Snowmobiling, the Winter Pastime of Motorcyclists

Maine winters are long winters, especially when your true enjoyment comes from riding a motorbike. Fortunately, there are other comparable outdoor activities that can supplement this substantial loss. These activities can be sledding, ice sailing, skiing or ice skating. The only winter activity that I have found that fills a little bit of the void of my motorcycling desire is riding a snowmobile.


Snowmobiles are basically two skis and a long track for propulsion. They don’t have gears to shift, or a clutch. They don’t require much balance. Operation is fairly simple, as there is only the brake, throttle and handlebars. Although it does not sound much like a motorbike, it does satisfy, in part, the needs that a motorbike fulfills.

A snowmobile like a motorbike, not only is an economical machine and a way to go from one point to another. It is an escape from all stress. When you are on a bike, you are required to forget all about the stressors of daily life and concentrate solely on the operation of the machine. If you allow yourself the luxury of a wandering mind on the bike, you will soon have plenty of time to ponder while you are paralyzed, sitting in a chair because you did not see the major obstruction in your path in time

A snowmobile allows you to freely traverse the landscape. You are immersed in your environment. If it is snowing, you get covered, if it's very cold, you are cold. You must pay attention to your controls and the trails. Most sleds will easily exceed 100mph and the majority of trails are nothing more than widened deer paths only able to fit one sled at a time. With uneven pitches, large bumps, the occasional tree, and every once in a while a hungry bear or wolf that must be scared off with a few gunshots, snowmobiling, like motorcycling has it's necessary skills and essential abilities that need to be learned.

In Maine the popular sport has a major following with hundreds miles of interconnected regularly maintained trails, as well as many clubs available for group riding. The trail systems are not only limited to Maine however. They stretch across the entire northern half of the continent. If you had the time and desire, you would be able to travel from Nova Scotia, all the way to the west coast, then north into Alaska. You would have to be crazy and have extra fuel, but you may even be able to cross over into Asia via the ice bridge and continue the trek if you so desired.

Owning a snowmobile is a good method of averting the winter non-motorcycle riding blues. It allows for some semblances of riding, while getting you out of the house and enjoying the outdoors.

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