Hayward, Wisconsin
Originally published in the Sawyer County Record in Jan 2023
Who could have predicted that at the end of December in northern Wisconsin, we would be riding our ATVs instead of our sleds? Well, that is exactly what happened, and riders came from all over for Gene & Michelle Richardson’s December 30 night ATV ride.
Twenty-eight machines carrying close to 50 riders gathered at the Sevenwinds Casino parking lot late Saturday afternoon. I saw many familiar faces along with a lot of new faces. Kevin and Kim Helgeson, from Kenyon MN frequently ride with this group and I so enjoy their company – and the fact that they bring extra rain gear, which I’ve had to gratefully borrow on previous rides!
Frequent riders, Brett and Loretta Carlson, from Rogers MN, drove their new 2023 Can-Am X3, and also shared the love of riding with their family, Jon and Kari Krueger who were driving the Carlson’s Can-Am Commander for this ride. Several local riders, including friends Tim and Sandy Davison were greeting new people as they pulled in: riders came from Green Bay, Milwaukee, New Richmond, Wheeler, and many other Wisconsin towns, plus we had several from Minnesota. There were just too many to mention everyone by name in this article.
I had a brief opportunity to meet riders Mike & Karen Nevin from Poplar WI. Mike runs the popular Warriors Ride, which is a benefit for currently serving troops and veterans. This year’s 14th annual Warriors Ride will be held on March 2, 2023, in Douglas County. Search for WI Warriors Ride through Facebook to find more info.
After everyone arrived and gassed up their machines, we gathered for Gene’s brief drivers meeting before hitting the trail – our plan was to ride south to the Tuscobia State Trail, stop for dinner in Radisson and make a large loop back up towards Hayward.
The weather was doing its best to feign winter – throughout the day and into the night, freezing rain caused slick roadways and glazed windshields on our machines. The whole train of buggies came to a halt several times during the night so riders could clear off windshields during the worst of the drizzle.
Our brightly lit group meandered through the LCO trails on our way to the Tuscobia and found that most of the previously frozen water holes had thawed out during the day’s warmer temps. There was no avoiding the thick, sticky mud, and ragged stalactites grew on the machines as the mud dripped off and froze. How odd to be riding the muddy trail beds of summer during a cold, pitch black, December evening.
Our riders reached the Tuscobia Trail and enjoyed a nice run on the 9-Mile Loop trail before gathering near the Lemington railroad tracks for a lively trail stop. Funny stories from the riders were just reaching a crescendo when we saw our first bike rider from the Tuscobia Winter Ultra, a run-bike-ski event going on between Rice Lake and Park Falls that weekend. We then saw many other racers on our way to Radisson – and cheered them on as we slowly passed them.
Our large group arrived at Helsing’s Bar in Radisson and filled both the parking lot and the bar’s back room for our dinner stop. Our ravenous riders devoured 11 delicious, large pizzas that the Richardsons pre-ordered. Helsing’s crew expertly handled all the needs of our crowd and got us taken care of quickly. We were now well-fueled up for the next leg of our night ride!
Next, Gene led us east on the Tuscobia to Ojibwa, then up back towards the Chippewa Flowage. The long line of machines, adorned with a variety of whip lights, cast an eerie colorful glow as they wound through the dark wooded trails.
We could all feel the temperature continue to drop as the night progressed, and the freezing rain finally turned to all snow. UTVs are somewhat enclosed and keep most riders warm enough, even if not heated, but the guys riding the ATVs have little protection and can take a beating from the cold. We all appreciated the decision to stop at Pat’s Landing on the Chippewa Flowage for a warmup and bathroom break, but I think our three ATVers enjoyed it the most.
Most of us, being a bit chilled, welcomed the coziness of Pat’s Landing as we poured in for our break. Riders sampled the tempting variety of hot chocolate flavors, as well as traditional warm up beverages while we exchanged trail stories, laughs and a few early New Year’s Eve toasts. As always, Pat’s Landing earned a solid ‘A+’ for their excellent service and hospitality shown to our group!
The night was getting long, and soon a plan was hatched for one group of riders to take the shorter road routes back to the casino, while the other group took the challenging trail back.
I’m not sure how I ended up in the group that took the challenging trail back, but the trek through the rocky hills, water and mud seemed to go quicker this time, probably because it was easier to see without the freezing drizzle from earlier in the night.
Back at the casino parking lot, plenty of hugs, handshakes and goodbyes were going on while traveling riders loaded their machines onto trailers. A smaller group of us gathered to ride into town as some were staying at hotels in Hayward, while others had to drive through town to get home.
Gene, who doesn’t even drink, suggested a nightcap downtown before we all split up. Options are limited late at night so we chose the Moccasin Bar with its unique display of taxidermy animals. I hadn’t been in the ‘Moc’ for years, but it felt familiar as our group covered bar stools at the end of the large bar.
I don’t think we were there long when the young bartender suddenly announced ‘last call’, which almost caused me to fall off my barstool. I can’t even recall the last time I heard those words and I suddenly felt worn and tired. Those words had the same tiring effect on the rest of our group, and spurred us into long hugs and heartfelt goodbyes before the final leg of tonight’s journey.
The ‘Last Call ATV Night Ride’ was formally over when we all dispersed from the parking lot in the early morning hours of the last day of 2023.
There is no better way to say goodbye to an unusual year and welcome a new one- than to be surrounded by the warmth and camaraderie of great riding friends. Here’s to the promise of a happy and successful 2024!
Note- the pictures used might have been from the previous night ATV ride.