SNOWMOBILE BLOG

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines (Part 2)

MINNEAPOLIS, MN=The most anticipated snocross race of the season didn't disappoint, as thousands of fans in attendance and tens-of-thousands more online watched newly signed Motorfist rider Ross Martin capture the early-season momentum with a pair of drive-away victories over Thanksgiving weekend.

With a mixture of rain, sleet, snow, and driving winds, conditions for the 20th annual Duluth National Snocross were anything but ideal. The legendary race has set the tone for the season time and time again, and if the performance by Martin is any indication of things to come, the competition has been warned.

Martin's weekend started off with a mega-pay-day Friday, as he bested long-time rival Robbie Malinoski in the new single-elimination Dominator race held under the lights. Up for grabs was $10,000 and Martin stuffed those greenbacks deep into the pockets of his Motorfist race gear after he beat out Malinoski in the final head-to-head battle.

Saturday was greeted with a steady rain and persistent north winds for the opening round of ISOC races. The show marched on however with Malinoski edging out Martin in the finals.

Sunday brought cold winds and a frozen track that proved to be even more challenging than the day previous. The weather however was impervious to Martin's resolve as he tore through qualifying, gaining top honors, and then proceeded to walk away from the field in the final, including his arch nemesis Tucker Hibbert, winning Pro-Open in convincing fashion.

It was a kick-the-door down start to winter for Motorfist, who after capturing the attention and respect of the western snowmobile market and its riders, looks to do the same in the performance trail riding markets of the Midwest and East.

SnoWest Newsletter - December 1, 2011 

Annoying Neighbor

The other day I was home enjoying some relaxing leisure time just lounging around the house while my wife was out shopping when it happened. You know, the peaceful sounds of fall are shattered by the rup.rup.rup of a two-stroke engine. There’s something about the sound of a snowmobile that just draws some men like a magnet.

Almost immediately, I’m out of my recliner and pressing my nose against the patio window trying to look horizontally across my back yard into his. There’s not a snowflake in sight, yet he’s revving the throttle on his new snowmobile.

I think he could feel my gaze because about the time I managed to smash my face in the right position to see exactly what he was doing, he shut down his sled and slipped into his shop.

Since the show was over, I wandered back to my recliner to resume a peaceful afternoon.

Not 15 minutes later the sound of rup.rup.rup breaks the silence and once again I’m out of my recliner searching for another window which gives me clear view of what he’s doing. But the trouble with the configuration of my house and the activities in my neighbor’s back yard is that there is no straight line of sight. I have to look sideways out any window … which means once again my face is pressed flat looking out.

Once again, somehow sensing an extra set of snooping eyes, he shuts down his sled.

This goes on three different times, with the same reactions from my end, before he rolls his sled into his shop and disappears into his house. Now I’m finally left in peace and quiet—perfect for working in an afternoon nap.

But about then my wife returns home and notices face prints on three of her clean window.

I spend the rest of my day cleaning windows and cussing an annoying neighbor.

SJ

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

            The nice thing about being a snowmobiler is that it doesn’t require Michelle Obama to tell us to start our engines … this time of year that just comes natural.

            Recent storms have left enough snow in higher elevations for the hardcore snowmobiler to officially start their season. You may have to travel a little bit … and the lower part of the area between trailhead and higher elevation might be a bit sketchy. But if you show just a little patience, there’s certain to be enough snow up high to make it worth your time.

            Remember, this time of year there are a lot of obstacles that tend to rearrange the front ends of snowmobiles. So show a little respect to the terrain; but from here on out things will only get better. Have a great winter.

SnoWest Newsletter - November 25, 2011

Many of us have a tendency to wait until the last minute to prepare for the riding season. It’s usually during that first ride when we threw everything into our gear bag at the last minute when we realize that we really weren’t prepared for the season.

            I don’t know how many “first rides” I’ve gone on where either myself or someone in the group forgot what you would think would be a necessity for a ride. Everything from helmets to boots, coats to goggles were missing from gear bags as we prepared for that first ride.

            So this year I took just a little extra time last weekend to go through my snowmobile gear to see if everything was where it should be. Here are just a few things I was able to find:

            My avalanche beacon was ready to go … but I had a battery life of about 10 percent. So new batteries were put in my beacon and my “backup” beacon (the one I keep in case a riding partner fails to bring his).

            My boots were caked with dried up mud from last year’s last ride. It was good to get them washed off and aired out for this season. I also have a pair of gloves and goggles in a water-tight bag that I carry in my backpack that could use some time in the open air to eliminate a stale stench to them.

            My helmet needed a visor bolt replaced and the helmet lining washed. And we don’t even want to discuss the balaclava that I found tucked away in my jacket pocket.

By taking about 30 minutes last weekend, I figure I’m now set for that sudden phone call that will come from a riding buddy who informs me there is 18 inches of fresh snow up in the mountains and he’ll be by in 30 minutes to pick me up.

            Not only will I have everything with me on my first ride … I won’t be packing some of last season’s smells—which will make the inside of my helmet a lot fresher.

SJ

Why is waiting for winter so hard? All it’s going to do is eventually get very cold and we’ll all have to shovel snow. But the days drag on forever through the end of October and through November until the snow piles up deep enough to ride.

Your neighbors think you’re weird. I’m sure every one of us has heard, “It’s too soon for summer to end. But you’re probably excited for winter,” as they roll their eyes.

You stay up at night with a bowl of cereal watching The Weather Channel with the volume turned way down low.

You do the math on how long it would take to get to at least six predetermined locations in neighboring states should it snow there first.

You wash your riding gear and lay it all out like your mother used to lay out your clothes for kindergarten.

You miss deadlines because you spent too much time on the computer finding the best deal on a lightweight muffler.

You sit in the back seat of the minivan while your wife drives the family to a restaurant—just so you can watch a sled DVD on the rear monitor.

The first week of freezing temps seems colder than any day you spent on the snow previously, but you go out without a jacket on to try and acclimate your body to the cold.

Hang in there, we know exactly how you feel.

Turning Off The Heat

            With a major winter storm slamming Alaska, it’s obvious that winter is coming upon us at a fairly fierce pace. And although you expect that a state that is as far north as it gets to be one of the first states to experience winter, the way this storm made its assault indicates what we may come to expect this winter.

            From the reports that we’ve been reading from various sources, this winter is expected to be good when it comes to snow fall. And the more snow, the better.

            Last winter was good for the snowmobile industry. It came early, it stayed late and it provided plenty of snowmobiling opportunities across the snow belt.

            You may not recognize the significance of an early snow. But those who work in snowmobile dealerships do. Early snow helps new sled sales, used sled sales and aftermarket part sales. These early sales provide the incentive and motivation for companies to invest in the R& D required to create new products.

            Certainly there’s a downside with these storms. They play havoc on travel condition. But the upside is really good for the snowmobile industry. And anything good for the industry is going to translate into better snowmobiling experiences for the rest of us.

SnoWest Newsletter - November 10, 2011

Now that your new sled is here …

            After waiting all summer in anticipation for this year’s snowmobile, the call finally came from the local dealership to come pick up your sled. Now what?

            Well, we have a few more weeks before the snow depth builds up to the point where you don’t risk losing the entire front of your sled to a rock or a stump. But by darn, it’s here; you have your sled and you want to enjoy it.

            Now is the time to accessorize your snowmobile (even if it’s last year’s sled). Now is the time to add power, performance and/or bling—anything that makes your sled unique and more special than the snowmobiles your buddies ride.

            Good news. The latest issue of Mod-Stock should be coming in the mail soon for our subscribers … or to the newsstand for those looking. This year’s Mod-Stock issue is tucked inside the December issue of SnoWest and features hundreds of great products that will enhance your snowmobiling experience.

            It may be just a little too early to ride ...  but it’s never too early to prep your ride.

SnoWest Newsletter - November 3, 2011

Fall is an awkward and confusing time when we are desperately trying to hold on to the last good days of summer while anxiously anticipating the approaching storm clouds which escort that glorious winter season.

Storms in October only serve to tease us. After all, we still have high school football and trick-or-treating ahead that seems to function better with good weather. So we like to see the snow … but we also want the weather to be pleasant for the kids.

But once November arrives, all bets are off. We’re done mowing lawn. For the most part all outdoor sports are over. The snow check sleds have arrived at the dealerships and it’s time for snow.

Although there is that pesky holiday near the end of the month where many hit the roads traveling to enjoy a turkey meal with family, we are willing to put up with questionable road conditions if it means we can spend the weekend out on our sleds. And each storm tends to deposit accumulative depth in the high country (read base).

So now that November is here, let it snow. Let the storms rage and the winds blow … just as long as it lets up a bit every four or five days so we can take advantage of the results. Let’s get serious about winter.

SJ

Fall is a great time of year. Something in the air tells you winter is just around the corner and you need to take advantage of the time left to celebrate the passing of summer and prepare for oncoming winter season.

There’s nothing like a crisp fall day. Everything is better, cleaner and calmer. The air is pure and fills your lungs. The colors of trees are vibrant. The sky is a richer blue. It’s just the perfect time to enjoy life.

But what I like best about fall is although the days can get nice and warm, you literally feel the temperature change every time the sun ducks behind a cloud or sets in the evening. And every morning you have a chill in the air to the point of literally being able to see your breath.

This is the time of year where you gleam the weather forecasts searching for cold fronts packing a lot of moister. It’s the time when each cloud could be packing snow—and this is the kind of snow that anticipates lingering in the higher elevations for the next six or seven months. It is base snow … the foundation of great riding.

Yes, I love Fall. I love the beautiful days, the brilliant colors, refreshing morning air. It’s the time to put away the summer toys, lawn mower and garden tools and prepare to be tucked in for winter. And when the sun goes down after a nice pleasant day, the night gets long …please, give me a cold one.

SJ