Am I a flatlander? I know it's derogitory...

[DenverR1]

I think the term flatlander is used in a derogatory way, but it shouldn't be. So what if I live in Colorado and have mtn opportunities where others don't. If we need to be labelled I think we should be labelled by where we do most of our riding. If sledders from the midwest do most of their sledding each year coming out to the mountains, I'd call them mountain riders. I grew up riding snowmobiles in NW Iowa and have years of ditchbanging under my belt! Loved it! But now I live in CO and love mountain riding even better! And some people just seem to learn the mechanics of a motorsport faster than others. Some could just get on a sled and do on the mountains what others would take a copule years to do. And they could still be flatlanders. Who cares? When I go out and see people from other states I like to meet them. And don't think they ruin our sport by their bad parking, driving, etc. because we have enough of our own idiots that live here!

 

[JHG]

We drive the best of equipment Nitro turbos with Vanamberg tunnels Mod. two stokes and lot's of work into them. We seem to climb and boondock as well as any on the locals.
I've noticed that many of the Western residents have poor equipment. Maybe they ride way more than us. Maybe we make more money.

I think this part of your initial post pretty much sums it all up. I can't speak for all western locations but around here, the attitude reflected in your statement is what earns you the label, whether it's good or bad, I don't know. You maybe a great rider but some of us ride 3 or 4 days a week and know quite a bit about the areas we ride.

I would say that the majority of the riders that get into trouble in the mountains around here are not from the area. It's not because they're bad riders but just that the local people that are in the mountains all the time know what areas you shouldn't be in when the snow is deep or we don't drive 1000 miles to ride so we stay off the mountain when the weather is bad. Most locals know from experience the way the weather systems move around their area and can recognize when a storm is moving in and a when it's best to head back to the truck. I was riding a local spot a couple weeks ago when I stumbled across a group from ND that were lost and trying to find their way back out the the truck. They had gotten stuck badly at the end of the day and darkness combined with a storm moving in had them turned around. They were about 4 miles from where they thought they were and were talking about spending the night when we found them. I'll bet if you quit trying to prove to all the "locals" that you can ride and you have better equipment then they have you won't get a label that you're not proud of. Just my .02, but as long as your having fun, why are you worried about what the "locals" refer to you as. I guess I didn't realize that the term "flatlander" was so offensive.

 

[Himark]

I think the term flatlander is used in a derogatory way, but it shouldn't be. So what if I live in Colorado and have mtn opportunities where others don't. If we need to be labelled I think we should be labelled by where we do most of our riding. If sledders from the midwest do most of their sledding each year coming out to the mountains, I'd call them mountain riders. I grew up riding snowmobiles in NW Iowa and have years of ditchbanging under my belt! Loved it! But now I live in CO and love mountain riding even better! And some people just seem to learn the mechanics of a motorsport faster than others. Some could just get on a sled and do on the mountains what others would take a copule years to do. And they could still be flatlanders. Who cares? When I go out and see people from other states I like to meet them. And don't think they ruin our sport by their bad parking, driving, etc. because we have enough of our own idiots that live here!

Well put. Agree 100%

 

[Itsflathere]

I'm a proud flatlander. I don't know why anyone wouldn't like us. Think of the entertainment value alone. Who else drives a million hours on icy roads, unloads their sleds, jumps a 4 foot snobank in the parking lot and thinks it's cool, gets stuck 20 times per hour, drinks like rock stars at the lodge and wonder why they have horrible hangovers and does it again for 5 more days.

 

[VRod]

You need to watch the "McFlatty" segment in our latest film (SummitHD Films) Hangfire. There is a true diehard flatlander. Look at the season stats after the segment.

Funny thing is as I type this he is riding in Cooke... him and his buddy just drove 16 hours (not a planned trip) from MN to Cooke City yesterday for a foot of fresh snow and are leaving today or tomorrow and he has 4 kids at home. Now that's an addiction.

We started calling him Flatty a few years back when he was just starting to ride in the mountains. Before that he tore up the trails n ditches of MN, WI and had the occasional trip to the UP of Michigan. So now I wouldn't consider him a flatlander but the name has stuck from years back.

 

[DenverR1]

I'm a proud flatlander. I don't know why anyone wouldn't like us. Think of the entertainment value alone. Who else drives a million hours on icy roads, unloads their sleds, jumps a 4 foot snobank in the parking lot and thinks it's cool, gets stuck 20 times per hour, drinks like rock stars at the lodge and wonder why they have horrible hangovers and does it again for 5 more days.

Awesome post! Got me to LOL!

 

[Taminator]

You need to watch the "McFlatty" segment in our latest film (SummitHD Films) Hangfire. There is a true diehard flatlander. Look at the season stats after the segment.

Funny thing is as I type this he is riding in Cooke... him and his buddy just drove 16 hours (not a planned trip) from MN to Cooke City yesterday for a foot of fresh snow and are leaving today or tomorrow and he has 4 kids at home. Now that's an addiction.

We started calling him Flatty a few years back when he was just starting to ride in the mountains. Before that he tore up the trails n ditches of MN, WI and had the occasional trip to the UP of Michigan. So now I wouldn't consider him a flatlander but the name has stuck from years back.

Picked up your video for my husband for Christmas, watched it many times! Familiar with the 'McFlatty' segment you're talking about - stats got a good chuckle out of us.
Great Video...our type of riding! It's a nice change from the usual. The tree riding and boondocking your guys do is awesome! We're looking for other videos of yours...keep up the great work!

 

[FEZ]

And yes, Western riders have better skills for there normal way of riding. God knows I was awfull in 2000 as I just kept reverting to flat stearing instead of tipping the sled. I'm better now. I do see some great mountain riders from the Midwest. But I disagree that the equipment doesn't make the rider, it sure does. You'll never develope the skill If you never get to the top. It must be nice to have both the good sled and the skill.

Owen

I beg to differ Owen, riding JUNK teaches you wayyy more than riding the good stuff.

I have taken more than one "flatland mtn rider" into places I got to on a long-tracked Phazer that they couldn't get to on a 700/151 class sled on the first try.

I started doing this in 1984 on a 1980 Yami Exciter 440. You want to talk frustration? Anybody that has been around mountains for more than 15 years has learned the hard way and have come out very good riders because of it.

Many, many "wallet riders" keep up just fine and even shine when there is ample room to, lets go into that valley, or into them trees with the same hill and then through that creek and up that and through that, then we will see.

Either way, it is fun.

 

[Numbnuts918]

Awesome post! Got me to LOL!

X2. Its all about having a good time. No matter where you are from, live, or ride we all are just out to have fun & make great memories. Sleds + Snow = FUN.

 

[BigMan]

Modesty not being one of them.

No more mr. nice guy

 

[high time]

Fez..Nice to see you again.....

I'm not sure the skills learned on 89 Summit are helpfull on a new XP or M. I think the best riders have a good fealing on a newer style sled. There's a lot of riders out there,. The ones that stand out ride up-to-date stuff. You could be a great rider, but who would notice if your on old equipment?

Owen

 

[BigMan]

Well I guess if I put the highmark on the hill then it doesn't count.. maybe when I get that new Dragon, maybe then I'll be accepted by the big boys..

 

[BigMan]

X2. Its all about having a good time. No matter where you are from, live, or ride we all are just out to have fun & make great memories. Sleds + Snow = FUN.

Not when you get booed and laughed at..

 

[FEZ]

I'm not sure the skills learned on 89 Summit are helpfull on a new XP or M. I think the best riders have a good fealing on a newer style sled. There's a lot of riders out there,. The ones that stand out ride up-to-date stuff. You could be a great rider, but who would notice if your on old equipment?

Owen

OH, you WILL notice when I pull up next to your 800 whatever when you are stuck trying to follow me on my turd with the MINEEEESOTA sticker on the side, you will notice.....

I do not agree with the assessment of skills learned as the longer you have been doing this and the more machines you do it on the better overall you get.

 

[Himark]

I think what hightime is trying to say isnt one is better than the other but more that any riders skills learned on a ole chassis sled will have to be re-learned on a new style to be profeciant and not to think just because you can ride a ole phazer means your going to be worth a chit on a late model more advanced chassis.

 

[FEZ]

Re-read the post HIMARK:


Years of amassed knowledge on different machines in different terrain WILL make you a better rider.



Yes, each sled has its' own idiosyncrasies, but it is the rider that makes the machine, not the other way around.


Ones ability to maximize the machine you are on and then push it beyond what one would think is possible on that machine is the difference between a good mountain rider and a VERY good one, regardless of the machine or geographical starting point.

 

[mtn-doo]

Mountain Rider= Technical Skill
Flatlander= Mindless Blasting

 

[WYsteph]

I'm not sure the skills learned on 89 Summit are helpfull on a new XP or M. I think the best riders have a good fealing on a newer style sled. There's a lot of riders out there,. The ones that stand out ride up-to-date stuff. You could be a great rider, but who would notice if your on old equipment?

Owen

Who are we suppose to be showing off for. Never seen the trees or the mountains cheer.

Now there was this one time I thought the trees were laughing at me, but it turns out they were just chuckling as I hit one of them.

 

[Duane]

Very well put. Anyone who is bragging like a little boy probably rides like a little girl.

 

[BigMan]

Ones ability to maximize the machine you are on and then push it beyond what one would think is possible on that machine is the difference between a good mountain rider and a VERY good one, regardless of the machine or geographical starting point.

What made Casanova so successful? An inherent talent. Snowmobiling is much the same way. Some people have it, and some do not.