A pilot at VSF reported completing a CTAF taxi report with no response but while taxing on Runway 23 was asked to exit the runway because of landing glider traffic which stopped 400 FT from him.

Narrative

I began to taxi from the ramp at VSF in Springfield; Vermont. Earlier in the afternoon; a group was staging flights from a tent located on the turf adjacent to the mid-point of Runway 23 on the northwest side of the runway. Glider operations were staged in a similar manner closer to the approach end of Runway 23. Gliders and tow-planes were using both the paved runway and the turf on the southeast side of Runway 23. As I taxied from the ramp in the late afternoon; it appeared that all flying activity had ceased. The tow-plane had taxied to the ramp for fuel; the group had gone; and staff was packing up and leaving. I taxied to the hold position short of Runway 23 and performed a run-up. I could see that the mid-field tent had been removed and noticed some equipment was still at the glider staging area; but there appeared to be no activity. I scanned the pattern and did not see any traffic; nor had I heard any radio calls. I announced 'Springfield traffic; back-taxi 23; Springfield' and began the long back-taxi for departure on Runway 23. Just as I was approaching the point on the runway short of the glider staging area where I would turn around for departure; I heard a radio call calmly announce 'We have a glider turning final; could you taxi to the side?' This was the first call I had heard since starting to taxi from the ramp. I immediately saw the glider and started a turn to the right to exit the runway on the southeast side. Then I remembered that gliders and tow-planes had been using both the pavement and grass on the southeast side of the runway. I didn't know if the glider intended to use pavement or grass; so I continued turning to the right and exited the Runway on the northwest side of the Runway as quickly as possible. At that point; I was off the Runway; on the grass northwest of the Runway; facing away from the approach end of Runway 23; and could not see the glider land. I waited for a period of time that seemed more than adequate for the glider to land; then taxied slightly ahead and to the left on the turf so I could see the Runway behind me. The glider had landed and come to a stop about 400 FT short of my position; so I taxied onto the runway and departed Runway 23 without further complication. Although I scanned for traffic in the pattern and made the appropriate radio calls; I failed to see the glider until prompted by a radio call as it turned final. A couple of factors may have influenced my failure to see the traffic earlier. First; the appearance that all flying activities had ceased could have biased my expectations in favor of not seeing traffic. Second; as I neared my turn-around point for departure; my focus changed from watching the overall situation to planning and executing the turn-around. This event demonstrates the dramatic increase in safety that results from good radio communication.