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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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-Calling all Volunteers in NC; Uwharrie National Forest Upcoming Work Day with the USFS Jan. 28, 9am

A quick note from  Theresa Stevens Savery (Terry), on behalf of the National Forests in North Carolina, Uwharrie National Forest

Uwharrie is one of the few remaining public trail systems in the eastern US. 

   Hi Everyone – I wanted to send out the message about the January 28th Work Day. We’ll meet at 9 am at the Uwharrie Hunt Camp. We’ll work on armoring several wet areas on the trails with rock from Cotton Place TH, Dutch John TH and from sources on the trail. We’ll also put up some short sections of guardrail or the old log barricades up. If you have a trail trailer, pickup truck or other vehicle that can be used to haul rip-rap, large gravel, posts and guardrail please bring it that weekend. Also, if you’re chainsaw certified please bring your PPE and saw, etc. because we might not get out to the trails before then and with the storm this weekend we might have some trees come down on the trails. 

 Thank you everyone for your continued support. I appreciate it very much. Bye - Terry


Theresa Stevens Savery (Terry),
MS Forest Resources / Watershed Management
District Recreation Staff Supervisor
Forest Service
National Forests in North Carolina, Uwharrie National Forest
p: 910-576-6391 x102
c: 910-975-0274
f: 910-576-4171
tsavery@fs.fed.us
789 NC Hwy 24/27 East Troy, NC 27371
 
www.fs.fed.us

Caring for the land and serving people

Some photos taken from a recent work day cleanup in 2016. These events are all about volunteers working to ensure our trail access is preserved. being proactive and preventative. Working cooperatively as enthusiasts with the USFS. 

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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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Special Rates at Holiday Inn Express in Kimball, TN for TrailFest 2017!

Located in Kimball, TN Just a few miles from the parks entrance at AOP. 

 The last few years we have partnered with IHG Properties. This great partnering provides a special SFWDA members only rate at the Holiday Inn Express in Kimball, TN.

 This is the featured hotel of The Adventure Off Road Park or AOP and TrailFest 2017. Conveniently located just down the road from the parks entrance. 

Our discounted rate applies year round and will allow you to book without and cancellation penalty. Book online today using the link below or call direct and mention your SFWDA Membership for the discount. 

 

Holiday Inn Express - Kimball
300 Battlecreek Road
Kimball, TN 37380
(423) 837-1500   /   1-800-HOLIDAY
Front Desk Manager, Christeena Deford
kbltn@bellsouth.net

SFWDA Event Rates:  

  • King Size Bed$85*plus TAX  

  • Two Queen Size Beds$85*plus TAX

  • King Suite Room$95*plus TAX

*(book at this rate without any cancellation penalty)

Corporate Number: 786790826

Parking is always FREE!  Also have space available for parking trailers. 

Registration is still discounted until March 1st, but rooms may sell out sooner. Book both now and be sure to get in on the biggest TrailFest event yet! 


* Based upon availability.  Cannot be combined with any other discount(s).  Not guaranteed during other special events. 

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Check out the latest eddition of 4Low Off Road magazines' feature of Dixie Run 30

We made the cover)  

These guys joined us for the first time in Sparta but most likely not the last at our 30th annual event. Looks like they had a great time and hope to see more from them in the future. There's several great photo shots in side as well as some coverage of other local off-road parks and events in our area. Get your copy here; https://www.magzter.com/US/4LOW-Offroad-Magazine/4LOW-Offroad-Magazine/Automotive/

Centerfold shot too!  

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2016 BOD Elections - Description of Duties & Obligations

These are the upcoming openings to be elected at our Annual Meeting. Each of these positions are a 2 year volunteer term; Vice President, Secretary, Director of Legislative Affairs, and Director of Public Relations for 2017-2018 will be elected.

 The attached PDF document below will illustrate according to our current by-laws the standard duties & obligations of each of the four positions open for election this year. 

 To be selected to one of these position please submit your contact info below and we will include your name on the ballot. We will conduct a live election during our Annual Meeting on December 3, 2016 in Oak Ridge, TN. Those unable to attend can still submit and participate online though our webinar electronically. You may also vote online at the same live moment that we  process the election of each position. 

Below is the link for more details on the meeting including a link to our Webinar, to register and participate if you are unable to join us in person at the Double Tree hotel. 

Meeting Details

Webinar Registration

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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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Notes from our last Leadership Meeting on Monday, Oct. 24th;

Currently SFWDA membership is at 2293 members and climbing

UFWDA and O.R.B.A are considering uniting forces together

Trail/Grant news

  • 2017- East Tennessee 4 Wheel Drive club will be developing new trails at Windrock
  • Beasley Knob- Blairsville, GA
  • Develop a picnic shelter on one of the trails
  • Uwharrie Off-Road Training Area- NC
  • Repair an access road for trailer parking and more accessible
  • Build an educational classroom shelter

SFWDA receive a $1000 dollars grant from the Appalachian Toyota Roundup and will go into SFWDA grant program

SFWDA dates for next year ( not yet officially confirmed)

  • Trailfest 2017- AOP (Adventure Off-road-Road Park) May 4th-6th
  • Dixie Run - Golden Mountain Off-Road Park) Sept 21-24
  • Spring Meet and Greet Ride- March 5, 2017
  • Summer Meet and Greet - June 10th, 2017
  • Fall Meet and Greet Ride- Nov 4th or Nov. 11th
  • Possible Locations for 2017 Meet and Ride's
    • Hale Mountain - AL
    • Windrock- TN
    • Black Mountain- KY
  • June 2-3 -Unlimited Off-Road Expo- Louisville, Ky Crager

Sandlick Rd- Slade, KY Looking at following the RS2477 act , which states that we can get the road back, very similar process to how the Rubicon Trail was left open.

DBBB - Mountain Springs Rd.- Waiting on Estill county to re-affirm the road, Please do not use until this  is resolved.

- Thanks for sharing Aaron Roddy

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