The Times-News recently sat down with Wes Wall, owner of Adventure Motorsports in Twin Falls, to talk about his first dirt bike, a favorite ride, opening his shop, and other topics. Here's what he had to say:

Times-News: When did you start to ride?

Wes Wall: I started riding motorcycles at age 7. I started on a Tote Goat - it was a trail bike even before the Honda 90s. It looked similar to a Cushman Scooter. â€- It didn't have any suspension and was pretty crude looking. We used to use it for packing into the mountains ... into the Middle Fork of the Salmon. It was made for hunting, getting into the backcountry.

T-N: What or who got you started riding?

WW: My dad and uncle both rode motorcycles. We used to ride mostly in the desert or go trail riding. â€- From there (riding the Tote Goat) I started buying my own bikes, everything from the Honda 90 to, well let's see â€- I'm not sure how many bikes I've owned. Quite a few.

T-N: What do you ride now?

WW: This year, as far as the dirt bike goes, I've been riding a Honda CRF450X. But I ride a lot of bikes, including a Yamaha WR450F, and I ride ATVs, like the Yamaha Grizzly 700.

T-N: What do you ride more, dirt bikes or ATVs?

WW: Typically, I ride ATVs more, like when I go camping with my wife. It's easier for her.

T-N: Do you ride in a group?

WW: There's a few people I'll ride with â€- not a big a group.

T-N: Are you associated with any off-road club?

WW: Being a dealer, we help support the Magic Valley ATV Riders and the Magic Valley Trail Machine Association. We help support off-road riding; we help support and donate both money and, when they have events, prizes. â€- We support the Blue Ribbon Coalition, basically an organization that promotes off-road riding and lobbies to help keep trails open. They're based in Idaho Falls.

T-N: Tell me about your shop, Adventure Motorports?

WW: I opened my business in October 1983. But before that I worked for several dealers, so I've been in the industry for a number of years, since about 1976. I've been around too long (laughs). Actually, we were in a different location originally. We used to be called Yamaha Country over on West Addison. In '95 we took on Honda and moved here (2469 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls).

T-N: As a rider, have you ever taken any spills?

WW: Yeah (laughs). If you ride dirt bikes, you're probably going to tip over sometimes. But really, over all the years I've been riding, I've never broken any bones, though I thought I might have (at the time) â€- A few bruises. A bruised ego (laughs).

T-N: Do you race?

WW: No I don't race. I did some racing years ago, back in the '70s or early '80s. Did a little desert racing, some enduro racing and motocross.

T-N: What's your favorite?

WW: I like desert riding, because there are a lot of places to ride. You can let loose and see the country. But trail riding is what I enjoy most. I really like the single track trails.

T-N: Where's a favorite ride?

WW: Probably in the Stanley Basin for off-road riding. You can get up in the mountains where there are trees and wooded areas â€- you can get to some of the higher peaks. It's really pretty up there.

T-N: Anything else you'd like to say?

WW: One of the biggest challenges for us right now is â€- we need to stay on designated trails. Right now we (off-road riders) are coming under a lot of pressure from the Forest Service (and other agencies). â€- Get out and have fun, but stay on trails. That way, hopefully we can help keep trails open for a long time.