Just curious if the rising fuel costs along with everything else, but as we all know on a good trip fuel can be the most expensive part of an extended stay and ride. So, will it curb or affect your plans for the upcoming season? Me? NO WAY!! only thing that will change my plans...SNOW!...The lack there of! of course I only make it up to the U.P. maybe twice a year, but know the lucky fortunate few make it plenty of times (if there is a such thing as plenty)
Rising fuel costs hinder planned trips?
- Thread starter euphoric1
- Start date
well lucky you guys that fuel costs haven;t altered your fun times
I cannot say it ONLY has limited my FUN times, but also my needed trips to many places where I used to do a lot of help for older folks I know, these days with fuel costs, and everything else, and no budget increase, I have had to limit a lot of my normal travels, the people I used to help, don;'t have means to offer help either, so there suffering as well from costs of fuel, and me not being able to get to them like I used too!
I cannot say it ONLY has limited my FUN times, but also my needed trips to many places where I used to do a lot of help for older folks I know, these days with fuel costs, and everything else, and no budget increase, I have had to limit a lot of my normal travels, the people I used to help, don;'t have means to offer help either, so there suffering as well from costs of fuel, and me not being able to get to them like I used too!
If we stay on the current path of inflation, cost increases, food, gas, lodging, it'll effect all of us eventually.
pclark
Well-known member
This will only add to the economic downturn in Northern Wisconsin next winter. Even if you are fortunate to come North you will find many places closed, out of business that you used to frequent. Their is a severe shortage of help here in the Northwoods and the older people running bars that used to serve the sport just are not going to be able to service the sport like they used to. Don't like to paint such a bad picture but it's very obvious, even this summer places up here were overwhelmed. It's not a good situation and I don't see it getting any better as we enter Fall and Winter which are very hard on service businesses up here.
in my area where we have had a decade of poor winters even a few NO open trails at all,
I seen many places that were trail friendly go under, and many that are left, have raised there prices VERY high to stay afloat
most sledders here take it with a grin, as when snow finally comes anymore, no in complaining about high price beer/food or fuel on the trail
but then again when the season is only a few days open anymore as to 2+ months long seasons yrs back! ,
so here, you don;t have time to really feel the big prices on the local trails any how!
places that still have longer seasons, and HIGH prices is where I think current prices will be felt more this yr than ever!
leaving many picking only best conditions to ride and fewer trips!
which is going to just hurt more businesses on the trails!
not sure where the future of this sport is heading, but I hope we get some long winters to make ends meet for trail side businesses!
I seen many places that were trail friendly go under, and many that are left, have raised there prices VERY high to stay afloat
most sledders here take it with a grin, as when snow finally comes anymore, no in complaining about high price beer/food or fuel on the trail
but then again when the season is only a few days open anymore as to 2+ months long seasons yrs back! ,
so here, you don;t have time to really feel the big prices on the local trails any how!
places that still have longer seasons, and HIGH prices is where I think current prices will be felt more this yr than ever!
leaving many picking only best conditions to ride and fewer trips!
which is going to just hurt more businesses on the trails!
not sure where the future of this sport is heading, but I hope we get some long winters to make ends meet for trail side businesses!
exactly, and the places that are open are so busy you cant even get a seat...Standing room only is not my thing anymore.
ddhanna
Active member
I guess I wouldn't call all of Northern Wisconsin in a downtown. I'm just a little south of you in Three Lakes. We see the same shortage of help but most businesses are going gangbusters and nothing closing. Effects of the pandamic are mostly done and I think the future looks great. I don't see sledders noticing any change around here (other than a little slower service). Sorry for painting such a good picture...
pclark
Well-known member
Just stating the facts, I look at Minocqua where Perkins just closed and many restaraunts are overwhelmed, their hours are sporadic at best because they don't have consistent help. Perkins may be no great loss but it's just another place gone. For breakfast in Manitowish Waters now there is only a couple places serving this summer, better eat at home before you leave in the winter. It's not like it used to be is all I am saying. I feel for the people trying to run a business up here, it's not easy, we try and support them as much as possible.
pclark
Well-known member
Glad your area is doing well over there, When I am over there riding this winter can you give me a couple of lunch spots to try?
ddhanna
Active member
Just get out your map and take your pick. All the same ones are there.
Heck no, I've got two kids I no longer am paying tuition for so I've got more free money than ever! Also my wife took a new job that pays more and is fully remote so instead of driving my truck everyday to work I drive her Subaru so instead of 15-17 MPG I get 33-35 MPG now. Thats actually a surprisingly big savings right there, I fill the truck up maybe once a month where it used to be weekly.
And we are lucky, it's only 80 miles to our cabin so we can eat most meals there, not paying for lodging, etc... And with both kids gone I'm only putting gas in 1-2 sleds vs 4 sleds all weekend.
And we are lucky, it's only 80 miles to our cabin so we can eat most meals there, not paying for lodging, etc... And with both kids gone I'm only putting gas in 1-2 sleds vs 4 sleds all weekend.
Maybe stating the obvious but it's not just gas prices that have gone up. Everytime you stop for food it's $20, and we don't drink during the day. Hotels up too. Kind of eye opening last season how much everything has gone up. I don't see prices coming down but hopefully they'll stop going up.
I'll continue riding the same but we normally get in two 4-5 day trips. Might try to be a bit more strategic about avoiding railroad grades where you burn gas quickly and it's not all that much fun - try to focus on hitting all the small trails in an area instead of put on big miles.
I'll continue riding the same but we normally get in two 4-5 day trips. Might try to be a bit more strategic about avoiding railroad grades where you burn gas quickly and it's not all that much fun - try to focus on hitting all the small trails in an area instead of put on big miles.
To answer euphoric1 question, no. I will not let the cost of gas prevent travel and riding enjoyment that I worked 30 years to get to but I will find other ways to offset it a little. This summer friends of mine opened a breakfast food truck in Presque Isle called Tip Ups Takeaways. They have been doing pretty well and travel to different locations every day in and around Presque Isle, Boulder Junction, Winchester, and Manitowish Waters. We try to support them every time we are up north. You can find them on Facebook where they post their location and menu. Recently when talking to owners Scott and Shirley, they told me that they purchased some sort of trail vehicle/sled, that they will be utilizing during snowmobile season to serve food out on the trails. Interesting idea that I hope a lot of sledders will support when riding up in that area. The breakfast sandwiches are great and cheaper than going to a restaurant if you can find one open in the area.
pclark
Well-known member
Saw that nice couple in Manitowish Waters, I hope they do well, seemed like great people.
SHOOT2KILL
Active member
Never booked the family 4 night vaca in Eagle River yet...The GREED is over the top...Wont mention which resort, but it's very well known...Advertised fee for 4 nights was $569.00....Then they ADD 6 additional fees, that bring the entire stay to almost $1200.00...So the wife had a brainstorm...Lets go spend $40,000.00+ on a 35' travel trailer and park it in a campground for the last 2 months of the season...looooool...The 3 campgrounds I contacted all had open lots I could rent for the remainder of the season...They ALL wanted $700.00 per month plus electric & water...LOL