Snowmobiling: They wouldn't understand

[gary_in_neenah]

I was riding with friends the other day and as often happens on a ride, I'm having random thoughts about most anything that pops into the mind...
"What to eat when we stop" or "Look at this idiot on my side of the trail" etc. and I began to wonder why I enjoy this so much.

I find that the older I get it's less about the speed and challenge and more about the over all experience. I've heard it said that it's about the smiles, not the miles. I still like to Light it Up at the right time & place, but I'm more in-tune with my surroundings now than years ago.

What about you, why do you like to snowmobile? What do you like best?

[indy_500]

What do you like best?

professional trail racing

[whitedust]

I solve many problems on the trail let the mind loose & just ride. Very relaxing.

[polarisrider1]

i was riding with friends the other day and as often happens on a ride, i'm having random thoughts about most anything that pops into the mind...
"what to eat when we stop" or "look at this idiot on my side of the trail" etc. And i began to wonder why i enjoy this so much.

I find that the older i get it's less about the speed and challenge and more about the over all experience. I've heard it said that it's about the smiles, not the miles. I still like to light it up at the right time & place, but i'm more in-tune with my surroundings now than years ago.

What about you, why do you like to snowmobile? What do you like best?

"it's the way out!" (condensed from a 2 page answer).

[sjshaner]

I voted friends and family but it is a tie with wildlife and scenery. It is a great way to do something with the family and take in the beauty of nature at the same time.

[ezra]

I have yet to find a 5 step program to help me quit spending piles and piles of cash .

[dcsnomo]

I do it for the Citgo Sea and Snow

[groomerdriver]

I do it for the Citgo Sea and Snow

Classic!

It's an indescribable feeling......a combination of rush and serenity...and I don't ride fast. FWIW - I find as I get older I don't like to ride at night anymore. I like what one can see during daylight hours. I especially like going thru towns....seeing what the town is like and such.

God I love this sport!

[just_ride]

Puts me in a whole different world!! A great escape! The longer the ride the better the escape!
And it makes me Smile!!

Just_Ride

[trebsdub]

You forgot one catagory there should have been one for All Of The Above.

[jr37]

It's all about seeing something new, different. But once in a while you just gotta squeeze the trigger.

[just_ride]

It's all about seeing something new, different. But once in a while you just gotta squeeze the trigger.

Yea, Once in a while, coming out of that tight turn and seeing the trail open up to a long straight, squeezing the flipper..... feeling the sled pull Hard, the skis lift, track spin' en and rip'en ...... OH Yea!!!
Got to get North.....

Just_Ride

[peter]

Mind Therapy!!!

[fusionfool]

Mind Therapy!!!

X2

[heckler56]

No single reason out-ways any other-one for me. I get to shut work off (put me in a nursing home if I ever put a blue tooth in my helmet), get lost in my thoughts, focus entirely on the trail, stop and enjoy my surroundings, make new friends on the trail and at night, debate what brand is better, I could go on.

[bearrassler]

Any of the first four would work. It is great to get outdoors and away from it all.

[rakins800]

Gary,my reasons are the same as yours;overall experience. and,yes,still like to mash the flipper sometimes.........

[Northwoods Hi-Rider]

I ride to be the first one on the groomer "ribbon".

[Cat600]

X2

X3

[bobsledder]

I focus on all that is offered when rideing! I take a break from all the day to day stuff of life.
Bob

[frosty]

Its the escape from the everyday life! Being able to go 10 mph to 100 without someone telling you NO! Carving through fresh powder and the excelleration you get. Seeing your the first one on that brand new white ribbon that groomer just laid down for you. You become someone not bound by rules of work, the bills, or your wife, its the freedom.

[Banjo Man]

Listening to an I-Pod through helmet speakers while cruising is my idea of getting away from it all. I found softer music seems to work better while enjoying nature at its best.

[upbarleyboy]

As I too am getting older, I find it is more about the surroundings and taking everything in rather than just pinning the throttle (of course I still enjoy that from time to time too. (Hey I may be getting older but I ain't dead!!).

Bottom line is, we as snowmobilers get to experience and see so much more than those who don't ride. The wildlife, scenery, and majestic landscapes are there in full living color, and you never know what the day is going to bring on the morning of a ride. Every day is different, and all are memorable. Still to this day, I have a hard time sleeping the night before a ride-still the little kid in me I guess.

Must be the same reason I enjoy being on my Harley. After a bad day at work or whatever it may be, hopping on the bike even for an hour and hitting the back roads before dinner with the family clears my head, and lets me forget all that's wrong with this world. Both put me in the right frame of mind-it's certainly safe to say my addictions are stress relievers.

[Pizza Man]

As I'm older then I was years ago, I have gone from speed and miles, to touring.
I'm now retired and love the great outdoors.
In the winter, it's snowmobiling and in the summer, it's riding our Goldwing Trike.

[sledder66]

I got bit by the sledding bug over seven years ago when I used to live in northern Illinois. Even though I live in Georgia now, I've made the annual Pilgrimage to the UP twice and don't ever plan on stopping. I have lived all over this great country of ours and believe me, the people of the Northwoods are the most accomodating, friendly, and hospitable people you'll ever know. If my career would let me, I would move there in a heartbeat.

The best expanation as to why I love it would be that it's "an addiction coupled with an obsession". I HAVE to go every year, and I THINK about it every day that I'm not on a sled. How many of you like me are out there are on John Dee in the middle of summer!? Crazy, eh? It's "The Great Escape".

When my son is old enough, I plan on having him bit by the bug too and turning my sledding disorder into a family tradition.