ATV Rally next weekend

It’s a true test of one’s backseat driving ability: Blindfold your spouse and then sit behind them on an ATV and try to direct them through an obstacle course.

And it’s the one time the person driving might not be tempted to say: Shut up and let me do the driving.

The Blind Man’s Challenge is one of the most entertaining events planned for next weekend’s Backcountry ATV Rally in Coeur d’Alene, according to Richard Lambert, an ATVer who’s helping plan the three-day rally.

“It’s real funny,” Lambert said. “They run all over the place.”

Mud bogs, barrel racing and an obstacle course also are planned. Admission for the entire weekend is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and older. Younger children will be admitted to the event at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds for free.

The ATV rally is a first for the Back Country ATV club, which has hundreds of members from North Idaho and Eastern Washington. Proceeds from the event will go to the club’s legal fund and fight for ATV access issues.

“Right now the forests are getting closed up faster and faster,” Lambert said.

The obstacle course and track includes dirt humps, dips, logs, water-filled pits and bumps, with a gentler route for the pee wees or smallest ATVs.

A mud bog and barrel racing course will also be set up.

Safe riding is a major focus, Lambert said, and all participants will be required to wear helmets and other safety gear. Safety demonstrations are planned.

“Over the years ATVs have been getting some real bad raps,” Lambert said, noting numerous fatalities and accidents involving the vehicles. “A lot of this is not due to the ATV. It’s due to the person sitting on top of it.”

Volunteers will help children at the event learn how to ride safely, he said.

Raffles are planned, and several vendors will be selling wares throughout the weekend.