August 27, 2009
In The Air Tonight
Every year around this time I get this feeling. It happened this morning. I rolled out of bed, slowly as usual, sensing my aging lower back, knees and ankles as muscles and joints remind me of last evenings mountain bike race. The house was unusually cool, fresh breeze wafting through the open windows, no humidity… summer is over before it even began.
I had noticed some color change in the trees up north last weekend but hey it was still a muggy 28, hot August weekend. Nope it happened this morning. Fall fever. It is officially the snowmobile pre-season according to me, which means the same for Yamaha Canada.
I just checked the Sledtalk blog stats and traffic is up 60% over the past two weeks. 
That tells me something. In fact I figure because you are reading this now, you also have the gut desire to pull the sled out of storage or at least consider what the options are for new gear, upgrades and what, if any, sled shows are happening in the hood. And just as importantly, wondering what winter will have in store based on the weather trends thus far this year.
It’s no secret that the motorsports industry has been in the dumper this summer. A very general snapshot sees the marine, ATV and motorcycle business down in Canada around 25%. Some product groups more, some less. Interestingly enough, the used market appears to be up and the parts and service business has been practically recession proof.
I have another gut feeling and it is directly connected to the change of seasons and the affect upon me the snowmobiler (not me the Yamaha employee). The snowmobile world has its own form of Kryptonite, fending off the doom and gloom of global economic strife. We have more passion, more desire and more attraction to our winter wanderlust than any of our other wheeled or propped pastimes.
I predict sled sales will not reflect the the 25 point downturn of the other product lines and I highly doubt that any significant number of riders will hang up their helmets this year because of the economy. So be patient, if it hasn’t hit you already it most surely well over the next few weeks. It’s time to start thinking snow. cheers cr
I recieved my first snowmobile rag in the mail last friday and have been dreaming of riding ever since. In fact my buddies and I are planning a “show and shine party” for early next month! We shine up the older iron and anyone who bought new gets to show it off. And believe it or not a few beers are drank and few stories told…..
Sounds like fun, let me recommend one of my favorite brews… ‘Asahi Super Dry’, Japans finest… let your skidoo pals drink the Coors Light
cheers cr
August 27th, 2009 at 11:53 amFunny you mention it. I put the wife’s viper in the back of the truck last night with a for sale sign hanging from the bumper. Expecting #2, so some things have to go away, and seeing that she won’t be riding this year, seems like the logical sacrifice. But along with the sweet smell of 2 stroke last night, I woke up freezing my butt off this morning also, and I also felt it. It was in the air. It was Fall.
-Ben
congrats to you and your wife on #2, pitty the sled has to go but I am sure it will be replaced somewhere down the line… cheers cr
August 27th, 2009 at 2:44 pmSnowmobiling has been on my brain the last few days(head and eyes deep replacing the exhaust donuts on my warrior)which makes me wonder what causes these round donuts to wear away under those clamps located near the motor?Vibration?Heat/pressure from the motor?On the plus side it was a great project for a summer afternoon and the donuts are fat free.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:05 pmYou couldn’t have said it better. About a week ago I felt the same thing here in Yellowknife. The leaves are changing, the occasional one even on the ground. The air just smells different, and in the bush it surly smells like hunting season, that musty damp release that the tree’s give off, the dew that forms in the evening’s, and the biggest sign for me North of 60 this time of year is the darkness returning with amazing aurora in the sky. It sends chills up my neck and completely changes my mood and way of thinking. The sleds have been torn apart cosmetically all summer in the garage and I slowly wipe and clean every part I can fit my rag around, noting parts that need repair and settings that need adjustment. What a feeling. Anticipation is half the excitement of this sport or any personal passion. Looking forward to what will be when you love it that much can’t be described. It’s funny as I come to wrap up the mileage logs on the forums in the next couple of weeks, the next round of adventures are in reach. Here’s to hoping for an amazing start to the new season for all.
Cheers,
August 27th, 2009 at 11:49 pmYK
I was washing our Nytro in the driveway yesterday and my “Star” owning neighbour (and fellow biker friends) politely asked me to put it away for another couple of months lol. Seems not everyone shares our enthusiasm for the white stuff
. I recieve many blank stares when I mention the first race (grass drag) is this weekend lol.
August 28th, 2009 at 11:28 amas i run my 21 ft jet sled up the river i cant help but wish that yamaha made a motor for this boat…oh well….the mountains here make me want to ride my sled I also am waiting impatiently for winter PDR
I hope the Steelhead are running and plentiful, watch out for rocks or you’ll be wanting more than a new Yamaha
cr
August 29th, 2009 at 9:15 amthe air is definitely changing, i was out in the bush over the weekend with my ”grizzly”.the maples are turning red already,the moose are starting to be active,and the sleds are looking at me in the garage like they want a change of scenery,ive been doing maintenance on my 2 sleds this past week like,greasing,washing,removing old trail passes sticker so the new ones have room,ah,i cant wait,its driving me crazy,good thing im an avid hunter,helps pass the time much quicker,and what do you know,fall is done and you know whats next
so it’s buck fever, then snow fever?
cr
August 30th, 2009 at 8:08 pmhi chris just a thought…how a bout a little talk to all sledders about the upcoming season…. about “calculated risks” we lost a fellow this year in a remote river ….he tried to cross the river which he sucessfully did in the morning ….. falling would lead him directly into a log jam…maybe if he had thought about it CALCULATED…we would still have a great man helping all his cancer patients.Last year in the mountains was brutal ….please everyone…THINK…calculate…live to ride another day Great season to all PDR
reading between the lines, it sounds like there was some tragedy very close to home for you. The avalanche season last year certainly took its toll on riders and your warning is quite timely. Calculating the risk is a better approach than blind faith when we challenge ourselves against extreme terrain. Knowing your limits and recognizing the consequence of a wrong choice is key. Sorry to hear of this loss. cr
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:53 am