Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Donstradamus' Top Ten OHV Predictions for 2014



10- After watching Why We Ride, a nationally recognized conservationist embraces the concept of managed OHV recreation as a legitimate and important public use of federal land.

9- A group of Hollywood actors who ride off-road form a national non-profit foundation to help support and defend responsible OHV recreation.

8- The Forest Service adds a new classification of trails to travel management to address the growing use of SxS on public lands.  In fact, the agency starts to purchase said vehicles for official use by resource specialists, recreation staff, and law enforcement.

7- Hardcore 4x4 rock climbing enthusiasts discover the challenging aspects of the engineered class 5 obstacle courses at several California State Vehicular Recreation Areas.  An amateur competition series is developed and gets national acclaim.

6- East Bay Regional Park District changes its anti-OHV stance and sites an all-electric OHV park on the outskirts of Oakland.   The District offers this 15 acre unit as mitigation for their unsuccessful efforts to block OHV use on the Tesla property purchased in the mid-1990s with OHV Trust Fund monies for motorized recreation.

5- The internationally recognized animal expert and zoo curator, Jungle Jack Hanna, submits a proposal to the USFW Service to help them avoid listing the Greater Sage Grouse as a threatened species.   Hanna’s plan to build and operate 10 strategically located grouse breeding farms would enhance the grouse population.  The Service takes the proposal under advisement.  Congress reviews it as well.

4- This year marks the creation of the IronRider Race.  It is loosely based on the concept of the Ironman
competition where the event participant utilizes various sport modalities during the course of the race.
The IronRider is a 1,000 mile epic challenge.  It is divided into 10-segments of 100 miles for each of the following vehicle types.  Those specific motorized modalities are a dirt-bike, SxS, snowmobile, dual-sport, SUV, rock crawler, ATV, adventure bike, full-size 4x4 pickup, and electric OHV.

3- A motorsports enthusiast in a mid-West state sets a Guinness World Record for belonging to the most powersports-related organizations.   This person is a member of 115 local, state, regional, and national OHV groups.  The donor believes it is important to lead by example to show others that it is important to support those groups that defend responsible OHV use.

2- Tech guru invents heat-resistant micro-chip based sound reducer that when installed in a muffler will emit sound waves to cancel-out exhaust sound.   The product results in a new generation of light weight sound compliant mufflers.  

1- A new attorney – who is an avid OHV enthusiast – is hired by the Center for Biological Diversity.  She convinces CBD to reconsider its anti-OHV litigation strategy because it is unwarranted and counterproductive.  A “can’t we all just get along” motto is adopted at the Center.  The OHV community and many land managers hail this decision.



Bonus Prediction - A new reality TV series is launched called Trail Dynasty.  It is centered on the life and activities of a senior A enduro rider and his family.   It stars the A enduro rider, his wife, two sons, and one daughter.They also have two dogs and a cat.  It is nominated for an Emmy after just 5 episodes.


1 comment:

  1. A little wry humor, tongue-in-cheek, satire, and frustration all mixed in. Not unlike many how I and many in the OHV community feel !

    Some years ago it was thought Climate Change would pull on the bulk of the anti's purse-strings, but apparently not. They still have many $hundreds-of-thousands or more to fight OHV recreation. As implied, for each $100,000 spent against OHV recreation, that presumably could increase a species population by 1%, that same amount spent to directly to assist the population could bring double digit increases. What a waste of time, money & energy.

    On 6, the public survey EBRPD conducted for long-term planning over the telephone and by email, one will see the respondent's demographics point to a narrow group, not at all representative of the diverse populations of Alameda & Contra Costa Counties. FWIW.

    Prediction 4 looks interesting, though 1000 miles total would be a logistically tricky. How about, say: 1 mile segments? That's feasible.

    There may be a problem with prediction 8. I think some Forest Services (mostly in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico?) have already begun this policy, de facto. It creates an already apparent prejudice against allowing jeeps and 4x4s who want to recreate on routes originally open to all types of vehicles. Often these routes are un-maintained, and tend to "narrow down" over time due to brush, trees, etc. I believe I have seen such routes in Utah & New Mexico, where SxS & Quads are very popular. Correct me if my concern is misplaced.

    thanks.

    ReplyDelete