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"A new engine to fuel the North Country's tourism economy has wheeled into wild woods.It's the new more than 1,000-mile interconnected all-terrain-vehicle trail system called Ride the Wilds.This weekend, it got its kickoff.Using mostly private and some public lands, it is likely the largest ATV trail system in the Eastern United States.And for Corrine Rober and Steve Baillargeon, who are starting a new ATV rental and tour business, it's a business driver.Bear Rock Adventures on East Colebrook Road and Moose Poop ATV Tours at www.moosepooptours.com has launched at the same time as the trail system.\"We are really looking to attract families who want to come out and experience the Great North Woods,\" Rober said at Coleman State Park on Saturday, where a fleet of their new Ranger 800 ATVs were on display, and I got a chance to try one out.Fremont Washburn Jr. of Colebrook and members of his family strapped on helmets and headed out on the trails on Bear Rock ATVs, and were among about 300 enthusiasts at the kick off.\"This is going to be a lot of fun,\" Washburn said.19003418The system threads together many trails which are known to snowmobilers in winter, from Colebrook to Pittsburg and parts in between. Most are old logging roads about 15 feet in diameter or larger.Gorham, Berlin, Errol, Pittsburg, Stewartstown, Colebrook, Stratford, Groveton, and Lancaster could all see new business.The trails even include some public roads in the state which now will be able to be used by ATV riders, where it is signed. The ATVs can go no faster than 10 mph on those roads and there are some restrictions for youth operation. But they allow riders to get to gas and food and lodging.The North Country OHRV Coalition recently received a $15,000 grant from the Coos Economic Development Corporation to develop and execute a marketing plan to promote the initiative.Before the ceremony, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan took the wheel of a six-seater ATV and drove straight up hill over boulders and through mud, banking turns at some speed.She handled the machine like an old pro.Hassan stopped at an overlook of the Connecticut River Valley, green and lush, with a blue Lake Francis in the distance, Canada and Vermont also visible.\"This is gorgeous,\" she said.Later, while delivering remarks, the governor gave credit to the collaborative approach to creating the system.\"This is proof of what is possible if we all work together,\" she said.Sixteen OHRV clubs and their members, local community business leaders, boards of selectmen, the Co\u00F6s County Commissioners and the county legislative delegation worked hard to make this happen, said Harry Brown, President of the North Country OHRV Coalition.He agreed that it took a lot of creativity and quick action to pull the trail network, noting that about 10 inches of rain in recent weeks almost washed out the opening.Brown said what the Ride the Wilds initiative will do is bring more economic development to the region.State officials believe having such a trail, together with concerted efforts to create ATV centers, such as Jericho State Park in Berlin and trail access to gas and services and added camping opportunities will help the state see more national and international ATV travel.In addition, two state agencies are working partners of the Ride the Wilds - the Bureau of Trails being the lead agency for the Department of Resources and Economic Development and the Department of Fish and Game.\u201CATV riders are going to love the experience of the connecting trails and not having to trailer their vehicles from one location to another. They will be able to head out for a day or more, with opportunities to stop and stay along the way,\u201D said Brown.\u201CIt will not only help existing small businesses, but it will also encourage new tourism related businesses to open up, from restaurants to lodging properties, and from services to rental and repair shops.\"New Hampshire Grand also assisted the coalition in a marketing and message strategy and a logo was developed.The next steps by New Hampshire Grand, in conjunction with the coalition, is to further develop a website, create common signage, easily accessible maps, and the possibility of mobile apps.The website is in its formative stages at www.ridethewilds.org and Ride The Wilds now has its own Facebook page.New Hampshire Grand will also continue to aid in the marketing effort.\u201CExperience New Hampshire\u2019s Grand North\u201D is the brand of New Hampshire\u2019s North Country marketing initiative \u2013 also known as NH Grand -- and is the official visitor information source for the Great North Woods and the Northern White Mountains. New Hampshire Grand is an initiative of the Northern Community Investment Corporation to promote Coos County to potential visitors. This outreach effort includes introducing visitors to the diverse range of lodging, dining, events, and outdoor activities available in Northern New Hampshire.For more information on NH Grand, visit www.nhgrand.com."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.wmur.com/article/hassan-helps-kick-off-ride-the-wilds-trail-system-in-north-country/5182464>