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Central Vt. ‘Hare Scramble’
Brings Thousands to Chelsea By Cornelia Cesari The scene was timeless and suggestive of a medieval jousting match—a field dotted with tents, scattered ribbons and banners, young (mostly) men riding here and there in body armor, full helmets and colorful "silks," waiting their turn to compete. The steeds, however, were not chargers, but trail bikes. The event was the Central Vermont Hare Scramble, which drew over 1,000 people (about 400 riders) to Mike Whipple’s farm in Chelsea on July 6. The race is presented by the Mont-Shire Trail Riders Club of Vermont and New Hampshire, and sanctioned by NETRA, the New England Trail Riding Association and the AMA, American Motorcycle Association. This year’s was the fifth time since 1994 that weather has permitted the course to be run. According to several riders who compete widely all over the Northeast, Chelsea’s is one of the most enjoyable venues, for several reasons. The locale is undeniably one of the most picturesque Vermont has to offer—a secluded hilltop farm with rolling hills, woods, and spectacular views. The riders and their traveling companions were invited to arrive Saturday and set up camp. They were greeted in the village with a "Welcome Scramblers!" banner at Flanders’ Market, and a spaghetti dinner was served at The Pines Saturday night. The Chelsea Fire Department showed up Sunday morning and turned out refreshments all day. A friendly community sprang up overnight in the hilltop field, with 12-year-old Riley White of Rhode Island sharing, "We met a lot of people, just random friends." She travels to NETRA events "almost every weekend" with her father and 15-year-old sister, who ride. Her friend, Jenna Denault, 13, who was supporting her 17-year-old brother, thinks she might like to enter someday, too. She was having a great time in Chelsea. "The stars were so beautiful last night!" she enthused. Another reason some love the Chelsea Hare Scramble is the course. "We pride ourselves on a long course," boasts Dan Braman of Chelsea. "That keeps the laps down and the trail doesn’t get so beat up." The three-lap course, depending upon entry class, ranges from six to 17 miles. The riders begin in waves of 20-50, started a minute apart, and each cyclist wears an electronic transponder with a digital reader. The youngest competitors are on the trail for about an hour and a half; the expert class for two or more. "We also make the course windy and crooked to slow the motorcycles down to 15-20 m.p.h. and keep injuries down," Braman added. Indeed, First Branch Ambulance members relaxed under a tent by the gate while two ambulances stood by idly. While the competition is all about fastest times, Merrill Harlan of Bethel maintains, "Trail riding takes skill, not speed." Care for the land and not abusing the trails was a common theme emphasized by race officials. Scorekeeper Kathy Killian swears, "You wouldn’t even notice the trails if you didn’t know where they were. You might think they were deer trails." Harlan explains, "We try to manage the land responsibly. We are careful about where we run the trails, to minimize erosion; and when we are using a piece of land, we are stewards. We keep an eye on things and take care of it." The Cycle Conservation Club (CCC) is an organization formed two or three years ago to educate its members and the public about responsible trail riding. "We want to teach our next generation to be responsible citizens," explains president Ray Atwood. For example, he laughs, "Some young riders think noise is power. There’s just no need for loud motorcycles. The CCC requires a decibel test and members must keep their motors below 96 dbh. There is nothing that will shut our rides down…like a loud bike." The CCC has a private course in Richmond but would like to find more places to ride. "There isn’t anywhere kids can ride legally," Atwood points out. "We want to promote trail riding as a wholesome, active family sport." Dirt bikes, if they are registered, can legally ride on the road; but a youth can only ride on private property." "In southern New England, even though it’s more populated, there are more places to ride," shares Braman. "If we could use public land, we would manage it and create a trail system." Instead, he feels, "we’re treated like outlaws." Mark Leipert of Stowe, the treasurer of Mont-Shire, explains that the state receives funds to maintain trails, but most of that money goes to VAST and VASA (for snowmobiles and ATVs). Trail-riding as a family sport was echoed throughout the day. About 50 entrants were children. One of the youngest riders there was nine-year-old Tanner Wolfrum of Eagle Bridge, N.Y., who says, "I’ve been riding since I was four or five." His father, Todd Gates, estimates Tanner has competed in 20 hare scrambles. None of Tanner’s siblings ride and he clearly treasures the time with his dad and dad’s friends—traveling, camping, and working on bikes together. He just "does the wheels" now, but he is learning it all. Standing in the field, helmet under his arm, one can imagine him as a young squire apprenticed to a knight; however this young trail rider is living in the moment. He loves coming to Chelsea for the open fields, he says, his eyes lighting up. "You can go much faster!" ____________ |
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