Very true SB I have logged lots of trail miles and I have seen everything from dog mushers to drunk riders purposely wrecking their sleds off a mound of snow, deer accidents and pulling strangers off trees that jumped out. I do know what is intentional and as dfattack said it was a brush back pitch. I’m sure I surprised the oncoming rider but no reason to intentionally run me up the berm. I brought the topic to light as road rage violence is getting worse by the year now and aggression like this on our trails isn’t good and will only result in bad things. I wanted to give this person a piece of my mind about how dangerous targeting is but I learned long ago to have a good time on the trail and ingnorant people don’t listen to ya anyway so better to bring it here as a JD topic for all to discuss.
Targeting Oncoming Traffic
- Thread starter whitedust
- Start date
Very true SB I have logged lots of trail miles and I have seen everything from dog mushers to drunk riders purposely wrecking their sleds off a mound of snow, deer accidents and pulling strangers off trees that jumped out. I do know what is intentional and as dfattack said it was a brush back pitch. I’m sure I surprised the oncoming rider but no reason to intentionally run me up the berm. I brought the topic to light as road rage violence is getting worse by the year now and aggression like this on our trails isn’t good and will only result in bad things. I wanted to give this person a piece of my mind about how dangerous targeting is but I learned long ago to have a good time on the trail and ingnorant people don’t listen to ya anyway so better to bring it here as a JD topic for all to discuss.
yamadooed
Active member
There's been a couple of douchberries as of late intentional crowding the plate around in that area that I've noticed... Best defense is a quick offensive cut back with a face full of roost...
Best so far was just north of Krupps on the Billy Nickels and this oncoming genius is trying to high five me by coming over to the opposite side of the trail I was doing over 50...
WD the 107 is a personal favorite spent many of time from the bottom to the top Mike usually makes it smooth from bottom to top.
Best so far was just north of Krupps on the Billy Nickels and this oncoming genius is trying to high five me by coming over to the opposite side of the trail I was doing over 50...
WD the 107 is a personal favorite spent many of time from the bottom to the top Mike usually makes it smooth from bottom to top.
I had the same thing happen on 10e around Anvil lake. I was riding alone narrow thru there so I stopped to let this oncoming pack thru and their leader pulls over high 5s me. I just laughed fived him and moved on. If you’re talking Mike from the Running Bear he grooms Watersmeet not Iron County 107.
wow, unreal
This is why U do not hand signal ...Keep both hands on your sled to be ready for anything.
Riding the center of the trail (when other sleds are approaching) is selfish, dangerous, and irresponsible. What's worse is the people who do it one-handed as they signal how many riders are behind them. Just keep your damn hands on the bars and get to the right side of the trail!
pinestump, I can understand keeping both hands on handle bars and being ready for anything...however I will continue to hand signal and as a group we have always hand signaled, stayed on right hand of trail and slowed when sleds are approaching. I have always been the leader of our group and there is nothing more heart dropping for me when riding when coming up to or near a corner and when a buckaroo bonsai is either coming around a corner like its a gran tourismo race or the guy who is slamming on his brakes sliding all over the trail either trying to stop or slow once he realizes there is oncoming traffic, or my favorite who stops quick to see if buddy is behind him wondering if he is going to get nailed or nail someone, and I for one would really like to know how many more (that ride like he does) are behind him. You are correct be prepared for anything, but letting someone know who is behind or oncoming to you to me is common courtesy or just plain safe depending on riders in groups riding styles or experience, especially on windy or wooded trails and even more so during daylight when you cant always see distant headlights. At a minimum IMO the leader should signal along with the last person in group letting know it is the end. Some may not think this is safe to do but I will always continue to do so and hope oncoming traffic does the same, that's my opinion.
I can be on the right side of the trail (Always am) and signal at the same time. Its not that difficult.
POLARISDAN
New member
yea no doubt..if you cant do that should u really be riding?
Imo opinion you have to be realistic about rider styles and skill when encountering oncoming traffic. If someone is coming in hot and wide just keep those hands on the bars and move over don’t even think about a hand signal and I’m going to assume #2 is coming in hot too. Lol. So I’ll slow maybe tuck behind a tree wait for racers to go thru. Guys I ride with space out so no one going to whack me in a$$. Choice imo cancel hand signal keep your sled under control signals are an option. I also could care less if a rider uses both sides of the trail if he has a clear look out in front of him. Nobody is extreme right all the time a surprise turn will take you wideish just the way the real world riding works. Just be right most of the time only hand single if you feel it is safe otherwise keep hands on bars.
dfattack
Well-known member
Yes, hand signals are always something you do ONLY if conditions are right. I usually will slow down if I see an oncoming big group and will only signal if we are in the twisties. On a grade where the oncoming traffic can clearly see I don't bother. If I'm at a higher speed I don't hand signal, especially if I know the guys behind me will eventually give the signal. Definitely don't signal at night, which I believe is a safer time to ride since you can see headlights further out than during the day.
ohiosledder
Active member
Not everyone on a two up is inexeperienced, I've been riding 30 years but wife doesn't like to ride her own, so I got her a nice removable two up seat for my sled.
snobuilder
Well-known member
OK, OK, ...I think I finally got it....both hands on bars, no alcohol until sleds are parked, sea and snow is cheap this week and awesome all the time, never cut a corner and save the loud can for the track.
ohiosledder
Active member
Yes, but what kind of goggles do you wear?
On our 3 day trek a few weeks back I think there were two times I could not signal and both were in corners that were pretty rough and beat up...even icy. I felt it best to keep two hands on and fight thru it knowing those behind me could signal.
Peoples opinions..... OPINIONS
Good for you, but there are many riders out there who seem to be incapable of that. I would much rather have them steer to the right side of the trail with both hands than stay in the middle and nearly hit me as they try to signal how many riders they think are behind them (which is probably wrong, anyways).