ATV NATION NATIONAL RIDE HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

A variety of trails, drag races, mud bog, and a sled pull highlight the eastern Tennessee weekend

        ATV Nation is an internet site (atvnation.com) for quad enthusiasts all over the country. Though the group is relatively new to the game of organizing ride weekends, their National Ride gets bigger and better every year. This year's event took place near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which is famous for being the location of one of the huge top-secret World War II weapons research and development centers. The ride took place at a very popular OHV area about 6 miles from town. It's in a huge tract of  72,000 acres that has been owned by the Coal Creek Mining and Manufacturing Company for over 100 years. In an arrangement with the Windrock ATV Club, Coal Creek has given the club stewardship of the land as it pertains to riding OHVs. Everyone who rides on the land must purchase a daily or annual permit with the funds going to Coal Creek. There are several campgrounds at the main trailhead near the town of Oliver Springs. The well-mapped trails offer everything from easy roads to downright nasty giant boulder-strewn trails with challenging uphill and downhill sections. Throw some recent rains into the mix and there are lots of puddles to work through.

        The featured events at the 2004 National Ride included a Mud Bog, Sled Pull and Drag Races. There was also a Bubba Hunt, which is a poker run-type event where riders have to go to certain points to find the "Bubba". The cards are then dropped into the box for the prize giveaways on Saturday night. Of course food was part of the deal with a BBQ pork sandwich dinner Saturday night.

        The NOHVCC semi was on hand with staff and North Carolina NOHVCC Alternate State Representative and Board member Nancy Minard to help with the duties. During the day, a table was set-up in the vendors area with brochures and safety and education materials as well as stickers and coloring books for the kids. On Saturday night, the NOHVCC semi was home base for the National ride BBQ dinner, Awards Ceremony and prize giveaways. NOHVCC provided the lighting and sound system for the festivities.

         "We really appreciate the help from the NOHVCC folks," said Mike Ostrowski from ATV Nation.com. "To have them come out here and support us with their truck is great. Hopefully, a lot of our riders got a chance to see what they are all about and will use them as a resource some time."

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