Where is the ATV in ATVFlorida?

[stacktester]

I've been on this site for about 6 years and I find myself logging on less and less. Every time I do log on the forums are full of Bull$hit. What happened to the threads titled "rode scrub yesterday" or went to wherever with the family and had a great ride. If I was Mr Bones I'd be pretty unhappy with this site. All I see is people taking on another poster about Obama and politics. I'm a Republican and I don't like what's going on but I will be voting next year to change congress and hopefully things will change for real. I hate to see a site I used to love turn into this. Sometimes it's weeks before a new thread for the ONFA or where to ride gets posted on. If you guys want to fight about Obama go to a political forum or post on that thread only.

ETA: I guess you can start as many threads on politics as you want. That's about the only title up on the front page forums though.

[asmart82]

BRAVO!!!

[stacktester]

Whatever happened to Dreth I think his name was and Idamann? There used to be some really good threads about riding and a lot of pics. I know Ocala isn't what it used to be but there's gotta be some stories about some good ridin somewhere out there.

[digginfool]

Where's the ATV in ATVFlorida?  In everybody's garage, that's where.  Big Scrub is a mere shadow of what it once was and nobody even wants to ride there anymore out of fear of over-zealous attacks by the ranger patrol.  Holeylands and Mac's are gone.  8th street is gone, 5A will soon be gone and for the rest of us, Croom is a 6 hour drive.

Another thing is that you should be happy that somebody gives a crap and is willing to defend the principles that this country is founded on.  We are where we are because of voter apathy.  As Anoriginal's sig states, one of the penalties for refusing to participte in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.  You say you're an unhappy Republican; what have you done lately for your beliefs?  If you still don't want to discuss or participate in politics, then stay off the politics board, go riding more and blindly go through life with your head in the sand.  Apathy is the reason nobody is riding because nobody was willing to fight for our riding areas.  What will we lose next?

[renmus]

I will be riding this weekend.  Unfortunately it will be on private property, so no use talking about it.  

Also, the politics BS is in a separate section and is not in the way of any riding posts.  And believe me, most of it seems to be real BS.

[cobrap]

Ouch, Diggin, That hurt my feelings, and it wasnt even directed at me.  LOL, Harsh dude harsh.
What is it, Florida government and residents, hating ATVs so much.  That Brevard county stuff is really
whacked.

[stacktester]

I hear about the bikes in the garage. Unfortunately Florida is getting so developed that there isn't anyplace to go. I don't understand why FL doesn't get in the trail biz like some other states. I guess they have enough tax dollars they don't need anymore revenue from us low life atv'ers.

I'm not enough into politics to get into that debate. Not going to open my mouth and prove to be stupid. It's obvious that to have a strong economy we need lower taxes and more jobs. Neither is on the horizon. The gov't no matter which party has taxed the US Company's so much they have moved to other countries. The only thing we can do is support who stayed and hope the others see that we still support made in USA and will come back.

[assbandit]

atvflorida = Absolutely useless. It has nothing to do with atv's. Nothing but a bunch of old men bitching and complaining

[buythisatvstuff]

Why is it people that don't want to read political stuff go to the political section then complain ? These are the same people starting threads to complain that there isn't enough atv discussion here, but they don't bother to start a thread discussing atv's. Seems like you're right, someone here comes to complain, but it's not the people that choose to participate in the political discussion in the political section. There are multiple sections here to offer a diverse set of topics in their own appropriate areas. I don't have or drive a side by side, so I don't go to a side by side section. I don't go there and complain that Bones should get rid of the side by side section.
Where's the atv ? mine is sitting in my garage along side my dirtbike and my three kids' dirtbikes. If you haven't noticed times are tough People are more interested in getting or keeping a job to pay the bills than they are in dropping hundreds of dollars on a weekend of riding. I'd love to be riding every day, but it just isn't going to happen right now.

[renmus]

atvflorida = Absolutely useless. It has nothing to do with atv's. Nothing but a bunch of old men bitching and complaining

yeah, bitching like they did on this one.

http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,39980.0.html

politics are important whether you like to read about them or not.  the last poster was very correct...keep poking them.

[stacktester]

Buythis, I guess when I log on and see all the political threads I should just ignore them and move right on to ONFA since ONF riding brought me here in the 1st place. Maybe you're right, maybe nobody can go riding. Hopefully some people will be able to and post some threads and pics. BTW, I like the bottom of your sig. Pretty much sums it up quick.

It was of no surprise we'd lose a lot of riding areas we had in ONF. Too many people were tearin stuff up, littering and there was nothing going back into the place. I have no problem paying for a good place to ride as long as the trails are kept up and there's interesting one's to ride. I still enjoy a good day down there and would like to see Delancey linked up with Big Scrub. The bad part is the people doing what I said above wasn't atv riders. There's always plenty of people just cruising thru there and partying, throwing beer bottles and trash out. I hope to get some hours down there when it cools off a little more.

[Anoriginal]

I've got a couple of points I want to make.

First, the politics are in a separate section and nobody needs to go there who isn't interested. With that being said, I agree that it stinks when the most active section on an ATV website deals with politics. It says a ton about the state of riding in Florida.

Second, every year we lose more and more places to ride. I am very active in the fight to keep areas open to us. However, the biggest problem we have are our fellow riders. Idiots closed the Holeylands. Idiots are resulting in increased restriction in areas like the Big Cypress. Idiots caused the fiasco and the complete ruining of Ocala. Idiots will cause us to lose more and more. Unfortunately, the ability to talk about riding is directly influenced and tied to the amount of riding available to us. Continued riding in illegal areas while maintaining an entitlement attitude combined with blatant disrespect for authority is killing us slowly.

Third, we miss out on every chance to save ourselves. Perfect example? The ATV community was nonexistent when it came to standing up and trying to save the Holeylands. The sum total of the ATV community "effort" was a meager trash pick up ride after the place was slated to be closed.  The same thing happened with Ocala and with the Big Cypress additions lands plan. How many of you actually sent in comments? Let me answer that....hardly any. To those of you who did, thank you.

Fourth, We in fight more than any other group I am associated with. It's true. There are little "sects" within the ATV community that war with each other from time to time for no reason. Meanwhile, we fail to get organized and more places to ride are pulled from under us.  Nevermind the lost opportunities to gain new area. trying to get us all to move in one direction is akin to herding cats.

Anyway, I don't know what the answer is anymore. I work my butt off to keep places open and open new places. But, I can tell you that those of us working hard sure get tired of it when there's no support from the rest of us. If we continue to stand alone, we'll all fall together.

[Slo Poke]

www.tampabayridindirty.com   we ride, race, raise funds, very active with Croom and Forestry....we dont talk politics...just another alternative...

[IXIswamperIXI]

What I don't understand is when you want to debate something you are REALLY passionate about (in this case politics) why debate with people on an ATV site.  Why not go to a site where people live, breathe, and eat politics.  Debate with true professionals (or learn)  This is the LAST place I would try to learn politics. (or try to convence someone else they are wrong) 

It is agrivating when you log on to ATV site and on the home page you have 10 post about politics and one about ATVs.  You don't have to click on them for them to be anyoning.  They are always in your face on the home page. 

You guys are 100% right, you don't like politics crap don't click on it.  But it does cluster the home page. 


Carry on

[digginfool]

For all the reasons posted by Anoriginal and me, and many others, if it wasn't for the discussion of politics, you would open the home page and only see that one post about ATVs.  It's sad but true.  When I first became a member on this site, I begged, cajoled and out-right challenged any and all to do everything they could to save the Holeylands.  I took equipment from my company for clean-up rides out there and personally paid hundreds of dollars to dispose of the loads we hauled out.  It didn't matter.  Even as the group picked up trash around the parking area, people were littering, riding wheelies and jumping the road.  As a group, we stood there and shook our heads, knowing that our time was coming to an end.  That was in 2006.  In 2008, we lost Holeylands, probably forever.  The funny thing is, just as I had predicted, those that screamed the loudest were the guilty.  Sad state of affairs.

[Davidld98]

One question. Why is it that the majority of the politics being discussed has nothing and I mean nothing to do with atv's? And this is not the politics section!

[stacktester]

This was kinda my question when I posted. When you log on you just kinda look at the pag and say do what. I agree too that there wouldn't be many threads on riding either since nobody has a place to ride or the money to get to one. The state nor gov't owes us any riding areas but in their best interest there's money to be made from atv's in taxes from buying, selling and repairing them. Not to mention riding fees.

[digginfool]

It is amazing that the state can spend a couple hundred million dollars buying the Babcock Ranch, half-a-billion on Picayune Strand and another half-billion on US Sugar lands but can't seem to find a few thousand acres to throw our way.  The most egregious part is that 2/3 of the Babcock Ranch will be developed to be a 'Green City' but still nothing for us.  Granted, the  Babcock family specifically put a deed restriction that no part of their land could ever be used for OHV activities but certainly some arrangement could be made for another parcel in trade.

[buythisatvstuff]

speaking of riding areas someone told me Polk county is opening a new riding spot, is this true ? anyone know about this ?

[renmus]

I had heard tell that the county was going to work with the old mines and set something up.  Other than that, Triple Canopy Mud Bog did open in Polk County.  They are not a weekly riding type place yet and I am not sure if they ever plan to be.  I think the next event is Dec 11-13.  I hear tell they will be doing several types of events etc in the coming year.  I know both times I went was a blast.

[indianjoe]

speaking of riding areas someone told me Polk county is opening a new riding spot, is this true ? anyone know about this ?

There was a post about this, they acquired the first 200 acres and are working on another I believe 1200 acres. (But with the OHV fund being raided, there is a sticky about this posted by GrizzlyBear) who knows what will happen.

Anoriginal's comments are right on point about support, illegal riding etc.

As far as folks posting about riding I know alot of folks cannot afford to ride like they used to, or have actually sold their rides. This due to the economy which then brings us to the political talk. The state of the country has brought politics to the forefront for everyone.

[Mudneck]

We travel with Mudneck to allot of events and we post 100's pics from the events and a few vids recently on this forum anything from Atv's - buggies-chics-monster trucks. A handful of views and nobody even post under them nice pics, cool vids, where was that, etc..... If its all bout riding speak up makes me wonder why I waste my time putting them up.

[Baileygunns]

We travel with Mudneck to allot of events and we post 100's pics from the events and a few vids recently on this forum anything from Atv's - buggies-chics-monster trucks. A handful of views and nobody even post under them nice pics, cool vids, where was that, etc..... If its all bout riding speak up makes me wonder why I waste my time putting them up.

I look at all of them... I'll be sure to post about it when I do. Never thought about it before, just took it for granted....

You got a few sweet "Mud Bunnies" too!!!

[digginfool]

We travel with Mudneck to allot of events and we post 100's pics from the events and a few vids recently on this forum anything from Atv's - buggies-chics-monster trucks. A handful of views and nobody even post under them nice pics, cool vids, where was that, etc..... If its all bout riding speak up makes me wonder why I waste my time putting them up.

C'mon Bush.  Do you really post up the pics for a couple atta boys?  Just like the pics I post, you posted because you had a good time and you're proud of it.  If you have some interest in increasing participation at these events, you are certainly doing the right thing by posting these pics.  It's called advertising.  Otherwise, don't do it if all you're looking for is the pat on the back.

[ScooterB]

speaking of riding areas someone told me Polk county is opening a new riding spot, is this true ? anyone know about this ?

There was a post about this, they acquired the first 200 acres and are working on another I believe 1200 acres. (But with the OHV fund being raided, there is a sticky about this posted by GrizzlyBear) who knows what will happen.

Anoriginal's comments are right on point about support, illegal riding etc.

As far as folks posting about riding I know alot of folks cannot afford to ride like they used to, or have actually sold their rides. This due to the economy which then brings us to the political talk. The state of the country has brought politics to the forefront for everyone.

The land for thr Polk county park was purchased with OHV Grant monies and the design of the park is complete.
As with all guberment projects things move slow.

[GrizzlyBear]

It is the apathy of the ATV community that is amazing.  I asked EVERYONE to write their representatives in Tallahasse to ask them what happened to the T. Mark Schmidt Trust Fund that was setup specificALLY FOR atv'S  The Big meeting is next Wednesday in Tallahassee.  HAS ANYONE WRITTEN THEIR REPRESENTATIVES?  If not, you are a bunch of idiots.

[renmus]

got us covered Mr G. 

[Anoriginal]

I wrote. Actually a first letter and then a follow up.

[Mudneck]

I cut & pasted one....

[SkyHighT100]

I'm still here lurking, but like a lot of others I rarely ride anymore. Still have the LTR, but it mainly just keeps my garage company. There's just no where to go anymore, especially locally. Big Scrub used to be great, 45 minutes from the house and could ride all day. Now it's just a joke that's no longer worth the drive. Maybe someday it'll be fun again, but can't say I have much faith anymore.

[GrizzlyBear]

Here is a copy of a great letter.

Sirs and Madame:

I am deeply concerned to find information leading me to believe that the OHV Trust Fund has been swept to the bone.

The information tells me that as of the July 29, 2009 meeting of the FL OHV Advisory Committee that an accounting of revenue, expense and withdrawals for the OHV Fund (within the FL Division of Forestry) from inception to the end of fiscal year 2008-09 that the funds were "swept" clean.
 
We all know that the revenues in the fund are made by fees from titles issued for new and used OHVs. We all know that the Mark T Schmidt Fund is a Trust Fund. It is also stated by law that the funds were to be dispersed via grants. The grants were to be reviewed by the DOF in consultation with the OHV Advisory Committee.  Unfortunately, the State of FL is not up to date at the OHV site and there are only tables available for grants made in the 2007/2008 fiscal year.  Where I am at a loss is at the point where $2,000,000 dollars was swept in the FY 07/08 and the balance of $3,774,148 was swept in the FY 08/09.  What legislation allowed the sweep to occur? From the language of the Schmidt act of 2002 the funds are guaranteed for OHV recreational funding. Where did every last cent of the funds go then?

Please provide for me the Legislative Act that enabled the broom to sweep these funds.  Please advise me of the legislatures who voted to allow this action to occur. I would like to make sure that votes to keep them in office do not happen. If this vote was not actually allowed by the legislature, how did these funds just disappear from the Trust Fund? As a voter in the State of Florida, as owner of several recreational vehicles, as a citizen of this great nation, I strongly demand that the funds be restored
to the proper place and accountablity be made for those who boldly robbed the citizens who paid into the Fund.

Mr. Bronson, this is under your watch.=A0 Please restore my faith in the Florida Department of Agriculture. I worked in Florida agriculture for over 25 years and am proud to say that my food comes from a FL farmer or rancher!

Mr Crist, you are in charge, do not let the issue be swept away just as these funds were. The recreational rider is not just some rednecks tearing up the woods. We are families spending time together. We stop and teach our children about wildlife and the environment. We deserve accountab=
lity for the money we paid into the State with the promise of the funds being used for us.
 

[ridgerunner]

www.tampabayridindirty.com   we ride, race, raise funds, very active with Croom and Forestry....we dont talk politics...just another alternative...

I 2nd that,can,t hear whinnin over my exhaust

[Chevy1500z71]

this sit has been my home page for the last 3 years, todays the day it changes. i cant even stand to look at the home page anymore, just flooded with political stuff. nobodys fault in particular, maybe a little fishes, the site had a good run and now theres just no need for an atv site when nobody rides atv anymore.

[indianjoe]

Link for good article about the OHV Funds

http://www.floridatrailriders.org/mag/2009_09/FTR_Mag_2009_09-pgs-11-12.pdf

[GrizzlyBear]

Indianjoe

The article that you refer to is incorrect.  That article was what the Division of Forestry told us.  They lied.  The legislature DID NOT sweep the funds.  The Division of Forestry has taken the funds for there own use.  Last year $2 million to buy fire suppression equipment and this year the rest of the fund to cover budget shortfalls instead of laying people off.  This is why we need all the help we can get. At our meeting on Oct 14th in Tallahasse Jim Karels, Director of the Division of Forestry is going to tell us why he took the money without legislature approval.

[mrbones]

Everybody quit complaining and go riding.

(I deleted all the posts at the end with the obscene language, etc.)