In this issue:
Areas:
Pinjar Open Day
Advocacy:
ORV Registration Fees
Minimal Impact Riding
Events
Pinjar Open Day
RTRA AGM
Perth Motorcycle Show
State Trails Conference
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Helping to save your riding areas
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Dear Member
It's October - and with the warmer weather and Outdoors October promotion we can expect to see lots of traffic on the trails. Trail bikes, quads and side-by-sides, mountain bikes, walkers and four wheel drives.
So take care out there, be a little extra cautious, be friendly and considerate to other trails users and remember to always be a good ambassador for trail bike riding.
Lots of off-trail activity happening this month as well, so grab a quick catchup before you head out ...
ORV Registration Update
We were heartened by the response we received from Minister Simpson about the application of ORV licensing fees but there is still considerable work to be done to monitor this and ensure that the funds are used for the best overall outcome.
It’s been rumoured that the Department of Local Government intends to use some of the available funding to mount an advertising campaign about the new fees. We have written to the Department suggesting that the existing ‘So Where Can I Ride’ booklets, produced and distributed by the RTRA, should be used for this purpose to avoid having to spend more money on additional and possibly duplicative production.
Meanwhile we know of at least two projects that could make use of ORV licensing funding to help open up new opportunities for riders.
RTRA AGM - October 27
Put this in your diary now - our annual AGM / Social Night at the Oxford Hotel, Leederville. Anyone who has attended one of these can tell you that the formalities are kept brief to give plenty of time for catching up and talking all things dirt.
There will be food, a cash bar, and plenty of prizes and surprises - and of course we'll bring you up to date with what the RTRA has achieved throughout the year and what we have planned for the future. The event is free for all current financial members - please register to attend.
If you have ever wanted to get involved in the running of the RTRA, the AGM is also the time to nominate for the Committee. We are always on the lookout for energetic, passionate riders who want to ensure a riding future for ourselves, our kids and future generations.
Further details, including nomination forms, will be emailed to all members soon.
Pinjar Open Day now October 24
We asked the AFL to move the Grand Final to avoid the clash with our Outdoors October Pinjar Open Day but they didn’t seem too interested.
So we’ve rescheduled our maintenance morning / Open Day to October 24. If you’re a Pinjar regular or have never visited the area this will be a great day to get along and have a look.
The day will start at 9am with our bi-monthly maintenance morning, DPaW will be putting on a sausage sizzle, and there will be plenty of RTRA crew and Pinjar regulars happy to escort first-timers around the area .
See us at the Motorcycle Show October 30 - November 1
The RTRA will again have a strong presence at the Perth Motorcycle Show at Claremont Showgrounds from October 30 to November 1.
We'll be waving the flag for recreational trail and quad bike riding, handing out information and answering questions - including the perennial: "So where can I ride?" And of course we'll be signing up new members to make the RTRA a stronger organisation.
If you're coming to the Show, please drop in and say hello.
Great Response to Minimal Impact Riding Survey
Thank you to the over 300 riders who contributed to our Minimal Impact Riding Survey.
This is a great response and will give us some great information with which to develop the program.
We will be in touch soon with everyone who expressed an interest in the Reference Group.
State Trails and Outdoor Conference - October 9
If you have an interest in recreational trails and want to catch up with the latest in planning, design and maintenance, the 2015 State Trails and Outdoors Conference will provide plenty of good information.
The RTRA has worked hard to get trail bike trails on the planning agenda and our efforts have paid off with recognition in the State Trails Strategy. The more riders we have at the conference, networking with other trails users, land managers and policy makers, the more 'embedded' we become in the trails culture of the state.
The conference will be held on Friday October 9. Details at http://bit.ly/1j1QYAG
Snake Alert
It's that time of year again, so be on the lookout for snakes. We've already had reports of sightings at Pinjar but our slithery friends will be coming out of hibernation all over the state.
Be especially careful if children are playing around in the bush where you're riding. And watch where you put your helmet!
Minimal Impact: Adjust for the Dust
With summer just around the corner it's time to adjust to the dust. Here are three easy things you can do to make your summer rides more enjoyable and safer:
* Give it a minute. If you use a corner man system on your rides it doesn't matter how spread out the group gets. So give it a good minute or two before you take off after the rider in front and let the dust settle.
* Pick your position. After the first few regroups you should know where you sit within the group in terms of speed. Don't take off first if you know everyone is going to pass you, and don't take off last if you know you're going to pass everyone else!
* Think of the guy behind. A bit less throttle equals a lot less dust, particularly when taking off or entering a dirt road. And if someone faster comes up behind, let them pass at the earliest opportunity.
Adjust to the dust and you'll not only enjoy the ride more but you'll save some time on all that air filter cleaning!
More minimal impact tips...
Spread the Word
If you think the RTRA is having a positive impact for riders, just think how much more effective we'd be if we had double the members. It's actually not that hard - all it takes is for each member to find one other rider to sign up. If you have riding buddies who are not yet members of the RTRA, please forward them this email and give them a prod to join up.
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