The fourth annual Ashmont Quad Rally lived up to expectations this Saturday as hundreds of riders from all across Alberta tore up mud and snow, while at the same time raising $1,400 for local cancer group Haying in the 30's.
The group was the beneficiary of a silent auction held after the rally, which featured door prizes donated by numerous sponsors. Yvonne Weinmeier was one of the key organizers in the event and said the bulk of the work was carried out by volunteers. Without the help from volunteers and sponsors, the event would simply not function, she said.
“Our volunteers were amazing," said Weinmeier. “For an event to go through like this it takes a lot of people, a lot of dedication and a lot of hours."
With the temperatures topping out at 10 C the snow quickly turned to water. Riders showed up at the half way point covered in mud and soaked from head to toe. Luckily riders came prepared, donning full body riding gear and heavy rubber boots. Riders boasted of the tracks “awesome" condition.
“She's pretty watery, pretty deep holes in some places. Just good riding, good time for sure," said Denis Cloutier, from Lac la Biche. He said that this was his first time attending the event but that he plans on returning next year.
“It gives you a little bit of mud, a little bit of snow, lots of water. Can't go wrong," said Denis's cousin, Marcel Cloutier.
There was one accident late in the evening as one rider was caught driving too fast and flipped his quad. He was treated by on-scene ambulances and taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Despite the amount of riders that took part in the rally, Weinmeier said that cleaning up the trail on Sunday was a breeze as opposed to other years, as riders were very respectful of farm-owners' land.
“We're taking down a lot of ribbons and stakes but not a lot of garbage, people are very respectful nowadays," said Weinmeier.
Anna Leskiw, along with her brothers, extended family and their slo-pitch team the “Swamp Donkeys," helped organize and serve soup and hotdogs to riders with the Weinmeier Cultural and Historical Foundation for Boscombe as part of the half way lunch and checkpoint. Leskiw helped run the inaugural Ashmont quad rally and has seen first hand just how much riders have enjoyed the trail.
“It's not about who gets there first, it's so they can get dirty," said Leskiw. “ The more mud there is the better."
Leskiw helps organize the Iron Horse Ultra 100-mile race in October. Usually held in May, it was changed due to the seasonally frigid temperatures which makes marking and carving the 100-mile trail extremely difficult. Another reason that prompted the change is that for the past two years Ashmont has desired to host the Ultra 100-mile Championship Race, said Leskiw. She hopes to host the event next year which in the past has attracted anywhere from 500 to 1500 riders.
“For us to prepare for a championship in May is just too much work," said Leskiw. “We moved it to October to see what kind of response we get and then more of our local people can go in it and they practise throughout the summer."
