wireburnguy
Member
I have to vent. I waited a day to write this so I had time to cool off. I want to be clear in what I say, including that I am angry...but I don't want the anger to be all that comes thru.
Riding snow has only been with us now for a short time this season and I am already sick and tired of sleds going where they don't belong. This is an every-year event...but it is starting out very strong this year.
I live at the end of town. Like many others in the UP, my commercial building is also my home. I am fortunate and have a nice large yard to enjoy as part of this property and there is a drive that wraps around the building which seems to very tempting to take a spin around.
There are no establishments to visit this far down the street, no reason to ride here. None. You knew that when you Googled your destination.
In the event you find yourself at the dead end of main street accidentally, there is PLENTY of room to turn your sled around in the street. I see you do it downtown without incident. Additionally, everyone sees (and usually drives thru) the public beach access parking lot across the street...a fair place for you to stop/turn/whatever. Your legit reasons to pass thru my private property are still zero.
I raised my children here. They used to LOVE to dig caves in the banks where I plow snow. Fun fact, snowmobilers riding where they don't belong love to ride over those same snow banks. A number of years back, my youngest was in one of them as a nice group of riders passed over the piles...missing the one he was in. I watched in horror as it went down.
Now I have grandkids that LOVE those same snow banks, and are old enough to play in the yard without direct supervision. My own backyard isn't safe to allow them this pleasure. I also have a young dog with a long lead that goes overhead and allows him to go out and do his thing or get a bit of fresh air. He is also in danger.
Keep out / no trespassing signs are of no value. My most obvious one was recently destroyed by the weather however it makes no difference. Once the decision has been made to make the loop, it seems even an encounter with me yelling at you means nothing. NYE and NY morning my yard was very busy. I opted to put orange cones out at both entrances. Spaced so I can drive in/out but to others it should be clear that you are not to enter. Funny, it didn't work. Within a couple hours there was several groups of sleds that blew thru, not even stopping and contemplating if they should proceed.
This unfortunately is not a rare exception, it happens multiple times most every day. When the snow in the drive isn't to your liking, it is very common to just drive in the yard....even when there isn't suitable snow there.
The business next to me has a gate at the entrance that sometimes is open. Very well marked to keep out. Hasn't happened that I have seen yet this season...but it will. "I just wondered what was back there" is what you hear if you are able to confront someone (I work inside that gate).
I have read groomers reports of seeing piles of sleds off trail riding likely where they shouldn't be. Think about me riding my carbides across your yard and driveway. Absurd, right?
I am pro-tourism, pro-trail, pro-come and enjoy the freedom we have in the UP. Most of you are top quality, consciences people however I do believe there is a sizable group of people in the sport that act without regard.
This is a plague on your sport. Since there are no individual consequences (who can catch you) you have to start policing yourselves.
Riding snow has only been with us now for a short time this season and I am already sick and tired of sleds going where they don't belong. This is an every-year event...but it is starting out very strong this year.
I live at the end of town. Like many others in the UP, my commercial building is also my home. I am fortunate and have a nice large yard to enjoy as part of this property and there is a drive that wraps around the building which seems to very tempting to take a spin around.
There are no establishments to visit this far down the street, no reason to ride here. None. You knew that when you Googled your destination.
In the event you find yourself at the dead end of main street accidentally, there is PLENTY of room to turn your sled around in the street. I see you do it downtown without incident. Additionally, everyone sees (and usually drives thru) the public beach access parking lot across the street...a fair place for you to stop/turn/whatever. Your legit reasons to pass thru my private property are still zero.
I raised my children here. They used to LOVE to dig caves in the banks where I plow snow. Fun fact, snowmobilers riding where they don't belong love to ride over those same snow banks. A number of years back, my youngest was in one of them as a nice group of riders passed over the piles...missing the one he was in. I watched in horror as it went down.
Now I have grandkids that LOVE those same snow banks, and are old enough to play in the yard without direct supervision. My own backyard isn't safe to allow them this pleasure. I also have a young dog with a long lead that goes overhead and allows him to go out and do his thing or get a bit of fresh air. He is also in danger.
Keep out / no trespassing signs are of no value. My most obvious one was recently destroyed by the weather however it makes no difference. Once the decision has been made to make the loop, it seems even an encounter with me yelling at you means nothing. NYE and NY morning my yard was very busy. I opted to put orange cones out at both entrances. Spaced so I can drive in/out but to others it should be clear that you are not to enter. Funny, it didn't work. Within a couple hours there was several groups of sleds that blew thru, not even stopping and contemplating if they should proceed.
This unfortunately is not a rare exception, it happens multiple times most every day. When the snow in the drive isn't to your liking, it is very common to just drive in the yard....even when there isn't suitable snow there.
The business next to me has a gate at the entrance that sometimes is open. Very well marked to keep out. Hasn't happened that I have seen yet this season...but it will. "I just wondered what was back there" is what you hear if you are able to confront someone (I work inside that gate).
I have read groomers reports of seeing piles of sleds off trail riding likely where they shouldn't be. Think about me riding my carbides across your yard and driveway. Absurd, right?
I am pro-tourism, pro-trail, pro-come and enjoy the freedom we have in the UP. Most of you are top quality, consciences people however I do believe there is a sizable group of people in the sport that act without regard.
This is a plague on your sport. Since there are no individual consequences (who can catch you) you have to start policing yourselves.
