places to ride

[tmc3c]

How are the places to ride holding up around the country ? The riding around here is getting tight ! The goverment has started getting tight on the riding here by fencing in our trail heads and when we get some rain they shut them down. I know that this is the best for the system but in the day you could ride anytime. I don't want to step on anybodys toes but the four wheelers are killing the trails but they pay their taxes also. There is a place called Iron Gate close to me where I was able to ride this past weekend and the deal is you pay $75.00 a quarter and you can ride from dawn to dusk Mon.- Sat. and it has a gate that has a key pad for entry. It has 2 tracks that is set up for the new bikes and a good trail that goes around the two.

Thomas Carmichael

[KJDonovan]

TMC,

I live in Northwestern Rhode Island and I must say over the past 20 or so years the places to ride have diminished significantly.  Part of the problem is area's that were once just woods are now housing developments, I'm sure everyone is seeing this. A more disturbing problem is the government, case in point: Back in the late 60's early 70's an unused railroad bed that ran across the state well into Connecticut was donated by the railroad to the states for exclusive use by motorcycles, hikers and folks with horses.  When the state took ownership they topped the old trestles with planking and asphalt so we wouldn't have to go through the brooks below or across a 10" wide I-beam. As a kid my buddies and I could ride this run for 30+ miles with nobody giving us a hard time, it was a fantastic place to ride. One of the best things about it was that there were dozens on interconnected trails that led to the railroad bed.  About 8 years ago the state decided to change the usage rules, banning motorcycles and horses, and ultimately paving much of it for roller-blades and bicycles.  I could cite a dozen other examples as well but I'm sure you get the idea.  


KD


Kevin J. Donovan
Foster, Rhode Island

[Steve Minor]

Try this link.....very cool!

http://www.transamtrail.com/

[bkinnon]

I, Like Kevin, also enjoyed unrestricted riding in the 60's and 70's here in southern Maine. I grew up on the coast and was able to ride from my home on a salt water river, through town ( even went right through the yard of the owner of LL Bean... try that today) and link to trails in all directions. Today, with development and environuts, I am now 30 mles inland and am restricted more each week. My message here is I hope we are all members and supporters of the Blue Ribbon Coalition. Off road enthusiasts seem to be organized only when it impacts them personally, and generally, that is way too late. We tend to scorn the ATV's and snowmobilers, but there will come a time when we will need the unity and numbers. Blue Ribbon does not descriminate based on the desired mode of motorized enjoyment.Our club (Pine Tree Trail Riders) works on developing relationships with both groups here in Maine.

Bill

Downeast Pentons- Central Division

[slvrbrdfxr]

Hi All,
I feel very fortunate that we still have quite a few nice places to ride here in Oklahoma. I just read an article in a magazine that listed at least 30 places here in the state and the list was not current. The list should actually grow this year too which is always good news. The new addition to the list will be a public ORV park being developed by the Tulsa Trail Riders. In December, TTR took ownership of a 1320 acre tract of land near the small town of Scipio, OK which is about an hour south of Tulsa. There is alot of work yet to be done and we hope to have it open by late 2005. Hope you guys can come check it out sometime but better bring your skidplate .

Dave McCullough
Tulsa Trail Riders

[tmc3c]

Talking about old railroad beds, We used to ride beside a "LIVE" one for about 10 miles and the cross over the tracks and go into the back of Charleston Speedway. This could get tricky when you didn't have knobbies and a 19" front wheel without front brakes but if you got upside the rail on the 2' piece of cross tie that sticks out and turn the wick up things soon smooth out. Beats riding on those big rocks,and following behind my father on his Bultaco 360 !! []

Thomas Carmichael