As snowmobile season draws near and our hearts start to pound through our chest as we wait to push that snowmobile up the mountain or down a trail at heart break speed!! WAIT before you do that stop and make sure that you and your snowmobile are ready and in good running order. Have you put on a few extra pounds this summer? Do we need to get in shape? The answer for most of us is YES!  Out here in the West we snowmobile in some of the highest elevations, the air gets thin and it’s difficult to breathe. In my case I’m a year older. So let’s all make sure that we are ready and now for the snowmobile. Did you summerize it and put it away so that when the snow falls it would be ready for the winter ahead? Some things to check, oil levels, chain case fluids and tension, track adjusted, check your drive belt and clean the clutches, make sure the throttle and brake cables work properly. Is the sled clean of any debris? Do you have an extra drive belt and set of spark plugs? Do you carry enough supplies to survive in case you need to spend the night in the snow? How about an avalanche. Are you prepared? As you can tell there are many ways in which we need to prepare for the riding ahead. I will be sending out detailed list in the next few weeks that will give you a check list of items to check before you hit that trail or attempt to climb that mountain peak. In any case I for one am looking forward to the winter and getting out with my friends, club members and anyone else that shares my love for snowmobiling. This year I will be traveling around the State’s of California & Nevada, looking for the next powder field or mountain peak to climb. I hope to see you out there. Make sure to take pictures and share your stories with other fellow snowmobilers.  We have a lot of events and rides planned. Most of all Stay Safe and Have FUN!! Be courteous of others and respect the forest. Leave it as you found it. We are always being watched and a few can ruin it for the masses.