I see the same situations myself. I am not the ricky racer type but im also not the 40 mph rider either. Countless times on our last trip we encountered big groups of sleds many with mirrors driving 30 mph all over the trail. I understand that may be a speed they are comfortable with and have no issue with that as the older i get I notice my speed declining myself. That being said I noticed they would either check their mirrors or turn and look back but never make a attempt to let us pass. One group we were stuck in back of for 12 to15 miles really. Courtesy seems to be forgotten by many.
Got Run off the trail and ROLLED!
- Thread starter gogebic_sledder
- Start date
polarisrider1
New member
My big question is, What do these blockers, gain?
No clue...... just don't understand any logic to blocking but happening more & more & dislike fighting for the trail when a safe pass is over in a few seconds. I keep asking for blockers to speak up to try & understand their thought patterns so far no blocker will post. They do it & they know they do it very agressively getting to be routine & I really hate it!
snowfreak56
Member
I never used to block anyone when i was rideing drag in a group but i have some in the last few years if i am rideing with a group with women and kids.But i started doing it after to many close calls because of the people doing the passing.But i dont do it for miles on end and as soon as possible get the rider or riders that have come up behind us around the group.And i do agree it is pure BS that if a group of slower riders come to a intersection or stop sign and they have been caught by another group it is BS not to let them around.What really burns me and i have had this happen several times is when you let a group around that have leaned on ya and been real impatient and you get down the trail a mile and they are sitting there with the trail jammed up haveing a beer and a smoke you get past them and then a few minutes later they are leaning on ya again.I am a old cicle track racer and i will treat them the way they treat me under these circumstances they will get by my group again but then i will be leaning on them and this has been know to get interesting.Some like to dish it out but not real good at handling it when they are on the receiveing end of it.
Last edited:
caged_beagle
Member
that ↑ could mean more than one thing........????????
____________________________
The blockers that block entire trail are doing so by choice they know better. Just don't care will not give you the trail so you either stay behind them or take the trail in an agresssive manner & storm by quickly just to get the pass done saftely. Not good no reason for it IMO.
F
fusion
Guest
As the last guy in the group (sweeper), you should be in control of your riders and know your group.
If you have kids and woman without sufficient experience to handle an aggressive pace, and you know you have faster people in back of you, you should be pulling the entire group over and letting people pass.
This should be discussed before hand, so people will know there is that possibility.
There just isn't any excuse for "trail blocking", no matter what. It just breeds anger, frustration and potential for conflict.
Now that I know people are intentionally doing this, I will not be putting up with it anymore.
This mentality (trail blocking) is completely illogical and baffling to me.
It is a good question about what these newer riders are being taught in their snowmobile safety training classes.
If you have kids and woman without sufficient experience to handle an aggressive pace, and you know you have faster people in back of you, you should be pulling the entire group over and letting people pass.
This should be discussed before hand, so people will know there is that possibility.
There just isn't any excuse for "trail blocking", no matter what. It just breeds anger, frustration and potential for conflict.
Now that I know people are intentionally doing this, I will not be putting up with it anymore.
This mentality (trail blocking) is completely illogical and baffling to me.
It is a good question about what these newer riders are being taught in their snowmobile safety training classes.
windingtrailgal
Active member
The common sense part of my brain is telling me "don't post any more to this thread!!" but...
fusion - not shooting the messenger AT ALL...just gonna comment on what you put here as far as the classes.
They do NOT teach anyone in the safety classes to block people. When I took the class with my kid the only thing said about passing and getting passed is to be aware of your surroundings - trail conditions, your fellow rider. The instructor specifically said to PULL over at the next SAFE spot to let faster sleds pass. And the only reason I know this is what our instructor said was because a guy from downstate IL was in there with his son and he said they were new riders and figured they'd be going slow down the trails.
As a sweeper, I cannot fathom blocking either and can't imagine putting myself in such a dangerous situation.
I' m not the fastest sled on the trail, or the slowest... It's so easy and quick to just pull over if sleds are coming up your back door....Knowing how easy, safe and quick it is to pull over and let others pass, I just figured the blockers were new inexperienced people.. Now I'm P O'd people ride like that intentionally!!!
A blocker would not give me an opportunity to pass after multiple stop signs on 8 I pulled up next to him on the left look for the nod & the guy would jackrabbit start from stop sign & weave back & forth in front of me. I'm like what the heck??... so pick my spot storm by & the next sled starts blocking me. I'm like this is crazy stuff & this group had blocking as part of thier riding plan. We finally come to the Junction of 3 south I pull up next to guy throw up the visor & ask why won't you let me a pass? The guy has a fit swearing at me claims I'M not letting HIM ride with his group. Meantime the leader starts down 3S so the guy quickly jumps back on his sled to sweep again. I'm thinking they won't let me pass on 8 no way they will let me pass on 3. So I ride to Kenton take 107 south some 15 miles or so out of my way & sure enough there they are now on 107 just past the 150 crossover. I know the blocking routine so fake them out & get by both blockers then the 2 lead sleds start riding faster so I stay put with them but the 2 blockers are miles out of sight by the time we get to Trail 2. The 2 lead sleds pull over at Trail 2 to wait for the blockers I wave thanks & long gone. This blocking was part of their ride plan grade or twisty trail they were going to block as many riders as they could & did not care about my or anyone else right to the trail. Crazy stuff & now seeing it more & more from other slower riders. To me if you are riding faster than me I give you immediate pass access much rather have you in front of me even if I pass your pack taking a break 5 miles up the trail don't care just safer to allow faster sleds to pass than jam things up for everyone.
Good god that's unreal!! It's like the weirdos on highway 2 thru northern WI that go slow when it's a 2 lane road then speed up when there's a passing lane to stay ahead of you then slow down again when it goes back to a 2 lane!!
Hmmm... I'm sure the DNR is monitoring trail blockers as well...
Hmmm... I'm sure the DNR is monitoring trail blockers as well...
Fusion knew this happened to me & happened again recently to me in 3 lakes after the big snow. Also happened recently to Indy 500 in 3 lakes too. Fusion blocked for miles in Eagle River area also after big snow. It has become a PITA & the type of thing some may view..... it may or may not be happening because it has not happend to me? It will happen to you as a growing trend & Fusion is 100% correct when he says "It just breeds anger, frustration and potential for conflict".
Trail Blocking is unacceptable & has to stop ASAP as cancer that can destroy the sport & injure riders. All bad nothing good about at all.
Trail Blocking is unacceptable & has to stop ASAP as cancer that can destroy the sport & injure riders. All bad nothing good about at all.
windingtrailgal
Active member
Although I agree with this...not exactly sure what can be done about it?!? I find it INSANE and can't begin to comprehend the mentality.
Whitedust - for you and me and the next season coming up? We can be happy there's no boat blocking!
Although I agree with this...not exactly sure what can be done about it?!? I find it INSANE and can't begin to comprehend the mentality.
Whitedust - for you and me and the next season coming up? We can be happy there's no boat blocking!
Yep......... buy my boats same way I buy my sleds with plenty of HP so I can get where I'm going. I don't like any underpowered toys alwasy go for hp. Cruise for miles on FL intracoastal but hit the hammer on the etek 150 on my new Ranger to get around slower boats in a flash without creating turmoil then back to cruise speed. I don't draw much water & can do 65mph trimmed with 2 people but generally 30-35 plenty fast on water.
Although I agree with this...not exactly sure what can be done about it?!? I find it INSANE and can't begin to comprehend the mentality.
Whitedust - for you and me and the next season coming up? We can be happy there's no boat blocking!
Best way to solve trail blocking is dicuss topic here on JD try to draw out both sides of the topic & educate riders. Blockers don't seem to want to offer their view.....don't know why & I'm willing to listen?
F
fusion
Guest
Dickmsp, thought I was the ONLY one that noticed this!
See it all the time and gets me muttering under my breath whenever it happens.
Coming south on HWY 45, just about every trip home, see this where people drag their butts at 54-55, but as soon as the passing lane comes up, they are going 65!!
What is wrong with people??
windingtrailgal
Active member
Yep......... buy my boats same way I buy my sleds with plenty of HP so I can get where I'm going. I don't like any underpowered toys alwasy go for hp. Cruise for miles on FL intracoastal but hit the hammer on the etek 150 on my new Ranger to get around slower boats in a flash without creating turmoil then back to cruise speed. I don't draw much water & can do 65mph trimmed with 2 people but generally 30-35 plenty fast on water.
All this talk and this WARM day are making me think Ski Nautique time!!
Rupp Collector
Active member
Direct spin-off from their highway driving. No blinkers, brights on, driving in the passing lane 1/2 mile an hour faster than the guy in the right lane, talking on the cell phone etc... and on and on and on.