7881-R1_MSA_Feb2022_MaineSnowmobiler

Ride of a Lifetime By Aleta Rioux

I n 2004 Polaris industries celebrated its 50th anniversary. Part of its celebration was the “WOW” Cross Country Relay. “WOW” was a group of “Way Out Women” interested in raising the profile of female enthusiasts across United states and Canada and helping a charity at the same time. To raise awareness and money for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and its fight against breast cancer, women rode Polaris snowmobiles relay style across the United States. Polaris hosted the “WOW” relay that kicked off on January 19, 2004 on the east and west coast of Canada and the United States. The U.S. portion started In Trapper Creek, Alaska on the west coast and Caribou, Maine on the east coast, and meet in Roseau, Minnesota being joined by their Canadian counterparts February 19th. The ride differed from any other in the fact only women completing the ride as Polaris desig- nated riders and women from each state participated. Any rider male or female were welcome to join the “WOW” riders as they passed through their local area. On January 19, 2004 the ladies from Maine, Flecia, Dar- lene(Bean), Marion Pinkham, and I met at the Caribou Inn to prepare for the kick off dinner later that evening. Friends, family, local dealers, breast cancer survivors, and the media joined us that evening. Our ride started in earnest on January 20th from Caribou with 22 inches of fresh snow on the ground that fell during the night. We were joined by the Eastern U.S. relay chair Janet Hetteen daughter-in-law of co-founder of Polaris Edgar Het- teen. Polaris provided three sleds for the designated riders and our alternate rider was provided a sled by a Maine Polaris dealer. Again we had great media coverage for the start of our relay. The first 20 miles of trails had been freshly groomed, the next 40 or so miles had nearly 2 feet of snow we needed to break through and road crossings had snow banks that I have not seen the likes of since. Lunch was provided for us by the Linneus Sno-Sport members at their clubhouse. We were soon on our way to MIllinocket where a presentation was done before dinner at the River Drivers restaurant. With 165 miles under our belt getting to sleep that night was no problem. January 21 was another busy day starting with media at

breakfast. The Millinocket area was an important part of the ride for Janet Hetteen as her father-in- law Edgar had rid- den that area nearly 50 years earlier. Edgar needed to know if his snowmobiles would work in Maine as our conditions were much different than those in Minnesota. This was the beginning of the Polaris Maine-Minnesota connection (that’s another interesting story). The weather was perfect; the trails were great, tons of photo ops on the 100-mile ride to Rock- wood. Dinner was at the Birches, where we said our good buys to Janet and her husband Mike, as they needed to get back to Roseau. The third day of our ride would be our longest. 185 miles needed to be done to get to Rangeley that evening. So up at 5:30am and on the trail by 6:30. Later that morning we stopped in Jackman for fuel and breakfast at Mama Bears Restaurant. Back on the trail, we made a stop at Grand Falls for a photo op, then on to Eustis for lunch at Trails End. As you can see by now we didn’t go without a meal. Around 5 pm we had made it to the Rangeley trail system. It wasn’t long after we arrived in Oquossoc where some family and friends were there to greet us, along with some of the riders from New Hampshire that would be taking our sleds the next day. Our day wasn’t over yet as we needed to get to a luncheon at the local Polaris dealers home, and then over to casino night at the Rangeley Inn which was part of the Rangeley Snodeo weekend. Friday January 23 was the day our part of the relay would conclude with the Maine riders turning the sled we had been riding over to the New Hampshire riders to use for their part of the relay. Once again we had great media coverage. When all was said and done the ladies from Maine had rid- den over 450 miles and raised over $40,000.00 for the Komen foundation. Why do I call this the ride of a lifetime? It was more than a ride. It was the wonderful generous people that supported the cause. People from all over Maine helped out, from paying for our gas, oil, meals, lodging, and more. The donations that went to the Komen foundation were unbeliev- able. It goes to show you when people work together for a great cause good thinks happen.

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