Pursuit - Sharing the Wheel

The rules of the weekend were simple:

1.) The participation of both partners was mandatory. This rule was established as there was some concern that the guys, in particular, wouldn’t be interested in sharing.

2.) If possible, participants were required to experience everything that was on offer. This rule was designed to ensure that nobody went unsatisfied or suffered from any kind of envy come Sunday afternoon.

3.) Participants were required to take extensive notes on all aspects of their experiences. Responsiveness was important. As was agility, what the sound was like, whether there were toys, and above all—performance. Most sessions were followed by hearty discussion and comparisons of likes and dislikes.

4.) While it was theoretically possible for a participant to choose to remain with one of the options from the weekend, it was thought that doing so would have been an expensive proposition. Besides that, most people were of the impression that in a few years something better was bound to come along. Something with a nicer body, easier to handle, more junk in the trunk.

For the third year running Winnipeggers were offered the chance to get away for the weekend, drive a few really great cars, and spend time with a great bunch of people. Two years ago, Winnipeg Men started the Pursuit experience by inviting nine guys out to Elkhorn Resort for the weekend. The catch was that they had to drive themselves. The catch to the catch was that the rides were provided. And what rides they were. Nine of the most luxurious sedans on offer.

That first year proved to be so successful that Winnipeg Men did it again last year. In 2006 however, there were 14 guys, the vehicles were high-end SUVs, and the
destination was Kenora’s cottage country.

Which brings us to this year. What would be the angle for the 2007 Pursuit weekend? Motorcycles were briefly considered, and then abandoned, as it was thought that a dozen or so guys on bikes riding through small town Manitoba might spook the locals. Sports cars were also on the table, but it was felt that the only place to really give these cars a test was on the Autobahn, which was more than the budget would allow. Eventually, the thought process shifted from what to whom. And, as Winnipeg Men’s “sister” publication is Winnipeg Women, the answer was pretty obvious. It was time to let wives and girlfriends see what the guys got up to on these weekends.
So the call went out to Winnipeg couples who were willing to sacrifice a weekend, and a little alone time, in pursuit of automotive excellence. Before long, 10 couples were selected. Each displayed the sought-after traits: adventurousness, curiosity, willingness to experience, and an understanding that there is an alternative to the same-old same-old.

In terms of vehicles, there was a bit of a mix: two convertibles, a couple of station wagons, a pair of sedans, and four SUVs—all of them high-end and loaded with options. As in other Pursuits, the drivers were expected to explore all that the vehicles had to offer—power, handling, comfort, sound systems, fancy gadgets, etc. And for the first time, the perspective of the passenger was taken into account. Leg room, storage, accessibility of comfort controls from the right side of the vehicle, and so on. As this was a couples’ weekend, most participants had a great deal of praise for any vehicle with a navigation system. By the same token, more than a few couples wished for passenger side ejection seats.

Like Pursuit One, the destination was Clear Lake. But instead of taking the Yellowhead, as was done in 2005, the route was a little more circuitous. With an extra driver in each car, a longer route was necessary. Drivers went north on Highway 6 through St. Laurent, then onto No. 68 through the Narrows and into Dauphin. From there it was south on Hwy. 10 into Clear Lake.

The day’s “work” done, the couples checked into the sumptuous Mooswa Resort and enjoyed a little downtime before reconvening for happy hour. Then it was off to T.R. McCoy’s, Clear Lake’s answer to 529 Wellington. Over a fantastic meal and a few bottles of wine, the participants compared the day’s driving experiences and got to know one another. It was then back to Mooswa for a well-earned rest before Sunday’s trip back to reality.

Sunday’s itinerary pretty much followed Saturday’s: Drive luxurious vehicles. Stop every 50 kilometres or so and switch with partner. Drive for another 50 kms and switch one luxurious vehicle for another. Repeat.

Just another typical day on the Pursuit.

Actually, just another typical day on an atypical Pursuit. Clearly, the fact that half the participants lacked the Y-chromosome had quite an effect on the dynamic of the weekend. The previous two years demonstrated that putting 10 or so guys in the same situation leads to a lot of good-natured chest thumping. Especially when it involves something more typically associated with men. Like cars. For the most part, the chest thumping was absent this year. It was replaced by cuddling. And footsie.
The conversation was different too. The topics of conversation were pretty much the same, but the discussion was more in depth. As in previous Pursuits, we talked about kids, jobs, houses, cars (of course), and a million other things. But with the addition of the women’s perspective, the tone of conversation took on a fuller, deeper, and more reflective significance. Not necessarily more serious, but more in keeping with how society as a whole works. With discourse and communication, rather than bravado and fart jokes.

And that’s okay. It’s as it should be. Pursuit grew a little bit this weekend. It matured. It evolved. Pursuitus erectus.�