Wisconsin flatlander going to Idaho

[hdmod]

Good day sledheads........here is my short story.........Woke up last March and said I had enough of cold Wisconsin with no snow..........rode my bike out to Bonners Ferry and bought 20 acres of land north of town.......selling my business ( in the family for 75 years) and moving out in the next 2 years.........(I don't mess around when I get something in my head).

Out of sledding for the past 2 years.......rode since I was 15..........now 48 years old and the wife says go riding out west.........

Since I have only ridden trails most of my life.........where do I start out there in Idaho????? Like to start around the Bonners area I think.......Will have a new Summit to work with...........always did my riding by myself here in Wisconny...........these guys around here ride 50 a day and sit in the bars for most of that time...........I wanna RIDE and see the sites!!!!!!!! LOVE IDAHO........YOU GUYS LIVE IN HEAVEN!!!!!


Mitch Kieffer

 

[turbolover]

I'm not familiar with Bombers Ferry as I live in Southeast Idaho.
Out here you never ever ride alone. To many possibilities of something going wrong and you are usually nowhere near anything close for help.
I would talk to some of the clubs in the area and maybe the dealers in the area of some people that could show you around.
Good luck. If you get down this way let me know. I'd be happy to show you around Island Park and the Big Hole area.

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[M7CatGirl]

Good riding north of Sandpoint and Tressel Creek but like turbolover said you won't want to ride alone. Once you're here I'm sure if u post again you will get plenty of offers to ride with others.

 

[hdmod]

Thanks all.........I definitely plan to go to some classes and get hooked up with some locals before venturing out...........will continue to take in all the information I can from sledders like yourself

Thanks again

Mitch

 

[Environmentalist]

Bonners Ferry is a great area to live! Plenty of good riding right at your door step. Just keep it quiet about our slice of heaven around here.

Look to invest in a good beacon, probe and shovel. That is pretty much a requirement around here.

 

[hdmod]

Quiet is the word...................although it is hard to.............Thanks Enviro man!!!!

 

[mold]

Out here you never ever ride alone. To many possibilities of something going wrong and you are usually nowhere near anything close for help.
I

I ride alone often. The possibilities of something going wrong and being a zillion miles from nowhere adds an incredible rush to the whole experience. The day I quit posting is the day you guys can say "I told you so".

 

[hdmod]

Well if you have many miles of groomed trails.....that others are riding on......I can see staying safe and going for a nice leisurely ride by yourself..........NO????? I understand the need for safety when you head into the bush.....but I really need to have time by myself somedays..........you know when the wife says get the hell out of the house I need space.......

 

[nuggetau]

I ride alone often. The possibilities of something going wrong and being a zillion miles from nowhere adds an incredible rush to the whole experience. The day I quit posting is the day you guys can say "I told you so".

I ride around 3000 miles a season, 95% riding alone. I get a lot of flack from the sheeple who are afraid of everything.

Put these people back in time 150 years and none of them would venture west, and none of them would even consider the life of a mountain man. Think about it, real men got on a horse with very few comfort items, little food, very poor clothing (by todays standards) and they rode thousands of miles into the wilderness by themselves, and they had REAL dangers (grizzly's, Indian's, river crossings, injuries, lost/injured/dead horses, etc.). And they did it with virtually no hope of rescue, and were glad for the challenge.

Our society has become so security and safety conscious we have become weak! If you want to be safe, don't get out of bed in the morning, at least don't get out of bed alone(you will need a spotter to make certain you don't slip), make sure to wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and chest protector! Slipping on a rug getting out of bed can be painful!

And for gods sake, don't try and shower alone! Have you seen the statistics for injuries in the tub?

 

[sundancemtlodge]

Sundance Mt. Lodge Priest Lake

I would like to show you around the area. We are at the south end of Priest Lake but we ride the north end to which is our back yard to the west. I came from the seattle area and wanted to build a snowmoible lodge to run. I spent
two years looking in Idaho for the best place to buy. I found 160 acres with the groom trial goes through the property you can ride from our front door. 10 rooms 15000 sqft. on Chase Lake. If you have a chance come and stay and ride. I'am living my dream in north Idaho. I also recomend buying a snowbike it is the best way to get around and see the country. Look up Timbersled or UFO both are made in Idaho \Timbersled is made in Sandpoint. Tony 425-417-5252 for all your food and lodging is only $85 per night. or see us at sundancemtlodge.com

 

[mold]

I ride around 3000 miles a season, 95% riding alone. I get a lot of flack from the sheeple who are afraid of everything.

Put these people back in time 150 years and none of them would venture west, and none of them would even consider the life of a mountain man. Think about it, real men got on a horse with very few comfort items, little food, very poor clothing (by todays standards) and they rode thousands of miles into the wilderness by themselves, and they had REAL dangers (grizzly's, Indian's, river crossings, injuries, lost/injured/dead horses, etc.). And they did it with virtually no hope of rescue, and were glad for the challenge.

Our society has become so security and safety conscious we have become weak! If you want to be safe, don't get out of bed in the morning, at least don't get out of bed alone(you will need a spotter to make certain you don't slip), make sure to wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and chest protector! Slipping on a rug getting out of bed can be painful!

And for gods sake, don't try and shower alone! Have you seen the statistics for injuries in the tub?

I would consider it at honor to go for a ride with you.

 

[hdmod]

Thanks for all the great reply's sled necks........I don't want to sound careless, but I believe too in more COMMON SENSE and some planning ahead.........that goes a long way towards being safe.........would be quite interesting to meet the last couple posters here........this is why I am selling my business soon......working with schools and youngsters today has got me wagging my head on where we are going in this country....
your state has shown me the last vestiges of sanity that I used to remember.......Thanks to Tony for posting his info.......BIG HELP for me getting out to check out the area...........NOW I am heading out to shoot me a big buck......opening day in 1 hour......Have a good one guys

 

[nuggetau]

I would consider it at honor to go for a ride with you.

If you are ever in McCall Idaho PM me and we will go for a ride, but I ride as little trail as possible.

 

[turbolover]

If you are ever in McCall Idaho PM me and we will go for a ride, but I ride as little trail as possible.

That is my kind of riding. I can do an entire day of riding and sometimes the only trail I will be on is to get out of the parking lot.
I've had guys get upset because they can throw a rock to the trail and I won't get on it.

And don't get me wrong. As I said before riding alone is based on your experience and risk comfort level. Most people don't have the experience or ability to ride alone and not have SAR come after them.
If you do then great enjoy and have fun with it. But for most sheeple I will not recommend it.

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[idahoskiguy]

Riding alone is something I do regularly, it just comes with an added degree of personal responsibility and really is not as much fun as riding with friends. Having friends around let you go for it a little harder since you will have some help getting unstuck when your new line ends in a deep tree well. Friends are also handy for clearing downed trees from the route.

Consider some avalanche classes so you can learn to read the snow, terrain and learn who to use your beacon, shovel and probe.....before you actually need them. Doubt there are many avalanches in WI.

Be prepared to spend the night......space blanket, matches, food. You can travel further on a sled in 30 minutes than you can walk back in a lifetime.

This maybe the year I invest in an "On Spot" or a satelite phone. Much of Idaho has limited cell coverage.

Congrats on your move to Idaho.

 

[nuggetau]

That is my kind of riding. I can do an entire day of riding and sometimes the only trail I will be on is to get out of the parking lot.
I've had guys get upset because they can throw a rock to the trail and I won't get on it.

And don't get me wrong. As I said before riding alone is based on your experience and risk comfort level. Most people don't have the experience or ability to ride alone and not have SAR come after them.
If you do then great enjoy and have fun with it. But for most sheeple I will not recommend it.

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You make some good points.

If you can't Magiver a fix using sticks, duct tape and wire, then best not ride alone.

If you don't pack for a couple days stay and know how to survive in sub zero temps, best not ride alone.

If you can't rely on yourself to calmly reason out a solution when things go wrong, best not to ride alone.

If you can't dig for 4 hours straight to get yourself out of a 7' deep tree well, best not ride alone. (ask me how I know about that one )

 

[nuggetau]

Riding alone is something I do regularly, it just comes with an added degree of personal responsibility and really is not as much fun as riding with friends. Having friends around let you go for it a little harder since you will have some help getting unstuck when your new line ends in a deep tree well. Friends are also handy for clearing downed trees from the route.

Consider some avalanche classes so you can learn to read the snow, terrain and learn who to use your beacon, shovel and probe.....before you actually need them. Doubt there are many avalanches in WI.

Be prepared to spend the night......space blanket, matches, food. You can travel further on a sled in 30 minutes than you can walk back in a lifetime.

This maybe the year I invest in an "On Spot" or a satelite phone. Much of Idaho has limited cell coverage.

Congrats on you move to Idaho.

I used to carry a sat phone, but I found it so unreliable(connection) that I just didn't think the expense was worth it. Much of the time I found it just wouldn't connect or would drop the call.

The spot has some of the same limitations, but at least it keeps trying to send the message until it gets through. Also, the limited communication options make it less than ideal. If you just want to let peeps know you are "good", or hit the 911 button for SAR, it's ok, but when you just need someone to come help you drag in a dead sled or bring some parts it's not much use.

That's why I am going to get a "Spot Connect", it pairs with your smart phone, then you are able to send people specific emails or texts regarding your specific needs. It still has the same connection issues (tree canopy, steep valleys, etc).

The spot connect and a PLB (personal locator beacon) make for as close to a foolproof solution as possible. The newer PLB's can send gps coordinates and don't try and connect with satellites, they send out a signal via radio waves that get picked up by aircraft, etc. A PLB is the most reliable way to get emergency help in the worst possible terrain!

 

[Environmentalist]

Wow! This thread took a weird turn?! I love the ride alone debates....NOT!

 

[turbolover]

Wow! This thread took a weird turn?! I love the ride alone debates....NOT!

At least it stayed on track and didn't turn into a peein match.
Just a good discussion.

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[hdmod]

Well back on topic a bit.........since you guys have quite a few miles of trail and forest roads............that would keep me busy and happy for quite awhile..........no??????? There has got to be a few 48 year old 165 lb out of shape beer drinkers from Wis. that just trail ride out West