Off-Road Enthusiasts housing development?

[troy]

I have coworkers who live in golf course communities. You take 100 to 200+ acres, build a beautiful golf coures, clubhouse, and then sell home lots all around. The home owners pay an annual premium to maintain the amenities and enjoy their passion--golfing--anytime they want.

My boss lives in a water-ski enthusiasts' housing development built around a lake. All the people that live there have boats and actively enjoy water-skiing. They pay an annual premium to maintain the lake and docks, etc. He can go home, and 10 minutes later, be wake boarding on the private lake.

Why not an off-road enthusiasts community? Because most of us are too broke and disorganized to pull it off? Why couldn't a developer take 200 partially-wooded acres, cut some trails, build a motocross-style track, then sell home lots all around it. Instead of golf carts in the garage, you'd have your ATV's, go-carts, mountain bikes, and motorcycles.

I'm not sure liability is even an issue--the home owners probably have to sign away any rights to hold anyone liable for injury. Water skiing is dangerous, and it works for those communities.

[Hayden]

Sounds cool and all but do you really want loud dirt bikes running around your house at all hrs of the day and night. Dust would be an issue also when its dry out? For the most part boats and golf carts are pretty quiet. I have to say though, it would be cool to be eating dinner in the kitchen and watching some dude pull off a 30' double out the back window

I for the most part like my peace and quiet. I am surprise that living on the lake gives me that. I thought when I moved in that Afton would be loud and kinda in the party area. The park service guys keep an eye on it though and there is not to be any alcohol in the park. I really like it here. I would have to say the most bothersome thing is the 100 harleys that run through here on a sat.

Hayden

[KC]

I agree with Hayden, mostly, on the dust and noise problem. I have lots of time to dream about these things while driving around SE Kansas in my van. There is a lot of beautiful, hilly, tree covered land out there. I'm talking about thick tree cover and big enough hills with somewhat rocky terrain to rival areas in Arkansas! The idea would work fine if one could afford enough acreage to make the riding worth-while. If the riding community was geared towards trail riding versus an all dirt motocross track, the dust and noise really wouldn't be much of an issue. Once you get a few hundred feet into the trees no one will hear you scream when you doink off a rock and smack a tree. I saw a real estate sign out near Elk City for BuyKansas.Com but I haven't been there to check it out yet. hmmmm

[troy]

It would require a lot of acreage and ideally, the trails would be mostly wooded---provides beautiful, interesting riding as well as noise and dust barrier.

I don't think the economics would work for most developers, but a very upscale version of this is in the works in North Carolina. Some Nascar bigwigs are trying to build a community with horse stables, ATV/motorcycle trails, etc.
http://www.mudbog.net/forum/t1950/

Speaking of noise, how soon before we have fully electric motorcycles? Before you laugh, do some research on electric vehicles and electric-powered drag motorcycles. The technology has come a long way.

[Motoracer13]

The problem is the "not in my back yard" thing. When the track near Hamelton MO was fighting to stay open 3/4 of the people that rode there said the same thing, "This is cool, but I dont blame them. I wouldnt want it in my back yard."
So my personal $.02 was, If you wouldnt put up with it in your back yard, you shouldnt be riding here. That track was only open weekends and was closed deer season till Feb. Its a shame that would have been a great trip on a DS.
I cant wait till I get to a point where I can buy enough land for a track. At this rate I'm waiting for my powerball retirement to kick in. When it does I will have a big party for eveyone in my backyard!

[iyeager]

It works for race tracks. The new race track developments that have adopted the "country club" atmosphere have begun selling condos, almost trackside. If you think that two-smokers loud wait'll the guy fires up his formula one wannabe open exhaust car for a few laps.

Ian

[safiri]

NIMBY.

I recall the farmer outside of Chicago in a growing 'burb getting a disturbing the peace ticket a few years back b/c he was harvesting (combining) grain after 10 pm. The farm land next to his field had been made into a subdivision. What nonsense. He didn't make a habit of working late, but the grain was ready and the weather was cooperating.

Thus not only do you have to deal with those people that are currently next to your property, but also those that move in next to your property after it has been developed.

Much like people that moved to So JoCo near the Exec. airport and now complain about the noise of the airplanes. The only ones that have the right to complain are those that were out here before the airport went in ... and that was very long ago.

As to night noise issues ... No riding after 10 pm. 12 pm on Fri and Sat nights and stock mufflers required ... or no rules, just a shotgun.

[troy]

It's about time somebody shut those damn farmers up. Who do they think they are running their noisy machinery?! Nothing pisses me off more than when I'm on some backroad enjoying a beautiful day of dualsport adventure and come upon a field with a farmer running his obnoxiously loud tractor belching pollution into the air--infringing on my rights to enjoy the land. It's time we abolish farming once and for all.

[Motoracer13]

Safari you made me think about KCIR's problems a few years ago. Same thing people complaing about the noise & stuff but they had all moved in after the track was built!

[KansasKawboy]

It's about time somebody shut those damn farmers up. Who do they think they are running their noisy machinery?! Nothing pisses me off more than when I'm on some backroad enjoying a beautiful day of dualsport adventure and come upon a field with a farmer running his obnoxiously loud tractor belching pollution into the air--infringing on my rights to enjoy the land. It's time we abolish farming once and for all.

Don't talk about farmers with food in your mouth.


I know you were joking I couldn't resist.

[troy]

Don't talk about farmers with food in your mouth.

Good one! Biting the hand that feeds you is generally a bad idea. Just ask my dog. Oh yeah, you can't--I killed him when he bit my hand.

I'm a farm boy myself. KC & I grew up milking about 100 cows and farmed maybe a total of 1,000 acres or so. We had horses, chickes, pigs, and lots of dogs and cats. I can't imagine driving the old Case 900 and having a police officer walk up to give me a ticket for disturbing the peace.

Maybe what that story left out is the farmer was blaring explicit rap music while cutting donuts in his combine in the neighbors' driveways. It's easy and fun to cut donuts in a combine.

[KansasKawboy]

My dad stopped farming when I was 9 we only had 400 acres, 180 crop land and the rest pasture and timber. There were to many dry years and to may mouths to feed. We were to far from anywhere to have worry about someone complaining about noise. I don't know about the rap music but donuts in a combine would be fun.

[safiri]

Yesterday afternoon I was mountain biking at Minor Park. Crossed the Blue River and ran into a guy loading his pickup with trash (my first thought was he was dumping trash). I ride up (he had seen me crossing the river) and he says "You know you are on private property?"!!!! Nice guy, we chat for quite a while.

He bought, a year ago, 20 acres that is south of the MTB trails (PO allowed the trails to go into his land) and both sides of the Blue River. All wooded, hilly, a river that you can cross, etc. And 10 minutes south of 435.

Doh!!!!!!

[fatburg]

I would be all about an area like that. It's actually one of the reasons we bought our current house, 6 years ago there was a bunch of trails behind it, the seller said it was designated greenway. Ya, a year later they cleared out half the woods and put in apartments, they are slowly finishing off the other half.

The price point of a neighborhood like that would tend to rule out most of the obnoxiousness I would think. I would think there would be a mutual respect among everyone.

[troy]

Sounds cool and all but do you really want loud dirt bikes running around your house at all hrs of the day and night. Dust would be an issue also when its dry out?

I suppose the community covenant could limit all toys to 92db or less. Limit riding to between 8am and sundown. Dust? The wooded trails would not be a dust problem, but the open area--like the motocross track--would be dusty. Why not have an elaborate sprinkler system--just like a golf course. It could come on for just a few minutes 3 times a day to keep the dust down. You'd need your maintenance shed with equipment to keep the track and trails groomed--just like a golf course.

The way things are going with the environmentalists, we'll have no public places left to ride in 20 years. Private land requiring club membership may be the only place to ride in the states someday---that is until they outlaw our toys, too.

One of the biggest complaints against trail riding is the noise. Electric motorcycles will go a long way towards eliminating that argument.
http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=452

[tp_cracker]

At this rate I'm waiting for my powerball retirement to kick in. When it does I will have a big party for eveyone in my backyard!

Just make sure you invite the right people, because otherwise, one small oops and your powerball retirement is in someone elses bank account.

Yesterday afternoon I was mountain biking at Minor Park.

I used to ride that trail quite often back in the early 90's. We used to get on the trail around by the tennis courts and there used to be quite a few really nice luxury cars parked in the parking lot. Much to our dismay, there would be guys with 3 piece suits coming out of the trees with leaves and grass on them. One of my buddies decided to find out what they were really doing back there, as if we didn't know, and he rode through the opening in the brush and found out. We usually only went on weekends after that.

[troy]

We used to get on the trail around by the tennis courts and there used to be quite a few really nice luxury cars parked in the parking lot. Much to our dismay, there would be guys with 3 piece suits coming out of the trees with leaves and grass on them. One of my buddies decided to find out what they were really doing back there, as if we didn't know, and he rode through the opening in the brush and found out. We usually only went on weekends after that.

There is a park in Wichita where I used to live--same thing. Isn't that amazing....that these "men" who obviously have money and good jobs resort to scrounging around in the dirt behind bushes in a public park to do.... If I had not seen it, I would not believe it. The other assumption that I make is that at least one and probably both of these men is a married "family man". Otherwise, why wouldn't they get together at their house/apt/hotel? I suppose this thread could snowball into a gay-bashing episode, but this activity absolutely boggles my mind.

There was also a public park that had a brick restroom building. Sometimes my wife & I would go there in the evenings to use the jogging path. We'd see a luxury sedan in the parking lot next to the bathroom. We'd go for a 30 minute walk, and when we returned, that car and another would be there. You'd see men in suits walk into the bathroom--no gym bag in hand. These guys were not there to change into jogging clothes. Heterosexual sex or otherwise---a public bathroom is NOT where I want to fool around. Heck, I don't even feel safe and clean pissing in most public restrooms. So what kind of perverted obsession would force me to sink to that level.....I can't imagine.

Well, we've done it now. RideForum.NET is no longer politically correct. We now risk alienating the large percentage of our member base that is homosexual. I guess we'll just have to bend over and take it...er I mean, I guess that's too bad.

[tp_cracker]

errr well it is getting to that political time of year. And, its not like we are bashing the activity, I would still have a problem with it if it was heterosexual activity. Unless of course the women were from Hooters.