Clayton County SxS Riders value safety, education, land stewardship
Clayton County SxS Riders members pose with a trailer of trash picked up in April 2024. Volunteering is one of many focuses of the group, which also promotes safe and responsible use of UTVs and ATVs, educating the public, promoting land stewardship and developing trails. (Photo submitted)
By Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns
The Clayton County SxS Riders is a community-driven non-profit formed in 2022, when a group of like-minded individuals who were passionate about the sport of recreational riding came together. In 2023, they received their 501(c)(3) designation and became a recognized non-profit.
The group focuses on promoting safe and responsible use of UTVs and ATVs, educating the public about related topics, promoting land stewardship, developing trails for riding in northeast Iowa and volunteering within the community.
Their board is made up of six members from across Clayton County: president Jayme Honkomp, vice president Chad Schroyer, secretary/treasurer Elizabeth Jaster and at-large members Melissa Wilker, Erin Honkomp and Doug Jaster. The group holds monthly member rides and meetings, with meeting locations rotating among sponsor businesses.
Anyone can join as a voting member for an annual fee of $25 per household. Businesses also support the group as sponsors.
Membership and sponsorship numbers have grown steadily since the group was formed. The Clayton County SxS group currently has approximately 200 household memberships and 66 business sponsors. While most support comes from within Clayton County, interest in the group extends well beyond county lines.
While safety remains the group’s top priority, they’ve also made a meaningful impact in the community through quietly volunteering. In the last year, the group has completed around 2,500 service hours. These efforts include roadside cleanups, supporting local events and offering guidance to other organizations holding side by side benefit rides. One notable project the group completed was installing and managing trash barrels at the Cassville Ferry Landing site near Millville.
“So far this year, we’ve removed approximately 400 pounds of trash,” said president Jayme Honkomp, “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback.”
One of the group’s first major accomplishments was creating a county-wide map that highlights safe, scenic routes and local sponsors. These free maps are available at any of their sponsors.
“Last year, we had around 1,000 visitors to the county,” Honkomp said. “The maps helped them explore parts of Clayton County they wouldn’t have found otherwise.”
An impact the Clayton County SxS Riders didn’t initially anticipate was in the area of tourism. The group’s focus on safety, education, land stewardship and their promotion of the Driftless Area has introduced more people to Clayton County. They have welcomed other groups from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. These visiting groups usually average about 20 to 25 machines, which translates to about 50 to 60 people.
Honkomp and other board members help connect visitors with their local sponsors with recommendations for lodging, food and shopping.
Future goals for the group include bringing a UTV and ATV education day to all schools in Clayton County. They also plan to continue growing their land owner agreements. These agreements allow the group to access trails on private property owners’ land with permission for rides, in exchange for the group maintaining or building trails. Further in the future, the group hopes to raise enough funds to build an off-road park for public enjoyment.
The group’s success is a result of the dedication of its members, generous support of local sponsors and strong relationships the group has built with landowners, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Clayton County Supervisors, other side by side groups and local partners.
The Clayton County SxS Riders have a public Facebook page and group where they share safety and educational resources, updates on local and state regulations, information about upcoming rides, meetings and volunteer efforts.
You can also find more information about the group and memberships and sponsorships, and purchase their official merchandise, at www.claytoncosxsriders.com.
