Winter may have finally arrived here in Vermont!

[hipowerone]

After a very slow start to the season, way too much warm weather and rain, we finally have some snow on the ground (8") and current forecast is cold enough that it might stay around for a few days. I blew snow for the forth time on Friday, which is one more time than I did all last winter! Not that I am complaining about a "warm" season, but it sure makes "winter" activities a little hard to do.

The up to now mild weather did make it much easier for me to make forays through the woods with the wheeled MAX II to have coffee with my neighbor in his log 'cabin'. While not far, 3/4 mile, it is fun to do on the MAX. With new snow, I can still make it, but if the snow gets much deeper, I may have to reconsider. Snow drifts can and will make the trip a bit more difficult, if not impossible. The lack of trees crossing one large field takes winching out of the equation. Maybe someday I can afford to add tracks.

New snow also gives evidence that the deer and turkey populations are good and they are still moving/living in the same areas. There is evidence of about a dozen deer and I have seen at least 40 turkeys feeding in the corn field. Food may be an issue this year as acorn, hickory, and beech nuts all were low. There are plenty of berries and grapes along the hedgerows and wild and cultivated apples on the ground. And there is plenty of sumac blossoms (deer candy).

[john swenson]

cool picture ! looks like a fun ride in just deep enough snow to be a challenge . tracks are great , but if you don't get enough snow or play in the deep mud enough.. theres not much point. i do remember being bummed when we would get a good snow here in the shenandoah valley and i would try to ride the max 2 . not very far and i was stuck ! try to get it back in the garage could be a physical workout ....sometimes i just left it till the snow melted enough , but i sure wanted to go blasting thru the woods . have fun ! johnboy va.

[hipowerone]

Hey John
Well, we normally do get enough snow to probably warrant a set of tracks. Just this year and last there was and is very little. I am just having a hard time justifying paying more for a set of tracks than I did for the used MAX, and then not being totally sure that I still will not get 'belly' hung! I know that the tracks will allow me to run in deeper snow, but along with deeper snow is the risk of getting in too deep. Not sure that I want to leave my machine out in some guys pasture or wood lot until spring. I guess it is all a learning curve. As for deep mud, I have watched videos and just do not get the excitement of trying to slowly drive through mud when there is plenty of dry land to navigate right near by. And the wear and tear on the machine? Just do not get it.

[john swenson]

hipower...we have'nt had the snows here in va. like a few years ago either. if you won't be in mud, the solid rubber or plastic tracks seem to be best for snow. maybe keep a eye out for a used set at a good price if you would use them enough . i think the mud riding is mostly about the challenges of getting thru seemingly impassible terrain . plus for me it's the only time and place to ride with other people . no riders near me. it is harder on the machines somewhat. i would love to ride miles in the snow with a group someday . have fun , j.b.

[hipowerone]

Hey John
Thanks for the info. I have been looking at the plastic tracks, as I like the idea of being able to replace links. Common sense so to speak. I keep looking at used, and did once find a set, but the shipping was going to be outrageous....the tracks were going to be shipped assembled, thus bulky. Yeah, mud is not my cup of tea. Around here, no one I know has anything similar to the MAX, so I am a lone rider. In winter months, there are the snowmobile clubs with their maze of trails, but those are a no-no! Besides, they are speed demons! But there are plenty of farm fields and some back country, what we call 4th class roads, (old roads not maintained, or not maintained during winter months) which make nice trails. Some of those as well as abandoned rail roads are usually taken over by the snow mobile clubs. Unlike snowmobiles, the MAX does quite well traversing the woods, skidding around and between trees. I know tracks are going to make that tighter, so I have been picking trails that I think might support tracks, if and when the time comes. I will want to be able to make rides without the need to clear any trees. However, a couple weeks ago, I travelled several miles down a 4th class road that I had done 3 years ago, and found that I had to stop and turn around. A large culvert was washed out, and will probably never be replaced/repaired, and the water hazard runs way too fast for a safe crossing. As you well know, travelling in a group is much safer than as a loner, so I try to be very careful, carrying a phone/radio with me, and leaving a note of my planned trip.

[hipowerone]

Over the weekend we received 13+ inches of very fine, packed, concrete style snow....while I might be able to ride, I think I am going to grin and bear it and wait until weather/snow permits riding again...tonight it supposed to hit -15F and that will really cement any snow....