[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] We just got back from Silver Lake, second trip this year, and very enjoyable (though we seem to have picked the hottest week of the year this time around). We had only been there during the week in the past, and hadn't yet experienced a weekend's crowd, so this time, we stayed 'till friday, that's when we saw the "brain-challenged" ones at work on the dunes.
Those of you who'd been there, know there's barn-door-size signs, saying things like "directional traffic" and WRONG WAY, on the landing side of the dunes: this is apparently too difficult for some of the riders to comprehend. We saw several guys come over the dunes the right way, then TURN AROUND, and head back up the dune the wrong way, right into oncoming riders. They must have thought they were:
1) the only ones there, never mind those hundreds of people out there.
2) gifted, and inmune from wrecking, maiming or killing themselves or others.
3) complete idiots.
By the way, before someone says anything about using observers at top, forget it: there were no "observers" watching for them when I saw it, and even with watchers, going the wrong way against rider traffic up a hill, blindly, is a sure way to cause enough accidents and complaints, that eventually the "greens" will get their way, and shut the place down to motorized traffic.
If you're too full of yourself to pay attention to simple safety, you're not "cool", you're just a damn fool ruining it for everyone. If you don't know or aren't sure: ask, and if you're the type that just plain don't care, I hope you have your accident, and get yourself out of circulation without hurting anyone else in the process.
I had my two sons with me, both of whom race MX, and they couln't believe anyone would disregard such a simple thing, likened to going the oppossite way on a track during a race.
My ranting is done, anyone want to take over?.

 

Next time turn them in. I always take it for granted that nobody will be coming the wrong way. In fact I depend on it. One possible idea is to carry a cell phone, although mine is through Verizon, and coverage over there is spotty. The DNR cannot be everywhere, all the time, so I am more than willing to squawk a little. Every week the local paper, the Oceana Hearld or something like that, carries police log of the weeks accidents at the Dunes, including who got air-flighted to Grand Rapids. Who wants to pay the bill for that? I was there for a week in late June and a truck "jumped" a ridge and landed square on top of a sandrail, crushing the roll cage. One of the people in the 'rail allegedly had no movement in any of his limbs. He was air-flighted to GR. That's why I normally ride from Sunday afternoon until Friday morning, non-holiday weeks. By the way, in case anything ever does happen, Shelby Hospital has an excellent ER, with an awesome staff including a nurse that races a CR250 in C class.

 

Thanks 95Warrior, and yes, we did turn them in. Actually, my wife freaked when she saw it, went and got the ranger and pointed out the two offenders. I didn't mention that at first to see what reaction I'd get. Since the guys that got "busted" might access this forum (assuming they can read) I was waiting for a "flame", then I'd know they CAN read the signs, and were just plain not thinking.
It would be nice to live closer, like you, but I'm not complaining: it takes me 6 hours to get there, and since I spend the week, it's more than worth it.

 

Pappy

I would have to agree with you that most of the accidents at Silver Lake could be prevented if people would take the time to think just a little bit before acting. I went to Silver Lake in May for the first time. It is not hard to understand the layout of the riding area. The signs are clear as to what direction to travel, yet I constantly saw people going whatever way they wanted. We rode on a Friday and a Saturday. Friday seemed to be a much calmer day. All of the idiots seemed to be out on Saturday. One incident comes to mind. We went up test hill and there was a guy stuck at the top in his truck. We stopped our atvs and parked them in front of his truck and went over to help him. Then out of nowhere, this old Studebaker comes flying up over the hill about 3 feet away from the truck. If we would have been on the side of the truck trying to dig him out, we would have been killed. The truck was clearly visible from the bottom of the hill, yet the clown in the Studebaker insisted that he needed to go up the hill directly at the stuck truck instead of going a safer route. I little common sense on his part would have been nice, but I guess that was too much to ask for. On another note, we did mess around with some guys that were having a small jumping contest up a small ridge. They set up with several observers to make sure no one would get in the way and did it with some common sense in mind. I think most of the riders at Silver Lake are pretty safe, just seems to be a few that refuse to think.

 

Hey MagnumMudMan, another Ohio guy! Yep, I believe you're right, 98% of the riders are having fun, harming nobody, and doing things right. It's that 2% that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up with fear and anger.
Actually, the jumping contest thing is pretty neat, and using observers IS the right way to do it: nobody gets hurt. I spent a year two summers ago recovering from a complete shoulder and bicep surgical rebuild (tissue grafts and all that stuff), and though it was my fault (I came up short on a double), I'd be terrified to have anybody in my family, or myself, go through something like that (or worse), because of someone's moronic behaviour.
We're out to have a good time, not prove we're brain challenged.

 

Morons can be found everywhere you should see the ones at Glamis during Thanksgiving. But we have to get their attention and educate their mines. If we due not we will lose the area's we ride. You have be smart in how you due it. I ask them if they like the riding area and are they having a good time. When they say yes. I ask why are you doing something that could get it closed down. You then explain the local rules and most of the time they say wow man I did not know dude thanks bro. If that dose not works turn them in to the Pig’s and save somebody’s life.

 

I couldn't agree more with everything that has been said. The directional traffic is there for everyone's safety. It's a simple set of rules, and easy to follow. I've noticed that the DNR officers are now pointing this out sometimes at the guard gate to first time riders. However, just like driving on the road, there will be idiots who are just stupid, or think they are too special to follow these rules. Instead, they think it's a free-for-all and put us all in danger. If you're one of these people, get a clue! Most of us value our lives and our privelage to ride the dunes!

I've been riding at Silver Lake for about 9 years. It's one of my favorite spots on the earth. Two years ago, I saw a dirt bike rider go back against traffic, hit a jump, and land on the hood and winshield of a pickup. I saw it coming very early from the top of a hill, and was the first on the scene. He was just playing follow the leader, so his buddies were long gone. He shattered both his wrists and arms. He was lucky he wan't killed. I felt bad, but it was his fault. He didn't need a chopper, but it must have been a long and very painful ride to the hospital in the back of the DNR pickup. It put a damper on my whole trip.

I don't mind jumping contests, in fact I love to participate from time to time. But DON'T just turn around and go back down the hill. Keep going with traffic to the directional boundary, then turn around. It takes an extra 30 seconds, and it keeps everyone safe.

OK, I'm off my soap box now. Let's ride safely, keep the dunes open, and most of all, Have fun!!!

Jeff

PS - anybody want to meet for a fall color dune ride in late September?

 

Yep Calds650, I agree that's a very good way to handle it, if they are willing to listen, and don't get defensive.
Jeff96, if I can get my boys and wife to agree to a few days off school, I'll probably head back to Silver lake this fall, either late Sept or early Oct mid-week (the boys are working on getting scholarships, and the wife is a teacher at the same high school, she's already had the whole summer off). [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I have seen these stupid things going on every weekend that I've ever been there. There seems to be an endless supply of morons. Maybe it's a good thing that they go there- Darwin's survival of the fittest, lol.

One time I came over the top of test hill to find an old F150 parked sideways about 15' to 20' down the backside! The idiot driver was just sitting in the drivers seat doing nothing. If I had tried to catch even a little air I would have been in bad shape. I am very careful going over any blind hill. To be safe I always assume that there is an idiot waiting for me on the other side.

Lately I've been annoyed by all the inconsiderate jerks on dirtbikes with paddle tires. Have you ever been roosted with wet sand from a CR250 paddle tire? A couple weeks ago I was cruising along the congested beach area when a CR250 pulled in front of me. He was fish-tailing wildly and threw a blinding roost that knocked loose my goggles. I was instantly blinded and I was still moving along in 3rd gear. I just nailed the brakes and prayed that I not crash into any traffic. A couple weeks later another jerk on a CR250 chipped up the paint on my truck by doing roost-throwing donuts along the beach where I was parked.

 

Hey Jeff I would be interested in a fall ride there. I havent been there yet but would like to go. I was thinking about going over labor day weekend but I recall someone saying that is a real busy time of year, is that true?? Any of you ohio guys and gals want to hook up for some trail and track riding? Drop me a line.. Later

scott