Be An ATV Scout
May 7, 2010 by Tom Kaiser
Our Paiute Trail ATV ride started off as a bright, sunny, warm day in the Sevier Valley. Little did we know...
Not being adequately prepared for an ATV trip can be quite the misadventure. Whether it’s terrifying, uncomfortable or just a frustrating experience, realizing you forgot something important is never pleasant. Once you’re past the point of no return, though, you must accept what you’re missing and try to make the best of it.
My second trip to the Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree in Richfield, Utah (held this year September 20-25) is a memorable example of toughing it out. The ATV Jam is a fantastic annual event that’s five days of guided rides in the spectacular trails of central Utah – including the world-famous Paiute Trail. It may not draw in the riders that the High Lifter Mud Nationals does, but this could very well be the best annual ATV event in the country offering riders a buffet of adventurous day trip choices.
Riders from all over the country converge on central Utah for the annual Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree.
The Jam’s headquarters in Richfield, located in central Utah’s expansive Sevier Valley is surrounded by rugged, boulder-strewn mountains. Most of the Richfield-based rides start out the same: crossing the massive valley, and then heading straight up into the clouds. You experience significant elevation change on most routes. A blazing hot late-summer day in the a valley can turn into a bracing cold day high up in the mountains.
They say you lose about four degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation gained, but that’s not the whole story. The weather on the top of a mountain can be wildly different, not just colder, and sometimes it can be snowing on top while people down in the valley are throwing pool parties, eating snow cones and frying eggs on their driveways. Well prepared people know this, and are ready for it. However, on my second year at the Jam, I was not.
Above 11,000 feet, our 80 degree day had turned into a very blustery afternoon that suggested winter was coming, in a hurry. It had rained on and off throughout the day up in the hills, but sprinkles soon turned into a deluge. And then came hail-like precipitation that was bigger than sleet, but not quite fully frozen. It was the strangest thing — when it hit my jersey these icy pellets would spread out with a SPLAT and immediately freeze on contact. Not good when wearing a jersey, thin riding pants and uninsulated MX gloves.
Mountain weather is unpredictable, so it's important to prepare for inclement weather.
Knowing better weather awaited us at lower ground, we doubled-down, hopped on the quads, grabbed a fistful of throttle and got moving. While the rest of the crew had donned their rain gear, I was cursing myself for leaving my waterproof gear in the hotel. Ten minutes in, I could no longer use my throttle thumb due to cold-paralyzed fingers and was maintaining speed by using my hand like it was a stump. It was a harrowing experience, at the time.
We eventually got halfway down the mountain, the ice rain stopped and the sun peeked out. Everybody parked and had snacks, while I was shivering and huddled with my hands by the exhaust pipe like it was a hand dryer. All in all, it was a great ride. I definitely stuck out from the other, well dressed riders in the group, but we all laughed about it after the journey back in the warmth of the valley. And, as John Prusak says, it’s the unexpected challenges that make a ride worth remembering. I couldn’t agree more, and it was yet another lesson learned the hard way. I’m good at finding those.
A blown drive belt, bad weather or a flat tire can stop a day trip in its tracks. Ride prepared!
Being prepared for an all-day ATV ride means expecting the unexpected – whether it be cold, rain, electrical storms, flat tires, a blown belt, taking wrong turns, etc… You don’t have to go all out and bring a GPS and tow a stocked fridge behind your quad every time you head out, but a map, fully charged cell phone, bottle of water, a Snickers bar and a rain poncho can turn a shift in the weather into a spectacular, sloppy day on the trails.
What are your tips for a successful ATV ride? We’re compiling a list of the 101 best ATV tips we’ve acquired over the years – covering everything from safe towing, rock crawling techniques and the age-old debate of whether Armor All has any business being applied to an ATV. We’d love to hear your suggestions. Keep your eye on upcoming issues for the full scoop, and visit ATV Magazine online.
Wear a helmet, respect the trails and ride safely!
— Tom Kaiser
If you’re interested in becoming an ATV Magazine blogger to share your ride tales with the world, send me a note and tell me why tkaiser@affinitygroup.com. For even more of daily happenings here at ATV Mag, become a fan and follow us on Facebook by logging in and searching for ATV Magazine.
Last 5 posts by Tom Kaiser
- Rec UTVs: We Test, You Decide - August 27th, 2010
- Load Up The Trucks! - August 20th, 2010
- Stalking Bill Gates - August 13th, 2010
- Going To Extremes - August 6th, 2010
- Ride With A Guide - Take An ATV Tour - July 27th, 2010
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Looks like a great ride despite the rain! I’ve learned to be prepared the hard way, too. Maybe one day I’ll finally remember to bring everything I need on a ride! Utah looks like a lot of fun, I can’t wait to go.