When I was looking up the links at the Maine Inland Wildlife & Fisheries Department the other day I also came across a posting on their site listing Snowmobile Facts for various seasons.  This year’s facts are not yet listed, since it’s an ongoing season (yes!  There is still riding going on in Maine!  Unfortunately I’m stuck here in MA).

 Now, mind you these are only statistics for the State of Maine.  The larger national picture would be much, well, larger.  Nevertheless I thought these statistics were telling of the real nature of our sport, as opposed to the reputation it is sometimes saddled with–one of being reckless and dangerous (of course we know there is danger inherent in snowmobiling, as there is in driving your car, crossing the street, and waking up in the morning…it’s all what you [and the other guy] do with it.

 Case In Point

Here’s an example of what I mean; look at the stats [from Maine IF&W] for the last 2 seasons on report:

2006-2007 Snowmobile Season:

• Registrations: 91,733
• Accidents: 172
• Injuries: 155
• Fatalities: 6. Helmets were worn by four of the victims; alcohol was not a factor in three of the deaths. One victim was hit by an SUV user who had consumed alcohol. Helmet and alcohol use was unknown in two of the deaths.
• Drownings: 1
• OUIs: 18

2005-2006 Snowmobile Season:

• Registrations: 75,235
• Accidents: 117
• Injuries: 92
• Fatalities: 7. Helmets were worn by all of the victims; alcohol was not a factor in five of the deaths. Alcohol use was unknown in two of the deaths.
• OUIs: 17

Considering the amount of registrations, to me the stats for accidents and fatalties do not look that bad.  If you consider that there were 91,733 snowmobile registrations in Maine [alone] last year, and only 155 injury-producing accidents out of those, then well under 1% of registrations produced snowmobile injury. (Feel free to correct me if my very rusty algebra skills are wrong!).

If we take this a step further and make some educated assumptions [based on our own riding habits] we can assume the sport to be even safer–I would assume that nearly 92,000 registrations equates to many more rides; the average snowmobiler doesn’t just register their snomobile to ride it once per season.

 While it is of course important to always remember that this sport can be more dangerous if you let it be (as in the case of the half of accidents that included alcohol as a factor), I take from this that the sport is probably much safer than most people think; the odds that you will die while snowmobiling appear to be very low, much lower than the low odds of being injured in a snowmobile accident.  I guess it’s like everything else in life–be aware, but don’t let miniscule chances of injury scare you away from a sport you love!

I’ve just heard about this yesterday, maybe more of you were clued in sooner.

 Tonight between 8 and 9 p.m. (your local time, whatever that may be), people all over the world are being asked to turn out the lights for the hour in an effort to increase global awareness and reduce carbon emissions.  The event started last year in Sydney, Australia, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund.  More than 2 million people participated in Sydney last year, and this year the initiative is going global.

In addition to turning out the lights, the hope is that you’ll turn off your non-essential appliances as well (not things like your refrigerator, etc; public safety lighting is not switched off, either).

The impact from the lights-out Earth Hour campaign will be seen in decreased demand for electricity, which will in turn result in a decreased production at power plants.

There has been quite a bit of debate around SkinnyMoose at various blogs as to whether or not Global Warming is real, or whether or not the debate should be closed.  Regardless of where you stand I think we should all be able to agree that the world can only be made better–and our economies, too–by reducing our reliance on petroleum and fossil fuels.  Since we’re on the path to running out anyway, I guess we’d better start doing something.  We can live cleaner, live without fear that we’re ruining the one earth we have, and leave a better, healthier place for our kids to live.  Who can argue with that?

It’s a simple thing to do to turn out your lights for an hour to make a statement and an, albeit small, impact.  The WWF is hoping that this will be a catalyst for change as well.  We’ll be participating here tonight (which won’t be too hard with the bedtime schedule we keep anyway ).  We’ll tuck the kids in bed or maybe let them stay up an extra half an hour and play a board game by candlelight (which by the way they’re saying should be beeswax…I might even have a couple still laying around….)….maybe come up with somtheing else we can do in the dark….

If you need more ideas, go to the Earth Hour website here: http://www2.earthhourus.org/.  It explains everything, better than I did, and tells you how to help tonight and in the future.

Bill over at Muskoka Outdoors just had a new baby (Our Congrats!!).  He’s learning a lot about being a Dad.  Go read this post and tell me it doesn’t make you sniffle…

Guys, this is for you, too.  After all, it is a Father Moment!

The Maine IF&W website has more sled-friendly tools on their site than just the snowmobiling video.  They also have helpful links to regstrations, safety info, and useful forms. 

 One of those forms you’ll find here:  Snowmobile Trip Itinerary from Maine IF&W

The form is, as you might have guessed, a trip itinerary form that you can fill out to outline your route for friends, family, and game wardens should you get lost.  We’ve talked about the importance of doing this before, and this quick & handy form let’s you know just what info to include so that you can be found easier in the case of a break-down or emergency.  It’s a general form, so you really don’t have to be snowmobiling in Maine to use it.

 There are even more useful things on the Maine IF&W website, and I’d venture that other sled-heavy states offer even more.  Stop by and see what you can use!

The Maine Snowmobile Association, in cooperation with the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department, has made available a free snowmobile safety CD.  It’s an interactoive CD aimed at educating snowmobilers to Ride Safe.  It’s being promoted as a tool for sledders new and old, and for snowmobilers looking for tools to help educate their children in regards to safe riding practices.

 The CD itself is free for anyone in the US and Canada, but there is a cost to ship it.  To avoid the measly $5 shipping fee you can pick one up in person at an MSA location or event.

Here’s the low-down from the MSA:

Interactive Snowmobile Safety CD

INTERACTIVE SAFETY CD

Since the MSA and IF&W introduced the Ride Right, Ride Smart interactive snowmobile safety CD several years ago, thousands of snowmobilers have used this fun and innovative product to increase their safety knowledge. The program is designed for use on your personal computer, allowing you, your friends and family to take the course in your own home! Copies of the CD have been supplied to every middle and high school library in the state of Maine for the use of snowmobiling young people state-wide.
The course leads the rider on a virtual snowmobile trip across Maine. Using video and displayed text, the student learns the basics of snowmobile safety along the way. At various times on the trip, the rider must refuel their sled by taking a short quiz. Upon completion of the course, the rider can print out the tests and a completion certificate.
The CD is being distributed free of charge at the MSA office, 7 Noyes Place in Augusta, at the IF&W Info Center on State St. in Augusta, and at MSA meetings and events. If you wish to have a copy of the CD mailed to you (U.S./Canada only, please), we ask that you include $5 to cover postage and packaging. Send your request, mailing address and $5 per CD to: Safety CD, MSA, PO Box 80, Augusta ME 04332. If you require a Mac-compatible version of the CD, please note this on your request. (Fees waived for educators, librarians, youth/scout leaders, corporate safety committees, etc. - contact the MSA with your requests.)
The Ride Right, Ride Smart Safety CD was produced by Ursus Productions. Funding for the $20,000+ project was supplied by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, IF&W Dedicated Snowmobile Enforcement Fund and the MSA’s Brian Wass Safety Education Fund.

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 You can also access the safety video directly through the Maine If&W website and view online.

More great and low-cost ways to teach and educate about safe snowmobiling!

I’ve known for quite some time now (thanks to the local weather forecast) that there is such a thing as Lake-effect snow and that certain places near the major Lakes get dumpings of snow when the rest of us have none.  I’d venture that the majority of us know this, but I never really knew why.  Guess I never thought about it why.  Guess I never really cared. 

But now, Thanks to this month’s issue of SnowGoer, I do know why.  They’ve written up a little mini-article industry fact detailing why Lake effect snow happens.  They’ve even said where it is likely to happen, which is a handy bit of information because if you know where that snow is likely to be you can figure out where to plan for riding even in snow-deprived winters.

Primarily we’re talking around the Great Lakes here.  Apparently what happens is that cold air moves over warm open water over the lakes and creates instability and temperature variations.  This situation causes cloud and snow formation. 

 The clouds are slowed once they hit land on the other side of the lake, so the newly created snow clouds go nowhere fast; sometimes they even stop for days.  But since the cold air that sparked them cannot hold moisture well, their contents are spilled in the form of snow, usually light snow but it can really pile up (because it doesn’t go far from the lakes, which is why the rest of us farther east don’t benefit).  Various factors determine how much snow falls and how widespread it is.

Because of normal wind and weather patterns, you can guess what regions will get lake effect snow.  It’s normally the Southeast or Eastern shores of the lake.  Most of us are probably more familiar with this as a Great Lakes phenomenon in the Northeast, but  it also applies to the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

Just a bit of weather trivia I thought I’d share.  To access a much better explanantion of Lake effect snow you can read the blurb in the latest issue of SnowGoer Magazine.

Since I’m a subscriber to SnowGoer, I got an email from them today asking me to fill in a quick survey, which you might get in your inbox, too if you subscribe.  Normally I don’t have the time for this stuff, but today I bit.  Why?  Because I think the interests of women snowmobilers are underserved in snowmobile magazines, and I thought offering my opinion might give me something of interest to read throughout the year.  I mean really, I’m not about to read the bit to learn how to adjust my own suspension when I don’t even fill my own gas tank!!

Probably my little opinion alone won’t make much of a difference, but collectively we might have an impact, especially as it seems snowmobile manufacturers are getting the message that girls ride, too (and spend a lot of $$ on shiny snowmobiles and matching outfits).  Proof positive–did you know Polaris unveiled a new pink snowmobile for grown-up girls this year?  Must be we’ve been asserting our influence…and succeeding!

As a followup to the post the other day about the Pink Ribbon Riders Event, I thought I’d let you know that you can order decals to support the riders, breast cancer, and people with breast cancer or survivors of breast cancer.

From the Pink Ribbon Riders Website:

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Decals
You can donate $6.00 to the Pink Ribbon Riders and we will mail you Four (4) Pink Ribbon Riders decals, plus a NEW snowflake logo. Place them on your snowmobile, atv or car to show your support!

(Acutal size of decal is 6 and 1/2 inches long x 2 and 1/2 inches high)

(Actual size of decal is 3 and 1/2 inches long x 3 inches wide)

******

There is apparently no online ordering, but if you go to the site it tells you how to order these nice looking decals by mail for your sled, car, or anywhere else you want to put them.

The website also mentions clothing & apparel, but since the volunteers are currently strapped with managing the events they are not accepting mail orders for apparel right now (but maybe later?).  If you are near or attending an event you can get the clothes there.

The website gives complete directions for ordering and supporting the cause with a minimal purchase.  Go here to find out how to order decals:  http://www.pinkribbonriders.com/products.html

There is also info on the page pointing you towards an email address if you are interested in a flat donation (I think I’ll send both).

Great products, great cause, great sport…great combination!

How about some cool snowmobile videos this weekend? Just for the fun of it?

Here’s one for a start, the Snowhawk by AD Boivin. Get a look at this sled that appears to be something of a cross-breed sled/motorcycyle mutt.

Watch it here in action off-trail,

Yeah, cool, but I’m thinking I’d better stick to the stability of dual skis and a wide track!

Forgive my absence, I’ve been nursing my 7 year old daughter back after having her tonsils and adenoids removed on Tuesday–a ‘routine’ ‘day surgery’; maybe for the doctors, but for a 7 year old in pain nothing is routine about cutting out a piece of your body, and I’m coming to firmly believe that no surgery should be a half-day ‘day surgery’ stay for a kid (and probably not for an adult either).

Anyway, here’s a great story about how women and snowmobilers are making a difference with our sport.

From American Snowmobiler

One of these days I’d love to be involved in something like this Pink Ribbon Riders Snow Run. 

Here’s a bit about the ride, which goes to support women battling breast cancer:

“The Snow Run is an organized snowmobile ride featuring different rider ability groups that are guided by trail leaders through the trails of Inlet and Old Forge, N.Y. More than 100 miles were trekked by groups divided into 10-12.”

Gifts were presented to two riders who are also breast cancer survivors, and the highest fundraiser was awarded too for her fundraising in excess of $6,000.  All in all, the 4th annual ride brought in more than $56,000!  Pretty impressive.

You can read about the ride at AmSnow by follwing this link, or you can go right to the PinkRibbonRiders website to learn more.

Let’s hope this post gets some more attention to a great snowmobiling cause so that maybe next year’s ride is even bigger and better!