PICKERINGTON, Ohio — American Motorcyclist Association member Chris Latham of Greencastle, Ind., has one more reason to hit the trails this year. The 46-year-old Latham won the grand prize for participating in the 2012 AMA Husqvarna National Dual Sport Trail Riding Series: a 2013 Husqvarna TE449 from series sponsor Husqvarna North America.

The annual AMA prize drawing, conducted by the independent auditing and accounting firm of Plante & Moran of Columbus, Ohio, included participants in all events on the national dual-sport calendar.

“This is awesome! I never dreamed that I would win anything like this,” said Latham, who was entered into the drawing thanks to his participation in the Enduro Rider Association’s Baby Burr dual-sport ride in McArthur, Ohio. “I have a friend who has been going to the Baby Burr for years, and he hooked me up with that ride. I’ve done it the last two years. I took my son with me last year, and it was the best riding I have ever done in my life.”

Latham, who has been riding motorcycles since he was eight years old, said that events on the AMA Husqvarna National Dual Sport Trail Riding Series are some of the most fun he has had on a motorcycle.

“We also do local cross-country races in Indiana, but these days, dual-sport rides are where my real passion is,” Latham said. “That’s what I enjoy doing, and it gives me an opportunity to ride with my son. I like being able to just go out and ride with friends and enjoy the ride and not have to cover the same trail over and over again. Going on a 100-mile trail ride with friends and coming back to a campfire and camaraderie — it doesn’t get any better.”

Latham’s Husqvarna is a big step up from the first motorcycle he rode in the woods.

“Believe it or not, my first bike was a Honda Dream, and I rode that thing all over the woods when I was a kid,” said Latham, who is looking forward to taking delivery of his Husqvarna so he can give his current bike to his son. “Then, in 1977, I got a brand new mini-bike, and I was king of the world.”

Dual-sport riders can learn more about the national series at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/riding/dirt/eventsandseries/nationaldualsport.