Volume 16, Issue 1
Don’t let rough weather keep you down PAGE 9
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
Riding in the Winter
ON TRACK Get Money For Trails Just think of it: Millions of dollars in fuel taxes, paid by off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, just waiting to be spent by ATV riders nationwide who want to create or By Wayne Allard maintain trails. AMA vice president for It’s there for the government relations asking in one of the most successful OHV programs ever created: the Recreational Trails Program. After all, it’s already your money. The popular federal program provides funding for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of both motorized and non-motorized trails. Under the RTP law, most states must use 30 percent of their RTP funding for motorized trail projects, 30 percent for non-motorized trail projects (such as hiking or horse trails) and 40 percent for multiple or combined uses such as horse and bicycle trails, or possibly motorized and non-motorized trails. The RTP program provides 80 percent of the funding for a project, while the state and/ or local enthusiasts provide the remaining 20 percent either in cash or in-kind contributions such as volunteer labor. The federal money comes from gas taxes paid by OHV users. That’s you and millions of like-minded ATV riders, off-road motorcyclists, snowmobilers, 4x4 and UTV drivers. For information on how to apply for a Recreational Trails Program grant to maintain or create riding areas and trails in your state, contact your state department of natural resources. Or contact your state RTP administrator, who can be found by going to www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ recreational_trails/rtpstate.cfm.
RTP Funds By State Here are the amounts earmarked in the Recreational Trails Program for state projects for the federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2015. Note: Florida did not participate in the program in 2014/15. Source: Federal Highway Administration.
Total net to states: $80,741,889
Alabama $1,732,289 Alaska $1,512,643 Arizona $1,915,514 Arkansas $1,479,029 California $5,698,627 Colorado $1,575,735 Connecticut $952,594 Delaware $896,623 Dist. Columbia $816,847 Georgia $1,722,736 Hawaii $950,859 Idaho $1,693,454 Illinois $1,510,044 Indiana $1,189,692 Iowa $1,361,069 Kansas $1,370,407 Kentucky $1,410,151 Louisiana $1,502,467 Maine $1,428,314 Maryland $1,112,384 Massachusetts $1,174,862 Michigan $2,825,415 Minnesota $2,391,888 Mississippi $1,348,305 Missouri $1,646,765 Montana $1,590,638 Nebraska $1,205,213 Nevada $1,344,370 New Hampshire $1,255,265 New Jersey $1,214,489 New Mexico $1,415,533 New York $2,182,510 North Carolina $1,597,424 North Dakota $1,120,562 Ohio $1,655,132 Oklahoma $1,769,212 Oregon $1,594,051 Pennsylvania $1,971,353 Rhode Island $856,384 South Carolina $1,199,108 South Dakota $1,125,821 Tennessee $1,624,207 Texas $3,954,874 Utah $1,546,233 Vermont $1,017,730 Virginia $1,511,889 Washington $1,867,407 West Virginia $1,297,964 Wisconsin $2,146,076 Wyoming $1,459,731
THE ATV NEWS TEAM: Bill Kresnak, Editor • Halley Immelt, Designer
2 January/February 2016
NEWS
ATV Clubs Receive Yamaha Grants
Pennsylvania May Earmark More Funds For ATV Trails The Pennsylvania Senate has approved a bill that would ensure that funds received through the registration, certification and enforcement of all-terrain vehicles rules in Pennsylvania are used specifically to support ATV activities. Sen. Pat Stefano said he introduced S.B. 648 to require that money generated through ATV-related operations is placed in a restricted account to be used for a variety of purposes, including the construction and maintenance of ATV trails and acquisition of equipment and land.
For true champions, winning the AMA No. 1 plate isn’t everything...
He said the bill is needed because these funds are being disproportionately allocated between user groups. “Although ATV operations contribute $1.4 million of the $1.6 million in the current fund, 80 percent of the total funding is allocated to expansion of snowmobile trails,” Stefano says. “My legislation will provide more equitable distribution of funds, ensure that ATV activities are more fairly funded, and provide a more detailed accounting of these dollars.” The bill must still clear the House.
Florida County Gives ATV Riders Tickets To ATV Parks In November, officials in Collier County, Fla., began giving ATV riders free tickets to some nearby ATV parks. The county is taking the step as a pilot project to provide ATVers with some riding relief while it searches for a place to create an ATV park of its own. The county is providing four free tickets per month to Collier County ATV riders to use at the Lazy Springs Recreation Park or the Croom Motorcycle Park. The tickets are available at the North Collier Regional Park Exhibit Hall.
It takes a lot for an ATV or motorcycle racer to earn the prestigious AMA No. 1 plate: a lot of talent, a lot of courage, a lot of determination. After all, the best racers in America are all chasing the dream: to hoist the AMA No. 1 plate above their head at the end of race day. Many try. Few succeed. There’s no greater challenge for an ATV or motorcycle racer. And there’s no sweeter victory for the winner. The AMA No. 1 plate proves that the racer went head-tohead against the best of the best, and won. No explanation needed. Whether racing as an amateur or a pro, the AMA No. 1 plate represents an incredible accomplishment that can never be taken away. One for the AMA record books. There’s nothing better.
AmericanMotorcyclist.com
...it’s the only thing.
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
The Alvwood Squaw Lake ATV Club in Blackduck, Minn., and the Indian Valley Creek ATV Club in White, Pa., are among the latest grant recipients from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative. Yamaha Motor Corp. USA reports that it gave out nearly $60,000 in the second quarter to eight projects dedicated to safe, responsible riding and to opening sustainable access to land, trails and riding areas for off-highway vehicle users. “The scope of projects this quarter include clearly marking trails through up-to-date signage, trail maintenance, and installation of drainage systems and directional signage to create sustainable and legal access to OHV trail riding,” says Mike Martinez, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group vice president. Those who received grants are: • Alvwood Squaw Lake ATV Club, Blackduck, Minn. • Cowlitz Basin ORV Club, Randal, Wash. • Fort Riley Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation, Fort
Riley, Kan. • Indian Valley Creek ATV Club, White, Pa. • Jones Creek Trail Riders Association, Camas, Wash. • La Paz County, Ariz. • Wilderness Wheelers ATV Club, Bigfork, Minn. • Yampa Valley OHV Trailriders Club, Craig, Colo. Find information about the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative at www.yamahaoutdooraccess.com.
NEWS Washington Forest Routes Closed To ATVs Officials at the OkanoganWenatchee National Forest in Washington have decided to ban ATVs from six routes because of a legal challenge. Officials were allowing ATVs on 350 miles of roads but now have banned the travel until a full environmental assessment can be made. Those routes remain open to legal highway vehicles. The closed routes are: The Bald Mountain and the Clover Spring routes on the Naches Ranger District, the Entiat Ridge route on the Wenatchee River and Entiat Ranger Districts, the Grade-Oss route on the Chelan and Methow Valley Ranger Districts, the Table Mountain route on the Cle Elum Ranger District and the Thunder Mountain route on the Methow Valley and Tonasket Ranger Districts.
New Jersey Township ATV Park Concept Appears Dead The West Milford, N.J., Township Council has decided to disband a volunteer ATV committee that was
WHERE TO RIDE
The Claiborne Trail Alexandria, La. The Claiborne Trail in the Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana offers approximately 70 miles of trail-riding nirvana. The forest itself encompasses more than 604,000 acres and features bayous, bald cypress groves and old growth pine. It is the only national forest in the state. The Claiborne Trail, in south Rapides Parish, is named after Camp Claiborne, where more than 500,000 troops trained during World War II. At the time it was the third largest city in Louisiana. The Claiborne Trail is made up of the 19-mile North Loop, the 27-mile Woodworth Loop and the 31-mile Boy Scout Loop. The landscape is flat with sandy loam and clay. But there are also some ridges and rolling hills, along with gullies and numerous pine trees. The primary trailhead/staging area is
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established to propose a location for an ATV park. The council earlier rejected a proposal to fund a feasibility study for an ATV park after public complaints. The study was proposed as a step toward creating a legal place for ATV riders to ride. However, when certain parcels were mentioned as possible ATV park sites, area residents expressed concerns. Now, the ATV committee has canceled all future meetings and will disband at the end of the year.
New ATV Resort, Trails In Virginia A new 13-cabin ATV resort will be built in Boissevain, Va., for riders to stay when they ride the Spearhead and Hatfield-McCoy Trails. The $800,000 facility will also include seven RV sites. Each cabin will hold four to six people. The facility is expected to be up and running in the spring. Meanwhile, a new 30-mile trail system that winds through the mountains has opened in Lee County in southwest Virginia. Officials hope the scenic and challenging trail will bring some much-
the Loran Camp, where all three loops begin. Camping there is very primitive with no water available. There are trash receptacles and restrooms available, along with posted regulations and instructions at the day-use parking area. The Loran/Claiborne Camp is off U.S. Highway 165. From Alexandria, take U.S. 165 south through Woodworth for 14 miles to Louisiana Highway 112. Turn right (west) on 112 and travel 2.6 miles to Forest Service Road 258. Turn right (north) and travel 1.5 miles to the Loran Trailhead and Campground. From Forest Hill, take U.S. 165 North for 2.1 miles. Turn left (west) on Louisiana Highway 112 west and travel 2.6 miles. Turn right (north) on Forest Service Road 258 and travel 1.5 miles to the Loran Trailhead and Campground. Officials caution that trails may be closed to motorized traffic if excessive rain is received. Call the OHV Hotline at (866) 830-6467 for the latest updates. Fees are $5 per operator for the Claiborne Trails, $7 per camp unit at Loran Campground. For information, contact: Calcasieu
needed tourist revenue to the area. The trailhead is in Pennington Gap and connects to the Spearhead Trail system.
Connector Trail Considered In Stockbridge, Vt. ATVs may soon be allowed to cross Vermont’s Les Newell Wildlife Management Area near Stockbridge. The State Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering a proposal to allow an ATV trail to slice through part of the 160acre wildlife area to connect the trails. The connector trail would be just 0.4 miles long. There are about 100 miles of trails in the area.
ATVs Can Use Roads To Connect Trails In St. Louis County, Minn. Beginning April 5, ATV riders in St. Louis County, Minn., can legally ride on county roads to connect trails, thanks to a resolution passed by the St. Louis County Commissioners. The county is the latest in northeastern Minnesota to allow ATVs on certain public roads.
Ranger District, 9912 Highway 28 West, Boyce, LA 71409. Phone: (318) 793-9427. Or go to www.fs.usda.gov/kisatchie.
It’s Winter. Get Out And Ride! Tips For Cold Weather Riding
7. Clear snow and ice from your machine during riding breaks.
W
10 Tips For ATV Winter Storage
inter has arrived, and in some parts of the country that means snow and frigid temperatures. But it doesn’t necessarily mean an end to ATV riding. Here are some tips to keep you out on your quad this winter having fun. But if you decide to hang it up for the winter, we have you covered there, too, with nine tips to help you store your machine until the spring thaw arrives.
Wear The Right Clothes
Avoid Frostbite and Hypothermia 1. First and foremost, stay dry. 2. What is frostbite? The Mayo Clinic defines it as “an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. First your skin becomes very cold and red, then numb, hard and pale. Exposed skin in cold, windy weather is most vulnerable to frostbite.” 3. What is hypothermia? According to the Mayo Clinic, it is “a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce
Be Prepared
1. As always, ride with a buddy, or a bunch of buddies. 2. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. 3. Expect the unexpected. Pack some emergency items in case you are forced to spend a long time, or even overnight, stranded out in the woods. 4. Consider buying a SPOT personal locator so that if you do get lost you can be found. AMA members receive a discount from the company. For more info, go to www.findmespot.com/AMA.
Prepare Your Machine
1. Inspect your machine (a good practice before every ride) to be sure that there are no cracks in the frame, all the nuts and bolts are tight and controls are properly adjusted. 2. Make sure that everything that needs to be is lubed and greased, like control cables and the chassis. 3. Clean electrical connections and use dielectric grease. 4. Replace all fluids with fluids designed for colder weather. 5. Consider installing a windscreen. 6. While riding, use your brakes occasionally so they don’t freeze up.
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A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
1. Staying warm is the key to winter riding, and wearing layers of clothes is the key to comfort. When you are just lumbering along at a slow pace enjoying the sights, you will need a lot of layers to maintain your body heat. But if you later decide to do some spirited riding on tight trails, you can easily take off a layer or two first. 2. Avoid cottons close to your skin. Go with synthetics or wool-polyester blends. 3. For your second layer, go with cotton for its heat-retaining properties. It will absorb moisture while the first layer keeps it away from your skin. 4. Additional layers can be fleece, natural or synthetic down or some other insulating-type of garments. Be sure you have a jacket that will keep you dry. 5. A balaclava or other facemask is a good idea to help prevent frostbite. 6. A helmet and goggles are strongly recommended. 7. Don’t forget warm socks, waterproof boots, and warm gloves or mittens.
heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.” The Mayo Clinic adds “left untreated, hypothermia can eventually lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and to death.” 4. When you are stopped and not wearing a helmet, wear a warm hat. 5. If your clothes get wet, change into dry clothes as soon as possible.
If you follow some sensible steps before putting your ATV away for the winter, it will be a lot easier to start up and ride in the spring. 1. Do some major cleaning, top to bottom. That means every little nook and cranny. Make sure you wash underneath your ATV also. 2. Once you’re done cleaning your machine, dry it off and spray everything down with WD40 or something similar. 3. Grab a notepad and carefully inspect your entire machine, noting things that you need to fix or replace. 4. Make sure the lights are working, and all the wiring, levers, cables, etc. on the machine are in good shape. If you have a 4x4, carefully inspect the rubber CV boots for any cracks or tears. 5. Be sure you check the front and rear differentials, if equipped. Is the oil level correct? If the oil looks like chocolate milk, it’s contaminated with water. 6. Change your engine oil and filter. 7. If your ATV has a drive chain, check to see whether the sprocket teeth are showing wear. If everything looks good, still give the chain a good lube job. 8. With your ATV off the ground on jack stands or a hydraulic ATV jack, grab each front wheel at the top and bottom and check to see that the wheel and A-arm bearings aren’t loose or wobbling. Do the same with the rear wheels to check the swingarm and axle bearings. 9. Take care of your fuel or later you’ll have a gummed up carb or injector. One way to avoid this is to add a fuel stabilizer. Another option is to turn the gas off and run your ATV dry. 10. Clean the battery terminals and connect a trickle charger. If the battery charge drops too much during the winter, you may be unable to recharge it and you’ll have to replace it.
Ken Hill
racing
Walker Fowler Captures 2015 GNCC Championship For the second year in a row, the XC1 ATV class title has been decided at the final round of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, presented by Maxxis. Saturday’s battle at the AMA National Championship finale was a winnertake-all affair in the XC1 class as two of the sport’s biggest names fought to secure the major championship at the 21st running of the Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Ind. As the green flag dropped for the highly anticipated finale, CST/PirateMX. com-backed Adam McGill wasted no time, claiming the $250 AMSOIL Holeshot Award. Despite a bad jump off the start, N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Walker Fowler quickly made his way up near McGill as they dropped into the woods. However, when they made their way through scoring for the first lap, Fowler had dropped back to 12th, while McGill was just inside the top five. Fowler worked his way up to fifth by the second lap, and ultimately crossed the finish line in fourth. His respective finish not only made it his eleventh top-five finish, but also gave him enough points to clinch the deal on the championship. “By losing the championship last year
6 January/February 2016
I learned a lot,” said Fowler from the podium. “I had to pick up the pieces and reset. I cannot thank my family enough, they are really the most important thing in helping me get up here. It is an honor to be the champion of this series. This is surreal.” JMR/ATVRiders.com’s Jarrod McClure commanded the lead for most of the two-hour race, but started to feel pressure from McGill on the third lap. Unfortunately, McGill would suffer a mechanical issue, taking him out of the running for the overall win and championship and opening up the door for McClure to ride his own race and take home his second win of the season. “I had a good start and was running up front,” said McGill afterwards. “I wrecked in the creek crossing, but made my way back up into the lead. The bike was working great and everything was just clicking until the third lap.” Bithell Racing’s Chris Bithell pushed his Suzuki throughout the entire race to secure the third place position, placing ahead of many of the sport’s best riders and wrapping up the season with a podium finish. In the end it was McClure, Yamaha rider Cole Richardson and Bithell on the podium.
AMSOIL Ironman GNCC Crawfordsville, Ind. Round 13 of 13 Saturday, Oct. 31 XC1 Results: 1. Jarrod McClure (HON) 2. Cole Richardson (YAM) 3. Chris Bithell (SUZ) 4. Walker Fowler (YAM) 5. Chris Borich (YAM) 6. Brycen Neal (YAM) 7. Brian Wolf (HON) 8. Landon Wolfe (HON) 9. Johnny Gallagher (YAM) 10. Marshal Goings (HON) Overall AMA National Championship Standings 1. Walker Fowler (313) 2. Adam McGill (276) 3. Jarrod McClure (255) 4. Chris Borich (220) 5. Brycen Neal (207) 6. Cole Richardson (180) 7. Chris Bithell (164) 8. Brian Wolf (148) 9. Jay Shadron (140) 10. Johnny Gallagher (130)
We talked with multi-time AMA ATV Motocross National Champion Chad Wienen to find out how he was able to capture his fourth consecutive title in 2015. Here’s what he had to say.
AN: What was your favorite track this year and why? CW: My favorite track this year was Millville, Minn. This year it took a lot of technique to ride the rough conditions. Creativity was key to being fast out there. AN: Tell us what your favorite piece of equipment is on your ATV. CW: My favorite parts on my machine are my Fox Shox. Every time I throw a leg over my machine, they impress me on how well they work.
ATVRiders.com
AN: What do you do to prepare and train for the races? CW: I like to prepare in stages throughout the year. I use the offseason to strengthen up and stay flexible. During the season, I do a lot of riding, spend time on my bicycle and run.
Brad Riley Wins Pro and Pro-Am ATV Extreme Dirt Track Titles Chuckie Creech won the last race of the season in the AMA ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship series on Aug. 29 in Muskogee, Okla., while Brad Riley earned the championship title. Riley, from High Point, N.C., finished first four times during the season to edge out Creech, of Nashville, N.C., in the final overall standings. In the last race of the season, round seven of the series, Creech took first place while Riley finished 11th. Josh Hibdon of Oak Grove, Mo., finished second and Garrett Keister of Harrison, Ark., placed third. In the Pro-Am battle, Riley took the win and earned the championship title. Creech placed second in the race, followed by Chris Landreth of Walkertown, N.C., in third. In sixth-round action on Aug. 28, also in Muskogee, Okla., Riley won the Pro race. Creech took second place and Nathan Wolff of Brighton, Ill., placed third. In Pro-Am action, Riley finished first,
EDT Final National Championship Standings Pro Class 1. Brad Riley 2. Chuckie Creech 3. Garrett Keister 4. Colter Loshbaugh 5. Nathan Wolff 6. Josh Hibdon 7. Daniel Chepkauskas 8. Michael Houghton 9. Joseph Stahl 10. Brian Ace
Creech second and Chris Landreth of Walkertown, N.C., was third. At round five in Sturgis, S.D., July 31Aug. 1, Michael Coburn of Garretson, S.D., won the Pro event, with Keister finishing second and Colter Loshbaugh of Oberland Park, Kan., placing third. Riley won the Pro-Am winner event, followed by Landreth, Stahl and then Blaine Stegenga of Valley Springs, S.D.
Team Yamaha Wins Heartland Challenge Endurance Race Team Yamaha with racers Johnny Gallagher, Walker Fowler and Cole Richardson won the grueling 2015 GBC Heartland Challenge ATV endurance race in Carlisle, Iowa, on Aug. 21. The event usually lasts 10 hours but was cut down to seven hours because of thunderstorms. Team Elka’s P.J. Denault, Brian Wolf and Wesley Wolfe placed second,
followed by Team MZM’s Josh Beach, Brandon Nichols and Cole Setser. The 6-mile course ran through woods and open fields and also included a challenge section made up of a mixture of logs, dirt mounds, concrete piles and rocks. The section actually was a short cut on the course. More than 70 teams lined up for the start.
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A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
ATV NEWS: To what do you attribute your 2015 success? CHAD WIENEN: My team all works in sync with each other. Each person wants to win each and every weekend. We all have jobs and do them to the best of our ability.
ATVRiders.com
4 Questions With 2015 AMA ATV Motocross National Champion Chad Wienen
MARKETPLACE
STI Outback Max Tires
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATV RIDERS
STI Tire & Wheel has added two new sizes to its Outback Max mud tire lineup (28-inch and 32-inch) for 14-inch wheels. The two new sizes feature 8-ply rated construction with lugs measuring 2 inches deep at the shoulders. These lugs are built with a stepped-base design that minimizes flex across the tread’s width, maximizing traction and tire strength. Well-placed dimples in the lugs add more biting surfaces for improved traction. MSRP: 28-inch: $224.35. 32-inch: $274.86. Info: www.stitireandwheel.com
GoPro HERO+ Camera GoPro has released its new Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled HERO+ camera. The HERO+ is waterproof, mountable, and captures stunning 1080p60 and 720p60 video and 8MP single, time lapse and burst photos. Most notably, The HERO+ features Wi-Fi, which allows it to connect with GoPro's mobile app and benefit from convenient tools such as a “trim and share” feature that allows the user to quickly create and share short video clips across leading social media channels. MSRP: $199.99 Info: www.gopro.com
SPOT Gen3 Tracking Device
CALENDAR CALIFORNIA HARE & HOUND JAN. 23-24: LUCERNE VALLEY: DESERT MOTORCYCLE CLUB, INC., 626-260-2830, JIMMY WEINERT RIDING PARK
NORTH CAROLINA MOTOCROSS JAN. 30-13: MAYSVILLE: VIKINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, 845-283-4038
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If you want family and friends to know where you are when you are riding high up in the mountains, or you want peace of mind knowing that help is just a push of a button away, then you need a SPOT Gen 3 personal tracking device. Plus, AMA Members receive tracking service credit on the SPOT Gen 3 and other products. Tracking is motion-activated—a vibration sensor tells your SPOT to send track updates when you are moving and to stop when you do. If you need emergency help, just push a button and the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center provides your GPS coordinates and information to local response teams, such as 911 responders in North America. MSRP: $149.99 Info: www.findmespot.com/AMA