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For those of you who have somehow fallen into one of my long-winded, coffee induced morning rants before, you know what to expect here. I'm gonna start re-posting some stuff I've blistered out over the years on HCS.  Still fun and applicable.  Let's start talking sled shit.....we can hate each other for better reasons than just politics.  :lol:

Here we go!  

 

We are a strange breed.  In watching, reading and listening to the bizarre things we say throughout the season, I thought I’d retort a bit and give my own little analysis on each snowmobiling group. Feel free to correct me, bash me, explain your side, add a few “nuggets” or even delve into the subcultures of each. It’s all in good fun and humor and since we are close to having 8-9 months before the next ride again so, time is unfortunately on our side. Now, obviously, there are subcultures in each group that have their own funny little “issues”, but I’ll write out the first four major groups (as I see them).

Let’s start with my group, the “Trail Riders”. By far the largest percentage of riders out there and thus, the whiniest. Oh my god! We are like a bizarre version of Goldilocks and Three Bears mixed in with the Seven Dwarfs; three called “Grumpy”, two called “Bitchy” and two called “Whiny”. ……….. “They ride too fast!”, “They ride too slow!”, “Why won’t they let us pass!”, “Use your mirrors!”, “This trail is too bumpy!”, “They need to groom more!”, “Stay on your side of the trail!”, “Stop whooping up the trails!”, “Stop sweeping the corners!”, “There’s too many people on the trails!”, “Use hand signals!, “Don’t use hand signals!”, “Look behind you”, “Watch where you are going!”, “The trails are too icy”, “The trails are too slushy”…..etc…

Holy sheep shit! Talk about a whiny bunch of bitches! Somewhere there is a trail for us that is absolutely perfect….it must be in Heaven. It is amazing how much we all bitch, whine, and cry all season about “everybody else” on the trails while somehow insinuating that I /my group are “the perfect rider(s)”. As miserable as we all get, we all still can’t wait for the season to start to be miserable all-over again. Comedic tragedy at its finest.

Next, the “Flat-Lander Deep Powder Riders”. Now granted these sleds look the coolest but for a lot of us, we’re not 100% sure of the appeal. There really aren’t any mountains to speak of in “flat-land country” and most of the snow gathered deep enough to justify those long tracks is on private land. And it seems that for a lot of these riders, just as soon as they venture just off the beaten path into two and half feet of snow, they get stuck almost immediately. That somehow triggers the alarm to unsheathe the cameras and take pictures of it. As if to say; “My deep powder riding talent ran out as soon as I hit deep powder.” Then post them all over the web for validation. “High marking” and “side-hilling” those 30 foot road embankments that would make even the most novice of the mountain riders wonder…”why?”. But again, the coolest looking’ sleds (IMO).

Ok, now we’ll go to the “Lake Racers or Open Field Racers”. This is a group whose life begins at 100 mph. They usually buy the fastest 4-strokers out there, and then spend oodles upgrading them. All for a few seconds of high end speed. Also the ones constantly complaining (whining) after a day of red-lining their sleds about blowing belts, burning pistons, and otherwise failing parts. Speed comes at a price…and it is reliability as much as dollars. Didn’t the dealer explain that at your time of purchase? Also, a culture in this group that brag weirdly about beating that 600 class sled across the lake…really? Shouldn’t you guys be hanging out, high-fiving, bumping “helmets” and racing each other? If you’re the only "T15000" sled in your area…well, “when in Rome…….”

“Deep Powder Mountain Riders”; As I’ve done this only a couple of times with tour groups out in Colorado, I can only comment a bit. This is a group who somehow seem to see themselves and their brand of riding as the “purest” or “elitist”. A group that at 6500 feet above sea level is where the sleds get fired up. Their sleds look like backwards chainsaws and for some reason sound just like them. Not sure why every mountain sledder absolutely must have a loud can that can be heard four mountain ranges away. If they can find a way to fit a 300 inch track with five inch lugs on a sled they would. “High marking” at 30 mph through the pines only to end up in one, or a deep crevice. This again draws out the cameras. They also share the need as the flat-lander deep powder guys do to take pictures of bent A-arms and broken suspension parts….although not as frequently. Is it difficult to break sleds by running into hard, inanimate objects? And love to make fun of us flat-landers who go out to the 7000 foot mark and need a ten minute rest after starting our sled. Next time…warn us to bring fuckin’ oxygen masks! I can help you more getting my rental unstuck if…..I CAN BREATHE!

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3 minutes ago, Zambroski said:

The ones that groom our massive MN state trails are paid guys.  And well paid I believe.  All the others are club volunteers.

NH has a few state employees that groom some of the state corridor trails. I think the state has about a half dozen groomers stationed around the state. Not nearly enough to cover over 6000 miles of trails.

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Just now, ArcticCrusher said:

How much do you guys pay for permits.  Ours average about 200 per.

I can't remember but a trail permit is like $35/year?  And registration that includes permits for 3 years is like $100?  Shit...not sure.  But it's cheap compared to other places for sure.

Vermont is $135 for the trail pass if bought before 12/15. You also need a state registration that runs about $30. 

3 hours ago, Woodtick said:

The club I'm in heads out at 7pm. It has all night to set up. It's a remote area with very few bars and no hotels, so they can get away with it. Heavy traffic during the day,ghost town at night, no gas after 9pm.:bc:

those locals without trail permits are the ones that like to head out mid week after dinner and weekends late in the day thinking they won't get caught

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20 minutes ago, 02sled said:

those locals without trail permits are the ones that like to head out mid week after dinner and weekends late in the day thinking they won't get caught

We've got those guys too.  When they get finally get popped it's a healthy fine.  And then they bitch that the state is killing sledding.  Really?  How was that trail you were on when you got that ticket?  Nice and groomed I'll bet.  Too funny.

To most of the population we are indeed a strange breed. Watch the weather forecast on TV and the reporter says it's going to be nasty, cold and lots of snow, time to hunker down at home. Meanwhile we are doing the happy dance with a big ass grin on our faces.

I'm waiting in line in a store the other day and everyone around me is talking about how wonderfully warm it's been (well above typical) and how they would be happy if it stayed like this. Meanwhile I wanted to tell them to take their weather glee and stick it.

Today we finally have some cold weather. Below freezing last night and hovering just above today.

Are we a strange breed?

  • Canadian Donating Member
28 minutes ago, 02sled said:

To most of the population we are indeed a strange breed. Watch the weather forecast on TV and the reporter says it's going to be nasty, cold and lots of snow, time to hunker down at home. Meanwhile we are doing the happy dance with a big ass grin on our faces.

I'm waiting in line in a store the other day and everyone around me is talking about how wonderfully warm it's been (well above typical) and how they would be happy if it stayed like this. Meanwhile I wanted to tell them to take their weather glee and stick it.

Today we finally have some cold weather. Below freezing last night and hovering just above today.

Are we a strange breed?

Yup.  Went outside this morning, breezy, flurries, smile on my face, not so for others.  Still gotta put the winters on the wife's car.:cry:

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30 minutes ago, 02sled said:

To most of the population we are indeed a strange breed. Watch the weather forecast on TV and the reporter says it's going to be nasty, cold and lots of snow, time to hunker down at home. Meanwhile we are doing the happy dance with a big ass grin on our faces.

I'm waiting in line in a store the other day and everyone around me is talking about how wonderfully warm it's been (well above typical) and how they would be happy if it stayed like this. Meanwhile I wanted to tell them to take their weather glee and stick it.

Today we finally have some cold weather. Below freezing last night and hovering just above today.

Are we a strange breed?

Ha!  No kidding.  I was at the post office the other day wearing a Sno-X shirt.  Heavy snow was forecast and the lady behind the counter made a comment of how happy I must be...I said "Ecstatic!"  She just laughed as did the rest of the people within ear shot.  They know....a lot of people like the winter...that's why they live here.  I think the length of it is what some don't enjoy as much.  And frankly, if you don't have a winter hobby, it'd be long for anybody.  

There's a lot of skiers and boarders around here that also get excited at the mention of snow. Killington is hosting a world cup event next weekend. They are very happy to see the snow today.

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29 minutes ago, Zambroski said:

Ha!  No kidding.  I was at the post office the other day wearing a Sno-X shirt.  Heavy snow was forecast and the lady behind the counter made a comment of how happy I must be...I said "Ecstatic!"  She just laughed as did the rest of the people within ear shot.  They know....a lot of people like the winter...that's why they live here.  I think the length of it is what some don't enjoy as much.  And frankly, if you don't have a winter hobby, it'd be long for anybody.  

Absolutely. It's easy keep busy in summer which goes by in the blink of an eye. Then you have the in between eternity once the boats are put away and it's just damp and miserable until the sled season starts.  Sled season starts and again ends too quickly. Then back to an eternity scenario waiting for ice out and the boat back in the water.

If you live where there is winter... embrace it. Sledding, skiing, skating, something other than hibernate. Love it or leave it.

Where does the guy that's out riding after the first 3" of snow of the season fit in your list, Z? I just heard a sled when I was outside with the dog. I bet their lawn is taking a beating with 3" of snow on top of an unfrozen ground. Wanna bet? Well, do ya :lol:

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1 minute ago, ckf said:

Where does the guy that's out riding after the first 3" of snow of the season fit in your list, Z? I just heard a sled when I was outside with the dog. I bet their lawn is taking a beating with 3" of snow on top of an unfrozen ground. Wanna bet? Well, do ya :lol:

Oh...I think that sub-category can fit nicely under each category.  We can call them the "grass trimmers" or "weed wackers" or something.  :lmao:

Several lawns and fields ripped up along my travel this morning...dirt everywhere.  

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13 minutes ago, Zambroski said:

Oh...I think that sub-category can fit nicely under each category.  We can call them the "grass trimmers" or "weed wackers" or something.  :lmao:

Several lawns and fields ripped up along my travel this morning...dirt everywhere.  

:lol:

I don't have any grass I care about up north so WTF.:lol:

It's called de thatching your yard you idiots. I do it every year. :burp:

31 minutes ago, Woodtick said:

It's called de thatching your yard you idiots. I do it every year. :burp:

I did mine today...Lol!

On 11/20/2016 at 10:20 AM, ArcticCrusher said:

How much do you guys pay for permits.  Ours average about 200 per.

I pay $10.00 for my Wisconsin permit, $48.00 for Michigan, a week in QC will be $215.00 CDN, Ontario will be $210.00 CDN for the season before December 2nd.

By the time I'm done with permits for my sled, the wife's sled I'll be at $720.00 in permits, then there are the spares for friends and family :lol:   

On 11/21/2016 at 9:51 AM, ckf said:

Where does the guy that's out riding after the first 3" of snow of the season fit in your list, Z? I just heard a sled when I was outside with the dog. I bet their lawn is taking a beating with 3" of snow on top of an unfrozen ground. Wanna bet? Well, do ya :lol:

Who needs 3" of snow?

 

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