With the vast majority of health measures taken during the pandemic ending, quad enthusiasts have started going out again across Quebec. Your presence can be felt everywhere.
In order to get a good overview of the course of the season, I discussed it with the President of Club VTT Matapédia, André Blouin.
“It’s increasing again this season,” explains the expert. We have had feedback from people in the accommodation and hospitality industry telling us that visitor numbers are increasing all the time. »
“This season we welcome quad riders from all over Quebec. The club’s car park is very often crowded, he adds. More and more amateurs are doing the rounds in Gaspésie. Some even come here more than once a year. We have a lot of quad bikers from Montreal, Gatineau and more and more people from Quebec and even Rivière-du-Loup. We have a group of hikers visiting us for five to six days in July. You are 57.
The man who has been in charge of the club for 23 years explains that all his club’s measures ensure that quad bikers are there.
“They come to us because they know that we have beautiful, well-signposted and safe trails. People want to see nature from here. »
AN EXCELLENT SEASON
The current season is going very well for the club, which hasn’t had too much of an impact during the pandemic.
“During COVID-19, we were surprised to find that it was very good for us. The quad riders were there. This season we are on the way to an excellent one, if I believe the people who visited us before the summer holidays, the expert explains. Many people call me to say that they came and will come back because they enjoyed their stay. »
“They often come back with new bands. Most groups consist of four to six quad bikers. There are also large groups, but they are more limited in number,” Mr Blouin continues.
The President explains that in most cases these amateurs do not hesitate to travel to their part of the country.
“Amateurs coming from Quebec, Montreal, Trois-Rivières and even New Brunswick are used to mounting their quads on the trailer to go quad biking for an hour or an hour and a half. They find it less and less far because they love to discover the 720 kilometers of trails that the association offers them. »
There really are more followers on the trails, the President admits.
“If we ever had 700 quad bikers on the trails in our area, we would have one per kilometer. We have the ways to welcome them. »
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE LOOPS
For André Blouin, one of the reasons that make life easier for quad bikers in his part of the country is the looping principle.
“The quad driver who comes to us can ride in Carleton, Matapédia, Matane or Rimouski and sleep in his accommodation in the evening. People have got used to staying in the valley to take advantage of the fact that our trails are laid out in loops. We have done this so that quad bikers can visit and return to their accommodation and therefore not have to move during their stay. »
In his opinion, the services for quad bikers in his region have improved.
“We’re kind of the gateway for people wanting to travel the Gaspé Peninsula. In the region, there has been a significant improvement at all levels on all cross-country trails. Bridges and other infrastructure were renewed. The trails may not be as well maintained in some places as they are at home, but there is still a definite improvement. »
“With the various applications such as iQuad, it is easy to get used to traveling. All you need is one or two good quad riders doing well in a group for things to go very well,” he says.
Finally, we asked him which part of the quad world has evolved the most.
“The machines have evolved a lot. The arrival of side-by-side changed the lives of quad riders. But above all, if we want to have quad bikers in our region, we have to have nice trails. We are passionate and have a desire to discover our magnificent corner of the country. Those who come always remember their adventure in the Matapédia Valley. »
