savage on sleds prep time

We know you're busy, with work, the house, the kids and a few personal projects here and there. But as the days get shorter, the autumn air turns a bit crisp and well, we all get the snowmobiling itch to get out and ride!

This issue we offer 13 pages of tune-up type stories, with how-tos, a product test and some tech shorts, plus the first installment of our Ask the Experts column. That's where you ask questions via our online forums and our panel of techheads answer you. We call 'em our A-Team, just without the gold chains and explosives!

In addition, our Tech Editor, Olav Aaen, chats about the new Ski-Doo E-TEC engine, where it came from and how its inner workings are going to save you oil and gas, an increasingly important issue. He'll also tell you why those low racer-type windshields, or should we call them wind diverters, can actually slow you down despite their sleek looks.

For the families and groups getting ready for some major buddy rides this season, we offer our annual Getaway Guide, 24 pages of 100+ great snowmobiling sites. We call it our Must Ride Guide in that these are areas many of us snowmobilers feel we must ride at some point before we're too old to throw a leg over the sled.

We've been to many of these spots, as have many of our regular contributors, so we've scouted them out for you. Read up and I think you'll be motivated to plan a trip for your crew this winter. Two winters back I got the chance to ride with a huge group of mostly Michigan snowmobilers who annually plan a major 5-day outing with 20-30 guys. It was among the most enjoyable rides I've ever had and I encourage you to organize a similar trip, even if the crowd is 5 or 6 instead of 30+. Ours is a sport and activity that is best shared and experienced with friends and family. So get out and enjoy!