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I asked this question in the World forum about which countries motorized recreation was popular in, but I know there are also great regional differences in popularity.
So, the questions I have to ask are: is snowmobiling, four-wheeling / ATVing / quad biking, dirt biking, jet-skiing, or dune buggying popular in your area?
It definitely seems to be in MN and WI, at least the rural areas of those states. The last time I checked, ATVs are allowed on state land (trails) unless specifically prohibited, and both Minnesota and Wisconsin have extensive snowmobile trail networks. Back when my dad was alive, him and his buddies would leave from my house and spend the night in Ironwood, Michigan, some one hundred miles' away the way the crow flies. They could have gone much, much further.
For ATVs, it's a little bit different, since Minnesota does not allow them to be rode along state snowmobile trails, but Wisconsin does. One thing that used to be popular when less land was posted were trails linking gravel pits or running along power lines. I had a lot of good memories riding in a certain large gravel pit with many "features": temporary ponds, steep hills, ridges, etc. When the former owner's son took over, he kicked us out of there, and not for bad reason: some people did very dangerous "stunts" on their four-wheelers and dirt-bikes there, like riding down an almost vertical 100' hill.
Most people who own ATVs, dirt bikes, jet-skis, etc. are not rich, even if they own multiple "toys". They are often working-class, and it is not unusual to spot ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorboats in trailer parks.
Four-wheelers are considered both toys and tools here, so the majority of households have at least one. It's not unusual to see people running around town on them, either. Snowmachining is more obsession than hobby here. Maybe 20% of the pickups you see in town have a snowmachine in the bed or on a trailer at any given time during the winter. The kids ride them around on the streets, the grownups ride them in the mountains. Not many trails around here, though. It's mostly backcountry stuff, highmarking, access for skiing and snowboarding, etc.
I asked this question in the World forum about which countries motorized recreation was popular in, but I know there are also great regional differences in popularity.
So, the questions I have to ask are: is snowmobiling, four-wheeling / ATVing / quad biking, dirt biking, jet-skiing, or dune buggying popular in your area?
It definitely seems to be in MN and WI, at least the rural areas of those states. The last time I checked, ATVs are allowed on state land (trails) unless specifically prohibited, and both Minnesota and Wisconsin have extensive snowmobile trail networks. Back when my dad was alive, him and his buddies would leave from my house and spend the night in Ironwood, Michigan, some one hundred miles' away the way the crow flies. They could have gone much, much further.
For ATVs, it's a little bit different, since Minnesota does not allow them to be rode along state snowmobile trails, but Wisconsin does. One thing that used to be popular when less land was posted were trails linking gravel pits or running along power lines. I had a lot of good memories riding in a certain large gravel pit with many "features": temporary ponds, steep hills, ridges, etc. When the former owner's son took over, he kicked us out of there, and not for bad reason: some people did very dangerous "stunts" on their four-wheelers and dirt-bikes there, like riding down an almost vertical 100' hill.
Most people who own ATVs, dirt bikes, jet-skis, etc. are not rich, even if they own multiple "toys". They are often working-class, and it is not unusual to spot ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorboats in trailer parks.
How is it where you live?
Definitely yes in Michigan. The rage in both snowmobiles and jet skis is to buy a new one every year to keep up with the latest technology, or have one that goes 2mph faster than last year's model.
Definitely any type of off-road vehicle is popular in Michigan. Jet skis, definitely. Actually went with a friend to his cabin up north and we tried to ride a jet ski, but I think it was out of gas or something. So we got stuck with the row boat.
I've seen people riding ATV's in the City of Philadelphia on a 4-lane major connector street. Sure made me wish the bus would come faster.
Global warming has wiped out snowmobiling in much of PA. Someone in the Harrisburg area forum asked recently where the snowmobile areas are outside of town, sad to say deep sea fishing is probably closer.
Dirt bikes and 3/4 wheelers are VERY popular in our rural areas....as a matter of fact, they actually have "river patrols" to catch these folks, as they tear up the 'buffer zone" next to the Rappahannock River....causing erosion! They will ticket and/or arrest you for it around here!
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