Northwoods Sporting Journal Page 32 The Trail Rider by Rod Fraser, Hyde Park, MA ATV season is in full swing and everyone one should be out on the trails with their friends and family “tearing it up.” I encourage everyone to ride safely and slow down on the trails, especially the newcomers. ATV riding is a fun sport and we all want to see everyone come home safe at the end of each day. For those of us who are lucky enough to live in the New England region, there is no shortage of great places to ride and there are some great ATV events upcoming that are fun for the entire family. The ATV community has not quite grabbed the internet for advertising and marketing as other sport communities so it can sometimes be a challenge to find information about family friendly ATV events. Wherever you intend to ride, check in with the local ATV club to see if there are any special events being held while you are in the area. Having specific events to participate in can really make a trip extra special. Another great way to learn about an area you intend to visit is through Youtube.com videos. When I intend to visit a new area, I like to check out videos that others have uploaded about riding in that area. As of the writing of this column, there are over 37,000 videos on Youtube about ATV riding in Maine, 12,000 about ATV riding in New Hampshire, 12,000 ATV videos about Vermont and 8,000 about Massachusetts. Anyone who has ridden in New Hampshire knows that one of the top ATV destinations is July 2015 ATV Events for the Family the Jericho ATV Festival which, this year, is scheduled for July 31 through August second. The festival is three days of fun trail riding, mud runs and socializing with other ATV enthusiasts. The nearby town of Berlin, one of the festival sponsors, really puts out the welcome mat allowing ATVs to ride into town and closing Main Street to other vehicles for the ATV “Downtown Main Street Block Party.” You can learn more at www.jerichoatvfestival.com For more information on riding the Granite State visit www.nhatv.com Presque Isle then they will leave to go on a 70 mile long poker run. There will be a lunch stop serving hotdogs and hamburgers and at the end of the day, everyone is invited back to the clubhouse for a chicken bar-b-que, raffle and bon fire. ATV Maine will provide some small ATVs for the kids to ride. This ous miles of ATV trails. Many of the trails in the county are club membership trails which means you must become a member of one of the 18 clubs that maintain these trails in order to ride on them. Check with local ATV clubs where you plan to ride in the county for more information. Have fun out event brings people from all over New England and Dick said the state gave the club special permits so visitors from out of state and Canada can ride the event without registering their ATVs in Maine. That is a great benefit for any ATV riders from away who want a great opportunity to ride the Presque Isle area. Dick’s recommendation is “you should come.” Aroostook county is a great place to visit and ride boasting over 1200 contigu- on the trails! Anyone who has ridden in New Hampshire knows that one of the top ATV destinations is the Jericho Mountain State Park… the Jericho Mountain State Park located near the town of Berlin, New Hampshire and part of the Coös County “Ride the Wilds” trail system. The park and trail system is divided into two sections known as the Head Pond Tract and the Jericho Mountain Tract. Designed with ATV riding in mind, the park is a “must see” and boasts many scenic outlooks as well as presenting camping, swimming, fishing, canoeing and boating to round out your visit. Each year, the park hosts or www.nhstateparks.org and look under the “experience” tab. Up in “The County” of Maine (Aroostook County) the 10th Annual “Ultimate ATV Event” will be held July 10 th through the 12th at Arnold Brook Lake in Presque Isle, sponsored by the Star City ATV Club. Star City Club President Dick Howlett says they expect any where from 80 to 100 ATV’s and about 200 people to attend the main event on Saturday. ATV riders will have a police escorted parade through Rod Fraser is an avid outdoorsman and twenty year Navy veteran. Originally from Maine and living in Massachusetts, Rod has written extensively about snowmobiling and just published his first book “Confessions of a Snowmobile Enthusiast” available at www.snowmobileenthusiast. com Central Maine Region NORTHEAST WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS NOW BOOKING FOR BLACK BEAR & DEER HUNTS Call for details (207) 933-6107 Chip Woodman, Master Maine Guide email:NWOMaine@fairpoint.net www.northeastwildernessoutfitters.com 296 Cressey Rd., Monmouth, ME 04259 The Way Hunting Should Be McKUSICK PETROLEUM We carry Monitor Kerosene Heaters. We also carry RINNAI’S Energy Saver, Direct Vent Gas Space Heaters VERMONT CASTING GAS STOVES Professional Heating Service Heating Oil Gasoline ~ LP Gas Lubricants P.O. Box 46, 32 Summer St. Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 564-3406 1-800-564-3835 GASS HORSE SUPPLY & WESTERN WEAR www.GassHorseSupply.com 476 Main Street, Orono, ME TOLL FREE 844-235-2812 Mon. - Sat: 9AM to 5:30PM Sun: 12 NOON to 4PM
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