Dirt Bikers of SA share a passion for all forms of motorcycle competition
There are so many diverse vehicle clubs in South Texas it’s difficult to count them all. But, one of them has their own private testing grounds, and it’s sort of a hidden jewel for San Antonians.
We’re talking about the Dirt Bikers of San Antonio (DBSA), and that community club was formed in 1977, and it’s an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization “dedicated to promoting and providing a safe, family-oriented venue for off-road motorcycling”. That language is right in their charter!
We contacted the current Treasurer of the DBSA, Vernon Markworth, to learn more about this really interesting set-up. “Our members are interested in every form of motorcycle riding and racing, from trail riding, to motocross, trials, hare scramble, and dual sport rides. In 1979, DBSA was able to lease a property, owned by Mr. Leif Zars, near Floresville. Thanks to him and his family’s dedication to providing a property for two-wheeled motorsports, the club still leases and maintains this heavily wooded property near the San Antonio River.”
As you read this, let this fact sink in: the Dirt Bikers of San Antonio have access to the best off-road learning and training and testing ground for motorcyclists in the world. Seriously.
“The 324-plus acres-ranch is completely fenced-in, with a locked front-gate There are approximately 10-miles of marked, one-way trails with colored ribbon and arrows. The first ‘Pink’ trail leads out from the camp area and circles back. The ‘Orange’ trail starts off about midway on the ‘Pink’ trail, and loops down towards the river and rejoins the ‘Pink’ trail across a fire-road from where it started. The property has some fun elevation changes as you approach and explore the San Antonio River area. The terrain is diverse, ranging from loose and sandy to clay and hard-packed soil. There is a two-acre area set aside near the parking area for children to ride, and it is mostly flat and hardpacked and larger bikes (except for Mamas and Papas keeping an eye on the young ones) are prohibited”, Markworth described.
The Zars Ranch is for MEMBERS ONLY and paid members are given a key to the locked front-gate. Member meetings are usually held monthly and usually during a scheduled work weekend. Members are required to work 16-hours each year at the lease or pay a $200 penalty. This includes cutting, marking, and maintaining trails. Member access for open riding is 24/7 with the exception of work hours during work days, all day on a race day, and the morning of the Family Fun Days. The Zars Ranch has an ample parking area, picnic tables, lots of shaded pit areas, and porta-potties (which are serviced weekly). The large parking area doubles as a campsite area and members are welcome to camp. Zars Ranch that large, and DBSA has access to all of that.
“The DBSA keeps the Zars Ranch clean and riders must pack out everything they brought in. DBSA has been leasing Zars for some 30plus years. The landowner’s family appreciates the way the Dirt Bikers of San Antonio takes care of the ranch land”, Markworth said.
There’s no question about it, motorcyclists are a unique breed, and if you don’t believe that go to any motocross or road racing or oval track motorcycle racing event. These folks are out there with no roll-cage, little protection, and the wind howling around their helmets when at speed. Most of us watch motorcycle racing, and we just can’t believe how closely they compete and control their bikes in conditions far beyond most of our experiences.
Vernon Markworth, one of those motorcyclists, says, “Anyone
interested in joining/riding at the Zars Ranch, can go to clubdbsa.org for information.”