Riding in big groups with inexperienced drivers

[whitedust]

My girlfriend decided she wanted to start snowmobiling with me this year, so I got the training DVD from the MN DNR. I sat with her last night and went through the training course, as a refresher for myself. After going through that, I think one of the issues out there is the poor training that is offered. The DVD claimed it was a "2014 edition", but it was easy to see it was the same training since the mid-late 90s by the snowmobiles on there and the digital technology used. I have to say both of us were outright BORED going through this, which didn't help us stay engaged to learn what they were trying to teach.

I think one thing that would help would be to update the training to today's standards and have updated information on there to make it more relevant and fun to go through, and it wouldn't be too expensive to do. I do agree that inexperienced riders need to start out on a lake or field to learn the machine before hitting the trails to gain on-hands experience because I understand there is a difference between what you are trained to do and what you do in real-life situations, but updating the training would certainly be a good step for proper off-course learning.

Exactly how I trained #4 daughter set up trail at home then expanded to FRs then real live trail 17 & 6 in Phelps on a weekend. No way I would have turned her loose with 2 way trail traffic from the get go.

 

[fusion]

Groomer, I respect your opinion but there are 2-3 times more newbies and goofs on trails this time of year. You know why? Because many only ride once a year...christmas week. I've been seeing this since the 90's. Used to think it was humorous but now I view it differently. JMO of course but I think its far more dangerous riding right now than most other times of the year, with the exception of Derby week which is more the maniac throttle jockeys - different types.
Dont think I'm riding today - too cold on that Rush without gauntlets anyway.

 

[groomerdriver]

Groomerdriver : call out whomever ....I could care less if you want to feel it is gloom & doom also aok with me but you WILL NOT tell me what I can & can not say. You are typically blowing my statements way out of the intended context. I hope you lose that chip on your shoulder since the New Year will be upon Thursday & Venturenorth & I will be riding North to Sidnaw without radar just a 2 guys having a good time by the seat of our pants.

Yes I will call you out because for years I have watched your incessant "i don't ride on weekend because it's not safe" posts and forget about the fact that I'm sick of them, it's just plain not true. This is a public site.....post whatever you want within the rules as will I.

No I don't blow it out of proportion....you need to step back and read what YOU post. You only "read" what you want to read and gloss over the rest.

As to a chip on my shoulder, none here except for my disdain for keyboard heroes who have nothing else to do but sit on this site and pollute it with mindless ramblings.

You two have a great time and I know you will. I will find comfort that I wont come across your posts for a few days.

This site needs an "IGNORE" option.

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Groomer, I respect your opinion but there are 2-3 times more newbies and goofs on trails this time of year. You know why? Because many only ride once a year...christmas week. I've been seeing this since the 90's. Used to think it was humorous but now I view it differently. JMO of course but I think its far more dangerous riding right now than most other times of the year, with the exception of Derby week which is more the maniac throttle jockeys - different types.
Dont think I'm riding today - too cold on that Rush without gauntlets anyway.

No issues with you Fusion. You told us about some very close calls and that sucks! We had a couple too but it is to be expected. As I said, the constant DOOM and GLOOM of some posters here about holiday and weekend riding just bugs the beejesus outta me.

We were probably staying at the same place and didn't even know it!!!! Dang!

 

[fusion]

I have a place in south central Vilas, 3/4 mile north of trail 70W and Sunset Dr.
IF I lived here year round I could definitely see myself avoiding weekend riding, so I can understand the perspective of someome that has the luxury of choosing when they ride. Again, JMO.

 

[whitedust]

Yes I will call you out because for years I have watched your incessant "i don't ride on weekend because it's not safe" posts and forget about the fact that I'm sick of them, it's just plain not true. This is a public site.....post whatever you want within the rules as will I.

No I don't blow it out of proportion....you need to step back and read what YOU post. You only "read" what you want to read and gloss over the rest.

As to a chip on my shoulder, none here except for my disdain for keyboard heroes who have nothing else to do but sit on this site and pollute it with mindless ramblings.

You two have a great time and I know you will. I will find comfort that I wont come across your posts for a few days.

This site needs an "IGNORE" option.

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No issues with you Fusion. You told us about some very close calls and that sucks! We had a couple too but it is to be expected. As I said, the constant DOOM and GLOOM of some posters here about holiday and weekend riding just bugs the beejesus outta me.

We were probably staying at the same place and didn't even know it!!!! Dang!

My... My a bit grumpy today ... The site has a block feature go ahead & use it I can't miss ya if you won't leave.lol

 

[timo]

groomerdriver: life's to short to live it pissed off all the time.

Yes I will call you out because for years I have watched your incessant "i don't ride on weekend because it's not safe" posts and forget about the fact that I'm sick of them, it's just plain not true. This is a public site.....post whatever you want within the rules as will I.

No I don't blow it out of proportion....you need to step back and read what YOU post. You only "read" what you want to read and gloss over the rest.

As to a chip on my shoulder, none here except for my disdain for keyboard heroes who have nothing else to do but sit on this site and pollute it with mindless ramblings.

You two have a great time and I know you will. I will find comfort that I wont come across your posts for a few days.

This site needs an "IGNORE" option.

- - - Updated - - -



No issues with you Fusion. You told us about some very close calls and that sucks! We had a couple too but it is to be expected. As I said, the constant DOOM and GLOOM of some posters here about holiday and weekend riding just bugs the beejesus outta me.

We were probably staying at the same place and didn't even know it!!!! Dang!

 

[venturenorth]

can we all play nice now?.....everyone has a right to their own opinions, but I come to this forum to LEARN things....
...... so why not just RIDE.....?

 

[groomerdriver]

Where is the ignore option on this site?

 

[polarisrider1]

Where is the ignore option on this site?

You seem to know it all. Look for it.

 

[chop]

Well its good that no one was hurt. We had a similar close call in Hayward at the end of last season. The leader of our group was almost head-oned by a rider in the middle of an oncoming group who was trying to make up ground. Everyone ended up OK and the sleds survived so we went on our way. It sounds like he's still a bit gun shy from the incident still so I maybe be leading this coming weekend.

I like to think that every close call is a learning experience for someone. Hopefully they take a lesson away from a close call and alter their riding accordingly... or maybe Im just giving them too much credit and they do the same thing to someone else around the next corner.

 

[frnash]

Where is the ignore option on this site?

See the (click →) "JohnDee.com Discussion Board FAQ", (quoted here in part):

Can I block posts, emails and messages from specific users?

If there are particular members that bother you and you do not want to see their posts or receive Private Messages and Emails from them, then you can add these members to your 'Ignore List'. There are several ways to do this:

Through your User Control Panel: User CP, Settings & Options, Edit Ignore List. Then, type their name into the empty text box and click 'Okay'.

Go for it!

 

[frnash]

Posting quotations - a refresher course.

Incidentally, this thread demonstrates a clear need for a refresher course in (click →) posting quotations. It isn't as difficult as you make it seem, just edit with some care y'all!

 

[united]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6cxNR9ML8k

 

[skutr]

I usually ride point and my first rule is to remember that I'm not the only idiot on the trail. My second rule is to remember rule number one.

 

[whitedust]

I usually ride point and my first rule is to remember that I'm not the only idiot on the trail. My second rule is to remember rule number one.

Now that is a good one.LOL

 

[groomerdriver]

Lots of times snomo sites read just like the musky fishing sites I used to frequent. Some of those guys and gals would sniff, snort and just plain laugh at some of the mistakes newbies would make. They would guffaw when somebody proudly posted a pic of their personal best....it was 40". OMG...if it's not over 50" why on earth would you even dare to show the fish and your face in the picture?

Just remember, we were all newbies once. Did you start out being an expert?

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See the (click →) "JohnDee.com Discussion Board FAQ", (quoted here in part):Go for it!

Thanks for the help!

 

[POLARISDAN]

the best part of this thread was watching the little rascals..been forever..im going to start utubing them..they colorized the one..cooool..

 

[DamageInc]

This is why I avoid Wisconsin at all costs. I ride the UP and spend most of it off trail. I just returned last night from the UP and I can say it was a ton of fun. I find that there is too much drinking going on in Wis. for me. I can drink at home, we go to ride. Just my .02

There are plenty of rookies in the U.P., too. If I had a dollar for every retard I saw today coming down the middle of the trail, or taking corners on the wrong side, I'd have a $hitload of dollars. And they usually have a hand in the air, signaling that there is a sled or two behind them, unaware that there are twenty people behind them. How about you keep both hands on the bars and steer that piece of $hit to the right side of the trail.

 

[whitedust]

There are plenty of rookies in the U.P., too. If I had a dollar for every retard I saw today coming down the middle of the trail, or taking corners on the wrong side, I'd have a $hitload of dollars. And they usually have a hand in the air, signaling that there is a sled or two behind them, unaware that there are twenty people behind them. How about you keep both hands on the bars and steer that piece of $hit to the right side of the trail.

Yep noticed that today mostly riding in the center of trail but I can deal with that plenty of room for me far right on UP trails but it did make me wonder if they are afraid to bear right or what? Oh well no biggie trail conditions were great!

 

[snobuilder]

The title of this tread is kinda boring so when it hit page 2 I had to take a peak and see what direction the "new" debate was
heading in.....LOL...never disappointed on JD.