By Bill Pries
BRIDGTON — The Bridgton Easy Riders Snowmobile Club went its annual club trip the first week of February, and 30 members took part.
For the club trip, members vote on a good location — this year it was Millinocket — where they stay in a comfortable hotel (Baxter Park Inn) and take day rides.
The group is mostly couples, and the level of experience ranges from some to expert. The trip is a great way to get to know other club members, welcome new members and learn more about snowmobiling.
Riding snowmobiles builds a healthy appetite, so food plays an important part in the trips. The group eats breakfast at the hotel, rides to an interesting destination on the trail for lunch, and after returning to the hotel to clean up, goes out for supper.
This year, the group arranged to have supper at two local snowmobile clubhouses, which turned into a highlight of the trip. One night was the East Branch Sno Rovers SC dinner of roast pork, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, fresh carrots, apple sauce, rolls and bread pudding. It was followed by a country band, lots of dancing and even a bagpipe player. One of our talented members got into the act, singing and playing guitar.
When riding, we divide into groups according to how far and how fast folks want to go. This year there was a Turtle Group, a Middle Group and a Fast Group. Somehow, the Middle Group often arrives at the lunch spot ahead of the Fast Group. Many have communicators attached to their helmets to respond quickly if a member needs to stop or needs help, and the leader can alert the group to oncoming snowmobiles. Riders also watch for the headlight of the sled behind, especially at trail junctions, and if it’s not visible, slows down until that sled catches up.
The trails in the Millinocket area are superb, and offer views of Mount Katahdin. There were rides to Shin Pond, Bowlin Camps, River Driver’s Restaurant and Kokadjo. Some trails are wide and good for “stepping out” at speed, while others are narrow and winding, bordered closely on both sides by snow-covered hemlock or spruce trees, and some very large rocks, called erratics. Some trails cross streams on scenic bridges, or wind along the banks of rivers.
This was the largest Bridgton Easy Riders group to ever go on a club trip, and it was by far the best. As we like to say at the end of a ride: everyone had fun and nobody got hurt!
The club meets the second Friday of the month from September to April. The next meeting will be March 8 at the Bridgton Community Center, with a pot luck supper at 6 p.m., followed by the business meeting at 6:45 p.m. Local Snowmobile Clubs create, maintain and groom trails, and all the work is done by volunteers. Folks are welcome to come to a meeting and to join the club.
