Riverbanks Adventure Forum » Motor sports

Spectacular Views! Family Friendly Trail – Ride Monitor and Merrimac ATV Trail, Utah

Adventurous Barbara — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:53:58 +0000

ATV Ride Monitor & Merrimac Trail, Utah

Scenic Monitor & Merrimac ATV Trail

On our way out to Utah to experience an overnight rafting trip on the Colorado River, we arrived a few days early to experience the desert surrounding Moab. We found Moab Tour Company online for ATV rentals. I called and booked the trip several months in advance and explained to them that I will be carrying a passenger and the other party was not very experienced on the ATV. They assured us that was fine and they had the perfect trail for us!

Anxious about the trip, I called again a few days before arrival to verify reservations and they were ready for us. My experience with ATV’s is mostly Florida sand, mucky water pits, and Georgia Clay. Riding in the desert amongst the protruding deep red sandstone Buttes and Mesas, over rocks, and sand was something I only dreamed about!

They set me up was a two passenger Can Am Outlander 4×4 ATV, full electronic shifting and power steering. It was not the same as my Honda Foreman but I was up for trying out a new ride! My childhood friend of 35 years flew in from Ohio and was adventurous enough to ride with us. She rode a Honda Fourtrex 300 which also provided electronic shifting.

Passenger on a Climbing Break

ATV on Monitor & Merrimac Trail

Perfect size for a first timer but could also handle the terrain! Our guide Stephen took the time to explain the vehicles and let us “play” around in the parking lot until we were comfortable.

When we arrived at the trail-head, rain clouds were forming. I decided to swap out my trustee Canon Power shot for a Pentax Optio waterproof 10 MP camera that I planned to try out on the rafting trip. We did get a little sprinkle and the photos turned out better than expected. Off we rode up the old switchback jeep trail to ascend into the desert terrain. We rode on a combination of slick rock (hardened sandstone) and red sandy trail as we passed breathtaking red buttes and Mesa’s on either side of us.

The slick rock was named by the early ranchers that rode in Conestoga wagons with iron rimmed wheels. The Horse’s shoes and wagon wheels slid on this smooth hardened sandstone making their travels rough. On rubber tires, this slick rock has the complete opposite affect. It should be renamed Stick rock! The rubber tires nicely grip the surface allowing for increased traction on inclines. When going down a steep slope, it is normal to brake…but on slick rock braking could cause an endo over the front handle bars if your not careful. I found letting off the throttle was all that was needed on these slick rock downhills.

ATV Riding on Slick RockRiding Scenic Monitor & Merrimac Trail

After a while we were like One with our machines and comfortable with the terrain. We were buzzing along blissfully without a care - almost too good to be true. And it was! As we came out of a wash, we spotted two little girls, ages 12 & 8, waving us down the side for help. Apparently they were not too far from camp but had put a Grizzly 700 into a ditch. We comforted the two girls as they told us their story. Our guide was the hero as he skillfully worked that machine out of the ditch and the prickly bush that cushioned their crash. We took them 1.5 miles back to thier camp where their parents gratefully offered thanks and appreciation. The trail was fun but it felt good to help someone in this harsh terrain. We silently rode back to the trail head feeling good. We all had a great day!

Click here or more photos.

About the Author: Barbara is the owner of an on-line store Riverbanks Outdoor Store for several years and has frequently engaged in outdoor sports for years including camping, mountain biking, whitewater rating, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking. Barbara also hosts a blog Riverbanks Adventure Forum that focuses on product reviews and adventure vacations.

ATV Riding/Camping at Croom, Withlacoochee State Forrest, FL

Adventurous Barbara — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:07:28 +0000

Honda TRX90 Muddin'

Croom Offroad Motorcycle Area is located off SR 50 and I-275 on the outskirts of Brooksville, Florida. It is 2600 acres of land dedicated for ATV and Motor-Cross Bikes and it is great place for family riding. The park was established in 1973 with the efforts of an organization called the Florida Trail Riders, who are advocates of responsible trail riding and have worked together with the Florida Department of Agriculture to establish safe riding practices. The terrain is hardwood hammock, tight scrubs, and some wetlands during the rainy season.

Motorcross Bike at Croom

Parts of it are abandoned mining areas pits that are now part of the Withlacoochee State Forrest, and that makes for some interesting hill riding. There is also a lake in the front that can be a huge mud pit during the dry season. There is also a coral area that is fenced off for the little tikes that are learning how to ride. Croom definitely has something for everyone. There are easy trails for beginners, wide trails full of whoops for the racer, tight winding trails that can challenge even the best rider, tight hill climbs in mine pit areas, and plenty of areas with water.

Honda Foreman 450 4x4, Croom

The camping area is near the back of the park and has amenities for RV hook ups. During the winter months, this camping area fills up fast and they do not take reservations. Although it is nice to wake up and start riding first thing in the morning without having to unload, the Silver Lake Campgroundoff Croom Rital Road is a nice second choice and is just minutes from the Motorcycle Area. For those of you who prefer not to camp, there is a Holiday Inn on SR 50 just outside the entrance of the park and are used to hosting riders.

Camping at Croom Motorcycle Area

Our Clan Camping at Croom

We happen to live only an hour from here so naturally that is the place we frequent the most for ATV riding. There are plenty of trails mapped out by the Forrest rangers, however, there are also many trails cutting through the woods. This makes for fun riding but can get the average person temporarily disorientated. The 2600 acres are fenced in so it hard to get lost. It is easy to get confused and is not a bad idea to carry a GPS until you are familiar with the park.

Despite the $45 annual riding fee, this area continues to be one of the most popular riding areas in the state. (see the link below for rules and regulations on riding)

Rules and Fees

Product Review for GoPro Motorsports Hero Wide Angle Lense

Adventurous Barbara — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:18:26 +0000

This is an informative review by Kawie Riders that I would like to share to my readers! They have tested this unit and run it through the mill. A thumbs UP review from true Gearheads. Click on the following link.

http://www.kawieriders.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42517

Camera footage included!
I would also like to add that the unit runs on “AAA” batteries. In order to record the full 56 minutes uninterrupted, it is worth the extra money to purchase the lithium batteries.

About the Author: Barbara is the owner of an online store Riverbanks Outdoor Store for two years and has frequently engaged in outdoor sports for years including camping, mountain biking, whitewater rating, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking. Barbara also hosts a blog Riverbanks Adventure Forum that focuses on product reviews and adventure vacations.