Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
Never follow too close.
Words by JD Keating; Photos by Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
Exploring in your vehicle has always been an essential form of escape. However, with societal norms ever changing, and new restrictions being constantly implemented, we all need to escape and remind ourselves of what is important now more than ever.
The simplicity of being out in nature and enjoying the adventure of exploring are a natural appeal for us off-roaders. However, the open road is starting to become convoluted in today’s climate. You can still get out exploring and we will show you how to take advantage of this situation while simultaneously respecting societal expectations.
While the world is teeming with activity and information from all fronts, there’s no better time than now to get away. Although escape does sound appealing, there are some new precautions to be aware of before jumping in your rig and hitting the road.
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Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
Two-meter (6 ft spacing) at all times.
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Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
Bridge out. Know your trail and map your route.
In addition to devising the usual checklist of tools, a first aid kit, recovery gear, and snacks, we must all now be hyper-aware of social distancing precautions. This doesn’t mean it’s more complicated to get away. Quite the contrary, with a little planning, adventuring these days can be even more rewarding.
With this in mind, we reached out to a few friends (and one novice) that are off-roaders and asked to tag along on Pinion Pass Trail in Calabogie Hills, Ontario, one of the most challenging trails in the area. The goal was simple; experience a new trail in our rigs, meet some people, see some new countryside, and most importantly, get out and get away.
The group was small – adhering to local gathering by-laws – which meant more ground covered on the trails, less back log and less trail traffic. We stocked up on our snacks, fuel and other provisions before we entered the outskirts, thus limiting our environmental footprint and exposure in the local community whose trails and land we were travelling on.
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Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
Negotiating some of the first challenges of our wheeling season.
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Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
Always remember to limit your groups for safety to lesson your environmental impact.
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Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
The experience – no matter how tough – is always the adventure.
After meeting up with our new guides and exchanging the pleasantries, we hit the trail quicker than usual. Small talk was actually kept to a minimum since we were all unsure how to socialize while maintaining distance. This meant more time on the trail. Win for us! This particular trail was mostly Canadian Shield rock, off-camber areas, a few water crossings, a beaver dam, and what turned out to be a broken bridge crossing that forced us an hour-and-a-half out of our way.
When you’re out exploring time is irrelevant but there will always be something that prolongs the timeline. We have found it is best to not set any time expectations prior to a group run. The experience is the adventure, not the destination and the forced-distancing has given us some clarity. We were more present in our interactions, watching more, and taking it all in. There will always be adversity, be it a breakdown or getting off track and stuck, but these challenges are a part of the journey. Some might argue that’s the reason we go out in the first place.
The small group and relaxed atmosphere gave us the opportunity to interact better. We were able to really pay attention to our own rigs and showcase what modifications work well, and what changes we might want to make going forward. This is invaluable, as in the long run, we want to develop the best performing off-road rig while still maintaining healthy road manners. This was also the ideal first run of the season to remember what essential items not to forget, like bug spray.
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Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
Forced-distancing has made us more attentive in our interactions.
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Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
John Kaldeway and his pup Gracie (safely seat belted in).
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Brad Morris @Dads_That_Wheel
Bob Kidman piloting his clean 2 door JL Rubicon.
Trails runs can be more fun with friends and the old mantra of ‘never wheel alone’ still stands but try to limit your group to the appropriate numbers. We need to respect the guidelines, not only to protect ourselves, but also to represent the wheeling community in general. Remember when you’re humming down the highway, be it on 40” tires or aggressive A/T’s and a rooftop tent, we are all ambassadors of this sport. A sport we all cherish and take for granted until we are forced to stay away.
The irony is that it took social distancing and quarantining to truly appreciate the solitude of wheeling in remote areas with only a few close friends. Plus, despite all that down time, we still are not finished our builds. That list is never ending.