7909-R2_MSA_Mar2022_MaineSnowmobiler

One thing is for sure, we had a great time and are already plan- ning to do another group ride. We made friendships and mem- ories that will last forever. It is always great showing off our amazing state, and all the vari- ety our trail system has to offer. We only just touched on what Maine’s trails travel through.

Everyone that joined us has already said that they want to come back another time, some even have trips booked already! We are so very fortunate to have these riding conditions right in our back yards, and the opportunity to ride them as soon as the weather cooperates. Every day I hear another story of folks who trailer 15+ hours to get here. Riding with folks who know the area and having local connections is key. Multiple times throughout our trip, we leveraged local knowledge to adjust the plan on the fly, make arrangements to get some repairs done at a dealership, or asked a fellow snowmobiler to use their local knowledge to help our group in some way, shape or form. Snowmobilers are great people, always willing to step up and help their fellow rider. Thank you to all those who helped us along the way, you made our trip better every day. A huge thank you to all the 25+/- clubs who made it possible. Without the clubs and their members dedicating numerous hours of time throughout the year none of this would have ever happened. Our group joined clubs as we progressed through the trip, making sure to help out where we could. Clubs are key to this sport and our ability to enjoy it.

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and Ft Kent Motorsports to helping us through this issue. We hit a few of the scenic overlooks and tried to imagine what they would look like on a clear day, but our view happened to be steady snowfall. Adjusting our route, we crossed Long Lake, and hit #105 from Van Buren Cove down to ITS90, and back to Portage. Sunday was the trip out of Aroostook County via Millinocket. An early morn- ing start, and finally clear sky forecasted the whole day. We stopped for some great overlook opportunities along the way, and the views of Katahdin once you get south of Shin Pond never disappoint. Another change of plans with one of the guys not able to ride further once we got to Millinocket. We stopped into the Northern Timber Cruisers clubhouse just after they closed, but Presi- dent John Raymond helped us out by finding a room last minute for the night. After arranging for a ride south for Mike and his sled, Travis Archer and I made our way back home. Michael Hanley-McCarthy and Arlon Springer

made their way to Jackman, then finally back to Pittsburg Monday. Total trip from the beginning to the end for these guys was just over 1,600 miles! Many long days, lots of new friendships made, trail conditions from awesome to not so nice, and an awesome showcase of what Maine has to offer, to many who had never visited before. Every large group and long trip has its challenges. Riding with people you have never met requires thoughtfulness and patience on everyone’s part. Not every- one has the same skill level, and the group needs to understand this from the start. Mechanical breakdowns will happen, you cannot carry enough stuff to get you out of every situation (Michael tried!). You will run into every trail condition imaginable, and every weather type possible.

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