Judging by the numbers of drivers and riders participating in rallies, jamborees and other organized UTV and ATV rides, it seems a little silly to make a plug for you to try one or more rides this year.
But that’s what I’m doing. If you have never participated in a rally or organized ride before, try one this spring, summer or fall. I really don’t think you’ll regret it. Every ride and rally I’ve been on has been an absolute blast. And most—but not all (for various reasons)—other drivers and riders I’ve visited with and watched at the rallies I’ve been to have been having fun.
Still skeptical? Well, here are three reasons I like to attend rallies.
1. You get to ride. “Well duh,” you’re saying to yourself right now. “Of course I get to ride, that’s the reason for going.” Exactly. You might get to see and ride areas you’ve never been to or experienced before. I love to ride and see new areas. And even if you’ve been to a particular rally before you can ride new trails, as most rallies and organized rides have more trail options than you can ride in a weekend or during the event.
At the Rally in the Pines in Island Park, ID, a year ago I was asked to guide a ride which included a trip up to the top of Sawtell Peak (elevation 9,866 feet). I was amazed at the number of drivers/riders in our group who hadn’t been to the top of Sawtell Peak. It was the same story both days I guided, “Nope, we’ve never been here before.” And some of the drivers/riders in my group weren’t from very far away.
So get out and explore.
2. You get to see what new products are available for UTVs and ATVs. Many rallies have some sort of vendor area where you get to see all sorts of cool products for your side-by-side or ATV. Even if there isn’t a vendor area, I’m fairly certain you’ll see something on someone else’s vehicle that you might want on your own. Or it could very well be a product you notice for your tow rig or trailer.
I have seen many a product that I made a mental note to check out online when I got back home and see if it might fit one our Dirt Toys vehicles.
I would like to give a shout out to those vendors who do support the rallies. They are one of the reasons there are rallies, as their financial support make the rallies possible.
3. You get to see old friends and make new ones. Off-roaders really are some of the nicest people you meet.
Unfortunately, oftentimes a rally is the only time I get to see some folks as the event is the time we get together to ride and visit. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy the rallies.
And I’ve met countless people over the years at the various rallies. Some of you have become readers of Dirt Toys Magazine and I thank you for that.
To help you find a rally you might like to attend, we’re including as a regular feature in each issue of our magazine a list of rallies and jamborees, complete with each event’s location and how you can get more information on the ride(s).
If there is a rally you know about that we haven’t included on our list, please let me know so I can update our list.
