By Kimberly Dunbar

Summer is the season to be outdoors, whether you’re hitting the beach, heading off on an exotic vacation, or looking for an adventure closer to home. If you are feeling restless in your air conditioned cubicle, an outdoor activity like 4-wheeling could be just what you need to shake things up a bit.

“When you are 4-wheeling you become a modern day Daniel Boone,” said long-time 4-wheeler Rich Banfield. “You get to explore the history of the road and area you are driving.”

Banfield organizes 4-wheeling trips through his club, Patriot Jeepers. On these excursions, members meet in a prearranged spot for the adventure. “We air down the tires, disconnect the sway bars, turn on the radio and wait for the trail boss to say ‘Go!’” said Banfield, animatedly describing a typical 4-wheeling event. Banfield said that on these trips, a driver will be traveling old roads covered with rocks and sometimes wet mud. Trail ratings range from 1-4 on a scale of 1-10 ~ the larger the number, the tougher the trail.

While Banfield prefers 4-wheeling with a Jeep, any high clearance 4WD vehicle will do, as long as it is set up properly with protection for the lift, tires, lockers and winch. When setting out on a 4-wheeling adventure, it’s important to protect not just the vehicle, but the human element, too, both driver and passenger. Vigilance is key, and adventure should not be synonymous with extreme risk. Realize, too, that your body is going to be jarred some, so if you have a back or neck injury, 4 wheeling might not be for you.

“You have to remember that you are not on a tar road with yellow lines,” said Banfield. “Danger can be anywhere. Pay attention on the trail and think about your next obstacle and how to handle it.”

Four-wheeling brings drivers deep into the woods, so they have to be prepared for any type of situation ~ this goes double for someone who is just starting out. Before hitting the hills, Banfield suggests putting together a first-aid kit complete with bandages, gauze pads, splints, tape, hydrogen peroxide and hot/cold packs. Putting together an off-roading toolbox and keeping it in the vehicle is a good idea, too ~ stock it with important tools, a pressure gauge, a pocket knife, spare car parts to replace ones that might break during the rough ride, and safety gear and supplies like extra gas, a fire extinguisher, jumper cables, maps, a compass or GPS, a flashlight and a cell phone.

“And remember, always wear your seat belt,” said Banfield, who recommends never venturing out alone. Pack the fun stuff, too, like a camcorder, camera, and binoculars, and yes, throw a roll of toilet paper in for…convenience.

If you would like to start 4-wheeling, contact a 4WD club through the United 4WD Association by calling 1-800-44-UFWDA or by visiting www.ufwda.org or the North East Association of 4WD clubs at www.nea4wd.org.

Want another good reason to contact a club? They know the best spots for 4-wheeling. As far as where these spots are, well, that’s kind of a secret ~ members abide by a code of honor, never revealing these sweet spots to the outside world. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” semi-jokes Banfield. “If you want to know, your best bet is to join a 4WD club. They know where the legal trails are, and protect them.”

Want to 4WD with a Pro?

Rich Banfield of SevenslotGrills.com and Patriot Jeepers, along with our Editor, will be choosing 7 Pulse readers to go on a 4WD trip with him!

Here’s how to enter the contest: Send an email (40 words or less) to sevenslotgrills@aol.com telling Rich about your 4WD vehicle and why you want to try 4wheeling. Also attach a clear photo (jpg, bmp, or tiff) of your vehicle.

This contest will run through Sept. and the winners will be announced at this year’s PulseFest with headliners Boys Like Girls!!!