When you think of all the things going wrong with our public lands and off-roading destinations, it's easy to react like Chicken Little, crying that the sky is falling. Or you can buckle up your big-boy pants and go do something about it. BFGoodrich Tires decided that action speaks louder than words.
Since 2006 the folks at BFGoodrich Tires have worked with Tread Lightly! and the United Four Wheel Drive Association to pick five or six trails around North America each year that they recognize as part of their Outstanding Trails Program. The trails range from entry level to extremely difficult, and in addition to recognizing the dirt and rocks, they also award a local club a big check to help with the conservation and upkeep of the trail. These big checks (and by "big," we mean literally-check out the photo) have been used for signs, shovels, fund-raising events, anything the local club considers will help them keep their trail open. In addition to the money, BFG also awards a set of tires to one lucky club member in a raffle during a weekend wheeling work party to show off these trails to local and international media.
As this program gains recognition, it can only help us all in the long run. For example, there was a major OEM 4x4 manufacturer at the most recent event and its representative told us they were considering joining forces with BFGood-rich Tires to help raise more funds and do more for the sport of off-roading.
This year the five trails picked were BlackCat Trail on Superstition Mountain near San Diego, California; Iron Range OHV Recreational Area in Gilbert, Minnesota; Quinn Trail that leads to Quinn Lake in Ottawa, Canada; Pritchett Canyon, one of the toughest trails in Moab; and Beasley Knob OHV Trail located near Blairsville, Georgia. Recently we attended the Quinn Trail event in Canada and rode the trails with members of the Ottawa Valley Offroaders. This trail has a variety of terrain including rocks, mud, and loose hillclimbs. In fact the trail can be run from either direction with one entrance requiring lockers and the other offering beginning wheelers a fun day in the dirt. For more information about how your company can help out with the Outstanding Trails events or to have your club and trails considered, contact Todd Ockert of UFWDA (tjockert@comcast.net).
The Ottawa Valley Offroaders is a great group with a wide variety of vehicles. Everything from Jeeps and buggies to Suzukis and even this lone diesel-powered Mercedes G-wagon was cruising the Quinn Trail the weekend we visited. | 
BFGoodrich Tires has awarded grants of more than $40,000 to multiple clubs that work to keep trails open. We were there when Joe Mazur, light-truck brand category manager for BFGoodrich Tires, handed over a giant $4,000 check to the Ottawa Valley Offroaders to assist in preservation of the Quinn Trail. This assistance from the off-road marketplace is a great way to reward the people working hard to keep our trails open. |
The Quinn Trail is just one of many amazing trails that BFG has recognized with its Outstanding Trails Program. If we could just shake off this job thing, we'd load up our 4x4 and hit the road, running every trail on the list. To find out all the trails, check out BFG's website, and prepare your 4x4 for mud, sand, rocks, and dirt. There's quite a variety on the list. If you run all the trails, send us photos, as we're looking for the first rig to make it through all 13. Stay tuned for the '09 trail list real soon. | |