What began as a spur-of-the-moment decision by Jim Brands to take his motorcycle out for a spin has grown into a weekly tradition that draws riders from Portage la Prairie and beyond.
Brands says the idea first came to him about six years ago while standing in his front yard. He noticed his motorcycle sitting in the garage untouched for weeks, and his boat sitting idle in the yard. That prompted a thought: something needed to be done. Remembering how a cousin used to phone friends to ride somewhere for supper, swap stories, and then head home, he decided to do the same.
Since then, the rides have continued weekly, attracting anywhere from two to as many as 20 riders.
“Twenty is the biggest group we’ve ever had,” says Brands. “More and more people are finding out about it. Three weeks ago, a guy even came from Winnipeg to join us.”
That visitor rode with the group to Stonewall for supper before taking back roads toward home.
How it works
Brands sends out a message most Tuesdays with the week’s destination, encouraging suggestions from participants. They typically travel within an hour to an hour and a half from Portage, aiming to leave at 5:30 p.m. and return before dark. Longer rides start earlier at 4 p.m., though not everyone can make those times due to work.
There are no restrictions on bike type, no membership fees, and no formal structure.
“It’s not a club,” says Brands. “It’s just a bunch of people getting together.”
The pace is set so that slower riders know the destination and can meet up if needed, while faster riders can go ahead at their own speed.
Safety first
Meeting spots are consistent — Thursday evenings between 5 and 5:30 p.m. at the Co-op near École Arthur Meighen — but the group’s rules are more about safety than scheduling. Riders are expected to stay in formation on the highway, be mindful of traffic trying to pass, and avoid weaving through vehicles.
Brands says new riders are encouraged to let the group know so others can watch out for them. The group prefers secondary roads but sometimes uses highways.
“We try not to lose people, but it happens,” he says, recalling one rider who got a flat tire last year and had to call CAA.
The social side
Destinations often include small-town restaurants, and ice cream stops are a frequent extra treat. Brands jokes that he gets teased for this habit.
“It’s hard to drive by an ice cream store,” he says with a laugh.
The rides have included trips to places like Winkler, where the group enjoyed a warm welcome and a varied menu, and Miami, where one friend who couldn’t ride brought his Mustang to join in. Even antique cars have occasionally tagged along.
The mix of riders changes from week to week, with about five or six regulars. Women are part of the group too, riding their own bikes. Brands recalls telling one of them about the average riding speed, only to hear, “As long as you’re comfortable with me passing you.”
More than just riding
Beyond the ride itself, the group enjoys discovering new places and sights along the way. Interesting landmarks in small towns often prompt return visits. Brands says he and a friend are already planning a winter trip back to check out something they noticed on a recent ride.
Some members have gone on longer solo adventures, with stories of trips to Alaska, Whitehorse, and beyond. Those experiences, Brands says, are always great to hear about during the weekly gatherings.
With rides open to anyone willing to follow safe riding practices, Brands says the goal remains simple: “Have some fun, see some new places, and keep people riding instead of letting their bikes sit in the garage.”
For more information, you can call Brands at (204) 871-7758.
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