QWR always encourages riders to meet with agency
representatives to discuss issues ranging from event permits, trail
volunteerism, and construction of new trails or reroutes. Those meetings can often help clarify issues
which may then lead to a resolution where FS/BLM/OHMVRD officials can provide
enhanced OHV opportunities while meeting their unit’s resource management
goals.
That philosophy was highlighted during the Region 5
Forest Service report today at the California State Park Off-Highway Motor
Vehicle Recreation Commission meeting in Palmdale, CA. The report found that “Q format” enduros ARE
NOT speed events, hence they can be held on Forest Service lands.
R5 credited the February 5, 2015 meeting that QWR, AMA, BRC,
and AMA Dist. 36 had with recreation staff at the regional office in Vallejo,
CA, for helping clarify questions the agency had regarding the new Q enduros.
As many motorcycle clubs know, there is growing support
for “Q format” enduros which are popular with new and old riders alike. The simplified timekeeping makes it easy for
novice riders and competitors from other amateur non-enduro motorcycle events
to make the transition to enduros.
Like regular enduros, Q events measure the skill of the
rider over trails of varying difficulty.
Roads are sometimes used to connect up these high skill test
sections. There are known checks and
special test sections where riders accumulate points.
QWR’s, Don Amador, states, “I think the FS report to the
commission gets enduro clubs a lot closer to being able to hold Q enduros on
National Forests in California. Until individual
Forests get more familiar with Q enduros, it will be incumbent for clubs to
take extra time to ground-truth the course route with FS OHV staff. Time spent in the field will be the key to
having a successful district-wide Q enduro program.”
“I believe that improved communication/collaboration/education
between clubs, the regional office, and individual Forests on issues such as Q
enduros will lead to more riders and their families enjoying group sport
activities together on public lands. And,
that is a good thing,” Amador concludes.
PS – Big thanks to AMA’s, Nick Haris, and AMA Dist. 36’s
LAO, Dave Pickett, for helping make this happen. Credit also to the agency for taking time to
listen to our concerns.
