indy_500
Well-known member
I wore a Klim tekvest in my offtrail days but can’t bring myself to wearing one trail riding. I did make the little dude wear an MX style tekvest, and I believe it helped protect his ribs on his accident.
Been a rough month
- Thread starter indy_500
- Start date
I'm not about to tell someone what to do but agree it's more needed trail riding. Trees don't move. I never even notice mine
Ya man that sucks,, no one said snowmobiling was cheap.
I can recall the 70's and early 80's my old man CONSTANTLY working on circa early 70's doo's and Johnsons we had. I'd help him when i was like 7 years old, no heat in the garage I didn't know difference between a pliers and a screwdriver and he' tell me to grab something and inevitably it was the wrong tool and he'd fly off the handle on me. Then he start the machines up with the garage closed half the time and the fumes would dam near knock me out.
Good times this sport.
I can recall the 70's and early 80's my old man CONSTANTLY working on circa early 70's doo's and Johnsons we had. I'd help him when i was like 7 years old, no heat in the garage I didn't know difference between a pliers and a screwdriver and he' tell me to grab something and inevitably it was the wrong tool and he'd fly off the handle on me. Then he start the machines up with the garage closed half the time and the fumes would dam near knock me out.
Good times this sport.
I finally went and purchased a Tek Vest prior to a planned extended big mile Canadian trip. I did so at a dealer who staff knows how to get the correct and proper fit in order to protect me. Perfect, as I would have bought the wrong size doing so by my self. We had to move our starting point due to rain, ice, and then snow. First day out I came to a hard right turn and up a very steep hill. At the top was a hard left turn that I was unprepared for. I over shot the turn and ended up coming out of it cork screwing down the trail. Underneath the sled several times before getting separated from it. Sled ended up 100' down a steep ravine. My suit was torn up badly, I was badly beaten up, but I was alive. Don't ride without protection, it absolutely saved my life to ride again!
I advise all my buds to buy protection never know when an off is coming. That off comes and it’s better to come out of it well without bruises or worse. I had 2 offs flipped over the windshield came down on my back freaked out getting my helmet off when covered with snow but I was fine a bit breathless but aok. I’ll never ride with out a vest!
hermie
Well-known member
Yeah it only took me a couple rides to get used to my vest now feel like I am missing something the minute I forget to put it on. I personally won't ride without it now. Just way to many Yahoo's out there who can't seem to understand ride right and things happen fast on the trails
indy, I honestly thought just as you on trail riding, until my good friend lost his riding bud. Chest, and vital organ injuries caused his death. And I was really surprised, but I don't even realize I'm wearing mine, and feel naked not wearing it. It's become part of my clothing routine. I feel proper fitting is a must. Don't take the gamble, the risk isn't worth it.
jakester23
Member
Indy, I have read things that you have put out on this sight going back around at least 15 years maybe more. I'm sure we sent a few things back and forth. Anyways I have older kids ranging from 45 43 21 18 . 2 different wives. 
I have been a single Dad last 11 yrs. Sandy Krupp was like my U.P. Mom. So I have been in a club 47 yrs, Marked trails have done some grooming and enjoy the sport. Many hours of work and it is great to see that you are involved in your young guys life. I not trying to tell you what to do, But with my kids and now grandkids that will get certified next year, I have learned from some a few good and bad experiences That it worked a lot better to put your younger or least experienced riders behind your lead driver. Just a thought from a old veteran! Good luck, and remember bad things can happen to good people. Take care Jake
I have been a single Dad last 11 yrs. Sandy Krupp was like my U.P. Mom. So I have been in a club 47 yrs, Marked trails have done some grooming and enjoy the sport. Many hours of work and it is great to see that you are involved in your young guys life. I not trying to tell you what to do, But with my kids and now grandkids that will get certified next year, I have learned from some a few good and bad experiences That it worked a lot better to put your younger or least experienced riders behind your lead driver. Just a thought from a old veteran! Good luck, and remember bad things can happen to good people. Take care Jake
indy_500
Well-known member
We had my dad leading, then mom, then the woman, then the little dude, then me pulling up the tail. That way I could watch and try to help/teach/correct what he was doing. I would pull up behind and assist him at road crossings as well. The instance where the accident happened, his electric shield cord was coming loose so he started fogging and pulled over, I helped him get the cord pushed back in tight, and cleaned his shield. Before I even got back on my sled, he took off to catch up to them, and having never done that yet with no one right in front of him, he definitely carried more speed than he should have, and came into a whooped out section where everyone was stopping. Because of the 3 foot moguls, I think he was hanging onto the bars for control and focusing on the whoops and misjudged how much time he needed to stop in front of him. He probably only needed a couple more sled lengths time to make it happen but unfortunately didn’t. Sled was just all plastics that were damaged, nothing structural, but was something flawed with nearly every plastic.Indy, I have read things that you have put out on this sight going back around at least 15 years maybe more. I'm sure we sent a few things back and forth. Anyways I have older kids ranging from 45 43 21 18 . 2 different wives.
favoritos
Well-known member
@indy_500 , It's interesting hearing your exact scenario.
We had two newer riders in our group and rode Lake of the Clouds route on the second day. One of them ran into the back of his dad's sled coming out of the whoop section right at the ski road. The kid mentioned that he wasn't looking for, or expecting a stopped sled at the road. I wondered if the wide open trail was almost too easy and the kid wasn't on his A game when trails got tougher.
It's probably harder for new riders to get into the "anything can happen" mode. Experience prepares you to expect tough conditions and surprises. It's funny how experience has also changed my tools and parts routine. In the old days, I carried a little tool pouch and figured I was covered. The tool pouch is bigger now and has a few spare parts. I've also learned to never leave without a tow rope, duct tape, and some stiff wire.
Your little guy is probably learning the preparedness routine with a good example. Riding experience comes with experience. I don't think there's any substitute. I'll add that it does seem like the heavy traffic and resulting conditions have accelerated experience and learning this year.
We had two newer riders in our group and rode Lake of the Clouds route on the second day. One of them ran into the back of his dad's sled coming out of the whoop section right at the ski road. The kid mentioned that he wasn't looking for, or expecting a stopped sled at the road. I wondered if the wide open trail was almost too easy and the kid wasn't on his A game when trails got tougher.
It's probably harder for new riders to get into the "anything can happen" mode. Experience prepares you to expect tough conditions and surprises. It's funny how experience has also changed my tools and parts routine. In the old days, I carried a little tool pouch and figured I was covered. The tool pouch is bigger now and has a few spare parts. I've also learned to never leave without a tow rope, duct tape, and some stiff wire.
Your little guy is probably learning the preparedness routine with a good example. Riding experience comes with experience. I don't think there's any substitute. I'll add that it does seem like the heavy traffic and resulting conditions have accelerated experience and learning this year.