Choosing areas to ride isn't as easy as you might think. My list of places where I'd like to take our four-wheelers and/or side-by-sides is far longer than there are days to ride. And that doesn't include all the places I've already had a chance to spin the tires that I'd like to go back to.
I'm sure that's the same problem you face: far more places to ride than you have time (or maybe even money) for.
I'll admit that's a nice problem to have. I'd much rather face that dilemma than the other way around.
Anyway, I can think of a dozen places right off the top of my head where you'd say, "That sounds like fun. I want to do that trip." You could do the same thing and I'd be saying, "Yep, that's an area I want to ride."
One difference there is between the areas you pick and ones I choose is that I have to decide which areas I want to cover for work (I know, I know, work is a loose term when I get to go four-wheeling and get paid for it), i.e., Dirt Toys Magazine. Sometimes these are different than areas the guys from work and me go riding in just for fun. I tend to be a little more choosey when it comes to finding a place to ride that will be included in the magazine.
One of my criteria is that I only want to ride in areas that are ATV-friendly-you know, places which welcome off-roaders and want our business. I even try to shy away from areas I know just tolerate us because they want our money. Yes, those kinds of places (businesses) exist.
I don't know if you read the news piece I put on www.dirttoysmag.com in late June that talked about the economic impact of off-roading as reported by the Outdoor Industry Association. If you missed it, go here: www.dirttoysmag.com/powersport-news/display.cfm?ID=306. OIA, in a report titled, "The Outdoor Recreation Economy," said outdoor recreation participants annually spend $66 billion (note that's a B, not an M) in off-roading, which includes ATVs, OHVs, dune buggies and jeeping. Of that $66 billion, $53 billion is trip-related sales.
So there's money to be had in the off-roading travel industry. To me, it's a shame any of that chunk of money goes to places which could care less about the way we choose to recreate. That's why I try hard to pick areas that appreciate us.
I also look for places that are challenging and fun. The travel feature you'll read about in this issue-a ride from Pinedale, WY, to Iona, ID, wasn't exactly technical or terribly challenging from a riding point of view, but the challenge was in working out all the logistics of such a ride-you know, fuel stops, overnight accommodations, the route to take, etc. That was actually almost as fun as was the ride. And you couldn't beat the scenery.
I'll admit we tend to favor more challenging and technical rides, but even when it's a challenging ride, we still like to make sure it's an area where most riders of any skill level will enjoy it-a little something for everyone. In this sport, that's usually not too hard to find.
A third criteria I use to determine where we ride for potential travel features is have we already been there done that. I try hard not to write features on areas we've already highlighted in the magazine in destination pieces. On rare occasions I do, but it's not often. One reason for that is people like to read about new destinations, not the same one over and over. And second, I get to explore new places. It's a little fuzzy which of those two reasons is more important.
And I'm always open to suggestions. If there's a place you've ridden and think it would be a great place for others to try (especially me), send me an e-mail and I'll see what I can do. After all, it's my job.
