Land Use Activist Don Klusman Passes Away

I'm saddened to report that we lost another land use activist yesterday, unexpectedly.  Don Klusman, long time advocate and Resource Consultant for the Calif. Assoc. of 4wheel Drive Clubs left us quickly.

Don has a passionate and noteable career helping us fight for our trails and access.  Read more on the Cal4wheel website here:  http://www.cal4wheel.com/

Bye Don..we'll miss you.
Del

USAA Insurance Company Teaches Uncle Del About Modern Communications

I am amazed at how our world is changing in the way of computers, electronics and communications. My first "Tweet" was more powerful than my first date as a teenager. My first "blog" gave me chills. And I thought my first time with online banking was scarier than jumping out of airplanes in army boots. But no; there's more.


United Services Automobile Association (USAA) insurance and banking company just told me how I can now do my insurance stuff AND bank on my Blackberry (or iPhone) and even do DEPOSITS using my phone camera and phone internet. OMG!!! Deposit a check I’m holding in my hand while taking a picture of it with my phone? What's next?


Now this post is more than a lame advertisement for USAA, albeit I've been with them for 40 years and I highly recommend them to ANYONE who has served in the military. Yes, they are now open to any and all honorable vets. But this blog is about how we must embrace new technology and apply it to those clients, customers and friends who are involved in the game of protecting our freedoms and fighting for our access to public lands. And we must especially apply all these new technologies to folks who love to recreate in the great outdoors, but have yet to figure out that they need to be fighting with us.


Well, ok, I may not be as amazed as I’m playing up here because in reality I’m fully embracing all the new technology I can. Yes, there will be some who feel “big brother” is watching us a bit too much here and there. But I believe that if you embrace all the security and common sense measures to go along with the “in touch” world, you’ll be just fine.


The point I’m really trying to drive home is that if you are trying to make a different in land use and access, or outdoor recreation in general, you should be using all means available to you. Hey maybe for you, like me, that also includes streaming tweets to your website along with an integrated hyper-link to your Facebook account with a side channel to your MySpace page. Whew…

I suspect companies other than USAA are doing this sort of banking thing, but you can learn more at www.usaa.com (if you’re military or ex-military).
Del

Off Road Christmas Auction for BlueRibbon Underway Now

BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Del Albright, BRC Ambassador
Phone: (209) 304-7693
Email: brdel@sharetrails.org
Date: December 1, 2009

BRC Christmas Auction Project: LIVE and RUNNING

POCATELLO, ID (December 1) - It's on!!! Our Christmas and holiday auction is live and running with sleigh bells. Bids are flying; businesses are sponsoring; and the auction is ready for you. We're still getting new items to add to the list, but it's time to check out what you need to bid on to fill that chimney stocking of yours.

You know the deal. This special online auction is designed to help us all save trails and keep our sports alive. Yeah, well, that's all fine and dandy, but it's also a very impressive list of goodies just waiting for your click.

Just in, we have:

Axia Alloys Billet Mount Rear View Mirror (Side x Side)
4 Registrations to Rally on the Rocks (UTV event, Moab)
Axia Alloys iPod Billet Mount (UTV)
The Tugger (Rear and Front) Combos and Straps for dirt bikes
Parts Mike Dana 44 High Steer for Jeeps
Daystar JK Suspension Lift and Body Lift
Daystar Jeep Dash/Switch Panel
Aluminum Receiver Cargo Rack (donated by Ron Westberg of Colorado)

And these add to our existing list:

Nemesis Industries Hi-Line Front Fenders
Currie Enterprises Heavy Duty Steering System
GenRight Offroad Jeep goodies (TBA)
Tom Wood's Custom Drive Shafts Apparel, goodies and discounts
5 of Del Albright's Recreational Leadership Training Course (RLTC), for anyone
Roundeyes.com LED dome light kits
PIAA Accessory Light Kit
5 off-road Tires from BFGoodrich
5 Monster Beadlock Raceline Wheels by Allied
2 Dynatrac ProRock 44s for JK Jeeps (yeah, a new product)
Rubicon Express JK Suspension Upgrade
4 Diff covers from Dynatrac
Olympic4x4 Products Heavy Duty Deluxe Receiver Rack
Poison Spyder Rocker Knockers (Access Army Laser Cut Out Limited Edition)
Recovery Gear from WARN

We're still adding to our list as businesses continue to jump in and contribute, so please CHECK BACK often during the next 10 days. If you want to donate, just drop an email to Del Albright at brdel@sharetrails.org.

Bid here: http://shop.ebay.com/sharetrails/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org

Land Use Update and Thanksgiving Wish

Here are some land use updates for you to use/share.


First off, happy Thanksgiving to all. As 2009 sneaks to a close, I think we can all look forward to a better and stronger 2010. I am seeing a large resurgence of interest and support for land use and access efforts. Let’s continue to lead the charge to a brighter future.

(Note: all links are at the bottom of this note)

2010 Land Use War Machine: I’m having some fun with this, but I’m also excited to announce the “new look” of my battle tank, a 1997 TJ Wrangler, with a long list of business sponsors and supporters who are helping me do my part to keep our trails open and our sports alive. Without these great folks, my wheels would be parked. I call it a war machine, because 2010 is the year to rage land use fights like never before. Check out my wheels and how these businesses are in the game big time to help.

Southwest Crawlfest New Event: FYI, this is a fairly new event near St. George, Utah looking for raffle items and attendees. It’s FREE. Yup, free – they pay for their expenses and still have money to donate to land use organizations through their raffle ticket sales alone. January 29, 30, 2010. We are supporting their effort to raise awareness of this awesome event because the Rockaholics Anonymous are donating to the right causes.

King of the Hammers Driver’s Seat Free Ride: Want to drive in the famous offroad race, King of the Hammers? Write an essay why you should be selected to drive in the Griffin Radiators KOH Race in a fully sponsored rig – yup, you drive; their rig. Your entry must be in to Pirate4x4 by Dec. 25th. KOH is in February at Johnson Valley, CA.

$4.00 to Join BlueRibbon Coalition: BRC is running their special deal with 4Wheel Parts where you can join, renew or EXTEND your current membership and get a $25 Gift Card from 4WP at the same time -- $29 bucks for an individual, with $25 back to you in a Gift Card, meaning you just helped save more trails for $4.00 for a year.  This is a no-brainer.

Christmas Auction for BlueRibbon Coalition: Several of my personal 4x4 sponsors and many other businesses are kicking in a huge effort to help BRC raise some funds with an eBay type auction starting Dec. 1st. We’re talking well over $10,000 in goodies (so far with a rapidly growing list), of parts and neat accessories. This is a great way for you to save some bucks while helping land use. It’s also another indicator that our business partners are more than willing to do their part to help keep our lands and waterways open for access.

State Offroad Associations: most of our OHV related state associations are lining up their events and new-year kick off activities. Please be supportive and sign up to attend all those you can fit into your schedule and budget. Our strength in the fight to keep our access starts at the local and state level. We need all the organizations we can muster in order to win this battle. I lay out some strategies I think we need to employ to win the war on access in my article (link below). Be sure to check it out and stay involved with your state clubs/associations.

Poison Spyder Supports Land Use: Poison Spyder just released new Rocker Knockers with "Access Army" laser cut into them.  WOW.  They have chosen to also contribute 10% of the proceeds from the sale of these goodies to the national group, BlueRibbon Coalition.  Awesome.  Thank you Poison Spyder.

LINKS:
War Machine Introduction: http://www.delalbright.com/Access/sponsors_2009.html
Southwest Crawlfest Event: http://southwestcrawlfest.com/
KOH Driver’s Seat Competition: http://www.delalbright.com/Misc/king_hammers.html
BlueRibbon 4Wheel Parts Deal: https://www.sharetrails.org/tv/4wp/
Article: Strategies to Win the War on Access: http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/strategies_war.html
Christmas Online Auction for BRC: http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=666
Poison Spyder Donates to Land Use:  http://www.poisonspyder.com/

##
Thanks for all you do, and my best for a safe and happy Thanksgiving,
Del

http://www.delalbright.com

Hump 'N Bump a Huge Success

Once again the Vegas Valley 4Wheelers "got it done right!"  The 29th Annual Hump 'N Bump was a tremendous success with over 200 rigs registered and several wonderful wheeling trails on the menu.  Stacie and I were able to recruit several new BlueRibbon Coalition members, and we represented BFGoodrich Tires in a tire give-away to support the raffle.  BFG kicked in five (5) tires up to 37's for one lucky winner.  Awesome.

Hump 'N Bump supports the Southern Nevada Trail Fund which helps support groups like BlueRibbon Coalition and United Four Wheel Drive Associations and others.

Some businesses supporting the cause at the event included Ted Wiens Custom 4x4 from Vegas, Genright Off Road, Go Treks, Superchips, Findlay Toyota, Olympic4x4 Products, Maximum OffRoad.com, OptimumGear.com, Magnum Ink, and others.  Tread Lightly (and BLM) were also on sight with a very nice display and friendly folks to help answer questions.

Notably, we found nearly NO trash on the trails and EVERYONE was courteous and smilling the entire event.  I did manage to scare my better half (Stacie) with a few tail-walking airborne Jeep episodes, but no damage was done and my Jeep is ready for another adventure.

See the video of some bodacious rock crawling, and get more info here on my website:
http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/hump_2009.html

Del 

Veterans Day -- Never Forget

Thank your veterans and their families by keeping America strong and free.  Never Forget.  Never let wackos, weirdos or terrorists control or hamper our freedoms. 

I thank all veterans, their famlies, and the memories of those who died in service to this country.
Del

Genright Supports the Albright's

Genright Off Road joined the supporters of the Del & Stacie Kickin' Access Team while at Hump 'N Bump 2009.  Dropping down some serious gas money, the Genright crew jumped on the team to support our efforts at land use and access.  We also did some gnarly rocks with them in the Logandale OHV area while at this great event, and found out these Genright folks wheel some awesome machines.

If you're looking for some cool Jeep stuff from some real off road pro's, then check out what Genright Off Road has to offer.   They've got hood louvers, body armor, tube fenders, roll cages, skid gear, rocker guards, suspension parts and much more.  We plan to do more with them and are totally thankful they are supporting us in our work to save trails and keep our sport alive -- not to mention our Jeep.  :)  Thanks Genright; you're alright in our book.  Check them out at http://www.genright.com/

Del & Stacie Albright, http://www.delalbright.com/