Admitting defeat- the Bret Rasmussen example

There is a lot of talk online about Bret Rasmussen changing from Arctic Cat to Ski Doo this year. Maybe this is a big shock because of how much he and Chris Burrant (a Polaris rider) bash BRP for their mountain sleds. The people who are talking are saying Bret changed because of money. I have a different theory.
Bret has been engrained with Arctic Cat for his entire career. He has even owned a dealership. So why switch now? Because Arctic Cat isn't going in the right direction. They seem to be focusing on the trail sled and not so much on the mountain segment. Ski Doo doesn't make the lightest sled.  That honor goes to Polaris. However ski doo is innovative. They invented snowmobiling as we see it today. They where the first to introduce the rider forward chassis, they where the first to achieve the unthinkable below 3 power to weight ratio (weight of sled divided by horse power). The new innovation for this year... T-Motion. This makes mountain riding easier, helps a novice learn to ride Rasmussen style. 
Riding Rasmussen style is Bret's main business. If Ski Doo is producing a product that will further his business, he was wise for admitting defeat and switching.  You can bet that in the years to come Arctic Cat will make a big come back into the mountain segment, but they will have to play catch-up to Polaris and Ski Doo. Yamaha has their niche in the 4 stroke world. That is why I didn't talk about them.
Keep on the throttle,
DPS

Things don't always go as planned

Ok, so what do you do when things don't go as planned???  You make the best of it.

Every time you go out on a snowmobile there are new challenges.  No base, no snow, sugary snow, avalanche danger, very deep powder that is easy to get stuck in etc, etc.  Each new snowstorm brings these challenges. You can spend a day digging somebody out who got stuck, or spend a day with no hiccups at all (rare).  In the case of the video you could merely be trying to help someone out, and have an accident yourself (you will see what I mean.)  Just remember Even digging out a 400+ lb snowmobile from ditch for three hours is better than a day at work, or cleaning the house, or completing whatever honey do list you have.

Keep on the Throttle
DPS

PS. I am the stuck one, and PinNgiggle is the one who hit the tree. :)  Your two authors at their best.

Buying a new toy (boat, snowmobile, bike, ATV etc)

At some point you have been out riding, either as a kid with your dad (my case) or buddy who took you out for the weekend or some other event. In any case, the infection has begun.  You think that it would be really cool to get a four wheeler, and you and your special someone will go riding.  Or perhaps this will make a great family sport, or all my buddies spend the weekends playing.  Then thoughts of renting sucks; you have to chase down the equipment. sign all the agreements, return by certain time etc, etc.  These are the first signs that you are in trouble.  If you are smart you will spend your money on a shrink and mood altering drugs.  If you are like me and not smart you start shopping on  KSL.com, visiting power sport shops on your lunch breaks, watching YouTube videos of other people who have posted their riding chronicles,  talking to your wife about how much fun it would be to go riding.  You convince her that she would also enjoy the sport. "By the way I really do love being with you..Please be my recreational companion." (These may have been the exact words I spoke to her 20 years ago when we bought our first ATV).

Web site

Got my splash page made for the web site. It is just temporary until I get the site launched but you can check it out. www.discusspowersports.com

Wrecking

Wrecks happen. I am sure that if any of you have spent considerable time on an off road vehicle you have wrecked. Most people who ride hope that it doesn't happen to them, but always know it is a possibility.  But we live and we learn.

When I was 18 I was riding my 4 wheeler at the Jericho sand dunes in Utah.  It had just rained the night before so the sand was set up pretty solid.  We could get going as fast as desired.  My buddies and I found a nice jump with a perfect take off and landing.

This winter will be sweet.

According to KSL.com it snowed 1-3" at most ski resorts in Utah (my home state) yesterday.  Mind you that it is only September 25th. I think this is a good sign that we will have a strong winter out west this year.  GET OUT YOUR SKIS, SNOWBOARDS and my favorite SNOWMOBILES.

I have been wrenching on my snowmobile all summer.  It is pretty much ready to go.  I have a 2008 Ski Doo Summit XP.  It is the Everest model but I got it for a great deal.  It only has 730 miles on it so it is virtually new considering the engine is considered broken in after 500 miles. Listed Bellow are all the upgrades and modifications I have done to my sled.