ATV advice for Newbies

[megan600]

Need some help! Husband is desperately trying to get me into riding quads. He knows I love riding snowmobiles, so he is really pushing this one. His big debate is that its just like riding sleds. Ok not exactly, but solving that argument is not where I need the help. I just have a few questions and am hoping that someone with more experience can offer up some advice.

My one draw back or lack of interest lies with the fact that with snowmobiles we go destination to destination. Not necessarily bar to bar, but we do head the direction of a break/lunch stop…then ride to the next destination and so on. Seems as though with quads you tear it up in the woods/trails and then back to the trucks. I just haven't ever driven by a bar/restaurant in the summer and seen quads lined up like you see sleds in the winter. Wondering if there are any recommendations of good trail systems that have some good stops along the way.

Also since this is my first go round, we would need a place to rent quads and a place to stay.. Preferably in Lower Michigan with trail access right from motel/cabin, or atv rental place.

I realize my ignorance towards this may be showing, but I'm all for giving it a try. Just want to make the best out of it. We've done trail riding in our off-road ORV, but its also street legal so when we need gas or food/beverage we simply jump off the trail and head to town.
Thanks!

[bellracing2]

look at the lakecounty trails are open thread a few down from this one , or contact wolflake1 a member on this site

[mrsrunningbear]

megan600 I don’t know about the area your looking at….my experience is up here in the U.P. We can go from place to place, we have a good trail system and you do see them sitting out side bar/restaurants....its great. It does remind me a lot of snowmobiling and I love it. The only thing I don’t like a whole lot is the dirt dust…I’ll take the white dust over the dirt any day. You should give it a try. My suggestion for your first time would be...make sure where your riding has good trails and places to ride to and I think you’ll be hooked. :)

[megan600]

I'm thinking I'll be hooked too...but I want to make sure if we are gonna spend that cash to rent them, that we get some good riding in too.

I would prefer to stay in the lower part for our first trip, but thats what I'm looking for. To be able to go place to place. If some one has some info about trails in lower Michigan and what some good accessible places would be to stop, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[polarfreek]

I'm with mrsrunningbear. My wife rode quads for 2-years and she liked it but but did not like the dust factor. She doesn't do it anymore.
I actually love ATV's as much as sleds. We ride in Clark County WI which has an awesome trail system with places to stop etc. It's quad-haven out there!
Don't know about MI trail systems but once you find your destination; you will eagerly plan your trips and look forward to them.
Our group likes to camp out rather than stay at hotels. If you can find a good camp ground with showers etc. you will enjoy your trip much more.
We go 2-3 times a year and actually hope it rains on occasion to keep the dust down.

[mrsrunningbear]

polarfreek....did ya ever stay at Russell Memorial Park.....one of our favorite places....and the palms for dinner....Mmmmm

[wolflake1]

Hi Megan600. Take a look at our web site <a href="http://www.wolflakemotel.com">www.wolflakemotel.com</a>. Here in Lake County the trails are open year around, but from April 1st until November 30th you can ride right from our Resort, where we have on-site ATV rentals. You can ride to several restaurants, bars and gas stations with around 200 miles of ORV trails and routes that wind through the Manistee National Forest. During the summer months they even groom the ORV routes, much like they do for snowmobiling. After a ride you can come back and sit by a Lake side campfire and watch the sunset, listening to the Loons singing into the darkness.

[megan600]

Thanks to everyone for the info. Wolflake1, we'll be picking a weekend and contacting you soon to set something up. This sounds like what we are looking for, and fairly close to home. Thanks again.
Megan

[wolflake1]

You are welcome. Have you seen the weather? 80 degrees in March, is Al Gore right? Tim

[polarfreek]

polarfreek....did ya ever stay at Russell Memorial Park.....one of our favorite places....and the palms for dinner....Mmmmm

We stay at Rock Dam park but have ridden to all the surrounding parks. I believe Russell Memorial is over by Lake Arbutus? Never ate in town there except for "The Barrell" on the other side of town by RR tracks. I will have to remember the Palms -thanks.
Our favorite place so far is the Wild Cat Inn off of Hwy 10. Good people and great food. Ride on!