2018 RWTC

[400brian]

Well we are back! Another great weekend in northern Wisconsin.

A huge success for the SHOF, and a great weekend of riding. The weather was great on Friday and Sat, the trails around St Germain were a mixed bag. The high traffic trails were beat up, others were very nice. On the Vintage Challenge, we found very good snow in the UP, if you stepped off the groomed trail you would be in past your knees, but trail 13 from the railroad grades north to the Root Cellar, despite the good snow, were terribly rough.

Both of my sleds went on the trailer in running condition, remarkably so did Rainville's. Jason Peterson was on the other end of that, killing engines in both his 800 and X8. That really sucked for him! Dustin Elder made an appearance after a 5 year absence, and if anyone rode harder or had more fun, I'm not sure who it was.

Details to follow.

[JD600]

That's right y'all, he's back.

Brian, it was great riding with you yesterday. Can't wait to read your summary.

DE

[VintageCatMan]

Can't wait for your recap. Always makes me feel like I was there

[BU1]

Thank you Joe for getting us to Fish Tails and back again this year, and for providing the support truck and trailer. Also congratulations to my wingman, Brian Olson, for finishing the Vintage Challenge on his 1972 AC Puma 340. According to JD Joe this is the oldest sled to finish the VC. He also rode his Puma nearly 110 miles on Friday on the poker run. Hope everyone has a safe trip home, and we'll do it again next year!

[JoeRainville]

This might have been the first year I can remember loading all of my sleds under their own power. Pretty weird feeling! Although I did spend some time wrenching on my own sleds after the I-500, for the first time I actually had to help Lindner out instead of the other way around

It was an honor to once again guide a nice sized Vintage Challenge group to the UP of MI. I can't thank Henry Keltch and his son Chris enough for being our "Tow Trucks" for the Challenge and the Bogie Bash on Friday.

My two nephews enjoyed themselves and the 15 year old talked my sisters ear off for an hour after she picked up at the Baltimore Airport. RJ recieved his first snowmobile ride on my Cat, then the Sprintfire and later the trusty 400. He later walked up to Lindner at the hotel and said "RIDE!"

Thanks again to everyone that rode with Brian and I for both the Bogie Bash and the Challenge. Special mention to Lindner and Dustin Elder for being the first two riders to take bogie sleds to Fishtails and back for the full 150 miles! Dustin was on my tail the entire time, even when I was runing a brisk pace. I assume his track was on the ground at 25% of the time or less. I gave Brian a small plaque to honor his never missing a VC in 10 years. It was a framed JD "X-Rated" patch that seemed pretty appropriate

Thanks,
-Joe Rainville