By Peter Fazio on Unrecorded Date: Edit

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We detected about half way through the ride an "air" of resentment from a couple of riding "groups". It appeared that they tried to block our path down the trail as they stopped for their rest break. They parked their group of quads all the way across the trail in an effort (It seemed like) to prevent us from getting ahead of them and being a slow "roadblock" ! What they forgot was that we were in the Max and don't really need a trail to keep moving. So I drove off trail plowed down some bushes and small trees and went around them anyhow !!! So much for tolerance and comraderie amongst differing offroaders ! That kinda' stuff wasn't too bad, but some of the other antics ( not necessarily directed at us) were outrageous. I would estimate that probably 50 % of the riders were drinking beer along the ride and at one stop point during the ride I saw some guy pull out 4 "empties" from his storage compartment. Also, at least 50 - 60 % of the quad riders were riding very recklessly . Way too fast for the traffic and w/ absolutely no respect for others taking a break on the sides of the trail. I saw one family group parked off the side of the trail taking a break and quad after quad would come screaming around the turn and "roost" them big time. I know the riders could easily see that those folks were stopped there and absolutely should have slowed for that ONE turn and did not need to "crank it on" exiting the turn and sending a shower of dirt in their direction. It was outrageous. At about the 3/4 mark on the ride, I felt that it was becoming downright dangerous because I think many riders were DUI'ing and their "limited" judgement was gone. I felt a bit nervous w/ having my young kids there. This was our first ever "poker run" and I'm sure it will be our last. Even in the parking area, which was very crowded, lots of big trucks moving around, lots of people walking around, some of these "expert" riders would be flying around doing wheelies and donuts and riding extremely unsafely. It was a "freakin'" zoo. I was really disappointed at the maturity level of many of the riders. This was a perfect example of what the "greens" use to portray what atvers are like. I have no doubt if this is what most quad riders act like, then the sport of offroading is absolutely doomed. It was sad for us, because we thoroughly enjoyed the trails but the atmosphere and the people were "animal house" like. Sad but true.

We would really like to get together w/ a large group of AATVers instead. I think we would fit in better at a gathering like that.

talk to ya',

Pete

Pete Fazio
1997 Max IV-800T

By MaxRules (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I enjoyed your story Peter. Your experience with the quad riders is exactly what I see when I ride my Max. The quads don't go where the Max goes, and we don't go as fast as them. The drinking, litering, and not wearing a helmet is far too common for quad riders. Many quad riders are good people but the majority is getting all our ATVing rights taken away. The greenies see only the bad stuff.
One of the best things about owning a Max (or any other amphib) is meeting other AATVers. My experiences have been nothing but positive with every AATV rider I have ever met. I look forward to meeting lots more in the future.

MaxRules

By Oliver on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Sad commentary but again, one I see as well. I have an old utility Quad, and my new Max. I ride responsibly everywhere, and do as little damage as I can. I'm a photographer, so I use the machines to get me and gear to a location to photograph the scenery. I ask permission to access private lands, and with the Quad, almost nobody would allow me to cross. With the Max, however, they tend to let me cross (even though the Max tends to be a little more aggressive on the land, even trying to be gentle). The reputation of ATV's and Quads kills my chances with that machine. Fortunately, nobody knows what the Max is, or the AATVer's that people have met have been decent examples. Farmers tend to view it much more favorably than my Quad. Interesting

By Chris on Unrecorded Date: Edit

It's this sort of thing that made me wonder and pass on the Humphrey ride this year. I've not participated in Humphrey before, but I have done other runs like these, and my experience has been like Peter describes above. What is the atmosphere like at Humphrey? Is it a little more responsible and enjoyable?

By david berger (Davidrrrd) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

chris, hell yah, only aatv'rs on the rides, other thaan the fire department guys watching out for people who needed help and to keep the peice, anyone who acted as in the above storis would have proby have bin escorted outand disenvited, yes there was a bit of drinking but everyone was well behaved and it was and has bin for the fourth strait years now a nice famaly event!
you defenatly must come next year, or why wait, theres a smaler version in september, so be there ok!

By david berger (Davidrrrd) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

ooh yah, chris, you can get videos from the humphrey events too if you cant go in sept. and want to see what it's like there, i have one from this year and the name and address of the guy who did the first three years video's, mine this year is 4 hours long and at this time it's $15.00
it may become a 2 video set at $15.00 each,
time will tell, davidrrrd@yahoo.com

By Ramona Griffin (Ribitrdr) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I enjoyed Peter's story. That scenerio is exactly what our family experienced on our first dice run. I'm one of those people with kids on the trail driving and riding. Thats also why the Humphrey Fire hall prefers the AATV rides. They like that we are family oriented, respect the trails and each other.