This months newsletter is being distributed to more enthusiasts than ever before. For the complete newsletter with images included check out our past issues, where you can subscribe as well if you are not already.
http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=3b3529b4b99d00d9f26672a73&id=428de8dfb9&e=
I hope you were able to enjoy July and those last fleeting glimpses of extended family fun time before the kids head off to get learnt up real good. So what all did you get into? The beach? Maybe a trip across the country to visit some place where they talk funny and call Coke "pop"? Maybe you hit the trails? What a novel idea that would be.
For my family we're saving up for a doozy later this year. We're going to head to Disney World. Thank you for your sympathies. The wee one hasn't started school yet and we feel this would be a good time to blow it out. It also makes me realize I have one year left before she heads to school to learn interesting name calling techniques and other basics that she will carry with her through the rest of her days. I personally learned that a proper chicken wing fart takes time to master but making the correct cup makes all the difference. As a parent I guess I need to help her with that. My time is running out! No one wants to have the kid who can't make proper flatulence noises. Her mom would be devastated.
This month we take a look at a few things that every wheeler should know. Everything from trial etiquette to what tools to bring. Knowing is half the battle and the other 40% is knowing when to apply it. We hope you enjoy these tips and reminders but if not, perhaps you can glean something else. Enjoy your August. Treat it like a gift or maybe a vacation from the kids. You've earned it.
For more fun ideas on how to celebrate your free time check out the Southern message board or Facebook Group page!
-Editorial Written by Nick McCracken, North Caolina
Sharing our Trails: A Guide to Trail Etiquette
on Multi-Access Trails
From our friends at TreadLightly!
In many parts of the country, and on some of the trails we enjoy here in the South trails are open to and shared by equestrians, OHV riders, bicycle riders, runners and hikers. Trail sharing can and does work when people respect each other and work cooperatively to keep each other safe.
While it is important for people to respect each other on the trail, it is also important to be defensive and prepared in order to protect yourself.
When equestrians or other non OHV enthusiasts meet each other on the trail, the encounters can be enjoyable social exchanges if the groups understand how to work together to keep the encounters safe.
Common Courtesy:
- Respect all trail restrictions and use only trails open to your mode of transportation.
- Be considerate of others on the road or trail.
- When traveling on shared-use trails, continually watch for other types of recreationists.
- Slow down when sight lines are poor.
- Keep speeds low around other recreationists.
- Keep noise and dust down.
- Keep your ears open – no ear buds or extremely loud music.
- Keep pets under control. Some trails require dogs to be leashed.
- Be familiar with local rules.
Yielding:
- Yield the right of way to those passing you from behind or traveling uphill.
- Motorized vehicles yield to mountain bikes, runners, hikers and horses.
Rock Solid Finalizing the Windrock Pavilion Project
First picnic table completed and sign at the entrance. One more sign, two more tables, remove temporary bracing and general clean up and the area will be ready for use (not 100% but close). Target date to begin using will be September 1st, 2015.
Welcome New Members!
A big thanks goes out to the new members and businesses who have signed on recently with Southern Four Wheel Drive. We appreciate your commitment to the community and to Southern.
This month we have many new individual members who will be joining us at Dixie Run for the first time along with two new supporting business members. PSC Motorsports, and APOC Industries have both joined Southern this past month for the first time. We're proud to have these brands join forces on our mission of conservation, education, and recreation.
Don't forget when you do business with these fine businesses to tell them you are a Southern member to receive your discount! Check us out online to learn more about all of our business partners. www.sfwda.org/businesses
Way to go Ohio River Four Wheelers!
Thanks to a grant from Southern Four Wheel Drive Association and hard work from Ohio River Four Wheelers, a washout on old Fincastle Road in Lee County was repaired yesterday.
Both groups support Friends Of Boone and the #DBBB. Southern Four Wheel Drive Association is your regional association of off road enthusiasts. SFWDA includes individuals, clubs, member businesses, and offers national representation on Land Use and trail development as well as family events. Ohio River Four Wheelers is a great group of knowledgeable off road enthusiasts based in Cincinnati. Their strong backs and keen ideas led to this repair of beautiful Old Fincastle Rd.
This is where the rubber meets the road in sustainable multiple use recreation folks. Get involved! #DBBB!
For more info on how your group can utilize our Grant program and to apply today check out our Grant Info page on our SFWDA website.
http://www.sfwda.org/grants/
Warner Robins Jeep Club Donates $600 from their Ice Cream Social Event
A huge thanks from all within the OHV community. Great work; Sam Baggarly, Oscar Indreland and all the WRJC gang. Very nice!
Jeep Club of Warner Robins presents a $600 check to Jim Waters, Director of Donor Relations for the Methodist Children's Home South, GA. The Jeep Club held an ice cream social for the kids and brought toiletry and school supplies along with a monetary donation. Thank you!!
Mule Town Jeepers helping out along the Highway too
We are now official! Our adopted two mile stretch of Hwy 31 is now all "signed up". Proud of my Jeepers who are willing to put a little community service effort in and not just show up for the fun stuff. - Troy Blackwood
Premium Individual Memberships
With over 70 first time premium members now subscribing to this all new type of individual membership, it is definitely a success. Only a few 2015 premium gear bundles remain. Don't miss out on one the last opportunities to own a Inaugural Year Premium Membership Gear package. Once they're gone, they're gone.
- $50 per Year Renewable on Application Date
- All the same benefits of Basic Membership
- Direct participation with the SFWDA Leadership Council, and updates from the SFWDA - BOD
- SFWDA "Members Only" branded merchandise gear package (T-Shirt, Hat, & Sticker)
The Premium Member gear package is truly premium quality. First with our premium shirt made of lightweight, moisture-wicking, durable and breathable polyester material featuring the new SFWDA PREMIUM Member logo distressed on a full front print. Then the Premium hat is a super comfortable form fitting Velcro backed half mesh 6 panel unstructured cap made of cotton and polyester with a SFWDA logo embroidered on the front. Each Premium Individual Member will receive a gear package delivered via USPS Priority Mail direct to your door.
If you have not become a Premium member Upgrade Today!
http://www.sfwda.org/join
A Technical Note to all Active Members
Just a quick note....we've just completed a transition from one software solution to another for our membership database. What that means is you will have received an email triggered automatically notifying everyone that their recurring plan was cancelled. Rest assured nothing is necessary on your part and your membership will remain active up until your individual renewal date. From now on you will be notified by email before your membership renewal date to remind you to log into the SFWDA website and update your membership for 2016. Remember you can always check your renewal date and modify your billing, etc. from within your membership profile at www.sfwda.org
There is a lot happening this year, now is the time to register for Dixie Run 2015!
Join the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association for a fun event at Golden Mountain Park, September 24-27, 2015 and support Dixie Run 2015. Dixie Run is one of two key events for SFWDA each year and this year's event will be the best ever. Our event schedule will include Excursion rides on Friday afternoon and Saturday to some beautiful scenic local vistas; scheduled trail rides at GMP; fun and challenging obstacle course schedule; and scheduled Ladies Only rides on Saturday. All pricing includes the costs of a Saturday night dinner, and camping on site for 3 nights. SFWDA and our supporting Business Partners will be supporting a raffle on Saturday evening. This years raffle has an extra special surprise in development. Stay tuned for more details coming soon.
The event will also include a Kids play area and other family friendly activities. SFWDA will sponsor a Tread Lightly educational session on Saturday morning to promote the core values of responsible wheeling.
Come join us and share a great weekend in the Tennessee mountains and support the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association.
If you aren't yet an SFWDA Member and would like to attend, please go to our Member Registration Page where you can join our association and register for Dixie Run all at once!
Don't forget Southern has given away SFWDA LED flashlights to the first 50 registered people at Dixie Run. Oh but there's more.
The next 100 SFWDA Member registrations receive a SFWDA First Aid Kit.
First 200 SFWDA Member registrations receive a unique SFWDA Dixie Run sponsored by BFGoodrich. All special awards will be available at the SFWDA Merchandise tent during the event.
Who would you vote as the best off road trail around?
This just in from our friends at PartCatalog.com. Time for 2015 "top trails" voting.
" Thanks to the great response last year, we were able to create an awesome guide for off road enthusiasts, with 3,826 Pinterest Pins and 2,200 Facebook Likes: http://www.partcatalog.com/blog/2014-top-off-road-trails-in-america/
I'm starting up the survey again for the 2015 Edition of the Top Off Road Trails in America, and would love if you could share the survey with SFWDA members so they can vote for this year's top off road destinations - http://www.partcatalog.com/blog/survey/
We're also giving away $500 worth of auto merchandise, which you're automatically entered to win just for voting. Let me know, and Thanks again for y'alls participation last year!"
- Partscatalog.comUpcoming Events and Rides
- Benefit Ride For LCPL Skip Wells, Durhamtown Off Road Park,
August 15th - Friends of Uwharrie Volunteer Work Day - Aug 15th
- Tennessee Off Road (TOR)- Off Road Challenge -
Aug 20th, Wilson County Fair - 29th Annual Dixie Run - September 24-27, Golden Mountain Park, Sparta, TN
- Wheeling for the Wounded - Windrock Park, October 3rd, 2015
- 1st Annual Toy Run/Autism Awareness at the , Oct 30th - November 1, at Rock Corps Sugar Hill Off-Road Park a.k.a The S.H.O.P.
- Tennessee Jeep Jam - October 23-27 - Adventure Off-road Park, South Pittsburg, TN
- Fall Ford Wheelin Weekend IV - November 13-15 - Windrock Park, Oliver Springs, TN