What learning institution in today's world would be complete without a women's center?   Not even the Knowledge Mountain will be without one.  If you were looking for pictures of women here, you'll be disappointed.  If you were looking for advice that you may find helpful as a woman, you are in the right place.

How did I get myself into this?

Only about one woman in a hundred will be born with grease under their nails and just love the opportunity to eat/drink/dream ATV or other motorsports.  Most of these will be women with older brothers or dads who were so into motorsports that it was a matter of family survival to become educated or leave the planet.  Ninety-nine out of a hundred women will be those who are introduced to the ATV sport by a husband boy friend or brother, and just out of the blue they discover they really love the sport.   Some women have figured out that guys tend to frequent motorsports dealers,  venues and clubs and it is a lot better place to meet somone with common interests than a bar.  To no ones surprise, there are actually women who get together to go riding on their own. (Who needs a man for this?)

So chances are, your forty/fifty something husband/boyfriend recently came in and announced that it is time that the family expand their horizons with one (or two or three) of those ATVs you've seen flying across the mountain ridges in the TV commercials. (Please don't think that the ATV sport is what you see in commercials.  That would be like believing that panty hose will do for you what you see in the commercials.)  In a move of pure self preservation you have gone to the internet to find all the information you can so that you can rationally talk your hub/friend out of the idea without sounding too unreasonable.  "Because I said so" just doesn't work with him, does it?

There are other web sites that will offer you the reasons not to ride.  This one will give you the information to sustain the notion.

Here are a few of your concerns and some information that you may find helpful:

• I'm out of shape.  I don't really want to drag myself around on an ATV.
Sister, if you are out of shape or over weight, this is the sport for you.  No kidding.  It will actually give you an opportunity to enjoy life in your mid 40's/50's/60's without giving you a heart attack.  It may have been years since you saw the world from the crest of a mountain peak and enjoyed the view of a mountain lake.  You've had enough time behind the diaper pale.  It is time for you to get out and get going.   The purist will have you think that you must WALK to get to these scenic places.  Not so, there are many approved motorized trails that will give you the opportunities without the bypass surgery.  You may still need the bypass surgery, but it won't be from the ATV.

Even if you are not suffering from post traumatic family syndrome, ATVing is the sport for you.  There are no optimum body types in this sport.  It is a great equalizer.  With your helmet and goggles on you are just as likely to be stopped and asked for your ID as your 16 year old son. (Its been a long time since I've been thus complimented, but it actually happened just last year)

In reality, riding the ATV will give you some much needed exercise.  Your first few trips on the ATV will remind you of muscles that you had long forgotten that you owned.  As you make more frequent trips you will find that you love the wind in your face.  On the odd trip to the scale in your bathroom you will discover a miracle has occurred. (by the way.... you will likely notice a difference in him too)
 

• ATVs are expensive, we can never afford one of them.
You've got me on that one.  You can spend quite a bit of money on ATVs.  However, once you make your initial investment, the cost of the sport will be the amount of gas and extra goodies you bring along.  Most dealers and credit unions offer excellent financing opportunities to make the cost very affordable.   For the price of renting a couple movies a week you can buy an ATV.

Lets be honest about it, shall we?  Buying one ATV is a lot like buying one roller blade.  It is stupid to go off into the mountains or deserts alone.  If you have only one machine you will be limited to short loops around your car/truck.  Be smart and plan for the expense of at least a pair of machines.  If you have a father or someone that you think you can borrow one from, you'd be better off to cast that idea aside.  It won't work any better than borrowing a car.  Once in a great while it may be tolerated, but not that often and certainly not so frequently that you can plan for it.

Then we encounter those who wish to save a few bucks by riding double.Although riding double is legal in Utah, it is not recommended by State, Forest Service, or BLM organizations, this web site, or the manufacturers of ATVs.  Riding double changes the weight distribution on the machine and adversely affects the way the machine responds.  Fourteen percent of all ATV accidents are caused by riding double.  If there is any way to avoid riding double, do so.  There may be legitimate reasons for the need to ride double, that is why it is legal. Please see the information on ATV Control.
 If you are going to ride double, you may want to consider purchasing a machine that is specifically designed for that purpose.  Arctic Cat and Bombardier (pronounced: bom-bar-dee-ay NOT bom-bar-deer) [You'll impress the guys if you get it right.] both offer tandem ATV's.  They are longer and safer than the standard ATV

• I've got to get all the right apparel, this is like skiing right?
Well, no.  Actually, you most likely already have almost all the apparel you need.  You already have a long sleeve shirt, long pants, over-the-ankle boots (not tennis or sport shoes), and a jacket.  If you are riding in the winter you will need a winter coat and snow pants additionally.   Aside from a helmet and goggles, that you will need to buy, you are probably well prepared now.

Let's see by a show of hands how many of you who have experience on OHV's that have never bitten the dust in some embarrassing form or fashion?  Look around you do you see a hand?  Well, you won't see one in a room crowded with experienced ATVers or Motorcyclists either.  The truth is, you need to select clothing that will protect you when you are thrown into the weeds, sagebrush, bushes or rocks at anywhere from 5 to 20 miles an hour.  This will not be a frequent event, but as I sit before you now (take my word)  it will happen at some point in your riding career, even if you are the model riding citizen.  You do not control all the variables.  This is an enjoyable, yet dangerous sport.

There are no, and I repeat, no FASHION police out on the trail.  (There are safety police, however)  If you are not planning to participate in pro/am desert races you will not need body armor or leathers.  If you happen to have them from a previous life event, then fine, but don't bother to go out and buy them, until you are certain that the $500.00 you can easily spend on them is going to be valuable to you. Leathers and armor are the best protection you can get.  If you have the money and the inclination go for it.  Just don't consider it a necessity.

If you are smart, you should plan to wear clothes that are safe and comfortable.  Do not go for the pin up look.   It is never a good idea to harass the wildlife out in the wilderness.  The only advantage that halter tops and short pants offer is that they are easy to cut off in the emergency room after you've had your accident.  I appologize to the unidentified woman at the right.  This discretely taken photo demonstrates how to prepare for an unpleasant evening in the ER.  Perhaps on this event, fate smiled upon this family and no misfortune resulted.  (Oh that we all had such good fortune.)

Ninety  percent of the time the only people you will see are the ones that you come with. So, tell me, who else would you want to impress?  There is not exactly a flourishing social life at the trail head.  Most of the time riders stay within the social confines of their own group.  All except that guy from the Utah ATV Trails web site. He loves to talk with everyone.

If your boyfriend offers to take you riding and doesn't offer you a helmet and goggles, he has just given you an estimate of the worth he places in your well being, or he is just plain stupid.  If he is not planing to wear a helmet himself, that only tells you of the value he places in himself.   Either way, don't even dare think about riding without a helmet.  The excuse that "it will mess up my hair" will be a hard one to tell Saint Peter at the pearly gates.  Prove you've got brains, wear a helmet.

More important than your own self regard, is the message that you send to your children and grand children about the importance of wearing a helmet.  If you don't, then they won't.  It is a simple as that.  By the way..... The Law requires anyone under 19 to wear a helmet.  Good sense governs those above that age.
 

• How can I get started safely?
Ideally, everyone who gets on an ATV has read the owners/operators manual and has taken a safe riding course.  In reality, this is the exception rather than the rule.  Although I personally read the operators manual front to back before ever going more than 10 feet on my first machine.  It can be done.  If you have the chance, do so.  Most ATV's operator's manuals are located in the rear compartment of the ATV or under the seat.  Your working knowledge of the ATV may save your life.  You could read through the whole thing on your way out to the riding venue. If you are driving, have someone read it aloud, so that everyone benefits from the information.  It may be a better idea than arguing with the radio commentator along the way.

It would be a good idea to go with someone experienced who can coach you through the first few minutes of the ride.  The number of accidents on these first trips is very high because people don't understand how the machines work.  In three seconds you can be going 45 MPH and discover things aren't exactly like what you expected.  That is when people get hurt.

Please start out slow and don't try to exceed 10 mph or so.  Get used to the machine and how it works.  Know how to start it and restart it before you leave the parking area.  I can't tell you how many people I've found stranded because they're dad or husband started the machine back at camp and now they don't have a clue how to do it themselves.  You need to know where the machine's fuel switch is and how to turn it to "reserve".  You also need to know where the choke is and how and when to use it.

Spend at least 30 minutes within view of your car just practicing  turns and changing gears up and down, using the brakes and other features of the machine.  When you have done a few dozen figure 8's and snake weaving exercises for a few minutes you will have a greater feel for the cooperation the machine will offer you in your ride.  You have to work with the machine and not against it.
 
 

• Children on ATVs
Please review the article on the ATV Baby-sitter.

One family was permitted to rent a couple ATVs for a day in the mountains by a local rental agency (that will go unnamed).  They went to the trail head and unloaded the machines.  They tied their children onto the racks of the ATV and with Mom on behind a 14 year old first time driver they started up a rocky trail.  This is the picture of an accident waiting to happen with many serious consequences.  There was not one helmet among the whole family.  Fortunately, a member of the Trail Patrol came along and shared some very excellent educational information before they made it up the trail very far.  The mother was incensed that someone would interfere with their family's enjoyment by stopping them.  On achieving a greater understanding, the machines were turned around and ridden back to the trailer while the rest of the family walked back to the car.

Any Questions?
 

• What about personal care in the wilderness?
Men can pretend that any tree is an appropriate outhouse. Women don't share the same luxury.  You will appropriately want to be sure that you bring all the toiletries that you may require on your trip.  No matter how long or short it may be advertised.  A roll of toilet paper is every ATV rider's best friend, no matter what their gender.

There are no "rules" for wilderness habitation, except that latrines should be at least 200 feet from any water source.  One rule of the road used by the pioneers is "bucks to the left and does to the right".  Women tend to go farther to the right, than men go to the left.  That's appropriate. Perhaps nowadays it would be appropriate for women to have priority on whatever the best cover is no matter what side of the trail.  Mountain Trails are not one way trails like the route west is.
 

• What if I don't like sand dunes, desert racing or mountain trails.
One of the greatest features of the ATV sport is that it has many different aspects to it.  From yard work to Grand National racing with everything in between.  Women participate in every aspect of the sport and compete or participate side by side with men.  Here's a page that explains more about the various aspects of the sport.

If you like the sport you may be inclined to participate in events such as ATV jamborees and ATV Club rides.  There are several such events during the year.  Check out the ATV Clubhouse  for more information on the various group events.  They are a blast for everyone.  Most participants in the ATV sport are families.  Call it a genetic throwback to our pioneer ancestor days that gives us Utahans the inclination to trek through the sage and mountain.  Women did it then and they can do it now.
 

• Whose Opinion Counts?
 
I won't go into the details of the meeting I attended, it was too boring, but one important thing came out of it that made me think of enlisting our women riders.

Most everyone is aware of the general ATVer profile.... a mid forties guy with a wife beater sleeveless undershirt, four days growth on a beard and a beer belly.  Well apparently this characterization is so strong that most comments from "men" are passed off as views from the maniacally extreme that have somehow learned to write.  However, comments from women are viewed in an extremely different light.  It is no surprise to me, but it was confirmed by a person in the know. (for the sake of protecting a source, I won't mention a name.)  When people like you write their opinions in favor of motorized  use of forest and BLM lands it tends to "mainstream" the whole idea.  For every one hundred men that write letters in favor of OHV use of public lands, it is the one letter from a woman who's stated opinion is the one that
tips the scale in favor of what ever proposal being considered.

Now the trick is getting our "credible" riders to write.... any ideas?
 
 

• Other important topics:
ATV Basics
ATV new Owner
Preparation Checklist
Who should certify

Thanks to Karyn from Orem for the inspiration to write this page. written 5-3-2002