Supertrax Magazine Great Ambasadors of the Sport?

[smokeater466]

Just a little rant and I don't know if I am a little off base or not but here goes:

Sunday afternoon I was on the B-103 Rail Line to Haliburton and was having trouble with my sled - limped it into the park by the entrance to Head Lake.

Hood up, trying to get her going - my 8 yr old in tow, the Supertrax Crew rolls by with their shiny donated suits, helmets driving the greatest and latest sleds by all 4 manufacturers (about 7-8 sleds) and they blow right past me without even a stop to ask if everything was ok and did I need any help?

These guys make their living off us buying their magazine which permits them to drive the new sleds every weekend and visit locals across the province/country/continent on someones elses dime.

I just thought to myself - where's the courtesy. I would never pass another sledder without asking if they need assistance. You would think that they would want to appear as great ambasadors of the sport. Do any of them volunteer in their local clubs? Perhaps I am a bit jelous seeing them on the new iron in the best equipment while I am working on my old girl trying to enjoy an afternoon with my family.

Am I off base here?

[Giddy UP]

Agreed! I NEVER pass a sledder that is stopped with their hood up and not find out if they are OK. I am certainly not a mechanic...nor to I confess to be that way inclined....HOWEVER.....I at least have a running sled...that can either tow that sled...or get help from someone who can. I think that it is just a code of ethics that certainly every sledder in our little group lives by. JMO

Just my 2 cents !

[maple]

I don't think you're off base at all. I can't believe they just drove on by.

I'm with Giddy Up on this one ... although I'm no mechanic I would definitely stop and offer assistance, whether that's a ride to get help or whatever.

Even with this experience, I hope the rest of your day was good.

Shame on them!

[sledjunk]

I don't think you are off base at all. I always stop for someone with their hood up, or even if it is a lone rider stopped at the side of the trail. It only takes a second to get a 'thumbs up' from the other rider to confirm they are OK. I have even spend over an hour helping others get going and 'escort' them to their house, truck, etc to make sure they are OK.

It is something, as Giddy Up said, that is just part of the ethics in this sport.

That was certainly in bad taste for them to pass you by. Maybe the topic for a letter to the editor? Probably won't get printed, but may change the attitude.

[Domino]

Its an unwritten rule

[Lep]

WoW that is not like them at all especially if the hood is up,not trying to defend them but maybe they were running behind or something.Smoke I agree contact them via email/phone and let them know what u think.

Sammy

[irREVerent]

Make me vote # 4 on your side...that's really quite unbelievable, especially from those guys, who profess to be such keen observers of the whole sport. Perhaps they need to be brought back to earth a little bit and reminded of the "how can I help?" attitude that most "grass roots" sledders have toward one another. If one of them spots this thread, hopefully they'll be truly embarrassed

I never pass a stopped sled with its hood up without either talking to the driver or getting a thumbs-up signal to carry on...it's just plain courtesy, and could be much more important than that if the location is on a remote trail far from help.

[SlowTouringGuy]

Its an unwritten rule

It is ! And an expectation. One of the (many) gratifying aspects of this sport is that you know you can count on fellow sledders to pull together.

What a shame.

[Bryan XC700]

I don't care how far behind your schedule you are you stop no matter what & especially if someone has a child with them. I would at the very least send a letter to the editor and would seriously consider sending one out to other publications as a what not to do article, also send an email to Snow Trax to have them mention the little reminder to help someone stranded on the snow.

This is seriously unbelievalbe smokeater you're not off base at all, there is no excuse for that type of action, I mean no action on their part

[LuvMyViper]

I agree with you too smokeater466.. I have had people pull over at night and wait for me while my riding buddies went to get me some oil (doh). These people where from the states and stayed with me for like 1/2 to make sure that I was OK (what a great group of snowmobilers they where!!!!).

As for SuperTrax being ambassadors to the sport, I'm not too sure about that. They are in the industry to make money for themselves (imo). Too bad it happened, did anyone else pull over? I have helped out countless people that where either broken down or lost, it is a un-written rule....

I'm pretty sure that the SnowTrax people would have pulled over to see if you needed help (they have needed it themselves before

[Wildbill]

I agree with you too smokeater466.. I have had people pull over at night and wait for me while my riding buddies went to get me some oil (doh). These people where from the states and stayed with me for like 1/2 to make sure that I was OK (what a great group of snowmobilers they where!!!!).

As for SuperTrax being ambassadors to the sport, I'm not too sure about that. They are in the industry to make money for themselves (imo). Too bad it happened, did anyone else pull over? I have helped out countless people that where either broken down or lost, it is a un-written rule....

I'm pretty sure that the SnowTrax people would have pulled over to see if you needed help (they have needed it themselves before

The Ontario Snowmobile Magazine guys have used thier cell phones to call me to help stranded sledders and then towed them out to the nearest road crossing for me to help them. As for Supertrax being ambassadors they are in it to make money and probably feeling pretty cocky after getting the OFSC contract.

[sledjunk]

As for SuperTrax being ambassadors to the sport, I'm not too sure about that. They are in the industry to make money for themselves (imo).

Sometimes perception is more important than reality. While SuperTrax is definitely in the industry to make money, (and there is nothing wrong with that), any group on the trails with all of the signage on the sleds, gives the impression that they are representative of the general participants. The perception of new people and observers to the sport then can easily get the impression that what these clowns did is indicative of all of us.

There is no excuse for this type of :curse: behaviour.

[Major_Malfunction]

Its an unwritten rule

Agree 100% never leave a person stranded always offer a tow a ride or a phone call, no matter how late your running

Also a unwritten rule ..if someone gives you a tow get there name and address and send them cash to

put towards a new belt

MM

[toddszr600]

I agree, it looks like these guys are the new ofsc mag., so they are representing the sport.

You did make it to town so there was not a "real" danger, that said, the correct thing for them to do is take 10 seconds out of their day to ask if everything is ok .

Id contact them and express your concerns and politely remind them that they are now carrying the OFSC banner and as such should represent the sport better. I would also let them know that you are also contacting the OFSC with your concerns about their trail etiquette and maybe this will help them think twice the next time they come upon this situation.

Cheers, Todd

[Krusty]

I could understand them not stopping IF you were a group of numerous sleds, but it is inexcusable to go past a single sled, hood up & a kid with you. As mentioned above it is an unwritten rule to offer assistance to anyone in need! Hearing stuff like this makes me VERY KRUSTY!!!!!

[Bryan XC700]

Agree with Todd, I'd be letting the OFSC know first and foremost at who they've awarded the contract to & if this is the type of publication we should be supporting

[Doonut]

8 sleds in their group and they rode right past a solo sledder with a kid in tow and a sled down? That would make them 8 SUPER JACK DONKEY'S REAR ENDS in my book. Someone send the editor in chief a link to this thread or post the e mail addy and I'll send it along with a nice little note informing them of the wonderful public relations stunt they just pulled. What a bunch of losers. There is not one single reason that they shouldn't have stopped to check on your situation. NOT ONE.

EDIT, I used their "contact us" form and advised them of this posting and asked for an explanation.

[LuvMyViper]

Someone send the editor in chief a link to this thread

He has been sent the link.

I hope he can post a reply to this issue (and reply can also be sent to info@ontarioconditions.com and I will post it in this thread).

Unfortunately, the SuperTrax has their names on the sleds, the people are representing the magazine. I'm sure he'll find out who was out on the sleds. I have always been a fan of supertrax and hope the people responsible will be talked to and they will know better next time....

[UsedtoSkidoo]

Give them a chance to respond!

[berrypirate]

first off ^ ditto

second: you were by no means stranded or in distress from reading your post as you were in a full service town during the day - if it was at night - different story as the town shuts down at 6pm basically. you already mentioned that you limped home, you were across from a gas station, in a very safe place, and in no way were you or your kid in danger. there is food, shelter, telephone, emergency services within 2min walk from the park.

I dont see why you expected them to stop. all you had to do was wave at someone and I'm sure they would've stopped, I"ve met Mark and the gang on occasion and they are great ambassadors to the sport and local to the area. they would stop if you needed help.

it is an unwritten rule that I have obliged many times on the snowmobile trails, been the recipient of - as have probably most sledders in their life and in my car on the roads.

do you pull into a gas station and ask a motorist with his hood up if he needs help? I probably wouldn't.

[Evil]

Sunday afternoon I was on the B-103 Rail Line to Haliburton and was having trouble with my sled - limped it into the park by the entrance to Head Lake.

I'm not familiar with this area, so maybe some details as to where exactly you were would help me form an opinion!

You were on the trail? WAs there a gas station by you? If you were on the trail, or in a parking lot of some kind it makes a difference to me.

I never go by anybody if their hood is up on the trail. I took my daughter for a ride new years day, at approx 6:30pm, it was dark. There was a guy walking on the skidoo trail with a helmet on, didn't really notice till i went by him. I turned around and asked him if he needed a phone to call somebody or if everything was okay.

He hit a ditch on the trail going 50-60 mph, broke his sled. He said he'd walk to the road which was still quite a ways away. I offered to put my daughter in front of me and give him a ride as close to his house as possible. He was very grateful!! Would have been a long walk.

I'd never leave somebody on the trail.

However if somebody has their hood up in a parking lot where they have access to phones, gas stations, I probably wouldn't worry as much.

[Doonut]

do you pull into a gas station and ask a motorist with his hood up if he needs help? I probably wouldn't.

I failed to see where he stated he was sitting in the parking lot of a sled dealer or repair shop so I'm not sure your analogy really applies.

PS, I have often stopped at the side of the road or in a parking lot and asked a stranded motorist if they needed help. I guess that makes us different types of people.

[Lucky13]

Man, talk about a whole lot of hate over ONE persons experience from ONE persons perspective. Has anyone thought that maybe the situation didn't happen EXACTLY as ONE person says it did. When was the last time you were involved in an argument/conflict that happened exactly as both sides says it did?

I was there, I work for Supertrax Magazine. I was on that ride, on sunday. Let me point out a few things that are simply not correct.

First, we had 5 sleds with us, not 8-10. Observation is important here, no?

Second, we saw no less than 3 stranded sleds that day. Each time we slowed down, gave the thumbs up sign, when the stranded rider gave us the signal things were o.k. we continued on. Each time the rider was either with a group, or in one case, was at the sled with a 5 gallon can of gas. As a note, the ONLY person I saw in distress with a child was this the guy with the gas can. However, he was with his son and was already at the sled, with the gas. What were we to do at that point? Stop and fill it for him?

I have, as have every other member of the Supertrax crew, on countless occasions, stopped and helped stranded riders. I have offered my cell phone, pulled sleds from the ditch and given rides to those whose sleds were broken. I have also bought belts for guys who needed them, given my spare belt to people who needed it and driven to a gas station, filled a 5 gallon can, driven back to a sled and filled it for a guy who was out of gas. On each occasion I did NOT ask for money. Why??? because I am extremely lucky and %100 thankful in every way to have the position in this industry that I have. I respect the fact that it is YOU the riders and snowmobilers all over North America that make Supertrax what it is. Without you, were just a bunch of people who love sledding.

To add to this defensive rant I'm on I would like to say this: On my way home from an 8 day business trip this past friday night. Thats right, away from home and my family for 8 days... I saw a car spin out and flip into the ditch. I was only a few miles from home, i was tired, id been flying all day, it was 9:30 at night. What did I do? I stopped, turned around and waited with the couple in the car for 2 hours while the police and tow truck arrived. I called the tow truck myself and let them use my phone to call the police and their families. I DO stop to help, I have ALWAYS stopped to help and I ALWAYS WILL stop to help.

Im truly sorry if we did, in fact, drive past you on sunday smokeater. But if you think, that by this one action, the crew of Supertrax Magazine have proven we are not good ambassadors of this great sport you are seriously mistaken.

Sincerely

Luke Lester

Supertrax International Magazine

SnowTrax Television

[smokeater466]

first off ^ ditto

second: you were by no means stranded or in distress from reading your post as you were in a full service town during the day - if it was at night - different story as the town shuts down at 6pm basically. you already mentioned that you limped home, you were across from a gas station, in a very safe place, and in no way were you or your kid in danger. there is food, shelter, telephone, emergency services within 2min walk from the park.

I dont see why you expected them to stop. all you had to do was wave at someone and I'm sure they would've stopped, I"ve met Mark and the gang on occasion and they are great ambassadors to the sport and local to the area. they would stop if you needed help.

it is an unwritten rule that I have obliged many times on the snowmobile trails, been the recipient of - as have probably most sledders in their life and in my car on the roads.

do you pull into a gas station and ask a motorist with his hood up if he needs help? I probably wouldn't.

I never once said I was stranded and I made it home after arranging a relative to bring me my truck and trailer, we had dinner at McKecks while we waited in a warm enviroment.

My point is I would never pass someone without giving a quick check to ask them if they needed help. I just was not impressed at them blowing by all 6-8 of them and not one asking if help was required.

I always leave prepared and save me your sarcasim. They make their living off the sport and I don't think it is unfair to state that I expected more.

[smokeater466]

Man, talk about a whole lot of hate over ONE persons experience from ONE persons perspective. Has anyone thought that maybe the situation didn't happen EXACTLY as ONE person says it did. When was the last time you were involved in an argument/conflict that happened exactly as both sides says it did?

I was there, I work for Supertrax Magazine. I was on that ride, on sunday. Let me point out a few things that are simply not correct.

First, we had 5 sleds with us, not 8-10. Observation is important here, no?

Second, we saw no less than 3 stranded sleds that day. Each time we slowed down, gave the thumbs up sign, when the stranded rider gave us the signal things were o.k. we continued on. Each time the rider was either with a group, or in one case, was at the sled with a 5 gallon can of gas. As a note, the ONLY person I saw in distress with a child was this the guy with the gas can. However, he was with his son and was already at the sled, with the gas. What were we to do at that point? Stop and fill it for him?

I have, as have every other member of the Supertrax crew, on countless occasions, stopped and helped stranded riders. I have offered my cell phone, pulled sleds from the ditch and given rides to those whose sleds were broken. I have also bought belts for guys who needed them, given my spare belt to people who needed it and driven to a gas station, filled a 5 gallon can, driven back to a sled and filled it for a guy who was out of gas. On each occasion I did NOT ask for money. Why??? because I am extremely lucky and %100 thankful in every way to have the position in this industry that I have. I respect the fact that it is YOU the riders and snowmobilers all over North America that make Supertrax what it is. Without you, were just a bunch of people who love sledding.

To add to this defensive rant I'm on I would like to say this: On my way home from an 8 day business trip this past friday night. Thats right, away from home and my family for 8 days... I saw a car spin out and flip into the ditch. I was only a few miles from home, i was tired, id been flying all day, it was 9:30 at night. What did I do? I stopped, turned around and waited with the couple in the car for 2 hours while the police and tow truck arrived. I called the tow truck myself and let them use my phone to call the police and their families. I DO stop to help, I have ALWAYS stopped to help and I ALWAYS WILL stop to help.

Im truly sorry if we did, in fact, drive past you on sunday smokeater. But if you think, that by this one action, the crew of Supertrax Magazine have proven we are not good ambassadors of this great sport you are seriously mistaken.

Sincerely

Luke Lester

Supertrax International Magazine

SnowTrax Television

I wasn't the guy with the gas can , but on the edge of the trail in Haliburton. I subscribe to your magazine but you can keep if if you feel I sullied your reputation, which appears to be all your concerned about. You gave me no thumbs up and I am sorry if i wasn't correct on the number of sleds - you had about one from every brand. My head was under my hood.

I do not appreciate your tone. I did not attack your character. I am sure you are a great guy, loving husband , clean living family man. I just made an observation.

I do not want to engage in a war of words with you. I wish you the best of luck in the future but I do not appreciate you assertion that my version of event was incorrect (insinuating - I was being untruthful?). I have no bone to pick with you. Nor do I have any affiliation with any of your competitors. Perhaps you did not see me and we will leave it at that. Your reply leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I've had about enough of being attacked.

I did have a couple of riders that stopped and asked if I needed asistance, I had my cell and at that point help was on it's way. Snowmobiliers by and large are salt of the earth type of people who would help anyone in need and be your best friends for life.