NOHVCC Newsletter - November 2011 edition
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In this Issue:
Enduro Riders Tell Their Story In “Endless Sunday”
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
Like motorcycling? Got 13 minutes? Watch “Endless Sunday,” an exceptional amateur video on YouTube that describes what riding an enduro is all about, as told by members of AMA District 23 in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Shown at the 2011 NOHVCC Conference in Minneapolis, “Endless Sunday” was filmed, edited and produced by Mike Pohl, president of Straight Arrows Enduro Riders, a 50-member OHM club. The video has some great helmet-cam and race-day footage at actual enduros, and personal interviews of riders who talk about why they ride, what it takes, the enjoyment it brings families and the future of the sport. Like these candid comments:
“It’s a test between you, the clock and endurance. Enduro.” - Al Mathwig
“Riding is my life. It’s my family, my friends.” -Dylan Debel
“I couldn’t believe I had done such a stupid thing, but the next time we heard about another one, we’d do it again.” -Steve Reschke
“Don’t look at a tree and go ‘I’m going to hit that tree’ because you’re gonna hit that tree.” -Scott Reschke
This is our second family, we call it. We have our regular family and then we have our racing family - Terri Orezzoli-Reschke
Everybody out here just loves to ride; it is a passion sport - Bret Grossman
When you have the rhythm, there is just nothing like it - Duane Nienow
Pohl is a self-taught videographer and editor. “I’ve always 
been an amateur videographer, and a cinematographer for a few years, but really had nothing to show the public,” said Pohl. “This idea was just one of those things that crept in. I thought it would be cool to do a story about enduro from our perspective, that the story would tell itself, and that’s exactly what happened.”
Pohl filmed the action and interviews at enduros in Minnesota and Wisconsin during the summer of 2010. “I would race an event and shoot it at the same time, most of it after, with still photos as they pulled through the woods,” said Pohl.
As for the editing process, Pohl said it was a labor of love. “It was an insane amount of time. I didn’t track it because I knew if I did I would probably quit. Each time you cut it and edit it you find something to fix, that played itself out a thousand times.
“My goal is to tell our story, to change the perception of the people who have the wrong perception of enduro. Nothing is copyrighted. I want it to get out there. I want people to use it for their clubs and show it to their kids.”
The staff at NOHVCC agrees that the video gives a great perspective of the riders. “Mike brought the video to the Minnesota District 23 Off-Road Awards Banquet. I thought it was a great piece and would be a great tool for advocates to help explain who an Off-Highway Motorcycle rider is.” says Karen Umphress, NOHVCC Project Coordinator. “Mike was kind enough to have brought copies of the video to the banquet.”
Links to the YouTube video are posted on the NOHVCC site.
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20 State OHV Program Managers Shift INOHVAA Into High Gear
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
OHV program managers from 20 U.S. states and one Canadian province took a collective leap forward in September, officially launching the International OHV Administrators Association (pronounced In Oh Va), at its first annual conference. It was the beginning of a new chapter in cooperation to share information and create greater uniformity in OHV programs across the U.S. and Canada.
Ron Potter, who co-chaired the group’s formation and was elected its first chair, couldn’t be more pleased. “It was exciting to see it all come together and everybody weighing in and working through it,” said Potter, Policy and Program Manager with the Parks & Trails Division of the Minnesota DNR. “We spent a half day with just the state administrators rolling up our sleeves, going through the structure and getting organized.”
Over the course of their meeting, held in conjunction with the NOHVCC annual conference, the charter members of INOHVAA adopted bylaws, elected the chair and co-chair, identified committees and committee chairs, and mapped out five regions organized to start identifying and tackling common goals and objectives.
INOHVAA is a professional, non-political advocacy association. Membership represents organizations of motorized, wheeled recreational vehicles, and is comprised of administrators and managers of state programs and agencies. It replaces an earlier, loosely formed group called the National Association of OHV Program Managers (NAOPM).
The INOHVAA purpose statement reads as follows:
The purpose of INOHVAA shall be to promote best management practices of recreational OHV use throughout the OHV community including but not limited to OHV safety; uniformity of laws, rules and regulations, through coordination of OHV concerns; enforcement of existing laws, rules and regulations; promoting positive relationships with other recreational users, partners, and land managers; assisting OHV recreation groups to protect the environment; and the collection, development, and dissemination of information and views on any subject within the scope of the organization.
Of the 50 U.S. states, 46 have OHV programs. They vary in 
OHV rules and regulations, yet they share common challenges, such as OHV definitions, trail signing and funding. By sharing information and working toward common goals, INOHVAA and its members will help shape the future of OHV recreation.
“We can share information and work together to create consistent direction for OHV programs across the country. That’s the key to the whole thing,” said Potter. “We’re also trying to save people from going through the same growing pains that some states have already gone through. California has been working with OHV issues for 30 years or more. They went through all this stuff and can save those new to it a lot of problems. It’s about sharing information and trying to get everybody up to the same speed.”
“We agreed on five regions in the U.S., and the Canadian provinces will come up with their regions. We’re hoping the regions will meet throughout the year to bring their issues forward at the annual meeting.”
One of the first things INOHVAA will do is create a web site, where it will compile and post existing rules from states with OHV programs, and move forward from there, said Potter. “Everyone will be able to see where we’re consistent and where we’re not, so we can address issues that are emerging, including issues related to Side x Sides, vehicle size and horsepower, and consistent signing used by the U.S. Forest Service, we need to stay actively engaged in that,” said Potter.
Program managers with federal agencies, while not voting members of INOHVAA, will be welcomed and valued partners moving forward. “We need to have all the federal agencies at the table as well, because we want a seamless system when we’re done. We don’t want it changing from one agency to the other,” said Potter.
Potter hopes to get more state OHV program managers involved, especially those in the southeast and south central states. “We’re definitely hurting for representation from those areas,” he said.
For more information and to join INOHVAA, contact one of the following:
Ron Potter, Policy and Program Manager
Parks & Trails, Minnesota DNR
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4052
651-259-5632
ronald.potter@state.mn.us
Karen Umphress
NOHVCC
612-965-8619
karen@nohvcc.org
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“Like” Us On Facebook And Start Sharing Your OHV Success Stories
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
Got an OHV success story to tell? How about photos or a video of your latest trail-building project? Share them with ‘like’-minded people on the official NOHVCC Facebook page.
NOHVCC has recently migrated from a Facebook group to a Facebook page. This will allow you to ‘like’ us and to send a link to your friends to ‘like’ us as well. Current group members can’t be migrated with the new page, so log-in and ‘like’ NOHVCC. If you are not a current Facebook member, now is the perfect time to create a Facebook profile of your own, then join our page. You can see what’s new at NOHVCC, share your news and views on our wall, ask a question, start a discussion, post photos and videos, or comment on how you are using NOHVCC materials and information to promote responsible OHV riding.
We know you like us, so “like” us. Let’s see how fast we can get to 1,000 members on the NOHVCC Facebook page.
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OHV Recreation Plays Key Role In “Get Out West! Initiative”
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
“OHV recreation is a nationally accepted outdoor activity and quality opportunities are readily available to all who wish to participate responsibly.”
That is the NOHVCC Vision Statement, and the more we get involved in initiatives involving outdoor recreation at all levels, the stronger it becomes. Case in point: the “Get Out West! Initiative,” launched earlier this year by the Western Governors’ Association to promote outdoor recreation and tourism across the West.
The Western Governors' Association (WGA) is an independent, non-partisan organization of governors from 19 western states. Established in 1984, it was formed to provide strong multi-state leadership, recognizing that many vital recreational issues and opportunities cross state lines and are shared throughout the West.
Last June, Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, the current WGA chair, announced the Get Out West! Initiative. Using this program, she will work with fellow governors and a broad array of outdoor recreation businesses and organizations to show how outdoor recreation and tourism positively impact the health of citizens and local economies throughout the West. Having this information will assist decision makers as they consider the economic implications of investments in outdoor recreation and tourism.
In early October, Gregoire announced the formation of the Get Out West! Advisory Group, charged with developing tourism and recreation strategies for the WGA to consider, focusing on strengthening economies, engaging youth, volunteerism and conservation. “We have pulled together an impressive group to advise the governors on state strategies and model programs,” Gregoire said.
The Get Out West! Advisory Group includes members 
of state and federal agencies, tourism boards, trade associations, outdoor product manufacturers, and environmental organizations. Those on the list representing motorized recreation include Kathy Van Kleeck, VP Government Relations, Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC); Derrick Crandall, President, American Recreation Coalition; and Russ Ehnes, Executive Director, NOHVCC.
The high level of involvement in Get Out West! by motorized recreation is a testament to the popularity of OHV riding as a nationally accepted outdoor activity, and says a lot about how far OHV advocacy has come in recent years. “The nice thing is, it’s not about who gets to go where, or the allocation of public land uses, that’s not the discussion,” said Ehnes. “The discussion is how to get Americans to enjoy the opportunities that are on public lands out west right now.”
“From the OHV perspective, there are really positive things that can come out of this. Number one is that it helps us promote responsible OHV recreation out west, highlighting success stories like the Paiute ATV Trail System, Moab, and other successful OHV riding areas that bring tourists and people from out of the region to give an economic boost to the area.”
Another powerful outcome of Get Out West! will be conclusive data on the economic impact of all aspects of outdoor recreation, including OHV riding. Governors and state agencies can use this information with their legislatures to justify OHV programs and promote tourism for trail systems. “The WGA will be working with the motorized community through NOHVCC, MIC, SVIA (Specialty Vehicle Institute of America) and ROHVA (Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association) to conduct a regional and nationwide economic impact study of OHV recreation that can be added to the non-motorized component,” said Ehnes.
Following regional and national surveys, state-by-state economic impact studies will also be conducted about recreation, creating a powerful tool for OHV advocates across the West. “They’ll have hard numbers to work with that don’t exist everywhere,” said Ehnes. “In Montana, we have a study but it’s dated, and a lot of states have never done a study. For states that already have economic impact information this will be another tool in their tool chest, and for states that have never had access to that information this will be a gem.”
Ehnes adds that the program’s goal is to provide governors with economic impact data for outdoor recreation over the long term, plus a tool box they can use to promote recreation and tourism in their states, and get kids involved in outdoor activities. It will include success stories, speaking points, and a press kit to be compiled over the next few months.
OHV success stories? Not a problem, said Ehnes. “We have plenty of them. This is a great opportunity to mention OHV success stories out West and every state has them.”
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Developing OHV Leaders of the Future - Third in a Series
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
Across the country, clubs of all kinds that involve outdoor activities -- OHV riding, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping -- are faced with a similar challenge: how to get more youth involved. OHV clubs that invest in youth programs are more apt to have that younger base of support when it’s needed.
We’d like to hear what your club is doing to develop and mentor the OHV leaders and volunteers of tomorrow who will be needed to carry on your work. Send us a note on the projects, programs and unique ideas your club uses to get kids, teens and young adults involved in your OHV club or organization. We’ll share them in this newsletter. Email them to trailhead@nohvcc.org.
This month, Darrel Palmer, president of the Central Lakes ATV Club in Minnesota, shares what his club does to get kids and their parents involved, educated and riding safely.
Darrel Palmer, Central Lakes ATV Club:
“The Central Lakes ATV Club -- located in the Brainerd lakes region of Minnesota -- was formed in 2006 to promote safe, responsible riding and – HAVE FUN! We began doing ATV Youth Safety Training, got involved in the Minnesota DNR’s Volunteer Trail Ambassador Program in 2008, and have learned much along the way.
“Our club actively seeks to get young people involved by providing ATV Youth Safety Training classes at least once a year, where we provide each youth who attends with a certificate recognizing them for completing our training class, along with a gift certificate that allows them to go to our local ATV dealer and pick out a helmet and goggles of their choice. We believe if they have a helmet that they get to pick out (flames, spikes, pink or polka dot) they will be more likely to want to wear the helmet when they’re out riding on their own and thus be a safer rider. Additionally, what we have found is that this is spreading goodwill for our club in the community and surrounding area, and has resulted in parents of these youth wanting to join our club and help us grow.
“In 2009, we were introduced to NOHVCC at the “Longest ATV Parade” 
event put on in Silver Bay, Minnesota, by the ATV Association of Minnesota (ATVAM). In looking at NOHVCC’s training and youth safety information, we felt it was a great addition to our training and safety advocacy programs. We utilize their large posters at our ATV Youth Safety Training events. They are also great eye catchers at our county fair booth. Kids are always pulled in by seeing the posters (and candy!!) which allows us to ask them and their parents if they have had youth safety training, where they ride and what kind of riding they like to do, so we can recommend trails to ride. This ultimately leads to us telling them about our monthly club ATV rides, where they can try a new trail that may interest them. We also invite them to ride with us with the goal of having the family joining the club.
“We hand out the NOHVCC “Adventure Trails” coloring books and CDs at our fair booth to get kids to go home and think about riding ATVs and safety. We also have drawings for prizes, with a separate bucket for tickets based on age categories. We then have drawings for ages under 12, for 12-17 year olds, and for 18 and older. We focus our prizes on safety products such as helmets, goggles, gloves and chest protectors for the two younger categories.”
“During our Youth Safety Training classes, we ask that parents stay for the class so that they hear and understand the regulations. Very often, they have younger children with them. We give them the “Adventure Trails” coloring book and colors to keep them occupied, plus start the process of teaching them the basics of safe ATV riding.”
“As our DNR-certified volunteer Trail Ambassadors ride the trails and visit with people, we always ask if their children have had youth safety training. We talk to them about our upcoming training classes (and other clubs’ classes in the area) and provide them with the Minnesota DNR Training CDs that we carry with us, as well as the current Minnesota DNR regulations. We also provide the younger kids with the “Adventure Trails” coloring books and, depending on the age of the kids, the “Adventure Trails” CD game that promotes ATV safety. Kids and parents are always appreciative of this information.”
“At our annual “Spring Fling” banquet, which occurs in April, we have guest speakers talk about a variety of topics. We always have at least one speaker who is touching on safe riding. We have door prizes and a special drawing for youths where, again, the prizes are centered around safety equipment for them. This encourages the youth to come with their parents to the event and bring a friend. We try to keep the speeches short and make this a fun and informative event for all.”
“Our goal at the Central Lakes ATV Club is to get the youth of today properly trained and have equipment that provides a safe riding experience for them, as well as spread the word about our club to get both new members and recognition in our community as being responsible riders.”
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Looking Forward
by Russ Ehnes, NOHVCC Executive Director
The dates for the 2012 NOHVCC and INOHVAA Conference has been set for August 21-25 and will be conducted once again in Great Falls, Montana. The conference schedule will be changed slightly, back to the format used prior to 2009, to allow more access for participants to the riding and mobile workshop opportunities and the indoor sessions. The outdoor sessions will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday and the indoor sessions will take place Thursday through Saturday. The past two years the schedule was compressed in order to keep costs down but it resulted in participants having to choose between indoor and outdoor sessions.
The field sessions and rides will be conducted in two locations in 2012. Bull Run Guest Ranch not only offers great ATV, side-by-side, and motorcycles trails, but also offers the opportunity for hands-on trail building demonstrations and equipment demos. The second location will be a field-trip to the Whitetail/Pipestone OHV Area near Whitehall, Montana. The area is one of two pilot-project areas where NOHVCC and the BLM have worked cooperatively to improve management and sustainability of the areas.
Mark your calendars and feel free to contact NOHVCC for more information.
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