A DEADLY weekend in Wisconsin!

[xcsp]

Is it going to take the death of a youngster (i.e. a 3 yr. old sitting in front of Mom or Dad) to have ANY impact on how people ride?

Something like this IS going to happen...it's just a matter of time.

This past weekend I was passed by a guy on a Yamaha Apex(?) who had a child setting in front of him, and he was out of sight in no time, shortly came up to a bar parking area where this guy evidently was in a hurry to meet up with his riding group who were all congregating by their sleds.

Me & the people I was riding with couldn't believe the way that guy was riding, with his child nonetheless, bet his wife would give him a swift kick in the "jewels" if she had seen it(if he has a wife.)

 

[mxz_chris]

Agree with all as well.

I think that maybe when there is a fatality, they should put the sled back out into the woods were it happened and put a big sign that reads someone died here because they were going to fast, or were killed by someone who was drinking or whatever. Maybe seeing the wreck and knowing the outcome would make some think twice. Or put it at a part in the trail where you could pull off and read what happened. Maybe a sign would say that this happened one mile down the trail, etc...

I agree with this. They do it prom season with a wrecked car at the high schools.
Another idea: How about stop grooming so much? Save money and it would slow down traffic a bit. Maybe some of these a**wipes would give up the sport if it wasn't so easy too.

 

[Hoosier]

I agree with this. They do it prom season with a wrecked car at the high schools.
Another idea: How about stop grooming so much? Save money and it would slow down traffic a bit. Maybe some of these a**wipes would give up the sport if it wasn't so easy too.

Not a bad idea at all about the wrecked sleds. Be nice if the DNR would patrol problem areas instead of sitting in town watching stop signs. Of course that is better for generating revenue and being a harda$$

 

[buddah2]

The morons were out in full force this past weekend and it wasn't only the testosterone fueled throttle jockeys either. I was headed back home from my very first ride of the season. 12 to 14 foot wide trail. I see a group coming around a slight curve (right hander for them) so I move ALL the way to my right.....as in right ski actually off the trail in the deep snow bank. This "lady" (and I use that term loosely) in her cute little pink jacket on her rental ski-doo, riding right down the very middle of the trail comes so far over she actually clips my left ski with hers. No damage and I figure it's simply not worth chasing them. They wouldn't learn anything anyway.

So half a mile later I come to a corner that's like a giant 270 degree turn and there's an idiot on a mid-90's XLT or so coming right at me on MY side of the trail, basically cutting the entire corner off. And he's gesturing at me like I did something wrong. So I gave him the old Italian one-fingered wave and let it go. MORONS!!!

 

[polaris62]

I know maybe I'm just getting older but I sure notice more and more of what can only be called reckless riding. I myself have slowed my riding a little due to the fact I know I'm getting older and as much as I hate to admit I know my reaction time isn't what it was twenty years ago. Even so its not my driving ability that worries me but the fact in the last three or four years it seems more and more I go into a corner only to meet a sled on my side of the trail. A few times my only option was to take their side to avoid a wreck. So now I take every corner anticipating that there will be a sled coming in to hot on my side as I really don't want to go home in a body bag or at the very least severely injured. I love riding but also don't want to be on the edge of my seat literally the whole time I'm out there as has been brought up maybe instead of hassling those who don't make a complete stop DNR could put their efforts into making it safer out there for all of us Ricky included. One thing we have done is to turn our trips into ride Sunday to Friday trips because as mentioned less traffic less risk also ricky seems to really be out on the weekends. We all do this because we love it and its so much fun but hearing stories of tragic accidents can remind us how dangerous it can be. Stay safe and please remember the right side is mine.

 

[whitedust]

Got to be defensive out there. Sunday afternoon I was on trail 17 by Boones in Eagle River gets very twisty there just what I wanted to test transfer adjustments on front end. I bang a uturn start back in north at Boones on 17 & 1st sled comes at me like a bullet then the stream of oncoming sleds started with a couple of 5 fingers I thought best thing was to stop tuck in let them go. Just no room in there for 2 sleds would not have been pretty if I did not tuck. Oh well waited them out then ripped it within reason to test my adjustments. Weekend riding is what it is got to be smarter than them.LOL

 

[xsledder]

...please remember the right side is mine.

No, the right side is mine, the left side is yours. (Just a little harmless play on words.)

 

[snocrazy]

Agree with all as well.

I think that maybe when there is a fatality, they should put the sled back out into the woods were it happened and put a big sign that reads someone died here because they were going to fast, or were killed by someone who was drinking or whatever. Maybe seeing the wreck and knowing the outcome would make some think twice. Or put it at a part in the trail where you could pull off and read what happened. Maybe a sign would say that this happened one mile down the trail, etc...

Not sure if it is still there..... Been a long time since I was there.
Newberry - there was a shed with a glass window built and was an advertisement on what drinking and riding gets you.
It was a yellow ski dooo mxz - Totally mangled. They even had the guys helmet in there. I know it made me think...

This is why I don't ride on the trails much any more. Either some one is going to kill me or I will go to prison for beating them to death for trying to kill me.
I even trailer in to town last weekend to ride out to grand island rather then ride the trails.

It seems to me people have 0 respect for others let alone their own safety.

 

[blkhwkbob]

X2 but wishful thinking I'm afraid. If this is the way snowmobiling is going to be (trail racing) I think my volunteering days are over. Let the people who hit the trees or pass me at 40 mph on an 8' wide trail do the work. I know of many others who feel the same way.

Another quick story from this weekend. Was stopped at an intersection taking a break. I could hear a sled getting closer to us from a LONG way off. I mean this sled was loud. Sled was in the middle of a group...rider was standing up....and when they went down the trail this rider gunned it lifting the skis for a good 30 yards before he/she let off. I walked down to inspect the damage and the trench (snow was soft) left by this rider was at least 10" deep.

QUOTE] This post is the story of the past couple of years up North. It's really getting bad. I've had guys wheelie right past me. Idiots.

 

[ezra]

Agree with all as well.

I think that maybe when there is a fatality, they should put the sled back out into the woods were it happened and put a big sign that reads someone died here because they were going to fast, or were killed by someone who was drinking or whatever. Maybe seeing the wreck and knowing the outcome would make some think twice. Or put it at a part in the trail where you could pull off and read what happened. Maybe a sign would say that this happened one mile down the trail, etc...

X2 a death sign would be great. U drive down the roads in SD and it is amazing how many death signs there are. I deff think we need them on the trail

 

[snobuilder]

Reading alla the posts here about less smart riders than thee just reminded me a Saturday late AM heading up to the top of the Marquette lookout, which for them a you who has never, it is one windy uphill and downhill sumbish.

About a 1/3 a the way up here is one snowshoer on the trail and then a few twisties later here is an adult woman and a young boy around another corner. I was coming up slowly and they had to hear me, yet they were startled to see me....could be with alla the sleds going up and down that morning, they couldn't tell if the sleds was ahead or behind them. A short time later as I continued up the hill here comes a hot sled on the way down ...I tried to signal him to slow the eff down....not sure if he was havin any of it though.

 

[rmkking]

This is why I ride off trail. No Ricky Rockets just trees and stumps.

 

[russholio]

Not sure if it is still there..... Been a long time since I was there.
Newberry - there was a shed with a glass window built and was an advertisement on what drinking and riding gets you.
It was a yellow ski dooo mxz - Totally mangled. They even had the guys helmet in there. I know it made me think...

This is why I don't ride on the trails much any more. Either some one is going to kill me or I will go to prison for beating them to death for trying to kill me.
I even trailer in to town last weekend to ride out to grand island rather then ride the trails.

It seems to me people have 0 respect for others let alone their own safety.

It's still there.

Got hit my second year of riding (1996) on a weekend. Pretty much cured me of wanting to ride on weekends. There are a few areas I will, especially if I'm not leading, but in general I avoid them like the plague. There are still Rickys riding midweek, just not an endless parade of them.

 

[SledTL]

I think the thing is that people trailer and unload the sleds and ultimately think that it's a playground. In part this is led by the manufacturers, but it is no different than a road and when you look at their general purpose, it is a way of transportation other than driving a car when the weather permits. Don't know if this will ever be fixed because for the most part we all respond to each others posts and stay in our small circle of people.

 

[polarisrider1]

This is why I ride off trail. No Ricky Rockets just trees and stumps.

Just hit your like button.

 

[teamblue]

Make's me mad everytime you leave a stop sign and there is piles of snow from them doing burnouts.

I agree, let the younger ones work on trails so they can see the work it takes. Something has to change!

X2 but wishful thinking I'm afraid. If this is the way snowmobiling is going to be (trail racing) I think my volunteering days are over. Let the people who hit the trees or pass me at 40 mph on an 8' wide trail do the work. I know of many others who feel the same way.

Another quick story from this weekend. Was stopped at an intersection taking a break. I could hear a sled getting closer to us from a LONG way off. I mean this sled was loud. Sled was in the middle of a group...rider was standing up....and when they went down the trail this rider gunned it lifting the skis for a good 30 yards before he/she let off. I walked down to inspect the damage and the trench (snow was soft) left by this rider was at least 10" deep.

Why should I go out there and volunteer my time to groom trails? So this idiot and other like them can trash the trail? No 'effin thanks!

- - - Updated - - -

Race tracks are for racing, Trails are for enjoyment!

 

[groomerdriver]

Don't know if this will ever be fixed because for the most part we all respond to each others posts and stay in our small circle of people.

You are so right! OK...so for those of us who REALLY care, what can we do to spread the word in a "positive" manner? It would be easy to blast out posts across the various sledding sites but unless they were worded properly, the "anti" crowd" could pick up on it and just characterize us all as "killers on sleds" or something like that.

The word needs to get out to the masses.....not just the 10% who frequent site like this. Question is "how"?

 

[mezz]

The only thing that comes to mind short of an advertising campaign, would be signage, i.e. Tread Lightly, or, Riders: Respect each other & the Trail you ride. Something of that nature, then again, we all know we can't fix stupid, but I agree, something has to be done, this has been a BIG problem for way too long.-Mezz

 

[Pizza Man]

I'm also tired of the Ricky Racers and the "Stand up look at Me" riders.
Starting next year, I'll be doing my riding during the week.
To many close calls over the last few years.

 

[snobuilder]

I'm also tired of the Ricky Racers and the "Stand up look at Me" riders.
Starting next year, I'll be doing my riding during the week.
To many close calls over the last few years.

I stand a lot only because I can't stay comfortable sitting all day AND because I lead most of the time, I make sure I am standing in the twisties on busy trails. It make me more visible to oncoming traffic that might be about to clip a corner.
The track of a lot of oncoming sleds look like a checkmark in front of us.