| 217;s heady. It’s fun. It can be addictive. | | | | crossed only where ATV trails cross the streams or |
| We’re talking about ATV driving. The thrill of | | | | at the designated fording points. Try not to drive in |
| driving through rugged, off-the-road terrain is | | | | marshy areas or in meadows. |
| something that most ATV lovers find irresistible. Way | | | | Keep your equipment in good shape and when |
| out, where there is hardly another human being in | | | | winching, find a secure anchor, find the right winch |
| sight, away from the madding crowds is where the | | | | for the right need and don’t winch with |
| ATV trails are. True, ATVs are also used as utility | | | | anything less than five wraps of wire rope wound |
| vehicles on farms where they are used more as | | | | around the drum. If you are using a tree as an |
| tools in agriculture and farming than for fun. But what | | | | anchor, avoid damaging the tree by wrapping a wide |
| a lot of ATV users who are into it for sport probably | | | | tree strap around it. Also try not to make too much |
| don’t know is how bad ATVs can be as far | | | | of a noise and disrupting the silence of nature around |
| as nature goes. What the environmentalists say | | | | you. Use regular camping sites and make sure you |
| should be taken seriously. | | | | camp at least 200 feet away from water bodies and |
| ATV trails when used excessively can do a lot of | | | | trails. Dispose of waste properly by burying it six to |
| ecological harm. How does this happen, especially | | | | eight feet deep and use fire only when necessary. |
| when you take your sport to the back of beyond | | | | They have some more guidelines and they are listed |
| areas? It’s the deep threads in the ATV tires | | | | under the heading ‘Respect the environment |
| that do the damage. While they are great for driving | | | | and the rights of others’. Here, you are |
| around on rough terrain, they dig deep channels in | | | | asked to be considerate of everyone else on the trail |
| the unpaved trails, which could drain swampy areas | | | | or the road and to ride only where you are allowed |
| and therefore cause more sedimentation of water | | | | to. You should respect private land and leave the |
| bodies. So ATV lovers got together and formed | | | | gates as you found them. Respect the right of way |
| groups to try and sort out this problem. There were | | | | when someone passes you or is traveling uphill and |
| special areas which they purchased and reserved only | | | | give way to hikers, horses and mountain bikers. |
| for ATV driving. | | | | Don’t kick up a dust – literally – |
| They also decided to educate ATV drivers about | | | | and keep the decibel level down. And pack out |
| how be responsible and respect the environment. | | | | whatever you pack in. |
| One of the forerunners in this effort was Tread | | | | There are still more guidelines that come under |
| Lightly!, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to | | | | ‘Educate yourself by planning before you |
| educating people how to treat nature responsibly. It | | | | go’. It tells you to get yourself a map before |
| was born in 1985 when a program was launched by | | | | you venture out and determine where the ATV trails |
| the US Forest Service to address the problem of | | | | are. It is always safe to tell someone about your |
| recreation visitors to the forests growing to | | | | travel plans and to stick to the plans you make. Make |
| unmanageable numbers. This became private in 1990 | | | | it a point to get in touch with the land manager and |
| and Tread Lightly! came into being as a non profit | | | | ask about closures, area restrictions and permit |
| organization. | | | | requirements. Always ask for permission before you |
| For ATV drivers, Tread Lightly! has a brochure with | | | | cross private land. Keep an eye on the weather and |
| guidelines under ‘Travel and recreate with | | | | keep a few emergency items with you in case of |
| minimum impact’. Let’s take a quick | | | | emergencies. Try not to go solo but get together |
| look at them. The first one, of course, is to stay | | | | two or three to travel with. Wear protection |
| within the areas open only for ATV use. There are | | | | – a helmet, eye and other safety gear. In |
| designated trails today and you can find out where | | | | case you do separate, arrange meeting points in |
| they are and have the time of your life there. | | | | advance. Keep a sharp eye on your fuel, your time |
| Remember that when there are slick ATV trails, use | | | | and your own ability. Don’t drink or do drugs |
| the clutch so you get the maximum traction with the | | | | and drive. Be always in control of the vehicle and |
| least amount of tailspin and moderate your throttle. | | | | make sure it is in top condition. Keep tools and |
| Don’t roost around the apex of a turn when | | | | supplies in case you need them |
| on switchbacks. This should be kept in mind when | | | | ATV Trails can be great fun if you take a few |
| you are brake-sliding while descending or climbing as | | | | precautions. Respect the trail and the you’ll |
| both actions can gouge ATV trails. Streams should be | | | | find you have a blast in return. |