PARTNER PROFILE; LEWIS SHULER

Hard-working advocate of youth programs

Lewis Schuler lists Angola, Indiana as his place of residence, but the majority of his passions as a dirt biker and a strong OHV advocate take place in Michigan. How is that, you ask? "Well, what first got me involved in land access issues was the fact that back in the '80s there weren't any state or federal riding areas in Indiana," explained the 49 year-old Shuler. "Angola lies right next to the Michigan border, and I knew there were tons of public riding opportunities up there. So I joined up with the Michigan Cycle Conservation Club (CCC) in '86 to help them keep and expand their riding areas and I've been doing most of my riding up there ever since then." Lewis' current mounts are an XR650 and CRF450F.

Shuler's OHV involvement expanded in the next decade when he became the Youth Program coordinator for the CCC in '96, the Michigan NOHVCC Alternate State Representative in '98, and was voted into the CCC Board of Directors in '99 and the NOHVCC Board of Directors and Youth Group Team Leader in 2004. Lewis has also been active as a volunteer for the annual Ride For Kids that is part of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

The majority of Shuler's energies over the past ten years have been focused on the CCC Kid's Camp and the 6 Days of Michigan for Kids. Another annual training and safety for kids and adults takes place during the Rites of Spring weekend. "I specialize in training first-time riders at Rites of Spring, many of whom are adults," explained Lewis. "If I do my job right, they'll be at the cycle shop picking out a new bike on Monday!"

The biggest obstacle Shuler sees for the future of OHV recreation is the current struggle to find insurance. "It will be a lot easier to open trails back up again if we could get the fear of litigation out from over their heads," he says.

"What makes me happy is seeing the results of all our training programs. I can look at a group of kids and watch them ride for a few minutes and I can point out the ones who have gone through our training sessions and the ones who haven't."

Shuler describes his experience as a NOHVCC representative. "The best thing for me at the NOHVCC conferences is the connections we make. That and all the programs which have been getting more interesting every year."

Lewis is joined on the trails with his 21 year-old son Lewis II,  daughter Ann and wife Cindy. Shuler's other favorite pastimes are fishing and shooting and he is also a Mason.

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