Riding 150 Kilometres at Tabor
A 150-kilometre day at Tabor Mountain can sound like a straightforward ride until you start adding up trail distance, fuel, changing terrain and the time it takes to regroup. This guide explains how to plan a long ride near Prince George, check the route before you leave, prepare your ATV or side-by-side, and avoid turning a rewarding day into a rushed one.
What to expect from a 150-kilometre Tabor Mountain ride
Tabor Mountain is a well-known riding area near Prince George, but “150 kilometres at Tabor” should be treated as a ride-planning target—not a promise that one marked trail forms a continuous 150-kilometre loop. Your total distance may come from connecting trails, retracing a section, or following a longer route through the riding area. Start with local trail information and build a ride that fits your group and conditions.
For an overview of the area and its riding context, see Prince George Riding on Tabor Mountain. It also helps to compare Tabor with other destinations in BC ATV Trails: Where to Ride before deciding how much ground you want to cover.
Plan the distance as a full day, not just a number
A 150-kilometre ride is a substantial day out. The odometer counts the distance, but it does not account for slower technical sections, stops to check a map, trail traffic, photo breaks or a mechanical issue. A group that rides briskly on open sections may still lose time when the route gets rough, narrow or unfamiliar.
A useful approach is to plan a shorter first leg, a deliberate midpoint check-in and a return route that leaves room for delays. If your group is new to Tabor, avoid making the farthest point of the ride your first real test of the day. Ride a manageable section, see how everyone handles the terrain, then decide whether extending the loop is sensible.
Be realistic about the slowest rider’s pace, not just the most experienced person’s. A side-by-side, a utility quad carrying gear and a smaller recreational ATV may all move differently across the same trail. If someone is tiring or the terrain is taking longer than expected, turning back early is a sound decision—not a failed ride.
Confirm the trail network and conditions before setting out
Trail access and route options can change. Weather, maintenance, logging activity, seasonal restrictions or damage after a storm may affect where you can ride. Use a current map or local trail information to confirm which connections are open, where your route reaches a road, and whether any sections require extra caution. BC ATV Trail Map Downloads can help you think about mapping options, but verify the specific Tabor information you plan to rely on.
A phone-based mapping tool such as onX Offroad can be useful for reviewing a route and keeping track of your position. Download or save the information you need before leaving town, and do not assume that mobile data will work everywhere. Treat any digital map as a planning aid rather than proof that a trail is open or that every line shown is suitable for your machine.
Check the forecast and recent local conditions as well. A route that feels comfortable after a dry spell may become slick or slow after rain, while snow, washouts or fallen trees can change the character of a trail. For practical considerations around changing conditions, review BC Trail Closures After a Storm. If the route is uncertain, choose a shorter option and leave the longer day for when you have better information.
Build a route your group can complete
A long ride is easier to manage when you plan the route in sections instead of focusing only on the final kilometre count. Identify the starting point, the main riding area you want to explore, any planned road connections and the points where the group can turn around. Leave a comfortable margin for getting back before daylight fades or fatigue sets in.
Match the route to the least experienced rider
Before choosing a route, talk honestly about the group’s experience. Someone who is comfortable on packed, flowing trail may be uncomfortable on steep, rocky or muddy terrain. A route’s total distance does not tell you how demanding it will feel, so look at the terrain and expected difficulty as well as the kilometres. BC Trail Difficulty Ratings offers a useful way to think about how difficulty can affect your planning.
If you have beginners in the group, make the first section a chance to settle in. Agree on how you will communicate at forks and intersections, how far apart riders should travel, and where the group will wait if someone falls behind. A simple rule—no one passes a junction until the rider behind has confirmed the direction—can prevent a small gap from becoming a confusing search.
Machine size matters, too. A wide side-by-side may not fit comfortably on every narrow trail, and a long-wheelbase machine can feel different from a quad on tight turns. Check that the route is suitable for every vehicle in your group rather than assuming a trail that is fine for one machine will work equally well for all. For more ideas on choosing suitable terrain, see Best BC ATV Trails for Beginners.
Set checkpoints and turnaround rules
Choose a few checkpoints before leaving. These might be an obvious trail junction, a planned rest stop or a point where you reassess fuel and energy. The purpose is not to force the group to meet a rigid schedule; it is to spot problems before they grow. If the group is already behind at the first checkpoint, that is a good reason to shorten the route rather than trying to make up time.
Agree in advance on what will trigger a turnaround. Examples include a rider feeling unwell, fuel being lower than expected, a route appearing closed, worsening weather or a machine developing a warning light. When everyone understands the rule before the ride, nobody has to argue for the first time while tired and far from the staging area.
Keep the route flexible. A 150-kilometre plan can be a maximum goal, with a shorter alternative ready if conditions demand it. If you use onX Offroad or another mapping tool to review route options, make sure the whole group knows the intended direction and has a backup way to navigate if a phone battery dies.
| Planning question | Why it matters | Practical approach |
|---|---|---|
| Is the route open? | Closures or local conditions can make a planned connection unusable | Check local information before departure and again when practical |
| Can every machine fit? | Width, turning room and ground clearance vary by vehicle | Confirm route suitability for the largest or least maneuverable machine |
| Where will you regroup? | Riders can become separated at intersections or rough sections | Pick clear checkpoints and wait for the entire group |
| How much fuel is available? | Distance, terrain and load affect consumption | Start full and plan conservatively around the machine with the shortest range |
| What is the turnaround trigger? | A late decision can leave the group exposed to fatigue or darkness | Agree on conditions that mean shortening the ride |
Prepare for fuel, navigation and changing conditions
The difference between a comfortable long ride and a stressful one often comes down to small preparations. Carry what you need to handle a delay, but do not overload the machine. A heavy rack can change handling, and loose equipment can shift on rough terrain.
Estimate fuel conservatively
Do not assume that a machine’s advertised or familiar range will hold for a long off-road day. Soft ground, steep climbs, frequent stops, extra passengers and cargo can all affect fuel use. Work from the machine in your group with the shortest realistic range, and plan the route so that its fuel needs are not an afterthought.
Start with a full tank and check whether the route has any reliable refuelling opportunity. Do not build your plan around a hoped-for fuel stop unless you have confirmed it will be available and accessible to your group. The topic BC Riding Areas With Fuel Nearby is a useful reminder to distinguish nearby communities from fuel that is actually convenient on a particular route.
If your group carries spare fuel, transport and store it safely, secure it properly and follow the container and machine manufacturer’s guidance. Keep a reserve for detours or a slower-than-expected return. The rider who says, “We should have enough,” is not a fuel plan; a conservative estimate and a clear turnaround point are much more useful.
Carry offline navigation and basic recovery gear
Mobile coverage can be unreliable in backcountry riding areas, so save maps and route notes before you leave. Make sure each rider knows the planned route, not just the person leading. A second person should be able to help navigate if the lead rider has a dead phone, a damaged device or a problem with their machine.
A charged phone, a backup power source and a paper map or written route notes can provide useful redundancy. Keep devices protected from rain, dust and vibration, and make sure the map is usable without a live connection. If you use onX Offroad, check that the area and route information you need are available offline before you head out.
Pack a first-aid kit, basic tools suited to your machines, tire repair supplies and the equipment needed for a minor recovery. The right kit depends on your vehicles and the terrain, but it should be accessible without unloading everything. Tell someone who is not riding where you plan to go and when you expect to return. If you are overdue, they should know whom to contact and what information you left behind.
Adjust the plan for wet, rough or unfamiliar sections
A trail can become more challenging as conditions change. Wet roots, loose rock, mud or water crossings may slow a group considerably, and an unfamiliar obstacle can become a decision point. Do not let the planned kilometre total push you into attempting a section that feels unsafe for your ability or machine.
Take turns scouting uncertain obstacles on foot when that can be done safely, and avoid crowding a rider who is working through a difficult section. Give machines room to maneuver, and make sure the person spotting can get to a safe position. If the group cannot confidently assess a crossing or steep section, turning around is often the best option.
Keep environmental conditions in mind, too. Avoid riding around a closure or creating a new route through sensitive ground because the mapped trail is blocked. BC Crown Land Riding Explained is relevant background for understanding why permission, access rules and posted restrictions matter beyond simply finding a track on a map.
Ride responsibly and know your access obligations
Planning a route is only part of a successful day. Riders also need to understand the rules that apply to their machines and the land they are using. Requirements can depend on where you ride, whether you are on a road or Crown land, and what type of vehicle you operate.
Check registration, insurance and road connections
Before heading out, confirm that your ATV or side-by-side is properly registered for the riding you intend to do, and carry the required documents. The rules differ depending on where you ride, so do not treat a route that includes a road or resource road as identical to an off-road trail. BC ATV Registration Requirements is a useful starting point for the registration question.
If the plan uses a Forest Service Road or another resource road, check the relevant requirements before departure. Conditions on these roads can include industrial traffic, posted restrictions and specific insurance or riding obligations. Read BC Forest Service Road Requirements before relying on a road connection, and do not assume that a line shown on a map means the road is open to recreational riding.
Make sure each rider knows which parts of the day are trail riding and which parts involve roads. Keep to posted directions, use appropriate caution around other traffic and avoid stopping where you create a hazard. If the group is uncertain whether a particular road segment is permitted, choose a confirmed route instead of improvising on the day.
Leave room for weather, closures and a safe return
A long loop should have a clear exit plan. Identify where you can shorten the ride, turn back or return to your starting point if conditions deteriorate. Give yourself enough time to handle a slower return, because fatigue and poor light can make familiar terrain harder to navigate.
Follow posted signs and respect temporary restrictions, even when the trail looks passable. If you discover a closure or a damaged section, do not ride around the barrier or widen a trail to get through. Stop somewhere safe, let the group know, and use your backup plan. That flexibility is especially important when you are far enough into a ride that turning around feels inconvenient.
Finally, agree on simple group habits: ride within your ability, leave space between machines, wait at junctions and check on one another at stops. A well-planned 150-kilometre day is not about forcing the odometer to hit a target. It is about returning together with enough energy to say the ride was worth it.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
