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When I ran into people around town this Monday, they didn’t ask what I did over the weekend. They asked, "Did you break the record?"
Folks who know me know where I was on Saturday, June 13. They know I was among the 1,632 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders who gathered in Silver Bay in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records entry for the World’s Longest ATV Parade.
The event made television news and regional papers, so readers probably know that the attempt appears to have been successful. The previous record was held by the Harlan Ridgeriders in Kentucky with a parade count of 1,138 ATVs. Organizers of the parade, the ATV Association of Minnesota (ATVAM) are confident that Silver Bay’s number is high enough that the parade will stand Guinness Book review and be official.
The Duluth News-Tribune published a wonderful write-up of the event, including a photo of the rows and rows of fourwheelers in the field in front of the Silver Bay AmericInn. It is fun to look at the picture, taken from a helicopter, to try to find Grand Marais ATVers. There were approximately 50 people from Cook County taking part in the parade—several of them related to me—my husband, Chuck; my 70-something parents; my son and his wife; and my two granddaughters, ages 3 and 5 years.
While we waited for the parade to begin, we had the chance to dine on county fairlike treats—mini-donuts, pork chops on a stick, and ice cream made by a John Deere processor. ATV manufacturers were there so people could take demo rides and check out the latest gear. And the MN DNR was there with information on ATV safety and ways to stop the spread of invasive species. It was the best of both worlds—junk food and new machines to enjoy—and the chance to educate riders about safe and ethical riding.
I think everyone had a great time despite having to hurry up and wait. ATVAM started lining up ATVs at 9:00 a.m. and ATVs didn’t stop coming until right before the parade started (a little late) at 11:30 a.m. Folks sat on their wheelers in the field, dancing and singing along to the rock and roll music wafting over the crowd. People made new friends and caught up with old ones. I was thrilled to see my Aunt Edie from Ely, my cousin Dan and his family from Silver Bay, our friend Brent from the Twin Cities, and others.
It was a celebration of summer and of family and friends. And it was a chance to get together with other likeminded people—folks who don’t look askance at an ATVer. It is disheartening to have people not like you because you sometimes ride an ATV. People who don’t like ATVers don’t realize that we are not just ATVers. People who ride ATVs are also hikers, bikers, marathon runners, hunters, golfers, paddlers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, and wildlife watchers. It was fun to be among a thousand others who understand that, who are accepting of others, and who just like to ride.
It was also nice to dispel some of the stereotypes about ATVers. By most reports, the 1,632 ATVers in Silver Bay behaved themselves admirably. They came to Silver Bay and brought great economic benefit—staying in hotels and campgrounds, dining at local restaurants, and buying souvenirs. The Silver Bay Fire Department hosted a pancake breakfast that probably gave quite a boost to its budget. ATVers were asked to bring items for the Silver Bay food shelf. When we dropped off the Cook County ATV Club’s contribution, there was already half a pick-up load of food.
TheMoose Walk – Red Dot trails, maintained by the Silver Trail Riders were in terrific shape. We rode from Silver Bay to Finland for lunch on Sunday and we were happy to see all the work that had gone into ensuring that the trails were high and dry. ATVers respected the rules and stayed on trails. Riders used the appropriate trail hand signals and all the kids we saw wore helmets, as required. We stopped a couple of times to pick up litter—nothing that seemed to be intentional, a half-full water bottle and some pop cans that probably bounced off a fourwheeler. When we loaded our ATVs up on Sunday, the staging field next to the AmericInn looked exactly as it did before the parade started.
Nothing was left behind but memories of a great day—and a new world record.
Come on the rising wind,
we’re going up around the bend.
Bring a song and a smile
for the banjo,
better get while the gettings good.
Hitch a ride to the end
of the highway,
where the neon turns to wood.
You can ponder
perpetual motion;
fix your mind on a crystal day,
Always time for a
good conversation,
there’s an ear out
for what you say.
Catch a ride to the end
of the highway
and we’ll meet by the big red tree,
There’s a place up ahead
and we’re going
Come along…
Come along with me.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
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