[Trail_Fanatic]

Boy, that does sound like a test. . .

Yetti,

I'd be willing. . . where?

Trade you. . .

Introduce yourself to me at the Clean Up on the 29th and tell me how to get there. :sonicjay:

This type of user group interaction is just what I think the MMRC should end up being about in the future, after they've delt with the stress and labor of the 25% rule.

 

[Roadhouse]

well if you guys are in the mood to do volinteer work for trails then how would you feel about helping out to reopen a 50" trail? its not that the full size guys should want to help, but its a show of faith to the state that the whole orv community stands together. its not formal trail maintenence, its reopening closed trail. the trail has been closed for the last couple of years and is now being offered up to see what kind of turn out we can muster the reopening. I think its a test by the state to see where we stand. if we show up with a hundred folks or if three guys and a weed whip show up. I know its going to be around the 20-21 of May so figure out if its something you guys want to do.

Yetti is this the Gladwin northern loop trail? If so I will try to help. I'm not an ATV guy, but it has bothered me that trail has stayed closed as long as it has. If the date is May 20, 21 I probably can't help...that is a GLFWDA trail maint in West Branch. Any other date let me know.....that trail is only 20 miles from me.

 

[Yetti]

no its the middle loop trail. its not up to us to pick the trail. the DNR asked our club secrtary to get things to work and so far we have about 20 people from our group, I do not know how many from the CCC at this time. I hope by crunch time we have about 50 people total to tackle 14 miles of trail in two days. I am guessing its about grown shut.

 

[Roadhouse]

no its the middle loop trail. its not up to us to pick the trail. the DNR asked our club secrtary to get things to work and so far we have about 20 people from our group, I do not know how many from the CCC at this time. I hope by crunch time we have about 50 people total to tackle 14 miles of trail in two days. I am guessing its about grown shut.

where is the Middle Loop Trail?

 

[Trail_Fanatic]

Hello Again!

I'm sorry it took me soooo long to get back to this! I know I said that I'd be back after the April 19th deadline for the M37 Project Comment Period, but I ran into some minor technical difficulties that caused delay. NO WORRIES, comments were accepted as having been in before the appeal deadline!

Before I left for that project I was talking (preaching) about the unification of the direction of ALL wheelers interested in helping effect change in the Michigan DNR and NFS attitude and approach to the "full-sized" breed of ORV. I'm not asking for any more than I'm willing to give myself . . .

I approached the BOD and those members of the Two Trackers 4WD Club who participated in the formulation of our Club comments for the M37 Project. I discussed my ideas for the unification of our direction. I called Jim Mazzola of GLFWDA, Terry Grost of Rustbelt, and had several conversations with Carla Boucher.

EVERY person I spoke with felt that the unification of our efforts can only increase our chances of success.

With that in mind, the Two Trackers offer the culmination of over 200 hours of gas, time, and effort as an 'Olive Branch'. We have included both the GLFWDA and Rustbelt names to our Official Comments.

This link will take you to the PDF version:

http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/twotrackers/m37F.pdf

I hope those of you interested in doing what you can will answer this posting with a reply.


Thoughts?

 

[whiterhino]

Pat,
I just did a quick look over of your presentation. What a great job!

I think your willingness to include other organizations is more than an "olive branch" gesture. It is really the attitude and mindset that sets a high level example to all of us.

On behalf of all of us (including me) who spend more time talking about the problems rather than solving them............ THANK YOU for your efforts!

Jim
GLFWDA Trail Ride Committee Chairman

 

[Zookeeper]

Pat,

Wow, you did a lot of work and I think it is outstanding you included other groups and associations on this. It will give the document that much more weight and is a huge step forward in getting us all on the same page, even if there is a lot of kicking and screaming until we get there.

Here's to you, the Two Trackers and all you did to get this submitted. :beer: :beer: :beer:

 

[Trail_Fanatic]

OK, just so we're all on the same page . . .

What I'm currently involved with:

1) MMRC/ Advisory Board

2) Forest Plan Revision Process for the 3 Michigan Forests

3) Monitor and Comment on any Project on the Manistee NF involving road closures

4) Assisting Club mate Jeff Traynor getting the Volunteer Trail Patrol up and running

5) Working with the local CRC to reopen 8 miles of 'undeveloped' roads found to be illegally blocked off

People from this site that I'm currently working with or have shown interest in moving the sport forward:

(If you're name is here and you don't want to help tell me so I can delete it -- If you're not listed and are willing to do what you can to help, SPEAK UP!)

C130FltEng
gmcpower98
GNJEEPN
MDL
Kodiak
patrioticjeep
PJTJ
purplejeep
Square-D
Zookeeper
Yetti
liv2mx
Kaiserjeep
Bruser

Did I miss anyone?
Did I make assumptions I shouldn't have?

 

[gmcpower98]

Pat,
You Make No Assumptions With Me!
I Will Help As My Time And Ability Allows.
I Am Happy To Be A Part These Activities That
So Many Of Us Are So Pasionate About.
Jeff Vander Sloot

 

[icedup]

hey Pat sounds like your still doing good thing for are interests,YES Ill help give me a ring or stop in ,thanks icedup

 

[Trail_Fanatic]

PM sent.

Thanks for the offer!:thumb:

I look fwd to working with you in the future.

Pat

 

[USMC 0369]

TF.... any chance this sticky/thread could be updated? I know I'm way outside on this, but am interested in the future of trails in MI. As we discussed in PM land TF; I was hesitant about the "tiered" system of membership dues like we have here in CA, but it sounds like GLFWDA needs the $$ and the membership. I'm sure a "unification" of all the smaller 4WD clubs under GLFWDA or UFWDA must have been discussed at some point?

"One Voice, One Purpose"

 

[Yetti]

there are lots of satilite clubs. but GLF is the biig dog and has been around the longest. the CCC has been around about 35 years so they have the politics to play the reps better, so in tern they have the ear of folks when it comes time to ask for money and things. the only way we have made headway is from GLF. they have made great strids in getting the states attension when it comes to full size users. they need about 10,000 more members to a force to be reconded with. that way the state would have to face a majority on paper rather then a few scattered clubs with just a few members.

 

[phittie1100]

they need about 10,000 more members to a force to be reconded with. that way the state would have to face a majority on paper rather then a few scattered clubs with just a few members.

10,000 members would be unstoppable, but in the short term 7, 25 or 100 more would be a tremendous improvement. Especially if out of that 7, 25 or 100 there were a couple more people that could give up a weekend a year to help with our DNR trail maintenance projects, a couple more who live in the UP and would be willing to help maintain contact with the NFS on UP issues like the Two Trackers are doing on the west side, a couple with Lansing contacts to work with Zookkeeper on legislative issues, and - here's what I am putting on my Christmas wish list this year - one attorney. I have come across wheelers from all walks of life, including doctors, dentists, truck drivers, engineers, college kids, retirees, plumbers, auto workers, mechanics, customer service reps, and even an accountant, but never an attorney. Or at least no one that would admit to being one.

 

[BigBlueBurban]

TF, i'm willing to lend a hand where and when i can. feel free to add me to your list

-Adam

 

[Trail_Fanatic]

It might take me a little while to get to it but . . .

I plan on going through the posts and compiling a list of the names of those of you who have so generously volunteered your support.

I have a helper who said that if I put the list together, he'd contact each of you to exchange info on how we can work together better.

Please be patient with me though . . .
It's been awfully busy lately.

 

[yellarubi]

Yes I would like to keep trails open

I am yellarubi's wife and I have read through this topic and chatted with Trail Fanatic a little in person. After reading, talking and thinking, I have this to say. I see that there are people that are trying and making a difference on this subject. I would like to add that I think that it would be benificial to enlist the help or other "clubs" or organizations. How about hunters for example? They use the trails to access their hunting spots. Or the fishermen who fish the streams and rivers. Those guys have lots of money that they spend in our state on their sports. I have hunters in my family and I will be telling them about this problem that Michigan trail users face. I also have been into horses all my life and know many trail riders that I will talk to about this. Our trails, at least the ones near where I live are truly multi use and I think if the other groups that use them become aware, and if we band together, no telling the power and influence we could have. And Trail Fanatic I would like to put my time, some money where my mouth is. Let me know what you might need.

 

[Zookeeper]

I am yellarubi's wife and I have read through this topic and chatted with Trail Fanatic a little in person. After reading, talking and thinking, I have this to say. I see that there are people that are trying and making a difference on this subject. I would like to add that I think that it would be benificial to enlist the help or other "clubs" or organizations. How about hunters for example? They use the trails to access their hunting spots. Or the fishermen who fish the streams and rivers. Those guys have lots of money that they spend in our state on their sports. I have hunters in my family and I will be telling them about this problem that Michigan trail users face. I also have been into horses all my life and know many trail riders that I will talk to about this. Our trails, at least the ones near where I live are truly multi use and I think if the other groups that use them become aware, and if we band together, no telling the power and influence we could have. And Trail Fanatic I would like to put my time, some money where my mouth is. Let me know what you might need.

You make an excellent point. The motorized vehicles are the easy targets. But there are some enviros who want to keep the woods for the woods and only the woods. That means no human access -- for hunting, for hiking or horseback riding. Once they succeed in taking us (the full-size users) down, they'll target the other groups.

 

[USMC 0369]

I am yellarubi's wife and I have read through this topic and chatted with Trail Fanatic a little in person. After reading, talking and thinking, I have this to say. I see that there are people that are trying and making a difference on this subject. I would like to add that I think that it would be benificial to enlist the help or other "clubs" or organizations. How about hunters for example? They use the trails to access their hunting spots. Or the fishermen who fish the streams and rivers. Those guys have lots of money that they spend in our state on their sports. I have hunters in my family and I will be telling them about this problem that Michigan trail users face. I also have been into horses all my life and know many trail riders that I will talk to about this. Our trails, at least the ones near where I live are truly multi use and I think if the other groups that use them become aware, and if we band together, no telling the power and influence we could have. And Trail Fanatic I would like to put my time, some money where my mouth is. Let me know what you might need.

My

on this...

It's a GREAT idea to get all these people involved. Honestly it's a huge undertaking just to get the 4X4 clubs & associations together. For GL4x4, my opinion, we should concentrate on 4x4's and someday someone with lots of contacts throughout the state should maybe start a Michigan Outdoor Enthusiasts Association or something.

 

[One Arm Steve]

F*#! Michigan, there is very little wheeling to be done here in Michigan and if the DNR continues to dictate to everyone when and where they can wheel there will be no one left for them to control. The DNR are out in the field to write tickets to collect cash so they can hire more officers. I'm only in Michigan because my family is here. If I had my choice I would leave this place in the dust and I wouldn't stop until I hit Colorado. I leave every place I go in better condition then it was(picking up glass, cigarette butts, paper, plastic, beer cans, bait containers, fishing line, baby diapers ect, ect, ect). I even clear the trails of downed trees and prune the branches that need it. As usual its the responsible ones who pay the price for those who abuse the land and water.