Venting time. What is the proper grade etiquette for speed when encountering oncoming traffic? I normally slow down to about 40 mph when passing someone coming at me on the grade. I’ve had less than considerate “Ricky Racers” blow by me and it didn’t seem like they slowed a bit. And to top it off, they would take their left hand of the bars to let me know how may sleds were behind them. Personally, I would appreciate 2 hands on the handlebars much more than a sled blowing by me at 80 MPH with a “5” up letting me know there will be 4 more with one hand on the handlebars, which I can very easily see on the grade. I can’t imagine a husband/wife taking the kids for a nice ride up the grade and have some of these yahoos’s come blowing by.
Most of us on the trails are courteous and considerate of others. It’s the small percentage that always leaves the bad taste in your mouth.
Quick plug for the Green Shack in Armstrong Creek. Great food and a great owner! We had a blast there.
Thanks, Tom
Grade Etiquette
There doesn't appear to be any specific callout of an actual speed like I thought there was- I could have sworn it was supposed to be 10mph. The regulations handbook only says the following:
Law Change—Snowmobilers must stay on the right side of the trail and proceed with caution when approaching oncoming snowmobiles.
40 mph approaching speed is excessive IMO. 40 x 2 = 80. Typically those that I ride with will slow to between 10 and 20 mph. Far more ability to judge distances or move out of the way if necessary at those speeds.
Law Change—Snowmobilers must stay on the right side of the trail and proceed with caution when approaching oncoming snowmobiles.
40 mph approaching speed is excessive IMO. 40 x 2 = 80. Typically those that I ride with will slow to between 10 and 20 mph. Far more ability to judge distances or move out of the way if necessary at those speeds.
I agree 40 mph seems a bit fast and times 2 is too fast. I just estimated as I don't look at the speedo but I concentrate on the sleds coming at me. I slow to a comfortable, safe speed and that could be 20 mph, I really don't know. I do know there are some who slow barely if any when passing on the grade. Most are like you and your riding buddies who slow to a comfortable, safe speed. What is your opinion on the hand signals when you can see for miles on the grade?
It seems that a few of the riders have lost common sense with trail speeds and common courtesy in dealing with on comming riders, or passing riders. When I am in the lead with my group I cannot tell you how many times the on commming rider is on the wrong side of the trail. Riders need to aware that at any moment you may need to react and deal with un-expected situation on the trail. The only way you can safely react is to drive within the means of normal operation that would not endanger you or other riders.
To those riders who do drive at excessive speeds and complete ill advised passing manuvers on the trail: The "X" games only occur on TV and video games......
To those riders who do drive at excessive speeds and complete ill advised passing manuvers on the trail: The "X" games only occur on TV and video games......
[QUOTE=Keemez;10722]There doesn't appear to be any specific callout of an actual speed like I thought there was- I could have sworn it was supposed to be 10mph. The regulations handbook only says the following:
Law Change—Snowmobilers must stay on the right side of the trail and proceed with caution when approaching oncoming snowmobiles.
40 mph approaching speed is excessive IMO. 40 x 2 = 80. Typically those that I ride with will slow to between 10 and 20 mph. Far more ability to judge distances or move out of the way if necessary at those speeds.[/QUOTE]
I think that if these same riders went pass a Sheriff, this law maybe used :shrug:
As far as hand signals I teach all of the kids in the safety class that only the leader needs to signal that sleds are behind and the last sled signals that they are the last sled, the riders in middle should just keep their hands on the bars and stay on the right side of the trail.
It would also be nice that the snowmobilers that have mirrors on their sleds look at them and let the group behind them pass at a stop sign or safe trail opening
Law Change—Snowmobilers must stay on the right side of the trail and proceed with caution when approaching oncoming snowmobiles.
40 mph approaching speed is excessive IMO. 40 x 2 = 80. Typically those that I ride with will slow to between 10 and 20 mph. Far more ability to judge distances or move out of the way if necessary at those speeds.[/QUOTE]
I think that if these same riders went pass a Sheriff, this law maybe used :shrug:
As far as hand signals I teach all of the kids in the safety class that only the leader needs to signal that sleds are behind and the last sled signals that they are the last sled, the riders in middle should just keep their hands on the bars and stay on the right side of the trail.
It would also be nice that the snowmobilers that have mirrors on their sleds look at them and let the group behind them pass at a stop sign or safe trail opening
-
arcticcatsnow
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:01 am
i would rather have someone have control of their sled on their side of the trail than worry about puting their hands up to tell how many are behind. Also those who decide to ride on the left side of the trail are the real morons. I cant tell you how many times i met snowmobiles on the wrong side of the trail up towards three lakes this past weekend. Also snowmobilers shouldnt be riding two sleds wide ANYWHERE on the trail. Just about nailed someone who decided this was a good idea. Good thing there was an opening off the trail for me to take! Lastly snowmobilers shouldnt pass on the right side, Its basic rules of the road.... why should sleds be any different than vehicles. And people wonder how accidents happen.. Venting complete...
Agree with most of it. 40 mph is really rippin' along on most of these trails - anytime!:eek: The only time our group goes any faster than 40 is on the lakes and even that isn't always very much fun depending on how smooth the frozen surface is. Same can be said about the trails but we do enjoy the occasional nice wide straight-aways. Next time you're going 40 or 50, nail the brakes and see how LONG it takes to stop - or slow down. I've raced motorcycles and fully respect traction and sleds ain't known for that!:slywink: Venting over-thanx to all. 
:taz:
:taz:
:taz:
:taz:
Agree that you shouldn't blast by at 80 MPH, but 40 isn't too fast on the wide parts of the grade, and if you're passing me at that kind of speed, please keep both hands on the grips. I've seen far too many people focusing on signaling when they should just focus on staying on their own side of the trail. Especially on a grade where I can see for a mile. Just keep it on your side.
Now on an 8' wide wooded trail, 40 MPH is nuts.
Now on an 8' wide wooded trail, 40 MPH is nuts.
Venting continued. We were up in Eagle River over the weekend on our club trip. I was riding in a group. After just looking back in my mirrors and seeing just my group I was past by 2 Yamahas just flying, passing on a turn and scared the crap out of me. Never saw them coming. Heard them once they were next to me. I wished I had a paint ball gun mounted to my sled and I would have let them have it!! This crap has to stop!! Wait untill a stop sign. Or at least make sure the sled in front of you is awear your there. We came to an intersection where part of our group had already turned. The two guys went straight. Our group leader was going to stop them and ask them whats up with that driving. And people wonder why others don't like snowmobilers. How does the old saying go. A few spoil it for the many. Rant over.
SKI-DOO 2005 GTX 600 HO
QUESTION? WHEN YOU TURN ON YOUR SNOWMOBILE, DOES IT RETURN THE FAVOR??
QUESTION? WHEN YOU TURN ON YOUR SNOWMOBILE, DOES IT RETURN THE FAVOR??
