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Spring 2017 SFWDA Meet & Ride will go down as a SUCCESS! Thanks to Hale Mountain OHV Park, and the Rocket City Rock Crawlers for leading.

 We helped bring out 75 people total to the park that day. 

  This is exactly what the SFWDA Meet N Rides are all about:  exposing folks to what Southern has going on these days, the accomplishments, status, and direction SFWDA is headed. 

 We helped bring out 75 people total to the park that day. Especially good when you can get this information in the ears of folks that may have never even had direct contact with Southern before.  At the same time, getting these people out on trails too and leading them through trails many of them have never experienced before. 

  The rain that the park saw overnight before the ride changed the equation a little bit for the difficulty level for everyone and momentum became the name of the game.  That, and some folks got some lessons on winch rigging and safety which is always good.  The "easy" group went through two rather difficult obstacles together as a team using straps and winches whenever necessary for those without lockers and less aggressive tires.  The route wouldn't have been quite as challenging when dry of course.  Moderate and hard groups also saw their fair share of challenges but it was expected and didn't stop anyone. 

  Many thanks to Hale Mountain for opening up their park for us and we hope that many of the attendees will re-visit the park, perhaps when it's a little dryer.   Also, thank you to SFWDA for covering the Chick-Fil-A biscuits and O.J. Saturday morning.  After all, we are Southern so what's a get-together without good food!  See y'all at Trailfest!

Great event for our club, SFWDA, and Hale Mountain Park. Thank y'all!

- Jake White
Owner / Operator CartoTracks.com
Rocket City Rock Crawlers

Complete Photo Collection of approx 250 images can be found on Cartotracks Facebook Page here. 

SFWDA also wishes to thank Hale Mountain OHV Park, and
the Rocket City Rock Crawlers for leading our rides. 

 To be sure you don't miss out on any upcoming Meet & Rides or other SFWDA events be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter. Also checkout our Message Board on a regular basis and follow our Facebook Group page for the very latest group topics.

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TrailFest 2017 Volunteer Sign Up's are now open

TrailFest 2017 Volunteer Sign Up's are now open as we're hoping you will pitch in a couple spare hours to volunteer for something.

But have you ever wondered; " Why do I attend SFWDA events "?

How about..........4 days and nights worth of some amazing off road trails and rocks. Camping with hot showers and bath facilities. Dinner on Saturday night from a variety of food trucks. Free riding, guided trails, excursions, and as much fun as you can handle is also included in your admission.

Most importantly though you're supporting a core mission that benefits us all, to effectively preserve OHV trail access in the Southeast region and educate others to make sure our sport thrives on. It's what we do, and that is why we do it. Now, we need your support to make this event a success!

Sign Up Today & Learn More.....
https://www.sfwda.org/trailfest-volunteering/

#Trailfest2017 #SFWDA
 

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Guided Rides Signup- Trailfest 2017 is now LIVE! Trails & Excursions

Guided Rides Signup - Trailfest 2017

These rides are only for those who have already registered to attend the event. You can signup for all Guided Trail Rides, both inside AOP, and our Excursion Rides. There is no additional cost to sign up for guided rides, and we encourage you to book early if you are interested ad we expect these slots to all fill up before the event begins. 

 We are again offering several Ladies Only Rides. Those registered online will be offered a free shirt for this part of the event. Ladies rides will be split into the same two levels of difficulty as listed below. 

Ride Categories

Easy Moderate Trail Routes:

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
Safety Belts, First Aid Kit, Fire Extingusher, Secure Battery, REQUIRED OHV EQUIPMENT, Transfer Case, All Terrain Tires, Recovery Points

Everyday rigs are highly encouraged to join. Routes will be mostly easier trails, and only those which everyone in the group can traverse.

 

 

 

Advanced Moderate Trail Routes:

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
All Basic Safety & OHV Equipment As Required of Easy Moderate Tralls
ADVANCED OHV EQUIPMENT:Winch, Lockers, Recovery Gear, Roll Cage

This group will tackle more challenging terrain. Routes will be more challenging, but still capable of everyone in the group. Body damage may be possible, and a roll cage is required.

 

 

 

Scenic Excursion Trail Routes:

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
Safety Belts, First Aid Kit, Fire Extinguisher,Secure Battery, DOT Registered Vehicle
 
Everyday rigs are highly encouraged to join. Most of the route will be on asphalt yet there may be some very mild off road trails. We will as a group travel to scenic destinations around the local area. Travel up to 100 miles round trip and visit landmarks, waterfalls, overlooks, and more.

 

 

 

Things to know about our Guided Trail & Excursion Rides:

  • Tread Lightly! principles will be observed at all times.
  • You're welcome to ride along on and participate in as many guided trail rides as you wish.
  • Trial Routes have been carefully pre-determined and should be suitable for rigs based on the categories described for each group.
  • Each group will have a brief drivers meeting before departure to become acclimated with the planned route and debrief on all safety, and communications, along with best practices when riding in groups.
  • CB Radios are suggested but not required. We encourage good radio communication and groups will be on a designated channel.
  • Each Guided Trail Ride through AOP is approximately 2-3 hours long
  • Excursion Rides are approximately 4-5 hours long.
  • Every Guided Route will include at minimum One Trail Guide and One Tail Gunner.  
  • Our goal is to depart each guided trip with no more than approximately 15 rigs per total. We can and will split rides into multiple groups to accommodate everyone and the trail system itself for maximum efficiency.
  • A brief drivers meeting with all participants will commence 15 minutes before each scheduled departure time. You must arrive on time!
  • In the South rain is a weather factor which can elevate the difficulty rating of some trails as much as one whole level higher on average. 
  • While each route category has a few different levels of basic requirements, most would benefit from use of some additional suggested equipment. While you want to be prepared you also don't be to be overloaded; CB Radio, Tool Kit, Spare Tire, Tire Patch Kit, and some common spare parts are all suggested equipment to have on-board.

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USFS Foothills Landscape Collaboration Workshop - Jan 31 & Feb 1, Dahlonega

From an email blast communicated by our friends at the USFS.  This is an open invite for anyone looking to get more involved. 

Join SFWDA and the USFS for the first of four collaboration workshops focused on developing a plan that will be used to create a proposed action for the Foothills Landscape. This is a great opportunity to share your views, discuss ideas, and interact with other members of the collaboration community and Forest Service employees -- a time to roll up our sleeves and really get down to work.

From the USFS;

We have had quite a jam-packed fall on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The unseasonably dry weather has kept us busy fighting wildfires up north and attending to insect outbreaks down south. These pressing demands demonstrate even more that the need has never been greater for strategic, holistic, large-scale and long-range planning for a healthy, resilient forest. And we can't do it alone.

The Community Conversations this past fall gave us an overview of the attitudes, values and beliefs of community members. Now, looking forward, we need to begin to design on-the-ground actions that address the widespread resource challenges in an integrated way and on a scale that results in enduring impacts. 

What to Expect Next: 

Collaborative Workshops

We are planning four workshops before the end of August. These workshops will be focused on developing a plan that will be used to create a proposed action for the Foothills Landscape. This is a great opportunity to share your views, discuss ideas, and interact with other members of the collaboration community and Forest Service employees -- a time to roll up your sleeves and really get to work!

Our first upcoming workshop:

January 31st and February 1st

Lumpkin County Parks and Rec Community Center located at 365 Riley Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533
 

 

Learning and Sharing

Please take a moment to check out the thoughtful comments and robust discussions shared during the recent Community Conversations at www.tinyurl.com/FoothillsLandscape. The online forum for comments, discussions and sharing pictures worked so well during the Community Conversations we are going to use it again. In between the workshops you will be able to start discussions, post ideas and add comments on the restoration goals, treatment locations, and methods of treatment.

Also, share this update with others and encourage them to sign up to receive emails on the collaborative effort. 

Thank you for helping make sure we are working together to do the right work in the right places for the right reasons.

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

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​Our 14th Annual Trailfest 2017 ticket sales are about to launch. Be sure to book early to increase your chance to win a winch!

Our streamlined new Trailfest 2017 Registration is setup, has been tested, and is ready to launch.

Live Friday morning; (1-20-17) at 8am Eastern. 

Before that happens I wanted everyone to know we have a really special prize to give away from our friends at Warn, but it will only be offered to those who register online.

With our Ticket Multiplier this year the earlier you book the better your odds of winning.

Book your tickets online and qualify to win this exclusive Warn Winch raffle prize. 

Warn Industries has graciously contributed a brand new shiny WARN® ZEON® 10-S Winch kit. Thats one of their top winches with a 10,000 lb rating, complete with remote, 100' of synthetic cable, aluminumm fairlead, hook and all.  
https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10-S.jsp

 

 

 

 

These exclusive Warn Raffle Tickets will be distributed with your ticket purchase to each paid driver admission purchased online;

4x tickets to first 50, 3x to first 100, and 2x to first 200, and 1x for all the rest online.

 There is no way to buy these tickets and they will not be available at the event, so register online and do it early.  


Stay tuned for more details....https://www.sfwda.org/trailfest
 

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Grant funding fuels the success of the DBBB creating new trails and preserved access.

Grants are available right now for your local club or group project. Apply Today Online. 

  We hope everyone enjoyed themselves at our Fall 2016 Meet & Ride. Before we move focus onto our Annual Meeting on December 3rd, in which everyone's invited to attend, it's seems worthy to reflect on our success together as an Association for a moment. It is well known how successful this past years SFWDA events were, generating thousands of dollars of revenue for our non-profit association. With the success of these events and through the support of our constantly growing membership base we will never stop fighting the core mission of your Association;  Conservation * Education * Recreation. 

 For those that were able to join us at  our Meet & Ride this past Saturday you were able to see first hand a rural and majestic part of the Appalachian Mountains. The route there near Slade, KY and the Red River Gorge area that everyone traveled is part of a long term and ongoing project which was made possible by grants from both the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) and TreadLIghtly. Soon several local off road business's and others in the community stepped up to support as well. With combined financial support and together along with the hard work from volunteers like the Ohio River Four Wheeler's club and Friends of Daniel Boone we have created what is now know as the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway.

Current map digitally available from Cartotracks.com 

  These joint efforts have proven successful in reclaiming the nearly 100 miles of the byway into a OHV route for everyone, highlighting the beautiful nature in this area all the while stimulating the economy by attracting many wheeler's and tourists to the area. As members of SFWDA we pride ourselves on being comprised mostly of responsible enthusiasts who practice the TreadLightly principles and we strive to serve as a model of what the OHV community should be perceived as to others. Our core SFWDA mission is in full effect here in the DBBB with grant funds in a variety of ways to include; marking the byway route with kiosks and signage, digitally mapping for smartphones, continual volunteer maintenance of these trails, engineered water and erosion management projects, bridge building, and even routine trash removal. This continued effort is how we plan to protect and preserve access to this beautiful trail.

 If you missed it this past weekend don't worry, with our continued efforts the DBBB will remain open for generations to come. Feel free to look up the ORFW club (links below) for more info about joining them on a ride of the area. 

  For anyone interested in more rides like this..... We host 4 of these Meet & Ride events across the Southeast Region at various off road trails & parks annually. Subscribe to our newsletter and visit our website on a regular basis at www.SFWDA.org , and also check out our Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/SFWDA .

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Jeffrey Dozier receives national recognition on the DBBB project, earning the 2016 - UFWDA - Four Wheeler of the Year Award!

 A well deserved congratulations to another one of our very own SFWDA members. Jeffrey Dozier (Ohio River Four Wheelers / Friends of Daniel Boone) on being selected to receive the UFWDA 2016 - FOUR WHEELER OF THE YEAR AWARD. This award is designed to recognize, on a national level, the overall significant achievements and contributions of individuals to the sport of recreational four wheeling. Jeff, you most certainly deserve it. Your hard work and dedication on the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway over the past years will continue to benefit generations of off road enthusiasts.  

Local Clay City Times paper article on the DBBB. 

 The DBBB provides designated maps, markers, and preserved access to a beautiful rural route through sections of un-maintained county roads in the Slade and Red River Gorge area of Kentucky creating the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway offering approximately 100 miles of scenic trails offering up many unique and challenging obstacles. For more about the DBBB visit ;  www.sfwda.org/dbbb

 

For more about UFWDA visit; http://www.ufwda.org/
For more about the ORFW club visit : http://www.sfwda.org/orfw
For more about the Friends of Boone visit: https://www.facebook.com/Daniel-Boone-Backcountry-Byway-694090960601745/

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Fall 2016 SFWDA Meet & Ride is a Success in the DBBB - Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway

A great SFWDA Meet & Ride Saturday hosted by your association and the Ohio River Four Wheeler's. We had 135+ vehicles and over 200 people from KY, TN, IL, IN, OH, WVA, SC, GA and MI. 

Beautiful fall day exploring the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. And to top off our day we presented the Jeffrey Dozier the UFWDA Four Wheeler of the Year award for dedication, focus and efforts on the DBBB. Our sincerest thanks Jeff.

Also special thanks to Aaron Roddy,  Joe Kling, and all of the ORFW members for outstanding work in organizing the day and also for your efforts on the DBBB.

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Our very own DBBB WINS the 2016 BFG Outstanding Trails Program - Congratulations, Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, led by the Ohio River Four Wheelers

BFGoodrich® Tires Outstanding Trails Program
2016 Winners announced

 
Press Release; SEMA Show - Las Vegas, NV., Nov. 3, 2016
  
 – BFGoodrich® Tires, in collaboration with 4 Wheel Parts, United Four Wheel Drive Associations, Blue Ribbon Coalition and Off Road Business Association, today announced the winners of the 2016 Outstanding Trails program.  Nominated for uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast following, the trails selected and the associated clubs for this year’s program are: 

· Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, Kentucky, Ohio River Four    Wheelers
· Sidewinder Trail, Colorado, Mile-Hi Jeep Club
· 21 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, Grand Mesa Jeep Club
· Hagen Creek Trail, Yacolt Burn State Forest, Washington , Piston’s Wild Motorsports Club

  Our very own DBBB WINS the
2016 BFG Outstanding Trails Program!

 Congratulations to Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, in Kentucky as led by SFWDA and the
Ohio River Four Wheelers.

SFWDA and ORFW have been actively fighting for access on trails in this area for years now. Through grants provided by SFWDA and the help of many dedicated volunteers like Jeffrey Dozier, Aaron Roddy, Joe Kling, and many other passionate volunteers we have uncovered and now digitally mapped a route through sections of un-maintained county roads in the Slade and Red River Gorge area of Kentucky creating the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway offering approximately 100 miles of scenic trails offering up many unique and challenging obstacles. 

 BFGoodrich® Tires builds tires for any adventure, including those that take drivers off their daily roadways. Through the BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails presented by 4 Wheel Parts program, that promotes sustainable and responsible off-road driving, BFGoodrich will once again award grants of $4,000 each to four qualified and passionate off-road clubs in North America. These clubs will use their grants to continue local efforts that preserve and protect their hometown trails. This is the 11th year of the program. 

To date, Outstanding Trails has awarded grants to 40 off-road trails nominated by 38 local clubs throughout North America. The program has provided more than $150,000 in grants in support of these trail conservation efforts. 

Nominations were accepted beginning March 28 through July 15, on the BFGoodrich Tires website at www.bfgoodrichtires.com. The competition invites off-road clubs from around North America to nominate local trails that merit grants for maintenance or refurbishing. Trails are selected based on uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast support. BFGoodrich assembled a panel of judges comprised of four-wheel industry veterans to evaluate Outstanding Trails grant submissions. 

BFGoodrich Tires 2016 Outstanding Trails Winners: 
 During the course of the year, BFGoodrich Tires will be at club events associated with these trails to highlight the uniqueness of each location, educate off-road enthusiasts on the responsible use of the trails and present a $4,000 grant to each club to assist in the preservation of trail access. 

· Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, Kentucky, Ohio River Four Wheelers

 This trail is a 98-mile loop that spans several counties through remote and scenic Kentucky including the Red River Gorge. The trail is growing rapidly in recognition and use. With this increased traffic, regular maintenance is needed. The Ohio River Four Wheelers club has been around for 25 years and takes pride in promoting safety on its trail rides and environmentally-conscious off-roading. 
The club plans to use the grant to conduct any repairs that are needed and promote the trail in the region. They also will continue to uncover additional sections of unmaintained county roads that can be incorporated into the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. 

· Sidewinder Trail, Gunnison, Colorado, Mile-Hi Jeep Club

· 21 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, Grand Mesa Jeep Club
The Grand Mesa Jeep Club is the second oldest organization of its kind in Colorado. With more than 100 memberships, the club has adopted the 21 Road Trail and other local trails and is committed to its protection and maintenance. The Grand Mesa Jeep Club has "adopted' both the 21 Road trail and the threatened Great Basin Spadefoot Toad (the "21 Road Toad"). 
The club has committed to protecting the toad's habitat in at least 3 areas along the trail with posts and cable. 21 Road runs through several canyons in Grand Junction and often changes with extreme weather conditions. Grand Mesa Jeep club plans to use the grant money to work with the Bureau of Land Management to cable off critical habitat and increase signage to ensure proper off-road use of the trail. The club plans to build and outfit a trail support building to ensure tools and equipment is available for ongoing trail maintenance. 

· Hagen Creek Trail, Yacolt Burn State Forest, Washington , Piston’s Wild Motorsports Club
Piston's Wild Motorsports was founded in February 2007 for the primary purpose of reopening public access to the 4x4 trails that were closed over 20 years earlier. The club started with just 2 families and has grown to almost 50 active and honorary family memberships. the club built three new 4x4 trails in 2014 and is on track to build three more 4x4 trails in the near future. The club membership is dedicated to being active stewards of the motorized trails in the Yacolt Burn State Forest from conception of the idea, through construction development and for ongoing maintenance to ensure the public's access to these trails into the future. 
The club would like the opportunity to go back and "upgrade" the existing trails with some additional optional routes, increased and varied features with some new challenges and possibly create some inviting "social" areas to encourage wheelers to visit the area as often as possible. 

About BFGoodrich Tires
With more than 100 years of heritage, BFGoodrich® Tires is dedicated to providing high performance tires for those who have a passion for driving in virtually any environment. Combining technical expertise with 40 years of motorsports experience, BFGoodrich Tires delivers tires for a full range of driving experiences from ultra-high-performance street to off-road terrain with one common theme — extreme performance. 
Come upgrade your performance with BFGoodrich and see where our tires can take you at www.BFGoodrichTires.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BFGoodrichTires or on Twitter at @BFGoodrichTires. 

About 4 Wheel Parts
4 Wheel Parts is the global leader in off-road truck, Jeep and aftermarket performance products. With 69 locations across the U.S. and Canada and growing, 4 Wheel Parts Service Centers install all the products they sell. Maintaining the nation’s largest inventory of off-road tires, wheels, lift kits, and accessories, 4 Wheel Parts serves customers across the country and around the globe. Life is Better Off-Road™. Visit
them at 4wheelparts.com or call toll-free 877-474-4821. 

About United Four Wheel Drive Associations
United Four Wheel Drive Associations is the world’s leading representative of all-brand, four wheel-drive enthusiasts. UFWDA benefits, developed and tested over the past 40 years, include four-wheel-drive safety and awareness education; such user ethics programs as adopt-a-road, conservation volunteer and volunteer trail patrol; assistance with new club formation; education seminars to aid four wheelers through complex state and federal programs affecting trail access; internet forums designed to instantly connect members globally; and access to its legislative advocate and nationally
recognized attorney who works exclusively for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to protect access and prevent road and trail closures. For more information on the UFWDA log on to www.ufwda.org 

About the BlueRibbon Coalition
The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) is a national non-profit organization that champions responsible recreation and encourages a strong conservation ethic and individual stewardship, while providing leadership in efforts to keep outdoor recreation alive and well -- all sports; all trails. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, participation in the administrative process, outreach, education and collaboration among recreationists. BRC works with land managers to provide recreation opportunities preserve resources and promote cooperation with other public land users. BRC is recognized nationwide for its credible staff of landuse and recreation professionals, as well as a legal team with nearly 30 years of accomplishments. Learn more at www.BlueRibbonCoalition.org. 

About the Ohio River Four Wheelers
Ohio River Four Wheelers (ORFW) is a non-profit off road enthusiast club in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Our goal is to enjoy recreational trail riding and to promote responsible, environmentally conscious off-roading. Our club is family oriented, with an average of twenty-five active families in our membership. 
In addition to trail riding, ORFW members volunteer to assist with trail clean-ups, and annually make contributions to charities of the communities in which we ride.
To join ORFW, you must attend one meeting, one trail ride, and then be voted in by the members. Dues are $55.00 annually. Portions of your ORFW dues are paid to these organizations so that you will become a member through the Club: United Four Wheel Drive Association and Southern Four Wheel Drive Association. 

ORFW Meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. every second Thursday of the month;
Quaker Steak and Lube Restraunt
590 Chambers Dr. Milford, OH 45150
Milford, OH.

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