UP with greenhorns
- Thread starter maj16
- Start date
polaris4me
New member
In most areas weekdays are the best to avoid both. What part of the U.P. you riding? Some local riders might be able to help.
Here is what I do. I'm traveling from the 26-31st with my parents and my 2 teenage boys. My parents are in there 60's. I always lead and put the kids in between us and we average 35-40 mph. If I see a bulk of sleds coming at high rates of speeds I try my best to anticipate it and pull over to the right as far as we can and let them pass. Safety is always number 1 on my list.
gogebic_sledder
Member
If the trails in Wisconsin are shot by next week it will be a zoo in the UP, and the trails probably won't be much better. And as far as your concern about Ricky Racer, ride as if he's coming around every corner. Sooner rather then later he will.
Sonsaditches
Member
Maj16, the UP is one of my favorite places in the Midwest to ride if you've never been there your in for a treat. However you will be there during an extremely busy period with people off work, out of school etc. Having rode there since the late 70's I have seen my share of issues on the trail. The best way to avoid problems falls on the leader of your group. Keep your group together and pretty close together if riding slower. Keep an eye out for faster groups coming up from behind, get everybody to pull over and let them pass. Yes there will be Ricky racers and idiots riding too fast but the best way to avoid problems is just let them go. Too many times I've seen trouble when faster groups try to pass slower ones while everybody is moving. Generally lots of snow dust on trails in UP. Can get pretty dicey at times being back in pack. Be prepared for bumpy trails later in the day especially, they will be grooming as much as humanly possible but it's impossible to keep it perfect with the volume of traffic.
I am fortunate that my work allows for midweek riding to avoid the majority of these problems, wasn't always that way had to work weekends in to avoid burning vacation time.
Just use common sense and you will be fine. Enjoy and I'm sure you will be back!
I am fortunate that my work allows for midweek riding to avoid the majority of these problems, wasn't always that way had to work weekends in to avoid burning vacation time.
Just use common sense and you will be fine. Enjoy and I'm sure you will be back!
misty_pines
Member
Yep, what he said. I lead, put the less experienced riders in the middle and have an experienced rider as the sweeper. I can control the pace when I'm leading and stay to my side of the trail and do my best to stay away from the oncoming sleds that are driving too fast.
Very true, the lead driver of the group should approach corners slow to be safe and flag in coming riders that there are more in your group (fingers or wave arm).
I avoid riding weekends (and as a must Holiday weeks) like the plague. Presidents day time is bad too.
Bear
I feel this fear is severely overblown. It has more to do with your fear of your kids/parents getting hurt by accident then what other people are doing. I'm not saying you're wrong because I totally get your fear but I feel that your riding 99% of time has more to do with your safety then what other people are doing.
The plan to put the kids in the middle is great but just remind them they should ride on the trail as if they are in the lead as well. That way if a gap in the group happens (which usually does) they are prepared for anything coming. Always ride as if someone is coming at you (defensively)and you'll be fine. That's the way I ride and have no fear on riding on the busiest weekend in the busiest areas.
When you decide to ride you do take a inherited risk and some accidents can't be avoided even when riders are perfect. I just feel the idea that Ricky Racers or intoxicated riders are all over the trails is overblown. I can't imagine with this age group you'll be riding at night, so get an early start and be done by 4-5pm and you should have no problem.
Don't not go on a trip like this because everyone else says its going to be crazy. The memories of a family trip like this are far better then staying home over the fear.
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ridindirty800
Active member
I agree with Highflyer 100%. People talk way to much about the trails being a death trap. As long as you are in control of your sled and approach corners like someone is going to be coming at you out of control you can cut a lot of the risk out. same goes for hills, act like someone will be coming over it down the middle. Also I ride in big groups all the time, always tell new riders DO NOT TRY TO KEEP UP, ride at your speed you feel comfortable at. Seen many accidents happen when someone is playing catch up. Enjoy your trip make some lifelong memories!
Sonsaditches
Member
I agree 99 percent with one small exception. I generally lead and I'll try to identify the least experienced/ most cautious rider in the group and put them right behind me so know how to set the pace to keep the group together. I'm very anal about being able to see a headlight following me, personal kinda OCD thing I have. Too many turnarounds looking for the rest of the group I guess.
ridindirty800
Active member
Very good point, my group has a rule when you cant see the headlight behind you slow down/stop until you can again to make sure they are ok. On another note, one way I have heard of some pretty bad crashes is when people turn around to go back looking for who was behind them, as they are going fast to find them, and many times the other is going fast at them to catch up. Sadly was in Mercer when this happened and caused a death 2 years ago.
Midwest Player
Member
There is no doubt about it. Snowmobiling is a dangerous sport. See the map at bottom of this link for where fatal snowmobile crashes occurred in MI in 2015-2016. There is no reason for this many accidents. About 15 years ago I witnessed a car/snowmobile accident just outside of Mass City. I came upon the scene just as the ambulance was arriving.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/03/snowmobile.html
One accident is to many when talking about safety but to say you won't have accidents is not realistic. That map doesn't show anything other then we have less then perfect snowmobiliers. If 22 deaths out of the thousands of snowmobiliers is a lot then and makes the sport dangerous then everything we do in life is dangerous. Walking down the street, driving and for living in chicago is extremely dangerous given the number of shootings. All I'm saying is I think the fear is overblown.
Thank you all, I get it, I've snowmobiled for years, as have 3 others in my group. We have plenty of experience and know where to put the inexperienced riders. We never out ride the least experienced rider. I was just voicing my fears. It's a whole different experience when you have your own kids with you.
We typically leave first thing in the morning, on the trails by sun up and are usually back by mid to late afternoon. All to hope and avoid the idiot drunks. Say all you want about there not be "that many drunks" out on the trails, but in my opinion, one is to many. Don't get me wrong, I like my whiskey
but it's at the end of the day, when the sleds are tucked away for the night. I just hate to see the sport get ruined for me because of a stupid mistake on someone else's part. Not that I can't make mistakes, but I do all I can to avoid them. (slow down, properly functioning equipment, no drugs/alcohol, follow rules and guidelines).
Thanks all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We typically leave first thing in the morning, on the trails by sun up and are usually back by mid to late afternoon. All to hope and avoid the idiot drunks. Say all you want about there not be "that many drunks" out on the trails, but in my opinion, one is to many. Don't get me wrong, I like my whiskey
but it's at the end of the day, when the sleds are tucked away for the night. I just hate to see the sport get ruined for me because of a stupid mistake on someone else's part. Not that I can't make mistakes, but I do all I can to avoid them. (slow down, properly functioning equipment, no drugs/alcohol, follow rules and guidelines).Thanks all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
firefighter1
Member
I have the same worries, I'm heading up to UP in about 3 weeks for my 12 year old sons first trip with me. I have taught him so far the best I can on how to approach blind corners, hills etc. I will set the pace and we will be as careful as we can. But the only way he is going to love the sport as much as me is to get out and ride. Have fun and be safe.
pwolfy2003
Member
I have the perfect plan....... We are not going snowmobiling that week , lol
firefighter1
Member
Yeah I have some less traveled routes planned. I have ridden the western side since 1997 so we will stay off the main drags as much as possible. I was originally going to ride next week with him but decided to postpone for a few weeks and also ride during the weekdays. With my job I usually only ride during the week, very seldom on weekends because of work and my sons hockey. I get spoiled because trails are very empty and smooth 90% of the time I'm riding. Even my trips north are Monday-Friday.