Many of the ATVers who are interviewed by Riderswest have been involved with quadding for much of their lives. However, one amazing thing about ATVing is that it’s never too late to hop on a quad. A love of the outdoors, the correct gear and—ideally—an experienced rider to lend a helping hand can set a neophyte on the path to a fun new hobby.
Tips from the top
ATV/BC president Zan Boyle started quadding in his 50s after spending a lot of time on the back of a motorcycle. “I liked the aspect of being able to take extra goodies with you, like fishing rods,” he said. “Now, it’s one way of getting out in the backcountry. Especially here on the island, we can get to places that let us look across to the Olympic Peninsula, and you just can’t get to them without a quad.”
Boyle said that ATVing has introduced him to people throughout B.C. He attended his first ATV/BC meeting in 2000, and said that joining the provincial organization was his way of giving back to the recreation that had enriched his life. “I thought I’d been lucky enough to piggyback on the accomplishments of the association,” he said. “I thought it was time I put something back into it and help it along to make it better for everyone in the province down the road.”
One thing that Boyle said makes ATVing attractive to older riders is that it’s great for those who enjoy the backcountry but don’t have tons of spare time at their fingertips. A rider can still get the adrenaline rush and natural high that comes from enjoying the great outdoors.
“I think as you get older you can’t get eight hours in the backcountry hiking,” he said. “So, they’re able to get into the back country and ride for a few hours. If you want to go and see something that’s off the trail you can then go and hike to it for an hour, and then go back to your quad.”
For all new riders, whether they’re at retirement age or starting their first job, Boyle said there’s no substituting getting some first-hand experience with a skilled ATVer.
“It’s always a good idea to talk to not only the salesperson trying to sell you a quad,” said Boyle, “but to contact some people in the clubs and get some ideas. Get some views on different machines about the type of riding you think you want to do. It’s always better to try to get out and experience it firsthand—go with someone who’s ridden before you go and spent thousands of dollars on a machine and find out that’s not the kind of riding you want to do.”
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