Off-roading is driving or riding a vehicle on rough or rocky roads. This activity is also best suited on unsurfaced roadtracks such as mud, gravel, sand, snow, and other natural landscape. Traveling on off-road terrains involve vehicles capable of accommodating driving such as an all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). An ATV, also known as a quad bike, bike, three or four-wheeler vehicle that move on low-pressure tires along with handlebars for navigation control was defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
There are many off-road vehicle prospects in California, but it should be first registered. All registered vehicles operated on highways in California receive either a red sticker or a green sticker. Those off-road vehicles with red sticker will only allow to operate from October 1 to May 31. Many dirt roads are open to registered OHVs, with few exceptions. Dirt roads in Death Valley National Park, for example, are open only to street-legal vehicles with secured license. The state is also very strict in the implementation of road policies such as wearing helmets, other safety equipment, like boots, proper clothing, and sunglasses. The common off-road vehicles in California include the four-wheel-drive pickup trucks like the Chevrolet C/K, Ford F-Series, Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Ram. Also, a number of military vehicles have seen civilian use, including the AM General Hummer and Jeep CJ. Some, like the early model of Land Rovers, were modified for military use from citizen qualifications. Specialized commonly available off-road vehicles include ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles), rock crawlers, dune buggies, dirt bikes and sand rails.
Here are several examples of recreational off-roading which include the following:
- Dune bashing – is a form of off-roading on sand dunes.
A Large sport utility vehicle such as the Toyota Land Cruiser is an example of vehicle used. Vehicles driven on mounds were equipped with a roll cage in case of an overturn.
Cross-country off-roading is an activity that lasts several days on routes with desert or terrains. Routes in Africa generally have obstacles in largely uninhabited and uncharted terrain. These circuit routes are over 50 km and usually around 300 km long.
This is a type of travel undertaken with a 4x4 that mostly goes over tracks and contains some bits of off-tracking. Conventionally these travels are going through relatively uninhabited areas.
A two-tracking leisure pursuit, generally suitable for any four-wheel-drive vehicle, even those without modifications or additional equipment.
Mudding is off-roading through an area of clay or wet mud. The goal is to drive through as far as possible without becoming stuck. The types of tires that are recommended for this activity are mud-terrain, paddle and balloon tires.
Vehicles used are usually modified with diverse tires, suspension components that allow greater axle articulation, and changes in the differential gear. A spotter is recommended.
This is very similar to rock crawling but the difference is that there are no penalties for hitting cones, winching or backing up as compared in rock crawling. With a degree of fast racing unlike to rock crawling.
The best places to ride are divided into three.
- Northern California
- The Prairie City State is a great park specifically for using off-road transportations. They have several tracks for ATVs, Karts, Moto Cross, rock crawling, trucks and other off-roads vehicles.
- Central California
- Miami Motorcycle Trails
The trails are open in winter. Beautiful forest scenery with exciting trails of roots and grooves. There are around 60 miles of tracks that mainly for dirt bike and ATVs and rated from ease to difficult.
A five miles south of California. Open all year round. Small area, but many short easy tracks and hill climbs. It is composed of 5 motorcycle tracks, one ATV track, and a 4wd practice area. This is divided into 2 sections -- one for motorcycles and ATVs and one for 4wd vehicles.
- Southern California
- Spangler Hills Open Area- Huge, highly recommended desert open area with some challenging areas of sand washes, hilly, and Rocky Mountains.
- Hungry Valley SVRA- Just eastern part of Gorman and about one and a half hour north of California, Los Angeles.
- El Mirage Dry Lake Open Area- About 20 minutes northeast of Victorville or 40 minutes east of Lancaster. Open all year round and very hot in summertime. Many hill climbs and sandy trails with a huge dry pond for learners.
An off-road vehicle was any type of vehicle which is capable of driving on and off paved or gravel surfaces. It is generally characterized by having large tires with open treads, flexible suspension, or caterpillar tracks. Off-highway vehicles, including tractors, backhoes, bulldozers, forklifts, cranes, and golf carts do not allowed to travel in public roads. Off-road vehicles have an enthusiastic following because of their many uses and flexibility. Several forms of motorsports include racing off-road vehicles.
The three largest 4-wheel vehicle off-road competitions are - Desert Racing, Rally, and Rockcrawling. While the three largest types of All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) / Motorcycle competitions are Enduro, Motocross, and also Desert Racing like Dakar Rallye and Baja 1000.