off road organization

[kurlhawk]

So I'm new around here and I notice there's not much activity around here in OFF ROAD. At least not over the winter. We all prolly have our favorite mega-sites we go to.
Regardless, I'm hoping to find out just how many buggies and bajas I have as neighbors and whether any of you have places you like to go over here on the west coast of Michigan.
Unfortunately, at the moment my ride is getting a complete overhaul, but once it's ready it'd be nice to have found some people interested in some off roading from time to time. Seems like most people default to going to Silver Lake because well that's what everyone does. I'm not all that crazy about SL but would rather put together some woods riding or trails like the ones in Manistee. I have been able to take my buggy out once in Manistee on two tracks and it was a ball. Much better than the rat race at SL.

If you already do some of this riding I'd be interested in hearing all about it. Like I said I've had my buggy for about four years but have been plagued with mechanical probs that kept me grounded, but I'm hoping that'll change soon.

We also have an older motorhome which I hope to pull a T-trailer with and camp during rides so my range is a little further than Ottawa County.

[mitch]

My Rail is getting overhauled at the moment also I would love to do some trail riding in west michigan/north of us, I have never been, but I have been to Silver Lake(Plenty of people to pull me out if i got stuck) I have wanted to do it for awhile, just no one to ride with.

-Mitch

[kurlhawk]

I have experience dirt biking the manistee trail system. I know at least 30% of these trails are wide enough for a VW. I have my rail setup street legal as well as ORV so I could hop between trails when I get to the end which happens a ton up there.

One of the things I liked out there is the peacefulness of the woods and also discovering new places. Being able to that in a buggy with the wife (sometimes the speed beagle) and take our time is really relaxing for us. However, I think it's a heck of a lot safer when you got some other rigs along and maybe just as many winches. I wouldn't even be against other types of ORVs as long as it didn't get too uneven IYKWIM.
Finding places to go is a whole other story. I haven't had anyone chime in saying they had a good roll anywhere yet. Used to be powerlines were good to follow but I'm not sure about that anymore... Sometimes it even depends on whether you can get in and out quicker than they can catch you too.

BTW what is your rail like Mitch?

[mitch]

It's a street legal Berrien frame, stock 1600cc engine with a 34pict3 still. Usually i just cruise around on the streets with my wife. She remembers her dad taking her out on more woods trails than dunes when she was a kid.

[kurlhawk]

Berrien here too. Just getting rid of the 1600 tho.

[sandfan43]

Ive got a sandrail and we try to get to SL atleast once a year but im like you nothing cooler than just cruzin the trails. Buddy of mine has a cabin just east of Baldwin so try to get there each year too, south entrance to little manistee is about 4 miles from cabin.