5 Takeaways From Riding Side by Side With Polaris

Tommy Hillman decked out and enjoying the moment (Photo credit: Adriana Garcia).

This article is sponsored by Polaris Offroad. Interested in entering the world of Powersports? Click here to learn how to create meaningful experiences on and off road.

Sounds of excitement and laughter nearly drown out the revving engines of Polaris’ side-by-sides as we zip through the mountainscape of Colorado Springs. Aspen trees form bright streaks of yellow in our peripheral vision. The Fall air is crisp and our fingers are cold but when we are asked to “punch the pedal” while crossing a large puddle of water, we don’t hesitate. Well maybe just a little. Soon after, we head back to the lodge to peel off soaked layers of clothing and warm up around the fireplace.  

This was my first experience riding side-by-sides, a type of utility off-road vehicle (UTVs). I was invited to Colorado by Polaris Offroad to ride UTVs with the goal of introducing more Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) to this new way of life. I went from nervous to exhilarated to hooked on a sport that merges accessibility with breath-taking outdoor vistas. It left me wondering why more BIPOC folks don’t embrace the world of powersports? 

I have only gone on a handful of outdoor adventures that were designed for BIPOC individuals, so I was thrilled to add this one to the list. I’m a Muslim hiker and a first generation Senegalese American who grew up visiting national parks with my family. I knew this adventure was one I wanted to share with my wife Cassandra, so we flew to Colorado for a memorable experience. 

Stepping outside and into Polaris’ off-road vehicles with other beautiful Black and Brown faces left me with a few thoughts that I’d like to share with the outdoor community. 

If you’re a BIPOC outdoor enthusiast making your way in the outdoor industry or a member of the outdoor industry in any capacity, here are a few takeaways that to help you elevate your diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work to the next level.

1. Safety First, Fun Second

“Safety first, fun second” was emphasized over and over by the Polaris team. I felt like our input and concerns were valued. Their concern for our physical safety was reassuring for my first time off-roading. However it was also a reminder that safety is a complex issue for many people of color. 

The great outdoors isn’t the safest place for people of color for many reasons ranging from microaggressions to racism to outright violence. There are also more subtle forms of discrimination such as not having access to information that will help us safely navigate the outdoors as first-time hikers or first-time campers. We also don’t have the luxury of viewing the outdoors as our personal playground when they’re often places where our ancestors experienced trauma or places where we were legally prohibited from entering. And yet, it can still be difficult to talk about safety and be taken seriously by folks for whom feeling safe in the outdoors as a marginalized person has never been a concern. 

 As a Black person in the outdoors, safety is a fundamental right that cannot be overlooked. This rule goes beyond safety equipment and protocol. How can we claim to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) when the forests and the trails are so often associated with trauma, anxiety, and fear? In order for our DEI efforts to be fully realized, we have to stop acting as if the same issues that exist in society—queerphobia, ableism, racism—don't follow us into Nature. They do. 

It’s important to be intentional about creating safe spaces on and off-road. Melanin Base Camp is a great starting point for many people of color who want to feel secure, empowered, and represented. My trip with Polaris was also an opportunity to take online conversations about inclusion outdoors and into the beautiful landscape of the Rocky Mountains! 

Lastly, the trip was a safe space where we could simply exist without worrying about microaggressions, gatekeeping, or violence. From renting out off-road vehicles with ease through Great Outdoor Adventures to traversing the lands on Polaris’ General XP 4 Seat, the opportunity to explore the Rocky Mountains was facilitated for a group of people that don’t generally fit the monochromatic mold of the outdoor space.

It left me wondering what a safer, more inclusive outdoors could look like. 

Cassandra and I staying warm in the crisp Fall air (Photo credit: Adriana Garcia)

Liz Lopez and Matt Falcon of Latino Outdoors embracing joy (Photo credit: Adriana Garcia)

2. Create shared experiences for BIPOC folks

When we booked our flight for Colorado, we were excited about our first off-roading experience and equally excited about having that experience with other people of color. The Rocky Mountain Sunset ORV Trip by Polaris was a fun bonding opportunity that my wife and I shared with several other people from organizations like Latino Outdoors and LatinX Hikers. The shared experience made me think about how affinity groups play a role in helping craft shared outdoor experiences for people of color. 

Oftentimes, affinity groups get a lot of pushback for “making everything about race” or gender or disability. The pushback tends to come from people who have never looked around a campfire, trail or overlook only to realize that they are “the only one”—the only person who looks like them. It’s easy to think that affinity groups are a waste of time when you’ve always been surrounded by people who look and think like you. After all, the likelihood of people defaulting to negative stereotypes, asking offensive questions, or misinterpreting your actions is lower because when they look at you, they see a version of themselves. They don’t see someone that society has taught them to hate or fear. 

Wait, but doesn’t the outdoors have the ability to bring people together? Shouldn’t outdoor organizations focus on creating shared experiences for everyone? Sure. The alternative isn’t for people of color to stay indoors and miss out on the transformative power of nature. Connecting with other people who share your identity and love for the outdoors is truly powerful and validating. 

Due to the Polaris Team truly taking the time to listen to each of our questions and concerns, the Polaris trip helped me consider what BIPOC-centered outdoor experiences could look like. 

Spreading joy in between riding side-by-sides with Polaris (Photo credit: Adriana Garcia)

3. Build self awareness and situational awareness 

There were a few times while driving the side by sides that I wanted to punch it and put the pedal to the floor. I soon realized the wisdom behind the 20 mph and under guideline. Move too fast and you don’t just jeopardize personal comfort and safety, your actions also impact the safety of others on the trail.

DEI work requires the same level of self and situational awareness. If you only think about your own company or organization, it becomes tempting to act without coordinating your efforts. However, DEI isn’t a competition and good intentions are also not enough. Self-aware DEI goes beyond diversity statements and diversity panels to enact policy changes, release hiring data and create working conditions where marginalized people’s ideas are valued. Situationally aware DEI works well with others, avoids duplication of effort, acknowledges the leadership and contributions of existing organizations and constantly reassesses. 

Supporting the wider outdoor community takes patience. I have seen and been reminded too many times of how companies and nonprofits will be quick to take action without understanding unintended consequences of their actions and without truly comprehending the people they are “trying” to help. Just like driving side-by-sides, if we fail to drive at a sustainable rate, we are prone to losing traction, losing our ground, and losing sight of our goals. Just as self-aware DEI takes organizational insight, situationally aware DEI work takes time and proper maneuvering. 

Creating affinity spaces is not easy. I appreciated the honest conversations with Tommy Hillman of the Polaris Team about what the company is doing to strengthen their social intelligence and champion diversity.

Ty Hughes resting up before riding out again (Photo credit: Adriana Garcia)

Trailblazing in the Polaris Side-by-Sides (Photo credit: Adriana Garcia)

4. Refuel

Rest is self-care. Self-care is community-care. Although we didn’t need to refuel the side-by-sides, we took multiple breaks to enjoy ourselves and take in the aspen trees brightening up the peaks and valleys. Rest allows us to re energize. It’s key to avoiding burnout.

Advocacy burnout is as real as the issues that follow us into Nature. The level of race-related stress and violence that BIPOC face on a daily basis creates pressure that needs to be acknowledged and reduced. Over the past year, as hundreds and thousands of personal stories received media attention after the killing of George Floyd I remember feeling overwhelmed and needing time to recalibrate my mind and heart. So I did.

I took time to rest, breathe, get outside and be vulnerable. BIPOC individuals are constantly sharing stories, lessons, and tips to provide much needed perspective and understanding to the outdoor community. By being self-aware of when we need rest and vocalizing it to the people we work alongside, we can reach our goals more efficiently. Be present in the moment and remember that, although there is much work to be done, there is room for love, laughter, and enjoyment.

5. Enjoy the ride and take the wheel

DEI efforts can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. We encourage you to enjoy the ride as much as possible. Yes, we’re talking about taking the wheel. Share and document the smiles and laughter that connect you to other BIPOC outdoor enthusiasts. Before we wrapped up the 4-hr Polaris ride in chilly weather, we had a moment to speed through a large puddle of water. Watching the water arc high and soak each rider was well worth it. 

It was also a great reminder to be present in the moment. Although there is much work to be done, there is room for joy and community. It’s easy to get so overwhelmed by DEI work, that you barely have time to spend outside anymore. Continue to hold onto that wheel. We believe in the work we’re doing because of the many personal memories we have of the outdoors and the communities we’re building. 

Listening up (Photo credit: Adriana Garcia)

Conclusion

Polaris Offroad and Great Outdoor Adventures created a safe environment that granted an amazing group of BIPOC the opportunity to be heard at tables of discussion and off-road. This positive experience was also a lot of fun. The trails of diversity, equity, and inclusion can be rough and rocky, but if we move side by side, collective growth in the outdoor space is attainable. 

This article is sponsored by Polaris. Interested in entering the world of Powersports? Click here to learn about how to create meaningful experiences on and off the road.