The rules of the off-road

Though Hugo Martin’s article [“The Mud Club,” Aug. 17] mentioned legal venues for off-roading at Hungry Valley and El Mirage, local riders have been steadily ruining a 1,000-acre area in the Antelope Valley. Calls to the sheriff’s department notwithstanding, the impacts to these private lands are increasing daily, though this area is only 20 miles from legal riding at Hungry Valley.

One of the main reasons riders can continue to impact new lands is that their vehicles are not required to display visible ID. To apprehend errant riders, law officers must mount dirt bikes themselves and give chase to stop them for questioning.

There is a growing resistance to off-roading by those who are affected by the nuisance, safety issues and environmental damage associated with this recreation. Many thanks to The Times for publicizing this issue.

DOUG PARHAM

Palmdale

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I was disappointed that the dominant tone portrayed our sport as reckless. I often feel that there is insufficient coverage given to the majority of us who recreate in a low-impact fashion.

There are clubs, such as those allied with the CA4WDC (www.cal4wheel.com), that are aware of the rules and have fun in a manner that leaves little or no trace that we were there.

Our club, the Roughwheelers IV Wheel Drive club (www.roughwheelers.com), never discourages guests from coming along on our monthly weekend runs. We try to show them how the challenge is the attraction, but not at the expense of the environment.

GREG ALLEN

Torrance