Issue #2

March, 2006

· To ride safely, you need to be able to assess the terrain ahead of you and understand the capabilities of your machine. It’s best to stay on existing trails and avoid dangerous terrain, such as steep slopes, marshes, and swamps. Keep an eye out for large holes, ruts, bumps, debris, and other obstacles.

· Travel at a speed that’s prudent for the terrain, visibility, operating conditions, and your ability.

· Carefully approach hills, turns, and obstacles.

· Be especially alert when traveling over unfamiliar terrain. Constantly scan the path ahead of you to pick the safest route around obstacles or hazards

May 6—Stone Mountain Ride

May 20—MTR Drag Race at Haspin

June 24—ATV Nation Ride

September 22—Redbird Rally

 

 

Welcome to the second edition of the MTR Trailblazer! The riding season is now upon us and we started out great with the MTR $1 day at the Redbird State Riding Area. We had 48 people brave the morning rain and wind. But they were rewarded with a great lunch provided by MTR and great weather for the rest of the day! Then there was opening day at Redbird on April 1^st. Once again there were a lot of quads, jeeps, and trucks there. Thanks to everyone who came out to help support Redbird! Be sure to join us the rest of the year on our planned rides for a great time!

 

Take pride in the trails! Hey everyone! We all enjoy getting out and riding, and we all want to do what we can to preserve and expand the great trails that we have. So while you’re taking that water break after riding for a while and see a piece of trash, take a minute and pick it up and pack it out with you. We can all help by respecting what we have by helping to clean it up.

 

Share the website! Judging from all the favorable comments that I get via e-mail and PM’s, the MTR website is one of the greatest things to happen to ATV’s since the fourth wheel! Be sure to spread the word to everyone you know that rides ATV’s about our great website!

 

Thanks and I’ll see you out on the trails!

 

 

 

 

Tips for Waterproofing your ATV

 

For most of us ATV`ers water is the #1 enemy to our quads. Over time, water will eventually find its way into just about everything on an ATV. These are a few steps you can take to help minimize the possible damage water can do.

 

1. For belt driven automatic rides, frequently inspect all belt ducting for loose hoses or clamps. A dry belt is a happy belt.

2. Fill the inside of your spark plug boot with dielectric grease, this will keep water from getting in there and killing your spark. While you've got that grease out, go ahead and start unplugging other electrical connections and give the terminals a shot, this will keep corrosion from building up.

3. Eventually water will find its way past hub seals and into your wheel bearings. If your quad does not have sealed wheel bearings it might not be a bad idea to try and cross reference the factory bearing numbers to a bearing that is sealed and replace them when needed.

4. Another good idea that works nicely is to seal the handle of your recoil starter with silicone to keep the enemy from crudding up the inside components. Clean up the inside of the handle and the neck where the starter rope enters the engine with alcohol or brake cleaner. Next, smear some silicone on the inside of the handle and let it return to its normal position. After it dries, water will not be able to go up your recoil starter and in the event you ever need to use it, simply twist the handle to loosen the silicone bond. ***IMPORTANT*** DO NOT use the old fashioned "blue" automotive silicone! It is very corrosive to aluminum! Any silicone that says "ultra" will not corrode aluminum and would be your best bet.

5. Keep the enemy below the seat!!

www.MidwestTrailRiders.com

On March 11, MTR held the first annual Member Appreciation Day at Redbird.  MTR paid the fee to open the park for the day and Class A members, along with their families, could ride Redbird for $1.  The event was open to the public, but non MTR members had to pay the normal riding fee of $10.  The day was rainy and gloomy but a good riding day for the mudders.  Despite the less then perfect weather day, we had 48 riders check in at the gatehouse.  In addition to the $1 entry fee, MTR members were served lunch.  The menu included grilled burgers, chicken breast, hot dogs, brats and pork tenderloin.

 

The MTR Directors would like to thank Redbird for making the event possible.  We hope everyone had a great time.  Plans are in the works for the 2007 Member Appreciation Ride.  If you have any ideas or would like to be on the committee, send a PM to MShaffer or PamChuck.

Backwoods Adventure Park is located in Washington County 15 minutes north of Salem.  At the present time, Backwoods has 140 acres open to riding.  Backwoods has trails for all skill levels flat field riding, moderate hilly trails and few pucker hills for the more experienced.  The park has a fish pond surrounded by a field that is perfect for a family picnic. 

 

This is the second summer of operation for Backwoods.  To help spread the word, they are offering MTR members half priced rates for April and May.  Watch the MTR site for an announcement about a summer time ATV event at Backwoods.  If you live in one of the surrounding counties, Backwoods is great place to enjoy a day of riding without spending a fortune for gas.