stoney

on the above - did you happen to see permits on the sleds.....maybe some guilty parties........lol. I did not get out this year really, so I cannot comment, but in the past, encountering those types of folks was a rare thing, not the norm IMO or what generally make up the sledding demographic.

Been over a decade since I routinely went to car shows, the tracks, etc.....I can only imagine what that looks like these days - kind of like sledding I am sure....lol.

I know there were a few others that have mentioned their kids, you, @Blackstar and @oldslowsledder come to mind, I am sure there are more that I am missing.....I know there were a few other members that had smaller kids that came out with them or had kitty Cats, etc.....it just seemed the two members I mentioned, you hear more about it, more often.....life, priorities and other things change, that affect that. I take my kids out with me, will they take up the sport as they get older, who knows, time will tell.....but having some exposure at a younger age, I hope increases that chance later on. Point being of course, there is not much new blood, no one is surprised of course, and I think it is the older folks that are more likely to take it up or return to the sport, but that number I do not think will out weight the number that are leaving the sport - just the reality of things.

The only new riders that I’m aware of or heard of last few years are folks around 50 that have the funds and time to do so. I think on this site there are two members that have younger kids involved and likely in the sport for the long haul - @Spiderman and @ecarnell….maybe I’m missing someone, but I don’t think there are many.

Buddy looked at renting a sled for a long weekend? much cheaper than a new sled purchase to have some fun and test the waters, and if he can’t come to terms with that expense, I’d say he likes to talk about the idea of engaging in the sport, just not the reality of actually doing it.

"Day to day" work is expected, but some of these areas were hit so hard, you need heavy machinery to make light work of the daunting tasks. Emergency funds should be used or seeking funding from the province for it should be - I know many places did and I recall hearing on the radio recently about that being settled in some places for those that asked for it. Did the OFSC make a request for that from the storm like many municipalities did?

Ya, but the OFSC should be able to support the need for an increase with data on the costs of keeping the doors open so to speak - should not be a hard argument to make.

Yep, factors that can’t be controlled. The younger folks who likely have the time, don’t have the funds. The “older” crowd that now may have the funds, may not have the time or the passion to pursue it. I don’t know, but there has to be a matrix that tells the OFSC what it needs to be year after year that is pretty easy to identify what the cost needs to be. Just look at QC, they have the more consistent climate and the passionate ridership to support the sport and they increase it year after year - what does that tell you. I too live very close to Simcoe, this area used to be a great spot for day rides or even to start your ride to spend at a cottage in district 7, not anymore nor has been for a while, that will not change. I know the reality is the ridership is shrinking, but what I’m saying is that’s out of the OFSC hands, the factors for that are beyond them so set the price what is needed to support what can be supported, the permit price is not what attracts new riders, I think people are naive to still think that, there are too many other factors that are far more significant. People who are price sensitive to just the permit, IMO, are not going to be around for long or they truly do not comprehend what the permit price entails, or more importantly, what it does not include, like all the work done by people for FREE!!!

I was thinking the same thing about people having the opportunity to go on a lake, field, etc…to have a chance to be exposed, or best case friend or family that has spare sled to try it out. For me it was a family that let me try his sled, that turned into a weekend rental trip and then my own purchase. But that does not change the permit price or change who will come, IMO - if they decide at that point they enjoy it, thoughts turn to many of the other expenses in order to dive in, that will not become cheaper in this day and age that no one can influence. Set permit price at what it needs to be (the cheapest part of the sport) and enforce the use of the trails by the means required. For anyone using the permit as a reason not to stay in the sport, are already done with it or looking for reasons to be, and are just complaining about nothing. The permit I bought this year, I am not even sure made it into my sled, I know for sure I did not ride any OFSC trails…which I think makes that two years in a row for me…lol!

The OFSC has tried to make it appealing and affordable, I’m afraid it hasn’t worked for reasons they cannot control. The reality that most can agree on is the sport is expensive, permit being one of the cheapest today is the point, that’s not changing, so come to terms with that and move on. stop trying to pretend it should be an inclusive sport, it no longer is. sorry, but that’s the reality IMO.

Yep, agreed….shut Er down.

I agree the permit needs to be more, not trying to suggest the grants are to offset the under valued permit, but considering what the industry brings into the bucket, a little more should come out for various things.

But I seem to hear those grants are not consistent or not that much, but I’m not in the know. Sticker amount would be what, $15 x XX number of sleds, I’d think 100k as an easy number. Add the financial impact shedders have for all other things and that’s another big number. so you have: - gas tax - license fee - Major economy booster

Gas tax on vehicles maintains our roads, and many other things. Gas tax on sleds should help maintain the trails. It really should not be a hard argument to win or justify, and if not in place annually already, why not. Same argument can be used for boats, if not already for locks, etc…

Congrats! So safe to say you aren’t hanging up the towel - this past year rejuvenated the passion for the sport! Hopefully others follow suit and look to keep the wheels greased and it’s a good resale year or non current model year for sales this fall.

Well, when Nortel crashed, many people lost huge....not so long ago and perhaps fresh in some peoples mind..... Same as Bre-X......but older so perhaps not as relevant to people today that are mid to late 60's. Were there any more that were as bad....

There are a couple of folks that I see often and talk with about this since they are investment advisors, portfolio managers, etc...... It seems the people most freaking out with sell mentality based on losses on paper are the ones near retirement, which should be the ones with the most experience from the years and should have a diverse portfolio as well, plus are also the ones that will not likely be able to recoup those losses after they sell at this point at those lower numbers, but some people will always be reactive to these sort of things....perhaps some of them still recall the massive losses that people witnessed over the last couple of decades, that never did recover.

I will also add, home invasions have become somewhat norm in some areas, it is not usually just some random house that is picked, there is some "pre-work" done. Anyways, be careful what you may choose to share is all I am saying.

Yep, sign of possible other issues related to not taken care of all that well. we have all seen those sleds towed down the highway with no cover or left parked in the yard for the entire off season, on grass no doubt and with no cover.

Like rust on the lower arm of the torsion spring where it slides back and fourth on the block at the rail or rusted on the entire spring?

Haven’t used it in years so figured I try to get rid of it, bought it from royal years ago, picture is what it looks like. $125 or make an offer if interested. Located Newmarket area.

@Nunz ordered a new sled, I think......keeping the spirit / sport alive!!!!

I cant say that I am surprised by this at all. Easy to look at non current instead or as you have rationalized for your sled, invest a few grand on your sled to the newer specs and ride another year.....or are you reconsidering that now.

Mine leaked a bit on me once, but that was human error....lol. It does suck, you buy these very expensive things to avoid the make shift gas carrying options that usually end in some leaked gas. Can you pressurize the container and then see if you can find the air leak perhaps.

Common thing on those sleds? I think I’ve read something about an issue with the skid on them, maybe a shock issue with track rubbing on it?!?!