DID YOU KNOW

  About the Nor-Cal Pismo trip? Well, its coming up soon! We will be at Pismo Beach, the weekend of July 30, for a fun time in the sand. If you are in the area, come by and ride with us!

 That a new law went into effect regarding OHV use this year? Well, one did. Regarding children on oversized ATVs.
California Vehicle Code Sections 38304-38304.1
38304.  The operator of an off-highway motor vehicle shall be able to reach and operate all controls necessary to safely operate the vehicle. 38304.1.  (a) Neither a parent or guardian of a child who is under 14 years of age, nor an adult who is authorized by the parent or guardian to supervise that child, shall grant permission to, or knowingly allow, that child to operate an off-highway motor vehicle in a manner that violates Section 38304.
   (b) A person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) is punishable as follows:
   (1) For a first conviction, the court shall impose a fine of thirty-five dollars ($35).
   (2) For a second conviction, a fine of not less than thirty-five dollars ($35) nor more than fifty dollars ($50).
   (3) For a third or any subsequent conviction, a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than seventy-five dollars ($75).  That would be you all parents!  

HR 1406, a US house resolution has been brought forth. This bill would force the department of interior to hand over all documents relating to the latest push to federalize our lands. Under the Antiquities Act the federal government is trying to adopt more land grabs, thereby curtailing all use on our historically open lands. They would all be designated national monuments. You know what that means.

IN THE NEWS

  Polaris industries has decided that MEXICO is the place to be. In light of the fact that we have just been insulted overtly by the Mexican president and inundated by Mexican drugs and gangs coming over the border, Polaris is closing a plant in Wisconsin and.... hey.... VIVA LA MEXICO.. for Polaris. "Polaris said the realignment allows it to invest in painting, welding and assembly operations by outsourcing certain “nonstrategic” component manufacturing processes. Polaris expects the Mexico facility to maintain quality standards while improving on-time delivery to customers, and providing savings in logistical and production costs." Guess we, in the USA are not good enough to do that anymore.

Have you checked your health insurance policy lately? Well, maybe its time you should. Some carriers are refusing to cover inherently dangerous or risky behavior, and usually it is spelled out in the policy. There is an ongoing case in Illinois where the insurance company is refusing to pay for injuries sustained in an ATV accident due to her policy stating it won't pay for injuries "sustained while engaged in a hazardous hobby or activity. That is defined in the policy as "an activity which is characterized by a constant threat of danger or risk of bodily harm." Check your policy.

The Blueribbon Coalition has filed another lawsuit, concerning road de-commissioning and public access in Northern CA. Once again they have to go to court to protect the rights of public access on our lands. The suit alleges that the NFS and contractors specifically went in and decommissioned roads without permit and during a closed season, creating an environmental disaster of runoff, something they blame us for. That is just one aspect of the suit, you can get the actual suit here.

The CA desert is now under fire restrictions! Yes that is correct. Due to the large amount of rain we are now under fire restrictions. This means, no fires, barbecues, stoves, lantern, etc. Without the purchase of a permit!! Hmm... another permit for them to steal more money with. BLM warns that "While the BLM appreciates the public's cooperation, non-compliance results in serious penalties by law. Any person convicted of knowingly/willfully violating these fire restrictions can be fined up to $1,000, receive up to 12 months imprisonment, or both. That person also is liable for the damages and suppression cost of the wildfire." WOW!!! That's our government Gestapo! See the fire restriction map here.

KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE

  Just a little reminder to keep a watchful eye out for any shenanigans going on in your local area. With all the new trail designations and closures and land grabs that seem to occur on a daily basis in our fair state, it is almost imperative that you  keep a watchful eye. We have had the closure of Clear Creek. The attempted closure of Carnegie. Every time it spits a little rain for an hour, the ride areas all shut down to "Protect the trails" Then they remain close for 3 days beyond any measurable precipitation. Ridiculous. They skew the facts to fit their means and use every ounce of energy they have to try to classify us as a hazard. We have a few friends in the Blueribbon and Corva but without the change in our government, their effects are minimal. So, if you hear of any new issues coming up in your local ride area, of meetings going on that would effect us, please take the time to go and let your voice be heard. Without you, we are a very silent majority. Post any news in our forum, take the time to review your area. But most of all, Get involved, Stay involved!

what's that bear on?

  My, my, my...... Yes sir that wacky bear is still at it and going for it with gusto! Take a look at the picture below. Notice the misspell of the word forest? Unless they are renaming the entity of the forest to that of a living being born of Mother earth, hence the name Forrest. I used to know a guy named Forrest..... nice guy. Would never use the language depicted in the image at left. Well I bring, dredge and steam a little over this and have it up again to remind you that the image tells it all. That's, how the activists on the other side feel about everyone except themselves. That only they can be the stewards of the forest, and do anything they please. Well, its our forest too, and our fight will never end. Look at Clear Creek and what they have done there. Not only have they closed it down, they have Illegally gone in with dozers and under the guise of "trail restoration" without the proper permits, in the wet weather when no-one can enter, destroyed trails, roads and overcrossings to hamper any future use. Well, that's just not right. Just like those Smokey the bear commercials. Remember those? Only ATV's cause wildfires? Well, if you remember, they re-canted those ads after the uproar and the facts that not one wildfire was documented from those hazardous ATV's. It's usually a careless camper. But don't think for a moment those ads are gone. They ARE NOT! I have seen them on television still and hear them on the radio at least once or twice a week. And the NFS said they were "not involved" in the production of those ads. Well, at the end of those ads it is declared that the Ad council, NFS and the National assn. of State forests. So, as usual, the lies continue and expand. So keep a wary eye and whenever and wherever you can, contact your representatives to stop further land grabs and closures. Our future depends on it.