What do you sacrifice in order to ride?

[MPS]

I was just thinking today while I was driving around working. My car just hit 200,000 miles. I would have a new one but I decided to buy a new sled instead.

I figure I am middle class. I own a nice home on some acreage. I have 2 horses. I want a new horse trailer and new tack, but I decided to buy a new sled instead.

I drive a mid 90's Chevy truck and it does all that I need it to..so don't really have a reason to get a new one. Maybe I would have bought a new one, but I bought a new sled instead.

I figured it is better to stay mentally stable in the winter by being able to ride than have these other things. Today I was daydreaming about carving through the POW.

Sledding is engrained in my lifestyle for good. I can't imagine not being able to do it.

Any of guys give up certain amenities to ride?

 

[tudizzle]

Sledding is pretty much on the bottom of my list when it comes to priorities.


I am just real good at completing lists

 

[MPS]

Sledding is pretty much on the bottom of my list when it comes to priorities.


I am just real good at completing lists

I agree with that...taking care of the family is number one. The car I use for work does have 200k miles on it...but it is in damn good shape and will probably go for another 100k miles. The small things on it just keep breaking and it gets annoying.

 

[suitcase]

As I sat here and read your post, I started thinking about it. As the time went by and I went over everything that you stated, nothing was coming to mind. For the same reason alot of us use I think. Because it is such a huge part of my familes lives. Then it hit me as I thought of my wife whatching the CMA's and my 12 yr. old son in bed sleeping. I give up many months each yr with them so we can enjoy 5 to 6 months every yr. snowmobiling together. I work away from home from about May to Nov. each yr. So my family goes with out nothing, when it comes to new cars and nice things of any kind. Includeing new sleds. So I would say my anwser is I miss out on my family and my family misses out on me. But I will say this, that it has always been like this for me and my family. Because I have always worked away from home. So nothing has changed in that regaurd.

 

[skibreeze]

My work car also has almost 200k on it. I can't justify tearing up a new one with the samples that I have to carry around. I don't know if I would call it sacrificing, 'cause I'm sure that I'd spend the money somewhere else. Maybe work less, and take summer vacations instead. I'm sure that my dad would say I'm sacrificing an earlier retirement.

 

[Minten]

I gave up drivers ed and good grades... Also a lot of my Christmas gifts are now for sledding. Play first work later.

 

[turbolover]

I drive a 1998 Dodge Pickup. I would like a newer Crewcab but I also bought a new sled. Oh wait it's a Cummins so it should be good for another 10 or 15 years.
I have an enclosed trailer but that is because I talked the wife into selling the camp trailer and the 2 place so I would have enough room to park the enclosed.

I ride a 1993 Yamaha YZ 250 rather than a newer bike. My wife and daughter ride some 2002 Polaris 4 wheelers and my son rides a 1986 Honda 4 trax. Newer toys would be nice but I have a new PRO RMK.

I drive a beater 1991 Geo Metro ( that I rebuilt the motor in) around town and anywhere I don't absolutely need the truck so I can afford to fill the truck with Diesel.

My sled(s) will be the last thing on the list of toys that went down the road if I had to get rid of everything.
I don't look at it as giving up things just prioritizing what I want to spend my TIME and $$ on.

I have so many interests that I really do have to tell MYSELF you dont have time or money for more stuff.

 

[mynewuseddoo]

Summer toys and winter toys. I love them all!!! I would like a new 2012 F-350 King Ranch but my 05 still runs great. I've only got 140,000 Km on it. And Ford is cheapin out on the saddle leather in the new King Ranches! Kinda pis$es me off a bit

 

[MPS]

I drive a 1998 Dodge Pickup. I would like a newer Crewcab but I also bought a new sled. Oh wait it's a Cummins so it should be good for another 10 or 15 years.
I have an enclosed trailer but that is because I talked the wife into selling the camp trailer and the 2 place so I would have enough room to park the enclosed.

I ride a 1993 Yamaha YZ 250 rather than a newer bike. My wife and daughter ride some 2002 Polaris 4 wheelers and my son rides a 1986 Honda 4 trax. Newer toys would be nice but I have a new PRO RMK.

I drive a beater 1991 Geo Metro ( that I rebuilt the motor in) around town and anywhere I don't absolutely need the truck so I can afford to fill the truck with Diesel.

My sled(s) will be the last thing on the list of toys that went down the road if I had to get rid of everything.
I don't look at it as giving up things just prioritizing what I want to spend my TIME and $$ on.

I have so many interests that I really do have to tell MYSELF you dont have time or money for more stuff.

Sounds a lot like me. We have dirt bikes too. I have an 01 Yamaha 426 WR and my son has a 83 XR 100 that runs great. It doesn't make any sense to buy him nicer bikes when he outgrows them so quick. He just went from a PW 80 to the XR. The little toad nearly out rides me. I would like a newer WR with electric start, but nope...have a new M8.

 

[LAMBOFGOD]

$309.56 every month

 

[jbmilek]

I sold my soul to the devil and he told me to ride this sled real good.

 

[Jaynelson]

Summer toys and winter toys. I love them all!!! I would like a new 2012 F-350 King Ranch but my 05 still runs great. I've only got 140,000 Km on it. And Ford is cheapin out on the saddle leather in the new King Ranches! Kinda pis$es me off a bit

First world problems LOL

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

I sacrifice quite a bit in most all my other hobbies just so I can ride. I'm a hunting fool who would love to do some out of state hunting, but I don't. My old truck has seen its better days, but I also have a new sled in the garage. I've given up archery tournaments, shooting competitions, have cut my coyote hunting to almost non-existent simply so I can spend more time on the mountain when the snow comes. You're not alone.

 

[suitcase]

Im not sure if we can call these things sacrifices. Do we do with out them or are they just not as important as our sleding hoddie?

 

[eyefish123]

I too drive a 98 Dodge Cummins (83,000 miles) and I also have a 1990 Dodge Cummins (70,000 original miles). I would love a new truck but it is just something to drive, I would rather put that money into the sleds. I have not given up hunting but I have given up Walleye fishing in the winter because of the sled. But in the end I feel I have given up nothing because it is time I get to spend with my son and friends and I can't get enough of it. At least it is a legal addiction.

 

[ruffryder]

I don't sacrifice anything for snowmobiling... I sacrifice a lot of snowmobiling for other parts of life though...

 

[Dam Dave]

nothing I want it all and I want it now

 

[aebsledder]

I don't go hunting as much any more, or really go out to dinner or the tavern much. Not really a sacrifice though. I just prioritize what I like to do more, and make sure I have enough to do it. I love weekday rides!! Back when construction was booming and the economy wasn't in the tank I just kind of did what I wanted when I wanted. Things have definitely changed. I love the "first world problems" quote. We are on here on our home computers discussing on cyberspace the sacrifices we make, and there is some poor SOB in Nepal or Tanzania deciding if he should eat...or his kids. I promise, I won't get all bleeding heart Sally Struthers on everyone. I do try to remember to be thankful for all the stuff I am able to enjoy, whether it be on a sled or otherwise.

 

[Rush44]

I sacrifice summer playtime for winter playtime. I've always had a sled since I moved back to Montana from California, but I haven't been able to really do anything else in the summer. I go fishing from time to time and maybe the occasional camping trip with my wife, but mostly I just work real hard and save up for the winter.

However, this year is going to be different since I just purchased a dirt bike and a Mountain Horse.... so I'll get to play both seasons!

About the only things I don't have that I would like to get is a Harley and a diesel truck. And maybe a couple thousand private acres in the wilderness to ride on.

 

[trikerider]

I ride this to work everyday, it's getting cold but its only 2 miles one way. Uses about 1 gallon of fuel a month. Yes that's an old towel for a seat cover. A guy gave it to me, I wonder why.