Riding in big groups with inexperienced drivers

[fusion]

As I've said in years past, riding christmas to new years is taking chances with total amateurs.

Case in point today, riding 11N just west of the split with 8, in Vilas Cty.
large group mostly riding center of the trail, but woman about center of pack on my side coming at me. I waved her over which was no doubt an exercise in futility.

Then 10 minutes later on 8E I encountered a group right at a hair pin turn. Very narrow trail and blind corner, I think it was 1st sled but might of been 2nd, its a blur, sled completely in middle of trail. A woman judging by pink sled and clothes. Never ever did this before but had to pass the dangerous incompetent idiot on the left. I thought for sure my sled was a gonner. There was absolutely no room to pass her in right side of trail, if I would of tried, I would of hit her for sure. Fortunately not going fast enough to kill myself but would of messed up my week something fierce.

People riding in large groups please tell the inexperienced riders to always stay right and expect someone at every turn. I'm done riding with the idiots for a few days.

Good news is, Vilas Cty trails are real good shape right now. But lots of riders.
Ride safe and watch out for the amateurs, they're out in force!

 

[ezra]

I find it best to just stay off the trail all together.
U can not pay me to do the UP from X mass to new yrs.
last time I did x mass up there was with the wife and she will never go back . that was in 06

 

[whitedust]

As I've said in years past, riding christmas to new years is taking chances with total amateurs.

Case in point today, riding 11N just west of the split with 8, in Vilas Cty.
large group mostly riding center of the trail, but woman about center of pack on my side coming at me. I waved her over which was no doubt an exercise in futility.

Then 10 minutes later on 8E I encountered a group right at a hair pin turn. Very narrow trail and blind corner, I think it was 1st sled but might of been 2nd, its a blur, sled completely in middle of trail. A woman judging by pink sled and clothes. Never ever did this before but had to pass the dangerous incompetent idiot on the left. I thought for sure my sled was a gonner. There was absolutely no room to pass her in right side of trail, if I would of tried, I would of hit her for sure. Fortunately not going fast enough to kill myself but would of messed up my week something fierce.

People riding in large groups please tell the inexperienced riders to always stay right and expect someone at every turn. I'm done riding with the idiots for a few days.

Good news is, Vilas Cty trails are real good shape right now. But lots of riders.
Ride safe and watch out for the amateurs, they're out in force!

I had a day like that 2006ish on 10e kid falls off his sled directly in front of me puts me over the berm in the pickers on the left side of trail but better than a dead kid. Brush the kid off get him going behind me & proceed on my loop now on 10w/6w back to Phelps come to a blind turn must be 10 peeps with kids running around everywhere, some guy peeing, his wife walks right in front of me never looked on a different planet. At that point just said F this.... went home haven't ridden much on weekends since then.

 

[russholio]

Hearing stories like these just reinforces my gratitude that I've never had to ride on weekends and reminds me why I still won't consider doing so. I feel for the folks that don't have much choice.

 

[whitedust]

NBC TV out of Eagle River saying lots of traffic,lots of bad wet areas and lots of accidents. Also said many of first time riders in the area which is great for the sport but no idea what they are doing. We have to share trails with them like always so beware & be careful.

 

[fusion]

I was literally shaking for 20 minutes. I don't know how I missed her and don't know what made me go left but glad I did because here was 7-8 sleds behind her.
After I passed I just sat there looking at her and all them pass me, cussing into my helmet. It's a damn good thing I wasn't driving that fast today. Lots of others were though.
I slowed to cross a Cty highway just west of Sayner and proceeding slowly over the road here comes a throttle jockey that couldn't wait till we got past the road to pass me. Passed me double wide IN the road.
I waived them by. Tried to follow them for a bit to see how they were riding and OMG talk about riding balls to the walls. Just crazy. I bottomed out my suspension on a mogul and said F this.
Glad I made it home in one piece and lucky me get to watch Halmark channel with the little woman.
Think I'd rather risk my life with the amateurs. LOL

 

[whitedust]

I was literally shaking for 20 minutes. I don't know how I missed her and don't know what made me go left but glad I did because here was 7-8 sleds behind her.
After I passed I just sat there looking at her and all them pass me, cussing into my helmet. It's a damn good thing I wasn't driving that fast today. Lots of others were though.
I slowed to cross a Cty highway just west of Sayner and proceeding slowly over the road here comes a throttle jockey that couldn't wait till we got past the road to pass me. Passed me double wide IN the road.
I waived them by. Tried to follow them for a bit to see how they were riding and OMG talk about riding balls to the walls. Just crazy. I bottomed out my suspension on a mogul and said F this.
Glad I made it home in one piece and lucky me get to watch Halmark channel with the little woman.
Think I'd rather risk my life with the amateurs. LOL

After my horrible Vilas weekend event my hands were shaking too.... I actually told the wife "I'm done with this sport".....she just laughed the said "never happen Pete" "No I'm done" .... She was right I'm still riding but not on busy weekends or Derby weekend.....I mostly head north to UP even on weekdays on unplowed FRs then ride UP trails in areas where others don't go. Not much snow in WI south of Vilas you know where they all go if they want to avoid MI permit & you are in the middle of worst of it.

 

[nhra1000]

We just sit back and enjoy the show...and ive seen it all...prop yourself up near a gas station during this week...you would not believe what weve seen....amateur week I will sit out. See you on the trails January 6th!

 

[dickhouse]

As I've said in years past, riding christmas to new years is taking chances with total amateurs.

Case in point today, riding 11N just west of the split with 8, in Vilas Cty.
large group mostly riding center of the trail, but woman about center of pack on my side coming at me. I waved her over which was no doubt an exercise in futility.

Then 10 minutes later on 8E I encountered a group right at a hair pin turn. Very narrow trail and blind corner, I think it was 1st sled but might of been 2nd, its a blur, sled completely in middle of trail. A woman judging by pink sled and clothes. Never ever did this before but had to pass the dangerous incompetent idiot on the left. I thought for sure my sled was a gonner. There was absolutely no room to pass her in right side of trail, if I would of tried, I would of hit her for sure. Fortunately not going fast enough to kill myself but would of messed up my week something fierce.

People riding in large groups please tell the inexperienced riders to always stay right and expect someone at every turn. I'm done riding with the idiots for a few days.

Good news is, Vilas Cty trails are real good shape right now. But lots of riders.
Ride safe and watch out for the amateurs, they're out in force!

It is crazy that we allow women to ride snowmobiles, have cell phones, and vote. Glad you're ok.

 

[whitedust]

We just sit back and enjoy the show...and ive seen it all...prop yourself up near a gas station during this week...you would not believe what weve seen....amateur week I will sit out. See you on the trails January 6th!

I have been known to take my lawn chair to boat launches on 4th July weekend just to watch the show. Mother's Day very entertaining @ FL saltwater boat ramps too....sometimes wonder if fist fight will break out that nutso.

 

[srt20]

I have been known to take my lawn chair to boat launches on 4th July weekend just to watch the show. Mother's Day very entertaining @ FL saltwater boat ramps too....sometimes wonder if fist fight will break out that nutso.

I have often thought about just hanging out at the boat docks and offer to back up their boat trailer and load their boats, for a fee of course. Lol.




I will say, as much as some people complain about others being amateurs, they sure do seem to forget they were once an amateur too.
Lots of "pro" riders on the Internet .....lol

 

[whitedust]

I have often thought about just hanging out at the boat docks and offer to back up their boat trailer and load their boats, for a fee of course. Lol.




I will say, as much as some people complain about others being amateurs, they sure do seem to forget they were once an amateur too.
Lots of "pro" riders on the Internet .....lol

Lots of fun at saltwater ramps the peeps launching or loading always fun but at saltwater ramps you get to see some big ole fish as guides always showing off the catch.

 

[scoot]

It is crazy that we allow women to ride snowmobiles, have cell phones, and vote.

Yep, I propose we start the Professional He Man Rider's "Woman Amateur Rider Haters Club". We can elect Alfalfa as president because he hates women. We need to nip this in the bud before they start standing up, wearing mohawks and carrying gardening tools.

 

[G]

When we go to Wisc we arrive Sunday evening. Ride all week and have the sleds on the trailers Friday at noon. We avoid most of the stupids. But as was stated we were young once too. And stupid. Give them room and respect their stupidness. Anything is possible. Sleds are a lot quicker nowadays so rookies that much more dangerous.

 

[440_chazz]

It is crazy that we allow women to ride snowmobiles, have cell phones, and vote. Glad you're ok.

Sounds like you would be better fit for the Middle East.

 

[towtruck]

some of my scariest moments were actually on # 3 around twin lakes on the weekends on straight-aways-
I meet a group going about 80 with skis bouncing all over the place - they are the middle of the trial -out of control (that's why they are in the middle)...then they take a hand off the bar and wave some fingers at me - I not trying restart the finger waving posts - but this has happened to me many times and so I try to stay off the trial on the weekends as well

 

[chicagosledder]

This is why I avoid Wisconsin at all costs. I ride the UP and spend most of it off trail. I just returned last night from the UP and I can say it was a ton of fun. I find that there is too much drinking going on in Wis. for me. I can drink at home, we go to ride. Just my .02

 

[mefroe]

I have no problem with beginners we all were at one time. Riding in a big group being safe and having fun totally relies on the TWO leaders in the group. The front person has the obvious duties. The tail man has even more to do with how things go. He is the one that has to watch for the wrong side of trail riding and at the next stop put the fear in them to never do it again and why. He keeps track of the speed whether too fast or too slow and relays that to the front man, and with that if its a big group then some radio communication is almost a must. yea it cost some money but so does all the other gear you went and bought. When a group is spread out you cant wave a hand for the leader to stop. If everyone is a beginner then it is difficult to learn everything so just drive a safe speed and think of the trails as you would a major 2 lane road driving with your 16 year old with the family car.

 

[bigvin]

Good Thread.
Good Posts!

Be Careful Out There!

 

[Banjo Man]

Being both a leader of a group of newbies and, at other times, behind a slow moving group with a few guys that like to move all I can say is Patience. Leaders of slow movers make sure everyone pulls over in a single file on the right side and check at every stop sign or long straightaway for faster sledders behind your group. And groups passing slower groups, please do so that they all know what is going on and that is best at a stop sign. Groups passing large groups on trail is a sure way to get someone unfamiliar with the sport, scared and possibly lost if they end up following the wrong tailights.