RENO AREA DIRT RIDERS

RENO, NV (JULY 11) – Reno Area Dirt Riders (RAD) began as a group of folks that wanted to go on rides together. Lately it’s become very popular and now there are some big changes happening to the group.

The idea came from Mike Marcum, “I started it a little over three years ago mainly as a place for guys and gals to meet up so nobody rides alone. I’m really against heading out to the back country by yourself as little things can lead to big problems.”

Apparently this idea caught on with more and more riders. As a result Marcum saw a need he felt the growing group could fill.

“I was happy when we had 25, was amazed when we had 100 and then back about December we hit 1,000. And I was like, ‘wow, this is something,'” he said. “And looking at what we had, we started doing more group rides with people showing up and from talking with local people, I found there’s nobody that’s representing single track dirt bike riders with the various government agencies like the BLM and the OHV here in Nevada.”

That’s when he decided to make a formal change so the group will be more influential without losing its original purpose.

“We became a formal 501C7 group so we’re non profit but not a tax deductible charity. Now we can have a seat at the table to make sure that motorcycles are included because right now almost all the OHV funds are going to dirt roads,” he said. ” Because the only people there are the Jeep guys and the Side-by-Side guys. Nothing against them as I drive a four-wheel drive vehicle too but the world’s run by those people that show up”.

Now RAD can start working with other Sierra groups as well as ones that have a shared interest.

“There’s a Truckee area dirt riders. We can get together with them and make sure that we have OHV access in our neck of the woods,” he said.

In Marcum’s work he travels to various parts of the country and compares what we have in here in Nevada against what other states offer, or don’t offer.

“I’ve lived down in Texas and just got back from Florida, you pay to ride on somebody’s ranch there. There’s no open space where you can just go riding,” he said.

Another area of concern is how government agencies are working with OHV areas. One example he cited was the California OHV that was busted for using funds not to keep them up, which was their mandate, but to close down those areas.

Recently Marcum included this in the group’s website.

On July 11 the Blue Ribbon Coalition posted that the California Coastal Commission voted 8-2 to postpone any action against OHV recreation areas. This apparently saves the Pismo Beach area from closure.

With this latest example of how public input can change decisions he wants the group to have a positive influence in keeping riding areas open so people can use them.

“We need to do that here as they want to turn a lot of the Moon Rocks area, for example into wilderness and put houses in all the rest. They’re talking 100,000 houses out there off Winnemucca Ranch Road and Red Rock,” he said.

While most people probably think mainly men ride there are women riders as well and the group recently hosted an event with long time desert racer Tina Bodden. He also plans to get the group involved in other projects as well.

“We did a woman’s riding clinic,” he said. “We’re going to be stepping out and helping out with National Enduro Series that’s this fall here in Nevada out towards Lovelock and Winnemucca area.

“And we’re going to be helping with the Virginia City Grand Prix. We’re not a race club but a lot of our members belong to various racing clubs and we’re family friendly, inclusive, new riders, women and kids.”

One fun event last year was a group ride to the top of Peavine Mountain.

Asked about that he said, “We had 60 people show up for a photo op. And that was last year. This year I really want to do it up with a couple of hundred.”

That next ride will have routes that match a rider’s skill level so the departure points will be different depending on the terrain and roads.

With the change in the club’s status there is an ongoing membership drive.

“The first year is only $10 to join, once the waiver/release are signed, you get a membership card, a sticker and local shops are offering a 10 to 15% discount when you show your card,” he said.

The sponsors and shops offering discounts are RMS (Reno Motorsports), Moto-Source, Kawasaki Yamaha of Reno, Big Valley Honda, Reno KTM, Dyna Reno and Reno-Sparks Auto Glass.

Marcum then added, “The plan is to be at PJandCompany, located on South Wells Avenue, for the next few Wednesdays, which are Bike Night then we’re going to do some weekend sign ups because some people can’t make the Wednesday evening times.”

On August 7 there will be a special promotion at PJ and Company.

“The easiest way is to check the Face Book page, Reno Area Dirt Riders, or the actual website at www.renoareadirtriders.com,” he said.

Now area riders of all skill levels have a place to go for group rides as well as helping out with other projects as well as lobbying for inclusion in any land use decisions. Looking toward the future, Marcum is optimistic about Reno Area Dirt Riders.

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We now have four very appreciated sponsors that support his site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue.

Two of them are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.

Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports. Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.

Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.

The next shop, and our newest sponsor is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again the shop has a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.

Phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.

The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs

Brian Saul is the owner, a car enthusiast himself he’s committed to continuing the shop’s history of quality work. Phone number for the shop is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.

Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like minded people.

The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.

Have a business targeted toward motorsports or an off road demographic? We are always looking for more sponsors and will expose your business to the racing and off road community in this area.

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