From time to time, NEOW.org publishes editorial content of general interest to the wheeling community. The views expressed herein are those of the author alone and do not represent an official position of NEOW.org.

The State of our Union

an editorial by Cory Ashe - Way Off Road Fabrication & Design

I hear a lot of talk about the reputation of our sport, and I guess I may not be the best person to debate it, because I fall into the politically incorrect, redneck, anti- environmentalist category. But please bear with me while I give you my insight as to "The state of our Union".

First a little history about myself. I used to be a renegade four wheeler back in the day. I didn't care very much about anything, let alone being a responsible 4x4 enthusiast. But with age comes responsibility. Add to this the added responsibility of running a business, being involved with 4x4 clubs, organized events, and participation in the "online" wheeling community and I now consider myself about half-way to being responsible. :)

What often bothers me is to hear many active wheeling enthusiasts talking "green" in public, or bashing the less-environmentally-friendly wheelers, all for the sake of being politically correct, or for their own standing or reputation in the sport, when deep down it may not be how they really feel. I think this is hypocritical, and I believe it does no justice to our cause. If you step lightly around environmental issues in public, it gives validity to their cause, and it makes other people around you feel they should do the same.

I see a resurgence in the sport of off-roading, and I accredit much of this to the efforts of organized clubs and responsible-minded enthusiasts, but I think we need to stand our ground when it comes to the impact of our sport on the environment.

I'm not going to waste your time, spewing my thoughts and views on the people and organizations who oppose us. My concern is that we are true to ourselves, our sport, and the 4x4 community in general when we speak of what it is we do, and how we choose to do it. I guess what I am saying is don't bash the people who speak the truth on how they wheel. Maybe it is their way of speaking out against the so called environmentalists who would try to shut us down.

When I go into the woods, I may leave a mark, but no where near the mark that is left from developing that land. Wheeling is my way of enjoying that undeveloped land, and god help you if you try to stop me from enjoying it my way.