Get your ATVs out and ride through the Sandilands for a good cause. 

The sixth annual Ride for Mom event is happening next Saturday, June 3. The event is hosted by Eastman ATV in support of CancerCare Manitoba. 

Don Eidse is the president of Eastman ATV and co-chair of Ride for Mom. He says he looks forward to this year’s ride. 

“It's a really nice, interesting ride this year as opposed to last year. We were flooded a lot, so there was a lot of gravel on the trail. This year, it's looking like a really nice ATV ride, so it'll be fun,” Eidse says. 

He says they will start east of Marchand to park, gear up for the ride and register. They will have signs to help with directions. 

ATV registration is happening from 9 AM to 11 AM on the day of the ride. It costs $65 per machine and $10 for each additional rider. However, Eisde encourages riders to register in advance online on their website, atvrideformom.com, and it comes at a lower cost of $50 for each machine. The cost includes a hotdog, chips and drinks lunch at the halfway point of the ride. 

“Now, we ask people to pre-register, and there's a $15 cost savings. Any extra money we just put to Cancer Care Manitoba after cost. We would like it to be as much as possible online. It's just easier for it,” he says. 

Eidse explains that once riders are registered and have signed the waiver, then, "you’re off on the trail.” 

“Because it's such a long trail, it seems like there's a lot of people right there, but once you start driving, it seems, ‘Oh, this isn't crowded.’ There's lots of time. You can stop where you want to stop,” he explains. 

After the ride, Eidse says there are door prizes and gift cards from their key sponsors that participants have a chance to win. They will also have photo opportunities for the riders when they drive through the arbour they have set up. 

Proceeds from the ride will be donated to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, their breast cancer research, and to support patients and their families dealing with cancer diagnosis. Donations will also help Eastman ATV maintain their trails and allow them to keep putting in the event every year. 

With files from Adi Loewen.