| Sep 20, 2017


Generally speaking, in the 10 years the volunteers have been holding ATV run fundraisers in Ompah, the beginning of summer event is usually busier than the end of summer one. But this year the trend was reversed with about 545 riders registered, said one of the organizers, Lindy Hay.
Perhaps it was because of the nice weather.

“It’s ridiculously hot and there are blackflies and mosquitos,” Hay said. “But then, I’m a winter girl.

“The riders seem to be happy.”

“A little light rain last night would’ve made a world of difference, but it’s still wonderful,” said rider Brent Lightbody, who came from Smiths Falls.
But it seems that for most people these days, just getting out on the trails with their ATVs is a fun thing to do, Hay said.
“We stopped doing competitive things like the poker run,” she said. “These days it’s just leisure and scenery.

“Everybody gets entered in everything and has the same chance to win a prize.”
Not that there isn’t friendly competition.

“Oh you’ll get some guys competing but that’s more of a boys-will-be-boys thing,” she said. “But we do get a lot of grandparents who bought side-by-sides specifically so they could bring their grandchildren.
“And we’re getting a lot more women, who come by themselves — not with husbands or boyfriends.
“And they don’t get stuck in the mud.”

Most people finish the 100 kilometers or so but there is the odd person who comes back early.
“We had one gentleman in his late 40s who came back early,” she said. “He had prostrate surgery three weeks ago and it was important for him to be here.”
The Ride-For-Dad charity is a partner in the event.

The event itself is a fundraiser for various Township volunteer activities and projects and hay said volunteers seem to have their own competition to bring in prizes and sponsors.
“It’s amazing where the volunteers get prizes,” she said. “First prize is a handmade fire pit made by John Marshman.”

And it’s also become something of a destination for sponsors as well, with many of the latest machines on display.
This year’s sponsors included Kanata Honda, Perth Powersports, Rideau Carleton Raceway and Lake District Realty.

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