2022 Ride with the champs

[jep_800]

Here’s a shot of the 530 Liquid in David’s Sidewinder. The top hose in front of the Rt cylinder is the replacement for the one that sprung a leak. He said it was much better quality and actually the bend fit better in the engine compartment. So worked out good in my estimation!


Just an observation….. David’s sleds have as clean an engine compartments as I’ve seen. Great attention to detail!

[400brian]

Typically we are arriving at our lunch spot as the late model group is leaving, so this was kind of a novelty. While we were waiting on the food, Gary pulled out his phone and was showing some photos he had taken at the shop where David’s Sidewinder was repaired. There were sleds on shelves 3 or 4 high, all makes you can think of, more sitting on the floor, and Gary said it looked like an acre or 2 of sleds out back.

Gary was telling me that the shop owner was trying to go attend a vintage event that was going on there locally, but guys kept coming in to get stuff fixed. I told Gary he was the hero of the day for his efforts to get David back running again in short order. Gary had never been at this shop before, he had only heard of the guy. Well it turned out that was good enough.

Lunch was great, and as we were finishing up, Joe floated the idea of returning without going through Boulder Junction. For me, that is not a problem. I figure the X8 has a fuel range of 70 to 80 miles. I suspected the 78 LF that Mike Horn was riding to be the most problematic. We would probably be running 50 miles or so. So I started talking with the guys, and the answer I got was that they were willing to try it.

As we were getting fueled up and ready to leave, Gary came over and said why don’t I meet you guys where the trail crosses county road M ? I looked at the map, and agreed that if he could find the crossing, that would solve the problem. Rainville concurred, so that was how we left it.
The plan was to ride along HWY 51 til we hit a trail that would loop around to the west, then shoot more or less east to Sayner.

The late model group had left as we were pulling our helmets on, and we had some onlookers chatting us up about the sleds. We got everyone fired up and headed south the way we had come. At the first intersection we headed west to HWY 51, and headed south along it. The paper map, and the Polaris Trail Command showed this as a trail, but what we were running was a single track that looked like someone had pulled a bedspring down. We seemed to be the first to ride it in many places. In some areas it was smooth enough, in others it was nasty rollers.

Eventually we came to an intersection, where we would be crossing 51 and heading west up a long hill. Joe came back and said, “we have been here before!” Yes indeed, 2 years ago we were here when I had missed a turn maybe a mile east of where we were sitting. There was a large billboard halfway up the hill promoting Pope’s Lodge that was memorable.

We crossed the highway and found the trails on the west side nicely groomed and smooth for the most part. The sun was shining, the temps had come up into the low double digits, it was a great day to be out riding with a group of guys!

The snow was a little loose and sugary, the sled went where you pointed it, but you could feel the track spinning a bit, and at times it would set up a weird harmonic. Joe had told us at lunch that the soundtrack running through his head that morning had been Tom Petty’s Runnin' Down a Dream, at this point my soundtrack was Aerosmith’s Living on the Edge! I was pushing it as hard as I was comfortable with, and we were putting the miles away.

Eventually we popped out of the woods at a road, and there sat the truck and trailer!

[AirborneX4Special]

Fun reading as always Brian.

[400brian]

So the cast of characters in this years ride are as follows:

Joe Rainville 83 Sprintfire
Brian Lindner 73 JDX8
Brandyn Horn 84 LF
Mike Horn 78 Liquifire
David Clark 81 Scorpion Sidewinder
Andrew Clark 83 Sprintfire
Jason Peterson 76 Cyclone
Errin Kolden 86 Cat Pantera
Scott Nies 78 Ski-doo Blizzard
Brian Olsen 78 Cat Jag

The Horns and Errin Kolden were first year riders. We especially appreciate it when first time riders come well prepared. The issues experienced this year were manageable, and mainly we just rode. Kudos to everyone!

Once we had everyone’s tanks topped off, we were on the downhill run! The run into Sayner from the west is more rugged country than anywhere else we ride. There are ridges, creeks, gullies, some old growth trees, and some recently logged off. The closer to Sayner we got the more familiar the trail began to look. Other trails started feeding into our route, and the trail conditions began to degrade a bit. We charged into Sayner as one group. The truck and trailer was sitting there, but no one needed gas, so we just hung out for a moment, congratulating everyone and savoring the moment. On the 10 mile run south to the Whitetail, the group would disperse in different directions.

Once we got south of Sayner we got on a nice trail, and ran it out hard. Arriving at the motel I made my traditional victory lap around the parking lot. I was getting into the pickup at 3:30 pm. We had put on around 100 miles, and everyone who started made it back. I drove over to the Whitetail Inn and picked up Gary, and he helped me move the dead sled in the trailer so I could drive the X8 in. Rainville arrived with the trailer and we got him backed into his spot.

Gary and I retreated to the motel room to have a celebratory beer, and rehash the day. The banquet would start at 6:00 or thereabouts, and Katy and I would be attending that.

Sunday was a bit warmer. I slept in, catching up on some of the sleep I hadn’t gotten over the week. I booked the room for next year on our way out, lord willing we will be back. We fueled up the truck in Minocqua and headed south. We were in Portage at 3:00, and it was 52 degrees! We had stopped at Pizza Hut and picked up supper, and the water was literally running out of the trailer.

Wausau radio was warning of big snow coming to the northwoods in a couple of days. I was tempted to turn around and head back.

Katy and I had a great time, but back to the real world. We’ll be back up for the Classic Round Up in May.

[jep_800]

By my count it looks like Brian has completed 13 Vintage Challenge rides. All but 1 has been done on early JDX8 models…. Mostly his 74’ but a couple now on his 73’. He went to Gogebic one year on his green machine with a 440 motor in it I believe. I took a photo of his sled and I think recognition is in order for always providing an entertaining recount of our travels and his Ironman status of completing so many…. Never having gone on a hook! Impressive!

[BU1]

Excellent write up Brian! Just a bit of clarification. Brian Olson's Jag and my Blizzard are 78's. Hopefully see you next year!

[400brian]

Thanks Scott, fixed it.

[bambam00]

Hi Brian: Great read as always of the days you spent North. Maybe some day I need to get a JD sled & join you guys !! Thank You to all the JD Friends that keep coming to support the SHOF each & every year !!! Craig Marchbank Pres. Snowmobile Hall of Fame

[jep_800]

Craig, I don't want to speak for Brian, but all makes are welcome! We like to see variety, so the more the better. I'm thinking a nice 74' or 75' 440 TNT? Sure you got one of those in your shop someplace.

Jason

[AirborneX4Special]

Craig, I don't want to speak for Brian, but all makes are welcome! We like to see variety, so the more the better. I'm thinking a nice 74' or 75' 440 TNT? Sure you got one of those in your shop someplace.

Jason

But we won't argue if you do decide to own a Deere...

[400brian]

Anyone who has ever expressed an interest in riding with us on any of the rides we do, no matter what year or make machine they have, the answer has always been the same; YES, come ride with us, support the SHOF in any way you can, the more the merrier!

[340sracer]

Thanks Brian ,really enjoyed the Story On the 2022 Ride with the champs,Thanks for doing that every year.
Wish I could’ve been there. Glen

[400brian]

During a trip to Northern Wisconsin in October 2022, we stopped at Lance's Snowmobile Repair where David got his Sidewinder repaired while we were riding the Vintage Challenge. I was impressed by his sled garden.