38 replies to this topic

[metaluc]

Paul D, on Jan 22 2009, 11:02 PM, said:

Very good point. Someone should work on getting that law on the books. Someone are you listening?

There already is a law on the books! Its called the law of physics. Disobey these laws at you own peril.

Two 800 lb sleds doing even 25 mph hitting head on can really make a mess. If somebody can't appreciate
the gravity of those circumstances, its unlikely they will appreciate and respect any civil law.

I see no problem with a rider using the whole trail when there is 100% visibility, and no traffic and
no blind curves.

When you go around a corner, you slow down and get on your side. It's common sense, enforced by
the inviolable laws of physics.

[lotus_dbh]

metaluc, on Jan 23 2009, 06:25 AM, said:

There already is a law on the books! Its called the law of physics. Disobey these laws at you own peril.

Two 800 lb sleds doing even 25 mph hitting head on can really make a mess. If somebody can't appreciate
the gravity of those circumstances, its unlikely they will appreciate and respect any civil law.

I see no problem with a rider using the whole trail when there is 100% visibility, and no traffic and
no blind curves.

When you go around a corner, you slow down and get on your side. It's common sense, enforced by
the inviolable laws of physics.

If I were riding an 800 pound sled, I'd probably have trouble steering it too. Yamaha?

[The Toolman]

The eight hundred pound sled would have to include a two hundred pound rider, even a Yamaha!!

[Airtime006]

I love Mark's game while riding, I do it all the time. See who can stay on their side of the trail.....all the time, not just on straight aways.

I will also make a comment that I too notice riders all over the trail. Wednesday I rode a freshly groomed trail with one sled track on it and guess what? Well over 15 miles of following this track it zig zagged back and forth across the trail worse than our changing winds in NE. This was even done on blind corners and hills....IMO-just asking for trouble. I hope this was a newbie and not a veteran mid-week rider who should know better.

[PolarisCobra]

"not a veteran mid-week rider who should know better"

I am thinking that there is no such thing as a vetran rider who doesn't stick to his own side! You can only spin the barrell and pull the trigger so many times before you get a chamber with a bullet in it.

[Ajak]

Paul D, on Jan 22 2009, 11:02 PM, said:

Very good point. Someone should work on getting that law on the books. Someone are you listening?

This is already on the books in Maine. They set up cones in a corner........ then sit and watch people blow the corner and knock the cones over. I have personally never seen this, as I don't ride the areas in Maine where there is any enforcement.

[rivercat]

The Toolman, on Jan 23 2009, 08:01 AM, said:

The eight hundred pound sled would have to include a two hundred pound rider, even a Yamaha!!

also 12 gals of gas = about 95 pounds

[The Toolman]

Each year this will get worse and worse as enforcement is to generate dollars not sense. To stand off of straightaways and ticket for speed instead of being in control is ridiculus. Just like the new summer speed limit on Winipesaukee. Create laws that maintain safety not just revenue. On several occasions we have had trucks on our trails and no one does anything, fish and game especially. When a snowmobile and a truck meet on a blind corner there is going to be a problem.

[Mainecat]

Good post OVR!
I had a friend end up in a coma for a month from a young cowboy entering a blind corner on his side. So much on his side my friend was up on the highside berm with one ski off and still got whacked head on. He had severe chest injuries and needed 60 days in rehab.

I lead and cannot tell you how many times I have come around a corner or over a rise to find 8 sleds across the complete trail or intersection. One time I had to choose the weeds. I pulled out in front of these guys and raised my hands like WTF? They moved a few sleds and we proceeded.

Common sense and awareness that your not the only sledder on the trails.

And Rob your condoning unsafe sledding.....period.

[AsnowmanZ]

Wow, Sorry I DID NOT CLARIFY MY OPINION. HOLY CRAP do you need some medication or what?

Sorry if MY OPINION offended you. What I was getting at was riding through Rumney and south or corridor 11 - WHICH SUCKS IN SOME OF THAT AREA - POORLY SIGNED might I add. the trail is TIGHT & TWISTY, and barely enough trail for 2 sleds to pass, and as I crest this hill, with a sharp left downhill at the top, the tracks were CLEARLY TRYING TO APEX the corner.

Without knowing what is on the other side. Coulda been YOUR WIFE OR CHILD. Glad it seemed no-one was there, but surely you could not know that approaching the crest of hill.

I AM GUILTY of not being specific enough - Time to whip me into submission.

BTW - I AGREE TOTALLY when its APPROPRIATE you can use 5/8 of the trail or more if you are so inclined, but not through dense forest, and many miles or corners. I rode the powerline from Berlin - Dixville which is WIDE F-Open for 25 miles, and surely I crossed the center of the trail - but I could see for .... Ever.

-Calm down buddy - not wanting to start a fight - just looking for others to ride with.

-Chris.

[VMAXXTC]

rivercat, on Jan 23 2009, 08:47 AM, said:

also 12 gals of gas = about 95 pounds

Yamaha Apex = 575 lb
12 gal gas = 78lb
+ 180lb rider

= 833lb of poor steering....lol

STAY RIGHT! thanks!

[AsnowmanZ]

Ajak, on Jan 23 2009, 08:39 AM, said:

This is already on the books in Maine. They set up cones in a corner........ then sit and watch people blow the corner and knock the cones over. I have personally never seen this, as I don't ride the areas in Maine where there is any enforcement.

Sorry - Just saw this post

I was riding with 3 or 4 buddies 2 yrs ago, and as we rounded this corner, there was spray paint on the snow, and about 50' up the trail was NH FG - 4 of them waiting for exactly this scenario. The 4th guy in line slid the ass-end around the corner as he had no studs, and got pulled over & ticketed for un-safely crossing center of trail.

Its in the NH books guys - Look it up. you WILL GET TICKETED if t"They" catch you.

Just wanted you all to know this, as it was a SUPRISE to us as well. Made for a great card table discussion over BEERS that night

[dualmass]

ONE THOUGHT ABOUT, people who park in the middle of the trail/

This winter I had to find my through three sleds parked in the middle of the trail, I then waited (pissed off was I) for my buddy to find his way past, BUT he stops in the middle of all the sleds.
At first I was thinking "this gonna be interesting" ( my buddy fights in the UFC), he is gonna tell them to move it!


BUT it turns out that I am the dickhead in this story, Because these people were LOST!!!
They jumped in front of my friend, they needed direction back to town.

Sometimes people who are blocking the trail, are in need of help...

By the way none of them even spoke english, mexicans I think.

[Tim]

skully, on Jan 22 2009, 06:52 PM, said:

Hmmm .....
I have a slight problem with your logic !
I have been riding in the woods since 1970 (30 years riding & racing dirtbikes) and the last 10 years on a sled.
I do not see a problem with using the WHOLE TRAIL if there is NO ON-COMMING traffic.
If you think I am going to stay on the righthand side of a trail like a long straight or even long sweeping twisties where
I can see PLENTY far ahead to alter my course if I see someone comming or someone in the trail and it is all whooped
out and the other side is not as bad ........ then you are nuts !
What is next ? You going to require the clubs to paint YELLOW lines down the middle of the trail next ?
Ohhh .... Wait you can't do that ! Liberals need to have Laws to protect you against yourself ! Sorry I forgot !
How about just require people to use COMMON SENCE when you are riding !

Rob .....

I think the keep right sign came out right after the caution hot coffee label on cups. Lawyers got involved. If you want to ride down the center of the trail all the time, then we can trade in our 2 $160,000 tuckers, let the trails grow back in and buy skandiks for all of our club members instead. Sure save me a lot of long nights. Yellow lines won't work, they'll be ignored just like the signs. I'm not saying you're going hurt someone but maybe the inexperienced ride following in your tracks might.

[Ajak]

AsnowmanZ, on Jan 23 2009, 04:57 PM, said:

Sorry - Just saw this post

I was riding with 3 or 4 buddies 2 yrs ago, and as we rounded this corner, there was spray paint on the snow, and about 50' up the trail was NH FG - 4 of them waiting for exactly this scenario. The 4th guy in line slid the ass-end around the corner as he had no studs, and got pulled over & ticketed for un-safely crossing center of trail.

Its in the NH books guys - Look it up. you WILL GET TICKETED if t"They" catch you.

Just wanted you all to know this, as it was a SUPRISE to us as well. Made for a great card table discussion over BEERS that night

What part of the state was this?? I've yet to see this in NH. How much warning did the paint give you or was it already too deep into the corner?

[wigga]

[/qoute]The second is stopping three of four abreast anywhere on the trail and blocking other riders. It is not as dangerous as the above but still could be in a blind spot in the trail. It is also very inconsiderate of other trail users who have to try and squeeze by the parked sleds. Anytime riders stop on the trail they should do so in single file and as far to the right as possible.[/quote]


I seen this three weeks ago right on 5 on the sharpest corner right after 145 at the bridge. I was coming from the other direction, I gave them the what the hell " hand in the air".

Also bottom of deer mountain group of about ten, some about 5 wide stopped I slow passed them, 5 of them seen me while the leader pulled over not in the middle of the trail did not, he almost kissed the yamaha as he blast out on the trail without looking. I gunned it to void a accident. I had on the collect platnum as they had and his partners told him the look out. I replied back what the hell, look before you just blast out on the trail. Never heard back or seen them again.

[bakersnow]

Well said and all very good points. Generally more common sense and responsibility needed from many riders. I do believe there are sometimes when you are familiar with the trail that a rolling stop is ok. If you can easily see there is no traffic it can be a smoother transition from snow to dirt to pavement. ONLY ok if this is a trail know very well.

Edited by bakersnow, 25 January 2009 - 07:11 PM.

[AsnowmanZ]

Ajak,

This actually happened Just outside Colebrook, maybe close to Dixville or slightly south toward Nash Stream. Dont remember the exact location, however I am pretty sure the guy I was riding with may be a member here.

As I think about it, It also happened (without paint) heading south from Diamond Pond during a Snodeo weekend. I was riding with 1 other person, and we crested the hill by the lookout, and then 3 or 4 FG cops went by, I went 1/2 mile to start the steep descent to head toward Balsams, I looked for my buddy and he wasnt there. I turn around, and bingo - getting ticketed.

I asked what happened and was told to return to my sled unless I wanted one (Ticket) too. GREAT PERSONAL RELATIONS this guy had.

Just walked to my sled and waited to see $$ Damage. was about $70 bucks.

-chris.

[Ajak]

AsnowmanZ, on Jan 26 2009, 10:50 AM, said:

Ajak,

This actually happened Just outside Colebrook, maybe close to Dixville or slightly south toward Nash Stream. Dont remember the exact location, however I am pretty sure the guy I was riding with may be a member here.

As I think about it, It also happened (without paint) heading south from Diamond Pond during a Snodeo weekend. I was riding with 1 other person, and we crested the hill by the lookout, and then 3 or 4 FG cops went by, I went 1/2 mile to start the steep descent to head toward Balsams, I looked for my buddy and he wasnt there. I turn around, and bingo - getting ticketed.

I asked what happened and was told to return to my sled unless I wanted one (Ticket) too. GREAT PERSONAL RELATIONS this guy had.

Just walked to my sled and waited to see $$ Damage. was about $70 bucks.

-chris.

Thanks for the reply. I try to avoid the populated and busy areas as much as possible on the weekends. I usually do my exploring on the weekends and leave the on trail cruising for weekdays.