Ride safe, ride smart, have some fun

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation from Courtland’s Gopher Dunes to attend a motocross/ATV safety session at the track. Unfortunately, I had a few other prior commitments so I left it up to the ladies in my office as to who would attend.

After much discussion, all three decided to learn the fundamentals of safe riding from Frank, Barb and Derek Schuster, owners of Gopher Dunes, and their team of instructors. Not only did Bobbi Ann, Danielle and Tina end up with sandy faces, but also with a firm handle on safe/appropriate equipment and riding.

Before they had an opportunity to get on a machine, Frank and his instructors outfitted the three with all of the safety gear required -- knee pads, shoulder pads, pants, boots, a helmet and goggles. It was stressed that cutting corners by buying broken or ill-fitting equipment can pose many dangers to a rider as well.

After an introduction to the machine -- how to start it, the location of the brakes and how to shift -- the gals were able to head out to a beginner track which is one of many Gopher Dunes has to offer.

All three were at different riding and skill levels. Danielle is no stranger to quads or snowmobiles as she and her husband often head north in the spring and fall to ride. She enjoyed riding a dirt bike for a change and focused on running the bike through the gears.

Bobbi Ann rode dirt bikes when she was young and liked being reintroduced to shifting the bike. She also has a need for speed which got her into a bit of trouble on a turn where she learned the importance of her safety gear! It’d take a little more than a spill to slow her down.

This was Tina’s first crack at the sport, but after a few hours of instruction nobody would have known she had never been on a bike or quad before. Tina insists she’ll be going back and now has the confidence to introduce her three girls to the sport.

The three admit that the beauty of taking to the track at Gopher Dunes was that they were given the proper equipment and instruction to push their personal limits, and felt safe at all times.

ATV and motocross riding is like any other sport or pastime in the sense that it is only as dangerous as the person participating. It is regrettable, that we hear and read of far too many accidents and fatalities, especially with young riders.

Accidents are preventable and are usually a result of poor training and inexperience. That’s where the folks at Gopher Dunes pride themselves on teaching riders of all ages to ride safe, and ride smart.

Too many riders are purchasing, or have purchased for them, the wrong kind of machine for their experience or size. In many cases young children are using the same machine their dad uses for riding or for farm work.

Before you buy new or used, do your homework and ask lots of questions.

My staff and I would like to thank the Schusters and their team for the opportunity to learn responsible riding in a fun and judgement-free environment. For more information on riding and the sessions, visit www.gopherdunes.com.