Knuckleheads, Morons, FIB's, or locals... You Decide.

[Hot Tub Mike]

"Let's sort out what kills our sport!

I have visited this site more than I eat during the snowmobiling season and today I'm breaking my silence with my first post... Please forgive me if I sound a little fired up! I am truly dumbfounded by the lack of intelligence some so called locals and groomer experts vomit onto this site... Let me rant for a few minutes and I will teach you a little bit about the sport and how it has evolved over the past 4 decades in Northern Wisconsin and the UP. I started riding up North when I was 16 years old with a great group of people that I call friends 40 years later because of this great sport! We were what some of you call Knuckleheads, FIB'S, Dumb Asses, Morons, Etc. We begged, borrowed, and saved for every trip up North to enjoy our friendship, our sleds, and the trail system. We didn't have a lot of money but we trailered from Illinois, piled into local hotels, and filled the local bars with energy and cash. We rode in every condition mother nature could throw at us, mud, rain, snow, bumpy or smooth. We didn't complain because we were up North having fun for a couple days until the pocketbook ran out of green! We couldn't wait a few days for perfect conditions. We needed to get back to school!

As the years went on we pulled dozens of people into the sport from all over Illinois and Wisconsin as we explored the best places to ride and have fun... Fast forward a few years with a little more financial stability and we were all renting homes for the entire season in Presque Isle, Wisconsin. We all purchased new sleds almost every year and we were heading North all the time. We built relationships with everyone, locals, business owners, and people from all over the planet that enjoyed the sport and respected the place we all love so much. Yes, we did some dumb ****, but for the most part we were simply having fun, promoting local business, and funding the grooming effort. Let's jump ahead 30 years and see what the picture looks like now: With successful businesses and good career choices our crew owns at least 6 second homes in Presque Isle and Winchester and we have grown into several huge groups of riders and families. I have ten sleds in my garage, pay taxes, pay contractors, purchase trail passes in both states, and patronize my friends that own the local businesses and bars. I just took some of my friends to the airport today as they head back to Australia, South Carolina, California , Minnesota, and Washington. We have kids learning to ride snowmobiles and ski, teens riding sleds, and adults well into the golden years enjoying the sport. We all have fun and we all support the local club!

One of my best friends sold his business and now lives in Winchester full time in semi-retirement mode. Oh and to mention, he is one of the original FIB's. He is now the trail boss of our club, a volunteer fireman, and a paramedic...just to keep him busy when you haters have heart attacks! We are all members of the local club and my frinds that live in other states are members because of us morons. We groom, brush, donate, and support the club in every way. We love all four seasons in the North Woods and though you may not consider us locals, I don't think you would mind being our friends and neighbors!

Come up and ride the SnowBunnies trails, bring your friends and family... Ride in the rain and slush if you choose, we will meet you at the bar by truck. Mother nature will bless us with more snow and we will fix the ice moguls with the groomer... No problem! Water holes, we fix em' or route you around safely! Wave at us when you see us FIB's, Morons, and Knuckleheads in the groomers! I guarantee we maintain some of the best trails in the North... Happy New Year!


Thanks for reading my rant!

 

[hermie]

I know in the club I belong too up in the beautiful Northwoods is full of transplant FIBs. Most of that were out brushing and most of the groomers were FIBs at one time.

 

[ddhanna]

So what's killing our sport?

 

[slowsi00]

fear the bunnies! - some of the best kept trail systems in Wisconsin in my opinion.

"Let's sort out what kills our sport!

I have visited this site more than I eat during the snowmobiling season and today I'm breaking my silence with my first post... Please forgive me if I sound a little fired up! I am truly dumbfounded by the lack of intelligence some so called locals and groomer experts vomit onto this site... Let me rant for a few minutes and I will teach you a little bit about the sport and how it has evolved over the past 4 decades in Northern Wisconsin and the UP. I started riding up North when I was 16 years old with a great group of people that I call friends 40 years later because of this great sport! We were what some of you call Knuckleheads, FIB'S, Dumb Asses, Morons, Etc. We begged, borrowed, and saved for every trip up North to enjoy our friendship, our sleds, and the trail system. We didn't have a lot of money but we trailered from Illinois, piled into local hotels, and filled the local bars with energy and cash. We rode in every condition mother nature could throw at us, mud, rain, snow, bumpy or smooth. We didn't complain because we were up North having fun for a couple days until the pocketbook ran out of green! We couldn't wait a few days for perfect conditions. We needed to get back to school!

As the years went on we pulled dozens of people into the sport from all over Illinois and Wisconsin as we explored the best places to ride and have fun... Fast forward a few years with a little more financial stability and we were all renting homes for the entire season in Presque Isle, Wisconsin. We all purchased new sleds almost every year and we were heading North all the time. We built relationships with everyone, locals, business owners, and people from all over the planet that enjoyed the sport and respected the place we all love so much. Yes, we did some dumb ****, but for the most part we were simply having fun, promoting local business, and funding the grooming effort. Let's jump ahead 30 years and see what the picture looks like now: With successful businesses and good career choices our crew owns at least 6 second homes in Presque Isle and Winchester and we have grown into several huge groups of riders and families. I have ten sleds in my garage, pay taxes, pay contractors, purchase trail passes in both states, and patronize my friends that own the local businesses and bars. I just took some of my friends to the airport today as they head back to Australia, South Carolina, California , Minnesota, and Washington. We have kids learning to ride snowmobiles and ski, teens riding sleds, and adults well into the golden years enjoying the sport. We all have fun and we all support the local club!

One of my best friends sold his business and now lives in Winchester full time in semi-retirement mode. Oh and to mention, he is one of the original FIB's. He is now the trail boss of our club, a volunteer fireman, and a paramedic...just to keep him busy when you haters have heart attacks! We are all members of the local club and my frinds that live in other states are members because of us morons. We groom, brush, donate, and support the club in every way. We love all four seasons in the North Woods and though you may not consider us locals, I don't think you would mind being our friends and neighbors!

Come up and ride the SnowBunnies trails, bring your friends and family... Ride in the rain and slush if you choose, we will meet you at the bar by truck. Mother nature will bless us with more snow and we will fix the ice moguls with the groomer... No problem! Water holes, we fix em' or route you around safely! Wave at us when you see us FIB's, Morons, and Knuckleheads in the groomers! I guarantee we maintain some of the best trails in the North... Happy New Year!


Thanks for reading my rant!

 

[Hot Tub Mike]

ddhanna, I should have elaborated on what fired me up prior to my post.... Read some of the replys on the thread started by goingnorth on the Mercer trails being closed one evening. I just found some of the posts offensive and totally unwarranted. I believe we all can enjoy the sport and contribute to the economy and trail systems. Calling people names and branding people as knuckleheads, morons, and FIB's is divisive and childish. The point was that young and old alike we need people to keep the sport healthy and human kindness is something we should all embrace. I laugh at some of the garbage these haters post as if they own the trails or have some governing power over how they are enjoyed. Cheers!

 

[dfattack]

ddhanna, I should have elaborated on what fired me up prior to my post.... Read some of the replys on the thread started by goingnorth on the Mercer trails being closed one evening. I just found some of the posts offensive and totally unwarranted. I believe we all can enjoy the sport and contribute to the economy and trail systems. Calling people names and branding people as knuckleheads, morons, and FIB's is divisive and childish. The point was that young and old alike we need people to keep the sport healthy and human kindness is something we should all embrace. I laugh at some of the garbage these haters post as if they own the trails or have some governing power over how they are enjoyed. Cheers!

IMO the best strategy is to ignore them. I believe they are just trying to stir things up and cause trouble...it might just be their nature and possibly don't even realize what they are doing. In other words maybe that's how they conduct their day to day lives and it's normal for them to be like that. I know people who were most comfortable finding things to be upset about. It's unhealthy for sure, but those types of people are around. Once you engage with them they typically don't want to settle down and they just want to be "right". Be secure in who you are and what you believe in and let it go...or hit the trails!

 

[kip]

You're right Hot Tub Mike. We're all on the same team. Lots of people from WI, MN, IN, and IL come and help with our trail clean up in the Fall time and are very dedicated! They understand and appreciate what it takes for everyone else to be able to enjoy them. I hear complaints all the time and I understand the frustration but you'll never hear a complaint from those who are directly involved with any trail work. Sounds like your area is very lucky to have you!!!

 

[1fujifilm]

So what's killing our sport?

Good question.
Pulled into Ramada in Hancock, MI last night at midnight and there were only a dozen trailers with rooms still available.
Usually, they are booked solid and rooms are $200.

Did see (hear) some fellas come in with cans ablazin though. And another idiot idling a old POS Ram diesel for a half hour in front of the no idling signs.

Bear

 

[Yenann]

Good question.
Pulled into Ramada in Hancock, MI last night at midnight and there were only a dozen trailers with rooms still available.
Usually, they are booked solid and rooms are $200.

Did see (hear) some fellas come in with cans ablazin though. And another idiot idling a old POS Ram diesel for a half hour in front of the no idling signs.

Bear

dude. This is what he is talking about. POS, Idiot, ablazin. Come on enough of the name calling. I was called a dickhead in post hot tub is referring too. This is getting out of hand!!!

 

[WorkHardPlayHrd]

Good question.
Pulled into Ramada in Hancock, MI last night at midnight and there were only a dozen trailers with rooms still available.
Usually, they are booked solid and rooms are $200.

Did see (hear) some fellas come in with cans ablazin though. And another idiot idling a old POS Ram diesel for a half hour in front of the no idling signs.

Bear

A Saturday night in the Thumb and the Ramada has rooms available. That is amazing and unheard of. Did everyone cancel due to the rain last weekend?

 

[timo]

After weeding thru the self grandiose,,, What was your point??

"Let's sort out what kills our sport!

I have visited this site more than I eat during the snowmobiling season and today I'm breaking my silence with my first post... Please forgive me if I sound a little fired up! I am truly dumbfounded by the lack of intelligence some so called locals and groomer experts vomit onto this site... Let me rant for a few minutes and I will teach you a little bit about the sport and how it has evolved over the past 4 decades in Northern Wisconsin and the UP. I started riding up North when I was 16 years old with a great group of people that I call friends 40 years later because of this great sport! We were what some of you call Knuckleheads, FIB'S, Dumb Asses, Morons, Etc. We begged, borrowed, and saved for every trip up North to enjoy our friendship, our sleds, and the trail system. We didn't have a lot of money but we trailered from Illinois, piled into local hotels, and filled the local bars with energy and cash. We rode in every condition mother nature could throw at us, mud, rain, snow, bumpy or smooth. We didn't complain because we were up North having fun for a couple days until the pocketbook ran out of green! We couldn't wait a few days for perfect conditions. We needed to get back to school!

As the years went on we pulled dozens of people into the sport from all over Illinois and Wisconsin as we explored the best places to ride and have fun... Fast forward a few years with a little more financial stability and we were all renting homes for the entire season in Presque Isle, Wisconsin. We all purchased new sleds almost every year and we were heading North all the time. We built relationships with everyone, locals, business owners, and people from all over the planet that enjoyed the sport and respected the place we all love so much. Yes, we did some dumb ****, but for the most part we were simply having fun, promoting local business, and funding the grooming effort. Let's jump ahead 30 years and see what the picture looks like now: With successful businesses and good career choices our crew owns at least 6 second homes in Presque Isle and Winchester and we have grown into several huge groups of riders and families. I have ten sleds in my garage, pay taxes, pay contractors, purchase trail passes in both states, and patronize my friends that own the local businesses and bars. I just took some of my friends to the airport today as they head back to Australia, South Carolina, California , Minnesota, and Washington. We have kids learning to ride snowmobiles and ski, teens riding sleds, and adults well into the golden years enjoying the sport. We all have fun and we all support the local club!

One of my best friends sold his business and now lives in Winchester full time in semi-retirement mode. Oh and to mention, he is one of the original FIB's. He is now the trail boss of our club, a volunteer fireman, and a paramedic...just to keep him busy when you haters have heart attacks! We are all members of the local club and my frinds that live in other states are members because of us morons. We groom, brush, donate, and support the club in every way. We love all four seasons in the North Woods and though you may not consider us locals, I don't think you would mind being our friends and neighbors!

Come up and ride the SnowBunnies trails, bring your friends and family... Ride in the rain and slush if you choose, we will meet you at the bar by truck. Mother nature will bless us with more snow and we will fix the ice moguls with the groomer... No problem! Water holes, we fix em' or route you around safely! Wave at us when you see us FIB's, Morons, and Knuckleheads in the groomers! I guarantee we maintain some of the best trails in the North... Happy New Year!


Thanks for reading my rant!

 

[snobuilder]

dude. This is what he is talking about. POS, Idiot, ablazin. Come on enough of the name calling. I was called a dickhead in post hot tub is referring too. This is getting out of hand!!!

Doood...if the shoe fits.....diesel idling idiots should be tied to their 12" tailpipes.
Smelly twerps.

 

[Hot Tub Mike]

Reading Comprehension : The ability to process text, understand its meaning, and integrate with what the reader already knows.... Nothing grandiose about it my friend, I am simply tired of people being so divisive with name calling and generalization of snowmobilers from a specific state or town, etc. I don't have anything to prove or gain from the post. I just can't believe the offensive garbage some people post. I will likey refrain from contributing in the future. The simple point I was making is that the people who some refer to as Knuckleheads, FIBS, Morons, etc. may very well be your neighbors, fellow club members, and even friends someday. The only thing killing the sport is the lack of new participants, we should all work to promote the brotherhood of snowmobiling and we should attempt to make it a pleasant experience as we share the trail and promote our clubs. Yes, some people need a lesson in trail etiquette and respect, however, you can't expect every rider to have the same goals and agendas. Never going to happen!

 

[old abe]

Good question.
Pulled into Ramada in Hancock, MI last night at midnight and there were only a dozen trailers with rooms still available.
Usually, they are booked solid and rooms are $200.

Did see (hear) some fellas come in with cans ablazin though. And another idiot idling a old POS Ram diesel for a half hour in front of the no idling signs.

Bear

Yeah, well, he was driving a Dodge, eh?

 

[RHFD547]

Hot Tub Mike, you are my hero my friend. Very well written post! I'm sure your post will take numerous turns in all directions but the fact of the matter remains the same.

 

[snobuilder]

When you FIBS gonna start running some a dat sweet govment approved Mary Jane up to da nortwoods?

 

[harvest1121]

I am coming up Wednesday how much you want? Jk could care less about it. The edibles sound interesting but not worth losing my job over. Looks like Bush lite it will be.

 

[DamageInc]

Why did you feel the need to start a new thread for this, instead of ranting in that one? Is it because you didn't want people to see the quote from the Mercer club, which asked people to stay off the trails until they freeze? "We are advising and highly suggesting that all snowmobiles are off the trails tonight by 11pm. We will be having our fleet of groomers out from 11pm-8am. We want our trails to set up and freeze tonight so we have a good base for all of you. Again this isn’t mandatory but it will greatly help us save our trails for you."

It's sound like you are butthurt because Illinois residents were targeted in that thread. But apparently you did not read very well, because several people specifically said that not all Illinois residents are bad apples, and not all the bad apples are from Illinois. Not one person said otherwise.

And you may have been riding a long time, but you still have a lot to learn a lot about grooming. If wet moguls refreeze and then you get fresh snow on top, a groomer can level it off and even cut the tops off some bumps. But there are still frozen moguls underneath, and traffic will cause the new soft snow to reform to the shape of the moguls underneath. It's a lot easier to keep the trail smooth if it has a smooth base underneath. Since Mercer got a foot of fresh WET snow to pack in, which can really freeze in well to help fix those moguls, they asked people to stay off while it froze. Yet here you are claiming that you know better, and telling people to ride while it's warm. That might be fine if it was March, but it's still early, and having a flat base will pay off in the coming months. That's why they asked people to stay off.

- - - Updated - - -

Reading Comprehension : The ability to process text, understand its meaning, and integrate with what the reader already knows.... Nothing grandiose about it my friend, I am simply tired of people being so divisive with name calling and generalization of snowmobilers from a specific state or town, etc. I don't have anything to prove or gain from the post. I just can't believe the offensive garbage some people post. I will likey refrain from contributing in the future. The simple point I was making is that the people who some refer to as Knuckleheads, FIBS, Morons, etc. may very well be your neighbors, fellow club members, and even friends someday. The only thing killing the sport is the lack of new participants, we should all work to promote the brotherhood of snowmobiling and we should attempt to make it a pleasant experience as we share the trail and promote our clubs. Yes, some people need a lesson in trail etiquette and respect, however, you can't expect every rider to have the same goals and agendas. Never going to happen!

Really? So loud pipes and trespassing are not the reason for all of the trail closures and re-routes, it's a lack of new participants? You can't be serious. You waited all this time to post, just to be a troll?

 

[old abe]

Yeah, well, all true what you posted Damage.

 

[Attak man]

Why did you feel the need to start a new thread for this, instead of ranting in that one? Is it because you didn't want people to see the quote from the Mercer club, which asked people to stay off the trails until they freeze? "We are advising and highly suggesting that all snowmobiles are off the trails tonight by 11pm. We will be having our fleet of groomers out from 11pm-8am. We want our trails to set up and freeze tonight so we have a good base for all of you. Again this isn’t mandatory but it will greatly help us save our trails for you."

It's sound like you are butthurt because Illinois residents were targeted in that thread. But apparently you did not read very well, because several people specifically said that not all Illinois residents are bad apples, and not all the bad apples are from Illinois. Not one person said otherwise.

And you may have been riding a long time, but you still have a lot to learn a lot about grooming. If wet moguls refreeze and then you get fresh snow on top, a groomer can level it off and even cut the tops off some bumps. But there are still frozen moguls underneath, and traffic will cause the new soft snow to reform to the shape of the moguls underneath. It's a lot easier to keep the trail smooth if it has a smooth base underneath. Since Mercer got a foot of fresh WET snow to pack in, which can really freeze in well to help fix those moguls, they asked people to stay off while it froze. Yet here you are claiming that you know better, and telling people to ride while it's warm. That might be fine if it was March, but it's still early, and having a flat base will pay off in the coming months. That's why they asked people to stay off.

- - - Updated - - -



Really? So loud pipes and trespassing are not the reason for all of the trail closures and re-routes, it's a lack of new participants? You can't be serious. You waited all this time to post, just to be a troll?

X2