Please read this if you are going to Rodman!

[J.D.]

I woul like everyones opinion . This is my suggestion to help with the safety concerns . As you leave the blacktop to the to enter the sandpit area , we need 3 signs that state not "rules" but guidelines for safety . The north end of the pit by the big oak we could set up the drag running east to west .There is enough room for 2 . The center section of the pit including the group of pines on the east side of the center of the pit to the tree on the other side and going somewhat towards the dragstrip for the sport quad race . In the center of the next open area to the south we could have any 4x4 stuff running north and south The far south end with all the trees would be for the little ones . We could have a simple rule of slow travel on the perimeter road surrounding the pit . Any adults staying around the kids or whatever could be safety . On the trails simply slow down on blind curves . At least we would have a simple structure for our event . If we all work together we could set an example . For free !

[Yamahonda41]

Good idea J.D.  The last thing we need is someone, especially a little one getting hurt!

With 250 riders this has potential to be a disaster if people let it...EVERYONE PLEASE BE SAFE!!!

[Ida_Mann]

you might get more response if you made up the guidelines then posted them to see what people liked/disliked.

I agree, this pit will be CROWDED.

Id@

[SkyHighT100]

Common Sense Guidelines


1) Drive slow on hard road
2) Watch for others (especially kids) at all times
3) Be respectful of everyone and everything there

Simple enough, lol

[Ida_Mann]

yes, common sense, but some have a lack thereof ;-)

I would hope none in our group are in that catagory though.

Id@

[J.D.]

The common sense I , am not too worried about , it's cooperation and communication . If we all understand what parts of the pit will be used for what activity before we het there , it will make things alot smoother . If you have ever ridden the pit you should understand my suggested layout . Also there will be quite a few people there that are not from this site . The 3 posterboard signs at the entrance would inform everyone , and if the media or wardens show up it would look like we have our act together . without a simple structure understood it is just a free for all " I am almost willing to bet it will not go smoothly . These are just suggestions and guidelines ,not rules .

[big-daddy]

I agreed with JD, all eyes will be on us. one mistake and we will see it over and over on the local new. we need to have control out there. but how?

[J.D.]

If we only set guidelines for the pit area we would be in much better shape . The MAN isn't going to chase us around the trails but I could easily see them setting up camp at the pit ,

[Yamahonda41]

Someone must be in charge of drags.  Someone in charge of tug of war.  Someone in charge of sport quad races.  

An area must be "sectioned" off with no riders allowed in unless they are participating in an "event."  

Unless someone steps up and takes charge there will be total chaos.  I'm planning to lead a group on the trail so I can't do it.  

Step up guys.  We must have some order or we risk losing a lot more riding area.

[J.D.]

I am glad some people are starting to see it this way . If everyone could agree on simply sectioning of the pit the Way I described , I would gladly make up the signs . And for everyone that thinks the common sense theory will work , just think about your drive to work this morning . Dont get me wrong , I don't like people telling me what to do and I dont want people to think that I am trying to tell people what to do , but if we dont do something our ride could be full of frowns not smiles . We have the perfect platform here to set up everything to run smoothly but if we cant cooperate and set the guidelines why do we think we can cooperate the day of the ride .It would be as simple as showing up , plant the signs , stake off the areas , follow the guidelines and have a great time . It is that easy . If any parents want to stay around the pit to watch the youngins they could be considered our safety team . " too bad I dont have any orange vests "

[jbbj220]

J.D. go on and make the signs, maybe when everyone gets there things will get going. I will help, only thing is I have not made up my mind if staying in pit or makeing ride. May not make up mind until I get there. But if stay in pit will do what I can but I do want to ride.  

  Jim

[SkyHighT100]

yeah, might as well make the signs. better to be safe then sorry I think a lot will have to played out by ear though too... but always good to be prepared

[J.D.]

Yeah I'm going to ride to , I would like to play at the pit some .I am planning on going out that friday maybe some of us could discuss . The sport track will take a little shovelin to make it fun too . We will have to do a little work but with 250 people or so the whole thing could be done in an hour , while we all introduce ourselves . My son and I will make th signs , and I have like 4 bundles of posts . Extra shovels would be great if anyone has some .

[450rutmaker]

I will stay down at the kids area on the south end. Im just thinking if there are 40 kids down there on 90 they will have to have some set track thru them woods or there will be many close calls. I would like to get a 300 ft flat and have some side by side racing for the kids maybe a 50 and 90 group.

[J.D.]

There should be plenty of room in the south end for the youngins . Even though there are trees you can still see very good . I'm sure everyone will appreciate any effort you give to overlook the littles . One good thing about the tree area is all of the small trails that are perfect for them .There is even a clearing perfect for a mini drag .

[450rutmaker]

Josh is ready I still gotta get Codys carb working properly. I'm probably going to drive down to the south end and park in the bushes. I know that there is plenty of room Im just saying there are so many diff tree cirlces in that area the kids are going to be running some of the same paths as others on other loops.  I'll have my cooler and chair handy. I should be able to get 200 ft of caution tape to rope off a drag area.  

[big-daddy]

ok, what happens when someone from our group or other group gets out of line in the pit. run over our signs and doesnt care what we say. its going to be very hard to control. My opinion only. Is lets take care of ours kids first and have full control on that area. before we move to another area like the drags, we can set a time limt on the events and stay in the same area. I think this is best then to do a half a$$ job in control the whole pit area. if someone doesnt care he or she just move to the other area. we can asign our own sercuity guards to protect the kids from unwanted rider. they can wear a orange vest and say on the back say ATV FLORIDA Safety Patrol. the rangers we love that and may even help us

[J.D.]

Sounds like a good idea to me . I would hate to get the cold shoulder from 300 people . If someone was to screw up in the pit , assuming that the majority of us are somewhat responsible . We could easily say hay MR. WArRDEN you want my respect " do the right thing " . Or we could simply use the fire ants tactic . STRENGTH IN NUMBERS .simply take care of the problem IN HOUSE .

[J.D.]

I think all events should go on at the same time . We would have fewer opportunities for the boredom factor to kick in and cause trouble . We need to make it where everyone can ride as much as they want or watch whenever they want . Just my opinion .

[CAOSPOP]

JD you have really good ideas either is good we cna call upon the law or take care of the problem on our own. Especially when it is for the concerns of OUR children. The problem must be delt with one way or another. But on the other hand we can really get bad publicity if we F$%k up. Had anyone contacted the rangers and told them our intensions. Maybe they will be willing to help out all on there own,and if they know how many people are going to be there they might assign some extra personel.

[J.D.]

Thats a tough call to make . If we can just get everyone to agree to our guidelines , It might not be too bad .

[CAOSPOP]

Buddy I agree 110% but we should have a Plan B just in case.

[J.D.]

I Agree on plan B 100 % . One thing I was wondering , do we have any L.E.O. going on the ride ?

[CAOSPOP]

I work for dade county but what were you expecting for me to ride in unifrom. OR I can can wear my traffic vest it says POLICE.

[J.D.]

No stay in your jeans and such   I was just wondering if there was any advise on how to handle an unruley rider situation . "Other than SHOTS FIRED " " The uniform would be pretty cool though , haven't seen that one yet . IF you did wear the unifor, I want a picture of us Drag racing " that would be too much ."

[CAOSPOP]

I would say that it would be best to approach the situation in a caring and nuetral manner.Explain that we are all here to have fun and that there are children around. At the same time call the rengers office to make a complaint. I think that communication with the rangers office is still gonna be our best bet,because they can rest that we are a legit and honorable group and we are not there to cause a ruck but just to enjoy nature and relax with our families. I think if we build that type of rapor with them they will let us get away with alot of stuff.If you woud like me to explain more my #'s are on the nextel list.I think that we can really do some stuff with communicating.

[J.D.]

I agree . Keep in mind the rangers aren't our biggest fans . But I agree with 100% . Man this is as bad as waiting for X-MAS .I'm ready to ride .

[CAOSPOP]

me too buddy  I wanna get down and dirty...

[LTZ400ApK]

i havent read this whole post but come on,whats next is some gonna make a sign in book and ask for valid ID,not to sound like a P3nis but if you dont have some common sence than you really dont need to be riding a quad anyways!!

Thats it mister.....
Time out for you...
Slap on the wrist...
Goto your room!!  

[CAOSPOP]

True but its better to have plan B & C

[Yamahonda41]

Look at some of the ATV videos on the internet if you want to see a lack of common sense!!!

[J.D.]

LTZ I have ridden that pit many times and I have had several close calls with alot fewer people than we are going to have .Here is My suggestion to all the common sense people .Leave the south end of the pit for the KIDS ONLY , Mark off their area and anyone who enters that area on a full sized quad must stay under 10 mph " so parents can check on their kids " .   Slow speed only on road going around the pit .Keep all the racing to the north end where it is open .I dont care what anyone says , but I'm sure common sense guidelines only will not work with that many people . IT is human nature to show off .And you are right , people without common sense should not ride quads , but those are usually the people we call fast .

[SkyHighT100]

LOL.. the ride will be fine... the people on this site are great.. it'll work out fine.

As for the fast people comment... going fast has nothing to do with common sense.. it's called riding to your ability. Not saying I'm fast.. my bike tops out at only 55mph.. or did before LTZ got his hands on it

[CAOSPOP]

I think everything is going to be fine also JD just like skyhigh says the people from this site are great but what about the people not from the site. I think we should just play it by ear. I got the name and number to the forest ranger station in Ocala should i give him a call for sugestions. Let me know.

[J.D.]

If we can just keep the kids in their own section I would feel alot better . The last thing we want is a hurt youngin .Me being a parent and just losing my dad in a bike wreck tweaks me just a little . We have to look out for the little guys . [smiley=Wacko.gif]

[CAOSPOP]

I can understand that brother. Dont worry if no one else there is going to give a damn we can allways just find another area to ride. Im not going to ruin my baby's first camping trip for anthor prick who just doesnt care about anyone else. we got plan B C D E just have faith.

[J.D.]

It will be my little girls first real atv adventure also .

[SkyHighT100]

The kids are definately number 1 priority. I know we'll be lookin out for them They will have a blast

[Da_Mtg_Man]

The kids are definately number 1 priority. I know we'll be lookin out for them They will have a blast

Peanut's lookin forward to seeing his girl. Sorry Scooter, She Peanuts this weekend. He says he can take ya if he has to.

[suzi417]

i would love to see rodman in miami out west somewhere but anyway i hope everyone realizes what an opportunity this is to show local, state, and maybe even federal authorities the beauty and grace not to mention the fun it is. we must organize and all pitch in and will have probably the best place to ride in the country. i myself have never been there but have seen pictures and heard many awesome things this has got to be the best. cant wait to go one day lets all talk more on making this place better and most of all safer so we dont have anything to set us back like an accident! please someone get video and we can start by showing how fun and safe it can be when done right. and i to am not telling people what to do just suggesting.