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Depending on where you choose to ride, lodging choices may include resorts (lodging, dining, sled rentals and guide service available in one location), modern motels, inns, B&B’s and sporting camps. Some groups prefer to rent cabins where they can prepare meals and enjoy one another’s company in a private setting. Couples may prefer private cottages or suites. Families with youngsters may enjoy a motel with a swimming pool and on-site dining. You’ll find restaurants from homestyle cooking to fast food, upscale dining to grab and go. If you have the opportunity, stop by a snowmobile club public supper (or breakfast or lunch...). There’s always lots of good home made food at a can’t be beat price. If you’re planning to rent sleds, reserve the machines in advance. Expect a minimum age for operators, and a damage deposit requirement. The rental agent should go over operation and safety guidelines before you head out. First time riders may consider hiring a recreational guide to lead a knowledgeable tour of the area trails. Remember that in some areas of the state, particularly the north woods, there will be a distance between any stops for gas and food, so plan ahead.

F amily Snowmobile Club, Bucksport

The Art of Trail Communication - Mike Grass Jr.

Trail communication is a touchy subject to some people, but with January being safety month, I thought this might help shed some light on the subject. When we are out riding the snowmobile trails of Maine, we all want to be safe, and knowing how many sleds are in a group we are meeting is a tool to help make us safer. There are basically two methods of tell- ing the size of a group of riders currently being used. They are “Ride Lights” and hand signals. Hand signals have probably been around the longest. A rider simply holds up the number of fingers that correspond to the number of riders in his/her group that are behind him/her. If a rider is wearing mittens, a thumb pointing back- wards will still indicate riders behind them. The last rider in the group holds up a closed fist to indicate they are the last sled in the group. The downside of this system is that riders must let go of the handlebars to indicate to other riders on the trail. In my opinion, riders should always be in control of their sled and be capable of indicating. However, if you are in a corner or on a bumpy trail, letting go of the handlebars to indicate to other riders might not be the best thing to do. Enter Ride Lite, or CSS (Communication Safety System). The Ride Lite is a light that mounts to your sled, displaying an amber or green light. If you are first of the group or middle of the group, your light is amber. If you are last in your group, your light will be green to indicate this to other riders. Some may say, this doesn’t work if another group comes up behind you, but

in actuality, it still works. Some also say that once you see the green light you can hammer down. Not true. No matter what system a group is using, after passing them, we should all expect to meet another sled or group, or maybe even a groomer, so caution should always be used and riders should keep to the right at all times. Just like driving on a road, this should be common practice. We never know who or what is around the corner or just out of sight. As you may or may not know, Maine snowmo- bile trails are open to the public to hikers, snow- shoers, cross country skiers, fat bikes and dog sleds. Imagine you are cross-country skiing or fat biking. There is a wind noise when you are at speed and hearing a snowmobile approaching from behind, might not happen, especially with today’s quiet 4-stroke snowmobiles. If they can’t hear you, they may be in the middle of the trail with no idea you are even around. Another communication device that makes

sleds gives other riders a “heads up” to pre- pare. If a rider in back has a problem, it also makes it easier to tell the leader to pull over the group. All of this information is my opinion. You may have different ideas, systems and theories you use while sledding

and that is your prerogative. This is meant to help keep people safer out on the trails. Com- mon sense, prudent speed, keeping right, stay- ing on the marked trails and respecting other riders should be the common practice of all snowmobilers. The goal of every rider should be to return home safely after enjoying a great day on the snowmobile trails of Maine. Safety is no Accident!

riding safer is helmet to helmet com- munications. There are many compa- nies making systems that

make talking to other riders in your group easy and affordable. The leader of the group warning other riders of an obstacle in the trail or meeting

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MAINE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION