By Sarah Marble
The Shiretown Riders, Farmington’s snowmobile club, graciously welcomed the High Peaks Alliance into their February meeting, offering us pizza and stories of being on the trail. But the real reason we were there was to discuss exciting new business with them, as they will be the club maintaining the snowmobile trail that will cross the new Sandy River Bridge when the project is completed.
The Sandy River Bridge will be the longest single-span snowmobile bridge in the state. It will connect Jay snowmobile trails to Farmington’s via the Whistlestop Trail, an already highly utilized and well-established multi-use trail. The bridge will open up an opportunity for snowmobilers to safely cross the Sandy River.
Photos courtesy of Shiretown Riders
The Shiretown Riders are looking forward to the opportunity to be part of such an impactful project and are realizing the changes it might bring to their club of hardworking, dedicated members.
Club members volunteer numerous hours clearing and maintaining Farmington’s routes for people to access and utilize. They work tirelessly to gain permission from area landowners for the public use of trails. They hold trail maintenance days, post signs, write grants, make trail maps, and hold fundraisers all year round.
The trails in Farmington are considerable. Many forge through the forest, wind around trees, over rocks, and across brooks and boggy areas. This terrain is extremely hard on their expensive equipment. Some expenses are reimbursed, but the hours they put in are not–they are fueled by passion.
It takes a good deal of time and resources to run a snowmobile club and the Sandy River Bridge may provide more financial opportunities leading to new equipment and a sustainable maintenance plan. The club has a few groomers and snowmobiles, and the members have the knowledge and capacity to fix the equipment themselves. In addition, many of the members use and maintain their own personal equipment for club activities.
There were six members at the meeting, and the President, Rob Martin, said there are a few other active members, but the club needs new members! Do you snowmobile in the Farmington area? The next time you are at Brady’s Snowmobile/ATV and Power Equipment to buy parts or have maintenance done to your snowmobile, talk to Betsy, and she will give you all the information you need to join! Or contact Rob at 207-578-0233, or email him at [email protected].
The Shiretown Riders are outdoor enthusiasts to their core. Club members made it clear that, above all, they want the freedom of the open trail. If they have a chance to help others access our beautiful high peaks region, they go out of their way to do so.
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