Three people killed on the tug this weekend

[nate007]

There is going to be accidents in any sport, but it's too bad the governing bodies like to clamp down on sledders when the going gets tough.
I've said it before in years past, and I'll say it again, it's up to everyone out there to be responsible, and know your limits, and stay aware of the situation and traffic around you. It can be frustrating when the trails get crowded, and time may not let everyone just pick a different day to ride, but having an accident of any kind spoils it for everyone, so keep threads like this in your mind when you make the decision(s) when, where, and how to ride!
Do everyone around you a favor, and take note of how larger group rides are organized. TY rides for instance, have a "0" tollerance policy for drinking and riding. Get caught drinking during the day with the group, and you're out of the group. Wait until the end of the day and when the sleds are put away safe and sound, enjoy your drinks then! Keep everyone in your group safe, by communicating your destination(s), don't leave people behind, maintain following distances, etc... Keep your speeds under control when visibility is low, or traffic is high, and don't ride so aggressive that you can't make an emergency stop, or dodge an obstacle safely! And for those of you who don't know them, learn the hand signals for traffic!
It doesn't take much effort to be safe, and you don't have to kill the fun of riding by doing the right things. It does only take one to spoil the sport, so keep your heads screwed on straight!

 

[nards444]

There is going to be accidents in any sport, but it's too bad the governing bodies like to clamp down on sledders when the going gets tough.
I've said it before in years past, and I'll say it again, it's up to everyone out there to be responsible, and know your limits, and stay aware of the situation and traffic around you. It can be frustrating when the trails get crowded, and time may not let everyone just pick a different day to ride, but having an accident of any kind spoils it for everyone, so keep threads like this in your mind when you make the decision(s) when, where, and how to ride!
Do everyone around you a favor, and take note of how larger group rides are organized. TY rides for instance, have a "0" tollerance policy for drinking and riding. Get caught drinking during the day with the group, and you're out of the group. Wait until the end of the day and when the sleds are put away safe and sound, enjoy your drinks then! Keep everyone in your group safe, by communicating your destination(s), don't leave people behind, maintain following distances, etc... Keep your speeds under control when visibility is low, or traffic is high, and don't ride so aggressive that you can't make an emergency stop, or dodge an obstacle safely! And for those of you who don't know them, learn the hand signals for traffic!
It doesn't take much effort to be safe, and you don't have to kill the fun of riding by doing the right things. It does only take one to spoil the sport, so keep your heads screwed on straight!

Funny thing is law enforcement on the Tug is non exsistent. That saturday night I was out i saw three cops and thats the most Ive seen in one year combined. most of the time you may get stopped to and they check your reg sticker and thats about it. If they were to stop and ask for insurance and stuff they would get more DUI cases that way. I dont want tons of cops out there, but everybody knows their chance of cops is low, so the ones that cant control themselves do stupid things.


I hate making generalizations because I am a snowmobiler my self. But any sport has its idiots, but I think something like snowmobiling has per capita probably more. For one an 18 year old can be on the trail with 1000 bucks or the payment plans go, he can have a new powerful sled for couple hundred bucks. For that fact anybody can be out on the trails. I dont see as many dumb people in boats.

 

[nate007]

Very true on the per capita comment, I'd have to agree, and it doesn't take a very powerful seld at all to be dangerous.
It's an ongoing issue that most likely won't change in my opinion. As big as the sport is, it simply doesn't have the funding and infastructure that other sport do (trails maintained by volunteers, donated land for access, etc) like boating does on government maintained lakes and rivers, etc.. I think for a fundamental change in safety and governing, it's going to end up costing every sledder more money in the form of registrations, trail permits and tickets/fines all increasing in order to fund the management. It's fiscally just a difficult position for the sport to be in, especially in states like Iowa where I live, that doesn't even have a dedicated trail system.
Some valid points for sure, but bottom line is at it's current state, it's up to everyone who rides to keep their heads screwed on straight and think when you ride. That's the only way the sport can survive.

 

[BADSLED]

There is going to be accidents in any sport, but it's too bad the governing bodies like to clamp down on sledders when the going gets tough.
I've said it before in years past, and I'll say it again, it's up to everyone out there to be responsible, and know your limits, and stay aware of the situation and traffic around you. It can be frustrating when the trails get crowded, and time may not let everyone just pick a different day to ride, but having an accident of any kind spoils it for everyone, so keep threads like this in your mind when you make the decision(s) when, where, and how to ride!
Do everyone around you a favor, and take note of how larger group rides are organized. TY rides for instance, have a "0" tollerance policy for drinking and riding. Get caught drinking during the day with the group, and you're out of the group. Wait until the end of the day and when the sleds are put away safe and sound, enjoy your drinks then! Keep everyone in your group safe, by communicating your destination(s), don't leave people behind, maintain following distances, etc... Keep your speeds under control when visibility is low, or traffic is high, and don't ride so aggressive that you can't make an emergency stop, or dodge an obstacle safely! And for those of you who don't know them, learn the hand signals for traffic!
It doesn't take much effort to be safe, and you don't have to kill the fun of riding by doing the right things. It does only take one to spoil the sport, so keep your heads screwed on straight!

Funny this is law enforcement on the Tug is non exsistent. That saturday night I was out i saw three cops and thats the most Ive seen in one year combined. most of the time you may get stopped to and they check your reg sticker and thats about it. If they were to stop and ask for insurance and stuff they would get more DUI cases that way. I dont want tons of cops out there, but everybody knows their chance of cops is low, so the ones that cant control themselves do stupid things.


I hate making generalizations because I am a snowmobiler my self. But any sport has its idiots, but I think something like snowmobiling has per capita probably more. For one an 18 year old can be on the trail with 1000 bucks or the payment plans go, he can have a new powerful sled for couple hundred bucks. For that fact anybody can be out on the trails. I dont see as many dumb people in boats.

You have got to be kidding!! Do you get out once a season? I have seen more cops in Tug Hill last season then I have in the 15 years of riding. Fact of the matter is accidents do happen and cops are not the answer!! This year the conditions are more dangerous then in the past because of icy corners. Furthermore, there is minimal snow in other areas of the state so everyone flocks to the Hill where the conditions if 'ok' deteriorate within matter of hours. One must ride responsibly and realize how dangerous these machines can be if things go wrong. I certainly don't need to be harassed by cops to ride responsibly and if you're answer is to have one sitting in every intersection I will quit riding.

 

[nards444]

There is going to be accidents in any sport, but it's too bad the governing bodies like to clamp down on sledders when the going gets tough.
I've said it before in years past, and I'll say it again, it's up to everyone out there to be responsible, and know your limits, and stay aware of the situation and traffic around you. It can be frustrating when the trails get crowded, and time may not let everyone just pick a different day to ride, but having an accident of any kind spoils it for everyone, so keep threads like this in your mind when you make the decision(s) when, where, and how to ride!
Do everyone around you a favor, and take note of how larger group rides are organized. TY rides for instance, have a "0" tollerance policy for drinking and riding. Get caught drinking during the day with the group, and you're out of the group. Wait until the end of the day and when the sleds are put away safe and sound, enjoy your drinks then! Keep everyone in your group safe, by communicating your destination(s), don't leave people behind, maintain following distances, etc... Keep your speeds under control when visibility is low, or traffic is high, and don't ride so aggressive that you can't make an emergency stop, or dodge an obstacle safely! And for those of you who don't know them, learn the hand signals for traffic!
It doesn't take much effort to be safe, and you don't have to kill the fun of riding by doing the right things. It does only take one to spoil the sport, so keep your heads screwed on straight!

Funny this is law enforcement on the Tug is non exsistent. That saturday night I was out i saw three cops and thats the most Ive seen in one year combined. most of the time you may get stopped to and they check your reg sticker and thats about it. If they were to stop and ask for insurance and stuff they would get more DUI cases that way. I dont want tons of cops out there, but everybody knows their chance of cops is low, so the ones that cant control themselves do stupid things.


I hate making generalizations because I am a snowmobiler my self. But any sport has its idiots, but I think something like snowmobiling has per capita probably more. For one an 18 year old can be on the trail with 1000 bucks or the payment plans go, he can have a new powerful sled for couple hundred bucks. For that fact anybody can be out on the trails. I dont see as many dumb people in boats.

You have got to be kidding!! Do you get out once a season? I have seen more cops in Tug Hill last season then I have in the 15 years of riding. Fact of the matter is accidents do happen and cops are not the answer!! This year the conditions are more dangerous then in the past because of icy corners. Furthermore, there is minimal snow in other areas of the state so everyone flocks to the Hill where the conditions if 'ok' deteriorate within matter of hours. One must ride responsibly and realize how dangerous these machines can be if things go wrong. I certainly don't need to be harassed by cops to ride responsibly and if you're answer is to have one sitting in every intersection I will quit riding.

Havent been out this year for obvious reasons, but last year every weekend that was possible. We come from Barnes corners to flat rock then usually down to High market, milk factory, etc. usually 100 mile plus trips. The amount of times I have seen cops I can count on one hand in 4 years. We have been stopped once to show everything and I didnt find it harassing. As long as you arent a ditch banger, have all proper documents, dont drink and are being a d-bag the cops will leave you alone.

Cops arent the answer or the whole answer. Trails need to be better groomed and marked but that takes money. Law enforcement needs to be present. You expect people to behave just because they should, nope. There needs to be some threat of being caught of being an idiot.

Like I said 99% of the time the cops are at crossing of a trail and a back road, they raise their hand look at your sticker and waive you buy.