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.

Sustainable ATV (OHV) Trails Website - Must Read for Agency and Users

Mixed-Use Travel Sign - Mendocino National Forest

QWR believes the Sustainable ATV Trails website hits the mark when it states the major challenge of managing a successful trails program is providing quality recreational opportunities while protecting the resources. And, the key to a successful trail program is to develop trails that enhance and reinforce the visitors' experience.

OHV Bridge - Tahoe National Forest

QWR commends the Forest Service and project partners for creating a very informative website that highlights modern trail management strategies, concepts, and construction techniques that should be part of any 21^st Century designated OHV road or trail program.  “Looped trail opportunities” are suggested as one of the concepts that could or should be part of a motorized trail system.

Sustainable ATV Trails Website

http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/atv_trails_site/index.html

The website is a must read for line-officers, trail specialists, volunteers, stakeholder groups, state and local land agencies, or other interests who want to learn about trail management and related resource protection efforts.   It contains creative and informative videos, detailed overviews, diagrams, case studies, and links to relevant documents. 

Rolling Dip - Tahoe National Forest

This information is especially useful for Forests that are implementing a travel plan.  Forest planning teams where the unit is being changed from an “Open” for cross-country travel classification to a “Restricted” to designated roads, trails, and areas classification could benefit as well.

Here are just a few of the links contained at the website:

Trail Design and Location Video

http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/atv_trails_site/manage/trail-design-and-locations.html

Trails Unlimited - Installing arch culverts, overside/underside drains, and turf blocks

http://www.fs.fed.us/trailsunlimited/projects/training-photos.shtml

Emergency Stabilization of Roads and Trails

http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/pdf/BAERCAT/lo_res/Chap_4.pdf

Managing Trails in Wet Areas

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publications/00232839/page08.cfm#improv

If QWR could make several suggestions, it would be for the website to offer more detailed descriptions and/or examples of signs related to trail difficulty and assurance.  QWR also believes the website should include information that describes how trail delineators (rocks, fences, railroad type barriers, etc)  can be used in routine trail management or as post-emergency (i.e. wildfire) road/trail rehabilitation treatments. 

Trail Delineators - Stanislaus National Forest

Other management strategies such as companion trails or “roads managed as trails” should be offered as well.

QWR Article on Trail Delineators Used as Post-Fire Management Tool

http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2013/09/post-fire-travel-management-tools-trail.html

Again, this information is useful for anybody interested in how modern trail management techniques can be used to enhance responsible OHV recreation while protecting water quality and other natural resources.

Please feel free to share this information with interested parties.  Also, please consider giving feedback or comments.  You may contact QWR/Don Amador at: damador@quietwarriorracing.com
 for any questions.

Recreation on Private Lands - Important Factor in 21st Century

QWR believes that private lands will continue to grow as an important factor in providing high quality motorized and non-motorized recreational opportunities in the 21^st Century.   A great example of that is the new Off-Road Adventure module at Princeville Ranch located on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii.

This 2,500 acre working cattle ranch also offers horseback riding and zip line adventures.  QWR was impressed with the sustainable grazing prescription that rotates the herd on 7 separate sections.  By integrating recreation with the stock program, QWR believes the ranch provides important food products, jobs, and diverse tourism opportunities to the local economy.

Princeville Ranch joins Plum Creek, a timber management company, and many other private land interests in providing responsible OHV recreation to the public.

QWR believes this “multiple-use” approach adopted by Princeville Ranch and others can help the in-holder meets it resource and business management objectives while providing an important recreational opportunity to the public. 

QWR believes this pro-active approach to recreation management on their private lands should be looked to as a model by other landowners who are considering allowing OHV or other forms of recreation on their in-holdings.

Princeville Ranch

http://princevilleranch.com/off-road-adventure/

Plum Creek Recreation Program

http://www.plumcreek.com/PlumCreek/media/Library/PDFs/Recreation/Plum-Creek-Northern-Hunting-Program.pdf?fileticket=gDT49PaetUY%3D&tabid=142&mid=794

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Wildfires are Not a Laughing Matter - Simple Tips for OHV Recreationists

With wildfires burning throughout the West, QWR wants to remind OHV enthusiasts to follow the recommendations from the BLM and other land management agencies to… “Never park a vehicle over dead grass; the catalytic converter can ignite the vegetation…”

2012 Mill Fire Impacts to OHV Staging Area

 QWR also strongly supports the proper use of a well-maintained USDA Forest Service Approved spark arrestor when operating an OHV on public lands.

Link to Forest Service Spark Arrestor Guide

http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/html/03511307/03511307.htm

Another suggestion for operating an OHV during the fire season is for the operator to remove any vegetation that has gotten trapped in the vehicle frame or body.  Our land management friends in Canada produced a short and informative video about the need to rid our vehicles from any buildup of dead grass or other vegetative debris when out on the trail.

ESRD Alberta Canada PSA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6vPd6a3-5U

QWR believes that OHVs can be operated safely during the summer months if riders and operators follow many of the common sense regulations and guidelines that will help prevent wildfires and allow us to continue our recreational activities on public lands.