2013 Torch Lake Freeride- July 13th, 2013

MikeyB

H2O-Addict®
Location
Michigan
I had a great time during the freeride last year, its worth it just because of how awesome the water is there, cant be beat.
 
i went last year. fun time but actual riding experience sucked. cops everywhere. tickets everywhere. Lk MI or HUron beats torch lk any day of the week.


Between the cops and the overcrowded lk. No where to stay. you can't even get a hundred or so people on that lake. Again my opinion and I'm sure alot of people that can't go b/c of all this are bummed out.
 

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
i went last year. fun time but actual riding experience sucked. cops everywhere. tickets everywhere. Lk MI or HUron beats torch lk any day of the week.

Between the cops and the overcrowded lk. No where to stay. you can't even get a hundred or so people on that lake. Again my opinion and I'm sure alot of people that can't go b/c of all this are bummed out.

OK DUDE, now your kinda upsetting me! Your not even sharing factual information. yes people were pulled over, mostly to check registration (which they are allowed to do), some were pulled over just to chat. There was ONLY ONE ticket given and that was to someone that did not have boaters safety.

Are you sure you were at the right lake? Torch lake is actually 19 miles long so you can fit more than a hundred people on it, S**T there is more than 100 boats on the sandbar on a Saturday in July.

North end:
Torch_Lake_North_End_Fall.jpg

fourth of July sandbar
torch+sandbar.jpg

South end:
697.jpg
The riding area we were in was kind of crowded because its by the sandbar, but it worked out fine, everyone was able to ride and stayed safe! This year the sandbar has shifted almost 500 yards east which really makes the channel in and out of the river much wider, which gives us more room. If the campground was hosting I was gonna move the riding area to that section in front of the campground which would really be out of the boaters way.

So if your gonna continue to post in this thread, please post positive or constructive comments only!
 
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swannysxr

Site Supporter
Location
Lake orion, MI
i went last year. fun time but actual riding experience sucked. cops everywhere. tickets everywhere. Lk MI or HUron beats torch lk any day of the week.


Between the cops and the overcrowded lk. No where to stay. you can't even get a hundred or so people on that lake. Again my opinion and I'm sure alot of people that can't go b/c of all this are bummed out.
Maybe you should start your own freeride thread, If Torch Lake is so terrible!
 

MikeyB

H2O-Addict®
Location
Michigan
i went last year. fun time but actual riding experience sucked. cops everywhere. tickets everywhere. Lk MI or HUron beats torch lk any day of the week.


Between the cops and the overcrowded lk. No where to stay. you can't even get a hundred or so people on that lake. Again my opinion and I'm sure alot of people that can't go b/c of all this are bummed out.

In my opinion the cops were just looking out for people that weren't being responsible. Hell I remember following one of the cop boats and jumping their wake at a safe distance and they never had a problem with it. As long as your boat was legal and you were obeying the law I think everything was fine. As stated above the only crowded area was by the sand bar which is to be expected but I thought it was a pretty fun atmosphere anyways. The riding experience was great and I thought we all had plenty of room, but I think moving the riding area out in front of the campground would work good as well. The only time I ever got hassled was for driving too fast in the shallows which is understandable, but I think most of us were just trying to keep our skis from bottoming out.
 
Yes the lake is huge! My point being lk front. Thats why theres like 10 or so people going because theres no where to stay on the LK to accommodate a bunch of people up to 100. Thats what i think the issue is. That campground owners must get :):):):)t or fines for the noise later in the night. Or hes just a dick. IDk how many of us where in there but it was a lot. Dont think hell ever let this group back. Maybe im wrong well see next year i guess. Best to keep this kind of thing quiet. people dont like big groups of anything i guess. RIOTS
 

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Yes we established tht with the campground not hosting this year there really isn't a place to stay. Which is why we won't have as great of a turn out as last year, and also why we are probably canceling the official event this year like i stated earlier. The campground is under major renovation so hopefully they will be ready to host us again next year if not then yes u are correct and this freeride will be dead. But either way myself and a group of friend will continue to be there every July and whoever else wants to come is welcome.
 

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
As far as boaters safety everyone born after xx year is suppose to have it. I'd look up the year but I'm on my phone right now and y'all are capable of a google search. :)
 

smusleh

JetSkiExtrm
Location
MI
As far as boaters safety everyone born after xx year is suppose to have it. I'd look up the year but I'm on my phone right now and y'all are capable of a google search. :)

Anyone born after December 31st, 1978 is required to have their boater's safety license.

For the record, the cops I encountered last year during this event were hands-down the coolest cops I ever met on any lake while riding. I hung out with them on their boat for about 25min just shooting the breeze with them. They were very clear with me that they thought the event was very cool but just wanted to ensure everyone was safe and not zipping in and out of the no wake zones/sandbar area. My ski is far from 100% legal and they didn't care or even ask me for any info just wanted to relay the message to everyone to slow down around the sandbar and to keep a safe distance due to all the people in the area. It takes a lot to organize these rides and Jordon is working with whatever they give him to try to make this a great. Sad to hear it will not be an official event, but hopefully it will be back next year.
 
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I'm still plaining on the ride, i figured out my sleeping arrangements yesterday. I had to pull some strings but I am staying in my buddies, sisters, boyfriends barn. His parents own a bed and breakfast on the north side of the lake but he's got room in his barn for me and my buddies to set up shop for the weekend. my plain is to come up friday morning, the 12th, just because i love torch and i don't want to be on the lake just for one day. So if anyone will be there, i will be riding on friday as well. As fare as who is coming with me, it will be me on my sj and then two more buddies on a blaster and a 750. A few more friends are coming up as well but they are non riders and are just going to be hanging out on the sand bar. I can't wait for that weekend!
 

cabatema

Man up and Stand up!!
Location
Lake Orion
Howdy fellow Michigan riders, being that I'm a newb I was really looking forward to my first jetski event and well its said to say what this years torch lake freeride might die. I just wanted to say that I would be down to join you guys. I got some vacation time I need to use and I'm always looking to meet new riders. So whatever lake or date you decide count me in! Campsite/ hotel, the back of my truck whatever I don't care, I just want to hit the water! I read the lake location might be in question, anyone been to crystal lake up there? My uncle has a house by it and it is beautiful.
 

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Howdy fellow Michigan riders, being that I'm a newb I was really looking forward to my first jetski event and well its said to say what this years torch lake freeride might die. I just wanted to say that I would be down to join you guys. I got some vacation time I need to use and I'm always looking to meet new riders. So whatever lake or date you decide count me in! Campsite/ hotel, the back of my truck whatever I don't care, I just want to hit the water! I read the lake location might be in question, anyone been to crystal lake up there? My uncle has a house by it and it is beautiful.

Welcome, to the X. You have a great crew of riders on Lake Orion! To answer your questions, The lake location is not in questions. We will continue to try and hold this ride at Torch Lake. The issue this year is the lack of lodging since the campground will not be hosting this year. You are more than welcome to still come up and ride if you can find a place to stay. As of now there is at least 10 confirmed riders who will be there July 13th, myself included.

The plan is that the full ride will return next season, pending the approval from the campground owners.
 

cabatema

Man up and Stand up!!
Location
Lake Orion
Time off Approved! Count me as number 11. I will probably be going up Friday Saturday Sunday if any one else is around those days too. I'm gunna try and recruit more riders also. Sounds like a good time, I'll see you guys up there!
 

cabatema

Man up and Stand up!!
Location
Lake Orion
Cool, maybe we can hook up and do something one of those nights. I will probably have the g/f with me so if anyone wants to do a group thing with there g/f or wife's, it would keep her off my back a little bit. lol. Not really sure what there is to do around there cause I've never been but the cherry festival is definitely an option.
 
Not really sure what there is to do around there cause I've never been but the cherry festival is definitely an option.


google it... i have heard only good things about it.

But I have also heard good things about that sand bar too ;-)

How many non riders coming up (ie. Gf's, kids...) My girl And her 3 yr old son will be joining me.
 
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