Can-Am Headquarters ...Aurora Wheelers ATV Forum > Rides | ATV News and Events > ATVAM > Group looks to expand ATV opportunities |
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| Group looks to expand ATV opportunities - ATVAM - Rides | ATV News and Events - Can-Am Headquarters ...Aurora Wheelers ATV Forum | ||||||||||||||||
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outlandish AWF Admin 
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Group looks to expand ATV opportunities, By LAUREL BEAGER, Editor October 3, 2008 - 11:36am - Laurel Beager Effort underway to designate city, county roads for ATV access As restrictions on riding off-road vehicles are tightened in many parts of the state, local riders see an opportunity to expand recreational opportunities as well as give a boost to the local economy. More than 70 all-terrain vehicles and their riders took part in the Fourth Annual Russell Kelly Run last weekend near Littlefork. The turnout for the event indicates a strong interest in off-road vehicle riding, not just locally, but statewide, according to Rosie Klemetsen and Betsy Jensen. Klemetsen, owner of Rumors Up North, is an ATV rider herself and says that the recreation could help boost the local economy if city and county roads were designated for ATV use. Jensen, director of the local Chamber of Commerce, is helping in the effort. "For business retention and economic development, we need to be able to get ATVers into the community to visit," she explained. "If we have access to the goods and services on Highway 53 and 11-71, it would only mean good business for everyone." Now, ATV riders can ride from Bemidji and further to International Falls on the Blue Ox Trail, but do not have legal access into the community without trailering their machines. The two women are working with members of KORE, Koochiching Off Road Enthusiasts, to obtain non-profit status so that it may seek state grants for trail marking and designation. KORE meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Rumors in the International Mall. The ATV club was established last year and is made up of about 30 members. Klemetsen said her interest in the effort is personal. "I'm a huge ATV rider. I do it for fun and it's a social thing. You get to be outside at a perfect time - spring and fall," she said. "I would like to be able to get to the grade without having to haul my four-wheeler." The Blue Ox Trail is an abandoned railroad grade that is now designated as a snowmobile and ATV trail. She bought her first four-wheeler in 2002 after friends convinced her to try one of their machines. "I didn't think I would like it at first," she said. "I got on, drove around, and loved it and bought it." ATV riders, like snowmobilers, enjoy riding new trails, she said. On trips, she said many riders asked how they could ride to International Falls. "We used to pack up the wheelers and go out of town a lot," she said. "Now, instead, we'd like people to pack up and come into our town for riding." Jensen said she's talked with International Falls officials, who have expressed support for designating safe and legal routes from the Blue Ox Trail through the city to the community's goods and services. She said she plans to meet with Koochiching County officials soon to discuss designating routes on county roads. "This could bring new money into our town," she said. "ATVers could be staying in our lodging properties, eating in our restaurants, getting gas at our gas stations and shopping at our stores." Jensen noted that members of the area's Convention and Visitors Bureau also believe designating routes through the city would make good business sense. Meanwhile, KORE needs the support of more members to move forward, Jensen added. Klemetsen also urged people to get involved. "If you want to legally be able to get to the grade, please come and join us," she said.
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Two Bears Member 
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AMEN ! This is great, and I wish all ATV riders would do this in their areas. This is a great way to promote the "money trail" that is spent by the ATV riders that travel to places which is easy to spend $400-$800 in a few short days riding in areas that have trails and these resort, hotel, gas stations, resturants as well as other business in the areas that have or should have ATV access SHOULD be stomping their feet to get enough attention to open up more access to these areas to help support them and keep them open for all to use. ATVAM has a study that shows just how much we ATV riders spend when we get out and ride which the $$ figures will shock you (study was done in 03 so it has increased a lot since then) so get a hold of ATVAM and get this report to show the city, county people just how much they are spending. BTW - I think that the report is on the ATVAM web site.
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