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

[towtruck]

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.

I hear ya, had a scheduled trip to Bergland over MLK trail reports were just fair BEFORE the big week end, then the forecast was way below zero but we were committed - the area got a foot of snow thursday, temps below zero but we ride off trail and only had to ride a few miles on trail all weekend so even the trails were good and the woods had a foot of fresh-3below is not all that cold when someone is getting stuck every 12 minutes! so like you said if you wait for perfect conditions --well maybe get an atv and set your sights on summer-"oh but the flies are bad"! wa wa

 

[durphee]

Had a trip several years ago and rode 2 great days, third day was 50 and raining....never seen snow melt away so fast in my life. Ended up boozing, bowling, and playing cards all day. Actually was a great time just relaxing. definitely disappointed we couldn't ride and felt bad for some of the guys whom that was their only trip of the year. If someone chooses not to ride that's their choice, I have backed out of some trips due to conditions...but those conditions were really, really bad. I have always said that even low snow in N wisc the trails can be pretty dang good, they groom a lot.

 

[goofy600]

Did similar thing 2 years in a row, drove 310 miles Friday after work to camp. Next morning dug trailer out loaded sleds drove another hour north dropped sleds rode 200 miles with my son loaded back up drove hour back to camp, next day unloaded sleds then drove 310 miles back home. And would do it again if my son wanted.

 

[POLARISDAN]

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.

they should start a category for guys like u..b*tch wine cry..and u guys can all go in there and post all the reasons for not riding or enjoying sledding..not sure why u even come on this site

 

[euphoric1]

Call me a complainer, bi*tcher what ever you want I have gone when snow and temperature are ideal and trails sucked, I have sat in the cabin while it rained and headed out as soon as it stopped, ridden in the rain, rode in the warm temps and sweated my *** off while I rode on mashed potatoes, yes I could have not went or stayed home but I went and I rode and I complained about every mile some times, but there is 5 days a year I get to for surely ride, the worst was one year on corridor 100, the moguls were so bad, shocks completely faded, swore the sled in front of me would disappear at times they were so deep. As much as I will try not to miss every opportunity to ride, I will admit I still B*tch sometimes even if temperature and snow depths are ideal because no matter how you look at it, plowed roads, muguls, washboard and gravel still suck no matter what you ride, even though ill still ride, Ill still b*tch.

 

[1fujifilm]

Call me a complainer, bi*tcher what ever you want I have gone when snow and temperature are ideal and trails sucked, I have sat in the cabin while it rained and headed out as soon as it stopped, ridden in the rain, rode in the warm temps and sweated my *** off while I rode on mashed potatoes, yes I could have not went or stayed home but I went and I rode and I complained about every mile some times, but there is 5 days a year I get to for surely ride, the worst was one year on corridor 100, the moguls were so bad, shocks completely faded, swore the sled in front of me would disappear at times they were so deep. As much as I will try not to miss every opportunity to ride, I will admit I still B*tch sometimes even if temperature and snow depths are ideal because no matter how you look at it, plowed roads, muguls, washboard and gravel still suck no matter what you ride, even though ill still ride, Ill still b*tch.

Have you ever rode the access trail to and from the Houghton, MI Super 8; I HATE IT, IT IS NEVER GROOMED ONCE PER SEASON! Sorry about that.
It is reminiscent of the access trail to the Hurley Holiday Inn (called something else now) that had the largest moguls outside of Munising; at least they groomed that every few weeks.
The Super 8 access has chisel points much like riding a plowed field; FOR THE LOVE OF WHAT YOU LOVE. TAKE A FREEKING BOBCAT THROUGH THERE OR SOMETHING ONCE IN A WHILE.
Sad to say, I'll be back soon.

Bear

 

[snobuilder]

Have you ever rode the access trail to and from the Houghton, MI Super 8; I HATE IT, IT IS NEVER GROOMED ONCE PER SEASON! Sorry about that.
It is reminiscent of the access trail to the Hurley Holiday Inn (called something else now) that had the largest moguls outside of Munising; at least they groomed that every few weeks.
The Super 8 access has chisel points much like riding a plowed field; FOR THE LOVE OF WHAT YOU LOVE. TAKE A FREEKING BOBCAT THROUGH THERE OR SOMETHING ONCE IN A WHILE.
Sad to say, I'll be back soon.

Bear

Been having thoughts lately if a guy could make some cash doing custom grooming of spur trails with a sled and small drag set up......chit it would be like getting paid to snowmobile.

 

[timo]

You must be a joy to ride with.

Call me a complainer, bi*tcher what ever you want I have gone when snow and temperature are ideal and trails sucked, I have sat in the cabin while it rained and headed out as soon as it stopped, ridden in the rain, rode in the warm temps and sweated my *** off while I rode on mashed potatoes, yes I could have not went or stayed home but I went and I rode and I complained about every mile some times, but there is 5 days a year I get to for surely ride, the worst was one year on corridor 100, the moguls were so bad, shocks completely faded, swore the sled in front of me would disappear at times they were so deep. As much as I will try not to miss every opportunity to ride, I will admit I still B*tch sometimes even if temperature and snow depths are ideal because no matter how you look at it, plowed roads, muguls, washboard and gravel still suck no matter what you ride, even though ill still ride, Ill still b*tch.

 

[euphoric1]

At times yes I can be, wont deny it, that's just who I am, probably don't meet a lot of peoples standards but oh well

You must be a joy to ride with.

 

[snobuilder]

We lowered our expectations and enjoyed "it" today.
The huge groups from Saturday were gone, the groomers were able to get back to work and the plan was to run what I figured to be lesser.used trails.
The plan worked and while we didn't do our avg 150 to 200 miles, we rode about 70 good miles in southern Forest and northern Oconto Counties.....a few loops were done twice cuz they wuz so nice.
Big thanks to the LMT as well as Paul Bunyan Club. Also a big thanks to them who don't leave the super highway rr grade trails!....LOL

Oh yea and also a big big thanks to the gal 3rd in line of your group of 10 or so riders we met while on a short rr grade run south of Carter. Thanks for being able to jerk right just enough to give me my 4' a trail space while my right ski left a virgin track in the 3 day old snow!
I guess a 25 foot wide corner wasn't enough room at the speed you were going. Sure was a good thing I had a warning from the first 2 sleds.

 

[snomoman]

Gotta get an air horn, It makes the best of both worlds

 

[durphee]

Here's what you get for riding in less than stellar conditions.......would do it again any day of the week! It was the access road riding that got me! Was cutting into ski a little bit but nothing too bad. Slapped a new pair on, shimmed up my skis and ready to go.

 

[xcr440]

Minor details......

 

[Cirrus_Driver]

No thanks....I'll pass. 1-3 moving into Vilas right now, should help.