January 2021 RADministration Update
Contrary to what the temperatures outside might indicate, January was on fire! Here's what the RADmins have been working on this month to kick off a very busy 2021 ahead...
After Sierra Trail Works finished installing the new carsonite signs at the entry points of all the singletrack in the maze in December, we were able to close the books on the first round of Peavine Maze Maintenance for 2020 and generate our final reports to the Nevada Off-Highway Vehicle Commission and the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance which jointly funded the project.
With the extra funding from the Wilderness program for this project, we were able to buy more of Sierra Trail Works' time as well as purchase 4 new electric chainsaws (gas chainsaws may not be used on Federal land without special licensing) and 4 of these fancy tools which can be carried in a backpack for trail work in more remote locations. We've also ordered a sign kiosk for the maze next year to hold new maps of the trails in the area.
With the extra funding from the Wilderness program for this project, we were able to buy more of Sierra Trail Works' time as well as purchase 4 new electric chainsaws (gas chainsaws may not be used on Federal land without special licensing) and 4 of these fancy tools which can be carried in a backpack for trail work in more remote locations. We've also ordered a sign kiosk for the maze next year to hold new maps of the trails in the area.
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With funding from the Nevada OHV Program, we nailed down the purchase of a new utility trailer - a 7x16' Royal Cargo - which will be picked up from Oregon in February. Our very handy VP Richie Burr will outfit the inside of the trailer for the secure and organized storage of all the tools and miscellaneous equipment we're continuing to accumulate.
We've also been working on finalizing the designs of the graphics for the 2 EZ-up tents, flags and trailer exterior so that they are ready to showcase for RAD's first event coming up on March 27, 2021: an organized club ride and OHV Registration Drive. Stay up to date with other upcoming RAD events this year by checking in with our events page. |
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This will be the first of four registration drives which we will host in 2021 as part of our RAD Communities Project.
Why does RAD care so much about registering your dirtbike? Because 100% of the registration dollars for dirtbikes, ATV's and UTV's go into a special fund -- the Nevada OHV Fund -- which may only be used for projects which benefit the OHV community (see use of funds set forth by NRS 490.069). Every year grants are awarded from this fund for various trail projects and other pro-OHV recreation efforts in Nevada. Contrary to popular misconception, the OHV registration fee is not a "tax" that gets lost in a state-wide budget -- it is essentially pool funding for trail projects which is paid into only by those who actually benefit from it: the trail users. Collectively between 2020 and 2021, RAD has been awarded a total of $117,801.00 from the Nevada OHV program for our projects. That's a pretty good return on investment for everyone in Reno who registered their bike. We understand that the current registration process for OHV's is not as straightforward as it should be. While this will eventually be remedied by legislative updates in the pipeline, you can lean on RAD to help you out in the meantime. Our inbox has been receiving a steady stream of emails with titling and registration questions, and we have helped dozens of people just this monthget forms in order to register and/or obtain a title for their bike. If you have a question or need help, shoot us a line at RADmins@renoareadirtriders.com. We are so proud to be able to be a resource for you. |
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As you can see from our flyer, RAD has a new supporter. MotoMedX is an up-and-coming grassroots Nevada nonprofit just like RAD, and is the answer to what the entire dirtbike community in the Reno area needs: consistent, high-quality onsite medical services and training at riding events put on by MRANN, BBMX and RAD. MotoMedX is an all volunteer effort put together from scratch by a Captain of the Reno Fire Department who is just as passionate about dirtbikes and this community of riders as we are. Additionally, MotoMedX offers safety and medical training tailored to off-road recreationalists. Make sure you sign up for your half-day or full-day course coming up on March 6, 2021. If you are interested in volunteering for MotoMedX or want to learn more, shoot Steve a line at contact@motomedx343.com. |
The New Trail Project
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Regarding the Peavine Maze Connectivity Project... we are anxiously awaiting the outcome of our $30,000 application to the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative to help fund the survey costs on the California side, which we should hear about in a couple weeks. Also this month we applied for $20,000 from the Right Rider Access Fund which will be decided in March.
To keep the ball rolling anyway, the GPS data for our "rough draft" trail alignments are now with the Humboldt-Toiyabe's biologist, botanist and archaeologist for preliminary review. Our USFS Recreation Manager (who is in full support of the project) will be coordinating a meeting in the coming weeks to identify and discuss any particular resource issues which may present themselves, and come up with a strategy for the most cost-effective way to make rad trails. As it has been so far, we anticipate this project to continue to be an emotional roller coaster. We are constantly having new "oops" and "ah HA!" moments as we blindly kick over rocks and smash into obstacles. All the shoulda, coulda, woulda's we are accumulating now will eventually turn into experience that RAD can rely on later down the road, so we are staying humble... but resilient. |
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More RADministration
You already saw RAD's official public comment made this month regarding the BLM's Moon Rocks project.
Behind the scenes we began making important connections with developers who own private land near some popular trail access points. We've also gotten a direct line to the person who runs point on Nevada public lands matters for Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei's office (this will be another blog post), and Prez. Mike Marcum also got us a contact at Senator Catherine Cortez Masto's office (who has taken note of our efforts last year). American Trails wants to come out this summer to put on a seminar for us about all things trail related, such as navigating the NEPA process (yes - help me please...) and classes on trail work and building for sustainability.
Looking forward into next month, we will be attending the Nevada Conservation Legislative Preview on February 1, 2021 and the next Nevada OHV Commission meeting on February 16th. Also coming down the pipeline will be an email subscription function, a fancy new brochure that will get spread around town, some #keeptrailsrad stickers....
... AND our next membership meeting will be held via Zoom on February 16, 2021 at 7:00pm. The agenda and link to the zoom meeting will be shared with current 2021 members only a few days in advance of the meeting. If you haven't signed up (or renewed) for 2021 RAD membership, you can do so right here and we'll mail you this year's card. The annual $20 membership dues ($40 for families) really helps support the RAD organization and missions. In addition, you get the perk of getting discounts when you shop with our local business partners.
One more thing...
Behind the scenes we began making important connections with developers who own private land near some popular trail access points. We've also gotten a direct line to the person who runs point on Nevada public lands matters for Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei's office (this will be another blog post), and Prez. Mike Marcum also got us a contact at Senator Catherine Cortez Masto's office (who has taken note of our efforts last year). American Trails wants to come out this summer to put on a seminar for us about all things trail related, such as navigating the NEPA process (yes - help me please...) and classes on trail work and building for sustainability.
Looking forward into next month, we will be attending the Nevada Conservation Legislative Preview on February 1, 2021 and the next Nevada OHV Commission meeting on February 16th. Also coming down the pipeline will be an email subscription function, a fancy new brochure that will get spread around town, some #keeptrailsrad stickers....
... AND our next membership meeting will be held via Zoom on February 16, 2021 at 7:00pm. The agenda and link to the zoom meeting will be shared with current 2021 members only a few days in advance of the meeting. If you haven't signed up (or renewed) for 2021 RAD membership, you can do so right here and we'll mail you this year's card. The annual $20 membership dues ($40 for families) really helps support the RAD organization and missions. In addition, you get the perk of getting discounts when you shop with our local business partners.
One more thing...
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If you've made it this far and you're still reading, thank you. If you are genuinely interested in contributing more to the rad movement, and you have passion for dirtbike causes and a little bit of time to bring to the table, we need your help.
We are looking to add another RADmin to our Board of Directors. Being on the Board with us will be a lot like working for a start-up... as our status update on the new trail proves, we're no experts. We are constantly breaking new ground and making stuff up as we go along, leaning on each other's unique strengths and capabilities instead of conforming to job titles. All of us have to be go-getters who will pick up a ball and run with it, so most of our tasks come from self-assigned ambition which we balance with our real full-time jobs. The perks of being a Director include an impressive compensation of $0 per hour with $0 bonuses, being able to technically claim that you run a motorcycle gang, meeting and networking with some important people, and making tangible progress on causes bigger than yourself that light a fire inside you. |
The more things that RAD gets involved with and learns about, the more opportunities pop out of the woodwork for action that will benefit the Northern Nevada dirtbike community in some way. If your unique knowledge, experience and areas of interests can be applied to taking ownership of things like organizing well-done events and clinics... or getting nerdy and vocal in the government arena... or being a go-to trail work guru and leader... or something else that contributes meaningfully to RAD's mission on an on-going basis... RAD needs you.
If you have some interest in being a RADmin, shoot us an email at RADmins@renoareadirtriders.com.
If you have some interest in being a RADmin, shoot us an email at RADmins@renoareadirtriders.com.