95rxl650
Member
If you ride aggressive it can happen even with seasoned riders.
We prefer night riding so we can see headlights in the bush but we had a couple close calls on Friday night. My buddy blew through a poorly marked stop sign at a road crossing and missed a truck by no more than ten feet. Sign was barely visible and to close to the road. The trail had a straight run right to the road and slightly uphill. None of the tell tale signs that there was a crossing. Just looked like the rest of the bush with tree's running nearly to the road and no banks to speak of. He tried to brake then opted for the throttle. Good thing he did. I seen him react and had time to come to a sideways stop at the road.
Earlier the same evening I was playing catch up after stopping to plug my visor back in. A groomer had piled some bank up in a 90* left turn and I was doing 130km. From a distance it looked like a continuation of straight trail so I stayed on it.
Thankfully the trail was fresh groom as I had no where to go. Locked it up, swung the azz end out, turned hard left and nailed the throttle. A 270* spin into the bank and stayed upright.
Try that twice. lol
I laugh, but it could have gone badly for either one of us. We just dont see as well anymore.
We keep saying we cant ride like we are younger anymore, but when you get in the "zone", it's hard to ignore.
I know alot guys my age still drink and ride as it was once a right of passage and acceptable. Heck, it was part of snowmobiling. Days of 60mph top speed sleds is long gone and reaction times slow down.
Check yourself and leave the beer at home. Shyte happens to fast to risk having your ability impaired.
We prefer night riding so we can see headlights in the bush but we had a couple close calls on Friday night. My buddy blew through a poorly marked stop sign at a road crossing and missed a truck by no more than ten feet. Sign was barely visible and to close to the road. The trail had a straight run right to the road and slightly uphill. None of the tell tale signs that there was a crossing. Just looked like the rest of the bush with tree's running nearly to the road and no banks to speak of. He tried to brake then opted for the throttle. Good thing he did. I seen him react and had time to come to a sideways stop at the road.
Earlier the same evening I was playing catch up after stopping to plug my visor back in. A groomer had piled some bank up in a 90* left turn and I was doing 130km. From a distance it looked like a continuation of straight trail so I stayed on it.
Thankfully the trail was fresh groom as I had no where to go. Locked it up, swung the azz end out, turned hard left and nailed the throttle. A 270* spin into the bank and stayed upright.
Try that twice. lol
I laugh, but it could have gone badly for either one of us. We just dont see as well anymore.
We keep saying we cant ride like we are younger anymore, but when you get in the "zone", it's hard to ignore.
I know alot guys my age still drink and ride as it was once a right of passage and acceptable. Heck, it was part of snowmobiling. Days of 60mph top speed sleds is long gone and reaction times slow down.
Check yourself and leave the beer at home. Shyte happens to fast to risk having your ability impaired.
yami1
Member
So true on all that. My first ride on my new viper this year. Forgot about some diversion ditches in fields and hit one going way to fast. Bucked me right off landed on my ribs. Ouch. Still feeling that one a bit.
shaggyzr2
Active member
I try and stay off the trails weekend nights to try and avoid the drunken sledders, week nights are always nice and quiet out on the trails.
staggs65
Moderator
I like to know the trails I'm riding pretty good before I hotrod through it, in my twenties that was a different story. Funny though I actually ride better now even though I thought I was hot $hit back then. My back just doesn't handle it as well any more. 20 years of heavy manual labor does that to you.
Definitely a very relatable post...especialy the "in the zone part" . I tell myself over and over this is the year I will take it easy and slow down, but as soon as I get on the sled and bang through some whooped out ditch,or rip down a perfectly covered trail.......it all goes out the window! There are some areas that I have become a little more cautious about, like blind hills, but man is it ever hard to slow down!
95rxl650
Member
Weeknight riding is the best by far. Nice fresh groom and so few sleds compared to weekends. The entire crew of regulars I ride with are off work all winter.
I hear you about the back. Thats why I recently purchased a Rev. Another SRX too, but thats for those nice groomed trails and beating up on the big boys in the tight bush trails.
I hear you about the back. Thats why I recently purchased a Rev. Another SRX too, but thats for those nice groomed trails and beating up on the big boys in the tight bush trails.
ALLSEASONRIDER
Member
Great post 95rxl650!! Every year when I head to the U.P. of Michigan with some buddies for our annual trip I tell myself that I will slow down a bit because I am NOT 23 anymore.....more like double that and then some. However after we hit the trails it's like we are in our twenties again...the speed/rocket cornering/openness of the trails all add up to ...wholly crap I hope I don't hit a deer/rabbit/squirrel.....if you know what I mean.
Not that I feel out of control, more like the contrary. These newer sleds are so much quicker and better handling than we have ever had you feel like you are formula one racing on the trail.....but the vision is not getting better that's for sure. Good thing I only take one trip to the U.P. annually
Not that I feel out of control, more like the contrary. These newer sleds are so much quicker and better handling than we have ever had you feel like you are formula one racing on the trail.....but the vision is not getting better that's for sure. Good thing I only take one trip to the U.P. annually
horkn
New member
I always ride within my limits and my sleds limits. If you don't know the trail and the exact conditions of every corner, you better leave a little in reserve to get yourself out of trouble.
gbic1
New member
As I sit on the couch with the Tens unit on my back hoping for it to be better in two weeks for my trip to the north woods. I hit a tree when I was in my 20s due to a little alcohol and broke suspension and very little experience (was my first trip up north). Did not go again for many years. I have beefed up my rear suspension and added six inches of high density foam to my seat. I know my limit for drinking and dont exceed it. I have gotten my co-riders to cut back. We all in out 50s now but still love to ride. Just not quite as hard.
95rxl650
Member
50's here too....and a wee bit wiser. Unless you ask my wife. lol
Late 30's was a bad age for me. Stronger than I'd ever been due to working hard, and, pretty darn good rider in the tight bush trails.
I grew up in an era of tolerance for drinking and driving. Everyone had a coolie cup with a shorty brown bottle between their legs as they drove around aimlessly.
Wrecked a few sleds back then and lost a few friends and I still want to premix a bottle of Gibsons for the trail.
We actually believed you had to drink to stay alive. Convinced ourselves that it took fear out of the equation so that we didnt hesitate at the wrong time. Maybe it did. Or maybe it was just because we were in our prime and hit the trails 6 nights a week.
Funny thing is, it's guys our age I see drinking on the trails and the kids giving the look of scorn. lol
Oh well. I've learned to enjoy sledding without it. Even get to take in the scenery from time to time.
Late 30's was a bad age for me. Stronger than I'd ever been due to working hard, and, pretty darn good rider in the tight bush trails.
I grew up in an era of tolerance for drinking and driving. Everyone had a coolie cup with a shorty brown bottle between their legs as they drove around aimlessly.
Wrecked a few sleds back then and lost a few friends and I still want to premix a bottle of Gibsons for the trail.
We actually believed you had to drink to stay alive. Convinced ourselves that it took fear out of the equation so that we didnt hesitate at the wrong time. Maybe it did. Or maybe it was just because we were in our prime and hit the trails 6 nights a week.
Funny thing is, it's guys our age I see drinking on the trails and the kids giving the look of scorn. lol
Oh well. I've learned to enjoy sledding without it. Even get to take in the scenery from time to time.
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tripplec
New member
Yeah I know what you mean getting caught at a crossing and the sign is hidden or nearly. If it can't be seen from a distance its no good if it can be seen as you pass it. I don't ride hard or fast. I doubt my sled can doe 130km/hr either. Maybe on a flat lake with a back wind. LOL My jet exhaust.
But otherwise I have opted to goose it to get out of the way. I got hit by a car once broadside by not goosing it and did not get out of the way fast enough. I took some time to heal but no damage done other than my sled. Sleds don't stop, just slow down so its not good if you stop in from or the truck. He's on a slippery surface so what he able to you. Offer a blessing as he sends you on the way the another land.
I ride a lot of areas where I know what to expect somewhere but at night the game changes. You don't see things soon enough even with bright lighting on that angle but have the advantage of seeing someone coming. Ever tear around a corner and someone is stopped on the trail. Dahh that will put your heart into overdrive, or a wash out and you lights just pickup the other side 3ft from the deep crevice. Slow down and you'd just pile straight into the bank and go flying. Nail the throttle and you may just get the edge of the other side, bouncing up and onto the other side. Hear thumping as well but neither is a win win just the lesser of two bad solutions. Also making a fast stop attempt invites you buddy behind for a lap dance. He's all over you already in a bad situation.
I cruise the trails and spurt a bit on line of site straight aways but cool it long before the unknown of an upcoming turn. too much can go wrong especially at night. I'd say stay of the water at night. Why? because you have to be 500% sure and then its not good enough that you're on the right path. A pressure crack or open water can surprise you and stopping is not an option. Too many like to run open water in the day time. The night rider follows his trail and finds the same erie water awaiting. Happened to me and I ran that route a few times but at night you can't be certain. Many lessons learned and a few more I am sure but. I don't get speeding tickets on the trails. LOL
But otherwise I have opted to goose it to get out of the way. I got hit by a car once broadside by not goosing it and did not get out of the way fast enough. I took some time to heal but no damage done other than my sled. Sleds don't stop, just slow down so its not good if you stop in from or the truck. He's on a slippery surface so what he able to you. Offer a blessing as he sends you on the way the another land.
I ride a lot of areas where I know what to expect somewhere but at night the game changes. You don't see things soon enough even with bright lighting on that angle but have the advantage of seeing someone coming. Ever tear around a corner and someone is stopped on the trail. Dahh that will put your heart into overdrive, or a wash out and you lights just pickup the other side 3ft from the deep crevice. Slow down and you'd just pile straight into the bank and go flying. Nail the throttle and you may just get the edge of the other side, bouncing up and onto the other side. Hear thumping as well but neither is a win win just the lesser of two bad solutions. Also making a fast stop attempt invites you buddy behind for a lap dance. He's all over you already in a bad situation.
I cruise the trails and spurt a bit on line of site straight aways but cool it long before the unknown of an upcoming turn. too much can go wrong especially at night. I'd say stay of the water at night. Why? because you have to be 500% sure and then its not good enough that you're on the right path. A pressure crack or open water can surprise you and stopping is not an option. Too many like to run open water in the day time. The night rider follows his trail and finds the same erie water awaiting. Happened to me and I ran that route a few times but at night you can't be certain. Many lessons learned and a few more I am sure but. I don't get speeding tickets on the trails. LOL
opsled
Active member
95rxl650
Member
I think the scariest thing to happen for me was coming onto a pack of deer at night on the ice.
We were up in Amich Harbour just north of Parry Sound, familiar with the ice and where we were. Been there for a couple days at this point.
Coming back to the cottage we were running flat out across the lake and I caught a shadow. Slowed down so I wasnt outrunning my light and there must have been a minimum of 30 deer scattered. Never seen so many in one place. I had a good lead on the group and turned my headlight on them to slow them down, but could you imagine hitting a deer at open throttle??
Should have known better. When we pulled in the place there were 4 or 5 out back of our lodging. Owners of the resort fed and salted them all winter.
Nice destination though. Inexpensive lodging and great trails.
We were up in Amich Harbour just north of Parry Sound, familiar with the ice and where we were. Been there for a couple days at this point.
Coming back to the cottage we were running flat out across the lake and I caught a shadow. Slowed down so I wasnt outrunning my light and there must have been a minimum of 30 deer scattered. Never seen so many in one place. I had a good lead on the group and turned my headlight on them to slow them down, but could you imagine hitting a deer at open throttle??
Should have known better. When we pulled in the place there were 4 or 5 out back of our lodging. Owners of the resort fed and salted them all winter.
Nice destination though. Inexpensive lodging and great trails.
03viperguy
Moderator
I have been forced to slow down the last few years. The viper has been down and out and my only riding has been on a skandic with a drag behind it. I love grooming but miss real riding. This year my daughter has been going in a few short rides with me. Never thought I could have this much fun on a fan cooled work sled at about 20 mph! Have had a few close calls before though, and done my fair share of speeding. Never any drinking, just not worth it to me. Hell, a few places up north have LONG wide open trails, could nearly top end the viper on one trail. Anyone familiar with Pittsburg NH?
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99srxracer
New member
Very familiar with pittsburg. I stay away. Every fri headin up 93 all u see is trailer after trailer of mass rhode island and pennsylvania plates going to play. Way overcrowded place to ride. I stay close to home in lakes region and ride some beautiful trails that not alot of people beat up. Last weekend was fishing derby on winnipesaukee. I saw so much traffic on rr tracks. Out of towners who dont know the trails. I can only imagine how many people are buying skis and trailing arms this week lol.
03viperguy
Moderator
I am in Alton, haven't ridden a lot up north in a little while. I found that if I go out at about 4 in the morning I can go more than 100 miles before lunch and see almost no one. The lakes region trails have gotten nice the last few years though!
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99srxracer
New member
Im in belmont. Once im out of belmonts goat paths its smooth sailing
tippmannator
New member
Im in berlin and can get to pittsburg by sled in around 2 hrs... but the riding just north of me...milan, dummer, millfield is deep and great....and low traffic
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99srxracer
New member
Milan dummer is great on the motorcycle i know that. Never ridden sled in that area. I try not to trailer if i dont have to. Nice to leave from the house. We ought to get a ride goin w others here from nh
tippmannator
New member
I dont want to get rhis thread off topic... but om game for a nh ty ride!
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