TOM DINES
Owner, Tom's Snowmobile & Service, Sierra City, CA
Favorite Riding Area: I like the Lakes Basin area near Sierra City, CA, because there are close to 50 natural lakes that allow you a diverse riding area. In a day you can cover it all (meaning the full broad spectrum of riding styles). Lots of steep, technical stuff mixed with some old growth (big) fir tree riding to small drag races across the lakes, etc.
Why There? Really, because it has it all: hillclimbing (some even without trees), boondocking or tree riding, off-trail riding (lots of good logging roads and old skid trails) and the fact that it is only 15 minutes from home. There is something for the real experienced hillclimber as well as the young rider who is just learning the ropes. The lakes allow new riders to get familiar with the operation of the machine, while Mom or Dad can keep a watchful eye on their progress. In marginal snow years on the back side of some of the bald or no-tree mountains, the wind will blow the snow up and over, trapping it down in the trees, giving us some deeper snow coverage. The trees also shade or cover the snow from the sometimes-bright California sun. So when Mother Nature is skimping on snow delivery, at least the snow junkies can get their "riding fix." The scenery lends itself to those who are looking for that "stop and enjoy the scenery" experience as well.
How Long Have You Been Riding? 23 years, though some might think a couple by the way I ride.
Your Current Ride: 2008 Summit 800R 154 with stock motor, W Boyesen Reeds, different Rave system, HPS aftermuffler, customized Y pipe, slightly altered primary air box. For the chassis and suspension I am running a 2.5-inch non-ported Camoplast track, with our Evolution Air kit in the rear (that is constantly being changed for R&D purposes), Float R Evol ski shocks (I think they are the best mountain shock on the market), clutching that is rarely left alone, including testing our 3-D lever arms and any other "top secret" parts I can sneak by Richard and Andy to help me try to stay ahead of them.