arcticgeorge
New member
]............O that's right I don't know what I was thinking. Duh...Sorry new guy here. Just got my first sled since moving here 4 years ago...So anyway yeah that $45 trail permit pricy!...lol.
snowfreak56
Member
I think they all at least rode thru Langelade county WI this weekend,,and about 50% or more of them ride on the wrong side of the trail.I wounder if they drive there vehicles on the wrong side of the road also ? Really sad that I am back to rideing weekends but work gets in the way dureing the week now.
gogebic_sledder
Member
I don't believe 45 bucks is keeping people away, If Wisconsin has snow why drive further that's all it is. When there is no snow elsewhere up is packed.
x2... Put on about 150 miles in Outagamie and Waupaca Cty today and traffic was moderate.
MLK weekend Indy, some people get tomorrow off, so they make it a long weekend. One of the weekends not to go up.
indy_500
Well-known member
MLK weekend Indy, some people get tomorrow off, so they make it a long weekend. One of the weekends not to go up.
Lots of tracking up being done won't be long till the pole lines are super highways. Hard to believe 2 weeks ago I had them to myself.
LoveMyDobe
Well-known member
I rode today Iron River to Herbster and met 2 sleds 3 times, guess everyone rode the weekend. Trails were GREAT!
I think with all the Snow in Wisconsin our 10 year old+ Groomers will be laying along the Trail broken this Winter and the Clubs will not have any Money to fix them. That's if they have the Fuel to get them out there. We have a problem here and the "cheap" riding in Wisconsin will begin to show on the Trails more every year. Our Club has stopped Grooming a Club Trail already.
Wisconsin Trails and clubs need more Money to survive. The long Grooming season this year will make the problem worse.
Just think there was no Trail projects this year in Wisconsin and the Grooming was still not paid for in full. There is no way you can spend 150k - 200k on a Groomer and run it for $50 an hour.
I work very hard on the Trails in Wisconsin, I spent 14 hours in the Groomer this week plus 6 hours Brushing today, all for no pay.
Michigan (UP) has a better program and that could be a reason why its my " favorite place to ride".
Wisconsin Trails and clubs need more Money to survive. The long Grooming season this year will make the problem worse.
Just think there was no Trail projects this year in Wisconsin and the Grooming was still not paid for in full. There is no way you can spend 150k - 200k on a Groomer and run it for $50 an hour.
I work very hard on the Trails in Wisconsin, I spent 14 hours in the Groomer this week plus 6 hours Brushing today, all for no pay.
Michigan (UP) has a better program and that could be a reason why its my " favorite place to ride".
MLK weekend Indy, some people get tomorrow off, so they make it a long weekend. One of the weekends not to go up.
X2 be rding at noon today everyone long gone by then on MLK day.
This weekend nooooooooooo way!lol$45 pass for Michigan is money well spent. I would gladly pay more. Minor compared to gas, hotel, food, etc I spend every trip verses $45 to ride the whole year....and I only get to Michigan two or three times a year.
Went to Silver City December 27-30 with the family. Very few sleds other that at Hoop and in Bergland. We ride during the day (morning/early afternoon) to avoid the heavy traffic. Great snow and smooth trails. Went to Konteka for dinner and bowling on Saturday night. Kids require a hotel with pool but they use that at night after we are off the trails.
Went to Eagle River/Minocqua January 9/10th (just me and another riding buddy). 112 miles each day and hardly saw a sled. Granted this was a Thursday/Friday but very few around. Stopped at Bauer's Dam in Conover and the people there were from Illinois and Iowa. Long drives but they were up that week in the brutal cold. We drove 2 1/2 hours to enjoy great trails, great stops, etc that we don't get here at home (Outagamie County). Sorry but I'm just not a open field to open field rider. I enjoy the scenery and great places with character in the northwoods and Michigan.
Just got back yesterday from the Derby in Eagle River. Attendance seemed to be down a bit over the last two years in my opinion. Hit the trails on Saturday and Sunday morning from 9am to 11am. Hardly any sleds as well and smooth trails. Rode with the family. A ton of sleds in the afternoon parked for the derby so the sleds were around.
Heading up to Krupps the second weekend in February for our annual guys trip and back with the family the first weekend in March for the Copper Dog 150 in Calumet.
I agree that when trails are open in Wisconsin, people stay home and ride but I go for the locations. The experience is key for me and the family when we ride. Many great places to stay, places to visit (Bond Falls for the first time this year) and great restuarants yet to visit.
I am concerned for the business's that depend on winter recreation and do my part to support them as they have created many memories for me and my family over the years.
Went to Silver City December 27-30 with the family. Very few sleds other that at Hoop and in Bergland. We ride during the day (morning/early afternoon) to avoid the heavy traffic. Great snow and smooth trails. Went to Konteka for dinner and bowling on Saturday night. Kids require a hotel with pool but they use that at night after we are off the trails.
Went to Eagle River/Minocqua January 9/10th (just me and another riding buddy). 112 miles each day and hardly saw a sled. Granted this was a Thursday/Friday but very few around. Stopped at Bauer's Dam in Conover and the people there were from Illinois and Iowa. Long drives but they were up that week in the brutal cold. We drove 2 1/2 hours to enjoy great trails, great stops, etc that we don't get here at home (Outagamie County). Sorry but I'm just not a open field to open field rider. I enjoy the scenery and great places with character in the northwoods and Michigan.
Just got back yesterday from the Derby in Eagle River. Attendance seemed to be down a bit over the last two years in my opinion. Hit the trails on Saturday and Sunday morning from 9am to 11am. Hardly any sleds as well and smooth trails. Rode with the family. A ton of sleds in the afternoon parked for the derby so the sleds were around.
Heading up to Krupps the second weekend in February for our annual guys trip and back with the family the first weekend in March for the Copper Dog 150 in Calumet.
I agree that when trails are open in Wisconsin, people stay home and ride but I go for the locations. The experience is key for me and the family when we ride. Many great places to stay, places to visit (Bond Falls for the first time this year) and great restuarants yet to visit.
I am concerned for the business's that depend on winter recreation and do my part to support them as they have created many memories for me and my family over the years.
anonomoose
New member
Nice writing....ski~~
Whompas cat
New member
Ill throw in my 2 cents. I trailer from about 12 hours south of the u.p to ride, and try to
make 3 to 4 trips per year. I would say that I know 15-20 people that would traditionally go up there
every year and ride 2-3 trips that do not go anymore. It's really a variety of reasons they quit, but they all add up. Cost and time off are probably the largest. But one thing that I've noticed. For years
there have been direct attempts of people to persuade others to not to trailer up and ride when things
get a little crowded. It's kind of running joke but I think it has worked. Also, and I won't point out, or say any names, but I can't count how many times a business has acted like they didn't even want us there. My group is not the loud mouth, beer guzzling type wearing the Ricky racer gear that know everything at the bar. Just husbands and wife's in our 30's who trail ride 150 miles a day. It seems for years the message was "why the heck are u here". At least that's how it rubbed off. I seen the boat industry go this direction and I think snowmobiling is following. Alot of it is cost and time, experience plays a part as well. Why spend 3-5k a winter somewhere your not wanted. Hope I didn't offend or anger anyone with this opinion. I love the u.p and will foolishly spend money chasing snow there till I'm no longer here.
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Btw happy to donate the $45. Cheapest part of all of riding.
make 3 to 4 trips per year. I would say that I know 15-20 people that would traditionally go up there
every year and ride 2-3 trips that do not go anymore. It's really a variety of reasons they quit, but they all add up. Cost and time off are probably the largest. But one thing that I've noticed. For years
there have been direct attempts of people to persuade others to not to trailer up and ride when things
get a little crowded. It's kind of running joke but I think it has worked. Also, and I won't point out, or say any names, but I can't count how many times a business has acted like they didn't even want us there. My group is not the loud mouth, beer guzzling type wearing the Ricky racer gear that know everything at the bar. Just husbands and wife's in our 30's who trail ride 150 miles a day. It seems for years the message was "why the heck are u here". At least that's how it rubbed off. I seen the boat industry go this direction and I think snowmobiling is following. Alot of it is cost and time, experience plays a part as well. Why spend 3-5k a winter somewhere your not wanted. Hope I didn't offend or anger anyone with this opinion. I love the u.p and will foolishly spend money chasing snow there till I'm no longer here.
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Btw happy to donate the $45. Cheapest part of all of riding.
mezz
Well-known member
Perhaps your not hitting the right places? Not satisfied, don't go back. Most if not all businesses up here in the Keweenaw cater to the sport & welcome it with open arms. BTW, the running joke is exactly that, a joke, no one can predict when it's going to be busy busy, unless we are one of very few places with ride able snow, then you take your chances on how many will be around & how the trails are holding up between grooming. Glad to hear you like the UP enough to keep coming back though, it is appreciated. Perhaps, venture further North on your next ride.-Mezz
I know why I haven't been to the Yoop in a long time; cost. I live in Minnesota and our family has a cabin in the iron range, a lot of people have family cabins "up north" around here. If there is snow up there, I have no reason to go anywhere else. Half the drive, free place to stay, no trail sticker cost, less crowds, and more trails (in terms of mileage). Seems like an easy decision to me.
highhertel
Member
Eagle River Derby has turned into a joke. Prices are ridiculous and on top of that, the modified races are split up into two segments, no more start line to finish line racing.
HH
polarisrider1
New member
That's nice??????
I'm late to the party but was up for the first time to Western UP this weekend. First I didn't ride saturday instead I skied both cross country then downhill. However sunday morning was picture prefect I rode trail 160 Ironwood, to Saxon Harbor, Wi. and doubled back with friends and saw no one on that trail (other than a group of six passed us by when we were at the Montreal River gorge taking in the beautiful scenery).
My conclusion which isn't new is finances (I think it's just a struggle expenses up & income stagnant) and weather. Weather being snow everywhere and weather meaning the cold (subzero temps) weather I think is keeping people home. I know we didn't go up New Years which we mainly ski with my sisters family. The weather was too cold to enjoy skiing, also we got snow to jan 2nd I went cross country skiing and shoveled snow, really enjoyed the winter conditions here.
My conclusion which isn't new is finances (I think it's just a struggle expenses up & income stagnant) and weather. Weather being snow everywhere and weather meaning the cold (subzero temps) weather I think is keeping people home. I know we didn't go up New Years which we mainly ski with my sisters family. The weather was too cold to enjoy skiing, also we got snow to jan 2nd I went cross country skiing and shoveled snow, really enjoyed the winter conditions here.
POLARISDAN
New member
thanks to some wagging tounges here on john dee..I rode bayfield wi this year for the first time..paid that trail pass..then just got back from the kee..paid that trail pass..paid minn's....so I truly believe its about sno cover..people are experiencing other areas..
all the places we stopped had plenty of people..culdnt even get in the hoop barely..the bug was packed all day sunday..and the trails were not overcrowded..rode at night only cuz that's what we do, not cuz we had too..
plus I searched this whole thread and not one person mentioned the GROOMER BOXES.. we stuffed a bunch of cash in those..
so I don't think the business's that want to be in biz are hurting too bad..if they remember that homemade food to some extent will keep people coming in..the fried foods alone wont cut it anymore..
anyways its all good all over and cant wait to get this soreness outa my body and start again in mass thursday
all the places we stopped had plenty of people..culdnt even get in the hoop barely..the bug was packed all day sunday..and the trails were not overcrowded..rode at night only cuz that's what we do, not cuz we had too..
plus I searched this whole thread and not one person mentioned the GROOMER BOXES.. we stuffed a bunch of cash in those..
so I don't think the business's that want to be in biz are hurting too bad..if they remember that homemade food to some extent will keep people coming in..the fried foods alone wont cut it anymore..
anyways its all good all over and cant wait to get this soreness outa my body and start again in mass thursday