Slow down in the UP

[JimAndros]

I don't know the answer, but speed and alcohol are 2 big problems.

The trail is not a paved road. Conditions will always be variable and what is around the next corner may not be what you just experienced for the past 10 miles. Most people drive their car or truck in winter understanding that conditions can vary. But put them on a sled and watch out!

 

[skidont]

Factories don't help by building 150+ hp sleds for trail use , should kept to racing or off trail . **** my 900 ACE is only 90 hp and can get in trouble if not paying attention with that

 

[scoot]

Now cue Mr Magoo who doesn't see a problem. ''We don't need more rules. All we need is to get along, share the trail and police ourselves." Sensible people have been leaving the sport in droves. If you don't believe it, see the reason behind Cap/Step. Rather than trying to get the people that are left to reluctantly join clubs, let's try to get the families that used to do the work to come back. Speed limits would be a start. Families look farther down the road then just the end of the season. They do this because they want their grandkids to have trails to ride 20 years from now. A family should be able to go for a ride on a trail they help maintain without needing to feel like a scared rabbit, "swiveling their heads" for safety and getting blasted by trail bullies for not getting out of the way fast enough. Without the families, I give the sport another 10-15 years before the only snowmobiling left will be north of highway 8, very crowded and very expensive.
Soupbox clear.

 

[blkhwkbob]

Speaking of trail bullies, two weekends ago I let a group pass me on the trail. The thanks I get? The last doofus wheelies past and roosts me. I was so pissed I caught up to him and told him what I thought of him. I really wanted to hit him, but he had his kid on the back. He proceeded to take off and blip his throttle and spin his track every chance he got. Complete disregard for the trail. Times like that I really question why I ride at all.

 

[zert100]

Speaking of trail bullies, two weekends ago I let a group pass me on the trail. The thanks I get? The last doofus wheelies past and roosts me. I was so pissed I caught up to him and told him what I thought of him. I really wanted to hit him, but he had his kid on the back. He proceeded to take off and blip his throttle and spin his track every chance he got. Complete disregard for the trail. Times like that I really question why I ride at all.

I think this is really where the problem lies. How do you enforce common sense behavior? We have all run across the rider that won't slow down when coming at you down the railroad grade. He's not breaking any law, he's just an inconsiderate A**! As John alluded to, there are no easy answers.

Being from MN I caution people to think about what a speed limit for snowmobiles would really mean. In MN that means everywhere you operate (lakes, wide open fields) the speed limit is 50. My uncle once got a ticket for going 63 across a wide open field back in the 90's. The problem with a set speed limit is it doesn't necessarily make the trails safer. There are plenty of times when doing 30-45 on tight and twisty trails is to fast and you risk hitting oncoming traffic. Again that person is not breaking any "speed" laws but is riding to fast for conditions, which I believe is already against the law in WI. How do you enforce that though?

Anytime I have witnessed speed enforcement in MN they were staged in a wide open area where people would tend to open it up a little. I just don't think these are the areas where a majority of the accidents are happening. Yeah, this may slow down some riders when they feel that they are in areas where enforcement is more likely, but do you really think its going to change the way they ride everywhere else on the trail?

 

[Yenann]

Speaking of trail bullies, two weekends ago I let a group pass me on the trail. The thanks I get? The last doofus wheelies past and roosts me. I was so pissed I caught up to him and told him what I thought of him. I really wanted to hit him, but he had his kid on the back. He proceeded to take off and blip his throttle and spin his track every chance he got. Complete disregard for the trail. Times like that I really question why I ride at all.

Then quit. I'm seriously sick of listening to people complain. Seems worse this year then in the past. Just sell and get out. It's getting so old

 

[UPBob]

19 fatalities in Michigan this season.
My friends and family are seriously thinking about giving it up. We have been riding Grand Marais, Seney and Munising for years.
It just gets crazier every year. I have sat in the bars in Grand Marais and watched guys drink way too much and then jump on their sled.....
We have young family members that would continue the sport but I think it's time to stop before it's one of us.......

 

[jd]

Then quit. I'm seriously sick of listening to people complain. Seems worse this year then in the past. Just sell and get out. It's getting so old

Really, that's your logical answer? People act like inconsiderate idiots and those that are courteous are forced to leave. All so you do not have to listen to the considerate riders complain. How about you stop listening to the complaints. Seems like complaining about those that complain is still complaining! It sure can get confusing.

-John

 

[zert100]

I disagree Yenann! Riders like blkhwkbob ran up against are the biggest problem out there. Everyone should be considerate of each other on the trail. That goes both ways. If you want to run 20mph all day that's great, but use your mirrors and let the faster riders get around you when its safe to pull over. Some riders are out for a 200 mile ride and will never make their destination running at super slow speeds.

 

[frnash]

Y'all may find the comments in the link (click →) here of interest as well.

 

[bcorn]

There's no cure for stupid, all the laws in the world won't change these riders.

 

[Highflyer]

Really, that's your logical answer? People act like inconsiderate idiots and those that are courteous are forced to leave. All so you do not have to listen to the considerate riders complain. How about you stop listening to the complaints. Seems like complaining about those that complain is still complaining! It sure can get confusing.

-John

I think its great how we make young riders (kids) take the safety class before they can rides sleds. I feel that many adults need a safety class as well. I'll admit, I have numerous friends (mid 30's) who don't have a lot of experience riding sleds but they tend to ride aggressive because they have other types of riding experience (dirt bikes, quads, go karts). They don't understand how snow conditions can change, dealing with two way traffic, dealing with snow dust and riding at night can impact abilities. I'm thankful I grew up riding as a kid and learned how to drive defensively and other common rules of sledding like always parking off the trail when taking a break or don't turn around in the middle of trail. Its amazing how many people (even those who are experienced) will take a break on the trail. I will always keep riding until I find a spot with amble parking off to the side of the trail. If we could some how educate the novice adults that would be half the battle. Unfortunately that duty falls on all of us who do have the experience as group leaders and sometimes its hard to get other adults to listen when all they want to do is give it gas.

With regards to the deaths, throw out the ones that were just booze related and I'll bet what I'm talking about above prevents the others.

 

[groomerdriver]

Then quit. I'm seriously sick of listening to people complain. Seems worse this year then in the past. Just sell and get out. It's getting so old

Ahhhh.....the guy that thinks a trail is his personal racetrack no doubt. YOU get out!

The trail systems were never established and built up for them to become racetracks. Families and friends out enjoying the sport, whether it was 25 mph or 85 mph. There wasn't this fear of "potential injury around every corner" that exists now.

I'll say it one more time then I'm off the box.

YOU GET OUT!

 

[whitedust]

My absolute first rule would be that while passing oncoming sleds, you MUST slow down to 20 mph or less. There is no reason that you have to drive your 42 inch wide snowmobile past mine on an 8 foot wide trail without slowing down. What's the hurry? If your sled is soooooo fast, you'll get back up to speed in a hurry, right?

Yeah I don't get the need to charge past oncoming or stopped sleds either just does not make sense to me & very dangerous to everyone. Bring it way down make the safe pass then feel free to wick it right back up once your are a safe distance away. Riders that go too fast for conditions & whack a tree is your business.... I'm sure your family will miss you when you are gone.... My bottom line do your thing but don't involve others doing stupid stuff. Other riders should never ever feel unsafe due to your actions if they do you can be sure you are doing something stupid. THINK then do!

 

[Highflyer]

Ahhhh.....the guy that thinks a trail is his personal racetrack no doubt. YOU get out!

The trail systems were never established and built up for them to become racetracks. Families and friends out enjoying the sport, whether it was 25 mph or 85 mph. There wasn't this fear of "potential injury around every corner" that exists now.

I'll say it one more time then I'm off the box.

YOU GET OUT!

Please don't take this as a defense for Yemann.......but I do feel that the fear of at least an accident potential on every corner has always existed. I know it has for me and that dates back 20 years ago when my dad taught me how to ride lead. The only difference is the sleds today move much faster then the old 440's we all used to ride. Now everyone or most ride 800's. And its not the manufactures fault, we the consumers keep pushing for lighter/faster sleds. I always take every corner like I'm going to meet another sled. We certainly have a group of riders that think just because they ride under 35mph they don't need to be all the way to the right. Being in the middle of the trail suits them just fine and they feel its my job to slow down so they can react.

Its simple: ride defensively regardless of speed and ride on your side of the trail.

 

[groomerdriver]

Please don't take this as a defense for Yemann.......but I do feel that the fear of at least an accident potential on every corner has always existed. I know it has for me and that dates back 20 years ago when my dad taught me how to ride lead.

I get it totally and feel the same. Been the point guy for 30 some years. Used to be when "there's a sled around every corner" seemed enough. Now it doesn't seem like enough.

Maybe I'm scarred for life from watching a guy die on the trail. I don't want that guy to be me, a family member or a friend. I dunno........

 

[snoluver1]

Stop grooming. The end.

 

[srt20]

I have been to areas with speed limits on Trails (45 WY and MT) (50 km Ontario). I think they may only enforced close to Towns and busy areas. I have never seen a Ticket in the Paper for Wisconsin's 55 Night time Trail Speed limit.

If someone has, let's hear about it.

I have always said don't pass a Law that's not going to be enforced.

I got a ticket for doing 88 at night on a river a couple years back. $200 IIRC. I saw the cops reflective material on his jacket as he started running to his sled right by shore. He was standing out a little running radar. I just kept going at 85-90ish. My bud stopped. We were meeting a friend about 5 miles down. My idiot bud lead the cop right to me. I just acted like i never seen the cop. Actually it might have been DNR, I don't remember.

 

[xcsp]

Maybe a 10mph speed limit when within 100' of people or other snowmobilers (other than those in your riding group) would help? In WI we have such a law for when coming near people or ice shanties.

I disagree with daytime speed limit on all trails. Ride according to the conditions, use good judgement.

Set an example, while out riding, no alcohol for those who do drink-plenty of time when you get back to where you call "home" for the night.

Doubtful that the ones that cause the problems will ever see thread like these on the forums.

 

[harski]

Factories don't help by building 150+ hp sleds for trail use , should kept to racing or off trail . **** my 900 ACE is only 90 hp and can get in trouble if not paying attention with that

I really think this is a huge part. Sleds now make everyone feel like they can ride like Tucker Hibbert or a Blair Morgan. Most folks are NOT as good of riders as they think they are, they've just gotten lucky so far! Trails are for everyone to enjoy of every riding ability, not racetracks! Because you bought this high powered beefed up suspension machine does NOT entitle you to race through wooded trails and down straightaways past innocent fellow sledders like a racer wannabe! Slow the heck down or buy your own property and build your own straightaway and racetrack!

Ultimately, I think this is just another example of "me first" in society at any costs..... It's really ashame.