Back from the RWTC 2016

[400brian]

We are home, and what a wild weekend it was!

So much went on, and I had a number of distractions, that I am going to have to think about all this, and perhaps be reminded.

Some quick highlights:

It was COLD! We've had colder nights up there, but this was the coldest we had rode in. If I had been home I wouldn't have been riding.
I have had chemical heat packs in my duffle bag for ten years, and had never needed them...until this year. They worked great, and saved the weekend. Friday was the worst, cold and windy with snow. We had close to whiteout conditions at Bent's Camp. It was reported that the Guide's Ride ( late in the day ) made several circles around Lake Gegobic trying to find the opposite shore.

On Saturday the wind calmed down, the sun shown, and by late afternoon it got above zero and actually was pretty decent.

Brock Weber gets the distinction of putting his Liquidator clone on the trailer two days in a row! ( sorry Brock ).

I was a little under the weather, as I came down with the crud on Tuesday. I've felt worse, but had serious lung issues. But, there is always someone who can top you...Lincoln reported that he had pneumonia, but between the heavy medication and alcohol, seemed to be functioning OK.

Being around these guys if you have lung problems is a issue, because they will have you laughing, which leads to coughing and gagging til you are about to pass out.

Seventeen riders started the Bogie Bash, but none on a bogie sled. Our Green Machine didn't get out of the parking lot.

I did lead the Vintage Challenge, the JDX8 made the 8th trip, and we did get back before dark. One highlight was talking to a Michigan DNR Officer TWICE. I did some fast talking and no citations were issued! Wish we had photos, it was hilarious after the fact!

Glen, our 340/S racer, made the Challenge, and it was great to meet and visit with him.

[JDT]

That ride of yours is legendary. It should be in the HOF on it's own merit.

Maybe after year 10.
As always looking forward to the recaps.

[340sracer]

Awesome weekend, meeting friendly & interesting snowmobilers. The Vintage Challenge was exactly what it is called ( 149 miles on 340/S speedo ; 235km gps)- JDX8 & driver did an excellent job in leading the pack! Thanks. Everyone was so helpful in trying to keep all the group going & even supplying me with gas. This is the first time I've ever gone on a ride on a groomed trail, a little different than riding in the wide open prairies. Will try & put a picture on later.
Thanks to Manard & Rick for the use of their heated trailer to help get the 340/S up & running after developing a gas tank / gas line leak , working until 11;30pm Friday evening.
Also thanks to Jamie ,manager for the SHOF, for all the help she gave us.
Glen

[HoosierDeereMan]

I agree with you Todd, Lindner is truly the "Ironman" of the RWTC Vintage Challenge! Why even the MI DNR fear him!



Glen, congrats on finishing your 1st time out with your 340/S. That's a huge feat in itself. Glad you got the sled all lined out and running. It took me 4 tries on my 340/S. '09 I busted the suspension on some nasty ice ruts during a lake crossing before we got to Bent's Camp. '10 I made it to Fishtails for lunch and when we got ready to leave no spark. Lost a stator. '11 was the abbreviated version (lack of snow)which I completed but was it wasn't the real ride so it didn't count. Finally in '12 I completed the Vintage Challenge.

Troy

[skoalmint]

No Big Deal Brian ! I guess I will have to just work on sleds 366 days a year .Great play by play story Brian .Hope to try it again next year

[I500]

What is the date for the ride next year?

[DeereKid9]

Feb 18th

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[buckeyetrailfire]

Brian and Wade thanks for great navigational skills Friday and Saturday. Well except for Wade had us circling Sayner 3 time in the dark on Friday but he managed to get us back all in one piece. What a great time we had as this was my first time riding in the vintage challenge. As for Brock and Brent both were on sleds the had no miles on new rebuilt engines and Brent's 80 liquidfire was a total rebuild . Brocks sled had a couple minor issue that took him out on Saturday(No spark) but up until then it was running good- that thing was fast on the lakes. As for Brent's( Now known as The Chicken Man ) liquidfire surprised me with very few problems the whole weekend. Just a secondary clutch shim adjustment and a intermittent hard start hot problem. What a Blast it was to ride with a great bunch of people . I cant wait for next year



Mark

[mfd1221]

I didn't go on the vintage challenge, I did the swamp challenge. But Thursday's informal ride to Pitliks with the deerekid and wades circling the wagons around sayner was very cool. Friday's poker run was interesting and I tagged along with Brad Wheelock, Matt cappel and their buddies. The swamp challenge saw plenty of sleds being towed to support vehicles but luckily the 83 LF kept starting and running and I made it back on my first RWTC. I appreciate the help and it was awesome to finally put faces with names from here. To cap it off at the banquet I sat with bob enns, his mechanic Larry Swanson, and Doug oster. I won bobs clutch tools from the auction so besides the memories I now have a reminder of the awesome weekend. Like Mark said cant wait till next year! Jim


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[Norton]

Last year I was supposed to write a few words about the Saturday's Swamp Ride here! Well that never happened. So how about a quick rundown for this year's RWTC weekend from my corner.

We left home a day sooner this year so we would have more time for checking out sleds, buying trail passes and being tourists in and around St. Germain. Friday started out with the showing of the prototype Liquifire (pogo stick front end) that was donated to the HOF by Polaris. DA did a great job with the unveiling before the start of the Poker Ride. Heard a few comments about the cold temps for the ride but being from the “frozen north” without “the woods” I thought riding temps were average. We took off from the HOF following Jeff but during a hwy crossing we got spread out and I followed and took a small group off toward Sayner. They referred this as “Keith’s Ride” the rest of the day. One of the guys in our group had an IPhone and was able to locate the group with his “Friend Finder App” (I am IPhone Illiterate) and caught up with them in an hour or so. One sad and expensive note with this group was the loss of another Liquidator motor. He jetted it richer for the cold temps but to no avail. Chuck M. how about you bring yours next year and show us how to get these high maintenance girls to run! I really like the Friday Poker Runs. If you’re thinking about next year, INCLUDE this as part of the HOF weekend! DA’s now famous Friday Night Fish Fry was a huge hit too. Heck I remember being there when there were 13 or so. This year I believe there were 91.

Craig Marchbank runs a tight ship! When you’re on the Swamp Ride on Saturday which he is leading, it will become apparent in short order. I like to have my own fuel & mix on these distance rides. The pickup I put the fuel in at the start was at the several stops waiting for me and at the end of the ride my cans were placed on my trailer in the Whitetail parking lot. This ride is about 50 or so miles one way which for me is perfect. Like the Vintage Challenge to Michigan there was dinner waiting for us at Marchbank’s home, the halfway point south. Not only did one get dinner but a tour of the Moto Ski/ Ski-doo museum that Craig and his wife are assembling. It is a must see for any sled head! On the return leg back to St. Germain I had a chance to explain to some teenage riders on modern sleds during a stop, how a 40 something leaf spring sled, can keep up in the woods.

On a personal note and without any data to back it up, I thought there were more modern sleds this year, on all the vintage rides. Then about the same number of sleds needing a tow (mostly failed ignitions). I get a chance to ride other leaf springers of other colors this weekend (course I reciprocate with my 78 Cross Country). I missed visiting with our own Iron Man, James T. Kirk (aka Brian Linder) this year, as he went north. Sorry but I did not like the mid-mounts when they were new! He has me thinking an X8 with the tuned pipe now! I think 2016 was my 7th year in a row. If you’re on the fence about this RWTC weekend, don’t be. It is everything it is advertised and more.

keith

[WinnipegStPaul9]

And it's always a pleasure to see you and your group at RWTC. You bring a lot to the table.

DA

[I500]

Never been to this event as it usually falls either on the same or close to the same weekend as the Vintagesleds LOS 3 day ride. Next year seems to be a couple weeks apart. Sounds like a fun event this HOF ride. Maybe next year.