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Posted by: MBullism
O.k. I'm in. Bf, I filled in the survey. Be interesting to see if this thing'll fly....
Posted by: MBullism
ttt
Posted by: MBullism
Stength in numbers, nitsy, strength in numbers... I hope this takes off! As it is, jwoodsman and myself are trying to get out to Pittsfield SF this weekend. That amounts to four hours of driving for about six hours of riding... I'm hopeful it's worth it but frustrated that douglas state forest/franklinstate forest/f gilbert etc are soooo close by-
Posted by: MBullism
As it happens, I'll already be scouting out where my mrs can handle on our 250 4x2, and shes a newbie, too. Looks as if we won't be alone, the WM club has it's monthly ride scheduled there on Sunday-
I'll let you know.
MB
Posted by: MBullism
Not trying to stay off topic, Nitsy, but since you started the thread...AND asked the OT question, lol...
My brotherinlaw and I went out to Pittsfield for the first time yesterday and had a ball... put on about forty miles. Not alot of traffic, but saw plenty of people.
In general, I will say this regarding the trail difficulties: Those north of the main dirt parking lot are really easy and a great place to take a beginner. Make sure to see "Balance Rock", it's not everyones cup of tea-but I thought it was cool. Generally every DEEP mudhole has a way around, and we opted out of a few. The trails to the south are mixed, with fairly tough sections together with easy parts mixed in. Lots of up and down, lots of exposed smooth and fractured ledge, lots of rutted exposed roots.... some of the fractured ledge was just unforgiving and bone jarring, but the cat soaked it up admirably and I really don't feel too bad today, considering I'm forty years old and drive a desk for a job, lol. While I wouldn't let my wife loose on the rocky, rooted trails... the smooth packed dirt trails (Churchill, Burgoyne, Balance Rock and a few others) were fine for her, though I didn't go on any trail all day that I couldn't have gone with the Honda 250 4x2, but admittedly would have had to choose a good line and have been aggressive.
Coming from someone that has very little space to ride, it was fun to get out and roam! Kinda a pissa to have to plan a whole day around it, drive hours, and then ride past tired because you came so far to see it, but I'll definately go back again....had a blast!
MB
Posted by: MBullism
Nitsy- I did take a few pics, but by and large a vast majority is trail through forest riding... not many scenic stops as the foliage restricts the views, and hill climbs only when the trail goes up, lol. We did find one open field with a track of sorts run through it, but it was behind posted signs and we honored those. I know of no posted speed, but the terrain and corners will force you to behave. Riding with the lights on was a huge help, and we always saw oncoming traffic in plenty of time. We saw sport bikes and utes, motorcycles, one 6x6, and one guy about 200 pounds on a 90cc quad that was giving it h3ll, lol.
Posted by: Tracytrashcan
Sign me up
Posted by: nitsy
Hi.I was wondering how many people in Eastern Mass would like me to put them down as an interested atver who would(if there was such a club) donate their time to cleaning up trails,maintaining trails and all the other stuff that comes along with being in such a club?Email me your name, address,and phone#.My name is NIck and I am doing research and I am making an attempt to try to get something open down here for all to enjoy but the more people that are SERIOUS about such a thing,the better chance we have of being taken seriously and heard.Let me know.Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
OK Ill put you 2 down.I have been busy this past weekend so I havent gotten a chance to get anything done but I will get on making those fliers soon to get some more interest.Later Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
Cool.I am running behind on the flyers because my printer ran out of ink,but copies are being made and they should be out and about by the weekend.I talked to one of my firefighter buddies and he siad 4+ guys just got quads at the station and are looking for places to go.We got talking about this and he siad he could get 20 names and he will pass some flyers out too so maybe all this will be worth something.
Posted by: nitsy
I am heading out to pittsfield 4th of july weekend.Made some camping arrangements and" to do" and" to get" lists tonight and I am excited to get out there.Hope my yfz 450 does alright.My girl will be riding by boss's 250 4x4.Let me know how it goes and have fun.Got the flyers tonight and will get some out this weekend as well as getting a few more buddies to sign up.If you could let me know which trails I can handle on the 450 and which my girl can handle with the 250 4x4,she is a first timer but has experience riding snowmobiles.Later and have fun.Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
Sounds like fun,I cant wait.Is it all trails or are there some open areas?Any good hill climbs and stuff like that?I should be picking up the other quad this week and give it a tune up and other things and get it ready.Is there a speed limit inthe forest?Do you have any pics?I will be taking some while out there.both for pleasure and some for research to help our cause down this way.Later Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
The people I have so far are mostly the ones on here besides my firefighter buddies and their friends who(I would hope) get on the web and enter into the survey.As for where I live I live in one of the best hot spots around,down near PCIS.There is a bit of good news with some of my efforts,but it only applies to registered voters of Plymouth.I have spoken with the town and the ass. manager is sending me some forms to begin a citizens petition,if we can get 100 signatures then we can get a special town meeting(this is my interpetation of what I was told),also we would have to be ready to answer any possible questions from the town,find out about land and figure out how everyone can use these places together,you know all that.Lots of stuff going through my head so bear with me.I am headed to pilgrim power sports tomorrow to talk to the owner and see if he can help,or will help in anyway possible.I also had an idea,crazy but it might work,but I cant share it til I find out more.The biggest problems will be with money and membership,cause(as most of you already know) not many people are going to join a club and throw money into it if they have no where to ride,that is just a fact.Though that doesnt pertain to everyone,just most.My friend lives in the Ponds,first road on the left when you turn on Lunds from Long Pond.Budferret,you have a pm.Too bad we dont have those old days back,but then again look at how the land was then and look now.Well enough for me,be back sometime this weekend.Spread the word boys and girls,we need it.Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
Got caught up doing some stuff.Going to Pilgrim Powersports first thing Sat morning.For all you registered Plymouth voters I got a petition from the town and we can go over that at this possible meeting.The earlier I know about this meeting the better chance I have at getting a few more bodies there.Where in Plymouth,or Plymouth area is the meeting going to be held?FYN,can we meet up someday and I can get you some of the fliers to get to those guys?Let me know/Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
For anyone that couldnt attend,we voted on club officials.Budferretis the President,and I am the VP.We are filing the necessary paperwork for the club within the next 2 weeks.To anyone here that did attend,thank you and we look forward to having everyone work hard(and have fun) towards a common goal.Our new web address is www.massatv.org,our name is Mass ATV Association ,Inc.Thanks Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
Have you guys gotten the updated info via emails?If not let me know and I can get you guys up to date.Are the both of you still interested?I would like to know as we begin to set up membership applications.Where in Plymouth are you guys located?I have to make up some new flyers as the website address has changed and maybe we could all get together and I can get you some to hand out and I got some other stuff for you guys to take a peak at.Are you both registered voters?Talk to you.Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
Yeah I hear ya about being busy.My buddy lives off the first street,I think its sweeney.I will let you know about maybe meeting up one day to get you some of the flyers and other plymouth stuff.Later Nitsy
Posted by: nitsy
That is the right website,then go to the forums and register and get involved.I should have flyers by the end of the weekend and Maybe I can hook up with you and a few others around Plymouth to get some more exposure.Nitsy
Posted by: budferret
Here's a link to an article on the front page of today's Brockton Enterprise:
http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2005/05/22/news/news/news02.txt (I don't think this newspaper leaves their articles online for long so read/print it quick)
The article has some errors but tries to covey both sides of the issues. I think the average reader will be left with a negative impression of our sport from this article. I believe that forming and participating in clubs would go a long way to addressing the negative things highlighted in this article.
The initiative to form a club or clubs in Eastern Mass has attracted some renewed attention. There are more than a few people watching from the wings ready to help this effort.
Nitsy, keep in touch
Posted by: budferret
You can try this form. http://www.neatvtrails.com/EMass%20club%20survey.htm
Nitsy, email me for access to the list.
Posted by: budferret
So far I've only posted the link here on the connection. I'm writing a post to put on three other bulliten boards that are New England oriented. I've had a lot of people ask me about a club that found me from the other forums.
Posted by: budferret
UPDATE: I have 41 people that have expressed interest in a club through the internet survey plus whatever number that Frank from Plymouth has collected. The actual setting up of a club has not been going too well so far. I have tried to meet with some knowledgeable advisors but they have been very busy.
In order to give this effort a chance to succeed it's going to need a few talented and responsible people to serve as club officers. Until we have at least a president, vice president, and treasurer; nothing will happen.
We need a PO Box and money to get a lawyer and file a charter with the state as a non-profit and then get a tax employer ID number and then a bank account. It's not a lack of money issue it's a matter of having the dedicated people to be responsible for it. We need volunteers and suggestions.
In the mean time there is an effort underway to further our goals to protect the sport in Mass. If we were already a club we would certainly be contributing to the effort described below.
QUOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF WESTERN MASS ATV:
As everyone is aware, this year the state has decided not to reopen Savoy State Forest to ORV use. The current legal riding for ORVs is down from 34 Forests/ Parks to just 7, and actually only 5 for ATVs.
If this trend continues, there will be no legal riding on public land. There are already rumblings about the criteria used for closing Savoy being applied to other Forests.
The Berkshire Trails Council has started a fund to be used towards maintaining and increasing our legal riding areas. Several ORV clubs understand the importance of this issue, and have generously donated to this fund. The work we will need to do to not only preserve what we have, but attempt to expand our riding areas will not be easy, and will not be inexpensive.
There are thousands of individuals and groups that donate large sums of money to restrict our access. We need to be as committed to saving our sport as those other groups are to doing away with it.
There are 25,000 registered ORVs in this state, and probably 10 times that number unregistered. Imagine the results we could achieve with just $5 for each user.
PLEASE spread the word about this fund. Talk with your dealers. Encourage them to get involve, and to provide assistance. The address for this fund is:
Trails Preservation Fund
PO Box 584
Bellingham MA 02019
Posted by: budferret
Nitsy, how many contacts do you have? Can you email the info or should we set up a meet to put what we have together?
FrankC, I'd be willing to meet with you and or your Boston Motorsports Guy and anyone else that has the time, resources and experience to help put this together. You're already in the survey database. A few of the responses indicated an interest in taking a leadership role. Anyone wishing to re-emphasize that desire can email me at webmaster@massatv.org . I will be putting together another group newsletter with a request for volunteers and nominations for officer positions.
FYN, I never got your email address so you're not on the list yet.
Now to get back OFF- topic. LOL
I only rode at Pittsfield once and it happened to be a 4th of July weekend ! I got a tentsite at the top, one of only 3 camp sites (#11, 12, or 13) that you can ride an ATV from in the entire state park system. If you don't have reservations for one of those three sites you'll have to trailer over and unload at the trailhead. (Hint: When I got to the park I asked them to let me know if one of the sites cancelled and one did. I went riding and they left a note on my truck telling me I got the site when I got back. Nice people ! )
I only got to ride the northern half of the park http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/Pittsfield-Summer.gif . You can enter the trails from the main gate end or unload at Balance Rock. I didn't see the main trailhead but the Balance Rock trailhead looked pretty convenient. I'm told there is a way to access the trails from the south off RT 20 but I've heard the trails going up are kinda rough with some wash-outs and blocked go-rounds. I almost got to ride the southern half of the park with a group of sport quads but they only wanted someone with a winch on their quad to pull them out of the mud, otherwise I would have been just slowing them down. The northern half that I rode had lots of family groups and everybody looked like they were having a blast. Even the non-atver's seemed to be fascinated with the ATV activity (make sure you give'em the required courtesy.)
I'm sure you'll enjoy the place.
Posted by: budferret
Jon, You were the first person to respond to the survey and you did indicate a willingness to take a leadership position. You will be invited to the first meeting.
Posted by: budferret
I've been somewhat busy answering posts on another forum. There are a couple of people that have suggested that everyone join NETRA, the mostly trail bike organization. I'm hesitant to go along with this idea at this time but would like to correspond with them to find out what they can /will do for us. So far they are the only people with a paid lobbyist on Beacon Hil to represent ORV interests (Dirt bike and ATV) The Berkshire people seem to be behind them in many things. One of the House bills they are lobbying for concerns me alot and I'd like to give them a chance to convince me that it's what we want. I firmly convinced that we need our own "ATV" group and join in their efforts as we see fit.
As far as actually setting things up, no one has come out and said that they have experience as an officer in a club and volunteered themselves for nomination. At this point I'm willing to settle for "I don't know how but I'm willing to learn". I have received a couple of offers like that. (I am also in that category, I'm learning alot) I have tried and will continue to try to get advice from the right people but it's been tough. I think it's time to move forward without the help.
Watch for an e-mail next week announcing an informal organizing meeting in the Plymouth area. I'm thinking maybe a Wednesday night around 8 pm a week or two after the Fourth of July.
Posted by: budferret
Those of you that sent in your info should have just received an email from Mass ATV. If you didn't get it then your email address is bouncing and you should re-submit it.
Basically, the message said that my idea for a meeting place fell through and I need your suggestions.
For anyone wishing to submit or re-submit their contact info you can still do it at: http://www.neatvtrails.com/EMass%20club%20survey.htm
If that doesn't work email me directly at webmaster@massatv.org
There's extra info and ideas in the email broadcast. let me know if you you need me to forward it to you.
Posted by: budferret
Weds 7/27/05 *CHARLIEHORSE RESTAURANT* 8 PM
Route 24 to RT 106 West in West Bridgewater, 2nd Bldg on left. can't miss it. We have reserved the billiard room meeting area. No meeting room fee, order off of menu
Nice place, great food and family atmosphere.
See you all there
Posted by: jcotti
I am also very intersted. couldn't figure out how to email you, but i sent a message.
Posted by: jcotti
I am willing to volunteer and help out if you need it. Let me know what kind of help you need. I can give you my email if i didnt leave it in the survey.
Posted by: jcotti
Ok thats cool budferret, just let me know. Anyone got plans to go riding on the south shore this weekend?
Posted by: jcotti
In west plymouth off of Rte 44, I get on the power lines close to where FYN does.
Posted by: jcotti
dont look like it man...
Posted by: jcotti
Sounds good budferret. I know this will be a long slow process with a chance of going nowhere. But I am still all for it!
Posted by: FrankC
im up for it
Posted by: FrankC
sounds good. ill try and refer as many people as i can to this post so you can get a few more names.
Posted by: FrankC
i spread the word to a few people on exriders.com. hopefully ill get a few more.
Posted by: FrankC
nitsy can you send me all of the information that you have gathered because i have been contacted by a member of greater boston motorsports on another forum and he has said for me to get him watever information i can because he wants to help out in any way he can.
Posted by: FrankC
i have sent the information that we have so far as to our club organization to a member of the greater boston motorsports team. when he gets back to me ill let you guys know.
Posted by: FYN
I'm in, sign me up
Posted by: FYN
Hey budferret, I sent you my e-mail in a private message, just making sure you got it
Posted by: FYN
Where in the the ponds??? I just came through on my snowmobile this past winter. It's not bad in the snow, I'm working my way down on the ATV, so far about halfway there (to the canal)
Posted by: FYN
It's a shame isn't it.... My buddy used to ride from Halifax down to the canal. I'm bummed those days are over
Posted by: FYN
I'm pretty sure I can get the guys where I bought my machine(s) (Bob's Ski Doo) to help out in any way. Just let me know what I can or need to give them....
Posted by: FYN
Anything new going here???
Posted by: FYN
I spoke with one of the guys where I bought my quad & sled, they said they would spread the word, also if we end up with any type of written material they would pass it along. Basically help however they can. Keep me in the loop
Any luck with Pilgrim Powersports???
Posted by: FYN
Anytime Nitsy
Posted by: FYN
I couldn't make it the other night, next time though.
Posted by: FYN
I got the e-mail about the meeting... What is the new website? I gave the guys at Bobs Skidoo thw www.massatv.org, has it changed? I'm now in Manomet, just left West Plymouth
Posted by: FYN
Sounds good, let me know when, already registered with the website, not sure if it went through though
Posted by: hemioperator
Hello guys, just signed up. I'd definitely be willing to join/help.
Posted by: hemioperator
I have a 400EX with tires about 1/2 worn, 2X4, no reverse. Which park in Western MA would be best? Obviously the real slippery muddy trails aren't the best for my quad. My best friend has been going out there with his Warrior and his fiancee on her Honda 250, both sporty 2wd machines.....but they have reverse. We're planning a trip out there eventually, and may be registering in NH too because the ride is a killer to get out there in Western MA.
Posted by: hemioperator
Nitsy and jcotti, whereabouts in Plymouth do you guys live? I grew up in Manomet and now live in the Ponds Of Plymouth.
Posted by: hemioperator
FYN, right on Lunn's Way, the main road in off of Long Pond Road. The furthest I've ever been down the powerlines back there was down to Head Of The Bay Road. That's not a bad stretch of powerlines because there isn't anyone nearby to get bothered. It's a little rough though. That big pit by the watertower (we called it Pyramid Pit when I rode as a kid) is fun, but again I only make a couple of climbs and move on so I don't bother anyone. When I was younger, we'd ride there from Manomet (long ride down the powerlines) or drive our trucks out to the pit and ride all day. Not legal of course, but nobody cared about it then, not even the EP's, as long as you weren't messing around with the water equipment. Those days are long gone.
Posted by: hemioperator
Great to hear! I just got back yesterday from a 13 day trip through Canada so I wasn't there the other night. Thank you guys for your work and time.
Posted by: hemioperator
Yes Nitsy, I'm still interested. I've been in D.C. and then Canada for the last couple of weeks so I haven't been too up to date on my e-mails. I did in fact receive the notification though. I'm in the Ponds of Plymouth, right on Lunns Way. Registered voter also. I will in fact have some more free time to meet up and such soon. Of course, right now I also have a wedding and bachelor party to set up for my friend (me being the Best Man) for the end of August and beginning of September. I've never had a summer run me this ragged before! At work tomorrow I'll have some more time to spend on the website.
Posted by: monomaina
count me in
