Snowmobiling for 2018 is almost here!

It looks like winter is finally here, even though officially, it is still a few weeks away!

     The temperatures have been hovering around the low twenties. There is frost in the air and snow on the ground. The gun deer season has just closed and now the deer can make themselves visible again. Meanwhile, most adventurers have their snowmobiles uncovered, polished, filled with fuel and are all ready to go.

     When one ventures out and about, the snowmobile grooming machines are out panning the trail beds in preparation of opening day in about a week or so. Those brave soles will be inspecting the swamps to see if they are frozen to allow for the safe travel across that crust of ice. The lakes will be measured and if the ice is thick enough they will be lined with orange barrels to make the safest way across the ice that connects the many different trails here in the "Northwoods of Wisconsin".

     The guns have been cleaned and put away, the freezers are full of fresh venison, and not it's time to make sure the snowmobile boots, jackets and bibs are all in good shape and readily accessible for  a ride could be at hand on a moments notice. Anything between zero degrees and thirty is game and ideal. 

     Many others are getting their sleds ready to race against each other. Those are the individuals who put a lot of money and effort into seeing who is the best racer. Whether is be on the oval track or the Snowcross track, their machines too are in tip top condition and raring to go. Do I race locally or do I travel to different events around the circuit. That's the question only deep pockets can answer. The luck racer has sponsorships. Whether that be financial sums, equipment, parts, fuel, it is all necessary to be successful. There is always a possibility that the next world class racer never got to compete because of poor finances, and not because of ability. 

     Which brings up an observation of mine. Whenever you see a racing sled, you will see all kinds of sponsor stickers on the side of the sled. But did you ever see one of those stickers from a snowmobile club? I haven't? What better way for a snowmobile club to support the sport they all love, than by sponsoring a rider or two. I am sure there are clubs around that do this, but it is not as common as it should. Most clubs are incorporated and as such have a set of by laws and a mission statement. I am sure that somewhere in those documents it says "To promote the sport of snowmobiling". 

     Yes building trails is important, buying equipment is also important to groom those trails, etc. But, then again so is supporting your business community, and that includes that local snowmobile racer. What folks do not realize is that it is that racer who pushes that machine to its limits. It is that rider who helps make the design changes that we all get to enjoy after his tireless efforts to win and become a champion. 

     It is their constant hours of wearing a snowmobile suit or jacket and helmet too, that puts this attire to the wear and tear that most of us amateur riders will never do. But we will benefit from the professional rider's likes and dislikes, the clothing failures and those helmet bangs and knocks. It is they who are the risk takers, and it is you the casual rider who benefits from the toils of their labor. 

     The local restaurants will see a boom to their winter business bottom line as the riders venture out and stop by for food, fuel and refreshment. Without the snowmobiling activity, these venues would be sitting idle in the winter had it not been for the growth of the snowmobile sport and the industry as a whole. 

     For lodging there are those resorts that provide winterized cabins for the visiting snowmobiling group. Those resorts who did not have the foresight to winterize their cabins will simply lose out on this industry. Hotels and motels who have large parking areas to allow the loading and unloading of a trailer containing that precious cargo of a snowmobile will have more business than a smaller establishment, with limited parking area. And the biggest loss is for those establishments that are inaccessible to a local trail. Riders need to be able to ride from the hotel to the trail head. 

Just can't wait to get out there and enjoy the ride. 

All in all, here it is in the beginning of the month of December. The tween season of waiting for the trails to open and for Mother Nature to do her thing. So in a few days, let the riding begin and make sure you all ride safe.