LABOR DAY CELEBRATES OUR ECONOMY.....REALLY?

Let's not let freedom walk away
on this Labor Day

ARE YOU CELEBRATING LABOR DAY?

Labor Day is a federal holiday that celebrates the contributions of the American worker to our economic and social condition....but I just can't help but wonder how on earth the "average worker" can celebrate much under these economic times where our own government seems to be ruining so much of what we enjoy in America.  Not everyone in government is responsible for this mess, and some of it belongs to us, the tax payers.  But for goodness sake, can we endure much more of this "celebration?"

I say NO, we can't endure more; that it is time for real change; and that it is time for Americans to be running America with politicians who stand behind our freedoms and ability to earn a decent living.

I say NO, we can't endure more of any politician who flat does not support the American way of life.

So for this Labor Day, I suggest you join me in re-committing yourself to fight back for freedom; for America; for our ability to be proud of our economy; and for your future.  Let's rejuvenate that groups that fight for us and for what you believe in. Let's join up and renew our memberships.  And let's un-elect some politicians that just don't get it.

If you are an off-roader, be sure to also support our Trail PAC  as well because the 2012 elections are about as important as any we've ever faced:  http://www.thetrailpac.com.

Labor Day is supposed to be about the American worker; I say let the voice of the worker be heard.
Del

LABOR DAY AT HIGH SIERRA POKER RUN

CAL4'S HIGH SIERRA POKER RUN ON AGENDA FOR LABOR DAY WITH BFGOODRICH TIRES!

We will represent BlueRibbon Coalition and our fellow members of the Calif. Assoc. of 4Wheel Drive Clubs at the High Sierra Poker Run up by the Dusy Trail out of Shaver Lake, CA this Labor Day weekend.

We'll tackle the Swamp Lake trail near the Dusy, and spend time on Bald Mountain and a special trail run with BFGoodrich Tires to the Mirror Lake Trail for the Outstanding Trails program.  SWEET.

BFG, Tread Lightly and United Four Wheel Drive Assoc. have chosen the Mirror Lake trail as one of this year's recipients for the grant money awarded to Outstanding Trails.  The Lock & Low 4WD Club of Visalia will be there as the proud "adopters" of the Mirror Lake Trail.


Our partners from Trail-Gear will also be there in support as they love these trails as well (and support landuse).  Stacie is bringing the Land Cruiser that was seriously modified by Trail-Gear folks.  Should be a fun weekend, hope you can join us.

Here is link to more info and the sign up page for High Sierra Poker Run: http://www.cal4wheel.com/events/high-sierra-poker-run

Del

HARRY REID WANTS MORE NV WILDERNESS NEAR BRIDGEPORT

NV -CA  FOLKS: LAND BILL FOR COPPER MINE TO INCLUDE MORE WILDERNESS -- SWEETWATER MOUNTAINS?

Yerington, NV land bill for copper mine has Senator Harry Reid asking for more Wilderness, again...this time for land between Smith Valley and Bridgeport, CA -- which sounds like the Sweetwater Mountains to me.

This just broke today, so we don't have all the facts nor have we seen a map.   Please chime in if you have more info.

Today's Reno Gazette Journal ran this story of Harry Reid being on record aggressively trying to negotiate for more wilderness designation set aside in the area ".between Smith Valley and Bridgeport". 

It has to do with the land bill and copper mine near Yerington, NV.

Here is the story in the Reno Gazette: here.

Might want to weigh in with Senator Heller  and Congressman Amodei  on this...

Senator Dean Heller: http://heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form

Congressman Amodei: http://amodei.house.gov/contact/

Let me know if we need to do something on a larger scale.

Thanks, Del

NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK UP ABOUT NATIONAL OHV RIDE

WHAT YOU SEE; YOU NEED TO SHARE

Iron Butt landuse and access ride by Greg Mumm is underway and YOUR input is critical; now!  Greg is rallying off-road backcountry recreationists around the country and building a message to CARRY to congress at the end of the ride.

We need to hear from you.  This is your chance to say your mind; speak your peace; and be crucial to our off-road future.  NOW.  Don't let this pass you by.  Just go here to this link and add your comments about TWO THINGS:

1) a better BRC for you; and
2)  what message we want to give congress BEFORE the elections.    This will be a huge database that will give Greg tons of facts, figures and opinions to sway congress in OUR direction.

Go here to give input: http://www.wearebrc.org/comments

thanks for being on the team,
Del
Del Albright
www.delalbright.com
www.wearebrc.org
www.sharetrails.org

TRAIL ACCESS TOUR ANNOUNCED FOR FALL 2012

BRINGING BUSINESSES AND OFF-ROADERS TOGETHER, ON THE TRAIL

The Trail Access Partnership (TAP) Tour is on for Fall 2012 and officially in the planning stages.  TAP Tours bring businesses, off-roaders, activists and interested partners together on the road, on the trail and around the camp fires.

The Fall 2012 TAP Tour takes in the NAMRC meeting in Las Vegas during SEMA week; then SEMA, of course, followed by the Hump 'n Bump event nearby in Logandale, NV. From there we will convoy with businesses like Nemesis Industries (http://www.nem-ind.com)  and T&T Customs (http://www.tntcustoms.com), along with traveling partners like Rick Pewe from Peteresen's 4Wheel & Off-Road magazine to Death Valley and the Cal4 event called Panamint Valley Days http://www.cal4wheel.com/events/panamint-valley-days

Learn more at our TAP Tour blog here: http://trailaccesstour.com/

You are welcome to join us in person or virtually.  It's all about saving trails and keeping our sports alive.
Del

BECOME AN ADVOCATING AMBASSADOR

BECOME AN ADVOCATING AMBASSADOR

Save your sport; save your trails; save your way of life;  become an Advocating Ambassador (for your trails, your church, your family, your fun time, your views, your politics, your CAUSE).  Here’s how.

First off, Wikipedia gives the following definitions:

Advocate: a believer; an activist; someone committed who promotes or campaigns.

Ambassador:  a diplomat; an emissary; a spokesperson.

So our definition of an Advocating Ambassador is: a spokesperson who believes in and promotes a cause with diplomacy and commitment (usually from a volunteer position).

What does that mean on the ground, at meetings, on runs, at events for YOU?  It means making your “cause” one of the focal points of your day.  It means speaking up rather than letting an opportunity pass.  It means you live to make change in what you believe in.  Here are the shortcuts to help you remember to do this:

BE involved; be committed; be tuned into your subject so you know of what you speak; be trained up as best you can; be in front of the conversation when your issue comes up where you can advocate.

SEE the big picture; see the long-run strategies that will help your cause grow; see the “little wins” you can gain on a daily basis; see and act locally but think globally;  see what you are not good at so you can see the right person to help you in those areas; see the vision that will make change in the cause you believe it.

THREE times a day think about (or act on) your cause; at breakfast while you are reading the news or watching Fox, think about what you can do TODAY to progress your cause (a letter; an email; a post on a forum; a meeting; etc.);  at lunch, remind yourself of the action items you thought about at breakfast and make sure you are on track; then at dinner, after you have accomplished your action items for today, pat yourself on the back and begin thinking about tomorrow’s actions.

So just remember to Be, See, Three....and when you commit to an action to further your cause (no matter if it's your church, your school, your kids, your family, your political views, or your trails), ACT. 

Del 

SKI RESORT SLAUGHTERS MOUNTAIN TOP

SKI RESORT "ROADS" TEAR UP MOUNTAIN TOP VISIBLE FROM FREEWAY

What?  It’s ok to do this to a mountain top visible from a main highway, but it’s “offensive” to have a few off-road trails running up the side of a hill alongside a California freeway?  You gotta be kidding me, right?

Exclusionary wacko radicalists claim OHV damage every time they turn around, yet in the winter they are usually the first ones to “hit the slopes” for some downhill and cross-country skiing.  Oh, the mountain top and pristine meadow ski lane destruction is covered by snow, so it’s not visible.  I guess that makes it OK?  NOT.

These slobbering hypocrites make me wanna puke.  I can’t say it any clearer.   It’s ok if it’s “their way,” but it’s not ok if it’s the OHV way.  Heck even responsible recreation means nothing to them.  All these radicals understand is closure – and having the backcountry all to themselves.  Baloney….is what I say.  Their form of sharing the backcountry amounts to nothing but a hate crime trying to exclude us from the outdoors.  I’m sick of it.

The point is, we can’t win over this sort of radical wackos.  So we must FIGHT BACK with extreme prejudice – with our membership numbers; with our voices raised high in unison; with our pocket books; and with our votes for candidates who see through this kind of mind-numbing idiocy.

Here are the THREE THINGS we should all do right now:

11.        JOIN and RENEW in every group you believe in, like the BlueRibbon Coalition and your State association – send an extra donation if you can;

22.       VISIT and SUPPORT The Trail PAC (http://thetrailpac.com/) to help get some tuned-into-our-side politicians in the 2012 elections; and

33.       BECOME an ADVOCATING AMBASSADOR for your sport, your trail, and your LIFE in the great outdoors.  Watch for my next blog with more on being an Advocating Ambassador…let your voice be heard, locally, regionally and nationally.  Let NOT the wacko radicals rule the world…..

Del

(Photo by Stacie Albright)

4WHEEL PARTS GREG ADLER LANDUSE MESSAGE

Keep Public Land Open to Off-Roaders Friends and Off-roaders, We need your help. One of Southern California's most popular off-roading recreation areas, Johnson Valley,  may soon be closed to off-roading permanently. The proposed expansion plan for the 29 Palms Marine  Corps Base would permanently close off more than 120,000 acres of land for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)  use in Johnson Valley, cutting California's available off-roading area in half and jeopardizing off-road events  such as the annual King of the Hammers. The proposed Department of Defense plan would give limited access to a portion of Johnson Valley for  off-roading,  but only if no live-fire activities take place in the vicinity. The Department of Defense only wants the land  for two months  out of the year for exercises, but if there are any live rounds left in the area after the exercises are complete,  OHV access to Johnson Valley will be denied. Off-road organizations have teamed up by forming the California Motorized Recreation Council (CAMRC).  An alternative plan proposed by CAMRC would allow everyone to win, giving the Marines access for training,  while allowing the Bureau of Land Management to continue managing the area. The alternative plan will   keep  Johnson Valley open to off-roaders for most of the year. We need you to support the alternative plan,  and  voice that support in three ways: by calling your representatives, writing the Department of Defense during the   Public  Comment phase, and by donating to the Save the Hammers campaign. Here's how you can help: Call Congress - Call your U.S. Senator or Representative and ask that they keep public land available to the public, and that the alternative plan needs to be considered. Find your representative. Write to the Department of Defense - Write a letter to the Department of Defense during the Public Comment phase to say you want Johnson Valley to remain an OHV area open to off-roaders under the alternative plan. Donate to Save the Hammers - To keep Johnson Valley open to the public, 4 Wheel Parts will match every $1 donated up to $10,000. Let's keep public land open for the use of all off-roaders. Greg Adler CEO & President of 4 Wheel Parts

IRON BUTT RIDE RALLYING AMERICA'S OUTDOORS

ONE MAN; THOUSANDS OF VOICES; CARRYING THE MESSAGE TO DC.

BlueRibbon Coalition is making a Turn the Tide Tour around the United States, rallying grassroots recreationists and carrying our voices to Washington DC at the end of the tour - in person; face to face.  This is a chance for ALL of us to get our opinions and concerns herd.  Please check out the map and join in if you can.  Join in virtually with your voice if you can't join in the tour physically.

Greg Mumm is making this "iron butt" ride on his motorcycle (dual sport), but his message will be for ALL sports and ALL trails.  He will hit DC before the elections (and voting time).  Off road, off-pavement, over the snow, off highway, and off the beaten path (still on the trail) voices will resonate in the halls of Congress.  Please join in.

Greg is starting in the mid-West, hitting the northeast, running down to Florida, cutting across the south and Texas, coming up thru California the Pacific Northwest, back to the starting point, then flying to Washington DC with OUR voices, our concerns, and our vision of a new USA for outdoor recreation.

His purpose is to RALLY Americans who love the outback, the backcountry, outdoor recreation and the freedoms we enjoy, and CARRY their message to Congress and the politicians who run this country.

See the proposed route here: http://wearebrc.org/map

Join in, please.

thank you, Del

SAVING "MAYBERRY" IN RURAL AMERICA

"MAYBERRY" SHOULD NOT DIE!

Saving small town rural America is a three-step process that we can all help with. Our rural USA and economy should not go by the wayside, with its deep history and long standing roots in this great country.  It's a shame to see small towns drying up.  Motorized backcountry recreation can help fix this.  Here's three things we can all do to help save "Mayberry" and towns like it (no offense meant to Andy Griffith).

First, help promote the idea that backcountry motorized recreation brings money into rural America with our purchases of gas, lodging, food, etc.  Over 50 million Americans recreate in the great outdoors.  That's a lot of money.  Let town folks know when you are there spending motor money to help them survive.  "Like" and mention communities you recreate in on your Facebook and other social networks.

Second, wear your decals and stickers proudly to show that you belong to organized groups that are promoting responsible recreation.  Put stickers on your tow rigs as well as off-road rigs.  Demonstrate that organized recreation is out there helping small town America stay alive.

Third, whenever you can, keep your money in "Mom and Pop" outfits, small town USA stores, gas stations and restaurants. If you have a choice, buy from these rural economies to help keep them alive.  I know that Wal-Mart is on your list, most likely for some purchases, but when you can, spend your bucks in the boondocks.

Obviously, a lot of this hinges on ALL of us joining and supporting organized recreation groups like BlueRibbon Coalition and YOUR state association, as well as local clubs.

This history, charm and culture of America are in its backroads and small towns.  Thanks for keeping our rural America alive and well.  Mayberry is counting on you!
Del

JOHNSON VALLEY EIS NEEDS OUR VOICE NOW

We need every off-roader to participate in a targeted outreach. One phone call or fax a day is all we ask. Talking points can be found below. Contact name is underlined. Congress is on recess this week, they should be in the District Office. Every off-roader must participate!

THINK of this as 7 days to save the Hammers (and Johnson Valley).  

The US Marine Corps has posted the final EIS on their website here: http://www.marines.mil/unit/29palms/las/Pages/default.aspx

USMC Preferred Alternative:
Alternative 6 was selected in the DEIS as the preferred alternative and slightly modified in the Final EIS: it is the optimal alternative for the Marine Corps considering operational and environmental impact factors together. Developed in response to public comments it was designed to rpeserve public access to important off-road recreation areas during periods when MEB training did not require use of those lands. The Preferred Alternative would allow for reopening to public recreation use approximately 40,000 acres of the acquisition area for ten months a year. The land would fall under management of the Marine Corps under this proposed plan.

More here on Cal4's site:  http://www.cal4wheel.com/

IRON BUTT RIDE TO SAVE TRAILS AND FREEDOMS

BlueRibbon Coalition big boss, Greg Mumm, launches off across America to help us save trails, keep public lands open, and fight for our freedoms.   He's taking OUR voice to Washington, DC, in person, after touring the whole country in his Turn the Tide Tour 2012.

You can join in, tag along physically or virtually, add your two cents, comment on his efforts and what is important to you, and just be part of this AWESOME outreach to get off-road recreation HEARD in Washington.

Get on board....add your thoughts...this IS THE TIME to Turn the Tide...

Go here to see the tour bike and his "luggage"....wow, he must have a real Iron Butt...

http://www.wearebrc.org/content/hmmm-got-stowage

Del