Rockers and Youth to the Rescue

I can’t tell you how many times The General has been at OHV meetings comprised mostly of aging white guys of various body types. What has been lacking is getting younger riders involved in land-use advocacy.

The good news in what has been a virtual avalanche of OHV-related bad news lately is that there are a growing number of young people who are stepping up the plate and answering the call.

Just recently, the Peace Mafia, an alternative rock band based in Reno, Nevada, managed a rock/BRC booth at Mammoth MX. Their goal is to get rockers, young people, racers, and others involved in helping keep trails open. The band has made a long-term commitment to land access.

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BRC News Release on Peace Mafia/Mammoth MX
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=651

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Also, I see other younger riders getting involved and learning the trade. In Northern California, a rep. for a major aftermarket company is representing OHV interests
on a county/stakeholder planning group. He has made a commitment to learn the process so he can be part of the solution. Good for them and even better for us old guys and the sport.

I challenge more celebrities in the art/music/movie/TV industry to get involved in the fight to keep trails open. Consider hosting a concert or trail ride. Donate your time for a PSA. Consider making a financial contribution to BRC or some other land use organization. There is no time like the present for you to get involved.

If you want to send a donation, plan a concert, host a fundraiser trail ride, or make some other commitment…feel free to contact The General.

Don Amador
The General’s Recreation HQ
555 Honey Lane
Oakley, CA 94561
Office: 925.625.6287
Email: damador@cwo.com

To send a donation to BRC:

The BlueRibbon Coalition, Inc.
4555 Burley Drive, Ste. A
Pocatello, ID 83202
www.sharetrails.org

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"Rock the Trail" in 2009

I can’t tell you how many times The General has been at OHV meetings or sitting around the campfire at a trail ride talking with off-roaders about trying to get new blood (such as rockers, artists, musicians, actors) helping user groups keep riding areas open. The bad news is that over the years… that new blood and energy has not been forthcoming.

See Amador interview where he talks about getting race stars and other folks like rockers involved in land use (click on link below and scroll down to Amador interview)
http://www.pitpassradio.com/?cat=7


However, that “Change” may be coming with the help of an alternative rock band based in Reno, Nevada. Joey Vegas, the lead singer for the Peace Mafia (they also like to ride dirt-bikes), called me several weeks ago and said they wanted to help the BlueRibbon Coalition by donating a percentage of the sales of their CDs while at the Mammoth Motocross this year.

Peace Mafia info/songs
http://www.myspace.com/peacemafia

There are a lot of artists who ride dirt-bikes or drive off-road vehicles. Besides the Peace Mafia, I am pretty sure that members of Green Day, Motley Crue, Beastie Boys, etc. also ride. Other celebrities and actors that ride include Lance Armstrong, Fabio, Matt LeBlanc, etc.

One of those celebrities who stepped up to the plate to champion access to public lands is Perry King. I first met him several years ago at a local Forest Service/users group meeting on the Eldorado National Forest. He was there as a concerned member of the public. Today, he serves on the Board of Directors at the AMA.

You have heard me articulate the need for the OHV community to grow our numbers. I believe getting rockers/celebrities/actors more involved and supportive of our efforts to keep trails open could be a very important factor in the land-use equation. I think they could help us reach an entirely new segment (i.e. young people) of the public who are not aware of the attacks on their right to ride.

Some of you may remember the Rock the Vote effort in the last several elections. I think it is time for us to start our own “Rock the Trail” in 2009 to “get out the rocker-rider” to help us fight for their/our collective access rights.

If you are an artist that wants to help (serve on a board, write a check, host a concert to raise money for trail access, be a spokesperson, etc.) – Give The General a shout.