The Woodridge ATV Club had a busy and successful season.
Gary Hora, President of the Woodridge Sandhogs and the ATV Association of Manitoba says the season was extended because of the warm temperatures but they have closed the trails out of respect for the snowmobile and winter sports community.
“We closed down our trails especially where we have shared trail sections with the local snowmobile club or crossover points that crossover on their trail system. And we basically just promote, any winter riders or ridership to stay off the snowmobile system and allow them to enjoy their time for the winter.”
He shares that they saw an increase in traffic on the trails, especially from the middle of September to as recently as last week.
“I guess a lot of riders were just taking that opportunity to get out and enjoy the trails and not worry about the heat or the bugs, and the dust. The traffic definitely increased this year, I would say.”
As of this week, the trails are officially closed, and the Sandhogs have finished winterizing the trails.
“We put trail closed signs up, especially on the main trail heads that come out of the town of Woodridge. We also bag up our signage so that they're not visible, through the winter. And that's mostly where we have those crossover points or shared trail sections with the local snowmobile club, just so that the snowmobile riders don't get confused of what trail they're supposed to be on.”
Posts were made on their social media regarding the closures on Tuesday.
“Just to promote to the ridership and be aware of where you are riding. If you are going out in the winter, you don't inadvertently end up on a snowman or snowmobile trail system. They put a lot of time and effort into there.”
ATV riders can still use the trails if they wish but they will not be groomed or maintained.
“We basically suggest that if you are riding, it is ‘rider beware’. Be mindful that the trail may not be in the same condition as it is in the summer when it comes to maintenance and safety-wise. Fallen trees can happen all the time, right? So, if you are out riding, anticipate hazards being on the trail.”
He adds, “We don't go and routinely check on the trail. The status of it could be months at a time before maybe somebody goes along our trail system just to see how it is. And there could be no hazards at all. Depending on the winds and the snowfall, things like that, you might end up with a fair bit of deadfall along the trail.”
With files from Kenton Dyck