60 replies to this topic

[Bryan Bosch]

Please list the web site addresses of land use watchdog groups we should join/support.

I'll start:
http://www.sharetrails.org/

[toyota_mdt_tech]

Northwest Motorcycle Association (NMA) at http://www.nmaoffroad.org

[georgestr TT Gold Member]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but does the BRC do much outside of the CA area?

[matt113 TT Gold Member]

http://www.partnersh...est.org/issues/

[matt113 TT Gold Member]

georgestr said:

Sorry to hijack the thread, but does the BRC do much outside of the CA area?

they sure do.. check out this page
http://www.sharetrai...dex.cfm?page=23

[AJP TT Member]

Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL)
www.usaall.org
A must join organization if you ride in Utah.
AJP

[velosapiens Get Help Now]

Bryan Bosch said:

Please list the web site addresses of land use watchdog groups we should join/support.

note that just joining and supporting access groups doesn't do much unless you actually GET INVOLVED!!

it doesn't have to be 100's of hours a year like it is for some of us. if you go to a few meetings, and write a couple letters, and do 1-2 days of trailwork locally, we can make a difference. if you can't find the time to do that, then those of us who devote our spare time (or careers) to these issues will just be wasting our time and we might as well all start hiking.

[admidan TT Member]

Look into supporting the BRC. Please read the info on their site.  

They also do a lot of good work to help keep our snowmobile trails open in Michigan.  Each year more and more trails are being closed. Once they are closed it is twice as hard to get them re-opened. One of the main reasons why snowmobile trails are closed is loud exhaust and riding with loud exhaust at night. We have a simular problem with our bikes. Please try to stay on the trail and ride with a quiet exhaust. You only gain a few HP with a louder exhaust but you piss off a lot of people.

Please check out this link http://www.blueribbon.org/

http://www.blueribbon.org/

If you snowmobile in Michigan you should look into MSA. http://www.msasnow.org/

[URL=http://www.msasnow.org/[/URL]

[MI MX TT Member]

admidan said:

Look into supporting the BRC. Please read the info on their site.  

They also do a lot of good work to help keep our snowmobile trails open in Michigan.  Each year more and more trails are being closed. Once they are closed it is twice as hard to get them re-opened. One of the main reasons why snowmobile trails are closed is loud exhaust and riding with loud exhaust at night. We have a simular problem with our bikes. Please try to stay on the trail and ride with a quiet exhaust. You only gain a few HP with a louder exhaust but you piss off a lot of people.

Please check out this link http://www.blueribbon.org/

http://www.blueribbon.org/

If you snowmobile in Michigan you should look into MSA. http://www.msasnow.org/

[URL=http://www.msasnow.org/[/URL]

Both great sites!  I ride snowmobiles in the winter and my MX bike up north in the trails all the time.

[Rodzilla TT Platinum Member]

My Short list

Blue Ribbon  This is the group doing the most on the NATIONAL level

Americans For Responsible Access  These guys make it easy, they send you mails and links for sending mails to your reps in gov't

AMA-cycle.org The American Motorcycle Assoc. Not doing as much for us off roaders as they could but getting better

IN Colorado: Colorado Off Highway Coalition  These guys do the most on a LOCAL level in CO.

The Utah Version of COVCO USA-ALL probably one of the most active groups in the US

Local "front range" group here in CO (of which I'm the vice-chair) Rampart Range Motorcycle Managment Committee

[ZEKEDAWG Get Help Now]

Pitiful that this thread has only 186 views in just under a month.

[gratefuldawg TT Silver Member]

to what Rod said

and inresponse to this:

velosapiens said:

note that just joining and supporting access groups doesn't do much unless you actually GET INVOLVED!!

it doesn't have to be 100's of hours a year like it is for some of us. if you go to a few meetings, and write a couple letters, and do 1-2 days of trailwork locally, we can make a difference. if you can't find the time to do that, then those of us who devote our spare time (or careers) to these issues will just be wasting our time and we might as well all start hiking.

I call a big BS, Sure it is better to monetarily support these groups and provide volunteer hours, but monetary support does help the cause, just look at the NRA, very few members, in relation to the total number, go out and pick weeds at the range, but they all send in the checks which help supply lawyers, lobbyist, etc, and they are one of the most powerful special interest groups in the Country. So Velo, think before you post something that might be the excuse people are looking for to not support these groups at any level.

[descanso TT Newbie]

For So Cal try:
SDORC (San Diego Off Road Coalition)
ORBA (Off Road Business Association)
CORVA (California Off Road Vehicle Association)
AMA District 38

[Fngeniusshan TT Bronze Member]

BRC- Blue Ribbon Coalition on the national level. Then find one or more to support on the local level. In Utah it's USA-All. If you ride in Utah please consider supporting USA-All because they are supporting you.

[Rodzilla TT Platinum Member]

gratefuldawg said:

to what Rod said

and inresponse to this:



I call a big BS, Sure it is better to monetarily support these groups and provide volunteer hours, but monetary support does help the cause, just look at the NRA, very few members, in relation to the total number, go out and pick weeds at the range, but they all send in the checks which help supply lawyers, lobbyist, etc, and they are one of the most powerful special interest groups in the Country. So Velo, think before you post something that might be the excuse people are looking for to not support these groups at any level.

Dawg, I think you are taking Mark's post out of context.  I agree, if all you can do is send a check...then by all means, please do. That is why the sierra Club is so healthy. THOUSANDS of urbanites feeling guilty about driving their SUV's assuage their guilt by throwing disposable income at the "Green agenda". Holly Housewife ain't out protesting our trails, the unwashed, mouth breathing masses are. But it's the John Q public thinking they are saving the planet that funds them.

Velo's post is well taken, BRC, ORBA, COHVCO do great things, but they can't be everywhere, not by a long shot. Mark was trying to say that you DON'T have to spend every waking hour doing trail work, but it's the 2 Million dirt riders that won't take the time to even write a letter that is killing us!

Work on the local level, be it a work party, meeting attendance or just writing a mail is where the "rubber meets the road" (or dirt)

So, do what you can, but for God's sake DO SOMETHING, It is not someone elses problem it is YOUR problem.

[ob1quixote TT Titanium Member]

In addition to all the excellent suggestions, join your local club.

[gratefuldawg TT Silver Member]

Rod, Point taken, I think I was thrown off by the statement "note that just joining and supporting access groups doesn't do much", because that is simple not true, join BRC and others does help. Sorry if I wrongly jumped Mark. So Rod, when is the next trail day at RR?

[Rodzilla TT Platinum Member]

gratefuldawg said:

. So Rod, when is the next trail day at RR?

Fathers day, Sunday the 19th, 9 am Flat Rocks campground.

Sorry I can't make this one, my Brother is getting married...

[NickET TT Member]

there is NO PLACE to ride in the NYC area. you have to tow your ride for hours to get to a place you have to pay to ride. huge pain in the ass.

[atkist TT Newbie]

If your in california join CORVA this is the one place you can get most information they have a great monthly news letter and a trial membership so you can check it out before you join