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By: Rob Beals
The More The Merrier
 There is a familiar axiom that
says, “A bad day of fishing is better than a
good day at work.” I am among the segment of our
population that firmly believes “a crappy day of
riding is better than a great day at work.”
I must confess to having a couple crappy days in
my twenty plus years of riding ATVs, but it is
indeed a very rare occurrence. My experience has
taught me a couple valuable lessons about how to
ensure a day of riding is remembered as a
pleasant experience with fond memories.
During a recent riding trip to the South Pedlar
Trails of the George Washington National Forest,
I was reminded of a poignant truism of ATV
riding - “Riding is largely a social activity.”
I was there with one of my riding buddies,
someone I have been riding with for about ten
years. On the trails, we saw a father, mother,
and son; a group of friends; two sets of couples
riding dirt bikes; older gentlemen enjoying a
day on the trails; we even saw a group of ten or
more riders camped out spending as much time
around the campfire as on the trail. We didn’t
see a single person riding alone.
My best riding trips and related memories have
been while riding with friends. Whether for a
day, or for several days, the most enjoyable
riding experiences always have other riders
involved. It may be because we are, by our
nature, wired as social creatures. By sharing
the adventure, we add to the enjoyment.
Of course, it is safer to ride with others, but
that by itself does not explain the social
behavior of ATV riders. Having others along for
the trip almost always involves more hassle. The
more machines, the more dust. Not all riders go
at the same pace, so inevitably there is waiting
along the trail. The more riders there are, the
greater the likelihood of a mechanical failure
or riding mishap. The logistics of waiting for
friends that forgot to set their alarm clocks,
the use of trailers, and competing schedules
present challenges that have to be overcome. In
spite of all this, the benefits far exceed the
aggravation.
This principle of “the more the merrier” can be
expanded to the sport as a whole. As the
popularity of ATVs grow, there are significant
benefits for all of us who enjoy the sport.
Consider the expansion and diversity of new
machines being offered by ATV manufacturers.
Today, we are offered a dizzying array of
entry-level, sport, and utility quads from
foreign and domestic companies eager to earn our
loyalty. The burgeoning ATV accessory market
supplements these offerings with all manner of
upgrades to increase performance, appearance,
comfort, and convenience. This innovation and
expansion is driven by a growing market. The
more riders (aka customers), the more growth in
the ATV marketplace.
Then, there is the growth of designated riding
areas and ATV tourist destinations. Delightful
riding destinations, like Hatfield-McCoy in West
Virginia or the Paiute ATV Trail in Utah,
continue to grow in size and popularity because
of support from riders across the nation. New
areas are being built and promoted for their
economic development potential. The good folks
of Berlin, New Hampshire provide a good example
of this phenomenon. In an effort to build a new
tourist attraction, this small town in northern
New Hampshire has joined with the state to
create a 7,500 acre state park with 350 miles of
ATV trails. The more riders (aka tourists), the
more we will see ATV destinations rise.
Whether on Capitol Hill, a state capital, or a
town council, the more riders (aka voters), the
larger the political strength of ATV
enthusiasts, which means the industry grows. In
this regard, organizations and associations are
important tools to leverage this advantage.
Local clubs and national organizations like the
Blue Ribbon Coalition and the All Terrain
Vehicle Association (ATVA) help represent ATV
riders and our interests with Members of
Congress and Federal Agencies.
With these considerations in mind it logically
follows that introducing new riders to the sport
fuels its growth and helps ensure its future.
But there are some hazards. Careless and
irresponsible riders do more harm than good.
When bringing new riders into the sport,
experienced ATV enthusiasts should serve as
riding mentors. Reinforcing the lessons of rider
safety, the principles of treading lightly, and
the stewardship of our sport are critical
training for new riders. As mentors, experienced
riders can help new riders avoid the pitfalls
and mistakes “learned the hard way.” My personal
favorite is “Keep your feet glued to the foot
pegs.”
Sharing the joys of ATVs with friends and family
expands your ATV social network, strengthens the
sport, and ensures even more great days on the
trail. Consider being an ATV mentor, after all,
the more the merrier.
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