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The Ride Along — Taking Elected Officials on the Trail to Save Trails The Ride Along — Taking Elected Officials on the Trail to Save Trails
Land use on the ground, users taking politicians on the trail… Getting to know our politicians so that we can get them on our... The Ride Along — Taking Elected Officials on the Trail to Save Trails

Land use on the ground, users taking politicians on the trail…

Getting to know our politicians so that we can get them on our side is probably the biggest challenge we face as off pavement recreationists in the upcoming years; and especially as we move into the future. Without the support of, and active involvement in our sports, by our elected officials, we could be doomed.

I know that might sound harsh to some of you; but the handwriting is on the wall. Our organizations can do only so much for us. We, the users and members, have to get our local “suits” on the trails with us to show them what we love to do.

Even a Jeeping tour to an old ghost town like Cerro Gordo near Death Valley where someone like Mike Patterson (R.I.P.) here explains “single jack” drilling and mining is a thrill as well as an education.  If you have historical sites in your Jeeping area, show them to your elected officials. 

We are extremely out-numbered by those who would rather see us park anything with motors. We need to get our elected officials on board and singing our tune — the song of managed and responsible motorized recreation!

A few years back we went through Federal lands being “closed unless signed open.” Roads were (still are in some areas) being closed by the thousands of miles per year. Radical enviro groups are swaying legislators and therefore public officials to reduce the use of motorized equipment all over the nation.  It is this author’s opinion that this will never cease…

If you start adding up the figures, there’s no one sport that’s safe (save walking). Boating is under major attack. Dirt biking and four wheeling are targets of obliteration. Even mountain biking is prohibited in Wilderness areas. Snowmobiles are being pushed out of the high country in the west.  Yes, you can expect overland camping to be a target too, as is mining and rock hounding.

Convoys or organized trail rides are always a good way to show a politician a good time — and why we love Jeeping.

Where will it end? Your guess is as good as mine is. But we’ve got to whip up our fight to a new frenzy. And that means politicians. The folks we elect are the folks who can keep our sports alive.

So what do we do?

How do we get them involved? It’s not that hard.

First off, you should get involved in an organized group that represents what you like to do. Send some money to a effective organized  group that is working to enhance your sport. Donate to a legal defense fund.

Then start making a concerted effort to know your local politicians. Call the field office of your congressperson and ask for an appointment with a Field Representative. Come prepared to introduce yourself, your concerns and the objectives of your local club/group. Be concise; be accurate; and be non-confrontational.

Leave them with an invitation to join you/your group on a club run. I like to think of it as a “ride-along.”

Next comes the ride! Pick something scenic, but not too rough. Follow up your invite with a phone call to ensure they make it. Be persistent. Get them on the trail! There’s nothing more convincing than an actual experience. The ride-along idea has no equal in my book. They  will feel what we feel; smell what we smell; and learn what it is that rings our bell (and wraps our winch).

If you’re going to demonstrate a more difficult challenge (or obstacle), make sure you explain to the ride-along what is happening and why.  Always keep your passenger/visitor happy,  comfortable, safe and informed. 

Going to meetings helps. Attend a few of their fund raising or “townhall” type meetings. Wear your club patch/hat. Get a vest and sew patches all over it that represent the organizations you belong too. Show them you’re proud of what you do and believe in. Make sure they know you’re “out there.”

We must make these efforts to get our politicians involved in our sports. They don’t have to be motorheads; but they do need to understand the thrill and excitement, as well as learning, that we experience as we adventure out into the wilds of this great country. Good luck.

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More on saving trails from ModernJeeper here.

More on writing a letter to a politician here.

Del Albright Ambassador

Internationally published author; WorldWide ModernJeeper Abassador and 2014 Inductee of the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. Del has been involved in the Jeeping Lifestyle for longer then most of us can count. His educational and mentorship programs have helped developed warfighters in the ongoing battle to keep Public Lands Open to the Public.

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