What's in a year?

It’s hard to imagine that another year has gone by and looking back, it just keeps getting better and better. Where do I start? I guess I need to start with a big thank you to all those who helped, because without their help we wouldn’t have done as much as we did.

So, to all those who worked on trails by clearing logs, cutting tree limbs and hanging trail arrows, and others for moving hay bales, working gates, hauling and putting out/collecting garbage, working with kids, collecting prizes, cooking, organizing, communicating and just plain old hard work, thank you to all of you!

Now our thanks does not go out to a single person or a single organization it goes out to such a long list it is too long to show. This list contains individuals who have taken ownership and organizations who have helped us change perceptions.

You could say 2011 was a growing year. Staring the year off with the an Adventure Ride from LCRP to Tell City. True the numbers were not what we wanted, yet those that did come sure got an adventure to remember. We had two days of some of the best back roads Indiana has to offer and a night of (in your face) card playing.

Teaming up with Trail Riders of America has proven to be a win/win and we have done things in spite of the naysayers. Like the Miracle Trail Ride. The MTR of 2011 was an event to look back on and grow from. We learned a great deal and when I say we I mean both ABATE and TRA. Even before the event was over we compiled a list of things to improve for 2012. MTR and ABATE’s relationship has grown into a partnership that has many talking about how well we work together and how hard it is to distinguish between the two organizations. The MTR raised $20,000 for the Riley Hospital for Children!

In September it was the Hoosier Outdoor Experience at Fort Harrison state park. This event is one of our best; where we shine and are able to connect with so many people from all walks of life all in a two day period. Between ABATE and TRA we were able to show case our activities in a positive light and give so many an opportunity to see and experience off-road that the return on the investment of money, time and materials is so over whelming that there is no way to calculate it.

August was the MotoGP and EnduroCross. We manned the field from flag men to coarse workers for both events and were able to raise our public visibility at both events. I was able to work Motorcycles on Meridian and learned a great deal about controlled chaos and how it is managed by so few. My hat goes off to those who volunteer their time to such a positive experience.

Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts Indianapolis is not on the 2012 EnduroCross racing series. Yet that is not stopping us from exploring other opportunities to show case Indiana off-road during the MotoGP weekend. We are working with local promoters to find a way to replace the EnduroCross at a local level. Keep an eye out as things develop.

October was DIRT Fest at Redbird SRA in Dugger, Indiana (see photos on page 46 of the December 2011 "Hoosier Motorcyclist" magazine). This event is growing with each and every year and keeps improving as we gain experience and recognition. You might say it is a double edged sword. A time to showcase our hard work and the state OHV areas and to just go and play in the dirt!

Now the hard part is trying to duplicate or improve upon this year in 2012. The only way we can do that is with everyone’s help. We will have an event schedule for 2012 ASAP and will be blasting emails all over the state asking for your help. Keep an eye on your email and Facebook.

Again, thank you to all for making 2011 such a successful year.

Al Pivonka