Host clubs and local sponsors go above and beyond

Many of the 440 ATV riders attending this year’s ATV Minnesota State Convention/Ride & Rally had never ridden in the area before. But after this year’s outstanding three-day event in Biwabik, they most definitely will be back for more. Ranger Snowmobile/ATV and Quad Cities —the host clubs — had every detail covered, showcasing a new trail, new 3/4-mile boardwalk and new connections to the vast trail system in St. Louis County.

Support was also outstanding, with 150 businesses and organizations sponsoring the event, over half of them from the local area.

SUNNY PRESIDENTS RIDE FRIDAY
IRRRB Commissioner Ida Rukavina and State Senator Grant Hauschild ride across the Thomas Rukavina Memorial Bridge into Virginia. Photo by Jeff AndersonRide & Rally kicked off on September 22 with 260 registered riders lining up at Giants Ridge for the Presidents Ride. They were treated to a dust-free ride under sunny skies on a new trail connecting Biwabik to the Iron Range OHV State Recreation Area. Riders got to experience the Ranger club’s new boardwalk, rugged trails of the OHV Park, and a stop on the Thomas Rukavina Memorial Bridge, the highest in Minnesota. Once in Virginia, a police escort brought the group to the new Iron Trails Motor Event Center for lunch and important messages from State Legislators, as well as representatives of the IRRRB and Minnesota DNR. ALL-DAY “DUST CONTROL” SATURDAY An early downpour was followed by an all-day light rain, but that didn’t stop over 100 same-day registered riders from joining in on 11 guided rides, or riding on their own on local trails or up to the Prospector Trail and points north. By the afternoon, the count was up to 440 riders. Thanks to many donors, the silent auction and live auction were a huge success, raising over $8,000 for the host clubs and ATV Minnesota. Additional funds were raised through the clubs’ raffle, and sales of ATV MN and host-club gear and clothing.

The Northern Traxx ATV Club took the Best in Show trophy, for its event-topping total of 53 riders attending. Four other clubs had 20 or more at Ride & Rally. Photo (LtoR): Matt Carlson, Larry Folstad and Kevin BrainardAfter a great banquet dinner provided by Neighbor’s BBQ, located in The Lodge at Giants Ridge, the raffle winners names were drawn, and the new Best in Show traveling trophy was awarded to the Northern Traxx ATV Club for its event-high total of 53 riders attending. A short ATV MN membership meeting was held, with comments by St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Jugovich, JR Burke with Polaris, Chris Gamache with Ride Command, plus updates from lobbyists Tom Hackbarth and Jeff Anderson, and from ATV MN board members reporting on new winter riding opportunities and the statewide Master Plan. Kevin Anderson, ATV MN 2nd VP, and Erv Kleinschmidt, treasurer, were re-elected to serve another term.

Watch for more details on those reports, and topics discussed during Sunday’s ATV MN Statewide Board Meeting, in future newsletters and this magazine. Thanks to chief Ride & Rally organizer Jim Beauregard, all the host club volunteers, ATV MN treasurer Erv Kleinshmidt, admin Jenn Jancsek, the ATV MN board, and many others for months of work they put into the 2023 ATV MN Ride & Rally.