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http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5672112,00.html
Four-wheel frantic
Off-road driving is one of America's fastest-growing trends in recreation
Peter Belsky loves his 2002 Jeep TJ, a muscular four-by-four with a Tech 4.0L I-6, 210-horsepower engine that produces 235 pound- feet of torque.
Belsky loves the TJ so much he has dedicated a Web page to it. On the page, viewers can examine color photos of the Jeep and a detailed list Belsky titled, "Stuff I Have," inventorying such Jeep accessories as a Warn XD-9000i winch, Skid Row steering box skid plate and AirAid PowerAid throttle body spacer.
But even more than his Jeep, Belsky loves the outdoors.
"I can't get enough of it," he said.
He gets as much as he can by driving his beloved Jeep on trails and roads throughout Colorado nearly every weekend.
"I love it," he said. "You can see in a day of four-wheeling what you wouldn't see in a week of hiking."
Belsky, entering his senior year at the University of Denver and president of the DU Off-Road Club, is hooked on four-wheeling. He was drawn to it for several reasons - that getting out in nature thing, his love of cars, and something else: "I've met some of my best friends through four-wheeling."
The enterprising student isn't alone in his love of four- wheeling. You don't need to look further than the traffic heading to the mountains to realize off-road driving is one of the fastest-growing trends in recreation.
A survey conducted by the U.S. Forest Service in 2004 showed nearly 48 million Americans turned their SUVs, ATVs and motorcycles off the pavement onto trails and roads on public lands that year. Nearly 2 million of those drivers headed to trails and backcountry roads in Colorado.
Chuck Wells is one of those drivers, and he also is the author of one of the most popular guide series to four-wheeling in the West. Wells, a former office manager in Colorado Springs, has become a four-wheel drive guru, writing and publishing nine four-wheel drive trail guides and two for ATVs through his own company, FunTreks, Inc.
He has sold nearly a quarter-million copies of his books that feature trail descriptions, ratings, maps and photos.
Wells headed off-road for the first time years ago.
"I had lived in Colorado for years, but I really wanted to see all the beautiful places in the backcountry," he said. "I was driving around in this vehicle that was supposed to be able to go there, and watching all the commercials that bombard you with the thought of adventure. I thought it looked like fun."
Wells took off in his new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
"I just kind of headed into the backcountry. I knew absolutely nothing about going off-road, and I took a side road outside of Colorado Springs," he said. "I slid into a big drainage in my brand new car."
Wells managed to get out of that tight situation, but he said, "I know I was really lucky. Right then, I realized there was more to this than what you see on the TV commercials."
He looked up a couple of area four- wheel-drive clubs and started going to meetings and on club trips.
"I guess I got it in my blood to go to some of these places that few people ever see," he said.
The more he explored, the more he realized something: "There really wasn't a good guidebook out there."
So he started recording data from each of his trips, gradually moving west and south and writing guidebooks for off-road driving in Colorado, Arizona, Utah and California. The more he drove and the more he researched, Wells said, the more he loved the sport.
"It's such a rush to be driving up something you didn't realize a vehicle could go up," he said.
The thrill of discovery also got Debbie Cavarretta into the backcountry. Cavarretta and her husband, Tom Anderson, live in Buena Vista and are members of High Rocky Riders, a group that includes four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles.
They drive ATVs on club trips and head out nearly every weekend. For them, off- road driving is a way to do what they love.
"My husband had three surgeries on his knees," Cavarretta said. "Hiking and backpacking weren't working. We can do this together and go out to old mining sites, to see the wildflowers and rock formations."
Many off-road drivers travel in club outings, at least until they learn to drive through streambeds, over boulders and on steep, winding sections of road.
"Many people have very capable vehicles," Wells said. "All these new vehicles are coming out that can do it - Land Rovers, Hummers, Jeeps. But you have to know what your vehicle can and can't do."
That's where Peter Belsky's other list comes into play. Titled "Plans," it is a list of accessories for his Jeep that will take him to new, more difficult terrain. It's a wish list of things he doesn't have yet - more lights, an AdvanceAdapters slip yoke eliminator, Rear Teraflex disc conversion kit.
"That's a problem with off-road driving - it can be expensive," he said.
But Belsky is undaunted.
"It's all a part of what makes it fun and challenging," he said.
Up to challenge?
You've got a vehicle with four-wheel drive. Does that mean you can go rock-crawling? Not always. Charles Wells, a Monument resident who is the author of a collection of off-road guidebooks, suggests that drivers start out conservatively.
In his books, he divides routes into easy, moderate and difficult categories.
How do you know what your vehicle can do?
Consult your owner's manual and remember the most important keys to off-road driving - clearance and low four-wheel-drive. Practice shifting your vehicle into low range before you go out on a road where you'll need it.
Off-road trip essentials
For the car
• Fire extinguisher.
• Heavy-duty tow strap.
• Jumper cables.
• Replacement fuses and electrical tape.
• Full tank of gas.
• Set of tools.
• Baling wire.
• Duct tape.
• Replacement parts - hose clamps, nuts, bolts, washers.
• Full-size spare tire, electric tire pump and pressure gauge.
• Jack.
• Tire chains.
For you
• First-aid kit.
• Food and water.
• Extra clothing and a sleeping bag, in case you get stuck outdoors overnight.
• Large plastic sheet or tarp.
• Extra set of keys and glasses.
• Detailed maps, GPS unit or compass.
• Work gloves.
1. Know local laws and regulations, including which roads and trails are open for off-roading.
2. Carry the right information, including maps and survival equipment.
3. Be sure to have the right vehicle for the trail or road that is chosen. Consult guide books or information from the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management or other managing agency or join a club of experienced off-road drivers.
4. Travel with other vehicles.
5. Let someone know the intended route and plans for the trip.
6. Check the weather before heading out. Many backcountry roads and trails become impassable after a thunderstorm.
7. Get equipped properly (see above equipment list).
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5672112,00.html
Four-wheel frantic
Off-road driving is one of America's fastest-growing trends in recreation
Peter Belsky loves his 2002 Jeep TJ, a muscular four-by-four with a Tech 4.0L I-6, 210-horsepower engine that produces 235 pound- feet of torque.
Belsky loves the TJ so much he has dedicated a Web page to it. On the page, viewers can examine color photos of the Jeep and a detailed list Belsky titled, "Stuff I Have," inventorying such Jeep accessories as a Warn XD-9000i winch, Skid Row steering box skid plate and AirAid PowerAid throttle body spacer.
But even more than his Jeep, Belsky loves the outdoors.
"I can't get enough of it," he said.
He gets as much as he can by driving his beloved Jeep on trails and roads throughout Colorado nearly every weekend.
"I love it," he said. "You can see in a day of four-wheeling what you wouldn't see in a week of hiking."
Belsky, entering his senior year at the University of Denver and president of the DU Off-Road Club, is hooked on four-wheeling. He was drawn to it for several reasons - that getting out in nature thing, his love of cars, and something else: "I've met some of my best friends through four-wheeling."
The enterprising student isn't alone in his love of four- wheeling. You don't need to look further than the traffic heading to the mountains to realize off-road driving is one of the fastest-growing trends in recreation.
A survey conducted by the U.S. Forest Service in 2004 showed nearly 48 million Americans turned their SUVs, ATVs and motorcycles off the pavement onto trails and roads on public lands that year. Nearly 2 million of those drivers headed to trails and backcountry roads in Colorado.
Chuck Wells is one of those drivers, and he also is the author of one of the most popular guide series to four-wheeling in the West. Wells, a former office manager in Colorado Springs, has become a four-wheel drive guru, writing and publishing nine four-wheel drive trail guides and two for ATVs through his own company, FunTreks, Inc.
He has sold nearly a quarter-million copies of his books that feature trail descriptions, ratings, maps and photos.
Wells headed off-road for the first time years ago.
"I had lived in Colorado for years, but I really wanted to see all the beautiful places in the backcountry," he said. "I was driving around in this vehicle that was supposed to be able to go there, and watching all the commercials that bombard you with the thought of adventure. I thought it looked like fun."
Wells took off in his new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
"I just kind of headed into the backcountry. I knew absolutely nothing about going off-road, and I took a side road outside of Colorado Springs," he said. "I slid into a big drainage in my brand new car."
Wells managed to get out of that tight situation, but he said, "I know I was really lucky. Right then, I realized there was more to this than what you see on the TV commercials."
He looked up a couple of area four- wheel-drive clubs and started going to meetings and on club trips.
"I guess I got it in my blood to go to some of these places that few people ever see," he said.
The more he explored, the more he realized something: "There really wasn't a good guidebook out there."
So he started recording data from each of his trips, gradually moving west and south and writing guidebooks for off-road driving in Colorado, Arizona, Utah and California. The more he drove and the more he researched, Wells said, the more he loved the sport.
"It's such a rush to be driving up something you didn't realize a vehicle could go up," he said.
The thrill of discovery also got Debbie Cavarretta into the backcountry. Cavarretta and her husband, Tom Anderson, live in Buena Vista and are members of High Rocky Riders, a group that includes four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles.
They drive ATVs on club trips and head out nearly every weekend. For them, off- road driving is a way to do what they love.
"My husband had three surgeries on his knees," Cavarretta said. "Hiking and backpacking weren't working. We can do this together and go out to old mining sites, to see the wildflowers and rock formations."
Many off-road drivers travel in club outings, at least until they learn to drive through streambeds, over boulders and on steep, winding sections of road.
"Many people have very capable vehicles," Wells said. "All these new vehicles are coming out that can do it - Land Rovers, Hummers, Jeeps. But you have to know what your vehicle can and can't do."
That's where Peter Belsky's other list comes into play. Titled "Plans," it is a list of accessories for his Jeep that will take him to new, more difficult terrain. It's a wish list of things he doesn't have yet - more lights, an AdvanceAdapters slip yoke eliminator, Rear Teraflex disc conversion kit.
"That's a problem with off-road driving - it can be expensive," he said.
But Belsky is undaunted.
"It's all a part of what makes it fun and challenging," he said.
Up to challenge?
You've got a vehicle with four-wheel drive. Does that mean you can go rock-crawling? Not always. Charles Wells, a Monument resident who is the author of a collection of off-road guidebooks, suggests that drivers start out conservatively.
In his books, he divides routes into easy, moderate and difficult categories.
How do you know what your vehicle can do?
Consult your owner's manual and remember the most important keys to off-road driving - clearance and low four-wheel-drive. Practice shifting your vehicle into low range before you go out on a road where you'll need it.
Off-road trip essentials
For the car
• Fire extinguisher.
• Heavy-duty tow strap.
• Jumper cables.
• Replacement fuses and electrical tape.
• Full tank of gas.
• Set of tools.
• Baling wire.
• Duct tape.
• Replacement parts - hose clamps, nuts, bolts, washers.
• Full-size spare tire, electric tire pump and pressure gauge.
• Jack.
• Tire chains.
For you
• First-aid kit.
• Food and water.
• Extra clothing and a sleeping bag, in case you get stuck outdoors overnight.
• Large plastic sheet or tarp.
• Extra set of keys and glasses.
• Detailed maps, GPS unit or compass.
• Work gloves.
1. Know local laws and regulations, including which roads and trails are open for off-roading.
2. Carry the right information, including maps and survival equipment.
3. Be sure to have the right vehicle for the trail or road that is chosen. Consult guide books or information from the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management or other managing agency or join a club of experienced off-road drivers.
4. Travel with other vehicles.
5. Let someone know the intended route and plans for the trip.
6. Check the weather before heading out. Many backcountry roads and trails become impassable after a thunderstorm.
7. Get equipped properly (see above equipment list).
