It's a world gone mad. My girls (ages 7 & 9) and I have to drive 2 hours to ride our dirt bikes. But, it is a state forest in MN, and it's really nice, so it's worth it. (We'll do 100 miles of fireroad and single track over a weekend, compared to KPaul's 150 big street miles. What a joke, but I digress).
Like Sarnali, I look back at how things were when I was my kids' age, and *really* sense a loss. I rode ALL over when I was 10, and hadn't a care in the world. Even if my kids could ride all over, I couldn't let them for fear of some pedophile stealing them. I don't let them out of my sight.
Anyway, although MN is overrun with the green freaks, through effective cooperation with the DNR, there is actually a state forest which is open exclusively to horses all weekends but 2 per year. On those two weekends (one spring, one fall), the park is open to motorcyclists. Great trails, and the local club (Golden Eagles) do a great job of trail maintenance. It goes to show that if people are willing to work at it, and NOT be a-holes, the DNR will listen.
This gives me hope that we still have a future.
Sarnali, do your girls ride? My girls live for it. That, and I get to spend 2 days a week exclusively with them. Its as much fun for me as it is for them. Nothing beats having your female offspring dust a couple of smart aleck young bucks in the woods. The only downside is that now they want KTMs. Better that than lip gloss, I guess.