The Why We Ride Podcast is designed to drive stoke and exposure to the action sports industry. Each week, we engage in snowmobile related topics with a focus on bringing our personal experiences into snowmobile discussions. The podcast will include interviews into the minds of industry leaders, enthusiasts, action sports companies and action sports athletes so they can share "why they ride". So grab your headphones, connect your Bluetooth, or crank up your computer speakers and tune into each episode. Thank you for listening!
Send us a textThis week, we take you behind the scenes of our content creation process. From strapping GoPros on sleds to editing vlogs late at night. We break down the gear we use, how we plan our shoots, and what it’s like trying to balance racing with creating content. Whether you're looking to start your own snowmobile channel or just curious how it all comes together, this episode pulls back the curtain on how we film, vlog, and post our rides for the world to see.
6/4/25 • 53:57
Send us a textThis week’s episode is all about your personal brand. We dive into what a personal brand really is and how you can use it to your advantage through social media. We share some of the challenges we’ve faced along the way, as well as the positives we’ve experienced while building our own presence online.
5/28/25 • 62:09
Send us a textWe explore the origins of snowmobiles, how they’ve evolved over the years, and how the big three brands (Polaris, Arctic Cat, and Ski-Doo) came to be. Plus, we throw in some fun and surprising facts from the early days of the sport.
5/21/25 • 66:14
Send us a textOn this week’s episode, we dive into the best add-ons we put on our sleds this season. From simple tweaks to game-changing upgrades, we break down what made a real difference on the snow. We also talk about what we're hoping to add for next season, always looking for that competitive advantage.
5/14/25 • 64:31
Send us a textThis week’s episode dives into our offseason training. We break down what worked, what didn’t, and how we’re planning for next season. From nutrition to recovery to pushing our bodies to stay at the top year after year. It’s all about building the foundation now to perform when it counts.
5/7/25 • 60:48
Send us a textWe recap the final race of the season at Saddleback Mountain in Maine, where one rider earned the ultimate title of King of the Mountain. The cross-country crew dominated the weekend, taking home the majority of podiums across nearly every class. We reflect on the highs, the challenges, and the grit it took to close out the 2025 season.
4/30/25 • 68:43
Send us a textThis week’s episode we recap the lessons we learned from the 2025 racing season. We reflect on the progress we made and the challenges we faced along the way. With one final race left, we’re excited to see who will be crowned King of the Mountain this weekend at Saddleback, Maine.
4/23/25 • 64:30
Send us a textThis week’s episode dives into the many different directions the snowmobile industry could go. From teams and record books to fresh formats and new perspectives, we explore what it might take to grow the sport to the next level. Our hope is that this episode sparks some thought about where we’re heading and how we can keep pushing forward. Change isn’t always easy but it always means progress.
4/16/25 • 73:21
Send us a textMike Young jumps on with TJ Leach for this weeks episode as Lucas Vaadi has been sick all week. We talk about the last race coming up at the end of April in Saddleback Maine, some favorite race memories from the 2025, and then go over some funny social media posts and comments. Thanks for listening!
4/11/25 • 57:56
Send us a textThis week, we dive into the highs and lows of the season. We reflect on the lessons learned, the challenges we faced, and our goals for the future. It was a long but rewarding season, and we’re excited to see how we can grow from here."
4/2/25 • 71:13
Send us a textWe had Buddy Collins on this week. He has only recently come into the world of snowmobile racing, but the impact he has had on New England cross country and the snowmobiling world is immense. His influence extends beyond Maine and reaches across the entire industry. He created North Star Motorsports to promote these races. Not only did he win the semi-pro class, but he did it while hosting multiple events. His personality is infectious, and he is a joy to be around. In this episode, you can hear the true passion that he and his family have gained for this industry.
3/26/25 • 118:04
Send us a textThis week’s episode, we dive into the final COR race in Ironwood, Michigan, and the last NEXC race in Sinclair, Maine. Both events brought unseasonably warm weather, creating some wild conditions. The COR race was held on terrain and turned into a mudfest, while the Maine race took place on a lake, where standing water made for its own set of challenges. Overall, it was a great season. TJ finished 3rd in Pro Stock, and Lucas wrapped up Semi-Pro Stock with a 4th place finish!
3/19/25 • 74:30
Send us a textThis week's episode recaps TJ's race weekend in Portage Lake as the season comes down to the final weekend. TJ is currently sitting second in Pro Stock points, while Lucas is gearing up for the Triple Crown Championship. We’re ready to leave it all on the track!
3/12/25 • 59:16
Send us a textThis week’s episode dives into the final ice Le Mans of the Cor Powersports series, with the last Triple Crown event just two weeks away. TJ took on the nostalgic West Glover, VT race. Tune in for more adventures!
3/5/25 • 69:42
Send us a textThis week, Lucas raced in Walker, MN, while TJ took on Lincoln, ME. Both events were on frozen lakes but featured very different conditions. Walker had a plowed Le Mans-style course, while Lincoln brought the bumps on an icy track. We're both focused on maximizing points.
2/27/25 • 60:14
Send us a textThanks for tuning in this week as TJ Leach chats with his racing team mate Mike Young, a Vermont native who caught the XC racing bug back in 2017/2018. Mike has been around racing most of his life, most recently in stock car racing. Now he finds that his addictive personality has latched onto snowmobile racing and we are all for it! I hope you enjoy the laughs, stories and snowmobile chit-chat in this weeks episode!
2/20/25 • 65:08
Send us a textOn this week's episode, we break down the Greg Nichols Memorial 150 in Oquossoc, ME. This is one of the biggest cross-country racing events in the East. For the second year in a row, a Pro racer from Minnesota made the trip. This episode is packed with coverage from two full days of racing!
2/12/25 • 84:28
Send us a textOn this week's episode, we get an update on TJ's injury and hear about his experience in his first-ever MIRA race. We also break down the SOO, recap Lucas’s race with ADXC, and look ahead to the upcoming NEXC 150-mile race. Tune in for all the latest!
2/5/25 • 74:25
Send us a textThis week, we break down all the action from Park Rapids, including the challenges of racing on a tight and technical course. Plus, we look ahead to the next rounds and share key takeaways from the weekend. Tune in for all the latest in cross country racing!
1/29/25 • 25:56
Send us a text This week, we dive into the Star City 100 and the official kickoff to cross-country racing in the East! We’re breaking down the course, the incredible turnout, and all the excitement from the start of the season. We’re hyped to be racing again!
1/22/25 • 67:23
Send us a textWe dive into the cross-country race at Ottertail, where the race faced some challenges with snow dust, high winds, and fresh snow that almost put the event in jeopardy. Despite the uncertainty, the race went ahead in a time trial format. Next week, Lucas and TJ head to the first NEXC race of the series, and the excitement is just getting started!
1/15/25 • 51:08
Send us a textOn this week's episode, we kick off the 2025 season and reflect on how the holidays went while diving into the latest snowmobile activities we've been up to. We gear up for an action-packed weekend with races happening across the board East and West Cross Country, Snocross, and even Supercross are all making their return. The season is just getting started, and there's already so much to talk about!
1/8/25 • 66:45
Send us a textThis week, we dive into Lucas’ adventure at the first cross-country race of the year, Pine Lake 2024. The excitement builds as we gear up for the first Eastern race at ADXC Saranac Lake on January 11th. Plus, Snocross is in full swing, and TJ shares his anticipation for his debut at the legendary SOO I-500.
12/18/24 • 61:15
Send us a text This week, we dive into last year’s semi-pro races and reflect on the action-packed season. With Pine Lake just around the corner, the Vaadis are in full race mode, ironing out every last detail to secure a spot on the podium this year. Meanwhile, Snocross is back, and everyone’s getting the itch to race!
12/11/24 • 56:03
Send us a textIn this week’s episode, we’re joined by Ernie Bouthiette III and Kyle Such from DS Racing! We dive into their journey, the challenges they've faced, and their unique approach to snowmobile racing. From the track to the shop, Ernie and Kyle share their insights on what it takes to make it in the sport and what’s on the horizon for DS Racing.
12/4/24 • 84:01
Send us a textIn this week’s episode, we dive into the importance of health and fitness in snowmobile racing. Some of the top athletes in the world compete in this sport, and they understand that reaching the peak of their performance means focusing on every aspect of their training and lifestyle. We discuss how supplements can play a crucial role in enhancing your diet and improving your overall snowmobile racing experience. Tune in as we explore how to fuel your body for success on and off the track!
11/27/24 • 77:50
Send us a textOn this week’s episode, we chat about the excitement surrounding the upcoming season. We dive into some of last year’s cross-country racing results to get everyone hyped for the return of some big names to the cross-country scene.
11/20/24 • 68:39
Send us a textThis week, Chip Vaadi joins Lucas to discuss the upcoming season and the Polaris sleds we'll be riding. We take a deep dive into the Polaris 600R we’re converting into a cross-country ice LeMans mod sled. From initial setup to the custom modifications, we share our plans for getting ready to race.
11/13/24 • 50:01
Send us a textOn this week’s milestone 10th episode, we’re joined by the man, the myth, the legend: Chip Vaadi. Starting his racing career in the early nineties but riding sleds since he was a kid, Chip has done it all—from snocross to the 500, and even owning his own racing circuit, the Big East Snocross Tour (B.E.S.T.). We dive into his diverse snowmobiling background, but there’s too much knowledge and experience to fit into just one episode! We’re so proud to already be on our tenth episode, with many more to come!4o
11/6/24 • 76:20
Send us a text On this week’s episode, we dive into the upcoming season with a strong focus on ice racing. We discuss the versatility of cross-country snowmobiles and the different types of racing we’ll be tackling this year, including cross-country, pure ice, and even some hillcross action. Tune in for all the details as we gear up for a diverse and exciting season!
10/30/24 • 66:16
