An ATV adventure

I was just reading the June/July issue of Minnesota Off-road Magazine and found a feature article including some local highlights.

The story is written by Jerry Bassett (not sure if there is any relation to the local Bassetts or not) and is about an extended ATV trip along the Soo Line Trail.

Isle's Les Pinz is one of the riders featured in the article along with three other riders. The group traveled from Isle to Cass Lake.

The group is a bunch of "avid snowmobilers" who set out for their first ever long distance ATV ride. "As it would turn out, the trip wouldn't be as easy as a snowmobile tour and would offer an adventure or two," Bassett wrote.

The group encounters some challenges as they make their way along the 360 or 380-mile journey. The smooth path of the Soo Line "disintegrated into a seemingly little used and minimally maintained path.... we went from the irregular chatter of the corridor trail to picking our way over ruts, through mud holes ad around downed trees."

Now that sounds like my kind of ATV fun.

All-in-all, the article made me want to try the adventure myself. Having never been on an extended snowmobile trip, I have no idea what it would be like. But I am willing to pack up my Yamaha and give it a try. But it sounds like I may need a mechanic along for the ride.

I made the mistake of mentioning it to my Editor, Brett. Now I have a new assignment.

I am not sure when I will make the journey, but I am willing. After all, the article closes that long distance ATV rides can be quite nice, "if you have the right companions, prepare for the unexpected and enjoy the journey."

So who wants to go for a ride?