Minnesota Adventure Riders

I was up on the North Shore on vacation yesterday and decided to drive along the proposed TMAT Gunflint Loop early in the morning to check out some of the roads.  About 8:30 in the morning on Cty Rd 11 coming into Two Harbors I see a guy on a dual sport come flying by me.  Wow, February 14th on the North Shore and guys are still riding?  This winter has been one of the mildest on record, and that means a golden opportunity for riders to invest in heated gloves, insulated jackets, and other winter riding gear in order to extend the riding season way past what it normally should be.  For those of you toughing it out and still riding this time of year you have earned our respect. Here is a shout out to all the hard core winter riders out there.  Stay safe and stay of the ice.

Public service announcement…

There was recently a news update from the DNR stating that non-residents now need to buy Minnesota trail passes for “ORVs”.  Just an FYI for everyone; I checked with the DNR and this rule change does not affect OHMs.  If your bike has a trail registration from another state then the DNR will recognize that registration.  You can ride state trails in MN without having to “double register”.  This is how it has been and there is no change.

http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2012/02/06/nonresident-off-road-vehicle-trail-pass-now-available/

Its caucus time here in Minnesota.  But if you attend your local caucus you will likely NOT hear much about wilderness and trail access from the candidates.  Its not exactly at the top of the list of hot button issues!  So I encourage you all to get involved with these issues by signing up for AMA alerts or joining one of the many national organizations committed to helping keep trails accessible.

One such organization is “Save the Trails”.  Click on the link below to send your “Two Minute letter” demanding more motorized and mechanized trails for you, your children and the public

http://www.savethetrails.us/Default.aspx?PetitionID=54

It really does take only 2 minutes and is worth your time.

We finally have a Facebook page, so if Facebook is your thing, jump on over “like” us and submit your favorite Minnesota riding photos, videos, etc.  All posts made to this blog automajically get posted there too.

Nice video, looks like a great race…

“Michael R” from the Twin Cities Dual Sport Yahoo! group recently posted an update on the trails in Nemadji that had been damaged by storms.  It was a great summary so I am reposting it here…

I just spent a week there.

It’s hit or miss on the closures. They are mining timber on the Continental Divide, and have ruined that one for scenic beauty.

The ATV trails North out of the big parking lot by the South Extension intersection still have many blowdowns, as does the single track there. I did not ride the Adventure Trail or Bald Eagle, but heard there are still blockages.

The small loop off Grouse Road was in bad shape, but still passable.

Bear Hunter was open, but completely washed out at the river north of Harlis Rd, and Harlis Rd is washed out as well and closed. You won’t be getting through without a trials bike, or building a jump and crossing Evel Knievel style.

Trails confirmed to be open:
Yellow Birch
Iron Gate
Iron Pipe
Congo
Gandy Dancer Bypass
Duquette Run
Klondike
Willow River

The Straight Arrows(including myself) have been working on trails for the Moose Run next month, so I’m willing to bet that a lot of the single track in the Northeast has been cleared as well.

It was drier than I have seen in many seasons, so there was plenty of sand on the usual suspects and no bottomless mud holes. There were a lot of ruts from runoff, and a lot more exposed rocks than I have seen on the hillier trails. Plenty of trails open to keep you busy.

If you find trails blocked that I have not mentioned, please let me know and I’ll pass the word along to the crews.

The fire at Pagami Creek is spreading.  If you are heading north for a ride this weekend be aware of this.  Some roads could be closed and air quality could be poor in some areas. Fire is not crossing TMAT trails at this time.

More info here.

We have all been there at one time or another….stuck.  Whether it is a crash, or a flat, or a bike that won’t start it is never fun.  So Minnesota rider “Get_Bent” started the “Emergency Help Me” system earlier this year.  Since so many riders carry smart phones with them now, this system allows any rider to email their location and phone number to a network of other riders in the state.  The hope is that someone else is online, listening, and willing to come help.  This isn’t a replacement for 911, or even good motorcycle insurance, but it is a creative way to get yourself out of a jam when no other options present themselves.  For more info hop on over to ADVrider.

Well its seems that wherever you look these days there is political news in the headlines.  Here is one more issue on Capital Hill for you to watch. I won’t sway you one way or the other on the issue but instead I am just posting their (www.savethetrails.us) letter in this blog so you can be aware of the issue and take action if you see fit.  Having access to federal lands should be of concern to all riders in the U.S..  Feel free to sound off in the comments.

TWO MINUTES TO UNLOCK MILLIONS OF ACRES OF YOUR PUBLIC LANDS

Dear Keith,

More Great News for all of us who care about access to public lands, helping our economy, jobs and improving forest health.

The HR1581 ‘Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011” bill to release 43 million acres of your public lands back to Multiple Use and eliminate the threat of Wilderness Closures is moving quickly forward. On 7/26/11 the House Subcommittee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing on this important bill. I am pleased to have been invited to provide testimony explaining why passage of this bill is needed.

You can watch the hearing and my testimony live at 10 am Eastern Standard Time on 7/26/11 at
http://naturalresources.house.gov/Live/

This is a rare bill that is good for recreation, good for the economy and good for the environment. I think every reasonable person would support it, but there are those who will oppose it because they want to lock you off your public lands no matter what. For example I just heard the Sierra Club is holding a press conference tomorrow in front of Congressman McCarthy’s Bakersfield CA office attempting to claim this bill is bad for children and the Great Outdoors. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Save The Trails have been working with Congressman McCarthy to develop this legislation over the past year and now we are making a trip to DC to testify, as well as providing you with an easy and effective way to make this bill a reality. Save The Trails is funded purely by donations from people like you. We need your support so that we can keep fighting to keep your public lands open. Please make a Donation to help pay for the trip to DC so we can Save Your Trails

~Chris Horgan and your friends at Save the Trail