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First Timer
By Dan Gould
March 2008
A winter that actually included measurable snow brought a few new experiences my way this past season. The most notable was riding in several new places within a short trailer drive from my house. First up were the trails of the Coldbrook Club. Even though they are only a few towns away from where I live and club president Gerry Balchuinas has invited me on numerous occasions, I simply never had the time. With plenty of snow on the ground, my family made time this year. We rode on a Saturday morning, before my PM work shift, unloading on Rt. 122 in Barre. The trails leading us to Lake Dennison State Park were as smooth as silk. We actually found the exact spot where we had camped the past summer; the kids got a real kick out of seeing our campsite and the beach where they swam six months earlier. After a quick 50-mile jaunt we were impressed with the quality of the trails and plan to ride there again next season.
The snowpack covering the “hilltowns” just west of I-91 called for some investigative reporting, too. We rode sections of trails maintained by the Conway Club, the Burgy Bullets, Greater Whatley Club, Buckland Riders, and the Hilltown Club. Conway even invited us to their club cookout for some good eating and kids’ fun. A few of the trails in the area are truly unique, with steep inclines and hairpin turns, a real test of riding skills. It reminded me of driving my car on the Kancamagus Highway in NH. It’s hard to imagine how they groom these hills, but they were flapjack flat!
New trails are always interesting but a new type of riding experience is more rare than a blizzard on the 4th of July. I’ve ridden just about every popular sled out there, often trading rides with friends during a trip. We all do it. The thing is, I find most of them to be more alike, than different. That changed a few weeks ago when I tried the Snow Hawk. I would describe this ride as a cross between a motorcycle and a snowmobile, with a front-end made of one ski and a fork, driven by a narrow track with rounded edges. The seating position and twist throttle say “cycle” but the ability to ride through snow, in particular the deep stuff, make this one interesting snowmobile. As embarrassing as it is, I have to admit to being a little clumsy on a 10-speed bike and had visions of Evel Knievel at Caesars Palace playing in my head as I mounted the saddle. The apprehension was short-lived, as I quickly realized just how easy this 400lb machine was to ride. The bump absorption was amazing and the steering was simply a matter of leaning into the turn and goosing the throttle. Within seconds I was ripping across a field and down the trail. The sensation was unlike anything I had ever ridden before and made me wonder why we don’t see more of these on the trails. A few others in my group had motorcycle experience and rode the Snow Hawk as if they were born on it… or maybe stole it. They accelerated to about 25mph and then laid the thing on its side, cutting a 180-degree turn, leaving a wake of snow behind, like a Jet Ski on a lake. The ballet-like maneuver was impressive but a little beyond my red-tricycle skills. I’m guessing a few hours behind the bars would get me into the dance.
In this day of “me too” sleds, the Hawk stands out. The appeal of the “sportbike for the snow” is real, especially to those X-Game types or motorcycle enthusiasts. Quite simply: If you are looking for a unique experience and don’t want to ride the same old sled anymore, check this machine out!
Dan Gould
President
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