While you're sitting at home, read this!

We miss all our RAD riders and hope that everyone is remaining safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.  We were very sad to cancel the RAD Rodeo, but don't worry - it will be on again when the national crisis is over.  We haven't cancelled the next member meeting scheduled for May 12th at Mi Casa Too yet... but we will see whether that decision is made for us at the end of the month.

We'd like to remind everyone that (currently) the Nevada Governor's Emergency Directives in response to COVID-19 do not expressly prohibit riding. Specifically, Directive #6 of the the "Stay Home Order", provides:

"This Directive does not prohibit individuals from engaging in outdoor activity, including without limitation, activities such as hiking, walking, or running, so long as the activity complies with all requirements of Emergency Directive 007, participants maintain at least 6 feet distancing from other individuals, and individuals do not congregate in groups beyond their household members." (emphasis added)

We interpret this to mean: Ride on, just be smart and respectful about it.

Perhaps you have heard that some popular riding areas are being shut down.  The BLM announced it's closure of Sand Mountain due to public health concerns, but specifically indicated that "visitors may continue to enjoy BLM trails and open space areas in other areas within the Carson City District while following the CDC's guidance for travel and protecting yourself."  Generally, the BLM land in our area of Nevada remains open for now. What this shows us is that enforcement is watching - and when they see that members of public are not following the social distance standards, they have no choice but to close down an area.

We can help prevent further closures (or worse: a new order specifically prohibiting OHV recreation) by simply not creating a situation which triggers a need for enforcement:

• Park significantly further away from other trucks than you normally would at staging areas. If vehicles are spread out, it doesn't have the appearance of a group activity.
• Don't ride in large groups. 
• Don't congregate or hang out at the staging area before/after your ride.
• Don't take excessive risks. While there is inherent risk of injury on any ride, during this particular time you should be a little extra cautious and ride within your comfort zone to minimize your odds of needing a trip to the hospital. 

In general, let's be part of the solution (not the problem) and continue to represent the riding community in a positive way.

Some pats on the back

We got some cool recognition for our huge clean-up day. The Forest Service mentioned our partnership and our clean-up efforts in their March newsletter, and we received this letter from our Senator! The letter was totally unsolicited by us, and is an indicator that we are getting some significant visibility within our community.

The Peavine Maze Project

Currently, we are moving ahead as planned with the Peavine Maze trail work.  At the end of April we will be out with Kevin Joell to evaluate the project after the passing of winter, and then the pros of Sierra Trail Works will get to work in early May.  

However, the Forest Service has advised us and other trail groups that we cannot host any sanctioned volunteer trail work days until further notice.  So, while the professionals can still operate, we have to cancel our May 2nd volunteer date.  We are going to hold onto the May 24th and 25th volunteer days for now and re-evaluate when it gets closer.

At the end of March, we submitted an additional grant application to the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance to receive some Federal funding to supplement our existing State funding for this project.  This is a more competitive (national) grant program and only has a total of $200,000.00 to award. We aren't counting any chickens, but we feel our application exceeds the criteria and preferential guidelines set forth. It would certainly be a nice to be able to increase the budget to maximize the benefits of this project. Awards were originally scheduled for April 15th - however, they have extended their application deadline until the end of April to accommodate the COVID-19 crisis and we just have to sit tight.  

Support other trail work too!

The USFS - Tahoe National Forest will be submitting applications for funding for OHV projects, including the development of a new 24-mile single track trail. We're always in favor of more single track. They are requesting user support for their projects via public commenting, which is open until May 4th.

Public comments need to be submitted to BOTH the USFS-Tahoe National Forest and the OHMVR. **After you click on the comment link for OHMVR, the agency you want to select is on the 3rd page of the menu options: USFS - Tahoe National Forest. From there you can view and comment on their various projects.**

Please take just 5 minutes or less to click on those two links and submit a couple sentences about how you are an enthusiastic dirtbike rider in support of more trails and trail maintenance. Public comments actually do make a real difference.  If you don't believe they do, consider how other anti-OHV groups get their agendas pushed.  Speak up, because others certainly do.