Another check box on the bucket list

 

I finally got to try snowmobiling yesterday.  Today I hurt
everywhere.

A friend loaned me his 700cc (2-stroke) Yamaha sled.  We rode Snowy
Range in Wyoming.   While big fun, I don't think I'll be buying my own
sled anytime soon.  Compared to dirt bikes, steering on a sled is more
of a "recommendation" than a "command".   40 years of motorcycle
experience had me totally screwed up at low speed steering.  High
speed steering felt a lot like a bike.  Doing any turns in powder
require massive amounts of body english.

In our group of 4, we had two noobs - myself & Shannon.  Everyone in
the group sunk their sled at least twice.  The two experts were also
the best at sinking sleds.  One into a snow bridge over a creek, one
into a tree hole (after wrapping his ski around the top of the tree).
Damn, but those things are heavy!  Shovel - lift - pull - shovel.

Being in a ground blizzard at 11k' as the sun was setting was
surreal.  You could hardly see anything on the ground, and had to ride
by braile.  The expert who loaned me the Yamaha, totally bent the a-
arms on one side of his sled dropping down a steep powder hill &
catching a big rock.   He flew over the top of his sled, then got run
over by it.  At least necessary repairs were limited to the sled,
rather than the body.

-Jeff-

 

Good thing you didn't try a recent Ski-Doo (Rev chassis) 800cc.

They sure are expensive.

Never pass a bathroom.  Never waste a hard on.  Never trust a fart.

Words to live by...

 

HellSickle reports:


I haven't been on one in ten years but my recollection is
1. if you have groomed trails, these things accelerate faster than
anything
2.  Steering is limited effectiveness at best
3.  the brakes suck



Friends wife Doretta is still in the hospital from last Thursday's
sled crash.  Broke ribs and collapsed both lungs - bad ju-ju.
She's out of the woods but incredibly sore.


Go fast. Take chances.
Mike S.

 


Nothing quite like a 150hp 2-stroke hooked to a continuously variable
tranny in a <500lb machine.


In loose snow initially turn the opposite direction to get the outside
ski up then use the skis to maintain attitude.


Only downhill :)  - imagine ONLY having a rear brake

I was one of those pu$$ies who routinely put a clutch belt over a ski
to go down slopes.

4.  The '03 Ski-Doo Rev chassis and on is phenomenal in being so
similar to a bike's riding position, putting the rider at the fulcrum
of the sled and obtaining unbelievable suspension action.

Every year, at least one local sledder dies in an avalanche.
Frequently we'll get 3-6 die just in the Spokane/Cda/Sandpoint area.


How does somebody collapse both lungs and survive?  Continuous
artificial breathing?  Was she conscious?  I know how much it hurt the
first time I popped the right lung.

Saints aint Aints no more

 

Whelan - '02 200exc (x2) & '04 MTD 38 asks:


It was touch and go for a few hours.  She was real lucky to be
riding with a genuine EMT who knew what to do.  I don't so
can't tell you for sure.  I think that suction on a hole punched
between a couple ribs is involved.


Go fast. Take chances.
Mike S.