7306-R3_SS_Sep2020_MESnowmobiler

12 September 2020 Maine Snowmobiler

Wild River Riders

On Saturday, February 22, 2020, the Wild River Riders hosted a mountain top cookout at Wheel- er’s Mine on the Gilead/West Bethel line. The mine is owned by the Wheeler family, who gra- ciously allow snowmobilers to visit this scenic spot during the winter. Club members loaded up utility sleds with grills, food and drinks and brought them up the mountain by snowmobile. The first riders started arriving at 11 a.m. and by 12:30 p.m., the club had cooked

100 cheeseburgers and sent a cou- ple club volunteers to town by sled to pick up more food. The club offered the food for free and accepted donations to the club. Several people joined the club as well. Our fellow riders were very generous, and we appreciate all those who supported our event. The neighboring club, Greenstock Snowsports, planned their club ride to our event, and members of the Norway Snow Trackers came over to support us. The Wild River Riders hope to make this an

annual event. Over 175 sleds came up the trail, and it was fun to watch the sled parade: old sleds, new sleds, families on sleds! The day was warm and sunny with no wind, and the views over the Bethel area were spectacular. The mine also attracts riders all winter who like to see the huge ice 0formations that form on the abandoned mine. The Wild River Riders maintain 30 miles of municipal and club trails linking the NH

border to western Maine towns. Thank you to the club volunteers who planned, shopped, donated, cooked, served food and cleaned up: John, Tracy and Toby Walker, Jay and Asa Milot, Carol and Jim Bourque, Jimmy and Austin Westleigh, Pete Maxon, Rick Davis and Mike Taylor. Follow the Wild River Riders (@ ridegilead) on Facebook!