Quesnel’s Outback Quadders aren’t scared of getting a little dirty to have some fun.
ATV enthusiasts of all ages gathered at Umity Pit just past Cottonwood Bridge on Saturday morning to take a mud-soaked ride through some back-country trails.
Though it was relatively sunny and clear skies could be seen above the pine trees, the riders were kitted out in boots, waterproof jackets, gloves, helmets and goggles in expectation of slushy conditions up the path.
“This will be a really wet trail when we get about 8 kilometres up and into the bush,” says club president Norm McNabb.
“It will be water, mud and outrageous.”
The club has been around for three years and has close to 250 registered members, and McNabb thinks that number might rise considerably this year.
Some of the members who are retired ride as much as three times a week.
The trail they were traversing can be taken all the way from Umity Pit to Wells, which a few of the riders plan on doing from June 23-25.
A large gathering is also planned for June 29, when a club from Dawson Creek and another from Prince George come down to ride the trails at Deacon Creek just off the Barkerville Highway.
Following that, a poker run with prizes and concessions will also take place at the Deacon Creek trails on July 7. Contestants will drive to a number of stations on the trails and pick up a card at each, with the best hands winning cash prizes at the end of the day.
Brandon Crowe has been with the group since it started.
“It’s good to stick together. Everybody helps each other out if we’ve got a problem on the trail and we always bring everybody back,” he says.
“It’s a lot safer if you’ve got 10 or 12 guys.”
Newcomers to the town or those who are interested in taking up ATVing can approach any insurance or ATV dealer in town and find membership forms.
Alternatively, McNabb can be contacted through the Quesnel Outback Quadders Society Facebook page.
Membership is $20 per person a year and gives access to a series of events and a great group of friends.