How Facebook is enhancing the ATV experience

Social media has a way of bringing people together who otherwise would never have met each other. It’s great for interacting with people from all over the world and exploring locales we’ve never been to—including sweet quadding destinations. Les Halsall lives in Warman, Saskatchewan, about 20 kilometres north of Saskatoon. He enjoys riding the Porcupine Plain area in Saskatchewan, but started exploring alternate trails farther from home by looking to social media for his research.

“I surfed the net for different areas, YouTube videos and ATV clubs,” Halsall said. “Many clubs have a group page so I joined the group to see all the ride pics.”

Halsall had already been to Cranbrook, B.C., and liked the area. But he didn’t know too much about the riding trails until checking out the Kootenay Rockies ATV club page. From there Halsall reached out to Doug Williamson of the Kootenay Rockies club. “I had Doug check some motels for trailer parking, etc.,” said Halsall, “but it was basically ‘call when you get here and we will show you this quadders paradise.’ ”

Williamson rode with Halsall and his sons for several days, giving them a tour of the area. Exploring this new region gave Halsall the opportunity to see new terrain, flora and fauna, and to enjoy the friendliness of other riders and get a little mud on the tires. “I like a little mud and water, but more riding than winching is best,” he said.

“This is a far better spot (than previously visited locations),” said Halsall, praising the beautiful Cranbrook scenery and the hospitality shown to his group.

Riding in the Cranbrook area met all of Halsall’s expectations and was everything he was hoping it would be. He never ran out of things to see and suggested other riders utilize social media to discover new riding hot spots. “It’s so easy and fast,” he said. “Most clubs are proud to show their trails.”