QWR believes that Adventure Riders are part of the OHV family and an important factor in the land-use equation. 

QWR's Don Amador with 2006 Tiger 955i 

   

Continued access to high quality adventure-type roads and trails is under constant pressure from a growing number of laws, regulations, and rules that determine if those routes are open or closed.

The Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Travel Management, legislation, litigation, political pressure, and funding are all factors that open or close gates on public lands. 

Although many adventure riders have OHV experience, there are many new riders that come from a street or non-OHV background.   Dealing with the avalanche of rules and regulations that govern motorized access to federal lands is something that some adventure riders are not familiar with.

"Gate Open" for Adventure

QWR would like to urge the adventure bike community to continue their efforts to become engaged in land-use issues and/or support those organizations and businesses that advocate for responsible motorized recreational access to public roads and trails.

California North Coast Adventure Ride Report

QWR's Don Amador at Intersection of Bald Mountain Road

and Snow Camp Road

 

The coastal mountain range in the Eureka, California area offers the dual-sport or adventure rider a lot of high-quality backcountry experiences.  While on a recent 190 mile dual-sport trip with local off-roaders to review travel management issues on the Six Rivers National Forest, l had the privilege to enjoy many of the historic non-paved and paved road segments that circle north from Eureka and out through the old logging towns of Blue Lake and Korbel, south through sections of the Forest, and back west to Eureka via Highway 36 and the Kneeland Road.

Bald Mountain Road and Snow Camp Road Intersection GPS

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=D40jV/40.88027N/123.87090W

 

 

 

 

East Intersection of Chism Road and Hwy. 299

 

 

Leaving Korbel we took Bald Mountain Road east and turned left on Snow Camp Road to Lord Ellis Summit where we hit Highway 299.  After following Highway 299 east for a few miles, we turned left on Chism Road and stayed on that route until it joined up once again with Highway 299.  A short jaunt east on that highway took us to the top of Berry Summit where we turned right on Titlow Road. 

 

Forest Highway One

 

Route One GPS

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=D447K/40.86590N/123.73390W

 

After lunch at the world famous Burger Bar (located in a circa 1960s-era travel trailer) in Mad River, we headed west on Highway 36 where we gassed up at Dinsmore.  After gas, our journey took us west to Bridgeville (I think the entire town is still for sale!) where a right turn placed us on the Kneeland Road which is the mostly non-paved back entrance to Eureka.

 

Bridge at Yager Creek

 

We stopped at Yager Creek for a break and saw some pretty large trout in the steam below the bridge.  Not too far north of the bridge was the Iagua Ranch where supposedly some scenes were shot in a recent sci-fi movie.

Road Through Iagua Ranch

 

Many of you have journeyed on these routes before, but I wanted to share this info with the growing number of new riders who have joined the dual-sport/adventure family.  There are plenty of great hotels or campgrounds to stage from in the Eureka area.  The town also has a lot of cool places to visit including the Carson Mansion, Fort Humboldt, and the Samoa Cookhouse.

 

Carson Mansion

 

Be sure and stop by the Six Rivers National Forest HQ in Eureka and get one of their Forest Maps as there are lots of  two-track dirt roads to explore off of Route One.

 

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QWR Trail Tip for CA - Purchasing a Dual-Sport Motorcycle in 2013

QWR's Factory Plated 500 EXC Dual-Sport

 

QWR has been getting a number of questions from riders in California asking about the purchase of a dual-sport motorcycle or doing a dual-sport conversion on a “Green-Sticker” off-highway motorcycle.

 

In the late 1990s, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) determined that it was illegal to register off-highway motorcycles for street use unless they were CARB or EPA certified for highway use.   QWR believes that decision was based on an ever changing regulatory climate that has become a foundation block of this state.

 

Today, the dual-sport enthusiast has only two legal options in the State of California.  One, they can purchase a street-legal dual-sport that came from the factory as such.  Or, they can purchase a used “Green-Sticker” off-highway motorcycle that was purchased new by December 31, 2003 and where the owner had initiated its dual-sport conversion with the DMV no later than January 31, 2004.

The 1st Land-Use Battle Bike - a 1995 Honda XR600 that was

Plated BEFORE the DMV Deadline

 

QWR believes that travel management and other land-use restrictions has increased the demand for street-legal dual-sport motorcycles so that riders can connect various trail networks that are separated by paved roads where non-street legal motorcycles are prohibited.

 

Based on that demand, the Industry has responded with a wide variety of factory plated dual-sport motorcycles.  QWR urges riders who are getting into the dual-sport market to do their research and find that new or used dual-sport motorcycle that both meets their need and complies with California law.

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