20+ Years Saddle Bag trips - Group Spacing Complacency - Lesson Re-learned

[Gadgetman]

Group of 6 sleds. Some 24 years, most 20+ years saddle bag experience.

Age spread: 50-76 years

Conditions: -20c (ok temps) Snow dust - Pretty Bad.

Route: Hearst to Hornpayne and back. Terrain - lots of hills and valleys - A trail along highway 11.

Issue: Sled 6 misses a 105 deg turn, visor\glasses frost issue. Snow pack is very deep, over the waist up there.

Owners of cluck up, Sled 4 (me) and sled 1 (lead) primarily. Historically, we keep trailing sled in mirrors, or within 2-5 min spacing - always.

This trip, not only did we blow this rule on the Tuesday, we also blew this rule on the Sunday up at the Canyon, when 1 Sidewinder overheated from lack of coolant, and had to be towed to SMR (down West side), where a SMR towny went home to get some antifreeze for us, as Esso didn't have any (Sunday - everything else closed).

So, spread from SLD 1 (1 may have been closer to HP turn South than I indicate) to SLD 6  was in the 30-40KM area. 

Primary contributing factors: 1. Sled spacing complacency; 2. Snow Dust, 3. Vision - frosting in helmet\glasses

[scottyr]

I have to admit, I am a bad group leader even though I lead 90% of the time.   

[stoney]

I think I’m usually pretty good leader - although today my riding partner mentioned I must have really been into a groove as I was gone and not making the normal frequent check in stops like I normally do 😂

[stoney]

So, where did the missing coolant go?

was some work recently done on the sled, if not, he might have an issue that needs to be looked at. 

I will say it is not possible to keep trailing sled in view, with a group of sled on a cold day, the amount of snow dust makes that impossible, most will hang back behind the cloud so they can see, which makes intersection stops, high risks corners and routine stops every xx km a good thing. 
 

otherwise some good practices to try and keep in check!

[J Feces]

I quite often lead…so any group is given the same rules. Number one rule…Everyone is responsible for the sled behind them. Always make visual contact and look for thumbs up. Do not worry about sled in front, he is responsible to watch for you. If you lose sight of sled behind..you stop, turn back if needed and find missing sled. The leader must also take responsibility for the sled behind, any intersection or difficult corner must make contact w sled behind..and so on. New riders are always focused on sled in front of them for fear of getting lost.. they need to be told opposite is more important. Wide northern trails w few intersections can definitely spread a group out. Remote areas w no cell reception and frigid temps can be dangerous. 
  That being said I don’t like to ride w a large group,I actually avoid it. 2-3 riders is preferred ..4 max otherwise it’s just too slow to get anywhere. 
  Big warmup on the way..I’m optimistic that there will be a couple weeks at end of March N Ont and Que with some good riding yet. Get after it while you can!

[Steve F6]

Anyone else try the group tracking on the doo's this year? I found it was handy for keeping track of the group depending on the zoom level. Too close and their off the screen. I also noticed in tighter bush trails it didnt work all that great but in the more open trails if you were zoomed out on the screen a bit it worked great and better than having your phone app on all day.

3 minutes ago, J Feces said:

That being said I don’t like to ride w a large group,I actually avoid it. 2-3 riders is preferred ..4 max otherwise it’s just too slow to get anywhere.

Same here. 4 max and those 4 need to be self sufficient and no drama with good working machines. 

[J Feces]

40 minutes ago, Steve F6 said:

Anyone else try the group tracking on the doo's this year? I found it was handy for keeping track of the group depending on the zoom level. Too close and their off the screen. I also noticed in tighter bush trails it didnt work all that great but in the more open trails if you were zoomed out on the screen a bit it worked great and better than having your phone app on all day.

Same here. 4 max and those 4 need to be self sufficient and no drama with good working machines. 

I don’t have the big display on sled. I just use BRP go app on phone. Going to try the group tracking feature. Headed for Nfld riding in Gros Morne tomorrow for a week. Be nice to see mates on screen if get separated. 

[Ox]

We had 'Fearless Boy' running point on the way back to the trucks last night, but Dad got mad when he hadn't seen his tail light for "at least 6 miles". Who knows, maybe he is off in a snowbank somewhere and we rode past him? He turned up playing offtrail shortly afterwards. That boy can ride a snowmachine!

 

It seems that I end up running point when bushwhacking, and our group of 4, leaves 6 tracks. 3 of which are mine. I git more milles on than anyone, as I am always goingback to fetch stragglers.

 

.

[Gadgetman]

On 3/2/2026 at 5:41 PM, stoney said:

So, where did the missing coolant go?

was some work recently done on the sled, if not, he might have an issue that needs to be looked at. 

I will say it is not possible to keep trailing sled in view, with a group of sled on a cold day, the amount of snow dust makes that impossible, most will hang back behind the cloud so they can see, which makes intersection stops, high risks corners and routine stops every xx km a good thing. 
 

otherwise some good practices to try and keep in check!

Looks like bad PDI lastt year, then less than  good pre season owner inspection on the two Sidewinders. 1 sidewinder went into dealer at Hearst after coolant low again. Dealer confirmed small headgasket leak ! Not into engine, and started warranty claim, sled ok for rest of trip, just top up every 2nd day. Other SW was fine after full fill of anti freeze. 2nd sled to be pressure tested as a precaution.

[Gadgetman]

We did 8 one year, never again. 6 is our group on the annual saddle bag trip. 

[scottyr]

8 is too many in a group.     Its like trying to herd cats.     I did a Gaspe tour a few years ago with 8 guys and we were struggling to get 200kms on in a day because everything took so long.     Gas stops were taking 45 mins.   Smoke breaks, pee breaks etc....    6 is my absolute max now.    

[Spiderman]

16 hours ago, Gadgetman said:

We did 8 one year, never again. 6 is our group on the annual saddle bag trip. 

8 would be too many for me.

too many people to keep on the same page and too much likelihood of something going wrong

[PISTON LAKE CRUISER]

47 minutes ago, scottyr said:

8 is too many in a group.     Its like trying to herd cats.     I did a Gaspe tour a few years ago with 8 guys and we were struggling to get 200kms on in a day because everything took so long.     Gas stops were taking 45 mins.   Smoke breaks, pee breaks etc....    6 is my absolute max now.    

Our group of 4 saddlebagged for over 30 years together. Worked great only booking 2 rooms (adjoining where possible), easier to get table for 4 at restaurants and only one vehicle and trailer to deal with. Got so that we only had 2 guys who would lead and the 3rd & 4th guys always rode in same position. We even had different riders that brought different maintenance items like antifreeze and tools to save space for necessities LOL. Great times and memories.