Ever since I was a child I loved the outdoors. I grew up in the Midwest (Michigan) from sixth grade until I was 24. Many were the nights my father would come looking for me, as I would be out in the woods near our house with my friends until after dark. I wasn't lucky enough to have my own motorcycle, but some of my friends were and I would ride theirs every chance I got. In 1972 I bought my first motorcycle, a brand-new Suzuki TM 400 motocross bike. What a blast I had racing on the Michigan trails!

I’ll admit, I grew up a motorcycle rider!  Around the summer of my 5^th birthday, it was finally my chance to go out and learn how to ride the motorcycle with dad out in the middle of the combined winter wheat field where the worst that was going to happen was that I’d get prickled by the straw when I tipped over.  I’d watched my older brother’s ride and this was finally my chance.  Since that first day, it has been a steep, slippery slope of off-road addiction, right down to the point of making it my job!

What a long, strange road it’s been!

Deep woods, open fields, and endless opportunities to explore every road, trail, and stream in central Michigan was the fuel of imagination for John Arens, and the beginning of a lifetime of adventures.

Like many in the sport of ATV riding, John Arens cut his teeth--or more accurately, skinned his knuckles--first on

Bob Davis is founder of ATV Illustrated and CEO of Tamarack Publications, the company that brings you ATV Illustrated. Without Bob, we'd have none of this great stuff you see in our magazine or here on this website. It's his ongoing passion for our pastime that is responsible for this magazine's existence.