OHV Restoration Project Targets Trail Shortcuts

Shortcuts don’t have any redeeming value whether you are at work or on the trail.  While on a recent tour of various travel management prescriptions on the Mendocino National Forest, I had the opportunity to gauge the effectiveness and success of the St. John Mountain Restoration Project.

 

In 2007, the Forest applied for a restoration grant to the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s grant program to address trail shortcuts created when the unit had an “Open” to cross country travel designation.

 

 

 

The agency was awarded the grant that helped support the effort to use natural woody debris and trail barriers to rehabilitate steep routes that could have impacted water quality or affected other environmental concerns.  Signs were also part of that equation.

 

As you can see in the photographs, the project has been very successful in meeting its goal to protect natural resources.  This project also had a positive benefit in that it enhances the long-term future of managed OHV recreation in the area.

 

 

QWR believes that OHV-related restoration projects have become an important tenet of managed OHV recreation in the 21^st Century.  “Restoration” (R) can now be added as another foundation block to the three “E”s - Education, Enforcement, and Engineering as core elements of any successful motorized program.

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Trail Tip - Be a Force Multiplier

As many OHV enthusiasts head out to their favorite riding areas during the late spring and early summer, QWR wants to encourage them to become an extra pair of eyes for the land management agencies.

During the winter, trees often fall down across OHV trails forcing the casual rider to either turn around or try and bypass the obstacle using an impromptu reroute.  While OHV recreational staff works hard to keep up with the trail maintenance needs of their unit, they can’t be everywhere at once.  This is where a trail rider can help by making a mental note of where the downed tree is and report it to the agency.

Be sure and include the trail or route number of where the downed vegetation is located.  This type of user involvement is greatly appreciated by the agency.  Once notified by you, they can send the appropriate staff or trail volunteer to remove the obstacle.

With ever shrinking trail budgets, this type of public service can be a force multiplier and will help keep riding areas open. 

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Environmental Responsibility Key Tenet of OHV Recreation

Environmental responsibility is a key element of OHV recreation on state and federal lands.  It is important to know that many units are working hard in a collaborative manner with various stakeholder groups to address conservation issues associated with motorized recreation so that those OHV opportunities are preserved for future generations.

 

The Eldorado National Forest is a leader in such efforts to solve environmental challenges related to management of both casual OHV use and permitted recreation events.

CERA Leader Reroutes Enduro Course around

California Spotted Owl Nest Site

 

 

The agency is required to protect the California Spotted Owl and to safeguard owl nesting sites especially during the spring reproduction season.  Recently, the California Enduro Riders Association successfully rerouted a section of the Fool's Gold Enduro to avoid conflict with an owl nest so the event could be held.

 

QWR's Don Amador Stands at Old Low Water Crossing

Replaced by New OHV Bridge in Background

 

 

The Forest has installed a number of structures including the recently completed OHV bridge over lower Rock Creek.  This project replaced the low-water crossing along Trail 1 and ensures the long-term viability of this highly popular motorcycle route.

 

OHV Bridge Over Little Silver Creek

 

 

The OHV bridge seen in the above photograph was constructed over a perennial tributary of Little Silver Creek as part of the Rock Creek Recreational Trail’s decision document.  It replaced a low water crossing and was designed to reduce sediment delivery into the stream course.

  

QWR is believes the future of OHV recreation can be secured through actions that address important environmental challenges that are associated with motorized access in the 21^st Century.

 

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2012 Right Rider Access Fund Report

Dear Trail Enthusiast,

 

The Right Rider Access Fund (RRAF) recently released their 2012 financial and contribution report. Six OHV-related projects were funded by the program.

 

According to RRAF, it is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization created in 2011 to support off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, by supplementing the work of the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Specialty vehicle Institute of America, the Recreational off-Highway Vehicle and of other clubs, dealers and OHV organizations.

2012 Right Rider Access Fund Report
http://www.riderfund.org/downloads/Annual_Reports/2012/2012-Right-Rider-Access-Fund-Annual-Report.pdf 

The Fund was created to ensure off-highway vehicle enthusiasts can safely and responsibly operate their OHVs and access riding areas. By combining the existing support of the powersports industry associations with contributions from businesses and individuals, the financial resources available to support OHV enthusiasts increase exponentially. The Fund uses industry expertise on a charitable basis to manage the work of the Right Rider Access Fund, the result is one hundred percent of contributions support riders. The breadth of the funding sources, the depth of expertise and the absence of overhead make the Right Rider Access Fund a one-of-a kind resource for OHV enthusiasts.

 

Quiet Warrior Racing (QWR) is proud and honored to be among the 2012 grant recipients which includes; the Western Governors' Association, Knott County Rough Terrain Rescue, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, Off-Road Business Association, and the Egg Harbor Township Police Athletic League's "Ready to Ride" OHV Park.

 

QWR believes that championing responsible OHV recreation is a team effort and that a rising tide lifts all ships. With declining federal and state recreation budgets, the Fund will play an important and critical role in supporting OHV-related educational programs, travel management collaborative efforts, recreation research, and on-the-ground trail projects.

 

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Best Kept Wheeling Secret in CA - Located in Greater S.F. Bay Area!

 

Owners of 4x4 SUVs and trucks who live in the Greater S.F. Bay Area don’t have to drive 3-4 hours anymore to test out their off-road skills or the trail capability of their vehicle.   Located near Tracy, the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) now offers a 4x4 driving course that is filled with diverse challenges for all types of 4x4s.

 

Carnegie SVRA has long offered world-class off-road motorcycle and ATV riding opportunities and is very popular with thousands of park fans who live in the area.  However, there was no 4x4 opportunity for full-sized rigs. That situation was remedied when the SVRA recently created a small 4x4 driving area complete with sand pits, hillclimbs, rock trails, and obstacle courses.

After paying a $5 dollar day-use fee, Quiet Warrior Racing had the chance to put its Montero through the paces.  Although QWR stayed away from the many “Rubicon-sized” obstacles, we did enjoy a good number of trail challenges ranging from the sand pit to the “Frame Twister.”

QWR believes that Carnegie should be commended to creating this 4x4 opportunity for the trail enthusiasts who live in the area.  It is a great place to teach off-road skills to a newcomer or test your driving acumen.   You can also find out if your rig is ready for hard-core wheeling on such famous routes as the Rubicon Trail or Dusy Ershim Trail.

 

There are several picnic tables under shade structures where you can enjoy watching your friends get their rigs stuck or otherwise test the limits of their vehicle. If you did not bring any food, you can always stop by Motomart – which is located in the park - to pick up some snacks.

QWR encourages all 4x4 enthusiasts who live in the Greater S.F. Bay Area to consider visiting the park to enjoy this special opportunity that may just be the best kept “wheeling secret” in California.

 

Link to Carnegie SVRA

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1172

 

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2013 CA Helmet Law for SXS Operators

As owners of Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs) get ready to hit many popular OHV riding areas in California, it is important to remember that helmets are required to be worn by the operators and passengers when traveling on public roads, trails, and areas designated for such use.

Effective January 1, 2013, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 38601 requires all passengers and the operator to wear a safety helmet while operating an ROV which are also known as Side by Sides, Recreational Utility Vehicle, or Utility Terrain Vehicle.

 

CA OHV Division Info on Side x Side Helmet Law

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27288

 

Quiet Warrior Racing (QWR) believes it is important for ROV owners to share this information with other ROV operators particularly in rural areas where regulations passed in Sacramento don’t often get shared effectively with users not associated with clubs or organizations.

 

QWR wants to commend federal and state law enforcement personnel and resource protection officers for working hard to help educate ROV owners about this new regulation.  Signing and public outreach are important elements of effective law enforcement.  Those tools will most certainly play a critical role to inform the user community as this new safety regulation gets implemented on public lands in California.

 

 

 

 

Backcountry OHV/Adventure Safety - SPOT Location Service

QWR believes that rider safety is an important tenet of responsible OHV recreation.  Within the last week, two of my OHV/adventure friends were saved by their SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger while riding in rugged areas of the California Coastal Mountain Range and the Sierra Nevada.

The SPOT Messenger was added to the QWR chest protector about 6 years ago.  The unit has 3 functions which includes a HELP function that can alert your friends and family that you are in a non-life threatening situation but are in need of assistance (i.e. broke down vehicle, etc.)

The OK check-in function is great for when you are in the backcountry without cell service and you want to send a message (with your GPS coordinates) to family members that the ride is going great.  QWR uses that feature a lot as it reassures your loved ones that you are OK.

The SOS function is for when you are in a life threatening situation and you need emergency medical care STAT.  When that function is activated, it sends your GPS coordinates to a world-wide emergency response center that will contact the appropriate services.

For about $170 dollars/yr. you get the SPOT tracking device and the emergency medical services.   QWR believes this product is the best "safety" insurance that money can buy if you ride in the backcountry.   This unit is being used by many members of my riding network in both the private and public sector.  Having this product on your chest protector or backpack is a must addition to your adventure gear.

Link to SPOT Location Service
http://www.findmespot.com/en/

See you on the trail,

Don

Email: damador@quietwarriorraacing.com