Is it GAME OVER for me and sledding????

[Rock Star]

Seems it may be. here's the deal. I LOVE this sport. But I have been playing injured for the past 4 years since being hurt in a car wreck and things are going down hill in my spine. I have had 2 lower back surgeries and now the past year has been nothing but pain. After many Dr visits to experts, multiple MRIs and with more surgery in my near future the point being driven into my thick skull is that I am doing damage by riding. I know all the BS about ya gotta live etc. NO ONE has lived more. point is that IF, with damage this bad, I continue to abuse my back, I will end up a crippled old man before i am old. there is a difference being a mobile 75 year old or a pained and cripple 60 year old. It's about modifying my life style choices now to make my life better as I age. Fact is this past year has been horrible, the fix is horrible and at some point it's not worth the price I'm paying. I want to fish and boat and swim, camp, hike, bicycle and ride motorcycles. The stress of yanking on a mountain sled like we do had just become too much. I tried this year but was kidding myself. The pain is what I felt but the damage is what they are seeing. Don't take your healthy back for granted. ever! I had an event in the mountains this season where I tugged and pulled and got myself unstuck for hours. It was the tipping point for my back. JUST walking has been hard for me so imagine what walking for hours in waist deep snow did. ugh! There has not been a good day for me since.

This sport has been my life for 40 years. I have always loved it and the talk i had yesterday with a family member Dr who had my MRI on his computer was one of the hardest ever with a doc. I then got to meet up and eat lunch with Sunridge. The sport over the past several years has become about the people and the friendships and less about the sledding. The group called the Utah Mafia has been more than just riding pals in my life. The gang from Idaho, the friends from Revy... all of it. SO many of my current friends and associates are from this sport. The idea of NOT riding again with these peeps breaks my heart. But it's also breaking my back so...

It's time to hang it up. It's time to realize that I can not play hurt anymore and then undo the damage.

I put the sled in the back corner of the garage last night. I actually want it out of my sight and my life. I started putting all the clothes away in storage last night as well. I should have a garage sale. WOW! have I ever been a consumer. Funny how much we do for what we love.

My friends will remain my in my life but the experiences we have together on the mountain tops are over. Some will understand this change. Some will mock it. That's the nature of this site. Point is, I needed to say it out loud so that those who try to talk me into riding will get it. I need to not be tempted. I need to stop. My hope is that I can get out there again some day in some way. If it's just blasting the perfect high speed trails of Quebec, then I'll be happy as well.

So many here have been so good to me over the years. My memories of the on and off snow antics will last a life time. Thank you to all of you.

Doug

ps. for sale, total mod sled. Stupid Cheap. Just come and get it outta here before I change my mind.

OVER.

 

[JSCC]

That's a tough deal. Having lower back surgery myself, and having been told my outcome is similar to yours, I can fully sympathize.

It can be tough when we come to these crossroads in life. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[JohnnyQuestUtah]

Swim therapy

I would suggest some water therapy over the summer, maybe spend at least 50-60 days at lake Powell ---that place is great for body, soul and spirit.


peace-

johnny

 

[Rock Star]

lol. Great advice Johnny. I will spend about 3 months on the St Lawrence River for that VERY reason. You are 100% correct. I intend to wear out my swim fins by snorkling a couple hours a day. good for the back and the soul. thanks, guys.

 

[browntrout]

That's a tough read. You'll find something to replace sledding just hope once your done that back heals and your out of pain. PS with what I've seen of you on a quad you may keep that of of your repertoire as well .)

 

[mtnpull]

No one should mock you for trying to improve the quality of your life. Sometimes we have to make hard decisions that will ultimately improve our lives and benefit ourselves and our families. I think it is a wise choice on your part. Life has too much to offer in so many other aspects than just snowmobiling.

to you for making a tough decision and I hope you stick to it for you sake. I know that must be extremely tough. Good luck.

 

[Rock Star]

Browntrout, LMAO. GOOD point. Maybe I need a 90cc with a governor??? And you're right, I will find something else to give me that buzz. I will leave today on my touring bike for a few days in the hope that sitting on that is do-able. No idea until I try it. I may be in a hotel in Heber... haha. road trip.

 

[Chief]

Crap

.. bro, no one in the world I like to ride with more then you...

There's got to be a better answer on the horizon..

 

[CanyonRat]

Doug,

Sad to hear that things are just getting worse, I know you were hurtin pretty bad at the avalanche class, I applaud you for making a tough decision to preserve and extend quality of live by giving up somthing which has been an intregal part of your life for so many years. Thanks for being such an influential voice in the local sledding community over the years. I was a lurker for many years before I joined and Rockstar along with all the other Utah Mafia peeps was just a name you expected to see associated with the good things happening through our snowmobiling community, weather it was promoting the annual Animal ride and dinner in memory of Dave, the avalanche ride, general mountain and avalanche awareness or the latest avalanche class put on by the Utah Avalnche Center, I appreciate all the posts, all the comments , all the caring, and though you may not sled again for the forseeable future I hope you stay close to the local snowmobiling community. Thanks again Doug for being you. Every time I log on to the Utah section I half expect to always see a new post or comment from Rockstar. Thanks again Rock

Al

 

[sledhead ut]

Man that really Blows Doug. At least it's only a 3 to 4 month void to fill. Better get a dirt bike now and come tour the Uinta's in a different way. I promise if you drop your bike I'll pick it up for you. LOL

If not you know where we'll be. No excuses not to ride your bike over the top for BBQ and

BTW: 40 years provides a lot of scenery and memories eh?

Take Care and stay in touch.

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

You know how I feel! Good choice, sad for me, sad for this sport! Few have been as involved and given so much! Future days with friends, wherever we choose to hang out, will still be there!

Got Surgery? (We both do! )

Enjoy the hotel in Heber!

 

[Kevco]

Wow...I m sure many fellas have just paused to consider their own situation, may be right behind you. I have been awol this year alot my back and knees are my weak link. Doug I am sorry for the way things got, I am glad you are a friend and although we didnt ride together alot the few trips we did make were always 10s on the fun chart. Last year your house party was off the hook...I dont remember what the Bruce Springsteen song, (glory days) we can sit around and talk about how fast we were! Bottom line here is your gonna be missed! But you may have alot of company. Getting old SUCKS!

 

[Rock Star]

Thanks guys. I'm not ashamed to admit that this whole change and your nice comments has me a bit damp in the eyes. Ron, I have a DR-Z400S in mind. road ride up over to your side and then mellow trail ride. I need to be in my mountains! And you're right.. I have a million memories. Kev, I know. I agree and I appreciate the comments. Kim, wtf is happeneing here? I just ran into Chief and Tink in Kamas too. Man this IS tough. real tough. Rat, sorry we didn't get more snow time. I love all who love this sport. For me it really is about the people. Phil and I have spent so many great days up top alone and just enjoying it all. Utah is beautiful and man have I ever enjoyed it up high. So, I'm loading up the Vision and headed out. A couple days touring and reflecting will do me good. If I get any good pics I'll send them to someone to post. You guys Rock.

 

[girlpowder]

Doug, I'm sad to hear that your sledding days are over. But happy to know that you are thinking of you and your future and the quality of life you want to have. You have inspired me for sure. I love reading all your words. I'm so grateful that I got to meet and ride with you. You were the first person to use my pink shovel. Your side of the mountain is amazingly beautiful. Thank you for showing us your playground.

It sounds like BBQ in the summer are on. Trail rides? Hikes? Sounds like super fun.

I hope your back starts to feel better. I can't imagine the pain you have been suffering daily. Take care and keep in touch with us.

BTW, YOU ROCK!!!

 

[SledGimp]

RS,

Sorry to hear about your pain but don't give up on sledding completely just try to moderate yourself as I do, or as I try to. There is still alot of fun to be had going out with friends on a sled even though I have to do alot of watching when it gets too technical I still get out there and play with some of the best of them.

Best of luck to ya,

SG

 

[Bigrock33]

RS - there's more to life than sledding. You have made many lifelong friends, have memories that can never be taken away, have earned the respect of your fellow man and walk away from this sport with your held held high and full of integrity. What more could you ask for? It ends for all of us at one time or another. Everything happens for a reason. As one door closes, another opens,and as long as you keep your head up, you will see that next door that opens for you. Remember, "if you aren't much with it, you certainly aren't much without it". You, my friend, are much more than a sledder. Godspeed Doug.

 

[1MEX]

The few rides we shared were priceless my man. I had some Great times this year and the times we hooked up were the best. Wise decition given the pain. Saddens my heart to know that we may not ride again as this year was a good year for me to had met all new peeps. Hope our future crosses paths again. Till then good luck my friend. It is a blessing to have a friend like you. God Bless your way.

 

[Freak]

dont care how old and beat up you get Rock. We can still rip up that butter smooth mirror lake hwy once in a while. Dont sell off all the gear yet. Get yourself a vitamix and a membership at the gym and live as long and well as you can!

 

[EricW]

Tough decision man, but clearly the right decision. Seems like a lot of the time we "real men" (lol) lack the maturity for preservation in lieu of our own need for indulgence. Atleast now you have the comfort of knowing there will never be a Budweiser "Real Men of Genius" tune about you, "Here's to you Mr. ride until your crippled then spend the next 30 years wishing you hadn't". Not a real catchy tune for sure.

Good people with good Karma seem to always be in the presence of other good people with good Karma. Sounds like that will be the case for you based on who you are and not your snowmobile. Should be lots of new things and even great new peeps to look forward to, especially if you are healthy and pain free. I have a cousin that had to give it up for the same reasons as you, a couple times a year he still goes out in a UTV with tracks on a slow/easy ride to the hill where we still laugh it up and enjoy the surroundings and snow. Works for him, and works for the rest of us (he packs tons of food & drink in that thing).

Hope you get pain free soon, and congrats on making a real "Man Up" decision before it was too late. Good on ya. EW

ps In true SW fashion, I would like to be the first azzhat to offer you half the value of your sled and all your gear, oh ya and could you deliver. I am so tickled that I beat the real guy to this........

 

[sledhead ut]

ps In true SW fashion, I would like to be the first azzhat to offer you half the value of your sled and all your gear, oh ya and could you deliver. I am so tickled that I beat the real guy to this........

Not a chance. I'm a lot closer and will pick it up. LOL

Geesh Doug, I've been kinda bummed all day.

If your memories fade you'll always have some of these too VVVVVVV