Mud mayhem
Charging through
The best of the west: Gallery
The best of the west
The Canadian Enduro Championship brought some tremendous riders out to the Apex Mountain Resort this summer
Geoff Nelson is dominating the E3 class on his KTM300XC. — Photo by David Shannon
More photosWithout a true national championship, Canadians have wondered for years who the fastest off-road racer in the country is. All that changed in 2009 with the Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC). The CEC uses the FIM enduro format of timed special tests connected by transfer sections to determine the fastest enduro racer in Canada. For 2009, that racer was Savona, B.C.’s Bobby Prochnau, who absolutely decimated the competition.
With more sponsors and greater rider turnout, the second edition of the CEC kicked off on July 3 and 4 in Blairmore, Alberta. The big news leading up to the event was that 2009 champion Bobby Prochnau would be unable to defend his #1 plate after injuring his shoulder. With Bobby out, the field was wide open. Names like Schrage, Nelson, Cuthbertson, Wojo and more were mentioned, but there definitely wasn’t a favorite.
Climbing high
The Full Gas crew laid out a technical enduro course in the scenic Rocky Mountains near Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. Starting each loop in town at the local hockey arena, the course headed out into the woods and up, up, up! After a short special test featuring steep hills and tight woods, the transfer trail climbed high into the alpine, offering spectacular views of Crowsnest Mountain and the surrounding ranges. After dropping down into a valley, racers were greeted by the second special test. This test was long, as in 10-15 minutes long. It started with a creek crossing, then racers ventured through slippery roots and bike swallowing mud holes before climbing up a creek bed and into drier and faster terrain. A long, fast downhill path littered with loose rock brought racers to the finish.
The final test started almost right after #2 finished, though it was shorter. Starting with loose rocks and technical trails, the test dropped down the mountain and sped up on some old skidder roads to the finish. After the final test the transfer trail climbed one more mountain before taking racers back to the finish at the arena.
In the pro class, racers did three loops of the demanding course. After finishing second overall in 2009, Jason Schrage proved he’s the man to beat in Canadian off-road racing. Jason took his CRF450R to first overall on both days. Behind Schrage was a close battle between Shane Watts (yes, that Shane Watts) and Ryan Graffunder. The two would swap positions over those two days, but Watts’ better overall time earned him second overall on the weekend with Graffunder (who won the top pro junior award in 2009) ending up in third.
Behind Graffunder was another young speedster, Ryan Durkee. Durkee won the small bore E1 class and ended up fourth overall. Rounding out the top five was E3 winner and 2009 CEC #3 Geoff Nelson. The eastern racers continued to struggle with the hills of the west. The top rider from the east was Brian Wojnarowski who finished seventh overall on the weekend.
Going extreme
After wet conditions in Alberta, temperatures heated up at Apex Mountain Resort for rounds three and four. Apex was all about the special tests which consisted of three very different varieties: motocross, enduro and extreme. The motocross test kicked off the day. Taking less than three minutes for the top racers, the test was similar to an old school motocross track. After the cross test, the course followed old roads up to the top of the ski resort for the enduro test. This test started off blasting across rocky ski slopes, then narrowed to technical off-camber singletrack snaking down the mountain. After the enduro test a long, bumpy transfer trail took the racers to the highlight of the weekend: the extreme test. This test featured man-made obstacles similar to an endurocross. Logs, rocks, concrete culverts, teeter-totters over concrete barriers and a greased up tire pit made even the best racers in the world struggle to put in a clean test.
Once again, the pros (and amateur A’s) completed three laps each day. Jason Schrage showed that his results in Alberta weren’t a fluke as he went 1-1 again in both the E2 class and overall. Geoff Nelson took the E3 win and moved up overall to second while Shane Cuthbertson kept the rubber side down in Apex, improving his results to second in E2 and third overall. Ryan Durkee won the E1 class and again was fourth overall, and easterner Wojnarowski moved up to third in E2 and fifth overall.
Behind the pros were 104 amateurs tackling the same course as the pros. Arguably the most impressive rider of the weekend was 17-year-old Tyler Murray. Murray stole the show with his wild riding style in the extreme test, on his way to first place in the amateur A class and 15th overall!
Once again, the western leg of the Canadian Enduro Championships was a huge success. Organizers saw a 25 per cent increase in rider turnout over 2009 and the racing was closer than ever. The series will resume in September in Ontario and Quebec. For more information, check out http://www.worldendurocanada.com.
Become dirt wise: Gallery
Become dirt wise
This training program can benefit all riders
Watts has developed a great formula to help anyone improve their technique. He starts off by explaining the technique, then demonstrates it on the bike and finally lets the students practice it themselves while he observes and offers advice. — Photo by Steve Shannon
More photosMy name is Steve Shannon, and I’m an enduro racer. I started racing eight years ago and I’ve had considerable success, racing in two International Six Days Enduros (ISDE) and winning the A class in the 2009 Canadian Enduro Championships.
For 2010 I’ve been selected to race on a club team at the ISDE in Mexico. For training, I use a combination of fitness exercises plus riding the bike. I’ve found a format that works well, but I’m always looking for ways to improve my riding and race results. Enter the Shane Watts Dirtwise Riding school. I first heard about these schools three years ago, but for one reason or another I’ve never been able to attend. Fortunately, the stars finally aligned and I was able to attend the school held at Apex Mountain Resort in conjunction with Rounds 3 and 4 of the Canadian Enduro Championship.
A living legend
For those of you unfamiliar with offroad racing, Shane Watts is a living legend. Watts is originally from Australia, but spent many years in Europe where he honed his skills on the ultra competitive World Enduro Championship circuit. Watts had considerable success, winning multiple WEC championships and placing first overall at the prestigious ISDE on a 125 before moving to America where he dominated the GNCC series and set the stage for guys like Juha Salminen and David Knight. His racing resumé is impressive to say the least.
The riding school started bright and early, with Shane Watts introducing himself. Then we headed down to the main practice area and went for a short warm-up ride. There were 20 bright-eyed students all eager to improve their riding, whether for competition or to just be safer and hit more trails. Watts started by going over bike setup and riding position, then we moved on to the riding techniques.
Getting started
The first technique was the slow ride. The objective was to ride in a straight line as slowly as possible without dabbing a foot. Sounds easy, but in practice it was much more difficult. Shane showed us the proper technique, then sent us loose in a contained area to practice while he watched and offered advice. After some practice, we had a slow race to determine who could ride the slowest.
After the slow ride, we moved on to more basic techniques including accelerating, braking, stoppies, hills and ruts. Watts has developed numerous drills that help improve basic bike control, and he combines the drills together to teach us how to properly ride a dirt bike. The majority of the first day was spent on very basic skills, but it made me realize how much work I need to do on the basics. By the end of the day I was blasting through acceleration tests and even tackling flat corners with increased tenacity.
Taking it up a notch
On day two, we moved on to more advanced techniques, including grinding (getting the back wheel to step out while going straight), rutted corners, wheelies, logs and hill climbs. Watts used the same formula to get even the most timid riders in the group to go from not even wanting to tackle a small log to trying teeter totters and two-foot concrete barriers. He showed me that to ride at the highest level, you need a combination of mastering the basic fundamentals of riding and learning how to link the skills together—then you have to apply them to each situation.
After two long days on the bike I was tired, yet satisfied with the school. While I noticed a small increase in my riding skill, more importantly Watts taught me the correct techniques and how to practice them. Immediately after the training I had the chance to test my new skills in the Canadian Enduro Championships. I entered the A class again this year with hopes of posting better special test times. From the start I immediately noticed an improvement in the tests and found myself thinking more about body position, what the bike was doing and how I was going to correct it. At the end of the weekend, my results weren’t what I was hoping for, but still better than they were prior to the school. I was very pleasantly surprised to post some better-than-average motocross test times, an area which is usually my weakness.
Overall I’m very happy with the Shane Watts Dirtwise School. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their skills on a dirt bike, from the casual trail rider to a racer looking to the push through to the next level. Watts has given me the skills to push through to that next level, now it’s time for me to go practice.
Practice makes perfect
Hard work and dedication has paid off for the Whitecourt Motocross Association
It’s been a long time coming. There has been a tremendous amount of work and many man hours put in by numerous people, but the new White Ridge MX Park Track—located in Blue Ridge and only a 15-minute drive from Whitecourt—is open for riders and races.
On August 21 and 22, Round 8 of the Canadian Motorsport Racing Corporation provincial racing series is being held in Whitecourt, and has young riders very excited. Trevor Motkoski, the president of the Whitecourt Motocross Association, said that this will be an opportunity for the 70 riders that are members of the Whitecourt Motocross Club to witness 400 ranked calibre riders competing.
“It is great for the kids to be involved with other, older racers that prove to be great role models,” said Motkoski. “The kids (will) get to mingle with racers that compete at a national level in Canada and the USA . . . we have seen provincial champions from our club every year (too). This is a big accomplishment.”
Motkoski said that the community of Whitecourt has received tremendous support from Woodlands County and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD). In fact, SRD donated $63,000, which was used to buy equipment for the motocross track.
In addition, Motkoski said that this track will make it easier for kids to get involved in motocross as they will be able to practice in their hometown.
“It is a lot easier to practice and stay involved in the sport when you can go to a track that is nearby,” said Motkoski. “In the past we have struggled with having to travel an hour plus just to go practice. Now the kids can go out after school and (this track is) drawing riders from other communities as well.”
Robert King, the former president of the Whitecourt Motocross Association, said that the track is a great addition to Whitecourt and challenges the riders that practice on it.
“It is more on the technical side,” said King. “It is not for a beginner rider, but the kids have to learn to ride it, so that is what makes them better riders. It is the jumps and turns that make it so technical.”
Boom box generation
Say no to helmet hair
A long time coming
Wayne Hamm is preparing for the trip of a lifetime, one where he vows to live each moment to the fullest
Taking the long way: Wayne Hamm will be spending much of his summer on the road as he travels across Canada — Wayne Hamm
Beginning in Alberta, I will be making a solo motorcycle tour of Western Canada and the Atlantic provinces, starting in late July and going until the end of August. I have ridden motorcycles back home to Prince Edward Island on a few occasions, but have I really embraced the experience? No, I have not. What a waste!
Many years of my life and too many years of my thoughts have been consumed with the rigors, heartaches and horrors of policing in a major metropolitan area. I was living in suburbia, watching our population swell and hearing the daily news reports of escalating violence and constant wailing sirens. The eerie sound of those sirens makes me wince and wonder, “Whose life is being turned upside-down now?” I retired from policing, changed professions and still working too much. This adventure is a self-initiated reality check.
Taking the time
On at least two occasions, I recall riding across the Confederation Bridge, which connects mainland New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island. The bridge in itself is an engineering marvel, but I was too preoccupied with my thoughts and never really saw the bridge. I didn’t take the time to smell the salt air that would have been coming off the Northumberland Strait, and I didn’t see the bright red soil PEI is famous for. Shame on me!
This time will be different. I suspect there are many people like me: closer to 60 than 50, and wondering where the time has gone. I’m ready to clear my head and smell the roses. It is time to get away from it all and embrace life and this beautiful country.
This adventure should take about four weeks. I am certainly not taking the direct route and rushing; I will be taking as many back roads as possible. I will first be heading north to Cold Lake, then east to Northern Saskatchewan. From there, it’s on to Northern Manitoba, Northern Ontario and Northern Quebec. Then, it’s south into New Brunswick, east to Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton Island—the National Historic Site of Fort Louisbourg is definitely on my agenda—and Newfoundland.
Cherishing the journey
This is a huge country and there is a lot of Canada between Alberta and the Atlantic region. In past trips, I have stopped in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and will be stopping again at the Terry Fox Memorial to pay respects to that young man. I met Terry ever so briefly on PEI in 1980. Prior to the beginning of his Marathon of Hope, Terry ran onto Prince Edward Island heading into Charlottetown. Local media asked for people to support Terry by running with him. I did my small part and accompanied him.
I will be doing something I never thought I would do: tow a small cargo trailer behind my motorcycle to carry my equipment. Remembering that the journey is half the fun will not be forgotten and that will be my driving force. I intend to feel every pothole in the road. Ideally my adventure will inspire many of you to take that important break from the hustle and bustle. This has lit a fire in me: I’m excited, I’m apprehensive and I can’t wait to get going.
Thank you to Tony & all his staff at Riverside Honda & Ski-Doo in St. Albert, Alberta. Those knowledgeable folks helped in my planning and made sure I had the right equipment for my adventure.
Take a break and enjoy summer,
Wayne Hamm
An outdoor mecca
North country offers excellent adventures
Wood Buffalo Park is one of Fort McMurray's many scenic delights. — Photo courtesy of Fort McMurray Tourism
Plan to make Fort McMurray one of your summer stops and you won’t be disappointed. The trails here are vast and surrounded by some of the province’s most astounding natural delights.
“There are numerous trail systems for ATVing,” said Katie Colman, tour co-ordinator for Fort McMurray Tourism, “and (there are) off-road bike-friendly areas surrounding the city and to the north.”
In addition to ATVing and biking, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in this neck of the woods. Camping, fishing and hiking are three local favourites, especially given the ample parks in the area.
“Fort McMurray and the Region of Wood Buffalo have the perfect adventure for anyone,” said Colman, “from a day hiking trip to a few days exploring and camping in the boreal forest. Whatever you’re looking for, you will find your adventure here.”
A natural choice
Wood Buffalo National Park is one of the popular attractions near by. Known for being the largest national park in Canada, it is filled with gorgeous camping spots and eye-catching scenery.
Fort McMurray has established a strong reputation throughout western Canada as a fishing mecca—with floats and amphibious planes offering a novel experience to those who dream of catching the big one.
“Many . . . lakes and rivers are drive-accessible,” said Colman. “Others offer the unique experience of flying in to fully outfitted lodges or rustic and isolated camps.”
Plane Crash Trail
The Quad Squad has a historic project going
The plane crash site is in a lovely wooded area that draws visitors and locals alike. — Photo by Jim Hartt
The Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad Association is constantly making sure that local ATV trails are properly maintained and safe for riders. In August of 2010, they plan to hold the grand opening of the Plane Crash Trail—a popular riding area that parallels North York Creek.
The trail was heavily eroded from extensive rain, washouts and recreational vehicle traffic. In September of 2009, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development approved the Quad Squad’s application to repair the trail, and work is in progress to do just that.
“(We’d like) to recognize Alcoa Foundation and the National Trails Coalition who made the repair of this trail possible,” said Julie Rayne, office administrator for the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad.
This trail leads to the site where a Royal Canadian Air Force DC-3 crashed in 1946. There were no survivors, and many visitors stop by the fascinating location to learn about the history and pay their respects.
“(It’s) a very popular destination trail for locals and tourists,” said Rayne. “It took five days for the Crowsnest Pass Forest Rangers to snowshoe to the crash site because of bad weather. They were guided by the smoke of the burning plane.”
Rugged racing
The Canadian Enduro Championship is off to a great start
Rounds 1 and 2 of the Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC) kicked off in Coleman, Alberta, Canada. The event paddock was staged in the heart of the mountains in an area known as the Crowsnest Pass. A rugged 45-kilometre loop—complete with three technical special test sections—was contested three times each day by approximately 150 competitors. Corner Grass Racing Team (CGRT) riders Shane Cuthbertson and Cole Dobovich were on hand to represent Husaberg in the pro and amateur A divisions respectively.
Cuthbertson, aboard his Husaberg FX450 contesting the highly competitive E2 class, had mixed results on Day 1 as several crashes and the resulting damage caused him to lose approximately three minutes in the timed special test sections. This placed him seventh in the E2 class.
“I really want to win this season so I was pushing hard from the beginning,” he said. “I made a few mental errors and had really bad luck with a few small crashes that resulted in some timely repairs. On a positive note, I did win two special test stages today, so I know I have the speed, however I just cannot afford to make the mistakes I did today.”
Cuthbertson’s game plan on Day 2 was to tone it down a bit with an end result of fourth place in the E2 category.
“Again (I was) a bit disappointed with my result as I clearly was not riding at a podium pace,” said Cuthbertson. “I was more focused on keeping the rubber side down today and that showed in my special test times. I am really amped up for next weekend’s round and will be looking for redemption!”
Cole Dobovich contested his first CEC race on the weekend and was a bit shocked by the terrain in this mountainous stage.
“I don’t even have trees within a 200-kilometre radius of my home,” he said. “So competing in this extremely rugged terrain was an eye-opener.”
Sixteen-year-old Dobovich is a quick study and showed steady improvement on the weekend with a 16th place finish on Day 1 followed by a 12th place finish on Day 2.
“I felt a lot more comfortable on Day 2 and am starting to figure out the format of these events,” he said. “I am looking forward to improving on my results next weekend!”
Pro results (Days 1 and 2)
- 1st Jason Schrage / Jason Schrage
- 2nd Ryan Graffunder / Shane Watts
- 3rd Shane Watts / Ryan Graffunder
- 4th/7th Shane Cuthbertson (Husaberg)
Amateur ‘A’ results (Days 1 and 2)
- 14th/16th Cole Dobovich (Husaberg)
Next up for CGRT are Rounds 3 and 4 of the Canadian Enduro Championship held in Penticton, British Columbia, July 10 to 11, 2010.
CGRT relies heavily on the following partners to help us attain our goals and are proud to be supported by great companies such as Husaberg, A&E Racing, Motovan, Airoh Helmets, Ronwood Enterprises, Xtreme Hot Oil Services, Lee Built, UFA Petroleum, Limenine Graphics, Opti Lubricants, Rekluse, Sosa Original, and Enduro Engineering.
To find out more about the team and riders, please visit www.cornergrass.com.
Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show
Riding for the greater good: Gallery
Riding for the greater good
The 2010 Greater Kamloops ATV Association Club Ride raised funds for the Kamloops Food Bank
A generous gift: The GKAA was proud to present a cheque to the Kamloops Food Bank. — Photo courtesy of Rick Vowles
More photosOn Sunday, May 30, 2010, the Greater Kamloops ATV Association (GKAA) had their annual club quad ride—but let me go back a couple of weeks.
Before the ride, we went out to a local riding area called Scuitto Lake to clear the trail and mark it. There were about 10 members and the biggest concern was how arid it was. It was the middle of May and the bush was very dry—and the regular trails, which often carried a lot of mud, were dusty.
Well, the biggest dust control company we know—Mother Nature—took control, dampened the bush and filled the holes. This accommodated over 70 riders who showed up for the ride and to support the Kamloops Food Bank.
Organizers Ken Kineshanko and Mike Pittenger, with the help of their families and club members, had secured many sponsors like Van Houtte Coffee, Protec Petroleum, Blackwell Dairy, Cobs Breads, Gary’s Custom Meats, RTR Performance, Schultz Motorsports, Pacific Coast Heavy Truck, Tim Horton’s Coffee and Platinum Auto sports.
A variety of riders
Many of the riders where from all over B.C.. Both the Vernon ATV club and Salmon Arm had many of their members out, and there were also riders from Kelowna and the Lower Mainland. Over 66 kilometres of mud, I only saw one clean person and we think she wore a bag over her riding gear and then took if off at the last minute.
Quite a few of the riders camped either at Campbell Lake or the Scuitto Lake camp area, and it rained most of the weekend—but it stopped just before the ride and cleared up. I think Mother Nature owns a quad. The ride started at 9:30 with six groups leaving at approximately 10-minute intervals. Everyone was back by 3 p.m. for the dinner and prizes.
The total raised for the food bank from the riders was $1,560, with another $500 donated by the club for a total of $2,060.
Respecting the rules in Whiteshell
A RidersWest reader raises an important issue
Seasonal use: Whiteshell Provincial Park is a snowmobiler's paradise—but the rules do not allow ATVs. — Doug Bonner
To the editor:
I am an avid snowmobiler and I enjoy quadding when I can. I live in the Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba, which is a snowmobiling paradise, and I am proud of that. I work for a kids camp here in the Whiteshell, and I reside here year round, unlike the majority of the population of the people who come to the park. This is my home. Part of my home is the beauty and tranquility of the nature around me; as fellow ATVers, I think you know what I mean.
I was reading a RidersWest magazine (Spring 2009) recently—which I do regularly—when I came across something that concerned me: the Whiteshell Provincial Park was listed as a favourite place to ride in Manitoba. Here’s my concern—operating a quad in the Whiteshell Provincial Park without the proper permission for commercial purposes or for big game hunting is illegal. Most people know this, but they sadly choose to ignore it.
Quadders will routinely destroy swamps, walking/hiking paths, and other off-limits areas, and within days or even hours, take down no quadding signs that are posted—even when they are epoxyed and bolted to rock. Quads have destroyed many of the trails that we use for mountain biking with the children that come to our camp. There is a blatant disregard for the laws of the park because people just think they have the right to do it. And that is why I was disappointed when it was published in a popular ATV magazine that everyone reads that the Whiteshell is a favourite place to quad. I am positive that it would not have been published if you were aware of that. I would appreciate a retraction of that rider’s choice award, as well as making people aware that the Whiteshell is a no quadding zone.
Trevor Wilson
Whiteshell Provincial Park, MB
RidersWest responds
Dear Mr. Wilson,
Thank you for your letter regarding ATVing in Whiteshell Park. We completely agree that it’s important that ATVers respect the boundaries of off-limit areas, particularly when that area is as beloved and beautiful as Whiteshell Provincial Park. We at RidersWest do our best to promote responsible riding and deeply regret that our Rider’s Choice Awards—which are awarded based on reader surveys—would seem to promote or encourage riders to go to an area that they should not be.
We think this is an important issue, and one that needs to be discussed. With that in mind, we would like to use your letter to kick off a discussion with our readers. It is our hope to hear the voices of other responsible riders who feel the same as you and bring more attention to the issue.
Best regards,
Tanya Laing Gahr
Senior Writer
RidersWest
Continuing the conversation
We invite our readers to keep the dialogue going. Have you noticed other ATVers breaking the rules in areas where riding is restricted? How do you handle it? What are the solutions? Please send your letters to us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we will publish your replies.
See the sights in Saskatchewan
This region offers something for all recreationists
The dirtier the better: ATV Mud Mania is a popular annual event in Prince Albert. — Photo courtesy Teena Logodin
Whether it’s open spaces for ATVing, golf courses for hitting the links or lakes for boating, Saskatchewan will offer something for all recreationists.
In Hudson Bay, check out Hudson Bay Regional Park, winner of the Park on the Move 2010 award.
“It’s got camping, picnic sites, playgrounds and ball diamonds,” said Elly Ferguson, the Town’s economic development officer. “There is a nine-hole golf course and the Red Deer Downs, which is a horse racing track.”
In Rocanville, head to the Town & Country Golf Club and try for a birdie or better.
The club hub
Riders who have been to Candle Lake during the winter know it’s an excellent place for sledding—but this resort community is a multi-season destination. Boating, golfing and a stay in a well-furbished cabin all make for a fun experience.
Candle Lake Golf Resort has an 18-hole course that appeals to all skill levels. Group or private lessons are offered, and there are a number of tournaments happening throughout the summer.
Fishing frenzy
Come July 3 and 4, anglers from across the prairies will be heading for Big River for the first Big River Walleye Classic, taking place on the waters of Delaronde Lake.
“Delaronde Lake is beautiful,” said Grace Snyder, one of the event’s organizers. “The water is so clean that there are still many who get their drinking water from it.”
Big River is well known for the variety of outdoor recreation available in the region.
“I don’t know where else you could live and have not only (excellent ATV and sledding trails) at your doorstep, but also a boat launch at the end of main street,” said Snyder.
Get muddy
The smell of rubber, the roar of ATV races and sun shining off pristine cars—all this and more can be found at ATV Mud Mania, happening at the Prince Albert Exhibition grounds on August 21. Visitors can watch ATV races or a demolition derby—while helping raise money for charity.
“What we’re having that day is in conjunction with Pines Services, one of the sponsors, and the Buckland fire department,” said Jim Barbondy, the director in charge of Mud Mania. “It is a fundraiser to raise money for some new equipment for the fire department.”
Barbondy said that this is the third annual Mud Mania, and that past events have been a hit with both participants and spectators.
See the cities
It’s easy to tour some of Saskatchewan’s largest cities by travelling from Regina to Swift Current to Saskatoon and back to Regina. This trip, taking about 10 hours, follows portions of the Trans-Canada Highway, as well as highways 4, 7 and 11. Riders can marvel at the diversity of the land; Saskatchewan has everything from wide open fields to boreal forests.
It’s easy to time a trip around an event and pull into Saskatoon on July 30 for the Ride the Bridges Rally. This event goes until August 2 and is packed with activities such as a poker rally, a pancake breakfast, a variety of rider courses and a show and shine. Riders can also participate in a ride to the scenic Waskesiu area.
Safe riding is standard
This ATV club is making safety a top priority
Lean into the curve and place your feet on the foot rests for a safer turn. — Photo courtesy Phyllis Biggs
In the Alberni Valley on Vancouver Island, an ATV club is taking steps to prioritize safety. Phyllis Biggs, the vice president of the Alberni Valley Hill Climbers, told RidersWest about the club’s endeavors to ensure safe riding, including participating in the Canada Safety Council ATV training course.
Enthusiastic and eager
“There were 14 people in that and it went over two days,” said Biggs. “We have six more that want to do it.”
A certified trainer travelled to Port Alberni to teach over half of the club’s members about topics such as environmental friendliness, correct body movements and proper dress. Biggs said that the course was exceptionally well received and offered something for riders of all calibres.
“One person mentioned that because he’d had a stroke, he had use of one side of his body,” said Biggs. “The things he learned allowed him to utilize his body without using so much energy to go through rougher spots.”
Helping novice riders
Biggs has also gained certification as an instructor for the Ride With Pride program. A new initiative targeting younger riders, this program, conducted in schools and taking about an hour, emphasizes standardized safe ATV practices and environmental awareness.
“The course is geared towards Grades 4 through 7, but I think anyone new to riding should be doing this,” said Biggs. “Even people who have been riding for years can stand to learn something.”
Is the push for safer riding techniques making a difference? Biggs said that the May long weekend has historically brought tragedy to the local ATVing community.
“I was really thrilled to hear,” Biggs said, “that this (May long) weekend, to my knowledge, was the first May long weekend that someone hasn’t died or been seriously injured in Port Alberni in about 10 years . . . I’m crossing my fingers.”
Get caught in the Spyder’s web
Rob Sprange of Enns Brothers is connecting with Spyder owners
Wait, what country are we in?: A group of Spyder riders stop in Holland, Manitoba — Photo courtesy Rob Sprange
Twelve Spyders motoring through the streets of Winnipeg isn’t an average, run-of-the-mill sight. However, the likelihood of seeing such a convoy is increasing as Enns Brothers in Winnipeg organizes rides with Spyder owners. These journeys have multiple functions: they promote the vehicles, give Spyder owners a chance to connect with each other and create potential new customers.
Getting the word out
“We’re basically trying to build awareness of the bike,” said Rob Sprange, the marketing co-ordinator at Enns Brothers. “And, with our customers who have purchased Spyders, we’re trying to get them out together (so) they can share their stories.”
Sprange said that while Spyders have been available in Canada for about three years, they are still largely unknown amongst the general public. Travelling on one is a totally different experience, as the Spyder’s three wheels can bring peace of mind to a rider, alleviating concerns about balance or driving through bad weather.
Recent owner rides have gone to Manitoba locations such as Holland, Whiteshell and Lockport. Round trips have covered distances up to 500 kilometres. Sprange has also travelled further into Kenora, Ontario, riding the recently released Spyder RT, a touring model.
It’s unlike anything else
“It’s kind of like riding a cross between a snowmobile, ATV and motorcycle all rolled together,” said Sprange. “I’d say that Spyders aren’t meant to be motorcycles or replace motorcycles. They’re supposed to be a new riding experience—and that’s exactly what they are.”
Peace out in Northern Alberta
Open roads and enticing communities await in the north of this prairie province
No matter where a tour in Northern Alberta takes you, there is always something to delight the senses. The Mighty Peace Country is full of attractions to see while travelling the many hundreds of kilometres here. Everything from heritage homes to jaw-dropping scenery have made this area popular with motorcyclists.
Grande Prairie is one of the largest communities in the Mighty Peace Country. There are no lack of parks, campgrounds, lakes and golf courses in the area. Make sure to check the time as you pull out if town on the world’s largest sundial. The sundial is located at Centre 2000, a visitor centre, making it a great starting point for a trip.
Make your way up to Peace River, where the 3.65-metre (12 foot) Davis Memorial statue greets you from the corner of 102 Avenue and 101 Street. If you’re in town on July 9 or 10, jam to some country music during the 2010 PeaceFest. The nearby Sagitawa Lookout is a fantastic lookout over the town and surrounding valley.
While in Peace River, take a side trip onto the Shaftesbury Trail, an excellent route for sightseeing, picnicing and camping. There are multiple stops along this trail, including the Mackenzie Cairn, a site dedicated to Sir Alexander Mackenzie. If you’re interested in crossing the Peace River, hop aboard the Shaftesbury Ferry.
If you’re in the vicinity of Peace River between July 19 and 25, catch some high-calibre sports during the 2010 Alberta Summer Games.
From Peace River, head north towards some of Alberta’s pioneer settlements. Tourist sites include La Crete’s Mennonite Heritage Village. To relax, use the day use areas or go fishing at Lake Tourangeau, or detour to the Tompkins Ferry, which crosses the Peace River free of charge.
Within an hour’s drive of La Crete lies Fort Vermilion, which contains a rich slice of Alberta’s heritage. This is one of the oldest communities in the province, and thus is full of historic sites within the town—even the visitor information centre is located within a home dating back to 1923.
If the legs need stretching, try the Fort Vermilion Nature Trails that. Golfing and fishing are also available.
These are but a few of the spots to see in the Mighty Peace Country—why not also plan a stop at Dunvegan Park or in Manning, where there’s a two-headed moose?
Wherever your trip in the Mighty Peace Country leads, rest assured that you won’t have a dull moment during your travels.
Extra details: To order a free waterproof map of this region, go to www.ridenorth.ca/motorcycle-trip-map/
Get started in Grande Prairie
Follow the road along the river
A taste of Alberta’s history
This is just the beginning
Kootenay circle tour
RidersWest proudly presents the best roads in the Kootenays combined into one circle tour
View Kootenay Circle tour in a larger map
Has your bike been sitting in the garage this winter gathering dust? Well it’s about time to grab your motorcycle and head out. This summer you and your bike will have a great time time visiting places such as Cranbrook, Golden and Nelson, and you’ll discover other communities and attractions to be explored en route. Whether you start your self-guided circle tour in Cranbrook, Nelson, Invermere, Kaslo, Golden or any of the wonderful hot springs along the way, you will be able to follow a scenic loop all the way back home.
Cranbrook roads twist to delight
As Cranbrook is nestled between the Purcell and Rocky mountains, the scenery around this community is spectacular. For a fun day trip in the Cranbrook area, head out to Fort Steele via Highway 93/95 and turn south on the Wardner-Fort Steele road. Here, you will encounter hard bends and curves in the highway. This road parallels the Wild Horse Creek and Kootenay River, and affords views of Fisher Peak—the highest mountain in the area.
Nelson offers the best in the West
The route from Creston to Nelson via Highway 3A has been rated by the motorcycle guidebook Destination Highways as the best motorcycle road in B.C. This highway winds along Duck Lake and Kootenay Lake, taking you through the communities of Boswell, Gray Creek, Crawford Bay and Riondel.
Once you reach Kootenay Bay, take the longest free ferry ride in North America to Balfour; 20 minutes beyond lies Nelson. This city is peppered with funky shops and ethnic restaurants—it is truly a community not to miss.
A Golden highway
After you’ve explored Nelson, check out Kaslo and then head north through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks. The town of Golden lies farther east along Highway 1; here, you can try whitewater rafting down the Kicking Horse River and drop by the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre, where wolves can be observed in their natural environment. A 30-minute drive east of Golden is Yoho National Park. This park has breathtaking mountain views, cascading waterfalls and lots of hiking trails.
Chilcotin—the hidden country
Dave and Margaret Hodgins returned to the Chilcotin for adventure and fun
A moment to bask: Margaret Hodgins enjoys a moment in nature’s tranquillity on her trip to the Chilcotin with her husband, Dave. — Photo by Dave Hodgins
This year Marg and I decided to return to the Chilcotin, which we had last visited in 1985, with three boys and five dirt bikes. The country has not changed, it is still friendly to visitors and has some of the best motorized recreational areas in British Columbia. It’s where one can enjoy the sport with a few others. Some say it is still untamed, but I would say it is safer than the streets of Vancouver.
Our trip was comprised of two legs, three weeks to travel west from Williams Lake to Bella Coola, then another three weeks going back east. We split our camping experiences between Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts recreation sites and resorts/lodges. There is lots to choose from. A good source of recreation sites, roads and trails can be found in the back road map book for this area. For resorts we have found two that have not only provided a large variety of ATVing, but nice facilities as well. The friendly atmosphere is a bonus, and there are small stores near by to replenish the critical foods.
h3. Lakes and wildlife
Barney’s Lakeside Resort can be found at Puntzi Lake. This is a full service resort, offering cabins, campsites with hookups, propane, fishing, guided tours and ATV access. From here you can ATV as far as your supply of fuel lasts. It will offer some great wildlife experiences, and you can see everything from bears to pelicans.
Further west, just before you get to the community of Nimpo Lake, is Pine Point Resort. It is a full-service resort, offering cabins, a campsite with hook-ups, plane tours, guided tours, fishing and a variety of other activities for your enjoyment. From here you can explore the foothill of the Coast mountain range and see the immense mountains standing in a row to protect this area from the wet coastal weather. Again your fuel is the only thing limiting your experience.
For Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts recreational sites, again there is lots to choose from. Due to budget cuts they have mostly been left unattended, but are still worth the effort. Check with locals for road conditions and campsite info. Most offer boat launches, outhouses and unlimited ATV’ing. As these are user maintained, please respect them.
h3. Trails to pursue
You can ride the rough trails used by local rangers to move their cattle between meadows, snowmobile trails, ATV trails, abandoned roads and well-maintained BCFS mainlines. There is a trail for every user group, which adds to the the experience.
A bonus is the variety of scenery you travel through. Remember to bring a camera and a fishing rod for the opportunities that will be presented to you.
One clear morning we left camp prepared for a long day of exploring. We first located a BCFS mainline, which we took for a short distance where we found an old road going off the the left. Upon turning onto this road we found ourselves enjoying the technical riding from swamp crossing (thankful for 4X4), creek crossings, side hills. Further along we again found a spur going uphill. Taking this one we climbed a further 800 feet to a BCFS fire lookout and radio tower installation. The view was breathtaking. Continuing west we found ourselves again back on a BCFS mainline which we took. This again lead to an old spur going off to the right, then to a large lake with a sandy beach, campsite and boat launch. By the time we had returned to camp we had exceeded 100 kilometres and seen deer, bears and various other critters to take pictures of. This was a typical day for us ATVing as well as catching dinner with the many fish waiting to strike.
There as those that say it is too far to get here, it is only a day’s drive from Vancouver to begin your experience. Most of us think nothing of driving to Utah or Arizona for the winter, yet ignore the treasures that await in British Columbia. This has to be one of the great hidden, untapped areas left to be explored. While it is still being developed it offers unlimited opportunities for the adventurous.
In closing, while the experiences are unlimited, please take care of the opportunity to do your part in leaving it as you found it.
Drool over Brule
Amped up quads, dirtbikes and dunebuggies take on the massive sand dunes on Brule Lake
For maximum madness: The damp sand is dense and grippy, allowing riders to perform with more speed and control. — Leanne Bloy photo
If you want hair-straight-back drag races all day long, go to the dunes of Brule Lake near Hinton, Alberta. It’s one of very few places in Alberta that you can ride actual dunes. Adrenalized Edmontonians frequent the riding area. The scene at Brule Lake Dunes consists of customized two-wheel-drive sport quads amped up with street bike engines and bikes decked out with paddle tires and extended swing arms.
According to one local, Shawn Johnson, there are few experiences to rival riding the Brule Lake Dunes.
“If you ride a two-wheel-drive sport machine it’s just a lot more fun,” said Johnson. “It’s different than anything else you will find. It’s mostly sport quads and dirt bikes. Ripping around in the sand is just fun. It’s like highmarking in the sand.”
There is an interesting historical aspect as well: look for the dilapidated Old Trunk Railroad station.
Get there
The Brule Lake Dunes are 30 kilometres from the town of Hinton.
Connect
“Brule Dunes” is on Facebook, administrated by Leigh Coelen.
A premier event
CGRT members hit the track in Idaho City
Hitting the track: Shane Cuthbertson races hard to make his team proud. — Photo courtesy of the Corner Grass Racing Team
Three members of the Corner Grass Racing Team (CGRT) travelled to Idaho City, Idaho, this past weekend to compete in the Boise Ridge Riders premier event of the season. This being the 26th running of the Idaho City 100, this year’s course was 120 miles of pure Enduro single track held mostly on private land arranged by the club. The event is very well respected amongst the U.S. competitors with the 300 rider entry limit being filled in just three days.
The two-day event is used to qualify the U.S. ISDE team which this year will be held in Mexico, and also allows regular off-road racing enthusiasts a chance to test their skills in an event structured according to the International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) and Enduro World Championship (EWC) format.
CGRT used the event to help with preparation for our very own Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC) scheduled to begin in July. With only a month remaining for preparation, this event was an excellent opportunity to help fine tune our set-ups.
Returning favourites
Shane Cuthbertson returned to racing after a six-month hiatus—not only testing his riding skills but also a few of his newly reconstructed body parts. Obviously, as a Canadian he was not trying to qualify for the US team, and therefore entered the AA class which runs the same time schedule as the Letter of Intent (LOI) competitors and is scored accordingly in the overall rankings. Cuthbertson surprised even himself with first place finishes both days and 9th overall for the weekend!
“I was really just focused on testing my bike set-up, physical preparation, and getting back into the game,” he said, “so coming away with a win both days was a nice bonus!
I have been here in 2005 and 2006 and did not even come close to what I accomplished this weekend, so this is a nice way to start the season.”
Jay McGregor and Nick Riewe, both ISDE veterans were also entered and performed better than they expected against the mighty American riders. Jay rode the 30+ A class and carded sixth and fourth place finishes even after being penalized with some major route points.
“I lost my time card on day one so I was at the mercy of the other riders on my minute, but then they both had issues and I ended up burning a few checks,” said Nick Riewe. “Then on day two, a spectator over-fueled the berg and soaked the air filter so bad with gas that the bike would not run! I lost seven minutes trying to get going which was frustrating. Overall though, the event was stellar and I had a blast!”
Nick Riewe still struggling with an injuring sustained in a practice accident, showed true grit by finishing day one in sixth overall in the 40+ A class, however made a wise decision to sit out day two after feeling the ill effects of what 200 kilometres can do to a body.
CGRT relies heavily on the following partners to help us attain our goals and are proud to be supported by great companies such as Husaberg, A&E Racing, Motovan, Airoh Helmets, Ronwood Enterprises, Xtreme Hot Oil Services, Lee Built, UFA Petroleum, Limenine Graphics, Opti Lubricants, Rekluse, Sosa Original, and Enduro Engineering.
To find out more about the team and riders, please visit www.cornergrass.com.
First-time adventures
Nicole Field’s first ATV trek won’t be her last
Ready to roll: Nicole Field looked the part of an experienced rider on her first ATV trip. — Photo courtesy of Nicole Field
When walking into Koocanusa Publications Inc—the publishing company of RidersWest—one of the first faces seen belongs to Nicole Field. Field recently went on her inaugural ATVing excursion and found that letting her senses be the guide proved a successful way to start on the ATVing path. h3. Lots to enjoy “Having a husband and friends who enjoy going riding definitely made me want to try it out,” said Field. “Who doesn't love spending time with good friends, while enjoying the outdoors, and stopping on the top of a mountain for a delicious home packed meal? I sure do!” Field travelled with her husband Jonathan and friends in the Hidden Lake area, near Cranbrook, on Bombardier and Polaris ATVs. The terrain was varied—puddles, mud, trees, caves and wildlife all factored into the day’s events. The group even discovered a cave—but didn’t venture inside, given the presence of bears in the area. h3. Live and learn The day gave Field gained insight into why ATVers are passionate about their sport. “I like how it can be an all day event—and still you want to keep going,” she said. “Being unsure of the trails that you are going to take (or) what’s around the next corner—it’s definitely a thrill for me.”
The big picture
Take a tour of some of Manitoba’s big things
Would it be an exaggeration to say the giant mosquito in Komarno is life-size? Perhaps, but I suggest you find out for yourself.
Big things on the side of the highway are as Canadian as the ox cart, the beaver and the Canada goose—all of which can be seen along the highways and byways of Manitoba. I’ve compiled a 12-hour, 750-kilometre circle tour that will introduce you to some of the most amazing big things on the prairies. As a bonus, the roads will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery the plains have to offer. Rev up, and let’s go.
Winnipeg
Because everything starts in Winnipeg.
Selkirk
Start off the tour of big things in a big way by seeing the giant Red River ox cart—used during the fur trade in the 19th century—and Chuck the Channel Catfish in Selkirk.
Winnipeg Beach
Here you’ll find a giant head carved from cedar representing the Ojibwa, Assiniboine and Cree First Nations of Manitoba.
Gimli
Gimli’s Icelandic population is recognized with the distinctive Viking statue.
Komarno
Legend has it that the word komarno means “full of mosquitos” in the Ukrainian language. I have to wonder what the first letters home said to encourage further settlement (“You should see this place—it’s totally komarno!”). Regardless, Komarno has one of the most intriguing big things—a giant mosquito that some say is life-size.
Inwood
Even better than mosquitos are garter snakes. You think I’m kidding; I’m not. Garter snakes from all over come to Inwood to get their groove on, and Inwood welcomes them like Las Vegas welcomes gamblers. Definitely worth seeing.
Lundar
What’s more Canadian that the Canada goose? The village of Lundar salutes this distinctive waterfowl with a gargantuan goose that is ready to take flight. Added bonus—no droppings.
The Narrows
Get ready for some incredible sight seeing on the next leg of your journey. From Lundar, you’re going to travel through some of the most beautiful terrain in Manitoba—the Narrows. Twisting, turning roads along Lake Manitoba will delight riders, and if you’ve brought your fishing gear along, you’re in one of the favourite places for anglers in the province. Give yourself lots of time here.
Dauphin
In Dauphin, you’ll find a larger-than-life castor canadensis. (I refuse to be responsible for inappropriate snickers, thank you very much.)
Minnedosa
The road to Minnedosa cuts through Riding Mountain National Park. This forested area is home to wildlife such as wolves, moose, elk, black bear and bison. Give yourself lots of time to pull over and enjoy the park before heading on to Minnedosa to see the colossal canvasback duck. The Minnedosa region is to the canvasback duck what Inwood is to garter snakes.
Portage La Prairie
In Portage La Prairie, you’ll see a giant Coca-Cola can. Why not?
Winnipeg
Because everything ends in Winnipeg.
Cross over
Crossing Creek, AKA Koko Claims opens up great vistas
Wide open spaces: Elkford’s ATV club maintains trails that allow riders to access even more beautiful terrain. — Photo by Kali Love
The Crossing Creek or Koko Claims route, as it is known locally, is an important trail that links Elkford with the Bull River drainage. This gives Elkford ATVers access to the popular Whiteswan Provincial Park and Lussier Hot Springs. Although the trail itself does not offer any glorious views, it is essential in that it is a short, direct link to a riding area that would take two hours to access by highway. It’s amazing to realize that these two riding areas are, in actuality, very close and conveniently accessible due to the Crossing Creek pass. Elkford ATV club member, Gordon Galloway, who is also the safety director for ATV/BC said that the Crossing Creek route is punctuated by outcroppings of rocks and should be navigated with care. “We did jackhammer some rock down when we did trail maintenance,” he said. The Elkford club did some major route upgrades to this pass, including installation of culverts and surface grading. h3. Details Due to elevation, this route is recommended from July to October. Snowmobiles also use this route in winter, although avalanche risk is an important factor. h3. Resources "www.elkfordtrails.com(http://www.elkfordtrails.com)":http://www.elkfordtrails.com
Alberta Provincial H.O.G. Rally
4th Prairie Regional H.O.G. Rally
Choosing to live the dream gallery
Find family fun
Trails surround and spirit abounds in Whitecourt
Splash down: Get cool and refreshed at Rotary Park’s Whitecourt River Slides. — Photo courtesy of the Town of Whitecourt
If you plan to bring your family along on your summer tour, then Whitecourt is a must-visit destination. The town will have community events running throughout the warmer months—including the Whitecourt Woodlands Rodeo, Canada Day celebrations and jet boat races. ATVers can venture out of town limits and satisfy their urge for a ride by exploring the local park trail networks. “The trail system in surrounding Woodlands County is extremely popular,” said Tara Gallant, communication/project co-ordinator for the Town of Whitecourt, “(particularly) the Windfall area and around the nearby Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park.” h3. Play at the park Within town limits, visitors can find all kinds of activities in Rotary Park. Families can do a bit of angling or cool off in the Whitecourt River Slides. “Whitecourt River Slides is a popular, free, family attraction in Rotary Park,” said Gallant. “(It) is a man-made water feature that consists of two creeks with a series of pools and drops for tubing and play, with a shallow basin and beach at the end. ” Is fishing your pleasure? Consider Riverboat Park or nearby Schuman Lake. If the weather is not on your side, Whitecourt also has indoor alternatives. The Allan & Jean Millar Centre is one amazing place, offering games, aquatic facilities and other activities for active families. Resources: "www.whitecourt.ca(http://www.whitecourt.ca)":http://www.whitecourt.ca "www.woodlands.ab.ca(http://www.woodlands.ab.ca)":http://www.woodlands.ab.ca
Take on the trail
This Alberta route is beloved by ATVers
Vivid scene: Vibrant colours and wild features make the Iron Horse Trail a renowned region. — KPI file photo
Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail is a top destination for hikers, cyclists and others who appreciate the great outdoors—but it is famous for its ATVing terrain. Travelling on this diverse landscape is something that every rider should do at least once. The Iron Horse Trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail system, and it encompasses 300 kilometres of boreal forest, cultivated farmland and park areas. Along the way you will see everything from historic structures to charming communities, where you can stop and experience some of Alberta’s renowned hospitality. On the more rugged parts of the trail, wildlife such as bears, badgers and moose can be seen—so bring your camera and be prepared to stop and take it all in. h3. Show your support ATVers are encouraged to obtain voluntary trail passes from local businesses. The funds from these passes will go toward preserving and maintaining the trails for future generations to enjoy. There are 20 staging areas along the trail, where riders can find maps, ample parking, washroom facilities, picnic tables and off-loading ramps. In many cases there are businesses near the staging areas where supplies can be purchased. While the Iron Horse Trail is generally considered a backcountry route, it passes through three provincial parks and several communities of varying size. There are plenty of campgrounds, motels, quaint bed and breakfasts and restaurants that will enable you to plan a multi-day trip and truly get to know this incredible part of the province. Resource: "www.ironhorsetrail.ca(http://www.ironhorsetrail.ca)":http://www.ironhorsetrail.ca
Choosing to live the dream
Robert Kolenc is an inspiration to any rider who dreams about seeing the world from the seat of a motorcycle
Pride and joy: Robert Kolenc is especially proud of his favourite machine—the Ural Patrol—which is a Russian army sidecar bike. — Photo courtesy of Robert Kolenc
More photosIf you are an avid motorcyclist like Robert Kolenc, you understand what it’s like to crave the open road. Moved by the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Kolenc decided to pursue his dream.
“I’m in the investment business and many of my colleagues died that day,” said Kolenc. “It made me very angry, and of course . . . very sad. But it was also a big wake-up call. One of the things that I decided that day was that I would no longer put off things that I wanted to do.”
Kolenc has extensive riding experience, even travelling abroad to tour several countries throughout Europe.
“When it comes to endless twisties and gorgeous mountain passes, culture, history and amazing food, it’s hard to beat the Alps,” he said. “It can be surprisingly inexpensive . . . so don’t scratch it off your list.”
Appreciating the true north
Despite his journeys to places like Switzerland, Germany, Austria and beyond, Kolenc still expresses wonder when he speaks of his northern adventures, touring the spectacular Alaska Highway.
“I’d recommend you stop at the museum in Fort Nelson,” he said. “Slow down and savour the day around Muncho Lake and be sure to soak in Liard Hot Springs. Dawson City is a real party town and still has that gold rush atmosphere. It’s a great staging area for two really nice rides.”
Kolenc also suggested that street bikers can find some rugged beauty if they ride along the Top of the World Highway from Dawson City, Yukon, to Chicken, Alaska.
“If you’re more adventurous and are OK with riding a dirt road,” said Kolenc, “I’d have to point you to the spectacular Dempster Highway.”
Take the northern route
Tour the north and expand your horizons
View Tour the North in a larger map
Motorcycle enthusiast Robert Kolenc made no secret of his passion for the northern destinations.
“If you’re looking for an adventure, then I’d have to point north,” he said. “Take the Alaska Highway to Whitehorse and Dawson City (in the Yukon). The route and the people on the way are half the fun.”
Dawson Creek, B.C., is another great place to stop and see the sights.
“A lot of adventure- or tour-oriented motorcyclists ride through the Dawson Creek area,” said Kolenc. “This community is at ground zero for the Alaska Highway and its rich history.”
Kolenc regrets that he initially rushed through trying to reach Alaska quickly.
“I missed so much,” he said. “Dawson Creek is a great place to stop and soak up the history . . . you can appreciate the significance of your Alaska Highway ride.”
Once you stop to have your photo taken by the famous Mile Zero sign, you can stock up on supplies, and get any necessary repairs done in town.
“A nice light day trip could be going to see the impressive W.A.C. Bennett dam,” said Kolenc. “There are some nice twisties and vistas in this area too. ”
Right on track
From the age of two, Tucker Hibbert has been tearing up the track, whether it’s covered with mud or snow
Reaching max potential: Tucker Hibbert, the only athlete to compete at a premier level in both motocross and snocross, astonishes viewers with his moves. — Photo by John Hanson
What were you doing when you were eight years old? I think I was playing with my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, watching Full House and asking my mom to make me apple slices with peanut butter. Sound about right? Maybe Tucker Hibbert did these things too (minus watching Full House), but he was also competing in his first motorcycle races in Noies Park, Idaho. One year later—at the age of nine—Hibbert had competed in his first snowmobile race in West Yellowstone, Montana. Superstardom seemed inevitable. In 2000, at the age of 15, Hibbert became an instant celebrity when he became the youngest athlete to win a gold medal in snocross at the Winter X Games. From there, he blasted into the snocross and motocross scene, earning nine Winter X Games snocross medals, 55 National Pro awards, six Canadian Motorsport Racing Corporation (CMRC) MX2 moto wins, seven AMA Motocross 250 top-15 moto finishes and four AMA Supercross 250 top-10 finishes. h3. A racing prodigy Hibbert mainly focused on snocross in his early professional years, but in 2003, he retired from national snocross to race motorcycles full time. It was during this time that Hibbert became one of Monster Energy’s first sponsored athletes. However, Hibbert soon realized that he missed snocross and returned to the national snocross tour in 2006, while forming team Monster Energy/Arctic Cat and becoming the only athlete to compete in snocross and motocross at a premier level. h3. Why the nickname? From the get-go, Hibbert has had his best friend, Robby Dahlen, by his side. Even now, Dahlen is working on Hibbert’s team as a mechanic and designer and he is the one who dubbed Hibbert T-Train—a nickname that has stuck. “Growing up (my best friend Robby Dahlen and I) used to race motorcycles, ride and do everything together,” said Hibbert. “One day he decided that I needed a nickname and he started calling me all sorts of different stuff. He went through a couple of different ones that I didn’t care for and one day he called me T-Train and I said that one is all right, so it kind of stuck. One that didn’t fly was T-Bone. It was weird and didn’t quite sit but he started calling me (T-Train) and now a lot of people do.” h3. Still holding the solo title To this day, Hibbert is still competing at a premier level in both snocross and motocross. When asked where his motivation comes from, Hibbert said it simply comes down to his desire to be better. “For me it’s about trying to find ways to be better,” said Hibbert. “I really love what I do—that is the core of it. If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t do it. From a racing aspect, it is just so challenging and there are so many things that go into racing and there is a lot of opportunity to progress. That is what drives me, to figure out how I can become a better athlete.” Hibbert has no plans for slowing down. In the future, he said he would like to work on his supercross skills. Just this year, Hibbert was invited to compete in the supercross event at the Summer X Games 16. This year, 16 riders will compete for the gold at the Los Angeles Coliseum from July 29 to August 1. “I feel that I have the skills and talent to be a winner at supercross racing,” said Hibbert. “So, I really want to find the time to put focus into that.”
Trash bash
Powell River’s ATV club does a good deed
Down and dirty: The Powell River ATV Club puts in a lot of effort for its community. — Photo courtesy of Terry Roberts
The weather at 8:30 a.m. looked to be good for ducks but not much else. By 9:30, the clouds had lifted a bit and the rain slowed to a drizzle, with a bit more light showing in the sky. So the decision was made and we were off to Duck Lake, trailering our quad. Karen and I joined up with 20 other members of the Powell River ATV club to participate in the third annual Trash Bash. This is a community event—planned around Earth Day, that had 218 individuals from 40 different organizations scouring the back roads and trails of the district to find and pick up the garbage littering the countryside. Our club had been assigned the Duck Lake road, from the highway to the sloughs and all spurs and trails leading from it. To accomplish this feat we had 20 quads, five trailers and 30 volunteers. h3. An astounding array The trailers were towed by quads and served as mobile collectors, and the other quadders would fill their garbage bags and return with them to the trailers. If a large amount of garbage was found at a site, or items too bulky to handle on a quad, then the trailer would be taken into the site and loaded directly. It was an amazing the assortment of items that was found in the bush, from queen-sized mattresses to tires, rims, assorted plastic containers of every size and shape, auto doors, mufflers, hoods etc. We must have found at least 20 tires, which is really sad, as B.C. has a recycle program that allows everyone to return (to any tire dealer) four tires a year at no cost, with no purchase necessary. If you buy tires, the dealer is obligated to recycle your old tires at no charge. At noon we all met back at Duck Lake bridge junction and threw our treasures into the dump truck that Rick, another club member, had borrowed from a local businessman. All the quads with trailers had already been back two or three times with their first loads. h3. A job well done Read and Hannah, the club organizers for this event, had the fire ready and the barbecue hot for the club-donated wiener roast. A good time was had around the fire comparing found junk stories. Our club had filled the truck with 3,000 pounds of trash. The community event as a whole picked up 17 tonnes of assorted trash from the countryside. The regional district recycle and collection site waived all cost related to disposing of the accumulation of trash. All in all it was a good day and now the backcountry is natural again with less distracting items to take away from the beauty of the land we live and play in.
Seek an active life
Lloydminster is an ideal stop for energetic folk
A walk in the park: Bud Miller All Seasons Park is a serene place for a walk or a bike ride. — Photo courtesy City of Lloydminster
Every summer tour should involve a bit of physical activity. What better place to pursue an active lifestyle than the attractive community of Lloydminster? Of course, we know that some of you like to get down and dirty. Luckily Lloydminster has something fantastic to offer motocross racers and spectators. “There is a motocross track called Gopherback Raceways,” said Katlin Pegg, community development co-ordinator for the City of Lloydminster. “(The track is) located northeast of Lloydminster.” Gopherback Raceways features a long track with varied elevation changes and the famous “widowmaker double.” Bud Miller All Seasons Park is another place to stretch your legs and appreciate 200 acres of land set aside for a range of outdoor sports and recreation. “With its 10-plus kilometres of walking and bike trails, Bud Miller All Seasons Park offers aspen forest and marshland for the nature enthusiast,” said Pegg. Camping is another alternative. Weaver Park has just installed new shower houses and washrooms, and offers full hookups. Rolling Greens Golf and RV Park has more than 70 full-service sites, amenities and an 18-hole golf course on the property. Resource: "www.lloydminster.ca(http://www.lloydminster.ca)":http://www.lloydminster.ca
Don’t be blinded by the sun
Keeping the ladies safe
What has age got to do with it?
Eric Beilman spent the majority of his twenties and thirties racing his Honda 250 and is what some refer to as a pro veteran
Becoming a pro: Beilman has had some fantastic rides over the years — photo courtesy of Eric Beilman
Eric Beilman grew up in Littleton, Colorado, where his love of racing motorcycles was born and nurtured—but it wasn’t until Beilman was 20 that he started racing. During his first season in an amateur 125 class Beilman lasted about half the season before he switched to a Honda 250. “I got my first Honda support ride was on a 125 cc,” said Beilman. “But I obliterated the bike. Like we broke the frames, I smashed foot pads off and sheared off parts of the transmission, so they gave me a new 250 mid season and I have been racing 250 two-strokes forever.” A speed demon at heart, Beilman spent his twenties tearing up the track. He fondly remembers this last race as an amateur before he turned pro. According to him, it was one of the best races of his life. “I had raced all season against two different guys,” said Beilman. “On the first moto one of these guys started to the left of the gate and I was on the far right. We got to the first corner and he squeezed me out. So on the next moto . . . I got ahead of him and I ended up winning both motos by over 30 seconds and he got second on both motos. It was one of the best races of my career and that was my last race as an amateur.” When Beilman went pro he competed in his first race soon after. I’m sure he thought that was the beginning of lucrative career, and it was—just with a few bumps along the way. “(A month after) I turned pro I got hit by a truck walking across the street,” said Beilman. “It was one of those things—life happens or whatever . . . but I got my cast cut off of my leg in 1984 and raced in the Grand Prix two weeks later with 15 degrees of motion in my knee. It was a really important race with long motos and I couldn’t not go . . . That was at Pueblo Motorsports in Colorado. It was my second race as a pro.” Beilman raced motocross until 1994 and has since occupied himself with other things. He is now 49 and living near Bull River, B.C., as of January 10, 2009, and while the lifestyle is somewhat slower than what he is used to he is content with where he is. He has recently bought a new Honda 450 and has been riding whenever he can in the hopes of getting back into the racing circuit. “Obviously, I am not up to speed but it is still all there,” said Beilman. I have only ridden half a dozen times and some days it is not working and it’s frustrating and some days it feels so good and it is absolutely amazing.” In the very near future, Beilman plans to get in a couple of races in the Southern Alberta Series. Thus far, he has obtained his pro license from the Canadian Motosport Racing Corporation for the over 40 class and he plans to participate in all of the Southern Alberta Series races in the fall. “I am just trying to get in there and see how fast I actually am or not anymore,” said Beilman. “I am not really good yet but I know that I can be as fast as ever. It is pretty exciting and I get goosebumps just thinking about it.”
It’s never too late to start
ATV/BC’s president, Zan Boyle, shares some tips for new riders
Enjoying the view: Zan Boyle, here with the tracks attached to his ATV, took up the sport when he was about 50 years old. — photo courtesy of Zan Boyle
Many of the ATVers who are interviewed by Riderswest have been involved with quadding for much of their lives. However, one amazing thing about ATVing is that it’s never too late to hop on a quad. A love of the outdoors, the correct gear and—ideally—an experienced rider to lend a helping hand can set a neophyte on the path to a fun new hobby. h3. Tips from the top ATV/BC president Zan Boyle started quadding in his 50s after spending a lot of time on the back of a motorcycle. “I liked the aspect of being able to take extra goodies with you, like fishing rods,” he said. “Now, it’s one way of getting out in the backcountry. Especially here on the island, we can get to places that let us look across to the Olympic Peninsula, and you just can’t get to them without a quad.” Boyle said that ATVing has introduced him to people throughout B.C. He attended his first ATV/BC meeting in 2000, and said that joining the provincial organization was his way of giving back to the recreation that had enriched his life. “I thought I’d been lucky enough to piggyback on the accomplishments of the association,” he said. “I thought it was time I put something back into it and help it along to make it better for everyone in the province down the road.” One thing that Boyle said makes ATVing attractive to older riders is that it’s great for those who enjoy the backcountry but don’t have tons of spare time at their fingertips. A rider can still get the adrenaline rush and natural high that comes from enjoying the great outdoors. “I think as you get older you can’t get eight hours in the backcountry hiking,” he said. “So, they’re able to get into the back country and ride for a few hours. If you want to go and see something that’s off the trail you can then go and hike to it for an hour, and then go back to your quad.” For all new riders, whether they’re at retirement age or starting their first job, Boyle said there’s no substituting getting some first-hand experience with a skilled ATVer. “It’s always a good idea to talk to not only the salesperson trying to sell you a quad,” said Boyle, “but to contact some people in the clubs and get some ideas. Get some views on different machines about the type of riding you think you want to do. It’s always better to try to get out and experience it firsthand—go with someone who’s ridden before you go and spent thousands of dollars on a machine and find out that’s not the kind of riding you want to do.”
Chock value
All-in-one fun!
Ready for round four
The Cherry Creek motocross track in Port Alberni was primed and ready for motocross racers
Hard racing: The riders at Cherry Creek track gave it their all — Photo courtesy of Ed Masters
It was a great day of racing on April 18 at the Cherry Creek motocross track in Port Alberni. The track was in fair shape considering the amount of rain the area got the previous day. The track started the day with a lot of very wet and soggy sections but by the time the lunch hour rolled around the track was in much nicer shape. This made for some fantastic racing in the afternoon. Local Port Alberni riders Paige Hansen and Amy Aspell had home track advantage in the ladies class until they both had some problems on the track. Hansen, who was leading the charge to the finish line, stalled the big Honda four stroke while Aspell went down and got an up close look at the mud on the track. This left the door open for Campbell River rider Lindsey McLean who took full advantage of the opportunity in their morning moto. Aspell came back to finish the moto in second place while Nanaimo rider Tamara Hills finished the moto in third. With the drier track in the afternoon it was a little more interesting as the bikes were not slipping and sliding around in the morning moto. McLean was right up there charging the leaders Aspell and Hansen in the afternoon moto. Aspell finished in first place while Hansen took second. McLean crossed the finish line in third. A good ride in the afternoon for Aspel was enough to give her the top spot overall for the day. McLean took home second place while Hills placed third. Hansen finished the day in fourth place overall. h3. Tough track Ryder Roth of Campbell rider was over in Port Alberni this weekend navigating the through the corners and roaring over the table tops. He was once again up against Cameron Bradley of Saltspring Island and also on hand was Drake Richmond of Port Alberni. Tough track for these little bikes but they were doing the best they could out there. Even the deep ruts and soggy spots could not keep these little guys from giving all they had. In the end it was Bradley that took the checkered flag first while Richmond placed second overall. Roth came home with third place. Damon Riesach of Ladysmith was on a tear this weekend in Port Alberni. He was riding in three classes on Sunday. He was leading the way in all three of them. Riesach took home the top spot in the 85cc 12-16 class while Port McNeill rider Jason Abernethy had a good ride and took home second place overall. Third place went home with Cory Sutherland of Westholme. Riesach took home first in the Supermini class while Eli Titus of Duncan took home second place. Crofton rider Tanner Cardinal finished the day in third over all in the class. The MX 2 junior class had a near full gate this weekend. That made for some interesting rides for all. The first rider through the hole-shot was Riesach who lead the way for all riders to the finish line. Riesach took first overall while Port Alberni rider Andrew Madeo kept second place in his home town. Third place overall went over to Powell River with Erick Forrest. h3. Chasing down the competition Kari Mielty of Courtenay was the rider to chase down in the 40-plus class this weekend as he took home first place overall. Home track favourite Jeff Stites finished the day in second overall while third place went home with Dan Nikirk of Shawnigan Lake. Matt Kerrigan of Saltspring Island made the most of his trip over to Port Alberni. He led the way to the finish line first overall in the vet junior class. Nikirk followed him for second place while third place went Nathan Barlow. It was good to see Paul Gallagher of Victoria out for the first time this year. He was riding in the vet masters class and showed no sign of the log lay off from the track. He roared through the hole-shot and went unchallenged to the finish line. He took first while Stites took second. David Cottle of Ladysmith finished the day in third place. Some great riding and home track advantage paid off for Port Alberni rider Geoff Manson as he took first overall in the MX1 junior class this weekend. Second place went to Port Hardy rider Tanner Smithson who made the long drive down for the event. Third place went to Campbell River rider Trevor Devlin. Cory Cardinal was twisting the throttle hard this weekend and it paid off for him in the youth class. He was flying around the Cherry Creek track. He had bike problems earlier in the day but was able to overcome them. He placed first in the class while second place went to Connor Barnes of Shawnigan Lake. Third place went to Victoria rider Daniel Vanderbasch. h3. Intermediate riders show their skills These three riders were out in MX2 intermediate class as well. They were racing full throttle for the whole race. In the end Cardinal took first while Barnes took second. Third place once again went to Vanderbasch Be fast on the throttle for a good start paid off for Qualicum Beach rider Tyler Pedersen in the MX1 intermediate class as roared to an early lead. He crossed the finish line first in both his motos to take first over all for the day. Second over all went to Courtenay rider Nick Bell. Third for the day went to Duncan rider Justin Lundstrom. Nick Syrotuck of Nanoose Bay was riding great in the Pro class this weekend. He was railing the burms and throwing a roost as he roared around the track. He finished the day in first place over all while Gallagher finished the day in second place. Saanichton rider Ross Sherman finished the day in third place over all. Kawasaki Canada presented Aspell with a $1,500 credit towards the purchase of a new bike for winning the overall in the ladies class. Kawasaki Canada also presented a Pit Kit worth over $800 to Gallagher for being the top overall points rider for the day.
Embracing the elements
The Tri Port motocross club hosted a great show of talent from Port McNeil racers
Tear up the track: Port McNeil racers aren't afraid to face all kinds of weather — Photo courtesy of Ed Masters
Even Mother Nature could not stop the motocross racers from doing what they love most. That is roaring around a laid out gravel pit with lots of areas to get big air on. The rain, snow, hail, wind and even a few glimpses of sun were present this past weekend in Port McNeil, as the Tri Port Motocross club hosted rounds one and two of the CMRC Vancouver Island Spring Series on April 3 and 4. Mother Nature tried her best but when you have been waiting six months for motocross racing to begin again, nothing will stop you. Mark Ellis and his crew of volunteers deserve a huge pat on the back for all the effort and time that they put in as the weekend was awesome, except for the bone chilling wind that was present on Easter Sunday. Stu Abernathy of Port Hardy did an awesome job preparing the track for the riders. He put in a lot of time grooming it to perfection for all the riders that showed up. But the Easter Bunny didn’t mind the weather as he hid lots of Easter eggs for the kids to find. As well as lots of riders on hand there were even a few spectators that made the long journey up Island to watch the sport of motocross. There were a few tourists from as far away as Japan, Germany and France who stopped by to watch. I spent a few moments talking to them and they said they had never heard or seen the sport. They said they were very impressed with it and could not believe how the riders could fly through the air. They also said they will be watching for it throughout their journey as they are touring the Island. They will be returning home with some great photos of the action. h3. Ladies first There was great racing action in the ladies class as Amy Aspell of Port Alberni and Lindsey McLean of Campbell River were going at it. Aspell rode two great motos on Saturday as McLean was waiting for that chance to pass that never came. Aspell returned home with first overall while McLean took second. Chelsea Masters of Campbell River and Tamara Hills of Nanaimo were going wheel-to-wheel on Saturday. Hills was being pressured by Masters. Hills hit a rut and went down allowing for Masters to get by and cruise to third place in the morning. In the afternoon both riders were giving it all they had. Hills made it to the finish line just ahead of Masters for third in the afternoon to take home third overall for the day while Masters settled for fourth place. On Sunday in the ladies class Aspell and McLean picked up where they left off the day before. Aspell roared out to an early lead and was pulling away from the pack of riders. She got caught up in a rut and stalled the big four stroke. McLean, not too far back, was able to pass for the lead and crossed the finish line in first place. Aspell did get fired up and came back to finish third behind Hills. McLean finished the day in top place while Aspell took home second and Hills third for the day. h3. Young and feisty There was some high speed race action in the youth class. Coleton McLean of Courtenay was just roaring around the track. He was spending more time in the air it seemed than on the ground. Not far behind was Nanoose Bay rider Nick Syrotuck who was in hot pursuit of McLean. Ross Sherman of Saanichton was also close behind. This turned in to a four-person race for the finish line as Cory Cardinal of Crofton was giving these riders a run for the finish line as he was just waiting for a chance a pass that never came. When the checkered flag came out it was McLean that took home the win for the day while both Syrotuck and Sherman were tied in the points. It was Sherman that took second for both days and Syrotuck third. Cardinal finished both days in forth place overall. Syrotuck, Sherman and Lack Cowichan rider Kurt Nelson were out on the track doing what they do best—twisting the throttle hard and trying to out-ride each other in the pro class. Through in McLean and you have a real race out on the track. McLean took home top place on Saturday while Sherman took second place home. Syrotuck placed third. Sunday they were all back at it again. It was full throttle racing at its best. All four were railing the burms high and flying high once again. Each wanting to finish the day in first overall. Each waiting for an opening to pass the other. McLean did not finish the second moto so that gave the over all for the day to Sherman while Syrotuck took second and Nelson when home in third overall. h3. Moving up a class Not only was Cardinal out there with some of the Pro riders during the Youth class but he was tearing up the track in the MX2 Intermediate class. Cardinal just moved up to the class and made a huge impact in his first race of the season on Saturday finishing second to Conner Barnes of Shawnigan Lake. Third place went to Victoria rider Daniel Vanderbasch who also just moved up to the class. These three were again tearing the track up on Sunday along with Peter Swanwick of Victoria. This time Cardinal was on a mission to place first over all. Mission accomplished as he took the checkered flag first in both motos to take home top place over all. Vanderbasch and Swanwick were locked in a battle for second place over all for the day but Swanwick just edged out Vanderbasch who had to settle for third. Barnes finished in fourth over all.
From the land to the lakes
Big River and Candle Lake cater to recreationists who love spending their time in the great outdoors
Wide open spaces: Snowmobilers and ATVers from Big River and Candle Lake have a vast trail network just outside their front doors. — Photo courtesy Bill Gerow
Boreal forests, swamplands and Saskatchewan’s largest vertical drop—these are just a few of the land features found around Big River and Candle Lake. Bill Gerow, a member of the Timber Trails ATV Club in Big River, has been involved with motorsports for much of his life. Gerow was more than happy to tell RidersWest about the club and the abundant recreation opportunities near by. h3. Ride from dawn until dusk “The ATV club got going about four years ago,” said Gerow. “We formed it because we wanted to get people onto trails, rather than farmlands.” There are hundreds of kilometres of trails within the area, many of which pass by local resorts. Gerow said it’s easy to go straight from your doorstep to your ATV or sled for a ride. One exciting thing that the ATV and snowmobile clubs were involved with this past winter was grooming and signing their trails. Gerow said that they received a grant from the government of Saskatchewan to enhance the trail system. The government and the clubs each contributed half the money needed for the upgrades. h3. Got your GPS? Before hopping on a sled or quad, Gerow had some advice for visitors and local trail users alike. “I really suggest that you take a GPS with you as there are so many trails,” he said. “We have (some of) them marked, but not all. Even the local guys say, ‘Wow, you can get lost here!’” With such an extensive riding area, it’s no surprise that the ATV club is holding a rally in May. At 65 kilometres long, the rally is the perfect length to give visiting ATVers a taste of what the area has to offer. h3. Lakes full of fish There are pristine lakes dotted across the region that, in some cases, are accessible only by ATV or snowmobile. In total, there are 40 lakes in the immediate area, resulting in another popular pastime—watersports. “Every (lake) has something different to offer,” said Gerow. “Most of them have beautiful sandy beaches and fish—everything from lake trout to pickerel and walleye.” If you’re in the area, make like a local and bring your fishing rod along on your ATV—Gerow said that many quadders will catch their dinners before heading home after a day on the trails.
Making tracks in Revelstoke
The Revy Riders dirt bike club has big plans that will benefit all varieties of dirt biking enthusiasts
Hit the dirt: Revelstoke dirt bike riders get the best of both worlds—a remarkable landscape in which to enjoy their favourite sport and a dedicated club. — Photo by Kali Love
Members of the Revy Riders are striving to improve the local outdoor experience. Plans to build a new dirt bike track are being solidified and goals are in place to create trails in the Frisby Ridge area. Chris Pawlitsky, Revy Riders club president, is determined to promote the responsible use of the trails and wants to keep the facilities in good shape to ensure their longevity. The City of Revelstoke, and forestry and environmental groups are all supportive of the club’s plans. “We have the support of all the main people,” said Pawlitsky, “so they will be looking very closely to see that we do a good job. If we do a good job, our area will continue to grow.” The club will be responsible for building sustainable trails, ensuring proper litter disposal and keeping noise levels down. h3. From dream to reality The club plans to incorporate several innovative elements to accommodate the variety of riders in Revelstoke. This will include a separate area for jumps, to be located away from the main tracks. The club also wants to make a rigorous endurocross track with logs, rocks and other obstacles. There will be trails with single tracks, ones that are designed for kids to ride, easier double-track trails and trails for expert riders who seek a challenge. “(The) area is great,” said Pawlitsky. “It is about 10 kilometres from the nearest neighbourhood, so noise won’t be an issue. The area will have trails for all abilities (and) spectacular views. Glacier House Resort will be very close by . . . people can stay there, eat there and literally ride (to the track) from their doorstep. ” Pawlitsky has been working hard and is proud to see his goal take shape. “(It took) tons of emails, meetings, phone calls, lots of noes and hard work,” he said, “but we have stuck with it and I think it’s going to be exceptional.” For more information about the Revy Riders, visit them "online(http://www.revyriders.com)":http://www.revyriders.com.
A busy guy
Tom Kramer is passionate about his recreation
Wheels of fortune: Tom Kramer has spent much time quadding and fishing in the Flathead Valley. — Photo courtesy Tom Kramer
Tom Kramer is a man of many pursuits. Fishing, quadding and camping take up much of his free time, and he is involved in keeping the backcountry accessible to motorsports enthusiasts. Kramer told RidersWest about some of his activities in the Elk Valley. h3. Diverse interests Growing up in Fernie, Kramer enjoyed fishing on the Elk River with his father. He has ATVed sporadically for a few years but has owned an ATV since 2006, and this allows him access to choice fishing spots. “I’m an avid fly fisherman,” said Kramer,” so I like to take my ATV and get close to the rivers, and take out my equipment and go fishing for the day and then come back.” Kramer has spent 25 years fishing on the Wigwam River, a spot he said is his favourite. He’s also on the executive of the Elkford ATV Club and a member of the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad, and actively participates in trail maintenence efforts. h3. Motor management Having been involved with several committees and in government work, Kramer was concerned about seeing a decrease in the amount of land available to recreationists. For the past three years, he has sat on the Southern Rocky Mountain Advisory Committee as a representative for motorized vehicle users. “We’re a voice for keeping trails open for ATV and motorcycle use,” he said. “We look at a whole bunch of issues when it comes to access and land management. We talk about what roads should be open or closed, what trails should be designated as non-motorized or motorized in both the summer and the winter.” The committee also deals with wildlife issues, such as monitoring grazing areas of sensitive animals. The Southern Rocky Mountain Advisory Committee works with multiple sectors and government bodies. Kramer said it is to be commended for its co-operative approach to land management. “I’m happy that the provincial government hasn’t worked around these issues,” he said. “They bring them back to the table and ask us for our input.”
Passion for the Pass
This ATVer shares his love for this top riding destination
Rocky trails: The landscape in the Crowsnest Pass is rugged and appealing to ATVers — Photo by Don Harrison
Don Harrison is one of our past Hotshot entrants, with a passion for ATVing in the Crowsnest Pass. He was willing to answer a few of our questions about his riding preferences.
Where are some of your favourite areas to ATV in the Pass?
Any area in the Pass has great riding. There are trails for beginner and expert riders throughout the Crownest Pass.
What model of ATV is your favourite?
I am riding a Honda FourTrax 300.
How long have you been quadding?
I have been riding for three years and have been a member of the (Crowsnest Pass) Quad Squad since I first got my quad. I feel if I am out here riding the trails and bridging systems, I should support the groups that are installing the bridges and maintaining the trails.
Is there anything else you would like to add about your area?
The trails in this area are designed for multi-use. So whether you are hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, or riding a dirt bike or an ATV there are thousands of kilometres of trails here waiting for you.
Campbell River spills and thrills
Round three of the CMRC Vancouver Island spring series was a show not to be missed
Paul Wilkinson (66), Matt Kerrigan (140), David Alsop (338) and Matt Muenzler (424) race to the finish. — Ed Masters photo
What a difference a week makes. The weather last week for the start of motocross racing was snow, hail and wind along with the odd glimpse of sun. In the week for round 3 of the CMRC Vancouver Island Spring Series we got cold nights and beautiful sunshine. Round 3 was held in Campbell River on April 11 with lots of thrills and a few spills. The weekend started out with a practice day on Saturday and all-out full throttle racing on Sunday. The track was in perfect condition thanks to all the work that was done to it over the winter lay off from Motocross racing. Ken Fear of Fearless Trucking put in lots of hard work this past winter changing some areas and adding a few things to the track. He had plenty of help from his son Brendon, who also spent countless hours at the track. One of the new things added this winter was a concrete start. Upland Ready Mix was a major contributor in making this happen. Lou Frey of Campbell River won herself a new vacuum cleaner thanks to Miracleway Vacuums Systems of Campbell River for putting this up. Ryder Roth of Campbell River roared out to an early lead in the 4-6 class of the 50cc. He was up a game rider in Cameron Bradley of Salt Spring Island. His lead was short lived as Bradley had his sights set on taking home first place overall. That is what he did, as he was riding hard all weekend. Roth also rode well as well this weekend and took home second place over all. Third place overall for the weekend went home to Nanaimo with Cameron Whitcomb. h3. The battle continues Bradley’s older brother Harrison was in a battle this weekend in the 65cc class. He was giving it all he could out there on the track. He was up against Joe Nikirk of Shawnigan Lake. Neither was giving an inch of track to the other as they were locked in a battle to finish right from the drop of the start gate. Both had to be right on the top of their game as Victoria rider Steven Galey was waiting for an opening. When the day was over it was Nikirk that took first overall while Bradley went home in second place. Third went to Galey. Paige Hansen of Port Alberni was racing this weekend. What a race she had with Camille Baker of Nanaimo and Port Alberni rider Amy Aspell. Hansen roared from the start line and through the hole shot first. She took the checkered flag first but it was not an easy win for her. In the afternoon, Hansen was once again leading the moto but she left just a little opening and Baker took full advantage of it. Once in the lead Baker rode a very smart moto and took the win. With Hansen taking first in the morning and second in the afternoon it was enough points overall to take first home for the day. With a third and a first for the day Baker took home second overall. Second in the morning and third in the afternoon was good enough for third place for Aspell. Port Hardy rider Tanner Smithson made the most of his trip to Campbell River for round three. He was up against two local riders this weekend in the MX1 Junior class. Trevor Devlin and Bryson Lasota were on hand to try and keep the top place on the podium right here in Campbell River. That did not happen as Smithson took that position from and returned home with first overall. Devlin finished the day with second place overall while Lasota placed third. When you got close to a full gate of motocross riders all wanting to be first, you are in for a tight race when it is the MX2 Junior class. There were riders from all points of the Island wanting that first place finish. There was lots of block passing and tight inside turns just to try and get a small advantage. When it was all over for the day, the home tack advantage paid off for Black Creek rider Blain Morrow who first overall for the day. Courtenay Rider William Blackburn also put his home track advantage to good use as he finished the day in second place overall. Austin Ludvigson came up from Nanaimo for the day of racing and he returned with third. h3. Riding hard Morrow and Blackburn were out in the GP Junior class as well this weekend. Each trying to take top place back home with them. That would not happen as Jamie Nagy of Qualicum Beach had his sights set on the place. He rode two smart motos to take first place home with him. That left Blackburn and Morrow to battle it out for second. When the checkered flag came out it was Morrow finishing the day just ahead of Blackburn for second overall. Blackburn finished the day in third place. Former Island pro rider Darcy Lalonde of Victoria made his return to the track after several years away from the sport. He picked up his winning ways from years past. He rode two smooth motos to take home first in the Vet Master class. Second went to Dave Cottle also of Victoria while third went to Nanaimo Rider Bryn Whitcomb. Lalonde also brought his son Ryan along with him up Island. Looks as if he may follow in his dad’s footsteps. He was riding in the Supermini class against some really good riders. Damon Riesach of Nanaimo had to keep on the throttle to stay ahead of Lalonde. It was all he could do to stay ahead as Lalonde wanted to take top place like his dad, but that was not to be and he had to take second place to Riesach. Third place for the day went to Victoria rider Bryce Currie. h3. Experience speaks volumes The Plus 40 class can make it around the track almost as fast as the younger riders. Paul Hansen of Port Alberni was riding well this weekend out there on his new Suzuki. He broke the bike in the day before at the practice day. Not much seat time on the new bike before the big race. Hansen had the lead for a few laps but Kari Mielty was waiting for a small opening to duck in to for the pass. It came on the upper section of the track and Mielty to the opening and cruised to the finish line first. He took the overall win for the day while Hansen took home second place. Maurice Vanderbasch of Victoria took home third place. Cory cardinal of Crofton rode hard this weekend. He was riding in the MX2 Intermediate class with some great riders. Cardinal finished the day with a first place win over Nanaimo rider Shawn Miller. Third place went home to Victoria rider Daniel Vanderbasch. Colton McLean of Courtenay had an early lead in the Youth class but was forced to leave the track with some engine trouble. That left Nanoose Bay rider Nick Syrotuck and Sannichton rider Ross Sherman to battle it out for first. These two were putting down some fast laps, flying and diving down in an effort to gain few seconds on each other as well as to hold off Cardinal who was closing in fast on them. In the end, Syrotuck took home first, while Sherman took home second. Cardinal had to settle for third place this weekend. Syrotuck and Sherman were out there in the pro class along with McLean. Once again Mclean was forced to leave the track with bike problems. He did return for the afternoon moto with the problem solved as he took first place in the moto. Syrotuck took first overall while Sherman finished the day in second overall. McLean finished the day with third place.
Alberta Regional Harescramble Event
Family Weekend Camp-out and Trail Ride
CMRC Vancouver Island Spring Championship series
Endurance in all weather
Rough and tough—strong and durable
Go green
A lifelong passion
Glenn Turple has been riding for more than 60 years
His second childhood: Glenn Turple rides for the sheer joy of it. — Photo courtesy of Glenn Turple
In 1946, Glenn Turple and his brother, Rex, discovered motorbikes. They went halvers on a Harley. “We were going to take turns riding it,” said Turple. “Then we found out that one wasn’t enough.” Glenn sold his share of the bike to Rex, and Glenn got himself an Ariel. This triggered a fascination with English bikes. Before long, the brothers were selling motorbikes out of the house—and Turple Brothers Motorcycles was born. Back then, motorcycles were basic and utilitarian. “If you wanted a windshield you added it, if you wanted saddlebags you added those, if you wanted a passenger seat you added that,” said Turple. h3. A passion that endures Turple is now 81 and has been in business for more than 60 years. He and his brother remained business partners until cancer took Rex’s life in 1990. Turple still works at Turple Brothers, located at Gasoline Alley in Red Deer, Alberta, for four days each week. His passion for bikes is key to the business. “I’ve always had bikes,” said Turple. He now owns two Gold Wings. One is converted to a trike, which he likes to ride in winter. “I tell people that I’m back to my second childhood, riding a tricycle,” said Turple. “We sell trikes, so I thought I should do it, and with trikes I can ride on ice and snow. This winter, I’ve put on three or four thousand kilometres on the trike.” Turple is not afraid of the elements. “I dress very well,” he said. Last summer, when Turple went to a Ski-Doo industry meeting in the U.S., he called ahead to demo the new Can-Am Spyder. “I rode from Nashville, down through Alabama to Tampa, Florida, then over to Orlando, Florida,” said Turple. “I just spent a couple of afternoons and a day. It was down Interstate 65 and I came up back 75 for a ways.” Turple enjoyed riding the lively Spyder on the interstate highways. “They run along at 70, 75 miles an hour,” said Turple. h3. The open road Turple said that although he likes the rush of riding a motorcycle, he has always been a cautious and aware rider. In fact, Turple sold the first motorcycle safety helmet in Alberta. “I never was reckless,” said Turple. Turple regularly rides his motorcycles instead of taking his car or truck. “I just enjoy doing it,” said Turple. “It’s just something I like to do. There is a bit of a freedom—you are out in the open. I grew up on a farm, out on the open tractor, out in the field. I like getting out into the countryside. I don’t go as quick as I used to, but I’m still doing what I enjoy. Being active is an important part of good health. I’ve done over 920,000 miles,” he said, doing a quick calculation. “That’s nearly 1,475,000 kilometres—not including my snowmobiling.” When asked if he was regionally famous, Turple laughed. “I don’t know if it’s famous or notorious,” said Turple. “I get lots of looks, and people wonder what that crazy guy is doing. If they’ve never been there, they would never really understand.”
Yee–Ha! Cowboys cheer for Aussie Maddison
The second stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour was a motocross sensation
Tricky rides: Bikes were making fantastic jumps at this sold out event. — Photo courtesy of Global Newsroom
A sell-out crowd of 21,000 fans in Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta, celebrated the victory of Australia’s Robbie Maddison on Saturday night at the second stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour 2009. The Canadian cowboy city was buzzing. American Nate Adams pulled off a 360 in the quarter-final. Maddison was able to stay in front of the competition and stay cool in the frenzied atmosphere of the cowboy rodeo. The 28-year-old had to go to the limit on his 100-kilogram (220-pound) bike in Stampede Park to earn the honour of celebrating the victory on the dirt. Japan’s Eigo Sato was beaten in the final. Mat Rebeaud (Switzerland) took third place. “I can’t believe it,” said the beaming Australian. “It’s a dream come true. The hard work paid off. The whole day was totally insane. I had a feeling from the start that I had a chance to win today and after winning the quarter-final against Nate Adams I knew I could go all the way.” Adams put all his eggs in one basket and was hoping to snatch the win with a 360—a complete turn in midair. But Maddison prevailed with a superior all-round performance. Local hero Jeff Fehr ended up in ninth place. The crowd favourite arrived in the arena wearing a Calgary Flames jersey. NHL superstar Dion Phaneuf, who was serving as a show judge, personally presented Fehr with a team jersey. “That was an incredible adrenalin rush,” said Fehr. “I did everything I could in front of the home crowd. The field was incredibly strong and I’m really pleased with the result.” Levi Sherwood, also known as rubber kid, had a disappointing performance in only his second outing on the international FMX stage. Just 17 years old, the winner of Mexico City had to settle for seventh place. The four-stroke bike of the promising youngster was at a distinct disadvantage on the tight course against the more lively two-strokes of the other riders. In the overall standings, Eigo Sato (Japan/160 points) is in first place in front of Sherwood (New Zealand/130 points) in second and Mat Rebeaud (Switzerland/130). Since the start of the World Tour in 2007 the pulsating sports event has caused a sensation with its dazzling array of back flips and other dangerous tricks in bullfighting arenas located in such places as Mexico City and Madrid or in the Sambadrom in Rio de Janeiro.
A touring team
Dual Tracks Inc. stems from a solid partnership and a dedication to riding
In it for the long haul : Darrell Hilliard and Russ Thompson have taken their bikes to many exciting locations. — Photo courtesy of Dual Tracks Inc.
Darrell Hilliard and Russ Thompson have shared almost four decades of riding experiences. Now they operate Dual Tracks Inc., a motorcycle touring company that challenges intermediate and advanced riders with tours on specially prepped KLR 650s. Hilliard spoke for the road-savvy duo in answering a few of our questions. h3. How long have you been riding? For almost 40 years. I started on a Kawasaki 85 that my brother and I bought with money from our paper routes. One summer I actually toured to California on a Kawasaki H2 750 and road raced it when I got back. That bike was something else—some of the readers will understand what I mean when I say that. I have also raced cross-country and played with trail bikes. I just love to get out, ride and have fun. h3. Who taught you to ride? My stepfather taught my brother and me to ride a Kawasaki 85 in a Zellers parking lot on a Sunday afternoon—and we were off. h3. How did you hone your riding skills? (Russ Thompson and I) both honed our skills racing cross-country in the ’80s, where the races were long and tough. We have known each other since high school and have had so many great rides together, including a cross-Canada and down-to-Florida jaunt in 1978 and another trip to the Yukon 30 years later in 2008. We just finished a Backroads of B.C. trip this past fall together with a couple of other riders that had us travel approximately 4,500 kilometres, with 3,500 of them being gravel or logging roads. h3. Do you prefer main roads or backcountry? We typically like to get to the backcountry . . . but that is the great thing about a dual sport—you don’t load it and truck it to the backcountry, you ride it there. h3. Where are your favourite places to ride? The area south from Corbin, the ride up to the Elk Lakes north of Elkford and the Porcupine Hills. Alberta and B.C. overall offer so many great rides. And, of course, (we like) the Dempster Highway in the Yukon. h3. Please tell us about the upcoming Icebreaker Ride. This is the second year of the Icebreaker, and it is . . . open to all dual-sport riders, from first-timers to seasoned veterans. It kicks off in the Lundbreck area of southern Alberta and consists of approximately 300 kilometres of backroads. (The event) will be held on May 29, 2010. Interested riders can get ahold of us (by email) at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or register on the website, "www.dualtracks.ca(Dual Tracks website)":http://www.dualtracks.ca.
An explorer’s dream
ATVing is an ideal way to see the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area
ATV adventurers: Wade Clarke, Lance Nolan, Clayton Perkins and Curtis Hagley took in a spectacular view. — Photo courtesy of Curtis Hagley
The Crowsnest Pass is a wonder to behold for anyone with an affinity for crisp mountain air and nature’s beauty. If you ride an ATV, you can access a plethora of impressive trails in this region and witness some of Western Canada’s most incredible views from above. ATVing is a favourite activity of many, and Curtis Hagley is definitely an avid ATVing enthusiast. He is co-owner of Inn on the Border—a popular resort that sits on Tower Mountain close to the Continental Divide and the B.C.-Alberta border. h3. The Trail of Seven Bridges Hagley prides himself on offering his resort guests a range of ATVing and other recreational adventure packages, but he also likes to experience his own adventures. Last fall he did so with a few of his friends and found some very worthwhile destinations as a result. “(It) was a fantastic weekend,” said Hagley. “We rode the Trail of Seven Bridges as well as a newfound location behind us at Inn on the Border. We left the Inn on the south trail to the B Road that takes you to the pipeline and Fernie (B.C.). “We (then) rode towards Fernie on the pipeline trail until we came to a power line trail; this took us to Wheeler Creek. From there you cross creeks and climb switchbacks until you reach the top—a fabulous view to say the least.” The men continued to advance along the trail, and the scenery became increasingly rewarding the higher they climbed with their ATVs along the commanding terrain. h3. Unprecedented beauty Finally, the riders reached the top of the trail and were treated to a breathtaking view of the mountains and communities below them. “From the top, you overlook Crowsnest Mountain to the east,” said Hagley. “Sparwood and Elkford are below and to the north (and) Fernie is below and to the southwest. All locations are in view. To the east you can also see Tower Mountain on which Inn on the Border sits.” A supportive club ATVing in the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area is a distinct privilege. This privilege is made possible through the contributions of those who dedicate their time and efforts to making it safer and more enjoyable for everyone. The Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad is a family-run ATV club that, along with its Calgary chapter, helps by hosting rides throughout southwestern Alberta. Members also spend time maintaining, cleaning up and developing the trails, as well as advocating the rights of ATV riders and contributing in countless other ways.
An outdoor haven
The Crowsnest Pass is a prime destination in all seasons
A year round mecca: Rich green hues and mountainous views draw many to the Crowsnest Pass. — Photo courtesy of the Crownest Pass Quad Squad
When you visit the Crowsnest Pass, expect to be inspired by the vibrant scenery and multi-use trails. Whether your passion is sledding, ATVing or a range of other outdoor endeavours, the Pass will prove to be a year-round mecca for recreation. “The Pass (is) one of the best areas (in terms of) trail variety to challenge your ability and your senses,” said Joe Lumley, president of the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad. “The Pass area provides excellent year-round access to ATVs, dirt bikes, mountain bikes, sledding, hiking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, horseback riding, hiking, fishing and camping.” The Quad Squad made several upgrades to the trail networks in 2009 and there are plans to continue the improvements in 2010. New bridges will also be constructed over key streams, using caution not to disturb the fish habitats near by.
Working together
The Powell River ATV Club is gaining recognition for environmental vision, a spirit of volunteerism and community outreach
Work bee: The Powell River ATV Club’s 50 bridges were built by volunteers with donated, locally sourced materials. — Photo by Dave Hodgins
Overcoming stereotype and replacing misconception with accurate information is a challenge for ATVers. Dave Hodgins, retired millwright, active grandparent and president of the Powell River ATV Club, has worked to improve the situation. Doing so has required a lot of practical, hands-on work—like the building of bridges to prevent erosion and disruption of fish habitat. Luckily, the club and community share a positive vision. Around Powell River, B.C., the coastal terrain is criss-crossed with streams, many of them fish-bearing. In response to environmental need, the club built more than 50 bridges in the last three years. “Our club has two gentlemen who own portable sawmills,” said Hodgins. “We had two logging truckloads of cedar donated by the Powell River Community Forest.” Ten to 25 of the 170 club members regularly maintain 400 kilometres of trail. Hodgins has gone into the school system to share responsible riding ideas with kids. “The kids are really receptive,” said Hodgins. “That’s the future of our sport.”
The road to access
Access B.C. recently held its first fundraiser
Road block: Road deactivation is costly and prevents people from utilizing resources. — Photo courtesy of Carmen Purdy
Carmen Purdy has spent much time immersed in B.C.’s backcountry, both through work and recreational pursuits. As an ATVer, sledder and trapper, he was frustrated by road closures preventing access to Crown lands. Spurred into action, he formed Access B.C., aiming to promote responsible Crown land use by recreationists and other outdoor users, such as prospectors and foresters. On March 20, Access B.C. held a successful inaugural public seminar and AGM in Cranbrook. The keynote speakers—land users and experts from political, biological and geological fields—spoke to a large group of outdoor enthusiasts. An ongoing issue with access to Crown lands is road deactivation. Legally, industrial operators must deactivate their roads after they have finished using them, as they are liable for any damages to the environment or to people that could potentially happen on the road. The speakers were adamant that a solution that would keep the roads open without any cost to industrialists or the environment should be found. Accessing B.C.’s land resources has economic implications for numerous sectors, from tourism to exploration. Purdy has received hundreds of letters from citizens concerned over land loss, but said that letters are best directed to political leaders. “We live in an activist society,” he said. “Those of us who wish to maintain our freedom to move on the land had better become activists or suffer the consequences.” For more details, go to the "Access B.C. website(Access B.C. website)":http://www.bcaccess.ca.
A season preview
Spring has sprung, and along with it comes a much anticipated racing season for the Corner Grass Racing Team
A new competitor: Cole Dobovich is eager to become one of the elite riders in Canada — Photo courtesy of the Corner Grass Racing Team
The ice racing spikes have been replaced with rubber knobbies and Corner Grass Racing Team (CGRT) is excited to start the season with the opening round of the CMA Alberta Harescramble series this coming April 10/11th weekend in Lethbridge, Alberta. The five-member team will once again be the official Canadian Husaberg Factory supported team lead by veteran Shane Cuthbertson, who is looking to improve upon his 2009 Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC) third place overall finish in the highly contested E3 category. This year Cuthbertson will be equipped with the all-new 2010 Husaberg FX450 and is anxious to get the season underway. He will however have to wait until June for his first taste of dirt, as some elected surgeries during the off-season are keeping him away from the bike for now. “I am really chomping at the bit to get riding and it is taking all I have to keep from swinging my leg over the ‘Berg,” he said. “My main focus this year will be the CEC series; so much so that I have elected not to compete at Erzberg or Romaniacs this year in order to aid in my recovery and training for the series. I am going to be fresh and fit; ready to put my best effort into Canada’s premier series.” h3. A mission worth pursuing CGRT’s mission statement is to “provide the foundation to enable a long term focused Canadian effort to promote and compete in off-road motorcycle events throughout Canada, USA and Europe.” This year the team has really stepped up and will be supporting 16-year-old Cole Dobovich in his venture to become one of the elite riders in Canada. Cole has come through the ranks within the local Alberta series and has really shown the drive and desire to improve. “We are really excited to have Cole on board,” said team manager Lee Fryberger. “He is a great kid, has unbelievable family support and is already a very accomplished motorcycle rider. We really want to give back to our sport, and what better way than to lend our resources and experience to a young rider of his calibre.” Cole will be competing in the expert class this weekend aboard the 2010 Husaberg FX450, followed by several local off-road and MX events in preparation to represent CGRT at the CEC series where he will look to make his mark in the Amateur ‘A’ class. h3. Revving up for action Nick Riewe, Jay McGregor, and Lee Fryberger round out the team and all have plans to compete regularly in both the Alberta provincial series and the Canadian Enduro Championships. In addition to racing, these gentlemen go to extreme efforts in promoting several marquee Canadian events such as the Corner Grass Harescramble (June 26 to 27) and Canada’s First Extreme Hard Enduro—XTINCTION (August 21 to 22). CGRT relies heavily on strong partners to help us attain our goals, and are proud to announce that Husaberg, A&E Racing, Motovan, Ronwood Enterprises, Lee Built, UFA Petroleum, Limenine Graphics, Opti Lubricants, Rekluse and Sosa Original have all continued their support for 2010. Two new partners to the team this year are Xtreme Hot Oil Services and Airoh Helmets—both of whom we are very excited to have on board. To find out more about the team and riders, please visit http://www.cornergrass.com.
Creating trails
VARDA is opening riding areas
The Sky Is The Limit: : The trails in Valemount take riders to new heights. — photo courtesy Alpine Country Rentals
Well known for its fantastic snowmobiling, Valemount is also becoming known as a great ATVing destination, and the Valemount and Area Recreational Development Association (VARDA) is developing a strong ATVing focus. Curtis Pawliuk, the general manager of VARDA, said he is applying for a grant through the Columbia Basin Trust to develop strategic mapping and find sustainable areas for riders; protecting the mountain caribou habitat and implementing rider education will be integral to the development of riding areas. “We need to make it as sustainable as possible by providing education while providing some very fun and scenic areas to ride,” said Pawliuk. “We have some amazing deactivated roads that you can get into and find some of the nicest country that you have ever seen.” Pawliuk is organizing group rides and he hopes to get quadders to give him their opinions on trails. “I want to see what the ATVers think of these areas before we decide that they are a good ATV area,” he said. Pawliuk has posted more information on rides at http://www.snowandmud.com.
Ride forever
ATV along scenic mountain trails
Cover New Ground: : The incredible alpine terrain surrounding Revelstoke provide plenty of diverse riding areas and scenery—from picturesque lakes to breathtaking mountain panoramas. — photos courtesy Allan Obrigewitsch
The natural beauty surrounding Revelstoke and infinite mountain trails single Revelstoke out as a must-ride destination for any ATVer looking for adventure. The Revelstoke ATV Club is a prominent part of the community and the club hosts many events and group rides. Allan Obrigewitsch, the club’s president, has been an avid rider for six years and his favourite trails include the Wap Lake-Mabel Lake forest service road, Cottonwood Cove and Noisy Creek. “This is one area that gets ridden a lot,” he said, “and if you hit them all in one trip it would be a 150-kilometre round trip.” Obrigewitsch said there are many other beautiful trails in the area and he spends most of his weekends exploring new terrain on his ATV. “I do a lot of riding,” said Obrigewitsch. “I put more miles on my ATV than on my vehicle and I haven’t even seen the majority of this area—it’s really endless here.”
Ride the range
Take time to explore the region
Top Of The World: The mountain views from Weary Ridge are second to none. — photo courtesy Gordon Galloway
The area surrounding Elkford has about 100 kilometres of ATV trails that are accessible right from town, making ATVing a very popular sport here. Gordon Galloway is the membership director and treasurer for the Elkford ATV Club and treasurer for the Quad Riders Association of B.C.; Crown Mountain is one of Galloway’s favourite local riding areas. “Crown Mountain is pretty nice,” he said. “You can get fairly high and view lots of scenery—that is always nice.” Another spot that Galloway mentioned is Fording Mountain Lookout. “If we go up to Fording Mountain Lookout, we are at 8,000 feet and you can see 40 miles south of Sparwood,” he said. The Elkford ATV Club was the largest club in the province in 2007 with 152 members, and new riders continue to join. Galloway said this year the club will be organizing three rides in Elkford, one in Fernie and one or two in Cranbrook.
An alpine adventure
This ATVer was captured by the beauty of the mountains near Golden
So Much To See: Moira and Ed Jaatteenmaki discovered towering mountain peaks, lush forests and crystal-clear rivers on their ride in the Golden area last September — photo by Moira Jaatteenmaki
Wow—that’s a word you will use many times if you take the ride we did in September 2008. My husband, Ed, and I joined members of the Golden ATV Club for a weekend to do some riding in the Bush Arm of Kinbasket Lake. I had heard this was a ride not to miss so, even though it was teeming rain in Revelstoke, we trusted the weather forecast and took off for camp at 57.5 kilometres on the Bush River Forest Service Road (FSR) where we found the gang from Golden. The next morning was—surprise, surprise—exactly as the weather man had predicted: mainly sunny with some clouds. Ten ATVs took off up the Bush River FSR and quickly entered typical Rocky Mountain country. The mountain tops were covered with the first snow of the season which emphasized the weathering and layering of the mountains. The first mountain to catch my eye was one that was very similar to Castle Mountain in Banff National Park, just smaller. Then we came into a valley and there was an incredible sight of a banded mountain where the bands were multi coloured. When the mountain was formed the bands were thrust upwards and sideways so that they varied from vertical to convoluted, wow. Next was the spectacular Mt. Bryce and the cameras started what would be a day long activity of taking incredible photos. Mt. Bryce, towering above us at 11,515 feet, is at one time a smaller version of Mt. Robson, then from another angle it’s the Matterhorn and yet another it is a large vertical plug rising out of severe vertical slopes. Off to our left was Mt. Columbia all white and towering over everything else at 12,293 feet; this is the highest point in Alberta. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, we next caught a glimpse in the distance of a horizontal wall of snow and ice. Further up the valley, we went up Bryce Creek FSR, turned the corner and the biggest wow possible. The lookout point was at 4,600 feet and we were looking at the south edge of the Columbia Icefields. Below us was a valley with a meandering river spawned from the ice melt. We spotted two hikers and a herd of elk in the valley. At the head of the valley rose three glacier tongues coming down from walls of fractured and convoluted glacier ice. The whole horizon was filled with this awesome sight. Just 20 kilometres over the top and you would arrive at the Columbia Icefields visitor centre on the Banff-Jasper highway. It was hard to leave this awesome sight but our next trip was up Rice Brook, climbing up the valley with towering, dry, vertical faces until we were stopped by deactivation only three kilometres from the Alberta border. We went back to the Bush River FSR then to the north where we would pass snow-covered Mt. Columbia and arrive again at the edge of the icefield. Unfortunately, a bridge was missing on the road and someone had cut out the alternate bridge so we were thwarted. Back to camp we went, stopping repeatedly for picture opportunities. After refueling, we started up Valenciennes River FSR branching up the Icefall Brook FSR to a lookout to view the Southwest Lyell Icefield. On the way, we passed Bush peak and Rostrum Peak—both 10,000+ peaks. We could see the icefield growing at the end of the valley but we were stopped in our tracks by a huge washout. Obviously the spring runoff had caused this. After much examination and consultation, a very rough way around was found and two ATVs took off to see what lay ahead. Once again, the road was washed out two kilometres up and that was that. What a great day. We rode about 180 kilometres in total and saw incredible country that is totally awesome. And this opinion is coming from someone who lives in the midst of the Selkirk and Monashee mountains and every day has her breakfast gazing out the window at a 180 degree view of 8,963-foot Mt. Begbie with its glaciated peaks and Mt. McPherson at 7,874 on my right then Mt. MacKenzie and Mt Cartier at 8,071 and 8,666 feet respectively on my left and the wetlands of the Columbia River and its wildlife below me. This trip combined the best of ATVing: good riding, totally awesome country and great company. This is absolutely a ride not to be missed. Thanks for the hospitality, Golden ATV Club, and we will be back next year—no doubt about that.
Off to a great start
The newly-formed GFATV had a busy season
Looking Back: Cody Zorn started the GFATV to provide a voice for ATVers in the community of Grand Forks. — photo courtesy GFATVC
The club, which was formed last spring by Grand Forks native Cody Zorn, is striving to keep trails and riding areas around Grand Forks open and manage the environment and wildlife habitat. A big issue they’ve been dealing with is a proposed land closure in the Gilpin grasslands area. Here, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) is trying to establish a wildlife management zone and if it goes through, Zorn said ATVers and other backcountry users will be restricted access a large portion of crown land. In September, Zorn sent a letter to the MOE, which gave the club an opportunity to voice their comments and concerns regarding the closure. In the future, the club would like to see recreational trails in the grasslands marked for hiking, biking, ATVing and snowmobiling. “We want to see it used in a way that will benefit everyone,” said Zorn. Zorn said the club has also been working with Trails BC to gain limited access to the Trans Canada Trail during certain times of the year. It’s not all work and no play, however. This summer, members of the GFATC went on several fun camping trips and ATV rides. For the future, the group is planning events, campouts, rides and possibly a poker ride. For information, contact Ray Johnson at (250) 442-3060 or by e-mail. Visit the club’s website.
Experience of a lifetime
The Pylatuks combined work with pleasure in New Brunswick
A Rewarding Trip: Anita Pylatuk, a resident of Revelstoke, B.C., and her dog, Zeek, rode to the top of one of New Brunswick’s tallest peaks this summer. — Photo courtesy Alan and Anita Pylatuk
The Pylatuks have been riding in Revelstoke for more than 10 years. Alan said the ATVing in the area is second to none because of the variety of things to see and places to go. “Revelstoke is a great place to ATV,” said Alan. “There are mining trails, forest service roads and the old trails that go from the top of the mountain to the alpine. You have millions of miles of logging roads to go on and there are lots of lakes if you want to go fishing, and from about June to November you can get in there and get to any lake.” This summer the Pylatuks, along with their dog, Zeek, packed up their trailer and their ATVs and headed to Canada’s east coast for some work on a pipeline and one of the things they both love most—ATVing. “I took my trailer and stayed right on the ocean for 41/2 months,” said Alan. “It was awesome—and I got paid to do it.” Alan said the opportunities for ATVing in New Brunswick differ from those he’s familiar with around Revelstoke. Alan explained that while both regions are fantastic places to ride, New Brunswick has rolling topography and the infrastructure is fashioned to make ATV trails more accessible. “The people are different there,” said Alan. “Everyone has a quad and they have spots that are built for quads to go under the highway. They have it set up just right for snowmobilers and quadders.” Although Alan went to New Brunswick for work, he and Anita found time for sightseeing and quadding. Alan said the trip was great and he definitely wants to return to New Brunswick to go ATVing again. “There is lots to see in New Brunswick as far as ATVing,” said Alan. “I would like to go ATVing over there again because it is so vast—there are a million different lakes and old railbeds that have been de-activated for people going through with their snowmobiles or ATVs, and every weekend people are out on them… It was a really good experience over there for me.”
Rumble strip
HOG call for Harley riders
The bike parade: Cranbrook’s main street was graced by these impressive machines — Kris Lindblad photo
Anyone who owns an iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycle will tell you that it is more than a brand—it’s a lifestyle. There’s a mystique about a Harley, a reverence, and even those who don’t know the difference between a dirt bike and a street bike can identify a chopper just by looking at it or hearing the distinctive growl. The Harley Owners Group (HOG) members are devoted to the bike, to riding and to making a difference in the communities in which they live. And they are equally committed to nurturing the worldwide community of over 1.1 million HOG members in 135 countries. h3. Caring for the community “HOG is a family-oriented motorcycle club—the largest company-sponsored motorcycle club in the world,” said Guy Liboiron, the media relations co-ordinator for the HOG chapter in Cranbrook, B.C. “We do a lot of volunteering and (raise) donations for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, for children in families who have medical needs…and for the Salvation Army.” Club treasurer Don Simpson said the club also does what it can to increase safety and rider awareness for all motorcyclists. “When we organize longer rides, we go to all the other dealerships in town and invite their memberships to join us on longer rides,” said Simpson. “We’re looking to support safe riding and riding camaraderie. When you’re on a motorcycle, you’re a pretty small, insignificant speck on the highway, so the more people you have riding, the more visibility you have as a group.” The Cranbrook HOGs have been making a difference to charities and riders in the East Kootenay area for a quarter of a century; the club celebrated its 25th year in 2008. This year it is marking the milestone by inviting HOG members from around the world to the 10th Western Regional HOG Rally taking place July 16 to 18. The gathering will bring together more than 600 riders, who will share ideas on community fundraising, take part in a poker run and enjoy some of the best riding in Canada. Liboiron said the rally is generating a lot of excitement among HOG riders across North America. They’ve been receiving inquiries about the weekend from Wisconsin, Colorado and New Jersey as well as from clubs in Eastern Canada. “Some of the best riding in North America is right here in our backyard,” said Cranbrook HOG Chapter director Jona-than Salken. Riding is, of course, the most important part of being a HOG member, and Liboi-ron said there is no finer bike on the highway. “We like to say there are two types of riders: those who are Harley riders and those who want to be,” said Liboiron. “There is no feeling like riding a Harley,” agreed Simpson. “There’s a balance and a feel that you don’t get with any other motorcycle. They’re so finely tuned and they just become a part of you.” There is an undeniable prestige associated with a Harley, and Simpson said any stop en route will always bring passersby who want look at the bike. Wayne Schell, the rally co-ordinator, said the mystery surrounding Harleys can protect them from petty thieves. “You can leave your stuff on a Harley—your helmet, your gloves—and people come around and look but nobody will touch,” said Schell. Although the Western Regional HOG Rally is only open to HOG members, anyone can attend the show-and-shine and skill-testing events to see some of the visiting bikes and their owners up close.
A hillbilly haven
Revving engines, dirt, dust, beer, music and burgers are the setting for the Lawn Mower Races in Cranbrook
Take your marks:: Pete Durning and Sean Rae race laps around the track. — photo by Kali Love
The famous comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, says that you are probably a redneck if you carry a fishing rod into Sea World, dress up to go to Wal-Mart, or if you have to go outside to get something out of the fridge. Well, here is another one to add to the huge list of redneck activities—going to the lawn mower races in Cranbrook, B.C. What started as a friendly lawn mower race between two friends, Pete Durning and Jude Brinders, has turned into a ritual among many Cranbrook residents and visitors from as far away as Saskatchewan. I had the pleasure of finding out about the lawn mower races last year with my boyfriend, Ben. A couple of Ben’s friends, Richard Nelson and Sean Rae, were racing in the event and we decided to go and cheer them on. What we found was about 300 people, live bands, a track dedicated to racing riding lawn mowers with souped-up engines and people dressed to the nines in hick attire. Pete Durning has been organizing the event for eight years and it is always held on the Saturday before Labour Day. Durning said the more people that come to the lawn mower races the better. “It is a full community event,” said Durning. “I want everyone to come and have a good time.” h3. Go big or go home Durning said the Lawn Mower Races event in 2008 was the pinnacle year as he had 15 racers signed up and the event made the CTV national news. This year was just as good, with more than 300 people and eight live bands, including bands from Edmonton, Golden and Sparwood. “We built a big custom stage that we added to our deck,” said Durning. “I like to go full out and do everything right. If I am going to do it, I am going to do it right—that is the only way to live.” Most of the lawn mowers have had extensive work done on them. Durning said his machine maxed out at 50 kilometres an hour, while the fastest machine at the races this year had a Ski-Doo engine and was clocked at 110 kilometres per hour. Durning starts preparation for the races about two weeks in advance and the week of the Lawn Mower Races, he gets about 15 to 20 people helping out with last-minute things to ensure the day goes well. h3. Obtainable goals Durning’s goal is to have a beer commercial dedicated to the Lawn Mower Races. “What I want is my own personal beer commercial,” said Durning. “Every year I have seen these beer commercials where people are out there partying and having a great time and the lawn mower races is my beer commercial…I look around and think, ‘Man, this is the way we should live every day’. ”
Enthusiasm abounds
The 10th annual ATV/BC Jamboree was a huge success
Symbol of success: The 2009 AGM and Jamboree brought together club members from all over B.C. and beyond, forging strong friendships along the way. ATV/BC members enjoyed rides over much of the awe-inspiring terrain of the Elk Valley area. — Photo by Peter Cunningham
Elkford hosted the 10th annual ATV/BC Jamboree on August 19 to 23, 2009. The event brought out ATV clubs from all over B.C. and beyond, including the Quad Squad from South Cariboo, the RidgeRiders from Prince George, the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad, the Sicamous Quadders and clubs from Arrow Lakes, Powell River, the West Kootenay and Revelstoke. There were 118 registrants from 22 clubs. Many took a week to travel here, stopping to ride their ATVs along the way. Wayne Dreger of Campbell River rode more than 900 kilometres around the province before arriving. When our guests arrived there were pre-rides every day for a week before the jamboree itself. Our guests for the VIP ride on Friday included several ATV/BC directors, Elkford’s mayor, Dean McKerracher, and reporters from the Fernie Free Press as well as RidersWest magazine (Kali Love and Joni Krats). The provincial AGM and wine and cheese was held on Friday evening. All of our visitors were touched by Elkford’s welcoming character and ATV-friendly bylaw. Elkford is the only town in B.C. that issues permits and plates. Riders must keep their speed under 20 kilometres per hour, use designated trails only, and proceed directly to the nearest trailhead. The District of Elkford issued 70 off-highway vehicle permits and licence plates over the week. The generosity of 42 sponsors amazed the Elkford club, with several donations of more than $500. Many thanks to the Elkford Chamber of Commerce and their members. With perfect weather, incredible viewpoints and trails, many lasting friendships were forged. Cheryl Hird and her crew catered an outstanding meal on Saturday evening—many said it was “the best buffet ever!” Jamboree chairman Gordon Galloway received a standing ovation when he was introduced after dinner. Gordon thanked the numerous volunteers from the Elkford club who came together to make this event a success. The proposed 2010 AGM will be held at Vernon, B.C., and may also include a jamboree.
Doran Manufacturing celebrates 55 years
This company has many accomplishments to be proud of.
A multi-faceted company: Doran produces high quality products, including those which are useful for riders. — photo courtesy of Doran Manufacturing, LLC
Doran Manufacturing, LLC recently marked the company’s 55th year in business with an internal celebration with their team members to properly acknowledge past accomplishments and to confirm the focus and direction for the future. “With so many companies struggling to survive and thrive, we chose to conduct an extensive review of our business. We discovered that Doran has a proud and deeply rooted legacy of establishing long-term relationships with our customers that is founded on treating their problems as if they were our own” said Jim Samocki, general manager. “As with every company, we have been faced with a number of challenges to our business, but our team members have been integral to keeping the company on course. They continually working to fulfill the higher purpose for the products in the key markets we serve, including: h3. Terminals and terminal boards: We create and provide customized solutions to simplify complex assembly issues. h3. School bus: We protect children. h3. Truck fleets: Our truck fleet customers lower their costs, improve their overall safety and become more competitive while we are contributing to saving the planet, one tire at a time. h3. RV: We provide a safer and more peaceful RV experience. h3. Motorcycle: We are preventing accidents and saving lives. “Ultimately, these beliefs support the key operating principle of our owners, which is to continue to make Doran an unusually good place to work and have a career. We are looking forward to providing new solutions to our customers’ problems and expediting the next growth phase for our business,” concluded Samocki. Cincinnati-based Doran Manufacturing continues to produce and assemble terminals and terminal boards for small electric motors in the original factory that was established in 1954. In addition, the company has been designing, assembling and supplying transportation safety products for school buses, RVs and commercial trucks for more than thirty-five years. Product categories include tire pressure monitoring systems for RVs, truck fleets and motorcycles; monitors for LED/incandescent lights and Sleeping Child Check monitors for school buses. For more information on Doran’s product lines, please call toll-free 1-866-816-SAFE (7233) or visit the company’s website at "www.doranmfg.com(Doran Manufacturing)":http://www.doranmfg.com. You can also contact them via e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or write to Doran Manufacturing, 2851 Massachusetts Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225.
Power sports on the prairie
The success story of a leading Saskatchewan retailer.
The place to shop: The new location of Leisure Sports is a feast for the eyes. — photo courtesy of Dwight Bergstrom
Leisure Sports is proud to be Saskatchewan’s longest continuously operating power sports retailer. We have been serving folks from all over Canada since 1971. Being ideally located in the Saskatchewan boreal forest and Lakeland district, there is always great interest in accessing these recreational areas via power sports products, on a year round basis. During this time period we have been a dealer for many brands: Bombardier, Suzuki, Arctic Cat, Polaris and Yamaha. Throughout our 38 years in business, it has been very interesting to see the evolution of power sports products and accessories from 1971, to those that are available today. h3. Bigger and better Leisure Sports has recently relocated the dealership to a much larger facility, and we are now sharing space with Points West Sales. This move has given Leisure Sports the opportunity to offer our customers a much improved facility—including a larger showroom, service department, parts department and yard space. The new location also offers our customers greater ease of access, as the new location is on Highway #2 which is the major north/south highway through Prince Albert. Leisure Sports’ major retail sales category is marine products, and we are currently selling Glastron Boats, Premier Boats, Crestliner Boats, Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Volvo Penta Sterndrives. Points West Sales at this location is currently a dealer for Midwest Power Sports Products, Big Tex Trailers and is one of Prince Albert’s largest pre-owned vehicle dealers. With the new larger location, Leisure Sports has recently been approached by other major power sports companies to become their dealer as well. h3. Great responsibilities As a longtime power sports dealer, I am very impressed with the Midwest ATV, side-by-side and motorcycle, in terms of quality and performance for the dollar. In addition to selling new products, we also take on the big job of buying and retailing pre-owned power sports products of all brands. Our parts, accessory and service departments offer a large selection of marine and power sports parts and accessories. We welcome marine and power sports product owners of all brands to take advantage of the goods and services that these departments offer. Whether you reside in the Prince Albert district or are a tourist visiting here in one of Canada’s finest recreation areas, we look forward to your visit, pouring you a cup of coffee and serving you in any way that you require. We welcome you to the new location of Leisure Sports with Points West Sales: 2nd Avenue - Highway #2 South, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan h3. Contact us at: * Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) * Phone toll free: 1-888-433-8233 (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta) * Phone: 306-764-1443 * Website: "www.leisuresportspa.com(Leisure Sports Spa)":http://www.leisuresportspa.com
Dual-sport adventure
A Crowsnest Pass company offers multi-day wilderness excursions.
On and off pavement: Guides Darrell Hilliard and Russ Thompson have travelled far together. — photo courtesy of Dual Tracks
Fuelled by their passion for adventure, Darrell Hilliard and Russ Thompson of Lundbreck, Alberta, started Dual Tracks, a company that specializes in multi-day backcountry tours on dual-sport bikes in the Rocky Mountains. Hilliard and Thompson, who both have a background in the oil and gas industry, have shared an avid interest in motorcycles of all kinds for most of their lives. “We’ve known each other since high school and have ridden together for years,” said Hilliard. Hlliard and Thompson gravitated to dual-sport bikes for their versatility. “The dual-sports will get you 90 per cent of the places a hardcore dirt bike would, but you don’t have to load and unload,” Hilliard said. “You just get back to the highway and go. You get more saddle time.” h3. Defining paths When Hilliard and Thompson relocated from Calgary to Lundbreck, they found vast wilderness to explore. In an area that is in close proximity to Waterton Lakes National Park, the Continental Divide and Kananaskis Country—all accessible by gravel backroads—the men spent much of their free time in the mountains on their bikes. Over the course of several years, Thompson and Hilliard combed the area to the point that they had developed many multi-day routes, which Thompson mapped out and tracked with his GPS. Thompson uses his GPS quite a lot as a specialist in pipeline relocation. In 2007, Hilliard and Thompson decided to create a company and developed formal multi-day tours and other services. “We have introduced dual-sport skill-enhancement seminars as well,” said Hilliard. For Hilliard, one of the most gratifying aspects of running Dual Tracks is assisting his clients in developing their skills. h3. Exploring remote backroads One favourite route of Hilliard’s involves riding west on the scenic stretch of Highway 3 from Lundbreck into B.C. Before the town of Sparwood, you leave Highway 3 and ride south along the Michel Creek drainage. From here, one route heads down to the now-closed Flathead border crossing several kilometres west of Akimina-Kishenina Provincial Park. This ride to the U.S. border follows the western edge of a dramatic limestone wall near Flathead Pass before meandering south along the Flathead River valley. On the way back, the route heads northwest through more spectacular country and eventually emerges from the gravel road back onto Highway 3 just west of Fernie. “Every time you go in there, you never know what the day is going to be like,” said Hilliard. “It becomes more technical. It is beautiful in there.”
Lodgings designed with riders in mind
Cheechako Cabins was thoughtfully created for outdoors enthusiasts.
Trails through the trees: Entrancing terrain characterizes the area around Cheechako Cabins. — photo courtesy Lowell Summers
Nestled in the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, Cheechako Cabins provides exceptional lodgings that have a special point of interest for any RidersWest reader. They are located in one of the most sublime locations for outdoor activities, especially for ATVing. Owners Lowell and Bonnie Summers share a love of the outdoors that is reflected in the success of their business. “We moved to Nordegg in 1997,” Lowell Summers explained, “and began building Cheechako Cabins. We, along with our daughter, Sarah, who lives in the area with her husband, are the owners/operators/managers of the business.” h3. Identifying a need The alpine environment was irresistible, and the Summers’ followed their vision to create lodgings that would appeal to the growing number of outdoor enthusiasts. “I retired from the military in 1997,” said Summers. “Bonnie and I decided we liked the idea of living in a mountainous area, and that grew into the idea of rental cabins. We’ve never regretted our decision. Our intent was to provide accommodation for individuals, couples and families who would like to experience the outdoors.” h3. Inspired design ATVers can settle in at the cabins, and conveniently head off to the trails without having to make a long trip to get to their destination. “ATVers like our place, mainly because they have direct access to many kilometres of trails,” said Summers. “There’s no need to haul their machines to a start point. We can also provide maps of the local trails to supplement the recently updated Bighorn Backcountry brochure produced by the Alberta government’s department of Sustainable Resources and Development (SRD).” The cabins are also dog-friendly and private. They are situated in such a was that they have a minimal negative impact on the surrounding environment, so nature lovers can appreciate all aspects of their stay. They are designed in the style of the early miners’ cabins, in honour of the mining history of Nordegg, and feature private covered decks. “Cheechako is a northern aboriginal word meaning newcomer or tenderfoot,” said Summers. “Which is basically what Bonnie and I were when we moved here (from Edmonton) and began carving the place out of the land.” For more information on Cheechako Cabins, visit "www.cheechakocabins.com(Cheechako Cabins)":http://www.cheechakocabins.com.
Rising to the challenge
Shane Cuthbertson revels in pushing himself in extreme racing.
Daredevil: Shane Cuthbertson takes a mind-blowing jump. — photo by Jay McGregor
Shane Cuthbertson, one of the members of the Corner Grass Racing Team, rediscovered his love of high-octane speed around the age many riders are giving up the sport for good. Cuthbertson rode BMX bikes as a child and dirt bikes on family outings into the mountains. Around age 16, he started racing in motocross events, turning pro when he was 18. However, like most young men that age, he was easily distracted by other pursuits—such as girls and parties. “Then I got married (to wife Charla) and had kids and got serious and back into (racing) again,” said Cuthber. “When I got back on my bike again, things felt easy. It just clicked and away I went.” However, motocross didn’t offer quite enough hair-raising challenge for Cuthbertson. As much as he relished the dirt and the speed, he was increasingly taken with more extreme off-road racing and found himself drawn to events such as Red Bull’s Last Man Standing and Romaniacs. “That seemed to be right up my alley and I did all right for a working guy,” said Cuthbertson. The courses push Cuthbertson to perform in ways most riders never experience. He loves the feeling of working against physics—man and machine against nature—as well as the on-the-spot problem solving that extreme off-road requires. “There are sections that are nearly impossible to ride,” said Cuthbertson, who described almost fully vertical up-and-downs, mud pits and other obstacles. “When the top guys are getting through those sections, I wonder if they’ve done that riding or if they had to push their bikes like I did—or throw their bikes.” However, he draws on his past family rides through the bush to excels at some of the more technical portions of the course. “We would always find the nastiest, ugliest thing that we thought we might be able to climb over,” said Cuthbertson, “so I have a pretty good skill set already. I have the mind frame that I’m not going to be conquered and I’m either going to get over it riding or carrying my bike.” This year, Cuthbertson is working to improve his record and is looking forward to putting his new bike, a 2009 Husaberg FE570, to the test. He’s also introducing his boys, Chase (6) and Kale (3) to the sport. He’s devoted to his family, his team and his favourite pastime. “My goal is to be a better rider, to strive to be the best,” he said.
Standing out
Small-town shop wins Outstanding Snowmobile Dealership award.
A Shared Passion: Owners Irene and Darren Strawson enjoy the products they sell; also pictured here is Darren’s mother, Edith, who is a part owner of the business. — photo courtesy Irene Strawson
*Name:* Irene Strawson *Position/company:* Co-owner of Barrhead Motor Sports in Barrhead, Alberta. *Products and services:* We are a Polaris snowmobile dealership. We also sell the Polaris ATVs and we sell Honda motorcycles, ATVs and power equipment. We also sell the Polaris Rangers, the side-by-side units, and we sell Argo. And then our service and parts department back those products. *Past lives:* Before we bought this dealership we had a construction company and a trucking and backhoe company. *What led you to open Barrhead Motor sports?* Well, we enjoyed the sport ourselves and so decided to get into it. *What is the shop like?* It has a very full show room. We’ve got a brick building on a two-acre parcel of land in the town of Barrhead. We are on the edge of the industrial park. We are right on the snowmobile trail to leave town and the staging area is right across the road from us. *Describe an average day:* We come in in the morning and open shop about a half an hour before we open up to the public and just get everything all up and running and get prepared. Then we are dealing with customers. We have 13 staff and are always looking for ways to improve. *What do you like most about your job?* Seeing something—a project pull together and seeing good results. Dealing with the staff and seeing how they develop and get things done. Dealing with the public can be very rewarding too. *Describe your relationship with your customers:* I would say its pretty good. WIth it (Barrhead) being a small town, a lot of customers come in and we can call them by their first name. When you are in a bigger urban setting you don’t get that kind of service or local recognition. They come in and know that I know them, which is really nice. You’ve already got a relationship. *What do you ride?* Any of the trips that I go on the sled of choice for myself is the Polaris 700 RMK—that’s been my favourite for years. We don’t get out and ride as much as we’d like to. We did more riding, I think, before, a few years ago when we weren’t quite as big as we are now. *What does it mean to you to have won the 2008 Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) award for Outstanding Snowmobile Dealership?* Naturally, we were pretty excited about it—all the staff. It’s rewarding for them to be recognized on that level. Our customers and our local sled club are the ones who nominated us. Can I just put a little thank you in there to all of our staff for doing an outstanding job?
New perspectives
A special ATV tour brought Andrew Zwicker closer to nature and history.
Natural High: Wayne George, owner of Turtleback Adventures, loves to share the stunning scenery and history of the West Kootenay with his clients. — photo by Andrew Zwicker
The view is astonishing and the air is fresh at 4,200 feet near the summit of Mount Sentinel, which towers over Castlegar and the Kootenay and Columbia River valleys. However, the high altitudes of the trails that crisscross the mountains in this area are not the only unique points of view you will experience on an ATV tour with Turtleback Adventures. Based out of Castlegar, Turtleback Adventures is owned by Wayne George who runs it from his home in the Kootenay River Valley. George utilizes the multitude of old logging and wagon roads in the area to provide guests with adventure tours to high and hard-to-reach places. With six ATVs and his new Yamaha Rhino two-up, George can take groups of up to 13 people out to experience the gentler side of ATVing. As a certified ATV instructor with the Canadian Safety Council, his ATV tours are safe and fun for all ages—from 16-year-olds to those who are in their 80s. “Last summer I was out on the quads with an 84-year-old guy on vacation,” said George. Drawn to the area through a great vision granted to him by the Great Turtle Clan, Wayne’s aboriginal heritage plays a large part in his tours. His low-key persona and wisdom are infectious as he narrates everything from the history of the land to the spectacular mountain viewscapes seen on the tour. George’s vision was the driving force behind him relocating from Kettle Point, Ontario, to Vancouver Island and ultimately to the Kootenays where he has been running Turtleback for the past four years. The company logo is a representation of the vision in which George rode upon the back of a great turtle to the bottom of the ocean where two giant salmon expressed their approval of him. Then the turtle brought him back to a new land with geography looking much like that of the Kootenays. “It bothered me for many years, that vision,” said George, “until I finally had to go, had to move to the West Coast to understand and live out the vision. That is what brought me out west.” It is this story, among many others, that George is passionate about sharing with guests as he tours them through the surrounding mountains. Although these trips are fully customizable to what his guests would like to do or see, some of the more popular routes involve using the old rail beds in the area to access high viewpoints. Travelling over high wooden trestles and through train tunnels of the old C&W Railway while learning about the culture and history of the area is truly a unique way to get in touch with the Kootenay landscape. Guests also love the historic mine tours where they can ride through abandoned ghost towns and feel the spirit of the area’s mining past. There are frequent stops along the way at viewpoints, spots where there are wildlife viewing opportunities and even the occasional bear track in the mud. A hearty lunch is supplied to re-energize the guests for their ride back down the mountain and home again. Many of those guests come back as George has built a loyal base of customers that repeat year after year. There have even been a number of high profile celebrities who have toured with Turtleback Adventures, including the actress Goldie Hawn. Getting to know George over the course of a tour is like cracking the cover of a great novel as his numerous stories, anecdotes and knowledge of history draw you in as they unfold before you. It is his curious and welcoming personality that make the tours with Turtleback unique and it is what keeps his guests coming back year after year. See "www.turtlebackadventures.com(Turtleback Adventures)":http://www.turtlebackadventures.com or phone (877) 288-0477/(250) 399-0047 for more information on Turtleback Adventures.
Right on track
At the helm of Greater Vancouver Powersports is an ex-motocross racer turned businessman.
A Proud Papa: With a motorsports enthusiast as a father, Ava, who is Mike Skiba’s 10-month-old daughter, is a lucky girl. — photo courtesy Mike Skiba
*Name:* Mike Skiba *Position/company:* Owner and general manager of Greater Vancouver Powersports (GVP) in Surrey, B.C. *Products/services:* We sell and service Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). We sell Can-Am ATVs, Sea-Doos, Sea-Doo boats, Ski-Doo snowmobiles and the new Can-Am Spyder Roadster. We are the only full line Bombardier dealer in the Lower Mainland to sell Sea-Doo Boats and the Can-Am Spyder Roadster. We have three full-time techs and a service writer (servicing all the BRP products), a support person, two sales staff, three staff in parts and accessories, an office manager and a finance person. *Past lives:* I grew up in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and I’ve been in Surrey since 1996. I was kind of a motocross guy as a kid. My brother and I used to race motocross pretty heavily in Western Canada and then I got injured when I was 18 so I couldn’t ride anymore. *How did you get started?* I was going to BCIT and my ex-partner was looking for a working partner at the Polaris dealership in Langley, B.C., so I bought into that and worked there for six years. I learned a lot about the business and then I sold out in 2002. I explored other business opportunities but I missed the people associated with the powersports business, and I decided to get my own dealership going. We opened the doors to Greater Vancouver Powersports on December 1, 2004, in a 5,000-square-foot building—it’s hard to believe we functioned in that small of a space. *What is the shop like?* Today, we have a 12,000-square-foot shop, including a 5,000-square-foot showroom and 7,000-square-foot service area with storage. We currently have 12 employees and are growing. What truly makes our shop is our top-notch GVP team of staff. Everyone that works here is passionate about the business. Our parts and accessories team has a reputation of accessorizing our units like no one else. *How would you describe your relationship with your customers?* Customer service is paramount to us. We’re fortunate to have a good customer base. This year has brought new challenges—given our growth—to be able to maintain a high level of customer service. We are actively reconfiguring our service department and have hired additional technicians to better meet our customer demand. It’s a work in progress. It’s certainly been a challenge to keep up with the unanticipated fast growth of our dealership. Now it is getting to the point where we’re big enough that I don’t personally know a lot of our customers; I used to know everybody but I’m trying to move myself out of the everyday duties to work on the business instead of in the business. That’s the toughest part for me—it was easier for me to be a sales guy but to be a general manager is a tougher job and it’s a new one for me. *Describe an average day for you:* I am usually up and off to the gym by 5:30 a.m. and then I return home to have a quick breakfast with my wife and daughter. I am then off to the shop to help the service guys get some of the product outside—get the service department fired up—and then I go on to the day-to-day stuff. I try to be home around 7 p.m. to tuck my little girl in. *What do you like most about your job?* I love the new product. Every year there’s new and exciting things coming out from the manufacturers. I love the excitement that the customers have when they’re picking up their new toys from our shop. We try to get out and ride all of our product we sell so I encourage the staff to ride by giving them demos. We’re pretty excited about the new Can-Am Spyder, a three-wheeled street bike. This is quite the head-turning bike. *How often do you ride?* Well, I just had a baby girl (she’s 10 months now) so that has taken a lot of my time but my wife and I are having a lot of fun with her. I’ve ridden about three or four times this year and normally I ride a lot more than that. *Describe your community:* Surrey is growing so fast—it’s probably one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. It’s growing like crazy so that has really helped our business. I think, given the economy in general, people are spending more money on fun—whether it is sledding, ATVing or boating—and they are doing it with their families and friends. *What are the best places to ride in your area?* People generally have to drive for about an hour to find some ATVing. There is some stuff locally but it just depends on what they’re looking for. Stave Lake, Herrling Island and Larson Hill up the Coquihalla are good for ATVing. For sledding, we ride a lot at Whistler.
A business adventure
Lisa Levasseur is one of the few people who can make a living doing what they love.
One of The Boys: Lisa Levasseur’s love for sleds, ATVs and horses has helped her cope with health challenges; here, Levasseur is pictured with friends Pat Godin (L) and Tim Bartaux. — photo courtesy Lisa Levasseur
*Name:* Lisa Levasseur *Position/company:* General manager of Terracana Ranch Resort in Valemount, B.C. *Services:* All-Inclusive sledding packages, ATV trips, hummer tours, riverside log cabins, a full-service restaurant and bar and spa massage therapy—with mountain riding adventure guiding and rentals coming soon. *Past lives:* I spent eight years working in California at one of the top Arabian training stables. I bought and sold horses and property with my dad and we started Excella Arabians Training Stable in Stony Plain, Alberta. Then, I was crippled through work, injury and disease; I went through a couple of surgeries and eventually realized training horses was not an option anymore. I had initiated and invested in Warehouse Billiards in Stony Plain, Alberta, so I started managing it and my brother and I bought out our partners and opened a second location in Spruce Grove. I also volunteered as much time as possible at our corporate head office but I crippled myself again and sold out. After another surgery, I started working for my dad managing the construction of Thorton Court Hotel in downtown Edmonton. *How did you get started?* A German family developed the property about 20 years ago with local contractors, including my neighbour, but eventually they shut it down. My dad always wanted a ranch resort—maybe with my love for horses in mind. He ran accross Terracana and bought it when our company was dealing on the Canoe Mountain project about seven years ago. Terracana went through a number of managers during the first couple of years and I was sent to put the right staff in place; after that, I refused to leave. *What is the property like?* On the ranch end of things, we’ve been naturally raising our own black angus beef for our restaurants and now selling to the public. I never sold my horses so they are living out their retirement until someone comes along that can help me do more with them. Our neighbours handled all the trail rides, but we’re starting up some unique horse adventures now that they’ve gotten out of it. On the resort end, it is the perfect getaway in the summer with beautiful riverside log cabins—surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. We specialize in corporate retreats with great meeting facilities and all the outdoor adventure activities for team building. My staff and I tend to spend more time with our summer guests socializing and out fishing and hummer touring. A lot of our sledders have started coming out in the summer for ATVing. We have more ideas in the works, such as developing housing lots so people can buy into and share this lifestyle. *How would you describe your relationship with your customers?* Fun and very rewarding. We’ve had a tough time getting this place off the ground and they’ve really supported us and helped out. Can you imagine some of them even giving up play time to do things like build fences or round up cattle? What can I say—I love them! *What do you like most about your job?* The people. But I have to say I wouldn’t enjoy my job if it weren’t for all the support from the awesome staff I have—they are a big part of it all, as is my dad. *How often do you ride sleds, ATVs and horses?* Not as often as I’d like, but plenty considering I’m supposed to be in a wheelchair. *Describe your community:* The economies here are depressed but the lifestyle is rich with all the beauty that surrounds. Generally, the people here understand what is valuable in life and they’d give you the shirt off their back.
True to his roots
Scott Stevenson's love of motorsports are at the heart of his business
Fun Times: Scott Stevenson checks out the obstacle course at the St. Jean ATV Derby. — photo courtesy Scott Stevenson
*Name:* Scott Stevenson *Position/company:* Owner of Scott Rod’s Ltd. in Morris, Manitoba. *Products and services:* Our main focus is ATVs. We do sales and service on ATVs but we also service snowmobiles, and motorcycles, and we sell new and used parts for cars and trucks. We are a Kawasaki dealer but we do upgrades on all makes and models. We sell Kawasaki ATVs, Mules and now the Teryx. *Past lives:* I was born and raised in Morris. I was in business with my dad for about 10 years; we ran an auto recycler—that's where I get my business background. For 10 years we shared the business but even when I was eight or 10 I was there tinkering, pulling stuff apart and putting stuff back together. As a kid, my dad was big into snowmobiling and my background is really in snowmobiling. I've always had my own sled to ride since I was about eight years old. Up until I got into this business, I owned a snowmobile and now I own an ATV and I love it. I don't regret it either way and I like both summer and winter. *How did you get started?* I actually started and opened up as an auto parts specialty store. That’s where the name Scott Rod’s comes from. I was supplying restoration parts for old cars and trucks and standard parts for your regular Cavalier. But a couple months in, it was a little bit slow and someone said, “There’s nobody in our area that deals with snowmobile or dirt bike parts,” and I thought “What the heck, I’ll try it.” It’s been less than three years and now 95 per cent of my business is powersports. I'm a Kawasaki dealer and I love the way my business has turned over to the powersports business—it's a lot of fun. *What's the shop like?* It’s a small shop. We operate out of a pretty small building. My showroom takes up two-thirds of my building and my shop takes about one-third of it. I’ve got one full-time tech and we're busy all the time. *How would you describe your relationship with your customers?* I would say it’s good. I’m in a community of 1,700 people and the majority of my customers come from within a 20-mile radius (the nature of rural Manitoba is kind of close). So I’d say I have a pretty close relationship with at least 90 per cent of my clientele. You can tell it’s different than running out of a big city shop when your customers come in and tell you “Hey, we’re going on a ride this weekend. Do you wanna come with us?” A lot of the guys that I sell to, I ride with. It’s nice. *Describe an average day:* My wife and I are both self-employed and we have two young boys in school so the day starts at 7 a.m., and ends at midnight. They are long days but it’s what I want to do. It’s nice to be happy to go to work every day. *What do you like most about your job?* The interaction with customers and the fact that I get to work with toys all day. I’ve always been kind of a mental case when it comes to anything powersports-related—whether it’s auto, bike or sled racing. Bigger, faster, stronger. *How often do you ride?* I wish I could ride more; I probably ride a few times a month. In southern Manitoba, quad runs are really popular so I travel all over to these different runs. Just south of me is St. Jean, Manitoba, which has Canada's largest ATV derby. With something like that, I don’t even get a chance to ride—because I'm there as a vendor—but I’ll travel anywhere from three to four hours away to go to these other little town’s derbies so that we can go for a ride. The nice thing is that my tech and I both ride. So when a customer comes in, we can really give them all the details. We’re not just a salesman behind a counter trying to sell you the product on the floor, but we actually use the product that’s on the floor. If we ever have any problems with any of the aftermarket stuff, we’ve tested it, we know that, we don’t buy it and we don’t tell our customers to buy it. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’re steering them towards something that’s worth more money, we’re just steering them towards something that’s better value. You can save 20 bucks on something and regret every minute of it if it doesn’t work. *Describe your community:* It’s a pretty religious little town. There are 1,700 people and we have seven churches. So I don’t have to worry if my kids are waiting on the corner for the bus. It is nice being in a small town. There’s lots of advantages and there’s a few disadvantages but we’re only half an hour out of Winnipeg. And our town is just big enough that we have a nice grocery store and hardware store.
First Canadian Extreme Hard Enduro—XTINCTION!
Canadian Off-Road Expo
Hot times at Cherry Creek track
An update on Port Alberni’s motocross races of May 30th and 31st
Racing hard: Andrew Belin heading for the finish line on Sunday. — Photo courtesy Ed Masters
Great track conditions made for some fantastic motocross racing May 30th and 31st at the Cherry Creek track in Port Alberni. Club members over there should be proud of themselves for the great weekend as they hosted rounds eight and nine of the CMRC Vancouver Island Spring Series. There was even an appearance made by the Marten Mars water bomber on Saturday. That is one very impressive plane that flew overhead. Now if it had made a drop on the crowd it sure would have had a cooling effect on the hot day—a very small drop as it does hold a huge volume of water. There was great action in the Ladies class both days. Saturday it was Camille Baker who roared out to an early lead right from the drop of the gates. She was being chased down by Port Alberni rider Amy Aspell who was getting all she could handle from another local rider, Paige Hansen. It was Baker who took the checkered flag for the morning while Aspell placed second and Hansen third. In the afternoon it was Hansen who twisted the throttle hard, roared off the start line and threw the hole shot first. Baker was giving all she could but in the end it was Hansen who crossed the finish line first for the moto. Aspell finished third. Baker took the overall win for the day as she out-pointed Hansen who placed second overall. Aspell took home third place overall. On Sunday in the Ladies class it was a battle to see who would get first on the home track as the three top-place riders for the day were all from Port Alberni. Hansen and Aspell, as well as Kayla Peffers, went all out to see who would take home track advantage to keep first overall for the day. Right from the drop of the gate in both motos it was a battle between Hansen and Aspell for the whole race. Each rider was not giving much chance for the other to get by. They even swapped places a few times in one corner and by the next tabletop the other would pass. But in the end it was Hansen who would claim victory and Aspell would settle for second place while Peffers would take third place. Tyler Cox of Port Alberni took full advantage of his home track on Saturday in the Youth class as he finished the day in top place. He was followed across the finish line by Tyler Petersen of Qualicum Beach. Third place overall went home with Sean Poire of Saanichton. On Sunday Campbell River rider Andrew Belin was on hand to thrill the crowd. He did that with some high-flying tail whips over the finish line as he took home first place overall while Eric Wickman of Courtenay took home second place overall. Third overall went to Saanichton rider Ross Sherman. Wickman was also riding in the GP Pro class on the weekend. He was leading the race when he took a spill on Saturday and was unable to finish the race. The overall win for the day went to Lake Cowichan rider Kurt Nelson. Second place overall went to Courtenay rider Brayden Olsen. Sherman took home third place. Wickman showed up for the Sunday races all prepared for the day. He was up against some great riders. He had his throttle opened up but it was not enough in the morning moto as Belin had his sights on first place. Belin took the morning moto win as Wickman had to settle for second place. Third place for the moto went to Sherman. In the afternoon moto Belin roared out to an early lead right from the drop of the gates. He was riding high on the burms and sending large rooster tails of dirt. Wickman was sitting back waiting for an opening that came as Belin went off the track and had to remount his bike. That left Wickman time to build a sizeable lead. Belin had to fight his way back if he were to finish in the top three. Belin did just that—with one lap remaining he took third place while Sherman took second and first went to Wickman. With first in the afternoon for Wickman it was enough to give him the overall win for the day while Belin returned home with second place. Sherman went home with third overall. Blain Morrow of Black Creek had a good race on Sunday as he returned home with a third-place finish overall for the day. Second place went home with Bryce Currie of Victoria while top place went to Westholme with Cody Sutherland. There was some great race action in the 50cc 7-8 class on the weekend as well. Duncan rider Wyatt Youland had a great ride in the morning moto on Saturday. He finished in first place for the moto while Saltspring Island rider Brandon Johnson finished second. Third place also went to a Saltspring Island rider, David Bradley. Youland was leading the afternoon moto until—with just a few laps left—he had mechanical problems with his bike and had to leave the race. That left the win open for the taking for Johnson. Bradley finished in second while Shawnigan Lake rider Colby Egeland took third. Johnson finished the day in first overall while Bradley took second and Egeland third. Johnson and Egeland were out there doing their best to out-ride the other on Sunday but in the end it was Johnson who took home first overall for the day while Egeland had to settle for second. Courtenay rider Autumn Gould had a good day and was rewarded with third place overall for the day. Campbell River rider Jesse White had a good weekend over in Port Alberni. On Saturday White placed first overall in the MX2 GP class. Second overall stayed right in Port Alberni with Tyler Komjati while Nanaimo rider Sheldon Whitcomb placed third. A little bad luck for White in his morning moto on Sunday saw him finish in fourth place for that moto. In the afternoon moto he was fully prepared to do what it takes to make the podium for the day. He went out there and had a handful of throttle and never let off at all during the race right from start to finish. He placed first in the moto while Whitcomb placed second. Port Alberni rider Jason Samson placed third. Whitcomb finished the day in first overall while White returned with second overall; Samson placed third. White was also riding in the MX2 Beginner class this weekend. He was hit with some bad luck in this class as well. He had his rear wheel slide out in the first moto on Saturday and was unable to compete the rest of the day. First overall for the day went to Parksville rider Ryan Low while Peffers took home second place. Third place overall went to Komjati. White was all ready for Sunday racing in the MX2 Beginner class. He returned home with a third place finish overall while Samson took second place. First place overall went to Justin Hesketh of Nanaimo. In the Plus 40 class it was a tight battle for the top three finishes for the weekend. Duncan rider Ron Hyde took home first overall for both while second was split between Port Alberni rider Paul Hansen and Nanaimo rider Tracy Morlock. On Saturday Morlock took second while Hansen went home in third. Sunday it was Hansen out-riding Morlock to take second while Morlock took third. Two riders who were noticeably absent from racing this weekend were Pro rider Colton McLean of Courtenay and Saltspring Island rider Cameron Bradley of the 50cc 4-6 class. McLean is off competing in the CMRC Pro Nationals that start June 7th in Kamloops. Best of luck to you, Colton. Bradley was injured while practising for the races and will not be able to compete again till the Fall Series that starts in September. Best of luck to you, Cameron—hope you are up and riding real soon.
Thrills and spills headline season finale
The CMRC Vancouver Island Spring Championship series wrapped up with a great weekend of racing
Girl power: Paige Hansen of Port Alberni was ripping up the track. — photo credit: Myrna Hansen
More photosIt was a good weekend of racing here in Campbell River on June 14th. A lot of preparation took place the week leading up to the final race of the CMRC Vancouver Island Spring Championship Series. Some of the championships for the series were decided on the race day. The track was in nice condition thanks to Ed Allan and the string of volunteers that put in countless hours of hard work to make it all possible. The weather was a little on the hot side for the race. So the only thing that got a little more use than sunblock and the dirt bikes was possibly McIver Lake to get cooled down during the lunch break. There were lots of spills and thrills on Sunday after a great practice day on Saturday; that too was held under some hot skies. What a great way to end the series for Black Creek rider Blain Morrow who was riding in the 85cc 7-11 class. Morrow roared out of the start gate both in the morning and afternoon motos. He was determined to have a great finish for the final race series. He did that with a statement, the statement being, watch for me in the Fall Series. Morrow took first overall for the day and second in the series. Second overall for the day went to Bryce Currie of Victoria while Cody Sutherland of Westholm took third for the day home with him. Jesse White of Campbell River had a great weekend of racing. He had his work cut out for him if he wanted to keep his lead in the series as just a few points separated him from second place rider Justin Hesketh of Nanaimo. These two had some great battles all series long. With just five points between them White had to finish in the top two in order to hold the series lead. Hesketh finished the day in first while White had to hold off Kayla Peffers of Port Alberni to finish second. Peffers placed third overall. h3. Beginner class Both Hesketh and White were back on the track in the GP Beginner class with throttles in the full open position. This time it was Hesketh who had to chase down White and stay in the top three in order to hold down top place in the series. Should he not it would be White to take that position as well. Hesketh did finish third behind White thus giving him first overall for the series while second for the day went to Campbell River rider Shane Southern. h3. Youth class Courtenay rider Eric Wickman had a good weekend of racing here in Campbell River in two classes of racing. First up was the Youth class. He was up against some great riders who came to town for the event, riders such as Sean Poire and Ross Sherman both of Sannichton. Both riders were giving all they had to take first place overall from Wickman but to no avail this time as he was just flying high and twisting the throttle hard to keep first here on the North Island. Sherman returned home second overall while Poire went home in third overall. This class had to have a restart as Campbell River rider Andrew Belin went down very hard. As Belin was going over one of the upper table tops something went wrong with his bike and he crashed hard. Wickman was right behind him and showed some great sportsmanship by throwing his bike down and going to Belin till first aid could get there. Way to go, Eric. Best of luck to you, Andrew. Hope you are doing well and are able to be back on the bike as soon as you able to ride again. Pro class Wickman was also riding the GP Pro class and pulled off a top place finish in that class as well. This time out he had Courtenay rider Brayden Olson hard on his rear tire waiting for that opening that never came. Olsen giving all he had just could not get around Wickman and had to settle for second place while Sherman returned home in third place overall for the day. Ladies class Great riding took place in the Ladies class this weekend as well. Paige Hansen of Port Alberni was ripping up the track out there in all spots of the track as she was giving it all she could to stay ahead of Taylor Lesser of Powell River. Lesser had her work cut out for her as well as Peffers was pushing her and waiting for an opening to shoot past her. It was an opening that never came and Peffers had to return home in third place overall. Campbell River rider Chelsea Masters went down as she over shot a tabletop and was injured and unable to compete the rest of the day. Hope you are doing well and up riding again real soon. h3. 85cc class Corey Cardinal of Crofton had a fantastic race day in Campbell River this weekend as he placed first overall all in the 85cc 12-16 class. He was just riding superb as he had his bike fling over the tabletops as well as railing the corners. He took first overall in the class. Second place went to James Cool of Sooke and third place overall went to Damon Riesach of Nanaimo. h3. Supermini class Cardinal was also riding in the Supermini class this weekend and once again went home with first place overall. This time Riesach and Cool were each trying to out-ride the other for second place overall. In this moto, though, it would be Riesach who reached the checkered flag ahead of Cool for second overall. Cool went home in third place overall. h3. 50cc class In the 50cc 7-8 class Brandon Johnson of Saltspring Island had his bike dialled in perfect for the local track here this weekend. He grabbed the hole shot in both motos and never looked back to take the overall win for the weekend. Colby Egeland of Shawnigan Lake was in a battle for second with Wyatt Youland of Duncan. They were back and forth between second and third place in both motos. In the end it was Egeland who took second home with him while Youland went home third overall. With this being the final race for the Spring Series I hope all of you have a great summer and are all rested and ready to tear up the local tracks for the Vancouver Island Fall Series this September.
Test ride
Campbell River was the site of some quad-testing action
Eager participants: Quad riders gathered to join in the fun. — photo courtesy Ed Masters
What a great day for a test ride on a Can-Am quad. That is what took place August 23, 2009, at the Campbell River Motocross Track. Can-Am—in conjunction with Courtenay Motorsports—brought out several quads for people to test ride. Courtenay Motorsports representative Javan Wyker said “it was a huge success. We had about 25-30 people come out and try them. All good feedback about the machines so that was a good thing. Can-Am supplied the quads and helmets for the ride. They had quads from 400 to the big 800 (models). Some even had power steering on them for easier handling.” The few people I talked to seem to think that the Can-Am was an excellent quad and that testing them out on the motocross track gave them an excellent feel for what they could do out in the bush. They had some steep uphill climbing as well as some sharp turning to play on. There were also a few trails that some of the riders took them out on.
Kicking off the series
Prime conditions and entertainment welcomed the start of the Vancouver Island Fall Series
Ladies hitting the track: Lindsey McLean (bike 142) competes with Tamara Hills (bike 166). — photo courtesy Ed Masters
August 29 was the start of the Vancouver Island Fall Series at the Wastelands in Nanaimo. What a start to the series. The track was in great shape—a few dusty spots but all in all it was a great day to ride. Lots of sun made for a dry track. There was also a huge concert held at the Wastelands starting at 11 a.m. and running right through until 11 p.m. What a concert after a day of riding, tunes were belted out during the day of racing and well into the evening. There were hundreds of people attending the concert as well as all the riders and families. There was some great riding in the 50cc 4 - 6 class. Ryder Roth of Campbell River was down at the Wastelands and was giving it all he had as he was going bar to bar with Saltspring Island rider Cameron Bradley. This was the first race back for Bradley after his injury earlier this year. He and Roth were battling for first in both motos. It was Roth that came away with the morning moto win. Bradley got the afternoon moto win as Roth went down while leading and had to come back and settle for third place behind Drake Richmond of Port Alberni. It was Bradley that went home in first overall while Roth took home second place. Richmond returned home with third place. In the 50cc 7 - 8 class Wyatt Youland of Shawnigan Lake and Saltspring Island rider Brandon Johnson were battling it out in the race to the checkered flag. They were not holding anything back as they both wanted to finish the moto, as well as the day, in first place overall. In the end it was Youland who took home first and Johnson second. Third place overall went to Chris Van Meel of Port Coquitlam. Some fantastic riding took place in the ladies class as well. Kayla Peefers of Port Alberni was twisting the throttle hard as she headed out of the gate and through the hole shot. She held the lead all the way to the finish line as there was a great battle going on behind her in both motos. Lindsey McLean of Campbell River and Tamara Hills of Nanaimo were going at it. Hills had second but one little opening was all McLean was waiting for. When it came she took full advantage of it and never looked back. Peefers took home top place overall while McLean returned with second place overall. Hills finished the day in third place. h3. Taking home the victories Campbell River club rider Paul Wilkinson of Merville had a good day after his little mishap while riding in the Plus 40 class on the top section of the Wastelands track. A few minor repairs and he was back out there competing in the Vet Junior class. Wilkinson came home with third overall while Jeff Stiles of Port Alberni took home first overall and Matt Kerrigan of Saltspring Island took second place. A name you heard a lot of was Cory Cardinal of Crofton as he was riding in several classes. He was out there in the MX2 class as well GP Junior and 85cc 12 - 16 class. He just rocketed away from the start gates and held on. He took the lead and never looked back as he got a sizable lead in each class. In the MX2 class he finished first overall while second place went to Travis Clarkson of Crofton and third went to Victoria rider Peter Swanick. In the 85cc 12 - 16 class Cardinal was first while Nanaimo rider Damon Riesach took second and third went to Eli Titus of Duncan. In the GP Junior class Cardinal was first once again and went unchallenged to the finish line. Second overall went to Victoria rider Daniel Vanderbasch while Clarkson took home third for the day. In the 85cc 7 - 11 class Victoria rider Bryce Currie did some great riding as he crossed the finish line first overall in the morning class and second in the afternoon behind Cody Sutherland of Westholm. Stuck right in the middle between them was Black Creek rider Blain Morrow. Currie returned home with top place overall while Morrow went home in second overall. Sutherland placed third overall for the day. Nanaimo rider Lloyd Hills was out there tearing up the track in the supermini class. He was railing the burms and flying high over the finish line as he took the checkered flag first overall in the class while Riesach took second. Morrow rode well in the class as well and returned home with third overall. Some of the fast guys on Vancouver Island were on hand to put on some high-flying, thrill-seeking action for the hundreds of folks on hand. Courtenay rider Eric Wickman was the rider that came away with first place in both the youth and GP Pro AM classes. While Wickman was well out in front there was a battle going on to see who would finish second between Nanoose Bay rider Nick Syrotuck and Ross Sherman of Sannichton. While Syrotuck took home second in the youth class and Sherman third it was reversed in the GP Pro AM class with Sherman finishing second and Syrotuck third.
Make room for the girls
Chelsea Masters is paving the track for ladies in the motocross world—move over boys
The real deal: At the age of four, Chelsea Masters competed in her first motocross race in Campbell River—from that point on she was hooked. — photo by Ed Masters
Ed Masters is the public relations co-ordinator for the Campbell River Motocross Association, and he spends his free time covering Canadian Motosport Racing Club events. As such, his five children have spent their younger years racing. Masters is proud of all his children and their accomplishments in the motocross world. He holds a special spot in his heart for his only daughter, Chelsea, who is ripping up the track as one of the only girls in the industry. “She rides around (Vancouver Island) with 10 girls in the ladies class,” said Masters. “She is what I call the pioneer. When she was four years old there were only a couple of ladies and she brought out some younger girls that started riding in the 50 class and now it is growing and growing.” h3. Behind the pink bike From a young age, Chelsea loved dirt bikes. In fact, her father said the sound of an engine was one of the first sounds that Chelsea heard. She started out with a pink and white Yamaha PW50 and is now racing a TM 125. Currently, Chelsea is in grade nine and spends a lot of her free time racing around the track in Campbell River and at competitive races around Vancouver Island. “I do it for the fun of it,” said Chelsea. “If I get a lot better then I would like to do it for a career. The girls in my (150) class are really good and when I am around people like that I try to push myself to do better.” The community of Campbell River has been very supportive of Chelsea’s passion. Quality DeSigns in Campbell River and Barker Bros Cycle in Abbotsford have sponsored her, as well as TM Canada. Masters said the support that Chelsea has received from the community has been utterly moving. “Her bike is made in Italy by TM Racing,” said Masters. “She is the only girl that I am aware of in B.C. who rides for TM Canada, and I don’t even know of any girls in Western Canada that ride those bikes. It has been a fabulous bike and we have had great luck with it.” h3. Making strides To improve her skills, Chelsea sets goals for herself every time she rides. She can still remember the first time that she got air off of a jump, and she said this is a memory she holds close to her heart when she is attempting new tricks and jumps on her bike. “The first time that I got air on a jump was my favourite memory,” said Chelsea. “I love it, and now I like to go even higher. I used to be afraid of that stuff but now I am not.” Chelsea’s early racing days have been a learning experience for her and Masters. In a predominantly male sport, Chelsea has to work even harder to get to where she wants to be. However, she might not be too far behind the guys. In fact, one of Master’s favourite memories is when Chelsea was racing against the boys and beat all of them. “She races against the boys too,” said Masters. “She had them all in tears and that was a big thrill for me to hear that.”
All in the family
This father and son duo race to win
Dedicated to racing: These high-speed riders are passionate about their sport. — photo courtesy of Chris Pawlitsky
The community of Revelstoke is a beautiful setting for outdoor activities. The community’s ATV and snowmobile clubs are noted around the region for being progressive—and there is no shortage of beautiful areas to ride. Revelstoke Mountain Resort is known internationally as a fantastic ski and snowboard destination, and the Revy Riders—a newly formed dirt bike club in Revelstoke is making fresh tracks around the area. Chris Pawlitsky is the president of the Revy Riders and was born and raised in Revelstoke. He rode and raced dirt bikes quite a bit when he was a kid, and last year at the age of 40, he started dirt biking again. Pawlitsky said last year was a good one for him, considering that he took so much time off from dirt biking, yet was still leading a series. “This year I was leading my cross country series,” said Pawlitsky, “but I tore my rotator cuff so I had to miss the last two races.” h3. Carrying on a tradition Pawlitsky grew up in the Revelstoke area, and he knows about all of the hidden gems and the best riding trails. It comes as no surprise that when Pawlitsky got married, he passed along his love of the sport to his stepson, True Romeo. “My mom and my dad got married and my dad bought me my first dirt bike, which was a Honda 50,” said Romeo. “(It is a) retro 1994 bike, and then I started riding that and got too big for it so my dad bought me a Kawasaki 65. I was five or six when he bought me my first bike and I’m 12 now.” h3. An active lifestyle A skilled athlete, Romeo plays on the rep soccer team in Revelstoke, snowboards during the winter and wins dirt biking competitions around the region. Some of the competitions that Pawlitsky and Romeo want to enter are too far away, but they have found some cross country races near Revelstoke that they like to participate in. “They had a Cross Country Okanagan Hare Scramble series last year in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton,” said Pawlitsky. “All of the places are fairly close to Revelstoke and we hit every race last year. True won the 65 class and I had a couple of wipeouts and got fifth in my class.” For the coming season, Pawlitsky and Romeo have a couple of races planned, including a cross-country race in Salmon Arm on September 13. After this dirt biking season wraps up, Pawlitsky and Romeo will be found on the ski hill with plans to return to their bikes once the snow melts.
The Dakar dude
This man’s dedication to racing knows no limitations
Speeding over sand: The Dakar Rally takes racers through some of the toughest riding conditions around. — photo courtesy Don Hatton
A few years ago, Don Hatton was an overweight insurance broker. Today, he has sold his insurance company, dropped 40 pounds and is an athlete in training. He owns Duncan Motor Sports and is pursuing his dream of racing in the Dakar Rally. First, a little history for those who don’t know what the Dakar Rally is. The Dakar Rally is an annual off-road automobile race, organized by the Amaury Sport Organization. Since its inception in 1978, the Dakar Rally has hosted races that go from Paris, France, to Dakar in the Republic of Senegal, a country in western Africa. About 550 amateur and professional racers are accepted to race in the Dakar Rally each year and there are different classes for bikes, cars (which range from buggies to small SUVs) and T4 trucks. This is a very dangerous race that consists of crossing varying terrain including sand dunes, mud, camel grass and rocks. Sometimes racers will cover 900 kilometres in one day—and this goes on for several days. In 2008, the Dakar Rally was cancelled for the first time because of terrorist threats, which caused great upset for both participants and spectators. In 2009, the rally was relocated to Argentina and Chile where it is also being held in 2010. h3. Living a dream Hatton has lived in Duncan, B.C., all of his life and has been riding motorbikes for as long as he can remember. Racing in the Dakar has always been a dream of his, and in 2007 he decided to follow his heart and do it. To prepare for the race, Hatton worked out for nine months, travelled to Death Valley, California, to train and entered a six day off-road race in Morocco, Africa, where he placed 25th—an impressive standing against some professional racers. “In 2007, I decided to do this rally,” said Hatton. “In 2008, I put the team together to go to the Dakar rally in Lisbon, Portugal, and I flew the team down. Just before the start of the rally, they cancelled it because of terrorist attacks so we all had to fly home.” Although this was a huge letdown for Hatton, he decided not to give up and entered the 2009 Dakar Rally in South America. The sign-up fee for the Dakar Rally alone is $25,000 but for Hatton the experience was worth more to him than money. He was accepted and flew a full team with a support vehicle, motorcycles and mechanics for the price of $300,000 to Argentina. h3. Setting out with determination The race took place as planned and Hatton began the race with the support of his wife and son along with his friends from Vancouver Island. Being one of the most dangerous races in the world, only 33 per cent of racers reach the finish line and 60 racers have perished in their quest to complete the Dakar Rally. While Hatton did not die, he did crash his motorcycle on the fourth day of the race and was severely injured. “I was doing 135 kilometres an hour when I crashed,” said Hatton. “I broke eight ribs, my sternum, lacerated my lungs, pulled my heart partially out of my chest cavity, separated both shoulders and tore all the tendons in both shoulders.” Although Hatton said his brain is still scrambled from the crash, he is recovering from the horrific accident and is training again for the 2010 Dakar Rally. This year, he is planning on racing in Egypt and Morocco and at the Dakar Rally. While Hatton knows that the Dakar will be a tough grind, it is something he has been working towards for years. “It is going to be really gruelling,” said Hatton. “You ride about 14 hours a day…and every day there are a hundred reasons to quit the rally but you just have to keep pushing your way through it and keep going.” h3. An inspirational goal It takes a special kind of person to have the determination, dedication and desire to see the Dakar Rally through to the end. When asked what inspires Hatton to continue on his quest to race the Dakar Rally, he is hard pressed for an explanation—he just knows that he wants to do it and is willing to do anything to make it happen. “I can’t really tell you where (my desire) comes from,” said Hatton. “But it’s been a passion of mine since I watched the first Dakar Rally on TV 30 years ago. I just knew that I could do it and I started training. I am a pretty determined guy and I don’t want to quit—you just learn to dig down. Every day when you come through a day that was really difficult, you are so proud of yourself that you made it through and you can’t wait to do it again.”
Energy and caffeine-fueled competition
Jeff Fehr, Canada’s first Red Bull X-rider, will be in Calgary on May 30th
Sky high: Jeff Fehr performs a gravity defying stunt over a crowd of people at a past event in Calgary. — photo courtesy of Jeff Fehr
Jeff Fehr started racing motorcycles when he was 12 years old. One to follow his heart and his dreams, Fehr continued to ride his motorcycle every day—simply because he loved doing it. In 2003, Fehr started doing freestyle motocross professionally and has become known for his signature moves, including the backflip superman and the cliff-hanger—moves he describes as a lot of fun and a little creepy. “(The cliff-hanger would be) if you took your feet and hooked them underneath your handlebars and then stood straight up with your arms over your head,” said Fehr. “But upside down you would be hanging from your dirt bike handlebars like a bat with your arms straight down…It is creepy for sure.” h3. Where the action is On May 30, 2009, Fehr will be in Calgary during the Red Bull X-Fighters event—a tour of five countries, 170,000 spectators and 1,130 jumps in total. An exhilarating display of freestyle motocross, Fehr is the first Canadian freestyle Red Bull X-Fighter rider. Fehr has come a long way in his career from the 12-year-old boy who started riding his motorcycle for fun. In 2006 he placed first in the Canadian FMX Championships and performed a natural terrain backflip, reaching heights of 105 feet. He also finished eighth at the Red Bull X-Fighters event in Mexico City in 2009. Fehr said that he rides his motorcycle every day and the one thing that motivates him is his passion and love for the sport. “Being Canadian isn’t easy for a freestyle motocross rider,” said Fehr. “There’s not the sponsors and not the same money. If you are Canadian and are going to be a freestyler, you better be doing it for the right reasons or you are not going to be doing it for long.” When Fehr was asked what his plans for the future are, he kept it sweet and simple. “I will be doing this until I am a decrepit old man,” said Fehr, “until my body no longer allows me to, and then even past then I will ride a dirt bike every single day until I just die and just for absolute fun…It is not something that I do for a job. I would not be alive inside if I could not ride my dirt bike. If I couldn’t ride, there are other things that I would do for sure—but as long as I can, I will.”
Round 3 presents a challenge
Corner Grass Racing Team loses another battle with the Numb Bum 24-hour
Speeding along: Racers were competing hard at the Numb Bum. — Photo courtesy of Corner Grass Racing Team
For the 3rd year in a row, CGRT meets misfortune at the infamous Numb Bum 24-hour ice race. The team with a “Bull’s-eye” on its back was in full force with both the defending AEIRA Pro Open champions Jay McGregor and Nick Riewe competing alongside veteran speedster Robin Dohlman who rounded out the three member team. Once again, the CGRT Husaberg FE570 pulled a massive hole-shot and soon established a five-minute lead over the field. Unfortunately at the 4.5 hour mark, the team was dealt a massive blow when a mechanical failure stopped them in their tracks. Unable to diagnose the problem, the team was forced to prepare their practice FE570 for the race and was therefore assigned the regulated two hour penalty for the bike substitution. h3. A respectable finish Well back in 31st place after their problems, the team rallied together and proceeded to eliminate 26 teams on their way to a fifth place overall finish. So after 24 hours, one barrel of race fuel, two Husaberg FE 570’s, and 77 laps totaling 1,232 kilometres, the sleep-deprived CGRT team managed to secure enough points to remain in the championship hunt. The team is currently in third place overall with a 14-point deficit and three events remaining in the season. Next up is Round 4 of the series being held at Telford Lake, Alberta, on February 28th—when CGRT will be looking for redemption after another disappointing year at the Numb Bum. For 2010, the AEIRA series runs every weekend from late January through early March. Each event is six hours long (except for the famous Numb Bum 24-hour on Feb 13/14) and held on road course-style tracks plowed into lakes around central Alberta. Typical lap lengths vary from 5-15 kilometres per lap. This year the schedule totals 54 hours of intense racing and enduring the elements. For more race information visit "www.AEIRA.com(AEIRA)":http://www.AEIRA.com ; and for next day race results visit "www.mylaps.com(My Laps)":http://www.mylaps.com under the MX category.
Round 2 success
Corner Grass Racing Team places third in the second round of the Alberta Endurance Ice Racing Series
— Image courtesy of Corner Grass Racing Team
CGRT finished a hard fought third place overall at Round 2 of the AEIRA on Telford Lake, February 7, 2010. Nick Riewe was again the team’s starter; he left the line in the fourth position and quickly moved into second behind JT Racing. Jay McGregor took over the lead shortly after CGRT’s first pit stop. About an hour into Jay’s first session, the rear tire failed and forced the bike to the sidelines. After some serious effort from Jay, the tire was repaired and CGRT was back in the race, now 15 minutes down (three laps). The remainder of the day saw both CGRT riders putting in consistent laps. At the finish they had reduced their three-lap deficit to a one-lap disadvantage. h3. Telford 1 Pro Open Bike Results: * 1. Vicious Cycle: Yamaha * 2. JT Racing: KTM +00.00:33 * 3. Corner Grass Race Team: HUSABERG FE570 +1 lap * 4. Half Fast Racing: Yamaha +2 laps * 5. Leduc Motorsports: HUSABERG FE650 +6 laps For Round 3 (Numb Bum 24 hour on Feb 13/14) CGRT will continue their charge towards the AEIRA Pro Open title. CGRT welcomes the highly experienced Robin Dohlman as the Team’s third rider for this year’s Numb Bum; while Shane Cuthbertson is recovering from recent surgery. In 2010, the AEIRA series runs every weekend from late January through early March. Each event is six hours long (except for the famous Numb Bum 24-hour race), and held on road course-style tracks plowed into lakes around central Alberta. Typical lap lengths vary from 5-15 kilometres per lap. This year the schedule totals 48 hours of intense racing and enduring the elements. For more race information visit "www.AEIRA.com(AEIRA)":http://www.AEIRA.com; and for next-day race results visit "www.mylaps.com (My Laps)":http://www.mylaps.comunder the MX category (Country: Canada). CGRT would like to thank the following sponsors for their contributions towards our success: Husaberg, A&E Racing, Ronwood Enterprises, Lee Built, Extreme Hot Oil Services, Motovan, UFA, Brewster West Motorsports, VP Fuels, Opti Lubricants and Limenine Graphics.
Unveiling preparations for 2010
The Corner Grass Racing Team reveals upcoming preparations for a phenomenal year
Racing hard: Endurance ice racers are ready for another season of intense riding. — photo courtesy of the CGRT
The Corner Grass Racing Team (CGRT) has completed preparations for their 2010 program and are ready to launch another attack on the Alberta Endurance Ice Racing Association Pro Open title. This year Jay McGregor and Nick Riewe will be riding a 2010 Husaberg FE570, which has been specially prepped for the brutal duty of Endurance Ice. “The 2010 Husaberg is showing to be perfectly suited for Endurance Ice racing. It’s awesome turning capability makes it very easy to ride at our limit and still conserve energy,” said McGregor. Click here for CGRT video footage from testing last week. For 2010, the AEIRA series runs every weekend from late January through early March. Each event is six hours long (except for the famous Numb Bum 24 hour race on Feb 13/14), and held on road course-style tracks plowed into lakes around central Alberta. Typical lap lengths vary from 5-15 kilometres per lap. This year the schedule totals 54 hours of intense racing and enduring the elements. For more race information on the races, visit "www.AEIRA.com(AEIRA)":http://www.AEIRA.com; and for next day race results visit "www.mylaps.com(My Laps)":http://www.mylaps.com under the MX category. CGRT would like to thank the following sponsors for their contributions towards our success: HUSABERG, A&E RACING, RONWOOD ENTERPRISES, LEE BUILT, EXTREME HOT OIL SERVICES, MOTOVAN, UFA, BREWSTER WEST MOTORSPORTS, VP FUELS
Looking back at motocross in 2009
The CMRC Vancouver Island awards banquet was a memorable event for all
The CMRC Vancouver Island awards banquet was hosted by the Campbell River Motocross Association on November 7, 2009, at the Thunderbird Hall. A great time was had by everyone. MC for the evening was Lonnie Nathan. First he presented the trophies for both the spring and fall series. He also presented the Island club awards. Dinner was catered by the local Eagles club and they put out a fantastic spread. There were plenty of door prizes—including a river raft trip for two donated by Destiny River Adventures (won by Cody Sutherland of Westholme) and a gas card donated by North Island Co-op (won by Tom Morrow of Black Creek). The Island club awards are all considered to be very prestigious, and are won by being very dedicated to the sport of motocross. You don’t have to race motocross to win one of these awards. Many of them went to parents of the riders for their part in the sport. * High Points award for the Nanaimo Wastelands: Cory Cardinal of Crofton * Mike Belinski award for sportsmanship and true grit: Mark Ellis of Port McNeill * Al Holloway award for volunteer work in Nanaimo: Mike McDonald of Nanaimo * Harold Johnson award for volunteer work throughout Vancouver Island: Mark Swanwick (Big Country) of Victoria. * Most Sportsmanlike award: Ross Sherman of Sannichton. * Troy Kernachan award for the most improved rider in the MX2 class: Peter Swanwick of Victoria. * Campbell River club award for sportsmanship and improvement: Brendon Fear of Campbell River. * Rick Recine award for Port Alberni club dedication: Myrna Hansen of Port Alberni h3. 50 cc 4-6 class Spring Series 1. First: Cameron Bradley of Salt Spring Island 2. Second: Jacob Piccolo of Abbotsford 3. Third: Drake Richmond of Port Alberni h3. 50 cc 4-6 class Fall Series 1. First: Cameron Bradley of Salt Spring Island 2. Second: Drake Richmond of Port Alberni 3. Third: Ryder Roth of Campbell River h3. 50 cc 7-8 class Spring Series 1. First: Wyatt Youland of Duncan 2. Second: David Bradley of Salt Spring Island 3. Third: Autumn Gould of Courtenay h3. 50 cc 7-8 class Fall Series 1. First: David Bradley of Salt Spring Island 2. Second: Justin Daniels of Duncan 3. Third: Colton Archer of Salt Spring Island h3. 65 cc Spring Series 1. First: Joe Nikirk of Shawnigan Lake 2. Second: Tanner Cardinal of Crofton 3. Third: Harrison Bradley of Salt Spring Island h3. 65 cc Fall Series 1. First: Joe Nikirk of Shawnigan Lake 2. Second: Harrison Bradley of Salt Spring Island 3. Third: Steven Galey of Victoria h3. 85 cc 7-11 class Spring Series 1. First: Cody Southerland of Westholme 2. Second: Blain Morrow of Black Creek 3. Third: Bryce Currie of Victoria h3. 85 cc 7-11 class Fall Series 1. First: Blain Morrow of Black Creek 2. Second: Bryce Currie of Victoria 3. Third: Tanner Cardinal of Crofton h3. 85 cc 11-16 class Spring Series 1. First: Corey Cardinal of Crofton 2. Second: Damon Riesach of Nanaimo 3. Third: Eli Titus of Duncan h3. 85 cc 11-16 class Fall Series 1. First: Corey Cardinal of Crofton 2. Second: Kyle Knorr 3. Third: Alex Haley of Port Alberni h3. Supermini class Spring Series 1. First: Corey Cardinal of Crofton 2. Second: Damon Riesach of Nanaimo 3. Third: Eli Titus of Duncan h3. Supermini class Fall Series 1. First: Lloyd Hills of Nanaimo 2. Second: Blain Morrow of Black Creek 3. Third: Tanner Cardinal of Crofton h3. MX2 Beginner class Spring Series 1. First: Jesse White of Campbell River 2. Second: Justin Hesketh of Nanaimo 3. Third: Kayla Peefers of Port Alberni h3. MX2 Beginner class Fall Series 1. First: Kyle Klaric of Port Hardy 2. Second: Dustin Dennis of Nanaimo 3. Third: Tamara Hills of Nanaimo h3. GP Beginner class Spring Series 1. First: Justin Hesketh of Nanaimo 2. Second: Jesse White of Campbell River 3. Third: Sterling Christenson of Port Hardy h3. GP Beginner class Fall Series 1. First: Cain Manton of Qualicum Beach 2. Second: Bryson Lasota of Campbell River Third: Shane Southern of Campbell River h3. Ladies class Spring Series 1. First: Kayla Peefers of Port Alberni 2. Second: Amy Aspell of Port Alberni 3. Third: Tamara Hills of Nanaimo h3. Ladies class Fall Series 1. First: Kayla Peefers of Port Alberni 2. Second: Tamara Hills of Nanaimo 3. Third: Lindsey McLean of Campbell River h3. MX1 Beginner class Spring Series 1. First: Nick Chernenkoff of Courtenay 2. Second: Chaz Howson of Port Alberni 3. Third: Jordan Forrest of Duncan h3. MX1 Beginner class Fall Series 1. First: Robert Wolf of Nanaimo 2. Second: Cain Manton of Qualicum Beach 3. Third: Bryson Lasota of Campbell River h3. Plus 25 class Spring Series 1. First: Kurt Nelson of Lake Cowichan 2. Second: Paul Gallagher of Victoria 3. Third: Scott Richardson of Salt Spring Island h3. Plus 25 class Fall Series 1. First: Tim Waldhuber of Victoria 2. Second: Kurt Nelson of Lake Cowichan 3. Third: Scott Richardson of Salt Spring Island h3. Plus 40 class Spring Series 1. First: Tracy Morlock of Nanaimo 2. Second: Maurice Vanderbasch of Victoria 3. Third: Dan Nikirk of Shawnigan Lake h3. Plus 40 class Fall Series 1. First: Tracy Morlock of Nanaimo 2. Second: Ron Hyde of Victoria 3. Third: Mark Ellis of Port McNeill h3. MX2 Junior class Spring Series 1. First: Tyler Cox of Nanaimo 2. Second: Jordan Piccolo of Parksville 3. Third: Connor Barnes of Shawnigan Lake h3. MX2 Junior class Fall Series 1. First: Corey Cardinal of Crofton 2. Second: Peter Swanwick 3. Third: Travis Clarkson of Nanaimo h3. GP Junior class Spring Series 1. First: Jordan Piccolo of Parksville 2. Second: Peter Swanwick 3. Third: Maurice Vanderbasch of Victoria h3. GP Junior class Fall Series 1. First: Corey Cardinal of Crofton 2. Second: Peter Swanwick 3. Third: Maurice Vanderbasch of Victoria h3. MX1 class Spring Series 1. First: Charlie Moriez of Nanaimo 2. Second: Tim Waldhuber of Victoria 3. Third: Tim Bell of Courtenay h3. MX1 class Fall Series 1. First: Kyle Morlok of Nanaimo 2. Second: Jordan Forrest of Courtenay 3. Third: Jordan Nelson of Lake Cowichan h3. MX1 and MX2 intermediate classes Spring Series 1. First: Brayden Olson of Courtenay 2. Second: Tyler Peterson of Qualicum Beach 3. Third: Scott Richardson of Salt Spring Island h3. MX1 and MX2 intermediate classes Fall Series 1. First: Ross Sherman of Sannichton 2. Second: Sean Poire of Victoria 3. Third: Greg Small of Kamloops h3. School boy class Spring Series 1. First: Curtis Best of Powell River 2. Second: Jordan Piccolo of Parksville 3. Third: Peter Swanwick h3. School boy class Fall Series 1. First: Ryan Low of Parksville 2. Second: Curtis Best of Powell River 3. Third: Blain Morrow of Black Creek h3. GP Pro class Spring Series 1. First: Eric Wickman of Courtenay 2. Second: Brayden Olson of Courtenay 3. Third: Coleton McLean of Courtenay h3. GP Pro class Fall Series 1. First: Nick Syrotuck of Nanoose Bay 2. Second: Ross Sherman of Sannichton 3. Third: Coleton McLean of Courtenay h3. Youth class Spring Series 1. First: Eric Wickman of Courtenay 2. Second: Coleton McLean of Courtenay 3. Third: Tyler Peterson of Qualicum Beach h3. Youth class Fall Series 1. First: Ross Sherman of Sannichton 2. Second: Conner Barnes of Shawnigan Lake 3. Third: Nick Syrotuck of Nanoose Bay h3. Vet Junior class Spring Series 1. First: David Mouat of Courtenay 2. Second: Mark Ellis of Port McNeill 3. Third: Bryon Whitcomb of Nanaimo h3. Vet Junior class Fall Series 1. First: Matt Kerigan of Salt Spring Island 2. Second: Arlen Roth of Campbell River 3. Third: David Alsop of Powell River h3. Vet Master class Spring Series 1. First: David Cottle of Ladysmith 2. Second: Paul Gallagher of Victoria 3. Third: Howie Spencer of Salt Spring Island h3. Vet Master class Fall Series 1. First: Ron Hyde of Victoria 2. Second: David Cottle of Ladysmith 3. Third: Paul Gallagher of Victoria It was a great year of motocross racing here on Vancouver Island with many new faces. Hope they all have a safe and good winter and hope to see them in the 2010 season.
Corner Grass Racing Team: A season in review
CGRT has once again exceeded the teams 2009 objectives
Another season is coming to a close and CGRT has once again exceeded the teams 2009 objectives. In only our second year, the team has become a mainstay in the Canadian off- road market and is continually striving to promote the sport in a professional manner. 2009 Goals/accomplishments summary: Defend 2008 Alberta Endurance Ice Racing Association (AEIRA) Pro Open Championship CGRT Repeats as Pro Open Champions for 2009. Nick Riewe and Jay McGregor once again team up to take the title and establish CGRT as the team to beat on ice. h3.Corner Grass Harescramble Organization Now in its third year, Corner Grass continues to evolve as a premier event in Canada. Over 200 participants competed in two days of racing and enjoyed a fun-filled family weekend. h3.Erzberg Rodeo 2009 Participation—Austria CGRT riders Shane Cuthbertson and Jared Thomas enjoy Husaberg Factory support. Neither rider was able to conquer the ‘Iron Giant’; however did a superb job representing Canada. h3.Red Bull Romaniacs 2009 Participation—Romania CGRT’s Shane Cuthbertson finishes 9th Overall – Pro Classification. Once again, riding for Factory Husaberg, the ‘Moose’ proves to be a world class ‘extreme’ specialist. h3.Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC) Participation CGRT riders Shane Cuthbertson, Lee Fryberger, Jay McGregor, and Nick Riewe all competed in various rounds of the inaugural series. Shane Cuthbertson competed in all eight rounds, finishing fifth Overall, Pro Classification and third Overall in E3 (Big-Bore) Classification. h3.Montreal Endurocross Participation Shane Cuthbertson finishes fifth overall in front of 45,000 fans! Extensive coverage of this event was provided on Canada’s premier sport network – TSN. h3.International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) Participation—Portugal CGRT was well represented by Jay McGregor (E3 Class), Nick Riewe (E2 Class), and Lee Fryberger (Team Canada Manager). The event took place in Figueira da Foz, Portugal from October 12 to 17, 2009 and both riders achieved respectable finishing positions in this grueling event. CGRT would like to thank the following sponsors for their contributions towards our success: Husaberg, A&E Racing, Motovan, Ronwood Enterprises, UFA, Energizer Canada, JMH & Co., A.G. Core, LeeBuilt, Western Financial Group, VP Fuels, LimeNine Graphics, Feeding Performance, Lachapelle Racing Products, Sosa Original, Rekluse h3.2010 Objectives: CGRT objectives for 2010 will be to increase our exposure in the Canadian market as the sport continues to evolve in our nation. With the Canadian Enduro Championship now acting as a national series, the opportunity to grow with the sport and represent our supporters is greater now more than ever. The following objectives will be the focus of CGRT in 2010: Defend 2008 / 2009 AEIRA Ice Racing Championship. Our team is currently developing an all new 2010 Husaberg FE570 for competition this year! Canadian Enduro Championship—Shane Cuthbertson has confirmed his entry and will be looking to win the Overall Championship on a 2010 Husaberg FX450. Compete in the CMA Second Gear Club Alberta regional series and select CMRC off-road events. Of course, the foundation of team the ‘Corner Grass Harescramble’ will again be held in 2010. CGRT is currently in the planning phase to promote an ‘Extreme Hard Enduro’ event in Alberta for 2010. Further details can be provided as they become available. CGRT will also compete in any ‘Extreme Hard Enduro’ type event held in North America. We have been notified of several events planned for 2010 and have confirmed our attendance.
Heading for the finish line
As the CMRC Fall Series came to a close, there was no shortage of action
Devoted Racers: Chelsea Masters is chased by Port Alberni Ladies Class rider Kayla Peffers during the afternoon moto. — photo by Ed Masters
The Vancouver Island CMRC Fall Series came to an end this weekend in Victoria at the Westshore MX Park on October 17 and 18. Saturday’s race was held under a torrential downpour. Many of the riders that were down Island for the races chose not to ride, as the track was just a huge mud puddle. Sunday’s race was held under very different conditions however, as the weather broke and the sun came out. Other than a few slick spots and one area that had to be closed off, as the mud was just too deep, the track held up well. It was great to see former Campbell River pro rider Derek Monk show up and check on some of the up and coming Island riders this weekend. On Saturday it was Saltspring Island rider Cameron Bradley that was brave enough to go on the track and give it his all, and he was rewarded with first place overall while Drake Richmond of Port Alberni took home second. These two riders ventured out to the slick on Sunday along with Campbell River rider Ryder Roth. They had a little trouble out there but it wasn’t bad for the smaller bikes. It was Bradley who took the win over Richmond, and Roth that went home in third overall. h3. Enduring the conditions In the 85cc 12-16 class on Saturday, Eli Titus of Duncan did the best on the soggy track and took the overall win for the day. Jason Abernathy of Port McNeil did well on the sodden track also. He returned home with second overall while Errington rider Kyle Knorr took home third overall for the day. Sunday saw Cory Cardinal of Crofton show up for race day and roar out to an early lead without looking back. He rode well enough to take home top place over Abernathy who finished the day in second overall. Third place for the day went home with Titus. In the younger 7-11 class of the 85cc, it was Saltspring Island rider Harrison Bradley who braved the downpour and finished the moto in first place on Saturday. He out-rode Cody Sutherland who took home second place while Victoria rider Steven Galey finished the day in third place overall. On Sunday, top-seated Island rider Blain Morrow of Black Creek showed up and put together two fantastic motos on the slick track and was rewarded with two first place finishes for top place overall. Second overall for the day went home with Sutherland while third stayed with home track rider Bryce Currie of Victoria. h3. Heated competition There was some super riding in the Supermini class this weekend as well. Lloyd Hills took home first overall on Saturday while Abernathy placed second. Sutherland finished the day in third place. On Sunday, Morrow and Sutherland were going bar-to-bar, wheel-to-wheel throughout both motos as Morrow crossed the finish line in moto one ahead of Sutherland. In the afternoon race it was a replay of the morning moto but with a slightly different ending. This time it was Sutherland who crossed the finish line first, ahead of Morrow. With that finish it gave Sutherland the overall win for the day, leaving Morrow with second place. Currie took home third place overall for the day. Great motocross racing for Garrett Egli of Mill Bay this weekend. He rode to first place overall on Saturday while Lloyd Hills of Nanaimo took home second place. Campbell River rider Brendon Fear went down to Victoria for the weekend and returned home with third place overall for Saturday. On Sunday, Peter Swanwick and Daniel Vanderbasch (both of Victoria) were out there roaring around their home track and were trying hard to out-ride each other. When the checkered flag came out it was Swanwick that would get it first and the overall win of the day over Vanderbasch. Egli rode to third overall. Egli and Fear were out there going at it in the GP Junior along with Zack Mix of Nanaimo. After a long hard ride through the water and mud it was Egli that took home first while Fear took home second place and Mix third for Saturday. On Sunday in the GP Junior it was Vanderbasch out giving it his all on his home track. He rode well enough to take first place overall away from Campbell River rider Kyle Harrison, while third place went to Swanwick. h3. Dedicated to the sport Port McNeil rider Mark Ellis made the most of his trip to Victoria for the weekend. He rode two great days on the West Shore motocross track. On Saturday he finished second overall behind Nanaimo rider Tracy Morlock. On Sunday a few more riders showed up and Ellis had to work a little harder to make the podium. He rode hard enough to finish the day off in third place overall while Morlock finished in second place. Grant Peet of Duncan went to Victoria to try his luck on the track and went home with first overall for the day. In the MX2 Beginner class it was Dustin Dennis of Nanaimo that took home first place. Second place went to Port McNeil rider Kyle Klaric for braving the weather and putting a good ride together. Third overall went to Tamara Hills of Nanaimo. On Sunday Dennis was also up against Chelsea Masters of Campbell River, who had opted out of riding on Saturday but did ride on Sunday. What a ride she had in the morning moto! She went through the hole shot in second place, but by the halfway point around the track she had gained first place and held Dennis off. He made several attempts to pass and at a few points in the race they were side-by-side over table tops and down straightaways. Masters did finish the moto in first place while Dennis took second. Third overall went to Hills. There was a rocky start for both Hills and Masters as they banged bars right from the drop of the gate in the afternoon race. A short time later Masters got tangled up with Parksville rider Jesse Jenkins. Both riders took a mud sample home with them. They remounted and mounted a charge but ran out of time. Dennis finished the moto in first place while Klaric finished the moto in second, with Hills finished in third. Overall for the day went to Dennis for his second and first place finishes, while Masters took home second overall for her first and fourth place finishes. Klaric ended the day in third, and fourth went to Hills. Jenkins finished the day in fifth overall. h3. Ladies and gentlemen alike Even some of the ladies decided to roar around the track in the rain on Saturday. Top three finishers for the day were all from Port Alberni. It was Amy Aspell that took home first overall while Paige Hansen finished the day in second place. Third place went across the Island with Kayla Peffers. In Sunday’s race it was a great day for all the ladies as a few more were on hand to mix things up a little. In the morning Hansen and Aspell were going full-on all the way. Aspell crossed the finish line ahead of Hansen while Peffers took third. In the afternoon moto, two Campbell River lady riders were up there in the mix hoping to make the podium. Lindsey McLean and Chelsea Masters were right in the top three all throughout the race. Bad luck hit Masters two corners from the finish line while she was being pressured by Peffers. She hit a rock, knocking her down and leaving an opening for Peffers to cross the finish line ahead of her. Aspell took the overall win for the day while Peffers took home second. McLean took home third and Masters fourth. Hansen left the afternoon moto with bike trouble. In the Youth class for the Saturday race it was a battle between Conner Barnes of Shawnigan Lake and Courtenay rider Nick Bell. Throw in Sean Poire of Sannichton and you have one heck of a race. Lots of mud and water flying, with each racer not wanting give an inch of track to the other. When the checkered flag came out it was Barnes who took the win, and Bell finished in second place while Poire placed third. h3. High-speed riding and sliding Sunday’s motos were much the same as the day before, only it was just a little muddier. When the day ended it was Ross Sherman of Sannichton that took top place. Barnes finished the day in second place while Poire once again had to settle for third overall. In the GP Pro class it was Kurt Nelson of Lake Cowichan that sloshed his way to first overall while Sherman finished the day in second place. On Sunday it was Sherman riding the better motos and taking home first place. Nelson finished the day in second. Courtenay rider Colton McLean was also on hand for the races but was only able to do the morning moto. He finished the morning in first but was unable to compete in the afternoon. He finished the day in third overall.
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Tumbler Ridge, BC
Discover the wonder and beauty of Tumbler Ridge
Tumbler Ridge is unique, as it has all the amenities of a larger town, while retaining its small town culture. With its beautiful geographic location and rich history, this is truly the perfect location. Tumbler Ridge has plenty of activities and events occurring regularly to help keep you involved in the community. If you’re looking for other ways to stay active, our local terrain will be waiting for you to bring out your ATV or off-road bike, and witness the exquisite scenery of Tumbler Ridge.
Grande Prairie, AB
We are your four-season destination!
Stanford Hotels & Resorts are the ideal accommodations for riders! Take advantage of our $89.00* rider rate which includes a complimentary bike wash. The Grande Prairie location offers ground floor rooms, meaning you are never far from your pride and joy. As well, the inner courtyard parking lot gives you peace of mind during your stay. Choose Stanford Hotel Grande Prairie if you are looking for that home away from home feel and great service! We are your four-season destination, so check out our winter rates for sledders.
*Taxes and applicable fees will be added to this rate
Get in on the action
If you consider yourself a powersports enthusiast and are interested in breaking into the industry, the Outdoor Power Equipment Technician Program or Motorcycle Mechanic, Pre-Employment Program is right for you. Offered at GPRC Fairview College Campus, these programs provide students with the skills that are in demand by North America’s recreational powersports industry. Students obtain the current knowledge of emerging technologies, combined with relevant, hands-on experience—and that’s exactly what employers are seeking.
Furthermore, students in either program are eligible to write the Alberta Apprenticeship exams—their first step towards obtaining their Journeyman status in the trade. For more information about the career opportunities – with job openings available across the country following graduation, call Les Ashton or Brad Chorney at 1-888-999-7882.
East Central. SK
The destination for every level of rider
You will find a surprise around every corner in Saskatchewan’s East Central region. The stunning transformation of the landscape from prairie to boreal forest showcases nature in its most grand form. Vast numbers of birds migrate through the area, making this an incredible destination for bird lovers. Unique communities are part of the mix, including four vibrant cities and a dynamic Ukrainian culture. Add a natural healing spa and a host of exciting events, not to mention a landscape that is truly an off-road enthusiast's dream. It is no wonder that our area won nine Rider’s Choice Awards for our spectacular ATVing terrain.
Kootenay Rockies
Create your dual sport adventure today!
Dual Tracks Inc. is a dual sport motorcycle adventure company with guides who have years of backroad riding experience. We would like to introduce you to a DS motorcycle experience as we ride through the spectacular foothills and mountains of southern Alberta and British Columbia.
Dual Tracks offers adventure tours and training for either multi-day or multi-week sessions, as well as both half- and full-day rides. We supply bikes if needed, and meals for full-day participants.
Let us provide you with an unforgettable, challenging and safe DS ride. We believe that a great ride is best shared with others, hence our motto, "Dual Tracks, ride with friends."-
Big River, SK
Convenient, comfortable and affordable
Ride from your door and enjoy an overabundance of ATV trails.
The Timberland Motel is located in a woodland setting with more than 20 lakes within 12 miles of our front door, but in Big River you can fish right where the town dock extends into Cowan Lake.
We are located on the Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail, so you can snowmobile right up to the door of your comfortable room. The Timberland Motel features a range of amenities, such as air conditioning, wireless high-speed Internet, an outdoor hot tub and much more.
The motel itself is also for sale, so rent a room now and see the incredible potential in this modern, clean facility.
The small shop with big service
Season's Edge Recreation has been serving Nipawin and surrounding area for more than 12 years, and we are dedicated to our customers' needs. Like our customers, we are also snowmobile and ATV enthusiasts.
Here at Season's Edge we ride what we sell so we are able to understand and respond to your needs. We know how important it is for you to have a great experience every time you ride.
On our days off, we look forward to jumping on our toys and hitting the trails or venturing out into the back country, so don't be suprised if you meet up with us next time you're out for a ride.
Cranbrook, BC
There is always something to do in Cranbrook
The City of Cranbrook is nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and offers visitors an array of fun activities. For winter guests, this warm and welcoming community is conveniently close to a full range of sledding locations. With literally hundreds of excellent sledding trails nearby, snowmobilers can experience everything from beginner to extreme mountain riding in the area. Cranbrook is also known as the sunniest city in B.C., so expect to find brilliant blue skies and sunshine to top off the mountain vistas you will enjoy while out on the trail.
Kootenay Rockies
Warm up after your sledding adventure
Prestige Hotels & Resorts are elegant, full-service hotels and resorts, located in the Okanagan and Kootenay Rockies—destinations known for some of the most renowned snowmobiling terrain. The Prestige offers deluxe rooms and amenities, executive and designer suites. All guest rooms feature quality comforts such as voicemail, data ports, high-speed Internet access and pay-per-view movies. Facilities also include a pool, hot tub, athletic club, restaurant and lounge—so there are several relaxing options to choose from upon your arrival. We are proudly 100% smoke-free. Inquire about our getaway and recreation packages, and make us your first choice in accommodation when you plan your next sledding excursion.
Cranbrook, BC
A quality motel in the heart of the Kootenay Mountains
Surrounded by the pristine Kootenay Mountains, the Travellers Motel features newly remodeled suites that will make your stay a quality one. We are conveniently situated just 10 minutes from the airport, and offer special rates for seniors and corporate guests. Also for your convenience, we have complimentary parking, a laundry facility, direct dial phones, smoking rooms, wireless internet and a continental breakfast. Kick back and enjoy our barbecue area, or one of our two new bubble tubs. Bring your four-legged travelling companion, because our motel is pet-friendly.
Cranbrook, BC
We go to great heights for you!
At the Nomad Motel, we offer several amenities to make our guests feel comfortable. With a 46-inch heated outdoor pool, large family suites and a children's playground, our facility is ready to welcome you and your family. We also offer corporate, group and senior rates, free high speed internet, and fax and photocopy services to suit your business needs. Take advantage of our guest laundromat, free VCR and movie usage, continental breakfast and cable TV with movie channels. Pet-friendly rooms are available as well. All of our rooms are air conditioned and have refrigerators and other basic necessities to make your stay fun and relaxing.