In the ATV world it is often said that the operation rests largely on the shoulders of club volunteers who do all the work on the ground to offer quality trails to ATV riders. This is the story of Jean-Pierre Bouffard, an outstanding volunteer who exemplifies involvement in his community.
“My adventure in the world of quad bikes began in 1995, and over the next ten years I spent my time servicing machines, managing groomers, teaching how to lay trails for anyone who was interested. I gave up for a while before returning four years ago to take up my position,” explains the director of machine and rolling stock operation at the Quad des Basses-Laurentides Club. “I still love what I do, namely to offer trails for ATV riders that meet their expectations.”
Before starting work at the club, he worked with ATVs.
“I started riding ATVs on the trails in 1993. I went from one side to the other and a passion was born. Very soon after buying my first ATV I contacted the club to offer to take part in events and help on the trails.
This is exactly the attitude that the leaders of the Quebec Federation of ATV Clubs demand from quadriders. They suggest joining a local club.
ITS REALITY
A resident of Blainville, he finds himself at the center of the club's entire circuit.
“That's all that is needed for traffic in the direction of Saint-Thomas, Saint-Scholastic, Saint-Benoit, Saint-Augustin or Saint-Eustache in one direction and in the other, which goes from Saint-Lin to Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Saint-Hippolyte and Saint-Calixte. In total, we have to open 235 kilometers of routes, and only winter ones. The problem in our territory is that many of our routes are on agricultural routes lands. This means we are limited in the actions we can take on most routes.”
All trail preparation work is carried out in the summer and fall so that everything is ready for winter.
The problem of frozen soils is still the same as everywhere else in Quebec. “Because we work in wet terrain, our options are limited.”
OPEN TRAILS
To make all the trails in different sectors accessible, you need to assemble a very large team.
“It is difficult to accurately determine the number of hours in a groomer's trip. It often happens that an outing is planned for 8 hours, but it turns out to be 14 hours. There can be many reasons: a breakdown, stalled equipment, getting out of the car. These are not recreational walks. You need to have the judgment to understand the terrain, know what to do. If there is a lot of snow, it helps to dig out. If there is little, you have to work differently. Often you have to advance in advance.” we slowly walk on the ice, breaking it up so that it freezes again and is thick enough for the grinders to pass through. This is the daily life we live throughout the season.
The club employs about fifteen operators who take turns carrying out operations throughout the sector day after day. The club has seven repairmen, including two tractors and five BR 400s.
“We're a central club in the area, which means there's a lot of traffic. It's not uncommon to see 150 to 200 cars on a resurfacing walk. ATV riding is very popular in our area in the winter.”
After the excursions, it is necessary to take care of the technical maintenance of the equipment, an operation that requires time, precision and great ingenuity.
Photo courtesy of Jean-Pierre Bouffard.
VOLUNTEERING
Like all organizations started with the help of volunteers, the next generation is long overdue.
“Continuity is very rare. Volunteering is in decline. The people who help us the most are amateurs in their 50s and 60s. At younger ages it's really difficult. When we get calls asking to get involved at club level, we don't get anything else.”
In conclusion, his message was very clear.
“I tell fans: join your club, volunteer by picking up dropped markers, for example, instead of criticizing. This is the best way to ensure the future of the sport you love.”
