Utah is famous for ATV jamborees. Now the Beehive State is home to a UTV jamboree.
Ultra Terrain Vehicle (UTV) is the name given to a class of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) featuring side-by-side seating. UTVs have a strong utilitarian history; commonly seen as work-horses used by grounds crews and farmers. That changed in late 2003 when Yamaha introduced the sporty Rhino with trail-worthy suspension and a beefy engine.
The UTV quickly became a hot item with Arctic Cat, Kawasaki, Kymco, and Polaris offering competing versions. Even work-horse companies have been redesigning machines to catch the UTV wave. With the miles of trail in Utah open to UTVs, people are turning to them as a family activity. In Utah, there is usually some place in the state with weather suitable to ride on any given day of the year.
The popularity of these side-by-side machines had a strong showing recently at the third annual UTV Jamboree in Marysvale. Catering to this relatively new OHV category, the jamboree offered a variety of guided rides for UTV drivers to choose from during the three-day event.
My wife and I joined two other UTV couples for a first time UTV jamboree experience. We were not disappointed.
Our first day included a ride up the Deer Creek Trail from Highway 89 near Big Rock Candy Mountain. Stream crossings on this trail have been protected from being washed out with cement bars that resemble piano keys. While these “keys” offered up no melody as I drove through the stream, the splashing water was music to my ears. Our second and third days included canyon rides to the top of Monroe Mountain and Tip Top Peak. I love the views from the tops of the mountains, but I enjoy the ride to the top just as much.
This jamboree is unique in that there are no registration fees. While registration is required, meals and T-shirts are optional. It is advisable to be at the dinners each night because sponsors donated door prizes that were awarded to participants.
I was interested to note how few of the UTVs were basic with no upgrades. I have heard that the purchase of a UTV is an investment in accessories. The accessories I saw included special wheels and tires, high-tech sound systems, roofs, windshields, a second set of seats, suspension upgrades, fancy light bars, and creative paint schemes.
Baby-boomers are buying these machines and putting a lot of money into them. Statistics show that only 6 percent of those who buy the 50 inch-wide Polaris RZR do not make changes to it. A “Show and Shine” activity highlighted the modifications owners made to their UTVs. It was surprising to see what a difference these accessories made.
The UTV has become an important part of some family activities and it was clearly evident at this Marysvale event. I saw machines with mom and dad in the front seat and the family dog and one or two kids in the back seat. I saw machines with grandma and grandpa in the front seat with grandma holding two dogs. When the family dog is brought to the activity, you know it is a family affair.
Organizers gave plenty of opportunities to show off machines and skills. Aside from the Show and Shine event, the jamboree featured drag races, pole bending, barrel racing, an obstacle course, mud pits and a belly flop contest. This last event did not show off machines or skills. It does take a certain mentality, however, to fly through the air and land flat on your belly and face in a mud pit. I must say that the winner was pretty proud of himself.
The success of this event has changed the focus of other jamborees in the state. The Rocky Mountain Jamboree, to be held in Richfield in September, is now billed as an ATV/UTV jamboree.
Take advantage of these organized events. You will learn where to ride and meet other people as crazy as you are. When you go take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and take the dog — after all, it is a family activity.
You may contact Lynn Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.
