North Metro Trail Riders
North Metro Trail Riders was founded 18 years ago to bring Metro Riders together . “ The Club offers organized rides throughout the state and other activities . After a couple of years , some members became Safety Instructors and Trail Ambassadors , and later we helped maintain the Redtop trail ,” said volunteer Mark Smerud .
The Club was started by a couple who were past President and Secretary of ATV MN . It ’ s the state ATV organization , and it promotes ATVing throughout Minnesota .
North Metro Trail Riders has monthly meetings on the second Sunday of each month at the American Legion - Edward B . Cutter Post # 102 in Anoka ( 400 W Main Street ). They meet at 6 p . m .
The Club welcomes new volunteers and participants who want to ride with others and learn about riding opportunities . About 25 percent of the organization ’ s members also enjoy helping with trail maintenance , funding and expansion efforts across the state .
Club members are looking forward to hosting National Trail Day at the Pine Center Trails Head on County Road 2 . This event is held the first weekend of June every year to celebrate the privilege of using trails for hiking , biking , horseback riding , atv riding and more .
Visit the organization ’ s Facebook page for more information : Facebook . com / groups / northmetrotrailriders
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Redneck ATV Pull
One of the organization ’ s most popular activities is the annual Redneck ATV Pull , which is a fun attraction for many locals , tourists and ATV riders alike . The event is held every fall behind the local JR ’ s Junction Bar and Restaurant .
The Redneck ATV Pull hosts a wide array of off-road machines and riders of all ages and demographics during the fun-filled , redneckthemed pulling event . The Club makes use of an old makeshift pulling sled with “ live jumpers ” to see how far machines in similar classes can pull the sled as the weight of actual club volunteers is added .
Everyone is welcome to participate in the fun happening outside of JR ’ s Junction , as a spectator / participant . This event draws a lot of new people yearly .
In addition to the Redneck ATV Pull , The Pine Center Sportsmen ’ s Club facilitates firearms safety and ATV safety classes . Anyone born after 1987 is required to have a safety certificate to operate an ATV on Minnesota trails . Information on the rules and how to get certified can be found on the Department of Natural Resources ( DNR ) website : https :// www . dnr . state . mn . us / safety / vehicle / atv / index . html
The Pine Center area is very active for ATV and Utility Task Vehicle ( UTV ) traffic . Those casually touring the area in their off-road machines have easy access to not only the Pine Center Trails , but an array of other trail systems locally .
There is parking available at three trailheads :
County Highway 2 , Forest Ridge Road and Oxcart Road . Riders can then travel north on the Crow Wing Southern Loop trail to Highway 18 . The trail follows along County Road 8 .
Another fun ride is along the Ft . Ripley Trail System to the south . It can be accessed by traveling south on the Crow Wing County Southern Loop .
Explore Minnesota describes the Central Minnesota trail as follows : “ primarily flat and easy to ride with an occasional rolling hill . The trail narrows and winds through rolling oak- and pine-covered hills near Sebie Lake , along the old Burlington Northern railroad grade . The Crow Wing South Loop connects Fort Ripley Trail to Brainerd and additional riding on the Pine Center Trails .”
Another popular choice for those visiting the area is to ride from Pine Center to the Soo Line Trail that runs over 126 miles across the state of Minnesota . It can connect riders to areas as far north as Duluth , or as far south as the Wobegon Trail System , which is south of Holdingford . The Soo Line is well known for being “ The Highway ” for off-road machines , providing great scenic views and tourist stops all along the way .
May 1st is the target date for most trails to open for the season , but the timing depends on weather and trail conditions . Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ( DNR ) Trail Closure Website for the most up to date information . https :// www . dnr . state . mn . us / ohv / closures . html
The trails are calling — get out and enjoy a fun ride !