Theresa Niven is one of the founding members of a new British Columbia ATV club, the Houston Quad Riders Society. She said that initially all the members used to ride on their own.
“Three years ago we decided to form a club with ATV/BC to protect the area we ride in,” said Niven. “Then we found out many people want to ride but don't know anyone to ride with or where to ride.”
Niven explained that Houston and the surrounding areas, as well as Hazelton, are popular places to explore, and ATVers can often clock 100 kilometres in a day.
The club has both family and adult rides, and a highlight for many has been riding the Telkwa Pass, a gas pipeline that goes to Copper Road just outside Terrace.
“It is 120 kilometres one way and is a good day event for people starting out,” said Niven.
The Houston riders have also camped as a group at the mouth of the Skeena River. Niven said packing up the fishing rods, tent, family and dog has been great.
“It's nice that we can incorporate more than just riding," said Niven. "I like being outside, being on top of a mountain and showing the kids the beauty that not a lot of kids get to see. It's always an adventure and you don't know what you are going to run into.”
One of the reasons Niven likes the club is that her children enjoy it.
"It's neat when the older members can teach the younger ones some history about the areas we ride in,” said Niven.
Niven loves to take photographs, and for her, riding is all about that as well. She has been able to capture some fantastic shots of their explorations—such as a ptarmigan on Sweeney Mountain, an old, abandoned railway at the Emerald Glacier Mine and the beauty of the Telkwa Range.
“The neat thing about going to the same place (is that) although it may look the same, certain elements change depending on the weather and the season, and it makes it look completely different,” said Niven.
The Houston Quad Riders Society has lots of plans for the near future.
“We will be joining ATV/BC on their jamboree poker ride, and we are planning to do an overnight Prince George-to-Barkerville trip,” said Niven. “We want to take a trip to the Charlottes (Haida Gwaii) and a longer trip to the Alexander Mackenzie-Nuxalk Carrier Grease Trail." (This heritage trail travels the same trails as explorer Alexander Mackenzie and the Nuxalk Carrier First Nations.)
Niven is excited about the growing club.
“We are interested in doing bigger trips that not many people have done," she said. "We have got our everyday riding and look forward to seeing new places. There are too many places to go and too little time.”
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