It's the end of the season for me. Heck, it never got started. Along about the middle of February I conceded the season lost. Then a late winter storm provided my first and last ride of the season with two weekdays of low traffic and groomed trails in northern Wisconsin. Outstanding!
I believe that I was the only snowmobiler in North America that wasn't riding in the Keweenaw Pennisula this winter. From what I read the lines were long and the tempers were short. That'll happen when you compress all those people, good & bad, into a small area. Rude behavior is nothing new to our sport but this past year seemed to be the High Water Mark. Even the John Dee website had it's share of Back Biting and Flame Throwers. Each year we welcome new members to the family, most behave themselves and yet others are asked to move on by the Mods. It's kind of the same way out on the trails, probably 95% of us are good snowmobilers with the best interest of our sport in mind, it's the small, annoying percentage with the loud mouth, loud pipes, and riding where they shouldn't. My Dad used to say, "You can't fix stupid, so don't waste your time."
From my experience, some things will never change. You'll always meet an idiot on the wrong side of the trail in a blind corner. The cost of a new machine, gear, and trailers are always more than what you planned on spending, but you will anyways. Some of us will go for our first ride, and some us for our last... some winters it will snow, and some winters it will not.
Here's a big Thank You to all the volunteers including the Groomers and Club Members that do the signage, brushing and fund raising. A challenging year to say the least and here's hoping that next season is a better one for all!
One last thought, we all can agree that this was one of the worst winters for snowmobiling in recent memory. Unless this past winter has a twin, it can only get better with the winters to come!
You take care and we'll see you next season!
I believe that I was the only snowmobiler in North America that wasn't riding in the Keweenaw Pennisula this winter. From what I read the lines were long and the tempers were short. That'll happen when you compress all those people, good & bad, into a small area. Rude behavior is nothing new to our sport but this past year seemed to be the High Water Mark. Even the John Dee website had it's share of Back Biting and Flame Throwers. Each year we welcome new members to the family, most behave themselves and yet others are asked to move on by the Mods. It's kind of the same way out on the trails, probably 95% of us are good snowmobilers with the best interest of our sport in mind, it's the small, annoying percentage with the loud mouth, loud pipes, and riding where they shouldn't. My Dad used to say, "You can't fix stupid, so don't waste your time."
From my experience, some things will never change. You'll always meet an idiot on the wrong side of the trail in a blind corner. The cost of a new machine, gear, and trailers are always more than what you planned on spending, but you will anyways. Some of us will go for our first ride, and some us for our last... some winters it will snow, and some winters it will not.
Here's a big Thank You to all the volunteers including the Groomers and Club Members that do the signage, brushing and fund raising. A challenging year to say the least and here's hoping that next season is a better one for all!
One last thought, we all can agree that this was one of the worst winters for snowmobiling in recent memory. Unless this past winter has a twin, it can only get better with the winters to come!
You take care and we'll see you next season!
