Hand signals are nice...but if I can see you (the leader)...I will see what's behind you...I prefer people keep in control, keep their hands on the bars, and stay to the right...safety first...can't use your brake if you are doing hand signs...We do use hand signals...but there have been times in loose snow conditions where I could not take my hands off the bars...it happens...I certainly don't get mad and flip people the bird if they don't....COMMON COURTESY...goes a long way... how do you know that other sled isn't a kid, or new rider...who may know the hands signs...but isn't doing them because they are scared...or concentrating on keeping their sled on their side of the trail.....hand signs are not my pet peeve...idiots who drive with their brights on ...now that's who pisses me off!!...a guy nearly blinded me...I almost went into the pickers...cause I couldn't see...I flashed my brights on him...and he finally got the hint...I came to a complete stop..until they went by...that will get you the finger...a smack to the helmet...or ice ball from me.
Idiots on the trails
- Thread starter berglandbaybar
- Start date
these guys going 80mph are in the middle of the trial because they can't control their sleds at that speed on their side of the trial and they certainly can't take a hand off the bars because they are already on the edge of out of control at that speed- for them to not slow down and move over when when traffic is approaching is pathetic and dangerous. And even if nobody gets hurt that day it really takes the fun out of trial riding when you are reminded your safety is in the hands of a few idiots who think they know how to drive a snowmobile. I met these guys on the trial once in while too--it is the main reason I found legal off trial ridding to be so much fun, but when you are with your family and they want to ride trials , you still have to deal with these guys....
Sigh. Homan - like I said: "Sounds like she was also going way too fast for passing [on-coming traffic] conditions." Obviously if one slows down they can articulate more control - and easily so with one hand. Not sure why or how you extrapolated that to riding single-handed all the time. It IS very possible to operate at a safe enough speed to permit the brief, couple-second release of the bar to signal while maintaining complete and safe control of your sled. If you [someone/whoever] cannot - then you are going way too damn fast for crossing paths with other sleds - simple as that.
Yes I agree - that is the core of my point, as I also stated earlier: "This is much less about hand signals and much more about the safety, respect and consideration of others on the trail overall."
cover your own ars out there. hand signals or not expect more sleds around next bend EVERY time and u will be ok.tell your kids to ALWAYS expect a sled around the next corner.
IMHO it is just dumb to think because some person flashes 2 fingers it is all clear after u get the fist.
CYOA because no one other than u will
IMHO it is just dumb to think because some person flashes 2 fingers it is all clear after u get the fist.
CYOA because no one other than u will
Well, here's my 2 cents. If they're under control and show that they're concerned for their safety and mine, I'll return the signal. If the skis are doing the wig wag, tail end is fishtailing and they're still accelerating, then they're on their own. Most likely they don't care who, what, or how many are in front of them anyway. I don't mean to be harsh but that's the cold, hard reality of it.
onlypolar4me
Member
I was waiting for someone to get this conversation this year, I've read through numerous threads
on this topic over the years, and have been converted.
I used to do the hand signal thing, but keeping hands on bars makes more sense to me, and always
anticipating oncoming traffic should be a given.
I think signaling last sled just gives some the false sense no one else coming now I can ride like ****!!
As for the groomers, I do signal them.
Just my two cents
on this topic over the years, and have been converted.
I used to do the hand signal thing, but keeping hands on bars makes more sense to me, and always
anticipating oncoming traffic should be a given.
I think signaling last sled just gives some the false sense no one else coming now I can ride like ****!!
As for the groomers, I do signal them.
Just my two cents
KARMA.......Our group was on trail 10 out of Mercer early this week, riding along 30-40 mph, a safe speed when Ricky and 8 of his friends came up behind us. I was the last of three sleds in our group, Ricky rode for about 10 minutes at my 7 o'clock allowing me to see his ski tips from time to time. We went through several long straights where Ricky and his friends could have passed but chose not too. Finally in twisting turns of the timber Ricky went by me with his skis in the air, then the train began. Our leader nearly pooped in his pants when Ricky went by. Well five minutes after Ricky and his friends went by we witnessed Karma in it's best form. Ricky had taken a short cut through the stickers that ended with five people pulling his sled back onto the trail with a broken spindle. Hahahaha I laughed my way down the trail for miles. Ricky was not injured he was pulling the sled too. This was about 5:30 PM.
What burns my butt,is not just the 2 subjects talked about above, and as Sandy put it, is it putting on a helmet that just makes people lose common since? What isn't being understood in the sport of snowmobiling, it's pretty simple you drive your sled like you drive your car, you don't drive down the middle of the road or in the other lane, or stop in the middle of the trail/ road, or park side ways on a cornor , or stand in the middle of the trail/ road next to your sled to chat with someone or on your phone, what's so hard about this, 1st sled of the pack and last sled should/ could give a hand signal, I'm pretty sure the rest are seen unless you all drive with a 1/4 mile between you, and unless if you don't look back, there could be another group behind you so therefore you are not the last one. If your going to hand signal ,the groomer operators would really appreciate it if at least the last person signals.Please remember it's not all about you, your speed or your knowlege of what you think is a good rider, there are fathers,mothers, daughters, sons, etc. out there would you want to lose one to a snowmobile accident?
I was riding on the Freda loop trail 120 yesterday enjoying the fresh snow and staying to the right on every curve as always when the first two sleds coming at me were side by side,I gave a hand signal alright ***? Pulled over until all the Ricky's went by. I wonder how many other riders they may have terrified with their antics? Be careful out there folks
Tell you what, my family loves to ride snowmobiles, but as I get older and slower, I am scared to take my 13 year old daughter for a ride because I fear for her safety. She has been to safety classes and told proper trail practices from me, but I am scared as heck for her because of as I used to be. "the ricky rockets of the trails." She is missing alot of fun and fellowship because when I am able to ride I know what kind of people are on the trails, but aftyer more experience and coaching I may relax on her behalf.
A sledder was just killed last Sunday near Kenton . Was told by a first responder that they think the first sled hit a deer and the second sled ran over the rider that hit the deer. This area is notorious for sled/ atv deer hits. Expect the unexpected. Ride safe. The accident is still under investigation.
berglandbaybar
New member
The deer snapped the guys neck. That is what he died from. And no alcohol was involved.
What some people don't understand is under those helmets and snowmobile suits are folks in their 70 and 80's. Do you think these people that think they own the trails will feel the same way when they are snowmobiling later in life?
onesnowman
New member
Dont let your trails go!
Hey this problem is not going away unless we as rides do what we should. Call the DNR or the local police and file a complaint for reckless driving, or driving under the influence. These are motor vehicles and the laws are out there use them. Don't give up your trail and something you love to do.
Hey this problem is not going away unless we as rides do what we should. Call the DNR or the local police and file a complaint for reckless driving, or driving under the influence. These are motor vehicles and the laws are out there use them. Don't give up your trail and something you love to do.
krupps_resort
New member
LORI - You are soooo right
highhertel
Member
About 5 years ago my wife and I went for a short night time ride around Sevastopol, Door County WI. We were nearing a small hill and I noticed headlights coming my direction on the other side of the hill. Good thing I kept to the far right side of the trail, the snowmobile crested the hill air born, it would have been a direct hit if I was riding closer to the center of the trail.
Unfortunately, later that night there was a snowmobile fatality in Southern Door. Guess who the driver was? Yep, the guy that almost took us out, I got a good look at his sled as he was taking air over the hill, same sled involved in the fatality.
Closest call I ever had snowmobiling.
HH
Unfortunately, later that night there was a snowmobile fatality in Southern Door. Guess who the driver was? Yep, the guy that almost took us out, I got a good look at his sled as he was taking air over the hill, same sled involved in the fatality.
Closest call I ever had snowmobiling.
HH
srt20
Active member
Funny how it's always the " young guys"
My bro got hit by a older guy. He was leading with his daughter on her own sled behind him. He crested a hill right in the middle and hit my bro in the left front. My bros Sled was garbage, clutch was laying in the bellypan still attached to the crank snout. Broken wrist for my bro.
My bro got hit by a older guy. He was leading with his daughter on her own sled behind him. He crested a hill right in the middle and hit my bro in the left front. My bros Sled was garbage, clutch was laying in the bellypan still attached to the crank snout. Broken wrist for my bro.