Pretty cool vid Aaron. A few years ago, we'd have had a good time. I am an old fuddy duddy with my quad now.
I agree.....cool video and I used to love gettin in the mud. But, I ride so much now that I avoid that any chance I can! :D I put around 6,000 miles on a quad every year up at camp and it has burned me out from the good ol days of just riding for fun. During bear season, if I run all the baits, I put on 70-80 miles every day.
I piled on the miles for the first year, 50 or 60 to a weekend for fun riding. It's mostly used now for short (1-2 mile) after work rides, food ploting, and snow plowing. And as a deer drag/winch when needed.
I'm likewise too old to appreciate the mud much anymore. Back in my younger days, it was jeeps and pick-ups and an old Suburban and Blazer we did that stuff in!!! When you've got 2-3" of water in the floor of a 3/4 ton Suburban that is lifted 4" w/ 33" tires all the way around it, you know you got into some good stuff!!! :D
Looks fun. But my main concern would be the containment of that sediment on site. Sediment is the #1 pollutant in PA that degrades our waterways
Do you mean from a "bacteria" "Disease" type containment or a the unsettled soil from constant atv traffic? I not sure I understand your post....
Just stating that sediment pollution is the #1 pollutant that degrades streams in PA not sure about your state. Sediment(mainly dirt) is a part of the natural environment, human activities (four wheeler, etc..) sometimes increase the amount that ends up in streams. Sediment reduces the amount of light penetrating the water, deprives the plants of light needed for photosynthesis, settling sediment can bury and suffocate fish eggs, sediment particles absorb warmth from the sun and thus increase water temperature, etc...the list goes on and on. No offense to you but In my line of work I cringe when i see stuff like that.
I understand where you are coming from, and your not entirely wrong, but at the same time, where we ride atv's, most of the locals do not even have running water... They have to haul water from these "Checkpoints" where hoses have been tied into streams that flow out of the mountains. I believe we are a Huge contribution to their economy and their hospitality reflects that. Where else can you legally ride on the roads with atv's? Not many places. IF the sediment was so bad, and we're talking Coal country where you cant even dig a well without it being gone the next year, would we still be such a huge part of their way of living? I'm not talking a few people riding 4 wheelers, we're talking thousands from all around visit southern WV to ride. I'd say the miners do more damage than the atv'ers...And you have to realize the land we ride on is owned by the Mining companies... unless your on Hatfield McCoy. But I'm not sure either, I know nothing about sediment pollution, I can say the wildlife are extremely abundant up there... I stopped to snap a pic of this guy:
Would'nt you agree that this Strip mine probably does more Polluting than atv'ers? Especially with water near by? Again, I'm asking, I have no idea.
haha, "your not entirely wrong". Thanks I know. No doubt its good for the economy and probably fun. Reread my initial post. keeping the sediment on site and not letting it get to the streams is key. That was my point. And yes, even if the sediment is a huge issue for the streams in that area you'll still be welcomed because of the economy boost. I cover 1/4 of Pennsylvania its apparent that the environment is not always the top priority.
