Trail riding and tours

We constantly get asked about trail riding in Yuma Arizona. We are working on getting that put together for our customers and Yuma locals there are tons of places to see and ride at. I will keep you posted on the latest updates. The tour will be at the end of March. I'll keep you posted.

Law enforcement at Imperial Sand Dunes out of control?

I read the paper this morning to hear about an unfortunate story. I have heard recently several stories regarding abuse of power. One person told me about how a law enforcement officer at the Imperial Sand Dunes gave everyone at thier camp tickets for this that and the other. They justified it by saying they had to meet thier quota. The article in The Sun (Yuma Newspaper) talked about a couple that has invested over $70,000 in a rail to drive from Canada to ride the Imperial Sand Dunes. One argument was the leos at the sand dunes were too agressive with the people going over to the Southern California Dunes. Some arugued the stiffer control by the leos was due to people's carelessness. Personally my thoughts on this is, there is always three sides to a story. Side A side B and the truth. Some people might say the Law enforcement is out of control but if they are you can always visit their office and talk to someone about the Leo abuse. I had at one point received a citation by the highway patrol for not having the insurance information for the vehicle I was driving. It was not mine and I was borrowed. I couldn't find the information so I told the officer " I don't know where the insurance is." Out of frustration (I hope) the officer reached in the car opened my glove compartment and started to look through the paperwork in the vehicle. I was scared at that point. He should have never reached in my car to get anything unless I was acting weird or gave him a reason to search my vehicle. If he had probable cause he could search it but there was no probable cause no search warrant. He opened my back pack and was asking my why I had so many cameras. I explained to him it was because I was a photographer and was on my way to the college course. He gave me a ticket and sent me on my way. I called his supervisor and told him what happened. I obtained a lawyer to fight the traffic ticket in court. A few days later the ticket was dismissed by the highway patrol. Some issues can be resolved when you speak to the supervisors. If you have witnesses it always helps to have a written statement of what happened. Be careful at the dunes! I have personally witness people drinking and driving out there. I scared me enough to where I don't drive at night at the sand dunes. For the article in the Yuma sun check out http://www.yumasun.com/news/_47364___article.html/_.html

Bored Riders?

There are lots to do in Yuma Arizona. I will bring you more information about riding in Yuma soon, in the mean time Yuma has its annual Lettuce Days Festival. If you didn't know Yum is the lettuce capital of the world. Over 90 percent of the winter vegetable crops are grown in this area. When I arrived there was so many people one could hardly even walk. There was so much going on, food venders, such as Ice cream, chocolate covered strawberries, little donuts to yummy organic candles, little girls dresses. There was so much to see and enjoy there. The Yuma Lettuce Festival is every year. Thier attractions and events include the southwest longest salad bar, tour of the agriculture, belly dancers, music and muppets, square dancing to name a few. There was a few rides for the kids, and plenty of tasty treats. I tried to take as my photographs of stuff as I could, I will post them up for you so you can enjoy them. Tomorrow is that last day to enjoy or purchase items at the festival. It will be going on from 10 untill 3:00pm. So if you happen to be in the surrounding areas stop by, you will have a blast.
For more information on the festival check out, http://yumalettucedays.com

MX Riding Places in Yuma AZ

I apologize for not blogging for the past days. I have been busy with new upcoming events that I will blog about later in the future. I have mostly focused on atvs, and Imperial Sand Dunes but there is a little hidden treasure in Yuma Arizona that I have not told you about. For those of you that are interested in Motorcross there are some places that you can go and ride in Yuma, there is a Motorcross in Yuma Arizona! The track is located on County 13th st and east canal. Take Ave B to get there and go on 13th st all the way to the canal bank. The owner of the track is Chris Strebe, he maintains and runs the track. The track is open Saturday nights from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Adult riders cost is only $20.00 minor riders is $15.00. Spectators cost is only $2.00. For more information check out http://happytrack.com.

If you are out of Yuma Arizona and are looking for a place to ride your dirtbike check out http://wheretomx.com. There is nothing like the feeling of flying in the air with your dirtbike. Hope you enjoy those websites :)

Imperial Sand Dunes first ATC

From time to time I meet people that share their experience regarding the Imperial Sand Dunes. Some of the earlier stores that I have heard are about Yuma Locals that had one of the first OHV modified Ford Model A. It is awesome to hear stories and watch their eyes light up about growing up by Imperial Sand Dunes. My curiosity lead me to have a conversation with Mark, now I have blogged about Mark going to the Imperial Sand Dunes when he was young. He began to tell me of the first ATV that he remembered his brother had. He remembered his brother had a ATC that went back to 1971. The first one to create such a vehicle was HONDA. I went online and found a website that featured the first ATV later ATC. The ATV was first introduced in 1969 by Honda. It was called ATV US90 and was later changed to All Terrain Cycle 90. It was powered by an 87cc four-stroke single cylinder engine. It had a 7 horse power and automatic clutch. I found it funny because Honda has a Honda 90 that is now a childs quad. The ATV 90 had a ballon looking tires and tiny rims it was created so it has a smooth ride the ballon tires would absorb the rough terrain. This is what began a billion dollar industries, this little quad had a bit a power but I don't know if the engineer Osamu Takeuchi ever thought about how much this ATV would influence generations. Over 30 years later ATV riders passion for them has only grown stronger. For more info on the history of the first ATV or ATC check out http://atc90.tripod.com/hondaatc90/id17.html More ATV history coming up!

Imperial Sand Dunes Trash Issue UPDATE

According to The Sun newspaper, Dumpsters will stay at the Imperial Sand Dunes, through May 30th 2009. The Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairman Wally Leimgruber said $150,000 has been secured to pay for continued trash pickup for the next four months. The BLM had stated that due to the economic crisis there was less money available to pay for the trash collection. The BLM had to make a choice between keeping the emergency services, law enforcement and trash services, so the latter just could not be paid for. Although the the trash services will continue until May we encourage people to pack thier trash. Littering at the Imperial Sand Dunes is illegal, if you are caught then you will be fined. Martin Luther King Holiday weekend is here and serveral dune visitors will be headed to the Imperial Sand Dunes. So play safe, and pack it up. For more info check out
http://www.yumasun.com/news/dunes_47126___article.html/funds_pickup.html

No Riding in YUMA? ARIZONA no ride zone.

Growing up in Yuma, Arizona was lots of fun. Especially if you love motorcross and most motorsports there was tons of places to ride. Now, the City of Yuma had developed most of Yuma County. There for eliminating some of the "riding spots " in Yuma. I called the Arizona BLM in Yuma Arizona, to find out about a riding hot spot called "The PIT". That has been a favorite riding place of Yumans for over 30 years. The Yuma BLM office directed me to the Bureau of Reclamation . I had no idea what that agency did or what it was. So I called the number and was directed to speak to Anna Pinnel. After playing phone tag for a couple of minutes, I finally was able to make contact with her. I couldn't keep up with all the information I was reciving. When I asked about the famous "PIT" she said that location was completely off limits. That land is a part of the Bureau of Reclamation which is an organization wich was established in 1902 to serve the people of the United States and assist them in managing the water in the west. The Pit is used by the Bureau of Reclamation as a borrow pit. They borrow the dirt to help with a canal that is near by Interstate 8. The use of that dirt comes in very handy especially since it has clay like properties. It is also home to the flat tail horned lizard. This lizard has been on and off the endgangered species list for some time now. Any OHV can be a threat to this animal. Ms. Pinnel made it very clear that anyone caught riding on that land is traspassing and if more and more people decide to ride in that area they can petition the BLM to patrol it. Traspassers will be sited. Although at this time the Bureau of Reclamation does not have the funds to patrol it if caught the Sherrifs office, Highway Patrol and BLM can and will site you. So please stay off of the pit. I was curious to see if it was possible to host an event there. I asked Ms Pinnel of any chance that the "Pit" might be open to the public anytime soon and unfortunatly that is uncertain. Some of the land that was handed over to the Bureau of Reclamation in 1902 has stayed in possession of the BOR since then. There have been several people, organizations, clubs, and companies interested in that land but the BOR is not going to give it up any time soon. I went down there to take some photos of the land so people could know what I was talking about. Unfortuately due to technical difficulties, I was not able to take the photographs, however I was able to get video footage of people riding around the pit as we were getting ready to leave. Check out NO RIDINGINYUMA . For more information regarding the BOR you can also check out http://www.usbr.gov/. I will keep you posted on riding places in Yuma Arizona. Keep check out this blog and check out http://jetrentyuma.com