Terrain-ing wheels

Steve Stephens

LOGAN, Ohio -- Sometimes, a quiet, leisurely walk in the woods isn't enough.

Sometimes, the hills seem to call out for a bit of motorized horsepower.

All-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, are growing in popularity, with an increasing number of dedicated trails on public lands.

Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio has about 120 miles of ATV trails. Other trails can be found in Pike, Maumee, Perry and Richland Furnace state forests.

ATVs certainly have their share of detractors.

The beasts are loud. They can be dangerous when ridden unsafely. And some ATV riders abuse their sport by veering off authorized trails or by trespassing on private property. (A group of ATVers can be found trespassing near my house on almost every pleasant weekend in the summer and fall.)

But the acts of irresponsible individuals shouldn't tar an entire sport -- especially when riding an ATV can be such a blast.

A great place to give the sport a try is at Hocking Hills Scenic Trails/Ohio ATV World, less than an hour southeast of Columbus.

The company emphasizes safe, responsible riding and has its own great 70-acre property threaded with trails for riders of varying abilities.

A trail's difficulty is denoted by color just as on ski slopes: Green markers indicate beginners' trails; blue, intermediate; and black, the most difficult.

So just as on the ski slopes, individuals of varying abilities can take the kind of ride they each want, and then unite at the end of their trails.

For $110, guests get 90 minutes aboard one of the company's well-maintained ATVs, including a complete introductory training course that lasts about 30 minutes. Additional hours cost $60. Guests may not bring their own ATVs to the park.

Helmets are provided. Riders should wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and eye protection such as sunglasses.

Park manager Doug Morris, one of the trained riding instructors, taught me the basics of operating the machine, then watched as I proved my ability by driving through a series of turns, humps, bridges, inclines and banks on the park's training trail. After each segment, Morris offered tips and encouragement.

I was a bit apprehensive, but the training course was a great confidence builder, especially for a newbie like me. Trainers ride with guests for short stretches and check up on them throughout their stay.

Riders are also encouraged to stop at various places in the park to explore scenic areas, enjoy gazebos or picnic tables or watch the abundant wildlife.

I certainly had fun during my visit. Once I got a feel for the basic operation, I enjoyed a brisk ride over the twists and turns of a beginner-level trail, up hills, through woods and into a beautiful meadow where I slalomed around huge hay bales, testing my new turning skills.

I zipped through the trees and past rock formations -- not too fast, but fast enough to feel like a deer chased by coyotes. Except that I felt in total control; able to slow or accelerate at will or need; encouraging my wheels to bite into the curves; learning to use my own weight to shift the ATV's center of gravity; conquering hills that soon would have worn me out if I were hiking up and down under just my own power.

Before they are allowed on the course, riders must prove to an instructor's satisfaction that they can properly control a machine. (Out of hundreds of guests, Morris said only one, a man who had never operated a motorized vehicle of any kind before, has proved incapable of driving an ATV.)

Individual riders must be at least 12 years old, and large and strong enough to handle the equipment. Two-seat ATVs are also available for rental.

"We have three questions for guests," said ATV park owner Karry Gemmell.

"Did you feel safe? Did you have fun? And would you return?"

"Now, we have people returning every weekend."

The park's safety and training program is unique, Gemmell said.

"At a lot of places, basically, you just get thrown out to the lions. Here, you'll get the training you need, but in the guise of amusement. (Riders) really come out confident."

Gemmell, who opened the park this year, said he wanted a business that would complement, not compete with, other attractions in the Hocking Hills region.

And unlike many activities in the area, guests can enjoy riding at the ATV park year-round, he said.

"A lot of people actually like it better when it's raining or muddy," he noted.

Gemmell's primary business is construction, and his company has built a series of bridges and fun obstacles around the ATV park.

"We plan to constantly add attractions," he said.

Upcoming features will include an ATV "teeter-totter" and a "sinking bridge" that gently descends -- just barely -- into a lake as riders cross.

Ohio ATV World is also the only authorized ATV outfitter in Wayne National Forest. There, an ATV can allow access to places that many people would never have the stamina or desire to reach on foot, Gemmell said. Many folks with disabilities, who can't navigate hiking trails, also enjoy riding ATVs, he said.

"We're really giving motorized access to nature," he said.

"ATVs are a great equalizer," Morris said.

"We recently had a grandmother and her grandson come out and ride together. There aren't many active pursuits they could enjoy together like that."

The park has been popular for corporate team-building events, and also, surprisingly, with honeymooners, Gemmell said. More than 20 honeymooning couples have rented ATVs there, he said. Often the bride surprises the groom with the outing, he said.

"People come to the Hocking Hills to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but they also want to find fun things to do while they're here," Gemmell said.

The park is also a great place for anyone thinking of buying an ATV to come and try out the sport.

"If you're only riding four to six times a year, it makes sense to rent rather than buy," Gemmell said.

"But if they become educated and they want to take it up as a full-time sport, that's great."

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Source: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/travel/stories/2009/09/27/Hocking_ATV.ART_ART_09-27-09_F1_GCF4MV1.html?sid=101

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