Ride Planning Pre-ride planning is the foundation of safe and enjoyable snowmobiling. Planning a ride and organizing ahead of time, decreases the chances of problems on the trail. Think about a ride plan in terms of start and end times, the number of trail miles to be covered, places to obtain gas and food, and possible emergency actions. Remember, it gets cold quickly when night falls and many businesses close in the evening. Riders should always check the weather for the area they plan to ride. This is particularly important when temperatures hover near freezing and around the Great Lakes where impressive totals of lake effect snow can pile up very quickly. Snowmobilers should always ride in groups because there is safety in numbers. This is another good reason for belonging to a snowmobile club. Finally, always tell a responsible person where you or the group will be riding and the expected return time. That way, if you or the group is overdue, action can be taken to provide assistance. 40