I remember the day my father brought home our family’s first ATV. It was a Suzuki 350 c.c. and I was terrified of it. It had a manual transmission and I spent several frustrating hours trying to learn how to shift the gears smoothly. After I figured it out, however, I was hooked on ATVing.
A couple of years later, my father bought two personal watercraft and it didn’t take me long to develop an interest in them as well. Since then, I’ve explored trails and lakes throughout the East and West Kootenay regions of B.C. and in the province of Alberta. I have also ridden a personal watercraft in the states of Montana, Arizona and Utah. My passion for motorsports is something I am pleased to share with my husband, who is also an experienced dirt biker and motorcyclist.
As a writer for RidersWest, I get to speak with top riders in the industry, learn about new products on the market and hear great riding stories from readers.
If you have a story that you’d like to share, know of an outstanding rider who should be recognized or would just like to talk about motorsports, please email me.
German Formula One driver and triple World Champion Sebastian Vettel became the first driver to test out the new Sochi Olympic Park Circuit in Sochi, Krasnodar, Krai, Russia, on April 22, 2013.
by Kirsten Armleder
Tired of jerry cans leaking gas all over your ATV and slipping off partway into your ride? Then you need RotoPax Fuel Packs.
by Kirsten Armleder
Félicia Robichaud got her first dirt bike when she was seven years old and started racing when she was nine. Eight years later, she is Quebec’s top female off-road racer.
by Kirsten Armleder
Do you prefer an open-face helmet or a full-face helmet? Can’t decide? Try out the new Tourist Helmet from Fly Racing; it comes with a removable jaw piece that allows it to be converted from a full-face helmet to a ¾-face helmet in seconds.
by Kirsten Armleder
Is it an ATV or a personal watercraft? It’s both. The Quadski is the world’s first high-speed personal sports amphibian.
by Kirsten Armleder
Victoria Hett, where to begin? In the 16 years that she has been racing off-road dirt bikes, this 28-year-old from Vernon, B.C., has won three regional championship titles, a world championship title and several first place finishes.
by Kirsten Armleder
Written by Tom Cotter—who is a passionate historian, collector, racer and restorer of vintage vehicles from North Carolina—The Harley in the Barn is a collection of short stories about rare motorcycle finds.
by Kirsten Armleder
If you want a pair of motorcycle sunglasses that are designed to look good and allow you to see clearly while protecting your eyes from the hazards of the road, consider the new HD Grit sunglasses from Wiley X Inc.
by Kirsten Armleder
With approximately 90,000 ATVers in the province, B.C. is bound to have some rules for riding in the backcountry. What are they, you ask?
by Kirsten Armleder
When these photos arrived in my email inbox, I knew I just had to get the full story on what looked to me like a 2012 Can-Am Renegade 1000 on steroids.
by Kirsten Armleder
If extreme online racing is your thing, you may want to try out the new ATV Wild Ride 3D for Nintendo 3DS. Released on March 7, 2013, in the Nintendo eShop, ATV Wild Ride 3D from Renegade Kid features tricked-out, larger-than-life arcade-style ATV racing.
by Kirsten Armleder
Are the stock tires on your 2013 Polaris Ranger 900 XP too wimpy for you? Do you want the option of running up to 30-inch tires? Well then, you need to get the Max Clearance Front Forward Arched Upper and Lower Control Arms kit from High Lifter Products Inc.
by Kirsten Armleder
Motorcycling enthusiasts will likely appreciate the new line of InVision Visor Inserts from Maric Performance LLC.
by Kirsten Armleder
Six hours of full-throttle racing on a sheet of ice—think you can handle it? Why not try it out and see. The 2013 season for the Alberta Endurance Ice Racing Association (AEIRA) is in full swing, and Cory Laird, vice-president of the AEIRA, said that new members are always welcome to join the series.
by Kirsten Armleder
Doug Williamson is optimistic that 2013 will bring another stellar season of riding for the Kootenay Rockies ATV Club (KRATV).
by Kirsten Armleder
Multi-time Canadian Enduro Champion, Corduroy Champion and International Six Days Enduro medalist Patrick Beaule set a new record for Canada at this year’s Dakar Rally.
by Kirsten Armleder