In all the years I've been sledging even before plastic sledges were invented I never saw a runaway sledge cut anyone off at the knees. Are we so HSE governed now that we can't have fun? The local run has more shattered plastic sledges than a little and they are more likely to cut or impale anyone than my old conduit toboggan.Any metal sled is a real no no.
It's basically an uncontrollable device that can, will and has caused serious injury to both user and others just out there trying to have fun.
Plastic all the way. At least it's unlikely to cause serious injury, although being hit above the eye several years back wasn't pleasant I can tell you. Also the bonus is it weighs nothing when you have to walk back up the hill.
Have fun and stay safe(ish) I say.
What do you think we used before plastic sledges came along?
Thirty odd years ago I worked for a large multinational on assembly and test of heat exchangers,big ones.
I built sledges by the dozen using stainless tube for the frames and supplied them ready for a wooden top.
The knack with a sledge is to lie on it and steer by sticking a foot down.Roll off if you`re heading for danger.Don`t wear a leather jacket as you`ll go even faster off the sledge.
We grow older...and wiser.
You've never had to throw yourself off in order to miss someone not looking up the hill? I think we all have!
The problem is in this country (and probably all over the world), we operate the kneejerk reaction policy. legislation is brought in after a serious occurance or loss of life.
Kings Cross fire '87, 31 people lost their lives,
...Fennel Inquiry...banned smoking on the underground and many other recommendations. Ibrox stadium fire '71, 66 pepole died. This led to legislation 4 years later that provided protection (albeit small) to sports fans attending stadiums. This list is endless. We act after the disaster.
Not trying to poo poo sledging, far from it. Metal sledges are more likely to cause injury than plastic or wooden ones. Moreover, the injury will undoubtedly be worse when caused by a metal sledge. Thats all I'm saying.
Always better to be safe than sorry.
"Strong in the arm,.................."
It`s all starting to add up and I`m glad you`ve admitted it.
Exactly.We all did it.
I lived in the Gala Water area of the Scottish Borders.We had snow from December to March and were always making bigger and faster sledges,and we had the slopes to run them on.I remember one,must have been over 400 yards at 40 degrees at least,it was too steep for ploughing.If you couldn`t turn your sledge round at the bottom you were in the river.We sledged that in the dark in the moonlight.
Then we got old enough to get motor bikes,crashers were optional in these days,and,I can`t remember any more of us getting killed on them than there is now.
No wonder this country can`t compete with anybody,we`re bogged down with H&S and social workers.We`re rearing generations incapable of thinking or looking after themselves.There`s kids at twenty years old that have never been out the cotton wool long enough to scratch a knee.
Now you`ve gone and got me started.
Mark.
Edit: We would have used mini bumpers too,but they weren`t invented then.
verry true but your bum dont half hurt afterwards
