850T Update

[lilduke]

Yes talking with ken at Speailty sleds today, a guy he drag races with from Spokane, said he's a avid Sledder, not sure on his age if that matters, they are sold to all ages last I looked, said a steep climb where it happened again, for the 975 sleds sold in last month it's catches your attention when repeated

Sort of does, but powerful machines and people hurting themselves kinda go hand in hand.
Had a buddy die a month ago riding a NA sled. Mountain sledding is very Very Dangerous hobby.

Kinda makes you feel alive being that close to the edge though.....

 

[fredw]

Sort of does, but powerful machines and people hurting themselves kinda go hand in hand.
Had a buddy die a month ago riding a NA sled. Mountain sledding is very Very Dangerous hobby.

Kinda makes you feel alive being that close to the edge though.....

True, the longer tunnel we had before always acted like a wheelie bar, preventing the complete flip, or prolong it to let off throttle to gain control, this new shorter tunnel does not give that protection, and in steep climbs I bet this is even more evidently pronounced.. one death is more anybody wants to see, in any sport

 

[maxwell]

True, the longer tunnel we had before always acted like a wheelie bar, preventing the complete flip, or prolong it to let off throttle to gain control, this new shorter tunnel does not give that protection, and in steep climbs I bet this is even more evidently pronounced.. one death is more anybody wants to see, in any sport

Again, that’s the whole point of the short tunnel. Once you start losing speed you can flip and come down in your track. Expert like

 

[fredw]

Do that all the time with long tunnel, not needed for turbo sled

 

[lilduke]

True, the longer tunnel we had before always acted like a wheelie bar, preventing the complete flip, or prolong it to let off throttle to gain control, this new shorter tunnel does not give that protection, and in steep climbs I bet this is even more evidently pronounced.. one death is more anybody wants to see, in any sport

Ive had someone I know die every sled season for many years in a row now.....

 

[FernieHawk]

Ive had someone I know die every sled season for many years in a row now.....

That really sucks you've lost so many people that you know.

We got lucky this weekend...twice. On Saturday one friend went over the bars into a 7' deep hole with water on the bottom...he landed on his back and then the sled lawn darted into his chest. On Sunday another friend got bounced off line on a hill climb, when he tried to pull out, his ski caught on a tree and he got tossed downhill below the sled. The sled then rolled down on him and a small tree went through his skid and stopped the sled with the running board across his chest (he was wearing his new Tek vest) and the track right above his face...his head was downhill. Both riders were pinned and would never have been able to get free without assistance. Luckily they could reach their radios and we were able to free them.

Keep any eye on your riding buddies.

Edit: I would also like to add...in the second indecent, with the running board on his chest and the track right above his face, his aftermarket tether did the job as designed. The throttle side of the handlebar was jammed in the snow and without a tether the sled may have ended up running WOT...we will never know what would have happened without a tether.

 

[C of Red]

Exactly, never leave your wingman! There is too much risk with what todays sleds (turbo or NA) allow us to do with relative ease.

That really sucks you've lost so many people that you know.

We got lucky this weekend...twice. On Saturday one friend went over the bars into a 7' deep hole with water on the bottom...he landed on his back and then the sled lawn darted into his chest. On Sunday another friend got bounced off line on a hill climb, when he tried to pull out, his ski caught on a tree and he got tossed downhill below the sled. The sled then rolled down on him and a small tree went through his skid and stopped the sled with the running board across his chest (he was wearing his new Tek vest) and the track right above his face...his head was downhill. Both riders were pinned and would never have been able to get free without assistance. Luckily they could reach their radios and we were able to free them.

Keep any eye on your riding buddies.

 

[kanedog]

Ride in sight. Foolproof.

 

[lilduke]

Ride in sight. Foolproof.

if you break your neck having your buddies watch isn't going to save you...

 

[fredw]

After riding with a unknown group a few weeks back and another group in vale this last weekend, most importantly is riding with guys that are same level of skill, having guys that never can get to you is not very wise even if they can see you.. with Scott it took them over 20 minutes to get to him..

It's amazing how the caliber of rider in the parking lot changes to the actual on the hill..

 

[C of Red]

It's amazing how the caliber of rider in the parking lot changes to the actual on the hill..

This is so true. Always makes me laugh the volume of people who like “tight technical trees” then you go up and they head straight to the cut blocks.

To the general comments above, similar skill and eyesight (or follow my line).

 

[kanedog]

If you break your neck having your buddies watch isn't going to save you...

Only if your riding at break neck speed!!!

 

[lilduke]

Only if your riding at break neck speed!!!

that's the only speed I thought?

 

[linksys]

Ive had someone I know die every sled season for many years in a row now.....

sounds like you bad luck to be around!

 

[lilduke]

sounds like you bad luck to be around!

yeah maybe, kinda an as hole thing to say though.

it could be because I know a lot of sledders though, not like I was there every single time when it happened. but I have been there when goes down, and not a fun time

 

[kanedog]

Don’t sweat it. My friend has seen a couple of people die when riding with them. We call him the grim reaper. Lately, he has been on a dry spell. I always wonder if I’m next!

 

[lilduke]

Don’t sweat it. My friend has seen a couple of people die when riding with them. We call him the grim reaper. Lately, he has been on a dry spell. I always wonder if I’m next!

I'm not phased. cold as ice some days.

 

[drew562]

yeah maybe, kinda an as hole thing to say though.

it could be because I know a lot of sledders though, not like I was there every single time when it happened. but I have been there when goes down, and not a fun time

Yeah. the longer you sled the more fallen you’ll know. 49 now I’ve lost a 2 real close friends. I also met or rode with many others who passed.

 

[LennyR]

After riding with a unknown group a few weeks back and another group in vale this last weekend, most importantly is riding with guys that are same level of skill, having guys that never can get to you is not very wise even if they can see you.. with Scott it took them over 20 minutes to get to him..

It's amazing how the caliber of rider in the parking lot changes to the actual on the hill..

Hell , it even happens on this forum ! LOL !

 

[Pistonbroke]

Hell , it even happens on this forum ! LOL !

It goes like this:

Skill Level:______________Location
MAXED the Fawk OUT________Internet
Pretty damn high____________Sled Showroom
Keith Curtis is a Pussy________Truck ride to hill
Burandt should take notes_____Parking Lot
Whoa, these things are fast____Cabin
Lemme catch my breath_______Open Hills
Get me the F outta here_______First tight tree session
I want my mommy___________First Gnarley descent
Legendary__________________Hot tub after 6 beers