What’s become a May tradition for many cross-country motorcycle riders in the lakecity is now beginning to be recognized throughout B.C.
Williams Lake Off Road Motorcycle Association vice-president Sasha Kokesch said this year’s Dirty Knobby cross-country event — to be held May 28-29 at the Dirty Knobby pits just off Mountain House Road — will feature many local riders, as well as several other riders from the Lower Mainland.
“We’ve had quite a bit of interest this year from the Coast,” Kokesch said. “There’s going to be a bunch of people coming from there.”
In the 10 years the event’s been held in Williams Lake, Kokesch has gone from a participant to playing an active role in the WLORMA and has watched and helped the two-day event grow.
“It’s growing, for sure,” he said. “We see a lot more families than we used to see. We’re doing more of an educational, fun-for-everyone event.”
Last year’s Dirty Knobby saw around 70 participants take to the course.
This year, riders are asked to meet at the Dirty Knobby pits around 9:30 a.m. Saturday for registration.
Following registration, the Dirty Knobby Poker Run will send riders of all ages out on one of a pee wee, A, B or C loop to collect five cards (one per lap).
“The pee wee loop is one kilometre, or they can do a longer two-kilometre loop and it’s all really close to the road so it makes it easy for parents to watch,” Kokesch said, adding the C course is five kilometres, and both the A and B courses are about 10 kilometres.
“We’ve kept the courses shorter this year just to help keep things closer to the pits so we have an easier time keeping track of everyone.”
Following the poker run, the WLORMA will host a banquet at the Overlander Convention Centre beginning at 6 p.m. featuring prize presentations and a couple movies. Dinner is $15 a plate and everyone is welcome to attend.
Then on Sunday, interested riders are asked to meet at the Overlander Hotel parking lot by 11 a.m. for a series of dual purpose guided rides.
“The route there is yet to be determined but last year they went for about 250 kilometres,” he said.
Riders can also elect to meet at the Dirty Knobby pits by 10 a.m. for off-road guided rides.
“We’ll be splitting off into groups depending on how many and what skill levels there are,” Kokesch said.
“We’ve got a group probably going to the Bull Mountain area and possibly another group for novice riders going to South Lakeside. If there’s interest we’ll also put a group together for advanced riders.”
For directions to the Dirty Knobby pits or for more information visit www.thedirtyknobby.com or call Kokesch at 250-296-9081. Everyone is invited to attend.