JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - There are people who like all the snow that came this winter - snowmobilers.
But even with the more than 60 inches of snow that has fallen here, snowmobilers travel out of Will County for more open spaces and - believe it or not - more snow.
The rewards of snowmobiling are worth the trip, they say.
Snowmobiling offers more of an experience than skiing or sledding for David Kaleta.
Kaleta, member of Plainfield-based Rusty Runners Snowmobile Club, has been riding snowmobiles since he was 5 and one of the thrills he gets out of it is being in nature. When he’s out in wooded or remote areas, he’s able to see wildlife such as deer, foxes, moose and elk.
“You won’t see that going down a ski hill,” he said.
Snowmobiling is also more inclusive among age groups. Kaleta said he has one friend who is about 70 years old and together they drove more than 280 miles in one day. They got to see Lake Superior during their trip.
He said he came away with a feeling that was “almost kind of like a high.”
Kaleta and other members of the Rusty Runners Snowmobile Club usually don’t get those highs by riding in the Will County area. Even with heavy snowfall this winter - and biting subzero temperatures - area weather conditions are not as suitable for snowmobiling as areas in northern Illinois or out of state.
But for those interested in enjoying snowmobiling, Kaleta and club president Craig Hill shared some advice on how to get started.
Like Kaleta, Hill said he enjoys snowmobiling because he gets to experience nature along the snowmobile trails he rides in Wisconsin and Michigan. The vehicle offers the same sense of independence that a motorcycle does, he said.
“You still get the need for speed with those,” he said.
Kaleta said he recommends prospective riders take safety classes from certified instructors because it will not only familiarize them with the sport but show them how to dress and what survival tactics to use.
He said he’s been an instructor for nine years and has been certified by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which offers snowmobile safety education courses.
Renting snowmobiles is cheaper than buying new ones, he said. Snowmobiles can be rented for up to $250, while new vehicles can cost between $8,000 to $15,000.
There’s not much opportunity to ride around in snowmobiles in Will County. Hill said Plainfield used to be a good spot for riding, but more new subdivisions pushed snowmobilers to areas along the I & M Canal.
Illinois has nearly 2,500 miles of trails provided by local clubs and private landowners, according to the Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs. The state of Illinois offers state-managed trails but requires a minimum of 4 inches of snow on the trail for snowmobile use.
Kaleta said snowmobile riders either ride in northern Illinois or in other states such as Minnesota, Wyoming or South Dakota because of the limited designated riding areas in Will County. He said when there’s only 4 inches of snow on the ground in a 65-mile or less trail, the snow can be worn down quickly by riding in it.
Snowmobiling is still a popular activity in the area. Kaleta said the Rusty Runners have been in Plainfield for roughly 36 years and it has about 35 active members. But at one point the club had more than 100 families as members.
“It’s something as a family you can do together,” he said. “Skiing is OK because it’s kind of restrictive. … It’s really more of a solo thing.”
Everybody who is a member of a club or rides a snowmobile works well with each other, Hill said, which can be helpful when accidents arise. Riders should always ride in pairs, he said.
“I’ve had times when I broke down in the trail and you’re out in the middle of nowhere,” he said. “(People) will help you. … Everybody is very friendly.”
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Source: The (Joliet) Herald-News, https://bit.ly/1cvk0BN
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