Interesting Take on the New Signage...
- Thread starter russholio
- Start date
So, safe to assume this is an area that all of you, or at least you, are familiar with? Safe to assume that none of you are first-time or inexperienced riders? Nice to have these in your favor.
Bad example, bro! Any newbies to the area could have changed the outcome a smidge.
No, this a perfect example, none of us have ever been that far east before today. We have never been on that trail before today.
And yet, you tell us that you were 'AT HOME'.... which was it? home or somewhere new?
Mrs. Russholio
When I say "at home" I mean, I left this morning, riding out of my garage, and on to the trail system 3 blocks up the street. We then decided to head east, at an intersection, instead of north like we normally do, thus taking us on to a trail we have never been on before.
Really? So you must have just moved there. If I lived in an area where I could ride a trail system out my back door I would know every inch of the trail in a 360 degree radius. Oh yea wait, I do have a second home in NWL and I do know every inch of the trail. Still want signs for others that are less experienced and do not know the trails. So being a moderator you must be a seasoned rider so I am not surprised you made it across the bridge safely. LOL
I have been a long time member on this site and visit it all most everyday in the fall and winter months, I very rarely post but this one has me scared, I have a 13 year old son who took the safety course last spring and cannot wait to ride our great trails here in michigan. Here lies the problem, I have worked very hard with him to be responsibile, respectful of others and there property and ride with in his abilities, but as stated in one of the earlier post we as snowmobilers do not always ride in the best conditions or where sight distance is optimum. I am very familar with the mmutcd( mi. manual for uniform traffic control devices), working for a road commission doing maintenance, almost everything we are taught is that an informed motorist is a safe one. I for one think that trails should be marked as best as possible, for the sake of every rider no matter their skill level. We as a riding comminuty know that some riders will never be respectful of our fellow riders and ride with in there abilities but I fear that there will be many more blown corners and accidents where signs could at some level of safety prevent the worst kind of accident, one where usually the safe rider ends up being the injured party. We could turn this into a large debate about engine sizes and trail speeds and our need to one up the guys next door, but to slow us down why not just go back to good old fashion 440s and smaller. I for one remember having just a s much fun a on earlier 70's sno pony as I do on my ski-doo today.
Sorry for being long winded
Chris
Sorry for being long winded
Chris
So you know every inch of trail in the NWL? That is awesome!
You obviously do not understand sarcasm but that's OK. The post just below mine from Chris just does not hit home with you does it? It's not all about you and your buddies and how capable you are. It is also about families and young kids on the trail. At the end of the season we will see what the statistics look like regarding injuries and fatalities. I would love to be wrong on this one and see zero fatalities or at least a significant drop from last year.
Sure I do, do you?
I understand what Chris is saying. I saw lots of families out riding today.
dj2muchjunk
New member
You guys are giving me a headache
Signs are good.
Thanks
Signs are good.
Thanks
I agree, I will no longer comment on this thread. I hope everyone has a great season of riding!
polarisrider1
New member
okay.
anonomoose
New member
Whatever the reason was that Michigan decided to go with fewer signs, the most probable result will be more going off the trails, either by accident or on purpose, more close calls...who doesn't get those each winter...and the very likelihood that as accidents and injuries make their way into the statistical books that insurance will go up, and more laws will be enacted by those who think more is good, and ultimately speed limits and enforcement...which will require higher trail fees to offset the costs...
We have to be dumb as stumps not to see where this will all take us.
Let's see here....I am a politician, community leader, head of committees and law enforcement....
I open with seeing that there were MORE deaths on the trail system in Michigan (other states will follow or lead...)
What to do about it?
Can't limit sled horse power which is increasing each year. Can't limit the Ricky Racer...so what's left?
More monitoring of the trail system....
Speed limits requiring reduced speeds which will then enable the enforcement team to write more tickets to help support the increase in enforcement.
Gett'n the picture here?
The only only only thing that will improve upon the above picture is self enforcement....redesign of trails....restricting some trails so that family oriented groups can go without worrying about the Ricky Racer types. I still say that one way trails would pretty much end the "wow, that was a close one..." phenomenon and more places to pull off the trails safely are needed. I also believe that large berm trails are way safer too if they can be made, and even to set aside days where families can go on regular trails with kids and less skilled riders with perhaps a 'FRIDAY SPEED LIMIT' which everyone would have to respect.
With the cost of sleds being what they are, and lack of snow and the resulting lack of trail permits being sold, in order to attract more to the sport-- we need to be proactive.
I just don't think it will happen....so sadly I believe we will see more of the above scenario of speed limits and enforcement and more laws which will further restrict an otherwise great pass time. We may very well be at the PEAK of snowmobile ownership.
We have to be dumb as stumps not to see where this will all take us.
Let's see here....I am a politician, community leader, head of committees and law enforcement....
I open with seeing that there were MORE deaths on the trail system in Michigan (other states will follow or lead...)
What to do about it?
Can't limit sled horse power which is increasing each year. Can't limit the Ricky Racer...so what's left?
More monitoring of the trail system....
Speed limits requiring reduced speeds which will then enable the enforcement team to write more tickets to help support the increase in enforcement.
Gett'n the picture here?
The only only only thing that will improve upon the above picture is self enforcement....redesign of trails....restricting some trails so that family oriented groups can go without worrying about the Ricky Racer types. I still say that one way trails would pretty much end the "wow, that was a close one..." phenomenon and more places to pull off the trails safely are needed. I also believe that large berm trails are way safer too if they can be made, and even to set aside days where families can go on regular trails with kids and less skilled riders with perhaps a 'FRIDAY SPEED LIMIT' which everyone would have to respect.
With the cost of sleds being what they are, and lack of snow and the resulting lack of trail permits being sold, in order to attract more to the sport-- we need to be proactive.
I just don't think it will happen....so sadly I believe we will see more of the above scenario of speed limits and enforcement and more laws which will further restrict an otherwise great pass time. We may very well be at the PEAK of snowmobile ownership.
Past peak of ownership by many years & market is & has been shrinking in USA. EPA had a lot to do with this as well as high cost of new sleds. High cost of trail permits, lack of signage & the list goes on & on of new concerns for family rider saftey mostly due to Ricky Racer on wrong side of trail & then we take down signs?? For me I would only ride where I knew I could protect my family from high speed on coming traffic that is well signed.
polarisrider1
New member
Agree on way past peak. Snowmobiling does not need to be in the death sport spot light that it is. Riders need to slow down. Drinking and riding along with Ricky Racers will be our doom. I do see speed limits in the future garanteed. Heres my idea: Maybe planned out courses with permit fees and such would be the way to cull them. Charge a fee and let them have at it. Maybe have half of them run clockwise and the other half counter clockwise, throw in some sharp blind corners, some slow riders and a few logging truck crossings to help add excitement? Oh wait isn't that what we have now. We are doomed.
anonomoose
New member
Sarcasm noted!
What we have are folks who will make the decisions for the whole industry and these are the very people who do not participate in any of it. Naturally it is simply a matter of passing laws and instituting speed limits and putting a big control valve on the whole sport. And just as naturally, it will hurt the sport even more and the spiral will continue.
What we have are folks who will make the decisions for the whole industry and these are the very people who do not participate in any of it. Naturally it is simply a matter of passing laws and instituting speed limits and putting a big control valve on the whole sport. And just as naturally, it will hurt the sport even more and the spiral will continue.
polarisrider1
New member
Thank you, now if only Ricky racer would grow up and understand this.
I never thought I woud say this, but after reading the entire thread....I wonder how the sport would change if there were mandatory speed limits for all tight sections....something simple like a limit of 35 unless it's open/straight etc....would this provide the 'policing' that we are saying we need....?
I know my family and I would still ride. In fact we might be tempted to ride more freqently, and on weekends like MLK where it's traditionally been one of the most dangerous times to be out (at least in the eastern UP in the years 2001-2006 when we first started riding there....). We have never been ones to push it hard in the twisties, but all of us, including mama, like to wick it up when the trail is wide, straight and safe.
So everyone....how many people do you think would drop the sport if there were (enforced) speed limits on some parts or all of the trail system?
I know my family and I would still ride. In fact we might be tempted to ride more freqently, and on weekends like MLK where it's traditionally been one of the most dangerous times to be out (at least in the eastern UP in the years 2001-2006 when we first started riding there....). We have never been ones to push it hard in the twisties, but all of us, including mama, like to wick it up when the trail is wide, straight and safe.
So everyone....how many people do you think would drop the sport if there were (enforced) speed limits on some parts or all of the trail system?