Minnesota Adventure Riders

We just hit 60 email based subscribers to the Minnesota Adventure Riders blog.  Thank you to everyone who has subscribed.  This doesn’t count the many more who are reading via the RSS news feed (no way to count all of them).

And to all who are listening please consider joining the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) which automatically gives you membership to the Minnesota Adventure Riders as well.  For $30 or so a year you get a subscription to American Motorcycle magazine and some basic towing services too. Well worth it to support all they do for riders.

Click on the “Forum” link at the top of our website and you will be taken to our new discussion board.  Sign up for an account by clicking on Feedback, then Contact Us.

You can subscribe to each forum category via email to get updates when new topics are posted.

Thanks all,

One of the decisions out of last night’s club meeting was to start allowing “Membership” in the Minnesota Adventure Riders and to use a registration process on this website to do that.  Membership is FREE.  But you do have to be an AMA member in good standing to be approved.

The first benefit of membership is that you will have access to our new online Forum. Now, I know what you are thinking, “Ugh!  Another motorcycle forum?”.  I was of the same opinion until recently.  The forum gives us a better idea of how many riders are out there, how many are serious about this club, and of course gives riders a place to connect with each other.  I think places like ADVrider.com have just gotten too big as well and it would be nice to have a local site to find local info.

Other benefits will follow. The club is still working that out.

So with that, click on Contact Us in the site menu to register, then once approved click on the Forums link above to go to the discussion area.

Tough Question of the day:  Is Dual Sport Riding or Adventure Riding really a sport?

I hear it referred to in that way.  But I wonder if it is really accurate.  There are no points, no teams, no regulations, and no cheerleaders. So is it really just a recreational activity?

What about the Baja or Dakar races?  Aren’t those sports?  They have points, and trophies, etc.
Yes, but those are off-road only races (for the most part) and are not what most guys do on the weekend with their BMWs and Suzukis.  So I don’t think it really counts.

What about Harescrambles and Enduros?
Yes, but those are really for off-road bikes.  So it is more related to motocross then dual sport.

Wouldn’t it be cool if there was truly an organized Adventure Riding series of races?
 Well, there is, but they aren’t races.  They are rides.  The AMA has set this up.

What about EnduroCross?  Isn’t this close?
Close, but no cigar.  Arenas don’t equal roads and trails.  It is a cool sport though.  I hear that ESPN is allowing it into the Summer X-games this year.

In the end, Dual Sport is just a lot of fun no matter what category you place it in.   I don’t think it needs to be called a sport.  Its a recreation, a hobby, a passion, and those are enough.  Sound off in the comments with your own opinion.

I received my issue of American Motorcyclist in the mail today.  I always seem to learn something new browsing through each issue.  This month I learned that the AMA has published many of its back issues all the way back to the 1950’s online on the Google Book website. You can search through all issues for keywords as well.  There is a treasure trove of information available so go check it out.  I especially liked looking at some of the old advertisements in the 50’s and 6o’s.

Enjoy.

This info was posted on the Twin Cities Trail Riders and Twin Cities Dual Sport groups. I STRONGLY suggest everyone email in their support for this trail. It looks to be a great addition to the State’s collection of OHM trails and would improve overall travel between Nemadji and the St. Croix Forests.

DNR seeks comments on EAW for Matthew Lourey State Trail – ATV and OHM use in Nemadji/St. Croix state forests project

(Released May 2, 2011)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting public comments during a
30-day public review period from May 2 to June 1 on an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) that was prepared for Matthew Lourey State Trail – all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and off-highway motorcycle (OHM) use in Nemadji/St. Croix state forests project in Pine and Carlton counties.

The DNR proposes to designate portions of the existing Matthew Lourey State Trail for ATV and OHM use. The designations and required treadway improvements would occur on about 23.3 miles of the trail in the Nemadji and St. Croix state forests.

A copy of the EAW is available online.

Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5157.

A copy of the EAW is available for public review at:
• DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul
• DNR Northeast Region, 201 E. Highway 2, Grand Rapids
• Minneapolis Public Library, Government Documents, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
• Sandstone Public Library, 119 North Fourth St., P.O. Box 599, Sandstone
• Hinckley Public Library, 106 First Street S.E., P.O. Box 336, Hinckley
• Moose Lake Public Library, 313 Elm Ave., Moose Lake
• Cloquet Public Library, 320 14th St., Cloquet
• East Central Regional Library, 244 So. Birch St., Cambridge
• Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St. Duluth.

The EAW was published in the May 2 EQB Monitor. Written comments must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, to the attention of Ronald Wieland, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025.

Electronic or email comments may be sent to ronald.wieland@state.mn.us with “Matthew Lourey State Trail” in the subject line. If submitting comments electronically, include name and mailing address. Written comments may also be sent by fax to 651-297-1500.

Not really “adventure” related, but definitely Minnesota-moto related;  The Indian Motorcycle company was purchased by Medina based Polaris last week.  Indian had been struggling and it will be interesting to see what Polaris does with them.  Sounds like manufacturing will move to Iowa though, not Minnesota.  Full Press release here.

Some guys from Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly rode the Trans-American Trail and did a nice write-up in the April issue. I encourage you to pick up the latest copy of MMM as always. Its a great way to stay up on moto-related events in the state.  And if you see any of the MMM guys out riding tell them to do a story on the TMAT next!