the John Dee Roll Call

[SledTL]

Dean here. Youngest one by a couple decades (23). My dad is on here, and got me into sledding as a little kid. Grew up in Chicago burbs with a lake place over the border in Twin Lakes. Kept 3 sleds there and ride that area, as well as up north in Vilas county. Packed up and headed for engineering school at the University of Minnesota in 2014. Fell in love with the state, and made it my new home last year. I am a manufacturing engineer now doing CNC and assembly production. Joined a club in the north metro which has allowed me to get involved in trail work as well as meet people to ride with. I love sledding and try to share my passion with anyone else I can.

 

[sweeperguy]

Dean here. Youngest one by a couple decades (23). My dad is on here, and got me into sledding as a little kid. Grew up in Chicago burbs with a lake place over the border in Twin Lakes. Kept 3 sleds there and ride that area, as well as up north in Vilas county. Packed up and headed for engineering school at the University of Minnesota in 2014. Fell in love with the state, and made it my new home last year. I am a manufacturing engineer now doing CNC and assembly production. Joined a club in the north metro which has allowed me to get involved in trail work as well as meet people to ride with. I love sledding and try to share my passion with anyone else I can.

Curious, who your Dad is?

 

[indy_500]

I’m still here! Browse the forum daily just don’t post as much as I used to. I started posting on here January of 08 I believe when I was 12 years old. Currently 24 and live in Hortonville WI. Many remember my many many posts back in the day from my crazy contraptions I’ve built to my drive in drive out sled shed. Time sure has flown by as I am now a journeyman CNC Machinist in the Appleton area. Used to put crazy amounts of miles on trail riding to go with my crazy amount of posts back in the day, about 6 or 7 years ago switched to backcountry riding. Rode the UP backcountry literally every weekend with a dozen plus trips up there a year for about 4 or 5 years straight but have now slowed down. Currently own my 16 Polaris Pro RMK 800 155” with Raptor shocks that I snowchecked almost half a decade ago now-crazy!, an 04 Polaris Pro X2 600, an 03 Polaris Pro X 600 that I’m looking to ditch for a 2up, and a 02 Polaris XC 120. I now spend almost all my spare time with my girlfriends son whom I’ve been his father figure now for a couple years which slowed down my sledding trips but was lucky enough to get him into the sport. He is 6 almost 7, I coached his tball team and now flag football team which is almost over before we go into sledding mode for winter, he’s definitely excited as he spent at least an hour every day on his 120 last winter if there was snow on the ground. It was fun getting to trail ride locally around home last winter with him as we had a very good winter and it was good timing to pick up a couple trail sleds. Hoping for another good winter around home and the UP! Love seeing all the JD veterans that have been here awhile. Can’t thank this site enough for introducing me to the UP, backcountry riding, and the countless JD members I’ve met and become good friends with.

 

[SledTL]

Curious, who your Dad is?

Gkolar. Doesn't post as much as I do, usually only in southern Wisconsin conditions thread.

 

[elf]

Hi all, been on this site since the late 90's. Do almost all of my riding on MN north shore with an occasional trip out west. Do mostly boondocking, but if the wife is along we'll at least stick to forest roads and stay away from the swamps and half open rivers. Started riding along with my parents in the early 70's in Burnett Cty, WI. my brother and I would do yard laps for hours on our mid 60's Polaris Colt. Moved on from sledding, went to college, and then got a job with Polaris. Got back into riding then in the mid 90's and have been hitting it hard ever since. Now I live near Duluth with my wife and 2 kids. Well, my daughter is now a freshman at UW (Go Bucky) and my son is a Sr in high school so we will be empty nesters soon. We have a cabin up near Finland, MN which is our home base for riding. My son is my favorite riding partner but I spend a lot more time digging him out than I should! He's a good rider but not as good as he thinks he is, but aren't we all? Other interests are mountain biking (which I hesitate to say but I find it as enjoyable as snowmobiling, hope none of my friends see this) hunting and camping. If anybody wants to come up and ride with us sometime just let me know, we'll try hard to show you a good time and lots of snow.

 

[jr37]

Jon, here. Seeing that I started this thread years ago, I guess I should chime in this time. I just turned 50. I don't post here anymore and only visit the site once in a while. I am a dump truck driver, but am currently doing odds and ends for my employer which has me running equipment such as loaders, backhoes, skid steers, dozers, etc. I have been riding my entire life. I have been a club member since I was 2 months old. I am a strong defender of clubs, groomer operators and landowners. Currently own 5 sleds, none of which are even close to new. We trail ride locally near Marathon City,WI. My wife enjoys short rides, my boys don't show a real lot of interest. My 13 year old is really into dirt bikes, so that is where his time and money is spent. I am a former AWSC Director, former Board of Director for my county snowmobile council, and I am the current President of my club. This season my club turns 50. We are having an open house anniversary celebration in Feb. which is open to everyone. Our club turning 50 is kinda special to me because my dad is the last founding member that is still a current member, and still very active in the club. My interest is snowmobiling is dwindling as the years go on, but I'll always own at least 1 sled. I recently purchased my first UTV. It's main purpose will be to plow snow, but I'm hoping to do some riding with my best friend, my wife. She is an amazing woman, but she'd have to be to put up with me. I still love visiting the UP, but will probably never ride a sled there ever again. Our visits now are when the snow is gone. The UP is just a little piece of heaven on earth.

 

[600_RMK_144]

Serious question --- Does anyone know what ever happened to PolarisRider1??? He had more posts than anyone else on this site. Hit a milestone of 10,000 Posts years ago. I have not seen him on here in a couple of years. He was very helpful helping figure out how to get out West, what to bring, etc.

 

[Eagle River Mike]

Hi, I'm Mike and do most of my riding from my lake house in Eagle River (bet you couldn't guess that based on my screen name, lol) Do occasionally trailer up to UP and ride. I am a CPA, work in Chicago and live in the suburbs. Currently have 4 sleds for me and my family. My 2 kids enjoy the sport but my son is disabled so he rides on the back of the 2-up with me when he goes out riding. I am 55 and have been riding since I was 12. First sled was a 1973 Evinrude Bobcat SS. Wish I would have kept that sled. My group of riding buddies has been shrinking over the years and sometimes I go out and ride by myself. Luckily my gf is a Michigan girl and loves to ride. Also enjoy boating, waterskiing, ATV/UTVing and beer.

 

[Skylar]

Serious question --- Does anyone know what ever happened to PolarisRider1??? He had more posts than anyone else on this site. Hit a milestone of 10,000 Posts years ago. I have not seen him on here in a couple of years. He was very helpful helping figure out how to get out West, what to bring, etc.

He is still kicking.

 

[xcr440]

Sure I'll chime in. I'm Kevin, 53, and I've been riding my entire life. My Dad was into sleds back in the 60's and early 70's, and I never really let go of that passion. I've ridden with a few of you over the years. Most memorable was a one day late April dumping with Troy (elf) and his crew on the north shore about 8-9 years ago. I was on a new to me '01 SKS 700, while those guys were riding circles around me on their RMK's in the 30+".

I usually put on between 4000-5000 miles a season. LOTS of time in Northern MN anywhere from Moose Lake to Grand Portage to I-Falls and Baudette to Virginia and everywhere in between. A fair amount in Northern WI, used to have a cabin in the Loretta area, and still have friends up there I try to ride with once a season. I go where the snow is, when ever it is there. I really enjoy doing the back pack trip (Though I never wear one!), usually taking at least one or two 10 day trips a season. You will find me up north on the trails pretty much every weekend. I have a wide variety of people I ride with, you have to if you are going to be on the sled every weekend! Not all can or want to get away like I do, so you have to have 'options'!

In recent years I've upgraded my rides to the Axys Switchbacks, as for me, they are a great trail ride. I'm on my 3rd in 4 years coming into this season. Yes, the sport has gotten expensive for me, but this is what I do. Currently belong to the Lakeville club south of the Twin Cities, and am an active board member. A few others from the club are on here also, we appreciate the weather John does, and the reports others give of their riding conditions!

Hoping for another excellent and safe year of riding!

 

[elf]

Sure I'll chime in. I'm Kevin, 53, and I've been riding my entire life. My Dad was into sleds back in the 60's and early 70's, and I never really let go of that passion. I've ridden with a few of you over the years. Most memorable was a one day late April dumping with Troy (elf) and his crew on the north shore about 8-9 years ago. I was on a new to me '01 SKS 700, while those guys were riding circles around me on their RMK's in the 30+".


Kevin, That was a memorable day. What I really remember about that day, not just us riding circles around you, is that leather suit you were wearing. That thing must've weighed 50 lbs by the end of the day as soaked as we all were. We'll have to meet up again someday!

 

[xcr440]

Kevin, That was a memorable day. What I really remember about that day, not just us riding circles around you, is that leather suit you were wearing. That thing must've weighed 50 lbs by the end of the day as soaked as we all were. We'll have to meet up again someday!

You had to bring that up didn't you.... HAHA - I missed out on day two because it was SOAKED, that was the last time I wore that suit!!

 

[skidont]

Name is Dan and I am 54 been riding since 1970 . Working with Site One Landscapes store 227 in Ham Lake Mn , its a nationwide fert and irrigation company . I will only work summers to have winters off for riding . I also do a lot of vintage grass dragging as well as working haydays . groomer operator in North Branch Mn and around haydays area .

 

[wirev]

Chuck here, or as most people know me “Rev.” I am a retired LCMS pastor. Started snowmobiling in’91 in the U.P. Moved to Montana for 4 years and then to North Dakota for 17 years before retiring in St Germain. I am an active life time member of the VFW and the American Legion; I serve a church part time in Iron River, MI, and I have been the Track Chaplain at the World Championship Derby Complex since 2014. I also sing in a 100+ choir and I have acted in many musicals with over 280 performances since 2000 including playing Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof 4 times in 3 states. I just turned 75 and bought my first “summer” snowmobile, a Can Am Spyder Limited. I am as active as a 45 year old and let nothing slow me down if at all possible. It says that I have been a member since 2009 but I know I have been around since the mid to late 90's, I just don’t reply often. I ride a Skidoo 1200 with an American Flag wrap and stars and stripes skis.

 

[Skylar]

I'm Skylar, I've been here since 99 or 2000 I think. 51 years old and my passion is snowmobiling the back country. One of these years I will have to go back to trail riding only, but not for another 15 years or more I hope. My wife and I spend a lot of time in the sxs in the spring summer and fall u.p. here. The plan is to retire up here.

 

[Ricardo]

Hi I'm Rick, born and still live in Ironwood, Mi, just turned 68 today. My first ride was on my Grandfather's 66 Evinrude Skeeter, all 14 horsepower, but I was hooked, been at it ever since. Spent 30+ years as a tech working on toys (motorcycles snowmobiles atvs) now call myself semi retired and groom cross country ski trails at ABR Trails in Ironwood. Spent 25 or so years grooming snowmobile trails till I got so frustrated with ten sleds destroying hours of work in seconds that I quit. At least when you groom a ski trail it lasts for a day or two.
Current ride is a 2017 MXZ TNT 850, trail ride only. Been here quite a while, don't post much.

 

[POLARISDAN]

Serious question --- Does anyone know what ever happened to PolarisRider1??? He had more posts than anyone else on this site. Hit a milestone of 10,000 Posts years ago. I have not seen him on here in a couple of years. He was very helpful helping figure out how to get out West, what to bring, etc.

he hit 12k and quit

 

[m8man]

I've been on the site since 1999, and became a member sometime after that. Grew up in the Keweenaw, and know Mezz...or MEESTER BLEEZARD...pretty well. I actually hung out with his brother quite a bit years ago. I started snowmobiling when I was around 4, going with my parents in like 1977 or so....I then started driving my own sled 1980 enticer...then I started riding all over with my parents and their "group" through the 1980's. My parents got out of the sport in like 1992 or so when there became toooo many sleds out for them. I recall going to the Copper Harbor from Lake Linden and not even seeing any sleds on the trail....even if you could call it a trail then....my Dad knew the back woods of the Keweenaw really well and I learned a ton from him. He also taught me how to work on sleds (somewhat), and to always make sure someone is behind you....if you're not the last peep. I always had Yammy's when I was young, and took a break from sledding for a few years (maybe from 1999-2005). I then bought the new Apex Mountain in the 2007 model year. After a rollover and getting pinned I bought an Arctic Cat the next day....It was a 2008 M8, loved the sled. My last hurrah was an awesome trip to Wyoming in 2010 with Mezz and another buddy. When I got back from that trip I decided to sell my sled...it was then I retired from the sport. I do miss it sometimes but now that I've been on a sled from 4 years old to about 36 or so, 30+ years is enough for me. I now feel the need to go south during the winter...., so spring break trips hopefully will find me a spot for retirement or at least the winters. I did the side by side thing for a while after the sledding thing and just gave that up this spring.
9 years and 3 months until I can retire but who is counting.

I love the seasons and the area...

m8man

 

[eagle1]

Man I can't imagine living in snow globe and not owning a sled. Lol. I definitely get the warm place to retire though older I get.......I've really enjoyed spending few days every March in St. Pete's Beach area last few years.

 

[Pit Grunt]

Pit Grunt stops in to see the news of the UP. Not much time as in my early years. I run with my Team Red Mods the worlds largest snowmobile web sites.. DOOTALK.com. Also promote for SNOWTRACKS.com.

Miss all my trips in the U.P. Hope to make some runs this year. Everyone have a safe year sledding...

WE RIDE !!! JUST RIDE IT!!!