Fourth Annual Jim Shafel, Sr. Memorial Ride

The engines started with a familiar roar, kicking up the first dust of a tradition that runs much deeper than the tracks left behind. On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, fourteen side-by-sides lined up for the fourth annual Jim Shafel, Sr. Memorial Ride, a journey woven from friendship, memory, and the open trails of Wisconsin.

This year's 100-mile route challenged riders with the heavy heat and thick dust of mid-July. Yet, the dry air only sweetened the sense of shared adventure as the convoy wound through the trees. For these riders, the dust was just a part of the ritual—a badge of honor earned on the way to a meaningful destination.

That destination was Primal Eats in Gillett, WI, where the trail riders met up with friends who had arrived by car. In total, a close-knit group of about 20 people gathered under the shade, welcoming each other with wide smiles and much-needed cold drinks. Over plates of hearty BBQ food, the heat of the day melted into a cozy lunchtime of laughter, cold beverages, and shared stories. It was a beautiful reminder that while the trails bring them together, the memory of Jim Shafel, Sr. keeps them connected year after year.