Hey, I know this is a touchy subject, but please be honest.

The bars seem to be packed along every trail, so we all know that people are drinking and riding despite the fact that WE are dying when doing it. (WE are all on the trails)

I mayy have ONE with a cheese burger.

I think that alot of guys mostly lie about how much they drink. I usually will have a beer with lunch during which I will hang around the bar for about an hour. Then around 5PM I will meet guys for a few beers in town. Usually 4 or 5 after tow hours of sitting then I will go for an easy ride. I am not a lightweight and dont find that drinking 4 beers over the course of 2 hours can do me in. Some guys it does. I often see guys pounding them at the bar one after the other. I once saw a guy put down 8 in an hour and a half then he went for a spin after he convinced his other buddies that he was fine. I find that to be exessive. Most of us dont think of the consequences, Growing up I rode alot with my father. When I hit 21 he would always point out the A*sholes to be that I should stay away from being like. And he would always count mine and send me back to the lodge if he thought I was overdoing it.
* * * *My opinion is that were there to ride not to get plastered, not to mention that there are plenty of other places and things i can do plastered.
* * * *My friends and I have a real good one. We call it TWI. Tractoring While Intoxicated. We get as wrecked as we can and take a hay ride at 8MPH through the woods. Thats good clean fun and no one gets hurt. All you snowmobiling alchys should try it, might just find it better then SWI

With a 2 year old and a 7 year old at home I don't at all until the sled is parked at the end of the day.Then I have been known to tip a few. We have the greatest sport that I have ever been involved in and I just don't see the neccesity to drink to have fun riding.This has'nt always been the case for me, I just think I have my priorites more in line now.

Drinking and ridin' , drivin' whatever! These are very BAD!! I would rather eat yellow snow than drink that!! http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif *I have 4 little ones at home who are counting on Mom & Dad to come home after riding.
I would like everyone to remember that every man and women is someones son or daughter!!

I'm 16, so i dont drink for obvious reasons... but i dont plan on ever drinking and driving (or snowmobiling).

the adults i ride with drink a little, sometimes i think they drink too much, but naturally no one wants to listen to little me (well... big i guess, 6'2 190.. hehe).

I still havent figured out why adults feal the need to drink & drive, and i hope i never have an incounter with one on the road or trail...

- Jason

i dont drink at all, only pepsi so that wont hurt me much ! *but i do hang out with guys that cant help taking a coupple of beer's and ridding after and they always think that there ok but i dont stay ther to find out ! i always tell them if you drink im out of here !

never drank *and don't know what is like to be drunk. *
smart men those who want to come home to there familys. * You will never ever regret it
those to little darlings in the pic *make me wish my daughter was still alive. *I hope you realize how lucky *you are.. * * ride safe and enjoy your children. *

Oh yes *give them an extra hug tonight. * http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif *http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I don't want to be a statistic or be responsible for someone elses death.I do drink a beer with a meal,but thats about it.The more you drink,the more couragous and invinsable you get.I ended up in the trees years ago after racing a buddy.We slammed 2 pitchers of beer and hit the trail.No damage to me or the sled(avoided lagre trees and took out the sapplings.That was a wake up call for me.Now I have more things on my mind,6 year old daughter and a pregnant wife. http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I may have one beer on the trail. But usualy I have pepsi. Can't afford the fine.

I'm 19 so i never drink but i ride with guys that are able to legally drink but they don't when snowmobiling. I have been with guys that wanted to drink so they went and drank while i kept riding. All this is good until you meet the a##hole thats loaded up flying at 100mph at you. http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

should be no tolerance on the trails, one beer no trail. we sledders are less than same sex marriages in the public eye so i think we are going to have too go that route and implement no tolerance.

You are right Paul.A cold Mountain Dew works best for me.Heck, just look where the Pepsi products are canned,Right here in little Watertown Wisconsin.I like to support the local economy anyways.I don't know how far away they ship from this plant,but well I'll shut up now. http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

A Mountain Dew is my drink of choice while I'm riding too. Its just plain stupid to drink and ride. You spend all that money on your sled, buy this, buy that, test and tune, test and tune to make it go just a little faster and then what do you do? You go have a few beers to slow down you reflexes. And to all you that say one or two doent do anything to me at all, then why have them? Drink something else! Wait til the sled is in the garage before you drink please!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * Ryan

Love beer, but not until the sled is parked for the day, had to many close calls when I was younger. Learned my lesson with out hurting my self or someone else, LUCKY!

http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I drink pepsi until the keys for the machine are put away then i might tip a few back. I have seen what happens when liquid courage is involved. Not a pretty sight. When I'm at the cabin on the weekends, you know when the bar closes for the night. There is a steady stream of sleds flying down the lake wide open at 3http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif0 am. The bar is 5 miles from my cabin and the parking lot is always full. I thought the idea of owning a sled is to ride it . Not sit in the bar all day and night then ride home when you can't even walk. It disgusts me. In my opinion you get what you deserve. You may get away with it now but it will catch up with ya in the end

I like a good brew as much as the next. *There are even times where I'll deliberately go for the buzz. *However, I hold a Commercial Drivers License. *This thing cost me over $4,000 in training courses to get it. *I take the idea of drinking and driving very seriously. *When I drink, somebody else drives, or I am in a place to stay the night. *Booze has no business being used in conjunction with ANY motorized vehicle of ANY type.

I wonder if it could be considered self defense to beat the tar out of a trashed sledder? * http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

After you beat the tar out of him,or her, light the morons`sled on fire. Maybe they`ll get the message.

I will drink to that. In my chair at the computer of course. I think you guys have made me realize that maybe the beer at lunch is enough until the sled is parked for the night

being a former drunk i can the you that this poll is not going to be a true *judge of how many drunks are on the trails with you alcohal makes even the finest people liers it takes over there brain and makes them do things that when sober they wouldnt do i used to hit every bar in sight on friday night and to me i was never to drunk to drive[lie] because the booze told me so but when i got stoped by a policeman he had a totally diffrent view of my sobority he was sober and in the real world not in my booze clouded world so to the people who say i only had 3or4 beers and drive anything car sled bike remember its not the real you its a drunk with booze contoling your brain that drive that machine i know this is going to piss some of you big tough nonlightweight macho guys off but sorry it the truth i know i was a drunk for many many years and if you thank those few beers dont effect the way you drive just wait till your the person that kills somebodys baby then you might think back and say to yourself corvette77 was right myself i decide one day 12 years ago that i wanted the real me to control my life have touched a drop since i guess i just want people to realize you dont have to get drunk to have fun ride on sober:angry:

By the nature of this poll, *especially here, you are going to get those statistics and comments.... personally I think you guy`s are being just a little bit too self rightous, I hate to say it but I think its trendy and your on the bandwagon.. sometimes I am the devils advocate *intentionally but I really think for instance if everbody responded on this site and they were honest your "stats " would be inverted. Just to crank your crank consider this, sober drivers, (might not hold true with sledders) cause more accidents than drunks, but when a sober part of the motoring public crashes everybody just says" whoops" no big deal, now you get somebody that is intoxicated ( and one would have to assume the mere fact that sober people are crashing, some of the drunk people probably would of crashed anyways) and their held to a higher standard. Wouldnt you think somebody that wasnt drinking should be expected to drive better and have bigger conseqeunces if they crash.........now that everybody is sufficiently rattled I better go........

did you see the third post did you see these children would it be worth it to you to drink and drive and possibaly kill one of them even if the odds are 1,000,000 to1 that 1 is to many in my view could you live with the thought of killing 1 child i think not or if you think you can the i found a good web site for you www.getabrain.dik or better yet go slam some brews and go kill a baby *you will feel better

Why don`t you tell us how you really feel.

all right you two... chill out. *

imo,
ballsout1, you have a point.. however, i dont necesarly think your right. *but we dont need to start a flame war over this. *this is a good topic, and doesnt need to get locked.

- jason

You can state the case that people who are sober get into accidents as well as people who drink and ride or drive. But *how many accidents could have been avoided if the person who was driving the vehicle was sober. We all know drinking impares your reaction time, your eyesight and your ability to make quick judgement calls. A guy around here bought a new sled a few years ago. He rode the same trail every weekend . One night after sitting in the bar getting gunned they started their way back home, riding down the same trail he had for how many years, he decided to show his buddies how fast his new machine was. They didn't even see the brake light come on when he hit the grid road. They figure he died before he even hit the ground. The bars hit him in the chest and ripped one of his arteries. Could it have been avoided? With some common sense and without an impaired reaction time he still would be alive today most likely. State your case all you want but I know I dont want to be on the trail with someone who has been drinking. Your increasing you chances of an accident or death by 100 % . I've seen guys ridin who get off their sleds and can barely stand. If you can barely stand how can you operate a motor vehicle properly and safely for everyone. What is wrong with takin a cab or waitin till the sleds are on the trailer to have a drink. Get waisted, it don't matter as long as you are not endangering others while your at it. When I was 21, I got caught three times in a year. Never had my license pulled once. Haven't done it in five years. All though i was never punished for it I learn't my lesson. Glad i stopped before I killed someone. If you cant wait till the end of the day to have a drink then i suggest you look at yourself and get your priorities straight

Dont know what part of the planet you guys ride but here in Michigan ALL the bars here are packed with snowmobilers and 90% got a beer in their face.
Sorry if I offended anyone but I"am not going to sugar coat it like I"am seeing here. http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

I used to drink alot when I had no kids and only rode a prowler440. When I got my 800 my wife told me that if I kept drinking while riding she woulld sell it while I was at work, then kids came along and they are to preciouse not to come home. Now I wait until the sleds are parked and the cabin is warm, then we let loose and tell sledding stories.
Just like our local commercials say "drink responsibely"

Some people call it thinning the herds,I don't know how else to say this and please don't take it personally. If you must drink to have a good time during your ride,please hit a tree and kill yourself and not someone innocent, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't feel we should have to stop riding snowmobiles just because some irresponsible person coming the other direction can't have fun riding without a buzz. And everybody sitting in the bars talking smack about who's faster and has a better sled is just as guilty as the guy who does hurt somebody else,because thats where all this starts. If you think your that good of a rider,get involved with sanctioned racing,they are always looking for the next superstar. Booze and trail riding don't mix. Ask Chris Vincent he will let you know what it's like to have someone that you love die in your arms, because of alcohol. It's too bad it takes a tragedy to wake some people up. And not everybody in the bars are drinking, plenty of people I ride with are warming up, getting some food, and drinking a pop. It does'nt make you gay it makes you smart.

Last time I drank on the sled I couldn't figuer out way my back hurt so bad the next day,untill somebody told me about how I was riding and after checking out the sledand seeing the damage done by the highspeed ditch aproaches 100+ mph low snow conditions. If I was sober I would have never rode like this as these aproaches would scare some of the best,but as posted by vette the bose was driving and not me.
* After reading the stats on accidents everyyear and the fact that over 70% of all accidents were booze related and 90% of snowmobile deathes are booze related.I made the choice from now on that only after the sleds are parked for the night I mix the first drink.

no drinking and riding,I want to ride with my son sometime when he is old enough to pilot his own sled down the trail,and I am not going to be the one who ruins it for myself.

I enjoy a cold one from time to time but I don't get wasted and I never push it on others I ride with. *I know its not the smart thing to do, but we don't always do the smart thing do we? *I ride backcountry alot and really need to rely on my wits to get back out so I never go overboard. *As long as I'm not on the public trails or endangering those with me, then no problem. *Keeping on mind I still have to drive home at the end of the day! *Understand that I don't advocate it, I'm just being honest.

How much is very much? *I went on a poker run last year. *Only 75 miles or so, only took 4hours, tops. *I would say 95% of all present were drunk by the end of the 75 miles. *

It was sponsored by the local snowmobile club. *Everyone was drinking and yet clubs are supposed to be safer to ride with. *I would rather ride by myself than with that accident waiting to happen. *I will not participate in their run this year! http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

cletus t,
*congratulations.

alaskanassasan,
*what did you say yes or no ?

all those that get a buzz on to feel better, i hope when you go to the hospital that your doctor likes to get a buzz on also.

*how would you like that ? a doctor with a couple under his belt to take the edge off ? cutting around your body.

*can an airline pilot fly with a couple under his belt ? no.

*there must be a reason why no booze for these guys.

I'm with the guys that only have one with their dinner, that is all, and that is more enough to have. *But don't get me wrong i will have my share when i'm not on the trails.

I think a lot of people are not being honest here. *Everywhere I ride the bars are packed. *Have I ever had a drink and rode? *The answer is yes. *Have I been drunk and rode? *The answer is no way. *It is called responsible. *How many people ride on drugs? *Or even better yet, caffiene? *Caffiene affects your abilty to operate machinery also. *I will not ride a snowmobile buzzed, and the guys I ride with have a 2 drink over 8 hour policy, and must be ordered with food. Very good poll, might get some people thinking differently about riding and drinking. * However, I am sitting in front of my computer now, so I think I will be quiet and plead the (Fifth). *LOL..

Paul Yarek, My post wasn't hard to understand. *I said I DO have a beer now and then but that I don't get drunk. *Your zero tolerance may work for you but it doesn't for me.

i would like to no who are the 6 people that voted alot and verry much so i dont ever ride with you guys ! i cant belive so many people drink and ride ! it is so fun snowmobiling that i dont understand the need to drink . *http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif *http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif *http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

DanR,don't count on them coming out of the closet.

ALASKANASSASAN,I hope you don't get too impaired,because your name might become a reality. http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif Be careful http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

maybee 1 or 2 after a day of riding! http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

MXZ7, "NO worrys," I know my limit. *Besides, up here its too cold for anything but coffee most rides! http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

No beer here until the sled is parked for the day. Then I reward myself! : ) I'm not the most experienced rider either so I don't need to handicap myself with a buzz. It's also very frustrating riding with a group that has to stop at every bar on the trail to down a pitcher. Are we drinking or are we riding? And with this lame winter, I want to spend as much time on the trail as possible.

Little green sixer: i admire your honesty and corvette 77, you are probably right. When you say alcohol makes a lier out of us.

The only time that I drink and drive is to get to a cabin or an abandoned mine about 3 miles of my cottage. I use my private trails and about 1/2 mile of groomed trails. We are usually a couple of guys having fun around a campfire. Other than that, I never drink and drive, in fact, I've never been in a bar on the trails. I can't really understand someone who needs alcohol to get a buzz or rush on a sled. Snowmobiles are powerfull and fast enought to provide anybody with a good rush (unless your living in the prairies or in the middle of a very big lake in which case, make big jumps). One thing that I find wrong is the amount of bar publicity on the trails, there are more bar signs than trail signs, in fact I can find my way in most new trails I venture in because of em. This encourages snowmobilers to go have a few and it also gives the image that all snowmobilers drink and drive.

Just because there are a lot of bars along the trail, doesn't mean that you have to drink alcohol. I've never been to a bar that doesn't also sell pop and coffee. I drink occasionally, but never when I am on my sled or my bike. (one or two tops when in my truck) Put the sleds away, then designate a driver and go for some drinks if you want.

Lee

I have in the past , had only 2 beers and hit a tree at 40mph , I was playing around was'nt paying attention maybe it was the beer maybe it was'nt . That was 4 yrs ago , since that time I have'nt touched one . Now I have a Mach-z there is no way I will ever drink and drive with that thing . *http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

If you're going to tip a few then ride, be real careful out there. *You never know who you may encounter!!

Not allowed at all, if any one in my party drinks he gets left behind!!

..... cutting a perfect corner, * feeling zero g's when you squeeze it over a rise, *the awsome acceleration with the perfect hook up, * incredible scenery to boot.!!

Why would you waste this experience by dulling your senses with anything.

Choose your poison and enjoy after the sleds are put away for the day, live to ride tomorrow.

My two cents....

Michael
http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

this was posted earlier and ti rings very true

"..........................And to all you that say one or two doent do anything to me at all, then why have them? Drink something else! Wait til the sled is in the garage before you drink please!
* * * * * * * * * * * * *Ryan............. "

If you have to drink to enjoy sledding either get a faster sled for the rush or get the he!! out of the sport.
We don't need the bad publicity. It's hard enough keeping the antis off our backs without the yahoos giving us a bad rap.

I am really glad someone brought up this poll- thanks MntCat- we have had aquaintencs(SP) of ours who have lost there lives because of drinking and riding & some who have came REAL close.
It just is not worth it!!
Depending on height and weight 1-3 drinks even with a meal could be enough to injury yourself or someone else.
I don't think a Miller Lite or Baileys and coffee is worth losing my sled over.

Amen Mike97z!

I can drink year round. Not true of snowmobiling. I'd rather spend my time on the trails, not in the bar. It's not only unsafe, it's a waste of valuable trail time! *http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

racewife,
*you are right the bar is going to be there in the summer but the trails will not.

I don't ride, to go sit in the bars. *And don't believe there is any excuse for driving drunk.

But to be completely honest, I'll have a beer or two when we stop for lunch. *Why, because I enjoy it, with my lunch. *I also go for a beer (a beer) after work with the guys, and drive home after.

No big deal, 10 or 12 beers on the other hand is a big deal.

Unfortunately, its easier to ban things 100% and have 0 tolerance, than to regulate things reasonably. *And its the idiots with no self control or sense, that ruin it for everyone. *So, if its is banned competely, then I will stop. *In the mean time, one or two at lunch is my limit, until after riding.

FishHog

at least you honest ! * http://www.snowmobileworld.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I dont, mainly cause I'm 20. *But even when I turn 21 I still wont do it. *Just too risky, you never know what could happen.

WOW! Responses to beat all! http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

We never mix alcohol and riding period. All it takes is a few cans of liquid courage and johnny racer is born. No sled is capable of more than when driven by a drunk.

If everyone could live a day in the shoes of a person who has lost a child or spouse to a drunk driver then drinking and driving would be eradicated. Years don't cure the pain. I'm sorry for your loss doesn't cut it.

Want to drink and kill yourself, please do it before you leave home. We would appreciate that. Thanks.

Have a great day!

Scott

I agree with just about everyone, I like to drink but wait till I am done having a blast on my sled. I do not even think about drinking when I am riding. It is to much fun.

Save the beers for the motel!!!

Too many ponies under me to be drinking out there!!! Period!!!!

Hey Idooski, that isn't a "pony" keg is it? *LOL..