I have been riding solo for many, many years. Well I was out west and ran into a terrible snow storm had to spend the night out in the woods and I can't tell you the importance of carrying a good survival kit. Kept warm and was well nourished until the light of day and I could find my way back to the lodge.
Riding Solo
- Thread starter etec146
- Start date
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lenny
Guest
sweeperguy
Active member
I also ride alone alot. Amen to being prepared, i have one of those mylar survival blankets on both my sleds, along with heavy chook, dry socks, and good choppers, and matches in waterproof container (its possible to start fire with your snowmobile spark plug, look it up on you tube, good skill to know ). Along with tools and spare plugs, zip ties, baling wire, and wire for electrical. And a good ratchet strap. Can NEVER carry too much if you have bag room for it. Wish i had more storage on my sled.
arcticgeorge
New member
I dont like riding alone for the most part. I will rip to the store or elsewhere to get something or a bite to eat but putting on hundreds of miles by yourself i just dont get? Of course exceptions being riding for a specific cause like Nick Keller. I finally have a regular partner to ride with now that my friend moved up here from Il.
No so bad like driving a car alone stop, get gas, lunch, whatever then move on. Buds fun too but can also be unreliable so just ride alone always peeps that will help on trails... Have to admitt I do worry on some of the remote stuff but still ride it alone just not as often as I would like.
firefighter1
Active member
I ride alone a lot because my job affords me time off during the week when others are working. I have no issue riding alone but it's during the daytime. You can't talk to your riding partner while you ride anyways. When I stop to eat I make conversation with the people in the restaurant or I just check john dee and post my pictures. I don't however carry as much stuff as other so I may have to up my game. Typically I will ride 100-150 miles alone and have fun doing so. I do have some people that can ride occasionally during the week with me and it's always a better time. I have never worried about being stranded before but now that I had some issues with my sled a few weeks back it has crossed my mind.
snobuilder
Well-known member
Riding alone means never having to look back or wait.
This thread has me thinking of all the people I've rode with over the years. Many got in to snowmobiling for just a few years and then dropped out for various reasons. I much prefer riding with a group but when it's time to go and I'm solo I don't have a problem with it. I probably take fewer chances and stay on more familiar trails when alone but it also gives you more freedom to choose how you ride and when you come and go. I always make sure someone knows my plans, where I park the trailer and when I'll be home.
With my business I have to go when I can. Usually that means a spontaneous jump in the van and go, mostly during the week. Most people I ride with have to "Plan trips" and can be unreliable sometimes so I tend to ride alone more often than not. sometimes I meet people in the UP to ride with at the bars, gas stops and restaurants. I have been riding up there for 15yrs so I know pretty much know my way around and only ride during the day. I do enjoy being able to ride like I want to and not waiting for anyone. Only time I got nervous was last year coming back from Houghton, it was -18 and getting dark, thought that if something happened I may freeze to death as I did not see anyone for hours on the trail. I think this year I am going to post up on the ride board and see if others are solo and want to ride. Kip at Pats Yamaha gives me **** for riding alone as I always stop by to see whats going on over there and drink some coffee.
garyl62
Active member
This is almost exactly me too. While it's fun to make a trip with the guys, or meet new people on the ride board or on the trail and hook up for a while, I have no problem taking a trip solo. For me that's 400 miles each way so it's usually for 3 or 4 days. It's nice to set your own agenda and go where you want, but I will say I'm sure I've missed out on some fun because when I'm solo I stick to the trails 100%, I stop at dark and then take the truck when I go for dinner.
bearrassler
Well-known member
I ride about 500 to 800 miles a year by myself. I enjoy it because you can travel at your own pace and stop only when you want. I don't carry as much survival gear as some of you had mentioned and do ride in some remote areas, many without cell service. I maybe should be more careful because I ride a Polaris 800 2 stroke and use regular fuel with 10% ethanol. So far so good though. Welcome to the board etec146, nice to have another Nodak on here.
For me a solo run frees my mind not thinking bout anything but the ride & part of why I do it. I rode with 1 bud who got more & more crabby on the trail so pulled into a bar bought him a drink & and asked him "what's up"? Here he is in the middle of no where riding & all he was thinking about was a fight with his wife.... lol..... Next day he calls me says "I'm sooo sorry I know I was not fun to be with"..... I just laughed figured he made up with his wife in a big way.LOL
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fusion
Guest
I've spend enough time riding in clubs with groups of 20 or more, in-laws, and son's or wives trailing behind me.
I'd much rather have the worry-free feeling of riding alone, at my own pace, with nothing to slow me down or concern me.
I worry way too much with people following me and that doesn't make for a good time.
I'd much rather have the worry-free feeling of riding alone, at my own pace, with nothing to slow me down or concern me.
I worry way too much with people following me and that doesn't make for a good time.
POLARISDAN
New member
i woke up thinking about this thread and i remember the night my 2102 pos 800 went down i was out in the late in the night at one point 30 miles from the hotel in mass city alone(and it was like 0 out) and as i came into the little town rosseau with the bar out 12 from mass when i pulled to the stop sign and stopped, the whole friggin sled shuttered and basically laid down..no turn over nothing..luckily the bar was just closing and i caught the tender and she gave me a ride to hotel...although i always carry multiple lighters in case i need to start a fire, i never carried anything additional..just a wakeup call to us who travel alone..be more prepared for a breakdown..(the crank sheared completely off)
and on a funny note..i have a new way to start a fire..just ride your '13 pos 800 till it starts on fire like mine did..pull out the marshmallows and enjoy
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G
Guest
Our group used to consist of about 15. One by one they have all gone away over time for various reasons. It is tough to find somebody to ride with especially on weekdays. So as the years go by I find myself riding alone more and more. One thing is for sure - you can put on a lot more miles alone than you can in a group. If conditions are good you can run up the miles in a hurry. One day I took off at about 7 AM from my house and aimed for Cable, Wisc. The trails were good, the sun was shining and the temps were very nice. Before I knew it I was at he Wisc border at 4 PM. Slowed down from there and ended up at the Lakewoods at about 9 PM. 490 miles. Nothing to it. Another time I rode from Grand Marais MN to Baudette in one day. That was about 500 miles also. You have to go around the stupid Boundary Waters. Again the trails were nice and the temps were good. Don't let nice days and nice trails go to waste just because you can't find somebody to ride with. The season is short enough as it is.
I ride alone frequently. Sometimes evenings, sometimes weekends, all depends on Deb's schedule (she likes to be a passenger, won't drive. So still alone as far as having a ride out of the woods.) and if my kids are up visiting. I have no problem making a 50 to 100 mile loop.
Last Feb, I needed to get one of my sleds here, so I did make a 198 miles one way trip from Sheldon to Conover ALONE. 8 hours later, I was hungry & tired but safely home.
Last Feb, I needed to get one of my sleds here, so I did make a 198 miles one way trip from Sheldon to Conover ALONE. 8 hours later, I was hungry & tired but safely home.
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fusion
Guest
>and on a funny note..i have a new way to start a fire..just ride your '13 pos 800 till it starts on fire like mine did..pull out the marshmallows and enjoy<
Literally LMAO! Excellent - people sure like to rip on their Poo 800's. I've been looking at an Indy 800 for 3 weeks and just can't do it. There's a reason it's still sitting at the dealer for a great price.
I personally think the best ride is with two people that both like to ride at roughly the same pace, and take the same amount of stops. Makes it a bit more interesting and protects you a bit if something happens. I don't like to stop more than once in a day, in good temps and conditions.
Literally LMAO! Excellent - people sure like to rip on their Poo 800's. I've been looking at an Indy 800 for 3 weeks and just can't do it. There's a reason it's still sitting at the dealer for a great price.
I personally think the best ride is with two people that both like to ride at roughly the same pace, and take the same amount of stops. Makes it a bit more interesting and protects you a bit if something happens. I don't like to stop more than once in a day, in good temps and conditions.
camphappyplace
Member
Congrats to etec146 for being prepared. Spending an entire night outside during a snow storm out west and being able to talk about is something. I occasionally ride alone and will admit I should be better prepared. I do make a point to be done by nightfall but realize that a breakdown or accident could mess that up. As already stated, it's not always possible to have riding partners. I recall back in the late 90s working my tail off for several weeks in a row during prime sledding season. I finally had a day off. I awoke early, trailered my sled for 5 hours to snow. Unloaded and rode about 250 miles solo. Loaded back up and drove home and was back in the office by 8:00 am. That day of riding will always be remembered cause it was just what the doctor ordered!
Not exactly riding solo to start, but wound up solo after getting separated from riding partner:
From CBS5AZ.com (click →) "Missing AZ snowmobiler found alive in Utah". How to survive? "Be prepared!"
From CBS5AZ.com (click →) "Missing AZ snowmobiler found alive in Utah". How to survive? "Be prepared!"