Comparing BC’s offroad access to other North American areas, whether counted by the number of trails or total square kilometres, we are blessed. To ensure we maintain that access and aren’t restricted to pay-only trails, we are responsible for wheeling wisely. As the number of off-road users increases in BC, so does the risk factor and chance of unprepared people putting themselves into dangerous situations. Being a danger to ourselves will close that access just as quickly as abusing the privilege. Over the last decade, one of the critical goals of the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC was to relaunch our driver’s education portfolio.
In 2019 the Wheeling Wisely program was launched to promote skills development focused on travelling in the backcountry. The initial Foundations course covers basic driving skills, recovery skills, and good practices for having fun outdoors. This is the first in a series of classes built on the Foundations, with courses being constructed in Vehicle Recovery, Driving Skills, and more.
We aspire to have the program available in all regions in BC. They have been offered in both the Cariboo and Lower mainland Regions, and 2020 will see it expand, including courses aimed directly at those 14-19 through our Wheelers of Tomorrow Program. So, one may sit there, scratching their head, thinking back to their beginning days; what exactly are the foundations of wheeling? Well, I tagged along in October, taking a step back, deciding it was time to remind myself of all the lessons I’d learned over the last 47 years.
I heard Kim’s diesel pulling up outside my place and jumped in with my camera gear as we headed out to the Sasquatch to rendezvous with the students and other instructors. Matt was busy signing people in and handing out handheld VHF radios to assist with communication, while Mike noted everyone’s names on the rigs with his neon green marker. As the last person arrived, the group gathered, introductions were made, basic housekeeping rules were conveyed, and the agenda quickly ran through.
We headed towards the Grace Lake Staging area, with a vital lesson imparted in that first kilometre of dirt road, the perils of not airing down. A lesson experienced firsthand is rarely forgotten. I chuckled, imagining the feeling of the bouncing in each rig. Much like being in a massage chair on overdrive, everything flying around in the rigs as if they had been placed on top of an out-of-balance washing machine on spin cycle. A few over-excited rigs almost missed the turn-off into the staging area, giving a firsthand lesson in the rules of driving in convoy.
The instructors took turns covering the guidelines of doing a pre-trip vehicle 360. Ensuring they started with the simple often-overlooked things, like looking for fluid leaks, checking your oil, and other basic rules of thumb like ensuring that your fluid levels are adequate in everything from your differentials to your brakes. Then it was time for the students to become familiar with their own rigs, some of which were fresh off the showroom floor a few weeks ago and practice the fine art of airing down. I still use the old-fashioned tried and true method of pushing in the valve stem and keep considering if I should go the way the masses and move to the valve stem removal method; I just can’t. Although it may be quicker, off-roading is never anything I’m in a hurry to do, and it seems like I’d be cheating on my rig.
It was time to convoy up and head down the West Harrison FSR towards the first obstacle, the powerline. Here they would be able to practice their first lessons in the differences between low and high range and understand that when off-road, there is no need to hurry; simply take things at your own pace. As I sat on the sidelines taking photos as they passed, I could see excited smiles on every face, and I smirked when I got a few thumbs up. There is this magical feeling when you see someone get their off-roading wings, as they have true freedom to experience this beautiful province we have.
The next stop was a little fun in the sandpit playground about the 12 km marker, where the students were allowed to learn other off-road basics in a safe driving environment. A variety of simple concepts were covered, such as picking lines, spotting, and embracing the heart-stopping experience of how to deal with that disconcerting gut-wrenching feeling of being off-camber. The goal being to avoid dangerous situations such as driving in the snow near a sheer 1000-foot drop-off and falling prey to the instinct of climbing into the mountain; the opposite of what should be done.
Lunchtime was nearing, and we were off to take the back road into Ten Mile Bay. This location allowed the students to learn the importance of walking your line if anything looks unfamiliar or questionable. We’ve all had that experience where we regret that we didn’t, as once you are committed, there is often no easy way out. Out of all the lessons learned during the day, I hope the guidelines on situational self-awareness are the ones the students take to heart the most.
We reached the tranquil beach at Ten Mile Bay, everyone eagerly grabbing their lunches in anticipation of the oratory lessons in learning how to better prepare their rigs and themselves for day trips or overland adventures. Questions abounded about different types of suspension changes they could make, what gear they should get, and the basics of tire design, All Season vs AT vs MT.
With information abounding in their heads, we headed back out for the last in-depth lesson of the day, basic recovery information and how to do a 360 when there is a risk, focusing on selecting proper, rated gear for the situation. When things go wrong, they usually can permanently be fixed if everyone stops and does an assessment. More often than not, the failure to stop and assess causes more issues and misuse of recovery equipment.
As we headed back to the Weaver Creek Spawning grounds, I could see everyone had solidified into one team, following the convoy rules. Speaking clearly on the radios of oncoming vehicles, quads passing by. Everyone aired back up, excited about what they had learned, eager for more lessons and to get out on the trail and use all their new skills.
Trix's Trax 