March, 2008
A Good Season
Jim Dickie– VICE PRESIDENT
Another snowmobile season is drawing to a
close. It has been a good snowmobile-friendly season, considerably
better than the last two snowmobile seasons. With 4,000 miles of
riding so far, I may still find time for another 500-1,000 miles
before the snow melts. I hope each of you has enjoyed this
snowmobile season as much as I have. Remember that the trails
officially close March 31 unless the DNR approves an extension. Also
remember that all snowmobile trails on private property are closed
to all other uses because the trail easement expires at the end of
the snowmobile season. That means that anyone riding an ATV, a
4-wheeler, a horse, etc. would be trespassing.
Moving Forward
Over the months ahead the snow may melt, but I
can guarantee you that the MSA leadership will be thinking
snowmobiling 24/7. The MSA leadership wants Michigan to be the
premier snowmobile state in the U.S. There are 27 states that have
snowmobile programs. Of the 27 states, Michigan is viewed by most of
the other states as a leader in organized snowmobiling. We don’t
want to be just viewed as “a leader.” We want to be known as having
the best snowmobile program, period!
In order for this goal to be achieved, changes
will be needed in the way the snowmobile program has been operated
in the past. The changes need to be positive and user-friendly in
nature. We have to continue to give the public a reason to want to
snowmobile in Michigan. We must create a greater desire among
snowmobilers to snowmobile in Michigan. Creating that desire is
called marketing. The best tool that we have to use is a
well-maintained and groomed snowmobile trail system. This tool is
provided to us by the volunteer members of the snowmobile clubs and
other organizations (chambers of commerce, travel bureaus, etc.)
that do the work to maintain, sign and groom the trails. It is very
important that these groups and individuals are happy in doing what
they do best, providing safe groomed trails for the public to enjoy.
To keep them happy requires an ongoing partnership with state
government, businesses and snowmobilers who are positive and
friendly. If the clubs and organizations are happy in what they do,
everyone else involved in snowmobiling will (should) be happy, too.
The core to achieving the goal of being the
premier snowmobile state in the U.S. is maintaining an excellent
working relationship between state government and the local
snowmobile clubs and other organizations that do all the work on the
ground. If these people are happy, the whole snowmobiling community
will be happy. There will be excellent trails, snowmobilers will
ride, businesses will benefit and more money will be spent in
Michigan helping the state’s economy. It is like, “when mama is
happy, everyone is happy!” A successful partnership has the same
goal. It is user friendly, communicates well, shares ideas and
information and works together in harmony. This partnership will
make Michigan the premier snowmobile state in the U.S.
You Can Help
MSA’s leadership, like local snowmobile clubs,
is made up of volunteers with the exception of the executive
director and office staff. We can always use help from our
membership. If you have a special talent or have special training in
computers, communications, marketing, law, banking, fundraising or
any field that you think can help make MSA a better organization and
are willing to volunteer your time to help make Michigan become a
premier snowmobile state, contact me or the MSA office. If you have
a good idea and know how to implement the idea, contact me and let’s
talk. Like I said in the February issue, “We are all in this
together.” Let’s work together for the benefit of MSA and for making
Michigan the best snowmobiling state in the nation.
Remember ...
• If you want to receive e-mail news
and information from MSA, we need your e-mail address. Please send
an e-mail to office@msasnow.org with a message to add your e-mail
address to your membership file.
• Take a friend snowmobiling and
allow them to experience the fun we all have snowmobiling.
• Sign up a new member with MSA. We
need your support. Numbers DO make a difference.
February, 2008
We Are All In It Together!
Jim Dickie– VICE PRESIDENT
Snowmobiling is more than just riding a
snowmobile. According to snowmobile industry experts, snowmobiling
adds over $1 billion to the Michigan economy each year. Without a
groomed snowmobile trail system, that number would be considerably
less.
What is the driving force behind snowmobiling
in Michigan? That driving force is a partnership among snowmobile
club volunteers, units of government, private businesses and
snowmobilers.
At the heart of the partnership are volunteers
from snowmobile clubs or local organizations who develop a trail
system in their area. Volunteers trim brush, put up signs, remove
debris, grade and perform other maintenance on the trails. Where the
trails cross private property, these volunteers acquire legal
easements. In many cases, volunteers from other clubs and individual
snowmobilers pitch in to help with trail maintenance.
Next are the volunteers who operate the
groomers to try to keep the trails smooth and safe for snowmobilers.
The operators are usually snowmobile club members or members of a
local organization such as a village chamber of commerce.
Still other volunteers handle the paperwork
involved in applying for and administering the grants they receive
from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for trail
maintenance and grooming. The DNR collects the money from the trail
permits that we purchase and makes grants available to snowmobile
clubs and other organizations to perform the trail maintenance and
grooming. This year there are 69 separate snowmobile grant
agreements with the DNR.
It should be noted that there are no general
fund tax dollars that go into the snowmobile program. We
snowmobilers pay our own way through revenue from trail permits, a
small portion of the gas tax and a few dollars from snowmobile
registrations. Purchasing a trail permit supports the snowmobile
program that we depend on.
Another partner would be the private business
owners who supply the snowmobiles, parts and accessories we
purchase. In addition to them are the owners of motels, inns,
restaurants, gas stations, sporting goods stores, etc., that provide
the services for the snowmobiler.
As you can see, we are all in this together. We
depend on each other to make snowmobiling work in Michigan.
Rough Trails?
If you encounter rough trails while
snowmobiling this winter, please remember there is usually a logical
reason why they are rough. Rough trails are usually a result of low
snow conditions, heavy traffic, a groomer break down, not enough
volunteer help or a combination of these. If you have a concern,
contact the local club or grooming organization for information. I
know of no grooming club or organization that takes pride in rough
trails. There is always a logical explanation.
MSA Ride In This Month
Sign up for the MSA Ride In scheduled for Feb.
15-17 at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. It is a
snowmobile celebration where you meet new friends and snowmobile
together according to your skill level or interests. There will be
some major announcements made at the Ride In about MSA’s goals and
future direction. Be there and be the first to know!
Communication
MSA will be using some form of electronic
“newsletter” and “action alert” system in the near future to
communicate faster with our members. It will be used for
communicating factual data, up coming events and other information
to keep our membership knowledgeable about the FACTS of
snowmobiling.
After looking at our member list, we noticed
that very few members have provided us with their e-mail address. If
you want to receive this type of information to keep you “in the
know,” then e-mail the MSA office at
office@msasnow.org stating that you want your e-mail
address added to your membership file. Your address will ONLY
be used by MSA to communicate with you. This new system will NOT
replace the MSA Magazine, but will be used in addition to the
magazine.
January 1, 2008
Let Me
Introduce Myself
Jim Dickie– VICE PRESIDENT
I first want to thank the members of MSA for
electing me vice president for 2008. I feel honored to serve such a
great group of people. I’ll do my best to assist President Don Reed
and the rest of the Executive Board and Executive Committee in
leading MSA into the future.
A Little About the Guy You Elected
I grew up on a dairy farm in northern Lapeer
County just a few miles from the small farming community of
Fostoria, Mich. It was there that I had my first encounter with a
“snow machine.” It was a bright and sunny, cold Saturday afternoon
in January when I heard a loud buzzing noise coming from the field
in back of our barn. The noise seemed to move in many different
directions as I tried to track it by listening to the various
resonances it made. There was a good 18 inches of snow on the
ground with many drifts along the north-south fence lines.
Soon the buzzing noise got closer, and finally
from around the back side of the barn, I could see someone riding
something along the fence line — blasting through the drifts as the
snow flew in all directions. The “something” kept getting closer and
finally ended up in our yard. It was our neighbor on his new 1966
Johnson-Skee Horse Snowmobile. We talked for a few minutes and then
off he went again, crossing the hay fields heading for our woods and
creek located on the back eighty.
From that moment on, my life was changed. I
knew I had to have one of those snow machines, so that I could have
fun in the wintertime playing in the snow. However, at the same
time, I was a little upset with my neighbor as he had not asked for
permission to ride on our property and, most importantly, he had not
asked me if I wanted to go for a ride! The only time that I had gone
riding across a field covered with 18 inches of snow was on a
tractor with no cab while spreading manure after the daily barn
cleaning. (I learned very fast that you always spread manure
traveling against the wind.) I always got back to the barn almost
frozen from the cold winter wind blowing against my body at a brisk
pace. Could riding a snowmobile be just as cold?
My next snowmobile encounter was when I was in
college at Western Michigan University during the blizzard of 1968 —
or was it 1967? Anyway, the university shut down due to the storm on
a Wednesday afternoon and didn’t reopen until the following Monday.
My roommate at the time was a guy named Bill Johnson, and he had a
new Ski-Doo Olympique snowmobile. I think it was 18 horsepower. He
and I did manage to go for a ride or two around campus over the next
few days. It was so much fun — I was hooked!
Finally, after graduating from WMU in 1970,
getting married and starting a new job with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, I had the
resources to buy my first new snowmobile — a 1971 Ski-Doo TNT 640
with slide suspension. I was in heaven! Bill Johnson, I, and some
friends went to Houghton Lake every year for Tip-Up Town to ride our
sleds. However, when gas got to be 75 cents a gallon (Wow!) in the
mid-1970s and gas shortages became a reality, we gave up
snowmobiling until the mid-1980s.
At that time I was living in Chesaning. Bud
Chamberlin, one of my Chesaning friends, kept asking me to go with
him on his group’s annual snowmobile trip to the Upper Peninsula.
Finally, I accepted his offer and had a wonderful time snowmobiling
in the Newberry, Seney, Curtis and Munising areas. After that
experience, Bud and I snowmobiled in the U.P. every year for several
years. (Bud and his wife Kelly currently own and operate
Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn in Curtis.) Eventually, my wife Kathy
and I ended up buying a vacation home in Curtis. Until I went to the
U.P. with Bud and friends that first time in the mid-1980s, I had
never been across the Mackinaw Bridge in the winter! After all, who
would want to go to the U.P. in the dead of winter on slippery roads
with the prospect of getting “snowed in” in a strange new world?
As a result of these experiences, I got
involved in snowmobiling and riding the wonderful groomed trails. In
late 1999 and early 2000 I, along with a group of friends, organized
the Chesaning Area Snowmobilers Association, and we all became MSA
members. Our club helped form the MSA Adopt-A-Club program because
we were not a grooming club, but wanted to get more involved helping
other clubs that had trail responsibilities. I guess you might say
the rest is history because I have continued to get more involved
with the winter activity I love — snowmobiling.
Oh, I almost forgot, I still have my 1971 Ski-Doo
640 TNT. I have restored it as a “vintage” sled. I guess that makes
me “vintage” also!
Just a Reminder
Please remember to thank all the club
volunteers and groomer drivers who do their best to provide us a
place to ride our sleds. Without their hard work and dedicated
volunteer efforts, we all might still be home on the farm riding our
sleds in circles in the farm fields. With all of us working
together, MSA will continue to lead the way for snowmobiling
adventures in Michigan.
Last Note
Please support those who support snowmobiling
and MSA by using the Commercial Member and Club Guide located in the
center of this magazine. Pull it out, carry it with you and use it
as a guide when making lodging and dining reservations or
when buying a sled, parts, fuel or anything else related to
snowmobiling. And also tell the commercial members thanks for
supporting us. See ya on the trails!
December 1, 2007
Compromise
Reached
by Don Reed
If you recall in the last issue, I dedicated my
space to publish an article by Jim Duke. In that article, Jim
discussed ongoing issues that have become detrimental to our
snowmobiling program; specifically, the grooming of our trails and
funding for the grant sponsors. It has been a long struggle this
year, but with the help of Keith Charters and Frank Wheatlake from
the Natural Resource Commission (NRC), I believe we have reached a
comprise we can live with.
It’s not a secret that the relationship between
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and grant sponsors has
gone from a functioning system to a dysfunctional nightmare. We have
fallen astray from our goal. The Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SAC)
was formed by the state to act as a liaison providing feedback to
the DNR; however, the DNR is not utilizing the committee to its
fullest potential. They have become more concerned with the
bureaucracies of the snowmobiling program, rather than working with
grant sponsors to find a palatable solution to satisfy both parties.
Since grant sponsors are not up on legal jargon, they rely heavily
on the SAC committee and MSA to represent their best interests. In
turn, MSA relies heavily on their partnership with DNR to establish
a user-friendly Grant Handbook — needed to administer the snowmobile
program. You can see how a breakdown in relationships on any level,
especially this one, can have a catastrophic effect.
Customer Services the Key
When administrating a program that directly
affects the end user, you have to realize that customer service is
the key to a successful program. It is vital. Grant sponsors are one
of the customers (for some reason) who have not been recognized. To
manage a program properly with customers at the forefront, being
customer-service oriented would be the most reasonable plan of
action. These are simple quality management techniques that have
been forgotten by the DNR at the expense of grant sponsors; grant
sponsors who are volunteers and are ultimately responsible for the
implementation of the program.
Trail grooming is absolutely essential to the
sustainability of a more than billion dollar industry. Without
groomed trails, you will find a substantial decrease in the profits
made by this winter activity. Snowmobilers expect well groomed, safe
trails. While ungroomed trails would not stop some enthusiasts from
snowmobiling, ungroomed trails would entice others to find different
venues for their family activities, resulting in a vast decrease in
annual revenue. Thousands of jobs and businesses are directly
affected by the revenue brought in by snowmobilers each year.
We need to put our egos behind us and work,
once again, as a team. The program is not flawless, but with the
cooperation of the DNR, we must work toward making the program a
good fit for everyone involved. We all have the same common
interest; to maintain the safe trails and to continue our family
tradition of snowmobiling in the great state of Michigan. Get-R-Done
and Keep the Track Side Down!
November 1, 2007
Are Groomed Trails a Thing of
the Past?
by Don Reed
I recently read a draft of an article that Jim Duke wrote. He has
extensive knowledge of organized snow-mobiling. Jim has been in on
it from the ground floor — when the Michigan Snowmobile Association
(MSA) was in its first stages. He has served as president of MSA,
president of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA),
sat on the Groomer Handbook committee and is currently a member of
the Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SAC).
The entire time I was reading his article, it was as though he was
inside my head, writing everything I was thinking and trying to put
down on paper. I spoke with Jim and asked if I could use his words.
I dedicate my space this month to the eloquently written words of
Jim Duke.
Are Groomed Trails
a Thing of the Past?
by Jim Duke
It would seem that things have gone from bad to worse over the past
few years, as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suffers
employment shortages and woes with hiring freezes. As the governor
makes feeble attempts at balancing the state budget while trying to
appease those who elected her to office, the state economy slips
deeper and deeper into financial despair and the citizens of our
great state are expected to dig deeper into their pockets to bail it
out again.
What’s more disturbing is the attitude of many state employees that
things are better now than they were under the previous
administration. Debatable as this may be, I beg to differ!
Recreational programs have repeatedly taken up the
slack in the tourism shortfalls by becoming
almost 100 percent user-pay. These programs create incentives to
entice visitors to come to Michigan and enjoy what is offered by
those programs — whether it be boating and fishing, golf, hunting or
the winter sports of skiing and snowmobiling. It seems, however,
that no matter how much the enthusiasts strive to make their
particular activity better, it is never enough to satisfy those who
think they know best.
For years the organized snowmobiling community has pleaded with the
Michigan tourism industry to support our winter activities, pointing
out that snowmobiling is now second only to golf as the state’s most
attractive tourism tool. The tourism industry has yet (to the best
of my knowledge) to invest a single dollar into snowmobiling
enhancements. Until recently, the tourism industry wouldn’t even
consider placing a snowmobile on the cover of their brochure.
Snowmobile enthusiasts have rolled with the punches and continue to
provide a quality trail system throughout the state. We’ve agreed to
permit increases in order to adequately fund trail grooming and
maintenance and periodic replacement of grooming equipment.
Expected to
Do More for Less
Meanwhile, the DNR has divested itself of any grooming
responsibility whatsoever. Our grooming entities are expected to
take on the extra mileage and added headaches; with little more than
thanks for doing so. In cases where a sponsor has hesitated to
accept the additional burden, communications which sound very much
like threats of trail closures have been aired. Imagine what it
would be like with segments of our trail system ungroomed for the
entire season or closed due to no one being available for brushing,
signing and preseason preparation.
In efforts to make the system work more efficiently and provide
relief for the grant sponsors, the state association (MSA) and
advisory committee (SAC) has continuously requested revision of the
Grant Handbook. Work groups have been established and input garnered
from many of the sponsors themselves. With everything tabulated and
information in the hands of the program managers at the DNR, one
would assume that we were on the right track ... right? Well, you
better think again!
A
Revision With
No Revisions?
When the first draft of the “revised Handbook” was presented to SAC
members, not one deletion that was requested could be found. In
fact, not only did the revision look identical to the earlier model,
now there were additional objectionable issues to be worked on.
After two more trips to Lansing to meet with the DNR players and
multiple revisions to the “revised” copy submitted, there still have
been very few changes to benefit the sponsors. We seem to be getting
nowhere.
All in all, it appears that we are very close to seeing groomed
trails become a thing of the past.
As this goes to print, the majority of grant sponsors are very
dissatisfied with the program in providing adequate compensation in
return of labors and sacrifices. Approximately half of the 64
sponsors have expressed intent to refuse signing of the grant
contracts. Should this happen, we may be riding on ungroomed trails
this season. This will be disastrous to the winter economy for those
who so desperately depend on it.
The chairman of the Natural Resources Commission has expressed
concern and has issued an order to get these issues resolved. This
directive appears to have fallen on deaf ears. Rest assured MSA is
doing everything in its power to keep the
trails open and groomed. We want to provide
all snowmobilers with the premier trail conditions they have come to
expect. In the opinion of most of the snowmobilers I have queried
about this subject, the snowmobile program has been going downhill
for several years now — since the days when decisions rested with
Hector and Dan alone — the days when the DNR worked well with the
snowmobiling community. Rock bottom is a hard place to be, and it
seems like we’re pretty close to that now.
There has to be some give and take between all parties involved, but
the DNR is only taking and refuses to give. Maybe it’s time to take
a step back in time, to when the program was actually for
snowmobilers and less for the inflated egos of the DNR! The future
of our groomed trail system depends on it.
That pretty much says it all. We are still waiting for the final
outcome. There are plenty of snowmobilers out there who don’t
understand what goes on behind the scenes. We need to educate them.
Please get out there and do just that — get them involved and
recruit them as members.
Will the real Jim Duke please stand up? Get-R-Done!
October 1, 2007
MSA Needs Your
Help!
by Don Reed
I'am totally convinced that the people in Lansing running our
grooming program either don’t understand the grooming process at all
or are only interested in how the program works for them. I have
tried to keep my personal opinions out of this in interest of
progress, but I believe you have a right to know what we are up
against and what your membership monies are funding.
Roughly two years ago, MSA and Snowmobile Advisory
Committee (SAC) members sat across the table from the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) officials to form the Grant Handbook Work
Group. We held monthly meetings to discuss changes that would
enhance the grooming grant program, making it more user-friendly.
These meetings seemed to be progressing nicely, and we thought we
had the DNR’s ear; at least they gave us that impression. When the
2006-07 Groomer
Handbook came
out, some of the issues we discussed were still not addressed. The
DNR’s response to this was that the decision is ultimately theirs.
Major Issues Not Being Addressed
Back to the drawing board, we continued the meetings
and input, trying to work things out for the 2007-08 season. We
worked at hammering our points home, hoping to make a difference.
However, major issues haven’t been addressed, and they have added
new requirements that are not reasonable and/or acceptable.
Here is a timeline
that I hope shows you what we are dealing with. I think it will give
you a better understanding of what’s going on.
Feb. 6,
2007: A SAC meeting was held where the committee alerted
the DNR regarding changes that needed to be made in the
2007-08 Handbook.
April 10:
The SAC meeting was canceled by the DNR due to the budget. (What
budget are they referring to? Their time spent on snowmobiling is
funded by the snowmobile program.)
April 11:
SAC began collecting
Grant Handbook issues from grant sponsors for submission
to DNR.
May 2:
We held a 3 ½ hour conference call with DNR, SAC members, MSA
President Ken Scott, and myself regarding requested changes to the
Grant Handbook.
We all thought issues had been worked out.
June 6:
The 2007-08 Grant
Handbook was distributed to SAC and our grant sponsors.
The Handbook
didn’t reflect all the changes we discussed and included new changes
we were unaware of.
June 12:
Many grant sponsors at the SAC meeting voiced their displeasure with
the Handbook
and told the DNR that they would not sign the upcoming grant. SAC
offered to compile the different issues and work with the DNR to
resolve them.
June 27:
All SAC members met with Lynn Boyd, Jim Radabaugh, Steve Debrabander,
Richard Kennedy, Steve Kubisiak, Jim Woods, Christy Bayus, Laura
Harrison and Tomia Stevens (the DNR and DNR grant Division) in work
session number one to discuss the issues with the new
Grant Handbook.
July
12: All SAC members met for meeting number two with the following DNR
officials: Jim Radabaugh, Steve Debrabander, Richard Kennedy, Steve
Kubisiak, Jim Woods, Christy Bayus, Laura Harrison, Tom Reichard,
and Joe Taylor. Mediation continues.
July 30:
A conference call was held with Jim Radabaugh and Joe Taylor to
discuss the bid opening process
(one issue with the new
Handbook). A
successful conclusion was accomplished on that issue.
Aug.
6-30: The DNR and SAC members exchanged several e-mails hoping to finalize the
changes approved by the DNR.
Aug.
30: MSA Executive Director Bill Manson received an e-mail from Steve
Debrabander saying grant sponsors
will receive an addendum to the
2008
Snowmobile Grant Handbook
during the first week of September. Bill had previously inquired
about the issuing of an addendum and whether it would be
out in time for the first grant sponsor meeting on Sept. 11. The
next step is for grant sponsors to decide if they can live with it
or not.
Volunteers Work to Get Things Done
Remember, grant sponsors are made up mostly of
volunteers who are snowmobile enthusiasts or business owners who
cater to snowmobiling activities; volunteers who might have other
jobs and not the time nor status in the bureaucratic world to
address these issues.
MSA was formed
25 years ago to do just that. I have given you a small example here
of the time and energy
spent to protect our interests. While MSA has a minimal paid staff
and a lot of volunteers, its budget comes solely from membership
dues and fundraisers. Therefore, I am imploring you to recruit new
members. Anyone who rides
trails should be a member of a local club and MSA. All businesses
that benefit from snowmobiling
should be MSA members. If you frequent a business that doesn’t
proudly display its membership, I challenge you to ask them why not.
Make copies of the
membership form in this magazine and pass it out to your friends. We
need your Help!
See the MSA membership form on PAGE 29.
e
September 1, 2007
Easter Egg Hunt
by Don Reed
Last year’s
short season ended with a surprisingly welcome storm during Easter
break. We woke up daily to fresh powder that just kept coming down.
Around 4-feet of snow accumulated over a week’s period in our area;
with drifts 5- and 6-feet deep. Snowmobile season was officially
over, but Mother Nature had other ideas and we liked it!
The first
morning, with 2 feet on the ground, 3- to 4-feet drifts, and the
snow still blowing; visibility wasn’t the best but we were itching
to enjoy our Easter treat. Our snowmobile gear was still hanging in
the back room, and we were quickly suited up and raring to go. There
were five of us: myself, my wife Diane, our neighbor Frank, and a
couple of friends who came north as soon as they heard snowstorm.
We headed north to
Grand Marais to see how much snow they had got there. It was
slow going. With the throttle down, we managed top speeds of 35 mph,
as the tracks spun in all that powder. We literally plowed snow all the
way there. It was still snowing and the drifts we broke through
instantly burst into clouds, engulfing us. It was thrilling and
exhilarating and not a good time to discover that our heated shields
didn’t work. What is normally a two-hour ride took three and a half
hours — with stops every 15 minutes to clean powder and ice from our
windshields and helmets.
More Like Christmas
The snow gods were looking out for us. We found a
gas station and restaurant open. When we stopped for gas, we asked
how many riders had stopped in that day. The attendant, pointing at
us, counted “one, two, three, four, five … you’re it!” We proceeded
to the restaurant to have lunch and dry out, since we were soaked
from the powder. With our stockings hung by the fireplace with care,
along with our gloves and snow pants, the scene looked more like
Christmas than Easter.
The return trip
was a little quicker because we had packed down the trail a bit, but
the next morning there was more fresh powder to tackle. The groomers
were parked for the summer, but as people flocked to our area they
were recalled to action ensuring safe trails. It continued to snow …
and snow … and snow, so everyone got to experience waking up each
morning to fresh powder and lots of drifting conditions, a totally
new experience for some. Most everyone enjoyed the challenge and fun
in the powder.
On Easter Sunday, as the children donned their hats,
mittens, and snow pants to hunt for their eggs, we donned our gear
and went for a holiday ride. I always wondered if the tradition of
coloring Easter eggs started in the U.P., so kids could find them in
the snow! All in all, we enjoyed 10 extra days of fantastic snow
conditions in April. How many people can actually say they rode
their snowmobile on Easter Sunday — only in da U.P., eh? It was
truly a Kodak memory. See you when the snow flies! Let’s hope
Christmas snowfall will top Easter’s this year. Keep the trackside
down!
February 1, 2007
Snow Addiction
by Don Reed
As I sit here writing February’s article in
January, I am unable to find any negative comments from snowmobilers
out on the trails. However, I have spoken with several groomer
operators who have all expressed the same complaint, “Where’s the
Snow?” The more snow the better is the general opinion of most
riders. Some are willing to ride on just about anything, but I
haven’t met anyone so far who was willing to deal with this. In our
already economically depressed state, businesses that depend on
winter tourism are really hurting. But I am sure everyone is aware
of this, so I won’t dwell.
I spent 20 years of my life in the military where
camaraderie was the way of life. Talk to anyone who has served and
they will all say the same thing; camaraderie is the thing you miss
the most. Well, I found my niche again with MSA and snowmobiling.
That realization comes forward as I stare out the window waiting for
snow. It’s not just the ride anymore. It’s the friends I have made
from out of town, down state and even out of state. It’s the regular
customers who look forward to a guided boon dockin’ ride. It’s
teasing our neighbor Frank about snowmobiling being his retirement
job because he rides six days a week. It’s helping a stranger fix
his sled when he is broke down — so he can safely get back to his
motel. It’s talking to the hundreds of people who call to get an
honest trail report. It’s stopping on the trail and talking to
riders about their new sled or talking to the groomer operators.
It’s helping out a first-time rider with proper attire or
directions. Yes, this snow addict is going through withdrawals and
it isn’t just the snow I miss.
Honoring
Our Veterans
I have found a way to combine two things that are
very important to me. On the second Saturday of March, we co-sponsor
an annual Veterans Ride with the Seney Snowmobile Association.
Nobody associated with this event profits from it financially. It is
a day to honor vets and they ride FREE. We start the day at the flag
pole with a short ceremony recognizing all the branches of service
and all the veterans in attendance. Then we divide up into small
groups and head for the trails. Each group is guided on a different
route, meeting out in the woods for lunch.
After a short break, everyone heads out in
different directions again. Most of the ride is off the trail on
two-tracks where you experience awesome snow conditions and a
beautiful view. By 5 p.m., we return for a campfire and pig roast.
Everyone mingles and gets to know one another during the day but
around the campfire is where you can sit back and hear the veterans
share their stories. As the evening breaks, you witness people going
up to the vets, shaking their hands and saying thanks. That’s what
it is all about.
Last year we had over 100 riders, half of whom were
veterans. Everyone had a great time and the vets were truly
thankful. We would like to reach out to more people each year. My
wife does all the organizing and insists that it is easier when
knowing the numbers to plan for, so sign up for this awesome event
now by calling (906) 499-3332 or sending us an e-mail at foxmotel@jamadots.com
and Keep the Track Side Down.
Get-R-Done
by Don Reed
January 8, 2007
Winter Wonderland
New issues always surface with progress and MSA
has been there from the beginning to help solve them.
Last month, I said our current mission was to ensure
that everyone has an enjoyable and safe ride. What a perfect reason
to start clocking off those miles. I’ll be riding to different areas
checking out the trails and grooming efforts. I’ll be talking to
operators, clubs and riders to see if we can help address issues
that might need fixing while collecting ideas that have proven
effective and other clubs might benefit from. Of course I’ll be
attempting to beat the 4,300 miles I rode last year. Yah, ah, that’s
my story and I ‘m sticking to it.
As a business owner, I can see the trend of
snowmobiling coming full circle. It is once again becoming a social
activity. Manufacturers continue to improve the comforts of riding
with better shocks, warm hands, communication, drags and groomers
designed for specific terrains enticing couples, families, and
groups to gather together for the camaraderie of the snowmobiling
experience.
New issues always surface with progress and MSA has
been there from the beginning to help solve them. Whereas
destinations were once limited, our Michigan trail system has grown
to over 6,000 miles, laying a path for tourists to explore many
parts of this Winter Wonderland. As the engine sizes grew, organized
races were sponsored and a Zero Tolerance program was instituted.
When grooming efforts exceeded the states capability, volunteer
clubs took on the responsibilities. Safety driving courses were
developed for the youth and educational media for the public.
Snowmobiling Is Big Business
All of this progress has stimulated Michigan’s
economy in many arenas. The bi-product of snowmobiling has become
big business and kept many small businesses lucrative in the
troubled economy our state is currently experiencing. MSA is needed
more now than ever to keep our government informed and educated. Did
you know that MSA is at the forefront of organized snowmobiling in
the United States? We’ll continue to strive for a permanent trail
system so our efforts can focus on growing instead of fighting to
keep what we have each year.
The quantity of riders per mile of trail has a
dramatic affect on the riding conditions. This becomes apparent when
the snow is isolated in specific areas. For example: I live in one
of the Snow Belts in the U.P. When there is only snow in the U.P.
Snow Belt areas, our groomer operators have counted over 1,000 sleds
passing in less than two hours. We can groom twice a day during
these times and still have trouble keeping up with the moguls and
corners. When there is snow in the rest of the U.P. and the Lower
Peninsula, the sleds disperse making the trails easier to maintain
and consequently safer.
Here’s some food for thought: It amazes me how
people will pay hundreds even thousands of dollars for a sled with a
better suspension system to improve their ride but balk at paying a
few dollars more for a trail user fee that finances the grooming
efforts to the same end.
If you are seeking some snowmobiling camaraderie or
looking for a new experience, come join us at the MSA Ride In
schedule on Feb. 16-18 at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie.
Get-R-Done, but Keep the Track Side Down!
Something as
simple as your vote can help support our efforts.
When I
volunteered to represent Michigan snowmobilers as vice president, I
understood some of the politics involved, as I was also serving in
the political arena in my township. We are not politicians or
bureaucrats but volunteers who continue to lobby for a
self-sufficient recreation that has become an economic engine for
our state. Because of our volunteer status, the weight of our voice
is determined by the strength of our membership.
As lobbyists
we can accomplish much more when we have a sympathetic ear. So if
your participation in snowmobiling is limited to “the ride,” then I
urge you to educate yourself on the political agendas of your
candidates. Something as simple as your vote can help support our
efforts.
Local clubs,
councils and MSA continue to work as a team to not just maintain,
but improve our trail system. Snowmobiling has become big business.
Manufacturers’ marketing has escalated snowmobiling, which was once
a method of transportation for trapping and ice fishing, to a
weekend retreat for the family. Snowmobiling is growing faster than
the bureaucrats can keep up and that is where we come in. The
politicians must get tired of seeing our continually changing faces,
but we will continue to be there pushing; pushing to keep our trails
safe and to expand with this ever-growing recreation.
Snowmobiling’s
Economic Impact
Thirty years
ago, no one could have imagined the economic impact snowmobiling
would have here in Michigan. Motels, restaurants, grocery stores,
repair shops, party stores and other businesses, that years ago were
closed for the season, now thrive on this winter activity. Michigan
can now boast that winter tourism provides lucrative opportunities
to small business owners.
MSA’s presence
and input at Department of Natural Resources (DNR) meetings has made
a huge impact on the money management of the grooming process and
equipment. However, our current trail system in many areas is
congested, making the trails difficult to maintain and negatively
impacting safety. We continue to pursue the expansion and permanence
of our trail system. Sometimes it feels like we are talking to a
brick wall. We have to continue to grow. If we don’t, our trail
system will have a major impact on economics in the reverse; for
congested, unsafe trails will discourage growth. This will impact
jobs. In an election year this is a major issue for candidates and a
chance for us to make a difference.
As my first
term as vice president winds down, the need to represent and lobby
for snowmobiling continues to rise. My Get-R-Done advice today is
GET OUT AND VOTE!
Keep the track side down!
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