Blue Me
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Ladies and Gentleman again I've seen the worst thing you could see out on the snow. Saturday afternoon on Pencil Lake road in Lakes of the North area we came across (While I was towing a broken down Ski-Poo) a 57 year old Grandfather whom was riding on the wrong side of the rode came around the corner only to encounter a big Ford truck. Best as I could tell by his marks when he seen the truck he went to shoot back to the side he was supposed to be on. Well this caused the driver to steer harder to the left where they met in the middle. The Arctic Cat rider had no chance other than to pay with his life for not following the rules. What makes this even more terrible than it already is that his grandkids were following him on snowmobiles also. Dammit please follow the rules!! I have a kid coming up in the next month or so and after seeing this for about the 7th time in 3 years it finally hit home right then and there. I am packing it in for the time being until I can get some later rides in Canada where the rules are so much more adhered to than in Michigan. I want to be a father and a grandfather someday. So I am observing the mental slips way to often that cost people there lives. I want all of you to understand again just how vulnerable we all are. We can all be killed early because we are all going to die so lets just think a little harder and prolong this great ride while we all have it. I love ya all you crazy YamaFreaks just understand we are in an extremely risky sport. And the outcome is totally up to you.
SIMMER
TY 4 Stroke Master
WOW! That has got to be a hard thing to see....If I saw that I would probably pack it in altogether. :roll:
RX1 Yooper
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Nice post Blue. I agree with you. I don't understand how some of the jerks I see on the trails, are still alive. I saw 5 guys the other day, that crested over a blind hill at about 50, and weren't even on the right side. 2 minutes later, an older couple came the other way over the hill, doing about 20. They would have been hit by all 5 sleds.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Thats why I quit riding on the weekends. And if I am forced to ride on the weekend, I am out on the trail by 6am and done early before all the jerks come out. Besides, trails are great that early. Seems to be a trend this year with older men in their 40-50's being killed this year on the trails. Just the opposite of what you think would be happening. You would think it would be the young guys who have not learned. Not sure what is happening. This age group should be setting the example. Bottom line is it does not matter what age, too many people are dying. Fortunately most accidents are single sleds involving careless drivers who kill themselves and not others. I have not read about many head on collisions. Keep your heads up guys, I hate to see guys get discouraged with this great sport. Many people die in car accidents every day and we continue to drive. Last thing I read was over 300,000 sleds registered in Michigan with 30 fatalities. The odds are still pretty slim that we will be hurt by a careless driver. Besides riding during the week in the U.P., try Northern Ontario, WaWa area, thats great even on the weekend. No sleds or traffic. I know its expensive for the permit, but you cant put a price on your safety.
Blue Me
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Hey RX1Pat I got my Canandian permit and that's where I'll be spending my time from here on out and riding through the week. The gentleman was 47 though not 57. Typo.
YBRX1
YBRX1
RX1Jim
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Guys,
Don't make the mistake in thinking riding in Canada is any safer. There are people making mistakes and taking chances everywhere. Two years ago I came across an abandoned groomer out on Lac St. Jean. The cab of the groomer was torn off and there was blood everywhere. I found out later that a group racing across the lake did not see the groomer due to the snow dust. A sled hit the drag, flew over the drag and crashed into the cab of the groomer killing the rider and the groomer operator. I have been part of accident recovery teams in NH and Quebec, not pleaseant experiences.
Don't make the mistake in thinking riding in Canada is any safer. There are people making mistakes and taking chances everywhere. Two years ago I came across an abandoned groomer out on Lac St. Jean. The cab of the groomer was torn off and there was blood everywhere. I found out later that a group racing across the lake did not see the groomer due to the snow dust. A sled hit the drag, flew over the drag and crashed into the cab of the groomer killing the rider and the groomer operator. I have been part of accident recovery teams in NH and Quebec, not pleaseant experiences.
