Regional Trail Riding Group Gives Back To MV Community

By JENNA RHUDE

Moapa Valley Progress

Something wonderful took place at the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board (MVTAB) meeting in Overton Wednesday, June 27. Attendees were greeted with pizza and cold drinks provided by the Partners in Conservation (PIC) organization. Why the party? Several members of the off-road vehicle club, Vegas Valley 4-Wheelers (VV4W), attended the meeting to give back to the community.

The club has made an annual tradition of giving a generous portion of the proceeds from its renowned Hump N Bump Jeep rock crawling event to Moapa Valley community groups. The event is held each November at the Logandale Trails area and is staged from the Clark County Fairgrounds.

PIC Administrator Elise McAllister welcomed a donation of $8,000. Local Metro Officers Bradford, Drosos, Jones and Prisbrey accepted a donation of $1000. Logandale Fire Station #73 Chief Tim DeBerardinis and crewmember Mark Prisbrey received a check for $2500. And rounding off the donations for the evening was a check for $1500, and several bags of gently used clothing, to help in the work of the Cappalappa Family Resource Center.

McAllister recognized the Vegas Valley 4-Wheelers as “one of the most amazing off-road clubs in our area.”
“They are respectful, safe and are so aware of the area and it’s residents,” she said.

McAllister was also quick to point out that the VV4W are supportive of the Logandale Trails. “They take time to come out on clean-up days and participate fully in maintaining the integrity of our area,” she said.

The group is donating $21,000 this year to different organizations, of which $13,000 is staying right here in the Moapa Valley.

The annual Hump-n-Bump event brought 9 different off road clubs to the community in 2017. Hump N Bump chairman Jeff Jorgensen told the Progress that the event saw around 2230 vehicles participate in 2017. That made it the second largest single event of the year in Logandale, second only to the Clark County Fair.

Jorgensen also pointed out that the event has seen no fatalities or serious injuries in its history. “We want our members to enjoy the trail, not race it,” Jorgensen said. “Trail riding is a little like a hay ride: you can take more in when you take the time to appreciate it.”

As the President and 3-year member of VV4W, Kevin Bailey called Logandale their club’s “adopted home.”
“We make an effort to have as little impact (on the environment) as possible,” said Bailey “We prefer and promote scenic runs versus racing.”

The club is home to 100 families. Members must own a 4-wheel drive vehicle, be over 18, hold a valid driver’s license, go on three sanctioned runs and attend three meetings in 90 days. You must also be nominated by a current member and be voted in by majority. The club meets in at the Tap House in Las Vegas on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 6:30 PM.

Bailey said that he runs three different off road vehicles. BUt he said that he always holds to one simple motto: “You have to drive it home, stupid.” Meaning not to run so hard you need a tow.
“We don’t want to destroy the vehicle, but we really don’t want to have a negative effect on the environment,” he said. “We believe in Pack it in Pack it out! Respect. We appreciate those that take the time to clean up after others and maintain a clean and beautiful area.”

Chris Seitz, a 10 year club member and current board member for VV4H said that the club comes to Logandale Trails about once a month during the cooler season.
“I love to bring my relatives from out of town,” Seitz said. “They are amazed at how beautiful the red sand and rocks are. They are happy to find such a pretty place in the desert.”