Utah ATV Trails
News Letter
Volume 1 Letter 5 November 17, 2001
click here for Utah ATV Trails web site link

 
Take the Turkey Trek!
     The City of Green River Utah is sponsoring the first annual Turkey Trek. Be among the pioneers to participate in this 4 day event.  This event is sponsored in cooperation with the UTMA.  For more information take this link .

New/updated/revised web site information:
  • A new feature "The ATV Clubhouse" has been added.  This feature has separated out all the ATV organizations previously listed on the links page and given them a separate menu.  Utah ATV Trails has also offered to host web pages for family riding groups as well as other OHV/ATV groups who would like to share the fun of the sport.
  • "Share Your Ride" was found to be no longer functioning.  It has been replaced with a "mailto" function until a mail distribution program is located.
  • A new article was added to ATV News Clips.  It is the WCNF response to the article on "Weep for the forest"
  • The WCNF has reviewed and made suggestions for several of the rides

  • The ATV/OHV Museum
        Utah ATV Trails would like to host an ATV/OHV pictorial museum.  Do you have any pictures of the good old days?  How about that old totegote or trail blazer (not the chev)?   Some of us will recall the days when trails were open for all who dared take them.  It would be great to have a pictorial museum to memorialize the people places and machines that are the forerunners of our sport. 
         If you have photos that you can scan and e-mail to me please do so.  If you need help with the scanning I can take care of that for you if you will send me the photo with a self addressed and stamped envelope.  Send me an e-mail and I'll give you more details if you are interested.


    Safety Reminder
         Don't store your ATV's in the house for the winter.  They can produce gas fumes. Gas fumes, heavier than air, can flow  invisibly along the floor of your home to the lowest point and accumulate there.  Think about it, where is the lowest point in your home?  For most homes it is at a place just below the gas water heater and right next to the furnace, two sources of open flames.  The result can be disastrous.  Storage of gasoline in any form inside your home is never recommended. 
         Don't scoff at this warning!  The news media reported a house fire this past summer here in SLC and it was determined that the source of the explosion and fire was a lawnmower stored in the house.  A nice dry place in the garage will do fine and keep the fumes away from your home.


    Reader's Comments:
         Kenny L (a rider of more that 1300 ATV miles this summer) wrote: "Thank you for your information.  I have not been all the way through your web site yet, but make sure you tell everyone to carry out everything (plus a little extra never hurt anyone) they carry in (TRASH)."
         Consider it done Kenny.

    Winter ATV Trails?
        For those of us with a year round itch to ATV, it is a constant challenge to find new places to ride during the winter months.  Most National Forest lands are CLOSED to motorized travel, except for over the snow vehicles.  ATV's technically qualify, under the definition of the law as a "snowmobile". However, it would not be wise to hit the deep powder of the mountains on an ATV.  Groomed trails work fine for and ATV, but deep powder is for the belt trackers
         Fortunately our State is seldom completely blanketed with snow.  We are in a desert, after all. 
         Do you have places to ride in the winter?  Would you please share them?  Please drop me and e-mail and let me know where I can go and how to get there so we can keep the excitement alive through the winter months.
     
    BLM IMPOSES "Emergency Action" closures for Box Elder and Grand Counties
        Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-All) reports that the Bureau of Land Management has recently imposed "Emergency Action" closures of vast areas of Box Elder and Grand Counties in Utah.  These closures consist of a rather clever use of administrative rules which permit restriction of areas, roads and trails and campsites to those which are specifically marked as open.  This rule is intended for short term use, but it appears that the BLM intends to utilize the "interim" closure for a period of five to ten years.  This is hardly a short term.
       USA-All filed a law suit on October 17th, 2001 asking the courts to reverse these emergency closures and require the BLM to follow the planning procedures required by Federal statute.  For additional information on this topic please visit the USA-All web site

     
    Mechanic's Corner
        Utah ATV Trails is very pleased to announce that William Harding a mechanical wizard from American Fork has volunteered to provide us with professional advice on how to care for our ATV's and motorcycles.
        William won the Silver Medal recently in a National Skills, USA (VICA), 3 time Gold Medal winner in Utah Also, William is an ASE certified mechanical technician.  He could well be the best ATV/Motorcycle engine mechanic in the State.
         Here's the best news of all you may ask him questions via e-mail and he will e-mail you back with the answer.   We will publish your questions and his answers on utahatvtrails.com  See the new menu option for Mechanic's Corner.
         Here's the first installment in his advice notes:
     
     
    Avoid the spring starting failures now! 

    1. Wash the machine, getting off all that clay and dirt and trail dust.  DON'T use high pressure washers, or even the car wash.  ATV's are NOT submarines, the seals are easily compromised. Let dry. Clean the seat good.  Wax the plastic with a good plastic wax and apply some armorall on the seat.

    2. Check for loose or worn parts. Replace or repair.  Check the CV boots, making sure the rubber boots are not torn. See if there is any grease coming from the boot (or water).  It's important that these CVs are maintained properly, if not it's BIG bucks.

    3. Check other seals and check the differential oils. Make sure the gear lube is up and not milky colored.  As I said these machines are NOT submarines so if they are run in water or mud a lot,  water can get into the bearings and/or the diffs.  This may require a good mechanic. 

    4. Change the oil.  (Without getting into the tech jargon, it removes the acids in the oil that you don't want there all winter.)  Run the engine a few minutes with this fresh oil.

    There are five more things... go to the web page for the rest.... Thanks


     
    Skyline Drive - Farmington Canyon Abuse Warning    Michael Barry, the Wilderness and Trails Outdoor Recreational Planner for the Wasatch Cashe National Forest reports "We have a very big problem of OHV abuse by some in this area, i.e. off route travel, creating new unauthorized routes, going around closure barriers, vandalism of signs.”
         As you know this is one of the favorite weekend venues for riders in Salt Lake and Davis counties.  It appears that the unwise use by some may soon restrict the opportunities for the rest of us.  If you witness any of this activity please report it immediately via cell phone to the SL Ranger district.
         If you would care to save the opportunity to ride in these areas perhaps you would consider a service project to restore the signs, close the unauthorized trails and reconstruct barriers. 
         The WCNF has the authority to impose “Emergency” protection rules and close the whole mountain to OHVs.  Please help us avoid this unnecessary act.
    (Special Thanks to Kurt Chaffin for his assistance in editing this issue of the Newsletter)


    The Utah ATV Trails Newsletter is published as the opportunity presents itself, sometimes as often as twice a month, if breaking news occurs.  If you would like to join the update list just send a note and put "add me to the list" in the subject line and you're in.  See instructions below for opting out.

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