The August long weekend is here, and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) riders are stoked to hit the trails.
Gary Hora, president of the Woodridge ATV Sandhogs and Manitoba ATV Association, says this is the first major long weekend riders can enjoy backcountry areas on their machines, after nine consecutive weeks of travel restrictions.
"I don't think a lot of people got any time (on ATVs) in the spring and they're probably anxious to get out there, which is great," he says.
With high turnout expected, Hora is reminding riders to prioritize safety as they make the most of the weekend.
ATV safety tips
Hora stresses the importance of wearing proper safety gear, including a helmet, gloves, and goggles.
He also recommends checking that one's ATV is in good working condition before heading out—even double-checking headlights are functioning.
During daylight hours, Hora says driving with headlights on can be a crucial safety feature.
"It's to help be seen by another rider coming your direction. With dust on the trails and, now and then, the air quality or smoke in the air, visibility does get obscured," he explains.
He also advises riders to travel in groups, drive to their limits, and stay alert.
"Just take your time, enjoy the day, and remember the trails are two-way traffic, so...somebody could be coming around that corner," Hora says.
He also suggests downloading a new ATV trails app as an added safety feature.
Trail conditions
Overall, trail conditions are in decent shape, Hora notes, though things are starting to dry out.
"We haven't had a lot of heavy rain in the last while. We've had some good, overnight, lower temperatures... which has been helpful, but it does dry out fairly quickly during the day," he says.
This contributes to some dust on the trails, particularly in sandy areas.
"I'm seeing more people even driving around with masks due to the smoke and dust, just to make riding a little more enjoyable," he says.
Those looking to ride their ATVs this weekend are encouraged to check the Manitoba government's backcountry travel restrictions page for the most recent information. Some areas still prohibit backcountry travel, including areas of the Whiteshell Provincial Park, South Atikaki and Wallace Lake Provincial Parks.