The Army used to use this slogan, but since it's dropped it, I'm using it. Because that what getting into the magazine business really is. I actually got my start in this business over 20 years ago as a photo model for 3 & 4 Wheel Action. I moved onto other magazines, mostly two-wheeled, and am now in charge of ATVR's sister publication Dirt Rider. In the past few months, I've been tasked with helping out with the pages here, since Bryan "Flatlander" Nylander took a hike to greener pastures and art director Joe Neric got streetbike-itis. Both Brian Purtymun and FNG (fresh new guy) Eli Madero were just a little swamped in the whole development of ATVR being left without a captain. But we've fixed that. You may remember or know of Thad Josey, but we'll get to him later.
So where does the adventure come in, you ask? Well, I didn't think I was ever in charge of Purtymun or Madero, I'd just walk across the hall and try to put out the occasional fire-or was it an atomic bomb trying to explode? Between Madreo trying to coax 155 horsepower out of his built Banshee, using his newfound connections with a few coy editorial power plays, or Purtymun trying to brown nose his perceived temporary boss (me) by wrenching on some old Suzuki ATV I dug up on my father's ranch, these guys were suffering a severe case of ATV overload. A photographer could be calling in to mention, "I just got the roll bar on the RZR stuck in this parking garage before I shot photos of it," or someone's roommate's friend's found their novice hillclimbing prowess and 800cc of Can-Am Renegade just did not mesh all that well. The whole time these guys weren't sure how we get to ride five days a week and still put out a magazine. It's an adventure, see. You still ride all the time; you just forgo sleep, family and, in general, most normal responsibilities to lead the life.
I'm a two-wheeled guy no matter how you slice me. But I'm the last guy to turn down a spin on anything with a motor, which made me capable of helping out here, yes with a "no-hander" approach. I've decided, through experience, what types of quads I really enjoy. I'll take power and suspension any time I can get to the dunes but prefer a utility almost any other time I'm out-the more 4x4 gnarly, the better, because I'm going to need it. Got a winch? Lately I've been exposed to the side-by-side craze, just last weekend taking the Polaris RZR up to the mountains. I'll call it sharing because you can strap in any other willing person and show them the joy (or outright panic) we get to experience on a regular basis-then let them drive, too. My wife, who has been riding dirt bikes since she was a kid, gave me a strange look about five minutes into our RZR ride and said, "We're buying one of these, right?"