Wished I'd had my video camera. I just saw a spectacular four-wheeler stunt. I heard my dog bark and looked out on the lake where a kid on an ATV was racing flat out in a cloud of snow. All of a sudden that machine flipped end-over-end twice, landing upside down in a foot of snow. I was wondering if I should call 911, but the kid got up and righted his machine. He fiddled around a bit, got it started and went directly to the boat landing and off the lake. I don't know where he went or who he was, but I doubt if he was doing very far in 10-degree weather. I'm guessing he hit a pile of frozen slush left by an ice fisherman's auger. The snow is deep enough to hide a lot of those obstacles.

 

you tube material it sounds like!

 

I would have liked to see that. I've had more than a few of those "wish I had the video ready" moments myself.

 

I think I've been involved in a few "youtube" moments.

Hopefully, only his pride was hurt.

 

It's been almost three weeks since the youtube moment, and I haven't seen anyone on the lake with an ATV. Guess the kid had enough of that snow riding. I can understand that the wide open flatness of a frozen, snow-covered lake looks inviting to someone wanting to experience the exhilaration of high speed. But, there are deadly dangers. Just a few inches variation in snow depth can destabilize a wheeled machine moving at top speed. I think snowmobiles might be safer, but a few snowmobilers get killed every winter in the northland when they hit ice ridges as they fly along at 100+ mph. A lot of red snow is often the result.

 

One thing I've learned to do whether on a sled (rarely) or on a quad; is to pre-run the length of the lake or pond and ride it nice and slow, up and down the surface a couple of runs. That way I can retrace my steps at high speed if it is smooth enough. It's a blast doing ice donuts and towing a ski tube. Helmets are a must.

 

I swear all teen agers must unscrew their brains from their butts. Not until they get a few scars on them do they begin to see the light. Something about laying in a hospital bed of having someone scratch your butt for you while you heal...We all, myself included have been there done that. Only thing is, in our younger days, the machines didn't go as fast so we didn't get hurt as bad. I could go for a speed limit on these things.

 

You Tube moment are fun ......if you are watching