b'VAST NewsA message from VAST President Tim Mills LETTER: KEEP RIGHT!Im an avid snowmobiler, having ridden over 40 years. Ive ridden every single county in the state of Vermont as well as snowmobiling with my husband in Alaska for our 25th anniversary in July of 2006. I am president of my local snowmobile club, have been secretary for the county snowmobile club, and am involved with VAST through my club, where I have held various officer positions. Ive had many miles of smiles on the trails As I sit here preparing to write myon the snowmobile trail system is theand absolutely love to ride. Snowmobile Vermont article forsame as driving on any given street.I have to say though, that this year the next issue, I find that I reallyYou have a travel lane, and the traffichas been the worst by far for people cant decide on what I would likeyou are meeting utilizes the othernot riding on their side of the trail, to highlight and focus on this time.lane. This isnt rocket science. It iscutting corners, and riding way too It literally has been one of thesimple logistics. Not following thesefast! My husband and I have had so craziest winters that I can remembersimple rules is cause for some prettymany near-misses and close calls! in a long time. In my last article, Idangerous situations that can beThis year, I was hit on a corner by focused solely on off-trail riding andcompletely avoided.another snowmobiler who was going with a reason. Unfortunately, we areThese dangerous actions out onway too fast trying to keep up with literally fighting a battle with this thatthe trails this past winter causedher group and riding way above we cant afford to lose. It is seriousa number of near misses and,her ability. Unfortunately, there was and could potentially cripple our trailunfortunately, some contact betweenno cell service, and we were not system to the point of shutting downsleds. There were several factorsable to contact the authorities. A major connectors across our system.that made these situations evenword of advice if youre involved in After the publishing of my last article,worse this winter. Icy packed trails,an accident: be sure to take lots of I did receive a few emails suggestingfresh snow cover that didnt stick topictures, from all angles, and send some unused avenues for off-trailthe underlying trail bed, and speedsomeone to an area with cell coverage riding. The main idea that stuckall played a part. Most or all of theseto call the authorities!out was utilizing the power lines asfactors play a significant role in theAs a result of my first-ever accident, I an off-trail playground. I actuallyability to control your snowmobile onnow cringe on the corners, wondering thought this was a pretty goodthe corners, especially if you werentif I might get hit again. Its a shame idea, so I reached out to our VASTon your own side. Imagine thethat people cant respect others and Trails Coordinator Matt Tetreault.surprise of the snowmobiler you arestay on their own side of the trail. Matt responded that he had, in fact,meeting on a corner when you are onI dont mind sharing the trail. reached out to his contacts at thetheir side of the trail, with little to noHowever, I have a problem with electric company in the Northeastability to stop, and going at a speedsharing my side of the trail with Kingdom. The response was thatnot prudent for the trail conditions.someone coming from the opposite many areas that the power linesAll of these situations are avoidabledirection. Many times, I come to a run are actually still privately ownedif you assess the trail conditions,complete stop and pull off the trail, if and the power company only has astay on the right side of the trail, andpossible, just to avoid a crash. People right of way. In short, the logistics ofdo not over-drive the present trailneed to slow down! Please remember, receiving permissions from all of theconditions.snowmobiling is a privilege and not a landowners along the power linesSnowmobiling is supposed to be funright!would be an extreme undertakingfor all involved, whether you are out and would most likely yield lesson the trails, volunteering your time, Yvonne Ricethan desirable results. As always,or attending club functions. What we we encourage and appreciate anyneed to remember is that we all need and all communication on any topicsto support, maintain, and appreciate related to snowmobiling in Vermont.our ever-evolving sport as we move Another issue we are seeing moreinto the future.and more of out on the trails isRide safely and smooth trails!snowmobilers riding up the middle of the trail, cutting corners on the insideTim Mills, VAST Presidentof the turns, and speeding. Riding 4 | Snowmobile VERMONT'