Find time to ride, lower our expectations, and enjoy it!

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tsg

Member
This thread can actually piggyback on some others just started, but the bottom line is snowmobiling is an activity based on things we cannot control, the weather, time we ride a trail, etc.....! I understand financial constraints and other life related constraints limit when people can enjoy this activity, but if possible, if you can find or make time, and when you do, enjoy it, even if conditions are not ideal! If I postponed a ride or trip every time I heard or thought things were marginal, I would hardly ever get out. I have enjoyed over 1600 miles of riding this year in the UP and NE Wisconsin, where most of the time people or snow sites have reported low snow cover and /or marginal to fair trails, but they have all been better then thought, anticipated, or reported. Yes i have rode some bare spots, hit some rocks, rode some very crappy trails, and have put new carbides on, but I can confidently state I have enjoyed it all. Bitched a little, but looked past it. Yes, I like abundant snow cover and flat, freshly groomed trails, but that is difficult to find on a consistent basis, regardless of location, time of day, clubs, etc....

We all have money tied up in this activity, and understand that it costs money, whether for equipment, gear, gas, lodging, whatever, and more is spent along the way. That's why I do not understand why people need pristine conditions, constantly complain about having to replace carbides, or having to ride over a few bumps or moguls. Still would rather be doing something i enjoy.

i know this post can and will be interpreted a number of ways, but all i am saying is lower your expectations, suck it up a little bit, and enjoy snowmobiling, an activity in reality that lasts only 3-4 months max, for most of us.
 
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paulk

New member
I agree. Ride when you can, smile and enjoy the day. I am close to 5500 miles over the last 2 years. Enjoyed every min of all of it. Bumps, freezing rain, snow, perfect trails, good people and not so good people, I always have fun. I have met a lot of great people and made some friends along the way. We go even if it doesn't look like we will be able to ride just to get away from the flag pole and relax and enjoy being up north.
 
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blkhwkbob

Active member
Sorry, but it's not fun when you plan trips and the trails suck. Especially when you bring friends that pay good money to rent sleds and they can barely ride them.
 
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sjb

Member
Refreshing post TSG, and could not agree more.

My issue this year has been trying to get my kid out - and wanting to make sure it is a good experience. It has either been too icy for what I thought a beginner should ride, or too crowded to throw him in a situation like that. I would rather be safe than sorry with my kids I guess. And then when we do get snow, he usually has basketball tourneys. Don't take this as a complaint - more of just how it has been for this season.

Still have 435 miles for the year in 2.5 days of riding. So when we did saddle up, we were still able to log on some decent miles. 2 more "planned" trips and hopefully sneak 2-3 more last minute trips. Should knock out 1000 miles, which is my goal every year.
 
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800etec

Guest
Nice post,..i,ve been very lucky on my 3 trips ! goin back 2 more times. Ride on friends!
 
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POLARISDAN

New member
blkhwkbob said:
Sorry, but it's not fun when you plan trips and the trails suck. Especially when you bring friends that pay good money to rent sleds and they can barely ride them.
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ur my blackhawks bud..why dont u communicate with me..i will put u on perfect?
 
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Woodtic

Active member
Between me and my two boys,we have gone through 5 Gal of Sea& Snow. Going up next weekend with the wife and 7 year old daughter. The Bravo will get a lot of smiles put on it. It's only Feb,another month and a half of riding in the UP. April ride will just be a bonus.
 
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Snirtdawg

New member
Expected poor conditions on one trip and have been surprised. You have to be flexible with location, be ready to wake up at destination and trailer further if needed. If it is riding near home, it has to be mud before I won't go. My buddies have also changing our strategy and we will continue to ride into April, stick to multi use trails and hit logging roads etc. I equate it to most golfers who only play from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If it is between 40-90 degrees and not pouring rain, I'm playing! I continually tell my wife, if not for sledding and golfing, I'd be flipping burgers cause the pain in the arse that work is not worth it otherwise! This is my mental therapy.
 
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meoget

New member
Yeah, I moved here specifically for snow, but ever since I moved here, we have had light winters. Might be time to move again. This time, it will be Alaska. No more messing about.
I don't even ride trails, but while off trail, a thin layer of snow covering 3 feet of ice is not my idea of fun. Ever try to carve in that crap? I honestly don't have fun, and haven't touched my brand new snowmobile in over a week. Now it's going to be around 40 again?
Sorry, but I am not lowering my expectations, and I am forced to enjoy myself in other ways. $9000 snowmobile is just a fancy yard ornament.
 
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meoget

New member
frnash said:
You moved to Detroit for snow?
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Haha, no. I moved to the Keweenaw from Detroit :)
Detroit never gets any real snow anymore. Actually, not sure they ever did. Probably just seemed like it when I was younger. I was constantly driving to Gaylord and Munising, but I just got tired of driving so much. The year before I moved here was awesome, but as soon as I get here, it's all over, HA!

It's probably me being here that is causing all of the trouble!
 
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POLARISDAN

New member
meoget said:
Haha, no. I moved to the Keweenaw from Detroit :)
Detroit never gets any real snow anymore. Actually, not sure they ever did. Probably just seemed like it when I was younger. I was constantly driving to Gaylord and Munising, but I just got tired of driving so much. The year before I moved here was awesome, but as soon as I get here, it's all over, HA!

It's probably me being here that is causing all of the trouble!
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the guy from maine moved here also..got ran over by 8 feet of snow..havent heard from him since..hahahahaha
 
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snobuilder

Well-known member
Found this old tread and thought it was fitting this season as well.

Reading it reminded me of 4-5 seasons back we got up to the cabin on a Friday night after our usual 4-1/2 hr drive ....next morning we rode about 20 mile of low snow crap to a pistop and had lunch. At that point we got out the phones to find a reservation in Munising which we were lucky enough to get on a crowded weekend. Got back to the cabin, loaded up drove to Muni and still got 100 miles on that day....sometimes ya do what ya gotta do to ride even when ya built a second home where you thought the snowgods lived.
 
uncle_ed

uncle_ed

Active member
snobuilder said:
Found this old tread and thought it was fitting this season as well.

Reading it reminded me of 4-5 seasons back we got up to the cabin on a Friday night after our usual 4-1/2 hr drive ....next morning we rode about 20 mile of low snow crap to a pistop and had lunch. At that point we got out the phones to find a reservation in Munising which we were lucky enough to get on a crowded weekend. Got back to the cabin, loaded up drove to Muni and still got 100 miles on that day....sometimes ya do what ya gotta do to ride even when ya built a second home where you thought the snowgods lived.
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Did the same thing last year. Drove 3.5 hours to the cabin with the expectations of a good winter storm hitting. Woke up to no snow at the cabin but a fresh foot 1.5 hours north. Loaded up the sleds and managed to put on a 100 miles on the sleds and another 180 on the truck. :smile-new:

Cant begrudge somebody for deciding not to ride though.......just not my problem.
 
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