Cans & Coats Ride Report

Well I thought I'd post a real report instead of simply posting a few pics.

We've been doing this charity ride for about 5 years that I know of. A couple of years ago, before DNR stepped in, this was one of our most treasured rides. Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Donuts and Bagels provided by the township AT THE TRAILHEAD! Lunch time was soup and chilli, more coffee and hot chocolate. Ride in between times. Back out on the trail until Dinner time at the Town Hall. Donation for dinner. Spaghetti and fixin's. Desserts enough to choke a horse...or Wacker!
DNR decided we needed an "Event Permit", $200 and $2 million insurance policy. Crazy.

Now a couple of years later, it's not what it was, but still a GREAT time. I had to loan out my 2-up to a guy who's fallen on tough times and had to sell his quad. He and his GF enjoyed the Popo. Thinks it rides like a Cadillac! Anyway I got to ride my newly rebuilt Grizzly. All is good!
http://www.michcanska.com/ is a snowmobile charity that rides from the U.P. across Canada into Alaska, 4,000 miles. Wow! They raise $$$ for Diabetes research etc. Check em out.
Here's a link to my pics, some I borrowed!: https://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/Jaxom44/Leota%201-15-11/
And others:
https://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v642/sumpter1/Leota%201-15-11/?start=all

https://s610.photobucket.com/albums/tt181/kross40/Leota%202011/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ27



From our club President:
"Thank you to all that attended our annual Leota winter ride. Grand
total attendance at the event was 52. Our presence was welcomed and
appreciated by the Leota community. Thanks to our donations and hall
meal, many will be able to feel what what benefit that we bring to the
community. We are not just a riding club, we are one that cares for
those communities we ride in.

Leota would also like to thank us for donating $500 to their Michcanska
charity, one that logs snowmobiling miles to help raise funds for
Diabetes research. Once again we are showing what type of club we are.
You all deserve this praise.

This year, we had riding occurring on Friday Saturday, and Sunday. I
know I logged 151 miles on my ATV during this ride. We had two night
rides and two major day rides. Most of the Leota, Denton, and West
Higgins trails have fresh ATV tracks on them. I hope those that
attended these rides enjoyed them, cause we would like to have several
more adventures such as these. I would like to thank all trail leaders
that made our rides such a success. Its very rarely you all get some
back patting, so would like to extend one to all.

It was great to see our members helping troubled ATV riders and
snowmobile riders fix, fuel, or assist them with their rides. Good
work!

Let keep this theme going through our riding season this year.

Thanks everyone. You made me proud to be an ATV offroad club member.

Nice report TW!!

Never fails government always got to get it's piece of the pie.

Nice report though.

fundraising ride for sure... Great Stuff right there.

Nice pics, Tumbleweed

Sounds like it was a good time for a good cause.

WOW -- what a good cause !!

Very nice. Kudo's to all involved!

It's that time of year again! This is the weekend ride in Leota. I guess they got 4"-6" of fresh snow over the last few days. It's been a while since I rode in snow of any consequence. Raring to go!!! I'll certainly get some pics again. Hopefully we will get a nice turnout to help those less fortunate.

Where is that ride at exactly? Roscommon State Forest? I couldn't find a Leota, MI.

Can anyone come and ride? If so maybe next year I might make it up there.

kinda between Clare & Cadillac. North of Harrison.
Any and All are welcome!!!

http://www.atvoffroad.net/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=170

The charity event is over for another year. We had a smaller turnout than in years past but still managed about 20 people. We collected about $200 and several bags of clothing.
Pizza, whitefish, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans w/ bacon, salsa & chips.
And of course the requisite Sticky Buns!!! Each of them about 8" in diameter!

The ride...
Beautiful views, fresh snow & cool temps.


The trails were difficult to ride due to the frozen limbs hanging down across the them. Most everybody has facial scratches due to the numerous face slaps.




You can tell which branches have been hit by the rider in front by the lack of snow on them.


The road to the trailhead;





More pics and video here:
https://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/Jaxom44/Leota%201-14-12/?start=all

Man I could go for one of those sticky buns right now.

Good pics, trails could be widend just a tad huh.

Trails are not SxS friendly at all. Supposed to be maintained at 50". Trimmed back in the spring and summer. Of course that doesn't account for the weight of snow and ice. Michigan trails are one of the reasons I don't have a SxS myself!!!

BTW, click on the bottom pic to view the video.

The pics gave me goosebumps! Brrr!
Looks pretty and fun, as long as you have good coveralls!

Enjoyed the pictures TW.... looks cold.

But I'd probably drive up there for a sticky bun

Mmmmmm sticky buns. Great pics thanks for sharing

Nice pics, TW

Reminds me of a couple places on Cold Knob that we have ridden through. There were no sticky buns involved though

Looked to be beautiful. The ride pics looked nice also. Thanks TW!