HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1972-11-30, Page 16BOLD,
BEAUTIFUL 1
— DEPEND ON IT and YOUR' DEALER --
18 Models to Choose from Starting at $625.00
BEFORE YOU BUY, CHECK the BIG ONE AT ...
EFE
EXETER;
EXETER FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED
THE' BEST IN FARM mACHINtRY
242 MAIN ST. NORTH
EXETER, ONTARIO
(519) 235-1380
A
Polar Daize at Brussels
Work on 60 mile trail
By Rob Brady
Dan VanParys of R. R. 2,
Otterville, who .has been an
avid snowmobiler since 1967,
is working on a snowmobiler's
dream. "
He, along with a group of
other interested persons, is
setting up a trail for the
machines which he calls, "the
lake loop".
When completed, the trail
is expected to be about 60 miles
long, starting at Delhi and going
down to Lake Erie and back by
a different route:
"It will.% take time, but once
well established any snowmobiler
will be able to drive the route
which will follow one set path.
We hope that use alone will
delineate the trail so expensive
markings won't be necessary,"
he said. "Although the present
trail which we started tO lay out
last year reaches just south of
Lynedoch, with the proper co-
operation, there is no reason
the return trail to the lake,
couldn't be finished in time for
use this year."
Dan pointed out that the gratin
did not want to trespass where
they were not wanted so a straight
line route was pretty well ruled
out.
Dan also had some words of
wisdom for those thinking of
taking up the sport.,
"First, yon have to respect
the machines. They are the same
as a ear - " dangerous if not
properly handled - but properly
handled they have a lot of plea-
sure."
"Second, dress properly for
the activity. Nothing discourages
beginners like going out without
the proper dress and coming in
cold right through or even worse,
suffering from frostbite."
Snowmobiling is not the only
winter sport that the VanParys
family are involved in. Dan, his
wife, Josie and their two sons,
Rick 12 and Rob 6, all participate
in the Delhi Minor Hockey prog-
ram.
"But it is still the snowmobile
which has turned winter into a
real pleasure," concluded Dan.
"Cluns, are a good ihing,"
he stated. "They can heighten
fun from the port as well as
provide a vehicle for public ser-
vice if the need arises. For
example, a few of the things
that a club could do that indi-
viduals can't are organizing
safaris, blazing new trails, re-
porting on snow conditions,
educating operators in the
(roper and safe use of the
machines as well as pro-
moting safety within the sport
and a better public image through
service and public relations."
"It will be a difficult thing
to accomplish but I think if
someone had the time and willing-
ness to spearhead a club, an
awful' lot of people would join
it," he said. "But one man
do it - it would re-
quire co-operation from many
people •to get a proper start."
"But the people have been
good, all most of them ask is
that we ddn't damage the environ-
Safaris are
popular
snowmobilers go to great
distances to enjoy their sport.
Attesting to this is the popular-
ity of especially-designed duffle-
bags for transporting snowmo-
biting togs to and from use areas
and saddlebags for use on snow-
mobiles to tote 'a variety of
safety and convenience items on
winter snow safaris.
A leading manufacturer of
snowmobile accessories, says
that increased sales of dufflebags
and saddlebags indicate more
snowmobilers are using their
machines in areas farther away
from home and that overnight or
all-day safaris have become
more popular.
ment with the trail," he said.
"With this in mind, we try to
set it up using lanes and head-
lainds_ as much as possible, avoid-
ing the fields and other delicate
areas. This is really to our
advantage anyways because the
challenging snowmobiling .is, not
in the open fields."
"If people don't respect
other's property and parks the
sport will be confined to
private property. That would
certainly take most of the fun
out of it."
Dan said that the' planning of
the rote started last year with
about nine men working on the
project. "But the idea is to
involve more people as we pro-
gress. The more we can drum
up interest, the better for the
spOrt," he noted.
"The people on the route
are almost all snowmobilers
themselves and pitch right in.
Although there is no formal
organization, I think the trail
will quickly become established.
"One thing I would like to
point out is that the trail is a
test of ability, with little chance
for speed which may lead to
accidents. Manoeuvrability .is
the thing with this trail."
Another thing which Dan
would like .to see started in the
area is an organized club, per-
haps based on the Big Creek
-area that could get •maximum
use from the trail.
4—HURON EXPOSITOR SUPPLEMENT, NOV. 30, 1972