Top 10 Rad Riders of all time

These are the Raddest Riders we’ve ever met

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Ethan Schlussler rides a Power Wheels Barbie Jeep off-road go kart with a CRF 450 dirt bike engine.

One of our most beloved Rad Rider articles is about Ethan Schussler, co-owner of Grind Hard Plumbing Co, a company whose first invention was a Power Wheels Barbie Jeep off-road go kart with a CRF 450 dirt bike engine. — Photo courtesy Grind Hard Plumbing Co

Over the years here at RidersWest, we’ve had the chance to chat with some substantial Rad Riders. We’ve covered everything from dads teaching their kids how to ride, resilient riders overcoming the odds, and even mega stars like Keanu Reeves and Al McBeth—amazingly talented guys fulfilling their need for speed.

So how do we decide which Rad Riders are the best? You already did! These are our most popular and most-read Rad Rider articles that we’ve ever produced. That means you must like ‘em. A lot. So here they are, all in one place. Enjoy!


Nothing bonds father and son like four wheels and a mud puddle

David Lawrence and his son Aiden are mucking it up in Canadian Championship Mud Racing

 

Aiden Lawrence splashes through mud as he powers past a competitor in a race on his ATV

Aiden Lawrence, age six, is a little man who possesses great speed. — Photo courtesy David Lawrence

Raising kids is tricky business. Do we push our interests and hobbies on our children or let them figure it out on their own? Perhaps they just need a nudge and they’ll show us which way they want to go. For David Lawrence, introducing his son Aiden to ATVs at a young age has been a wise decision.

This American Rad Rider instructs newbies and performs stunts for leading ladies

RidersEast? Here’s what to expect when motorcycling in America’s Northeast

 

Crystalmarie Asteria takes a sharp turn on her red and black motorcycle on a racetrack.

“We have one chance at this thing called life, so ride to the fullest and experience as much as you can while you’re able!” — Crystalmarie Asteria — Photo courtesy Arcy Kursari of OTM Pix

This state-hopping, trail-blazing motorcycle riding instructor didn’t even grow up around motorsports, but that hardly prevented her from her calling.

What is it like to be a powersports dealer?

“I bleed motorsports and enjoy getting others into the fun.” — Dan Militere

 

Dan Militere takes his daughter Tess for a ride on a yellow Can-Am ATV.

Dan Militere has found the balance between working in the powersports industry and raising a family by blending the two together, in this case, taking his daughter Tess for a ride on a Can-Am. — Photo courtesy Dan Militere

For many diehard ATVers and snowmobilers, working within the powersports business is an illusive pipe dream. But, for a fortunate few, that aspiration has become a reality.

UTV superstar Al McBeth knows how to hop, skip and jump his Polaris RZR into the record books

Al McBeth sets the bar for reliable UTV products and distance-jumping world records

 

A UTV sails through the air over a steep decline on a sand dune. Many people and vehicles look like ants at the base of the hill.

Al McBeth has built his reputation on record-breaking jumps. — Photo courtesy Al Mcbeth

Many extreme riders live life on a razor’s edge. Sometimes, it’s the razor itself that can change a life’s course. For Al McBeth, four-time distance-jumping world record holder from Abbotsford, B.C., the release of the Polaris RZR in 2008 changed everything.

Social media stars Kyle and Cassandra Mainville chronicle their powersports escapades

“I love spending time on the trails with my husband, who very much shares my passion with the sport.” — Cassandra Mainville

 

Cassandra Mainville drives through mud on her black 2018 Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS SE ATV.

Cassandra Mainville isn’t afraid to get dirty on her 2018 Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS SE (aka Mama Bear). This photo was taken in Mattawa, ON in the VMUTS (Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System) in Mattawa, Ontario. “We went on a last minute spontaneous trip with another couple and it was one of our best trips to date. That trail system had technical trails, great views, caves to explore and awesome mud.” — Cassandra Mainville — Photo courtesy Cassandra Mainville

Many couples have aspirations of outdoor adventures on their powersports together, but the reality doesn’t always match the dream. That’s not the case for Kyle and Cassandra Mainville, however. This husband and wife duo do all things all terrain all together. The Mainvillles have their own website and business, Mainville ATV and Outdoors, and a plethora of social media profiles where they chronicle their escapades.

Disability can’t restrain this axe swinging, derby pounding, dirt bike jumping, snowmobile rescuer

“Motorsports fuel my soul. I don’t often think about the pain I’m in while riding.” — Alysha “Axxe” Vlahovich

 

Alysha “Axxe” Vlahovich smiles next to her green Kawasaki dirt bike.

Alysha “Axxe” Vlahovich currently rides a 2010 450 Kawasaki KLX dirt bike with Rekluse clutching. “I plan to get a 450 KX next season with a Timberkit so I can ride a snowbike when those foggy days hit and I want to tree ride more than hill climb with my sled.” — Alysha “Axxe” Vlahovich — Photo courtesy Alysha Vlahovich

There aren’t many women who can hit a bullseye with an ax, knock around the competition in roller derby, jump a dirt bike, or rescue injured skiers on a snowmobile. Indeed, Alysha “Axxe” Vlahovich is an exceptional talent.

Raising the next wave of watercross racers

This man is one of the best at his sport, president of the WCWA and his kids are following in his footsteps

 

Steve Chestolowski's children (L to R) Spencer (10) and Peyton (13).

Steve Chestolowski's children (L to R) Spencer (10) and Peyton (13). — Photo courtesy Steve Chestolowski

What do you do once you’ve proven you’re an elite performer at a sport? Most of us will never have a need to answer that question, but for Steve Chestolowski—winner of five Canadian championships in watercross racing—it’s all about passing his skills on to his kids.

Craig Oldfield is Ridin’ Alberta, highlighting which routes to take and essential pit stops to make

“I call this ride and the blog Ridin' Alberta since that is what I set out to do.” — Craig Oldfield

 

A motorcycle has an Alberta license plate that says Ridin.

Ridin’ Alberta is a business, Facebook blog and riding group founded by Craig Oldfield. — Photo courtesy Craig Oldfield

When the world shut down in March 2020, many individuals like Craig Oldfield found themselves out of work. Having suddenly lost his contract as a tour guide in the Canadian Rockies because of the pandemic, Oldfield found himself with spare time and an urge to go riding. That’s when he came up with Ridin’ Alberta, a business, Facebook blog and riding group.

Keanu Reeves and his love of motorcycles

Hollywood star Keanu Reeves is a crazy two-wheeled enthusiast who has started up his own motorcycle company

 

Keanu Reeves smiles as he prepares to ride his motorcycle.

Keanu Reeves has been a motorcycle enthusiast since he was 22 years old. — Photo courtesy Interview Hub

If you’re a fan of the movie Speed or The Matrix, it’s quite possible that you are also a fan of Keanu Reeves. This Lebanese-born Canadian actor is also known for his starring roles in Point Break, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and the more recent John Wick.

But what does Keanu Reeves have to do with motorcycles?

A lot, actually. The action hero is an avid rider who’s logged thousands of kilometres behind the bars of his favourite bike, the Norton Commando.

“Riding your bike is one of the greatest things you can do to clear your head and just feel the speed and the motion,” said Reeves.

Quit your job, modify your ride and start a YouTube channel—you can do it!

These two guys combine crazy off-road creations to make a living on YouTube

You know how sometimes you get together with your buddies and say something along the lines of, “Wouldn’t it be crazy if we quit our jobs and did _________ together for a living?” Edwin Olding and Ethan Schlussler followed that thought through to completion by creating their own business. Grind Hard Plumbing Co is a YouTube channel that showcases the wacky, mismatched off-road creations of Olding and Schlussler. A few of their inventions involve putting a Honda dirt bike engine in a toy Power Wheels Ford Mustang Barbie car, chopping up a dirt bike frame to build a snowmobile engine powered off-road scooter and hotwiring an abandoned Toyota Tacoma and turning it into a rock crawler.

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Are you a Rad Rider—someone who shows off their love of riding in a fun, positive way? Do you have photos of you and your buddies riding trails and splashing through mud? Tell us about it! We’d love to hear about your awesome adventures.


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