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Vernon Off Road Motorcycle Club looks back at 2017 season

Half Throttle, Great Trails, highlight 2017 season
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Courtesy of VOMC secretary

The season started a bit late, with heavy snow and flooding on the trails after a long winter that quickly turned into great spring conditions. The summer drought came and resulted in an off-road vehicle ban for much of the summer. The rain finally came in September, and opened trails once again for some great fall riding.

Some of this season’s highlights included a family fun ride event call the ‘Half Throttle.’ Held at the end of June, that event saw close to 100 participants from ages four to seventy. The event was sponsored by several local businesses and had tons of donated prizes that were taken home by riders. Another club event held this year includes a trail stewardship workshop called ‘Great Trails,’ which was hosted by the BC Off-road Motorcycle Association as well as the Okanagan Trail Riders Association.

This workshop included guidance from an experienced trail steward who demonstrated proper modern and sustainable methods of trail building and maintenance.

The VOMC has applied for a partnership agreement with the provincial government to have the Becker Lake/Noble Canyon Trails area of Lavington recognized as a designated off-road riding area for dirt bikes. There are multiple user groups in the area such as ATV riders, mountain bike riders, hunters, fishermen, hikers using the area as well and land owners, ranchers and forest licensees who are the stake holders in the area.

We intend to work with all user groups and keep the riding area usable for off- road use well into the future. This stewardship plan will include a proper staging/parking area and trail signage and mapping to increase the safety and enjoyment of the area. We want to maintain the technical and fun element of the trails we currently have as well as focus on trails that are more beginner friendly.

VOMC is an advocate for local dirt bike riders of all ages and skill levels in the North Okanagan regarding land use and ensuring riding areas stay open, safe and fun to ride. The club is always accepting new members, and encourages riders to get involved. For more information click here

Blake Plysiuk

Special to the Morning Star