AURELIUS - Winter may be on a break right now, but when snow does hit the ground, the literally hundreds of miles of snowmobile tracks that criss-cross through Cayuga County and much of the state will be packed with riders.
With so many trails and so many riders, few things are more important to take into consideration than safety.
On Sunday, Bass Pro Shop offered an eight-hour safety course, geared specifically towards young riders. According to New York state regulations, riders from the ages of 10 to 17 must complete a safety-certification course before they can go out to ride on their own, and those between the ages of 10 and 13 must still be accompanied by an adult.
Ralph Gray, the course instructor, has many years of safety training, ranging from snowmobiles, to ATVs and boats. He knows first hand the how critically important safety is.
“I was a deputy sheriff for 32 years,” Gray said. “I've seen a lot of serious injuries, things that could have been prevented. Each year the number of snowmobiles and people out riding goes up and more of them are young people, and it is important to teach this and put a special emphasis on young people before they go out to ride.”
During the day-long certification course, Gray took riders through many of the ins and outs of snowmobiling, from the history of the vehicles to maintenance and mechanical awareness, in a program approved by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation.
In the spirit of both safety and preservation of the land, one of the issues Gray spoke on was respect for the trails and the wildlife that inhabit many of the areas that riders will often pass through.
Taking into consideration the deer population, Gray said that it is important to respect the animals and their habitat for mutual safety.
“When you see animals slow down,” Gray said. “Come to a stop and stay seated until the animals have crossed. Remember we are riding through their living rooms, this is where they live and we have to respect that.”
Gray said that it is also important to respect the human inhabitants of the land, again emphasizing respect and safety.
“If you tear up the land they aren't going to let us ride on it,” Gray said. “We have to respect that. Snowmobiling has a low impact on the environment. If we don't go tearing out of a field you aren't going to tear up the land under the snow. You'll see this a lot where people cross roads. When you cross a road you need to maintain enough speed to keep forward momentum for your own safety, but when you go peeling out it also tears up the ground you ride on. We have to be good stewards of the land.”
The class drew a number of children and several adult riders, who enjoy sharing the experience of riding as a good outdoor family activity.
Brian Phelps, of Lysander, brought his son, Andrew Johanson, 11, to the class. Andrew has been riding avidly with his father for the past few years and was eager to get his certification so he could begin riding a little more on his own.
“It is pretty cool,” Andrew said. “You are driving this powerful machine, it is a lot of fun and you get to be outdoors.”
With this class, Phelps wanted his son to learn respect for that.
“I want him to get more awareness,” Phelps said. “He goes out and he is always riding on the sled with me and is under my supervision, but I want him to have fun and learn how to be responsible and safe while he is out there riding around.”
Some of the basics of safety that Gray stressed were to wear proper clothing for the weather as well as goggles and helmets at all times.
“I want everyone to become responsible operators,” Gray said. “Ride to your abilities and the capabilities of the snowmobile. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Most importantly, especially for younger kids, don't show off.”
To learn more
For more information on New York state snowmobile guidelines visit www.nyparks.com
On Sunday, Bass Pro Shop offered an eight-hour safety course, geared specifically towards young riders. According to New York state regulations, riders from the ages of 10 to 17 must complete a safety-certification course before they can go out to ride on their own, and those between the ages of 10 and 13 must still be accompanied by an adult.
Ralph Gray, the course instructor, has many years of safety training, ranging from snowmobiles, to ATVs and boats. He knows first hand the how critically important safety is.
“I was a deputy sheriff for 32 years,” Gray said. “I've seen a lot of serious injuries, things that could have been prevented. Each year the number of snowmobiles and people out riding goes up and more of them are young people, and it is important to teach this and put a special emphasis on young people before they go out to ride.”
During the day-long certification course, Gray took riders through many of the ins and outs of snowmobiling, from the history of the vehicles to maintenance and mechanical awareness, in a program approved by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation.
In the spirit of both safety and preservation of the land, one of the issues Gray spoke on was respect for the trails and the wildlife that inhabit many of the areas that riders will often pass through.
Taking into consideration the deer population, Gray said that it is important to respect the animals and their habitat for mutual safety.
“When you see animals slow down,” Gray said. “Come to a stop and stay seated until the animals have crossed. Remember we are riding through their living rooms, this is where they live and we have to respect that.”
Gray said that it is also important to respect the human inhabitants of the land, again emphasizing respect and safety.
“If you tear up the land they aren't going to let us ride on it,” Gray said. “We have to respect that. Snowmobiling has a low impact on the environment. If we don't go tearing out of a field you aren't going to tear up the land under the snow. You'll see this a lot where people cross roads. When you cross a road you need to maintain enough speed to keep forward momentum for your own safety, but when you go peeling out it also tears up the ground you ride on. We have to be good stewards of the land.”
The class drew a number of children and several adult riders, who enjoy sharing the experience of riding as a good outdoor family activity.
Brian Phelps, of Lysander, brought his son, Andrew Johanson, 11, to the class. Andrew has been riding avidly with his father for the past few years and was eager to get his certification so he could begin riding a little more on his own.
“It is pretty cool,” Andrew said. “You are driving this powerful machine, it is a lot of fun and you get to be outdoors.”
With this class, Phelps wanted his son to learn respect for that.
“I want him to get more awareness,” Phelps said. “He goes out and he is always riding on the sled with me and is under my supervision, but I want him to have fun and learn how to be responsible and safe while he is out there riding around.”
Some of the basics of safety that Gray stressed were to wear proper clothing for the weather as well as goggles and helmets at all times.
“I want everyone to become responsible operators,” Gray said. “Ride to your abilities and the capabilities of the snowmobile. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Most importantly, especially for younger kids, don't show off.”
To learn more
For more information on New York state snowmobile guidelines visit www.nyparks.com
