7422-R2_MSA_Jan2021_MaineSnowmobiler

The Art of Trail Communication - Mike Grass Jr.

Trail communication is a touchy sub- ject 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 telling 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 backwards 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 indi- cate 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 cor- ner 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 (Communica- tion Safety System). The Ride Lite is a light that mounts to your sled, display- ing 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 ham- mer 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 snowmobile trails are open to the public to hikers, snowshoers, 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.

warning other riders of an obstacle in the trail or meeting sleds gives other riders a “heads up” to prepare. 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. Common sense, prudent speed, keeping right, staying 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 snow- mobile trails of Maine. Safety is no Accident!

Another communication device that makes riding safer is helmet to hel- met communications. There are many companies making systems that make talking to other riders in your group easy and affordable. The leader of the group

The calendar features pho- tographs from across the state, contributed by MSA members whose work cap- tures the beauty and and excitement of snowmobil- ing in MaineMaine. It includes information about the MSA, the list of MSA-affiliated snowmobile clubs, and marks major holidays throughout the year. The price of the calendar is $10, plus postage. Calen- dars are shipped USPS/Pri- ority Mail - please include your US Postal Service mailing address. Calendars are also available at the MSA Office, 7 Noyes Street Place, Augusta. The calendar is produced by the MSA; proceeds ben- efit the Maine Snowmobile Association. Thank you for supporting the association through your calendar purchase.

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Here’s my order for the 2021 Snowmobile Maine Calendar

Number of Calendars: ________ x $10.00 = _____________ + Postage (1 Calendar): $3.00 _____________ (2-5 calendars): $7.75 _____________ Total Payment: _____________ Checks payable to the Maine Snowmobile Association Mail Calendar(s) to: Name: __________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________ City/State/Zip:____________________________________ If paying by credit card: Name:__________________________ Ph:_______________ Address:__________________________________________ Card Type Check One: MC_____ VISA_____ Discover _____

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Mail form and payment to: MSA-Calendar, PO Box 80, Augusta, ME 04332 Credit Card purchases may be faxed to: 207-622-7669

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