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.

  

Nor Cal Redwood Empire/Coastal Dual Sport Adventure Ride - Oct. 4/5

OHV recreation creates an estimated $66 billion dollar benefit to the U.S. economy each year according to a 2014 California State Park OHV Commission Report.  In California, that yearly fiscal boost amounts to approximately $9-10 billion.

QWR believes the growing “Adventure/Dual-Sport” community is an important element of that equation with much of that benefit coming to rural areas where many adventure/dual-sport rides take place.

For riders who enjoy the SheetIron 300 Dual Sport Ride that occurs each year in May that goes from Stonyford to Fort Bragg and back, there is another premium ride opportunity coming in a few weeks.

The Lost Coast Dual Sport Adventure Ride is back for 2014.  The dates are October 4 and 5. Riders will stage in Ukiah from a large private parking area with plenty of space for RVs.  The two day adventure will take participants on a tour of the Coastal Mountain Range with scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, old logging towns, rivers, redwoods, cool dirt roads, and spectacular forest and rangeland vistas.

Link to Lost Coast Dual Sport Adventure Ride Flyer

http://www.northbaymc.org/docs.ashx?id=178002

Riders will stay in hotels in Fortuna on Saturday night where there is some good dining available.  This two day adventure in the Redwood Empire is not to be missed and it gives participants a good opportunity to help support the sport and local economies.

QWR will be there with its sound tech station and will also be riding the event with its new Adventure Bike Module to document the sights and sounds of riders enjoying this rare opportunity to sample the natural wonders of this part of California.  See you there.

  

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.

 

# # #

 

 

 

 

Post-Fire Recon at Stonyford OHV Area

QWR’s Sound Trails Initiative spent a few days last week working with Forest Service staff doing a post-fire assessment.  As some of you know, about 3/4ths of the designated trail system at the Stonyford OHV Area on the Mendocino National Forest was decimated by a wildfire that was started by two lost hikers in July.  

 

The Stonyford OHV Area is the largest Forest Service destination area in Northern California.   While there is no direct access to the trail system for non-street legal OHVs out of the main camping areas at Davis Flat and Fouts Springs, dual-sport motorcyclists can access a large number of non-burned trails by simply riding a few miles up M10.  Non-street legal OHVs can be trailered up M10 for a few miles where they can use system roads/trails that are open.

 

In addition, dual-sport motorcyclists can access the extensive trail network at the Upper Lake OHV Area by using the OHV corridor that links up Stonyford with Upper Lake.

 

QWR will be working with the Forest Service and volunteers over the winter months to help restore and monitor the trail system for an anticipated reopening of the main route network in late spring of 2013.

 

QWR also wants to thank all of our sponsors who make it possible for us to protect and promote responsible OHV recreation on public lands.

 

# # #