A Rider's Real Ablity to Drive a Snowmobile?

[harski]

Another thought from this past week riding is how much trust we put in someone's ability to ride in such tight quarters. My wife and I were stopped deciding where we were going and as we were ready to go a group of 4 riders (1 or 2 men, and 1 or 2 women) went by and coincidently, they were going the same direction. As we got going, I couldn't believe how fast they left us on a tight winding trail!! I picked up the pace to catch them to get a feel of how fast they were going. My guess is for how fast they were going the lead rider was pushing a little hard to be able to stop in a tight corner. Now, my wife and I don't crawl by any means on a tight trail but I sure as heck make sure I am as tight as possible around blind corners and to the right on hills. So, my inquiring mind is wondering, what are peoples real ability to ride a sled and are they really riding at the right pace to their ability or just trying to "fit" in to their group? Are they really looking ahead or just in front of them? Do they really look around corners? I think people ride beyond their ability, terrain, and conditions. It's really scary when you think about it.

Stay safe out there people and be on alert!

Harski

 

[hemi_newman]

We just had a guy blow a stop sign at a very high rate of speed 80+mph on a old railroad bed trail and t-boned a pickup truck. Somehow he is still alive.

 

[whitedust]

You can't worry about it just control your sled so you can get out of the way of oncoming sleds. Usually the leader is pushing his pace but can handle it #2 rider many times is way wide trying to keep up pack from there some are more out of control than others tail end in their comfort zone. For me I stop and tuck behind a tree imo crazy to keep moving when I don't have to...much safer imo.

 

[srt20]

The ones that watch their own skis usually weed themselves out. Hopefully not with anybody else though....

 

[slimcake]

You can't worry about it just control your sled so you can get out of the way of oncoming sleds. Usually the leader is pushing his pace but can handle it #2 rider many times is way wide trying to keep up pack from there some are more out of control than others tail end in their comfort zone. For me I stop and tuck behind a tree imo crazy to keep moving when I don't have to...much safer imo.

x100 if I meet a lead sled I either get off trail or tuck behind tree. Its crazy how clueless the riders I have met. Almost everyone doesn't see me until it would be to late. I am always looking over the snowbanks around corners and luckily God gave me some real good peripheral vision!!

 

[xcr440]

I run the philosophy that if you can't ride on the right hand side of the trail, on EVERY corner, you are going too fast. EXPECT that sled to come around the corner, EXPECT that sled to come over the hill on your side of the trail, EXPECT the second/third/fourth sled running too fast behind the leaders snow dust trying to keep up.

Is it going to be fail safe? Probably not, but I like my chances a lot better riding that way. The right hand side of my windshield and side panels show it.

And if you are blowing down a rail grade at any speed greater than 30 and riding in the leaders snow dust, you are just asking for trouble. DROP BACK. If your leader doesn't wait at intersections so you know which way to go, then find a different leader.

 

[durphee]

and # 2 and on riders have a harder time seeing through the snow dust, which makes it even worse. Ya just gotta ride like there's going to be a sled coming up in the twisties. We have a good group and everyone rides to their abilities, not saying things can't and don't happen. I definitely slow down when i see sleds coming up.

 

[firefighter1]

I agree with the thought of always expecting another rider around the corner. That’s why I tell my 14 year old to not signal riders and keep his hands on his handlebars and control his sled. We should all always expect another sled coming, you don’t have to tell me if your the first rider or the last. Usually the last rider has another group behind him he does not know about so hand signals mean nothing to me. I have spent most of the last two weeks in the western UP and had a few close calls with people riding on my side of the trail. I was riding very cautious the second week as a friend and I both had our 14 year old sons with. For the most part riders were doing the right thing.

 

[blkhwkbob]

I run the philosophy that if you can't ride on the right hand side of the trail, on EVERY corner, you are going too fast. EXPECT that sled to come around the corner, EXPECT that sled to come over the hill on your side of the trail, EXPECT the second/third/fourth sled running too fast behind the leaders snow dust trying to keep up.

Is it going to be fail safe? Probably not, but I like my chances a lot better riding that way. The right hand side of my windshield and side panels show it.

And if you are blowing down a rail grade at any speed greater than 30 and riding in the leaders snow dust, you are just asking for trouble. DROP BACK. If your leader doesn't wait at intersections so you know which way to go, then find a different leader.

This is my philosophy to the t.

 

[old abe]

I agree with the thought of always expecting another rider around the corner. That’s why I tell my 14 year old to not signal riders and keep his hands on his handlebars and control his sled. We should all always expect another sled coming, you don’t have to tell me if your the first rider or the last. Usually the last rider has another group behind him he does not know about so hand signals mean nothing to me. I have spent most of the last two weeks in the western UP and had a few close calls with people riding on my side of the trail. I was riding very cautious the second week as a friend and I both had our 14 year old sons with. For the most part riders were doing the right thing.

Very good!!! I'm with ya all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Self responsibility. Don't endanger others!!!

 

[maddogg]

I truly believe that the power and ease of riding of the newer sleds make people way more confident then they should be. I was following my wife home last night and she almost got t-boned by two sleds blowing a stop sign at night. I was on the phone with her and yelled that the two sleds weren't going to stop and she should hit the brakes. Thank gosh. I got out of my truck and informed them that the trails were closed (and to make sure everyone was alright) and all I got was a bunch of profanity. This is why the trails get closed - no registration, no trail pass, no knowledge of how to ride, no courtesy and two brand new machines.

 

[rp7x]

Hemi did that happen in spooner ? On Monday

 

[Clintondf]

x100 if I meet a lead sled I either get off trail or tuck behind tree. Its crazy how clueless the riders I have met. Almost everyone doesn't see me until it would be to late. I am always looking over the snowbanks around corners and luckily God gave me some real good peripheral vision!!

Exactly what i do as well.

 

[hemi_newman]

Hemi did that happen in spooner ? On Monday

Yes, it was just north of Spooner

 

[lotoftoys]

Riders abilities really have no place on the trail. If the other rider panics due to your speed , sled darts or whatever the result will the same ; tragic. Slow it down. I have been riding since 1972 and sleds are way too quick. Test your ability on the track! I have just left a group I rode with due to speed. They are all great riders just way to fast for me as I age. Think of the loss to a family when you are 80MPH and a six pack in please. Thank You.

 

[snobuilder]

Our race team is running new or resharpened Shaper bars every trail race weekend for ultimate control. It is the responsible thing to do.

Been a year of icy corners again....please keep your equipment NASCAR safe.... No matter what brand you run,...don't trust worn parts!

 

[harski]

I run the philosophy that if you can't ride on the right hand side of the trail, on EVERY corner, you are going too fast. EXPECT that sled to come around the corner, EXPECT that sled to come over the hill on your side of the trail, EXPECT the second/third/fourth sled running too fast behind the leaders snow dust trying to keep up.

Is it going to be fail safe? Probably not, but I like my chances a lot better riding that way. The right hand side of my windshield and side panels show it.

And if you are blowing down a rail grade at any speed greater than 30 and riding in the leaders snow dust, you are just asking for trouble. DROP BACK. If your leader doesn't wait at intersections so you know which way to go, then find a different leader.

This is my approach too which is the same as riding a cycle. All it takes is one idiot that isn't paying attention to take you out! Always assume folks are going to do what they shouldn't do.

I just ultimately think people are riding to fast to their ability and am quite shocked more people don't get hurt. Again, be safe folks!

Harski

 

[shelby369]

During the last 20 years, I've been hit head on two times, one by the second sled coming around a corner hot, the other was the forth sled riding on my side of trail on a straight away and just plowed into me.... I now go out of my way to "not be the lead rider" of our group, I ride during the day with the mindset that every sled out there is trying to kill me..... The folks who understand the sport seem to be all on the same page, but there are some real winners riding way over there head some days.... as we say in our group, "riding fast is dangerous, but knowing how to ride fast is fine"
I tell every new person I ride with "ride within your ability, we are all going to the same place, get there safe" sometimes it sinks in, some times it takes a "holy @#%*" for them to understand... I'm all for new folks learning the sport and enjoying with friends and family, just use common sense based on day/night, weekdays/weekends, white or brown trails, traffic, etc, etc, Be safe folks !!
.

 

[whitedust]

I try to ride in areas where there is no traffic or light traffic sometimes I have to ride busy trails to get where I'm going and I don't ride on weekends. Over the years I have clicked skis when other sleds that appeared in a flash, had a kid fall off a sled in front of me and ended up in the pickers. Worst of all a rental 2up swung to my side of the trail for no reason outside ER put me deep in the pickers. What pissed me off is the 2up never stopped to see if I was all right or helped me pull my sled out of the brush. Stuff happens out there but come on at least check on the rider when you force someone off the trail.

 

[zr600]

I ride on weekdays only. I love to drive fast, however I like to live and I love my wife and daughter. Over the last few years I have slowed considerably around blind corners. If I cant see where I'm going as well what is coming at me I keep it as in control as I possibly can.
I feel night riding is safer due to ability to see headlights.
Ive been in a group when 2 people were killed. Speed is not worth it.
Couple years ago I let the wrong guy take lead- 3 miles later broken back. Speed is not worth it.
Ride safe don't be a cowboy that wrecks other lives.