North Country ATV

    NCATV NEWS LETTER FEBRUARY 2012

February's New's

From the V.P. Chuck Geisler

Well folks the first event of the year is over. Seems funny that we had our first event in the middle of the winter but it was for a reason. Many people and members didn't know that most of the trails in the NCATV Club are open all year except for mud season. The other thing to keep in mind when riding in the winter is temperature.

If its warmer then 32 degrees we ask you to stay off the trails till the temps drop so you don't rut up the trails for the snowmobilers & groomers.

Now the only trails that are closed for the winter to all Wheeled ATV's are the 19 Bridges trail and the 29 Bridges Trail along with the West side trail. These trails are on state land so Please stay off these trails with Wheeled ATV's till after mud season. We don't want to loose these beautiful trails in the summer.

The other trail that is still closed is the one leading up to Blue Mountain Variety store. Seems the land owner is still upset with the state and holding us hostage. One thing about riding in the winter is that there's no dust, just a little cool air. Well, ok Cold air and at times can be down right frigid. But hey adding a couple layers of warm clothes and packing something warm to drink for when you stop to look at all the great scenery is still better then riding when its 95 degrees out and so dusty you have to ride 1/4 mile apart. One of the comments from most every one that came back from the poker run was "We couldn't believe all the animal tracks that we saw" and " you can see so much more". Riding in the winter is totally different than in the summer because it is so much more open. I mean you can see forever in the woods. You can actually see Deer, Moose and Coyotes walking 100 yards off the trail.

Nothing like in the summer when you see that first big moose and he runs down the trail and ducks in the woods and just disappears because you can't see 30 feet in the woods. The other thing you'll notice is that the trails are little smoother. That little bit of snow that we had made a huge difference in the ride. And when there's enough snow the trails are groomed. So if you'd like to give it a try, make a reservation at one of the lodges on the trail and come up for the weekend and do some winter ATV riding. Its a great time.

Ok now let me tell you about the great poker run that we had in January. It really started Friday morning when about 10 of us set out to sign the poker run route. I met theNHATV Club guys down at the trail head at Burns field at 9 am. Everyone was getting their wheelers unloaded, warm cloths on, tools rounded up and just as we started to leave it started to pour. Now it's 28 degrees out and pouring. Where's the snow that was promised? Jeesh! So out we go because it has to get done for tomorrow. Can't have anyone getting lost that hasn't been on our trails before, now can we! Lets see, 30 plus miles of trail and 6 stops, pouring rain, were going to have to make this quick. Now in the 5 1/2 hours that it took us to sign those 30 plus miles we had pouring rain, sleet, then bright blue sunny sky's and back to snow the size of golf balls. Needless to say we had a blast the whole time. Everyone stayed warm and somewhat dry through it all. Now on Saturday it started out great, 4 to 6 inches of fresh snow but a little on the chilly side.

Lots of riders showed up to brave the cold. We had riders from as far away as RI, CT, Mass, and VT to ride. With most supporting the local lodges on the trails. A very nice turnout for our first Winter Poker Run. Everyone said they had a great time on the trails and plenty to eat back at the warm club house where folks drew their hands and took chances on the great raffle prizes that were donated.

I want to thank everyone for supporting the local merchants and lodges. With a bad winter start for snow and snowmobiling, it was a great boost to their economy. I would like to thank the dealers and lodges that donated a prize for the raffle. There were some really nice prizes given out.

Once again Thank You!

Also I would like to thank the NHATV club for their help promoting this event, making up the signs and the guys that came out and help me sign the poker run course on Friday.

The other folks that I would like to personally Thank would be everyone that help out that day. Without your help it would not have gone so smoothly. Thanks so much everyone!

From the feed back we got that day it looks like everyone thinks this should be a annual event.

On another note the events calendar is almost complete and will be posted soon.

Also if you check out the web site Wayne Labatte has been doing a great job of trying to keep it up to date.

This years NCATV monthly meetings will be held on a Saturday at the Stratford Night Hawks Club House, It is a White building located just off to the right in the field just after you cross the first dirt road after the railroad bed.

Well that's it for now. Ride safe and please respect the landowners & the land you ride on. And don't be afraid to stop and say Hi to the people you might see walking the trails, You never know but it just might be one of the land owners who's land your riding on and that a little Thank You, goes a long way.

Keep your wheels tight and air low and have a great day!

Chuck Geisler

Presidents Article-

I would like to thank Robert Koerner and Family for their very generous donation to NCATV. The Koerner Family is one of our Land Owners on the North end of the trail system. I Hope to see you on the trails this summer.

I would also like to thank Rick Timmins, Bob & Monica Heon and Ron & Shirley Dupuis for their donations to NCATV. Hope to see all of you very soon. 

We have a lot of fun events planned for 2012. An Events calendar has been posted on our website as well as our monthly meetings. If you get a chance check it out at www.northcountryatv.com . We will be sending a notice to our events committee very soon to get volunteers together for Land Owner Appreciation Day.

Trail Report

Until we get more information West Side Trail is still closed to wheeled ATV’s. Otto’s Lane is still closed as well. We are sorry for the inconvenience. The rest of the trails are still in good shape despite the lack of snow. Please keep an eye on the temperature and use a little caution if you plan a weekend of riding. The Night Hawks have not been able to groom the trails yet so water bars and rocks are still visible. Hope to see you on the trail soon

MEMBERSHIP-

A single membership this year is $20.00 and a family membership is $25.00. With this membership you get a Membership card, Club logo sticker for your ATV as well as a news letter printed as often as possible.

Our goal for the next Calendar year is to rebuild our membership and grow into one of the best clubs around.

Every membership keeps trails open for you the ATV Rider to enjoy.

It also gives you a voice to be heard at Club meetings. Everyone’s opinion is a valuable resource.

Local NEWS-

For The Stratford Nighthawks

Antique Snowmobile Races

March 3, 2012 at Burns truck Stop field on Rt 3 in North Stratford.

 Sled Dog Races

March 10 & 11 at the Stratford Nighthawks garage Rt 3 in North Stratford.

They will need volunteers for both events and you can call Candy at 603-636-1964 and she will put your name and # on her list.

Please Support our Local Clubs!!

Our NEXT MEETING- Next scheduled club meeting will be April 7th 2012 at 10.00 am at the Stratford Night Hawks Club House.

2012 Events Calendar

May 19^th – Land Owner Appreciation Day 8 to 12pm Cookout 12 to 2pm at the Night Hawks Club house. Bag pick-up at Blue Berry Hill & Burns Truck Stop.



June 2^nd - Poker Run & Cookout. Sponsored by Grand Ole Lodge. 10 to 1pm. Cookout from 1 to 3pm.



June 23^rd - North Stratford old home day parade starts at 11:00 trail ride starting at burns truck stop at 9:00 picking up riders along the way meal served at 12:00 after the parade in Stratford hollow.



July 7^th – Members night ride and cookout. Cookout will take place at Stratford Bog by the Dam at 6pm. At 8pm we will start a Night ride from Bog to Morse Mt. picinic area to watch Fire works. Route to be determined.



July 28^th – Jericho Festival in Berlin NH. NCATV will be supporting this event as much as possible. 



August 18^th – GPS/ Compass treasure Hunt. Come test your skills with a Gps as well as a compass. 



Sept 1^st – ATV Challenge / Obstacle Course.

Held in the field at Burns Truck Stop. Event will start at 1pm.



Oct 6^th – Chicken feed and Poker Run sponsored by Connolly Cabins & Campground. More details to follow.

2012 Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Robert Koerner & Family

Gold Sponsor

D- Town Garage

Silver Sponsor's

Ron & Shirley Dupuis

Rick Timmins

Membership

Your membership in North Country ATV helps support the activities of the club and the ongoing maintenance of our extensive trail system. If you enjoy our trails, please help support the club. Individual membership is only $20.00 and family membership is only $25.00 per year.

Mail memberships to NCATV PO Box 161 North Stratford NH. 03590

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The North Country ATV is a 501 (c) (3).  Contributions are tax deductible.