| THE DUAL SPORT PAGE |
| by Robert "Swampy" Frey, founder of the
Withlacoochee Dual Sport Riders I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you, the general membership of the FTR, to the history of dual sport motorcycling, and to the WDSRC, here in the State of Florida. Dual Sport has been around for awhile. Some of you might have begun on Triumphs, or maybe a DT-1 back in the Sixties. Some of ya’ll may remember back in the Seventies they were called “enduros”. In the Eighties, the industry came up with the name Dual-Purpose to cover this particular aspect of the sport. But in 1989, Suzuki did the unimaginable. They introduced what would be the launching pad of a new segment of road/off-road motorcycles called the DR. They even copyrighted the name “DualSport”. It met with great press and enthusiasm that there was now an actual bike that could reasonably be ridden on the street, AND on the trail! That same year, the dual sport event was born out in AMA District 37 in California by Team DualDogs and in 1991, the Daytona Dirt Riders launched the first dual sport ride in Florida during Bike Week, the Alligator Dual Sport. Other than the Alligator, Dual Sporting didn’t get off the ground here in Florida until 1996 when through a lot of effort, I was able to persuade the Suncoast Trail Blazers to fund my little dual sport experiment, and in June of 1996 the Seminole Wind DSR was launched. 26 riders attended the no-frills ride through the rolling countryside of the Suncoast. Mostly a street ride with some dirt roads thrown in. Not very inspiring. But it was a beginning. From that humble beginning, I began the WDSRC , the Southern Dual Sporter newsletter, and began signing up people to the world of dual sport. First person to sign up was FTR Hare Scrambler Alan Jackson. By 1997 we were up to 50+ riders and launched the first Devil’s Creek DSR in Brooksville (with some financial backing from CFTR). This was attended by 55 riders, and the word began to spread. “The Creek” has run every year since and has grown to a point where we have to turn away riders. In 1999 the WDSRC resurrected the Seminole Wind DSR and we ran it in Eureka, FL. Now Florida dual sporters have three organized events to look forward to each year, with more coming soon. In that time the WDSRC has grown to over 250 riders and our Southern Dual Sport Schedule encompasses 17 dual sport rides, not only in Florida, but from the entire South Eastern United States; Georgia, The Carolinas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and The Virginias. We have aided and provided guidance for the formation of many dual sport events. WDSRC insists on quiet motorcycles and conducts a 92dBa sound tests (stock sound levels) at the events. We also enforce, promote and encourage the TREAD LIGHTLY! philosophy as anyone who has attended our events or subscribes to our newsletter can attest. We take being “responsible motorcyclists” very seriously. Dual Sporting is a non-competitive street and trail riding experience, and is not for everyone. If you still like to race and get from point A to Point B in the quickest time, it’s probably not for you. That actually works against what the State and Federal Forestry Departments have come to expect from a Dual Sport Event. But if you can control that throttle hand, and like to ride a little, take in the surroundings, stop and talk a little, ride some more and keep shootin' the breeze, it may be your cup of tea. As the riders say, there IS a difference in atmosphere and attitude between a dual sport and a racing event. If you’re getting tired of racing, there is an alternative for you. Give us a holler. Come join us. You’re always welcome! 727/847-3543. We’ll even send ya copy of our most recent 18 page newsletter if you’re serious about dual sporting. For those of you who have internet access, email wdsrc@gte.net or Click here to visit oue web site. You WILL be impressed at what dual sporting has become: A viable self-sustaining segment to the motorcycling community. “Loud Pipes Risk Rights. Be Responsible, Be Quiet!” - Swampy |