2022 Kootenay Rat Raid Recap
After a couple years of pandemic fun, the 18th annual Kootenay Rat Raid finally happened! We had a fantastic turnout for the return of the Raid with a lot of new faces and the return of some very missed friends! I personally had one of the best years seeing everyone again and making some new friends along the way.
We started a day early for those who could indulge and had a few planned events throughout the weekend. On Thursday, our dear friend Aaron from Mainjet Motorsports took our off road folks out for a long day of trail riding. They were gone for over 8 hours and came back absolutely filthy with the biggest smiles on their faces. Aaron always does such a great job with routes that ensures all levels are comfortable. And about a half hour after that ride left, Randy, another local and fellow Raid attendee, offered to take out a street ride group. Randy knows all the fun roads that we may not even think of and I know the small group had a great time as well.
Friday we headed out as the bigger group and made our way up to Kaslo then over the 31A towards New Denver. We stopped at Fish Lake to settle the group so we could space out for our annual action shot care of Liam. Fish Lake holds different meanings for different people. Some like to visit the peacefulness it gives you, others have special ties with friends we have lost along the way. Either way, it is a beautiful place to stop and share with others. Once we regrouped, riders were sent out one by one with an 8 second delay to allow for space. Liam does such a great job with these photos each year and the keepsake is appreciated by all!
Saturday was a bit of a free day although Alberta Raid attendee Geoff did set up a great street ride for anyone who wanted to partake! They were out exploring the Salmo, Creston, Balfour Ferry route! Meanwhile, our offroad gang had such a good time on Thursday they went to revisit some of the trails they were on again on Saturday. Some just rode up to Salmo or Kaslo for breakfast! Either way, Saturday was to do as you please until judging started at 4:30 for the Show & Shine and our banquet at 6:00.
The Show 'n Shine was a huge success. Some really amazing bikes won awards.
The banquet, dinner as usual was fantastic. The Adventure always does such a great job with everything they do for us. Before dinner we thanked our sponsors and raised a glass in memory of three of our own who passed away over the year. Gary Bessette hadn't been out since 2015 but he did spend a few years at the event and is remembered fondly by those who knew him. Vern Vogt was a Raid Captain prior to Paul England and had been a great support for me when I took over. I had so many great chats with Vern so when we lost him to his battle with cancer, it hit me pretty hard. Anther one who hit home hard was losing Bryan Noble. Bryan was a staple at the Raid. In 2019 he was one of only 3 left who had been to each event since the start. He passed in December of that year. Bryan's family would also be out there and they popped in this year as well. Mike brought us the last helmet that Bryan wore, which happened to be white which allowed us all to sign it in memory of his dad. All three of these guys are special in their own way and they will all be remembered. We brightened up the moment by then celebrating our new comers, the parent/child combos, the larger than usual Americans and of course our last man standing, Steve Murrell. He was presented with a hoodie with this year's logo along with the well earned Last Man Standing embroidered on. I told him he is now responsible for the Raid and he swiftly and politely declined!
Once everyone had had enough to eat, we were off to give away some jackets sent to us by Triumph Canada and some goodies from Blackfoot Motosports, Mainjet Motorsports, Grover Law Firm, Ill Fated Customs, Montgomery Distillery and some donations that came from attendees who wish to remain anonymous. The room was full of positive energy. Once we finished handing out the Show 'n Shine trophies, we drew for the 50/50 which was over $600 to the winner, newcomer Mark Tucker. And while I joked that would translate into about $3 American, he promptly handed it back stating half must be go to the charity and half to myself for my travel expenses. I was moved by this generosity. And then Samantha came up and took the mic to thank me for my efforts on behalf of the group where I was presented with another generous gift from the attendees.
In 2019 I kept telling everyone I would see this through the 20th edition. Had COVID not happened, this year would have been that. However, I mentioned to the group at the end of the banquet and with full emotion, the 2 year break reinvigorated me to continue with this event for likely longer than the 20th. That does not mean that at some point it would be great if someone else took it over, but for now, I appreciate the volunteers that step up each year to help me out in Nelson. Perhaps they just don't realize I am grooming them to take over! hahaha! Just kidding....sort of!
We all need to thank our partners and sponsors in this event. Without their support, the Raid as a whole would be very scaled back. So in no particular order:
Website is now updated with next year’s dates with the registration form to be added soon. The new 2022 gallery of pictures can be found under Gallery!.
Until next year, ride safe!
Cheers,
Liane
Raid Captain
We started a day early for those who could indulge and had a few planned events throughout the weekend. On Thursday, our dear friend Aaron from Mainjet Motorsports took our off road folks out for a long day of trail riding. They were gone for over 8 hours and came back absolutely filthy with the biggest smiles on their faces. Aaron always does such a great job with routes that ensures all levels are comfortable. And about a half hour after that ride left, Randy, another local and fellow Raid attendee, offered to take out a street ride group. Randy knows all the fun roads that we may not even think of and I know the small group had a great time as well.
Friday we headed out as the bigger group and made our way up to Kaslo then over the 31A towards New Denver. We stopped at Fish Lake to settle the group so we could space out for our annual action shot care of Liam. Fish Lake holds different meanings for different people. Some like to visit the peacefulness it gives you, others have special ties with friends we have lost along the way. Either way, it is a beautiful place to stop and share with others. Once we regrouped, riders were sent out one by one with an 8 second delay to allow for space. Liam does such a great job with these photos each year and the keepsake is appreciated by all!
Saturday was a bit of a free day although Alberta Raid attendee Geoff did set up a great street ride for anyone who wanted to partake! They were out exploring the Salmo, Creston, Balfour Ferry route! Meanwhile, our offroad gang had such a good time on Thursday they went to revisit some of the trails they were on again on Saturday. Some just rode up to Salmo or Kaslo for breakfast! Either way, Saturday was to do as you please until judging started at 4:30 for the Show & Shine and our banquet at 6:00.
The Show 'n Shine was a huge success. Some really amazing bikes won awards.
- Best Sport/Sport Touring - Chris Mackie - Speed Twin
- Best Dual - Sean Connor - Scrambler
- Best Modern Cruiser - Liam Rathgeber - Rocket III
- Best Modern Classic - Samantha Mitchell - Bonneville Custom
- Best Overall - Natasha Sayer - America with side car
- Adventure Staff Choice - Lisa Tucker - Bobber
- Paul England Memorial Award - Brad Klaiber - Ducati
- Furthest Travelled - Jay Norman who took a 2100 km motorcycle detour from BC, up to Jasper through the Icefields parkway and back!
- Oldest Triumph - Shane McAllister - 1955 Triton
The banquet, dinner as usual was fantastic. The Adventure always does such a great job with everything they do for us. Before dinner we thanked our sponsors and raised a glass in memory of three of our own who passed away over the year. Gary Bessette hadn't been out since 2015 but he did spend a few years at the event and is remembered fondly by those who knew him. Vern Vogt was a Raid Captain prior to Paul England and had been a great support for me when I took over. I had so many great chats with Vern so when we lost him to his battle with cancer, it hit me pretty hard. Anther one who hit home hard was losing Bryan Noble. Bryan was a staple at the Raid. In 2019 he was one of only 3 left who had been to each event since the start. He passed in December of that year. Bryan's family would also be out there and they popped in this year as well. Mike brought us the last helmet that Bryan wore, which happened to be white which allowed us all to sign it in memory of his dad. All three of these guys are special in their own way and they will all be remembered. We brightened up the moment by then celebrating our new comers, the parent/child combos, the larger than usual Americans and of course our last man standing, Steve Murrell. He was presented with a hoodie with this year's logo along with the well earned Last Man Standing embroidered on. I told him he is now responsible for the Raid and he swiftly and politely declined!
Once everyone had had enough to eat, we were off to give away some jackets sent to us by Triumph Canada and some goodies from Blackfoot Motosports, Mainjet Motorsports, Grover Law Firm, Ill Fated Customs, Montgomery Distillery and some donations that came from attendees who wish to remain anonymous. The room was full of positive energy. Once we finished handing out the Show 'n Shine trophies, we drew for the 50/50 which was over $600 to the winner, newcomer Mark Tucker. And while I joked that would translate into about $3 American, he promptly handed it back stating half must be go to the charity and half to myself for my travel expenses. I was moved by this generosity. And then Samantha came up and took the mic to thank me for my efforts on behalf of the group where I was presented with another generous gift from the attendees.
In 2019 I kept telling everyone I would see this through the 20th edition. Had COVID not happened, this year would have been that. However, I mentioned to the group at the end of the banquet and with full emotion, the 2 year break reinvigorated me to continue with this event for likely longer than the 20th. That does not mean that at some point it would be great if someone else took it over, but for now, I appreciate the volunteers that step up each year to help me out in Nelson. Perhaps they just don't realize I am grooming them to take over! hahaha! Just kidding....sort of!
We all need to thank our partners and sponsors in this event. Without their support, the Raid as a whole would be very scaled back. So in no particular order:
- The Adventure Hotel (Nelson, BC) - for your 18th year in supporting and helping to host this event. Rob, Graham, Scott, Mandie, Chef, Rhonda and all the staff at the Adventure, you go above and beyond every year with help and stellar service for our group.
- Triumph Canada - Ian McKinstray thank you for your continued support and sending us jackets to give away! We all more than appreciate the support from the brand we all love.
- Blackfoot Motosports (Calgary, AB) - thank you for all you do to promote this event and coming out to hang out with us!
- M&M Performance (Kelowna, BC) - Never ceases to amaze me that when I send out the sponsor letters, Dave is usually the first to respond. Your continued support of this event has not gone unnoticed and is so much appreciated. We hope to see you back out at the Raid in the future!
- Alarmtron (Vancouver, BC) - James Baldo stepped up again to sponsor the event through his alarm company based out of Vancouver. Please consider him for your needs should you require home/business security systems.
- The Hume Hotel (Nelson, BC) - not just a favorite breakfast stop for our attendees, but also a great place to stay. Ryan, we appreciate your continued support of our event in your second year of sponsoring.
- Montgomery Distillery (Missoula, MT) - Ryan, god bless you for coming on board and coming back again!
- Grover Law Firm (Alberta) - Steve's firm has quickly become Alberta's go to for motorcycle related injury claims. As a long time rider himself with a fleet of his own, Steve is heavily involved in many motorcycle related events and associations. We thank him for the goodie bags for all including those amazing pizza cutters and the $400 gift basket that we gave away at the banquet!
- Liam Rathgeber (Calgary, AB) - Your continued support of this event through photography does not go unnoticed. You are the reason so many of us have great memories to hold on to. The idea to shoot on the 31A has remained a success. The time lapse footage from the arrival each year was pure genius and so fun to watch! I look forward to working with you next year on making this event even better.
- Volunteers - Big thanks from me to all who stepped forward to help with the event. Sam and David Mitchell for all her help with prep that no one else has ever seen before! Sam and Liam at registration were killer and the biggest help! Aaron and Randy for the Thursday trail/road group rides! Geoff for setting up a Saturday ride. Everyone who helped set up and tear down the tent and hauled boxes and water in and out of storage. Gina and Sammi for help setting up the banquet. Sammi for helping me sell 50/50 tickets. Gina for dealing with door prize tickets. Warren, David and Lou for their efforts in the Show 'n Shine judging. Edwin for his design of this year's logo which was a huge success and fan favorite once again! And anyone I missed and I am so sorry if I did.
Website is now updated with next year’s dates with the registration form to be added soon. The new 2022 gallery of pictures can be found under Gallery!.
Until next year, ride safe!
Cheers,
Liane
Raid Captain
