2012 Ride with the Champs

[400brian]

On to Fishtales

The guys were waiting for me at the top of the driveway. I came flying by them, and headed north down the blacktop road. I was cranking pretty good when I crested a hill to see Jon sitting at the turn onto the trail. There was no way I was going to make the turn, so I hit the brakes and kept the skis straight as I blew past Jon. Just as I passed, I decided I'd bled off enough speed, so I cranked the skis and executed a perfect 180 sliding down the middle of the road. Hitting the gas, I shot back by Jon, and down the trail we went.

We were soon on the old rail road grades that we've come to love...only they weren't so lovable today. Rollers, moguls, ball busters, whatever you want to call them, the trail was a sea of them. Other years we'd just wind them up and cruise. One short E-W section had obviously been groomed, but then we turned north again, and it was just as brutal.

Here's a shot of the stop we made on that section. Team Roland was trying to bolt an exhaust manifold back on that had rattled off, and Nick was picking up his head light that had been torn out of the hood. Tom Roland was asking the same question: where were our nice smooth trails?

[JDT]

Great photos and recap Brian.
Love it!

[400brian]

As we headed out once more, Troy told me that he thought he was looking at a fuel filter replacement. I kept that in mind as we continued our trip through the woods of Michigan. I had announced to the group as we were getting underway, that the next landmark was the "Root Cellar," we get on the lake at the Root Cellar! As we emerged from the woods to run alongside a road, I pumped my fist in the air to the the guys behind me, as we were getting close. A fast run up the road, and we were turning in at the Root Cellar, and winding our way down to Lake Gogebic.

I headed west across the lake, following the tracks in the snow, but as other riders were coming in behind us, they were taking a bit more of a NW heading. I followed suit, and we could soon see the blinking light on the dock in front of Fishtails.

OK, half the ride is in! As I walk up the hill to the restaurant, a guy is pointing out that our support truck is there, just parked a bit out of sight. That was good news! We continued in to the buffet they had set up, and wasted no time. At one point Jon came in looking for more ibuprofen. I asked if it was helping at all, and he said it was. But you didn't need to be a MD to see that he was hurting. He said he'd pulled all the muscles in his chest, and had never been flipped off a sled like that in all the years he had raced. I lunched with Angie and Cari, our support truck crew, and Adam and Bill Luebner. Bill was negotiating to get a sled on the trailer, and to then ride along and help load dead sleds on the way back.

The guys were soon getting up, so I dragged my butt off this strange seat that wasn't bouncing, and headed out the door. We drove the sleds up to the truck, fueled out of our cans, took a whizz, and motored out to the lake. The five of us stopped abreast of each other, and I looked down the line. Nick asked, " are we waiting for anything?"
I shook my head, hit the gas, and we were off. We may have been the first sleds to leave. About half way across the lake, it occurred to me that we had just ditched Matt, I think he was in the massive line for fuel as we had come down to the lake. Oh well, I figured it would work out somehow.

[liquitisplit80]

This is good stuff! Keep it comin'!!

[400brian]

As we re-traced our path to the south, I was feeling pretty confident. The X8 was running great, Nick, Wade, and Chris all seemed to be running good, and Troy had told me at Fishtales, that whatever his problem had been, it seemed to have resolved itself, because the 340/S had ran great on the last leg into lunch.

We are running a good pace, or I guess I should say we are running at my pace. At times the trail is so rough I just have to back out of the throttle, my back can't take the pounding, and the sled is just out of control. The trail has noticeably deteriorated in the short time we were at Fishtales. The sun is shining and it is noticeably warmer, I'm thinking about taking my mitts off and running bare handed.

We were well on our way back to Cisco when Troy stopped at an intersection. He had decided to change his fuel filter, as his issues had returned. I should have taken some photos, but I was busy lying down on the seat of my sled. As I recall, the late model riders passed through while all this was going on. The plugs got changed as well, and down the trail we went. But not far...I'm not sure how many times the plugs got changed, he seemed to have an endless supply.

I remember we were on a nice straight section of trail when Troy stopped again. I pulled the Mikuni jets out of my toolbox, and suggested that it was time. It didn't seem likely that he had enough plugs to get back to St Germain, changing them every 5 miles. Troy had a 250 and a 240 in the sled, so a 230 was needed. Unfortunately, I didn't have that one, a 220 would have to do. While Troy was doing that, three sleds pulled up One was guide Mike Winefurter, another was Matt. See, I said it would work out! The guides rode on, Matt stayed.

Troy fired the sled up, the throttle response seemed much better immediately. We put Troy on the point so we could keep a close eye on him, and away we went again. It wasn't long and we were pulling into the Cisco Lake Resort. Bill had our fuel cans set out, so I was fueled and ready to go in nothing flat. We need to get Troy another can, as he was down at the pump re-filling his. We were already to go, so this time Troy was the A-hole holding us up! On start-up, I discovered that my electrical system had failed, no e-start, no lights. Back to pulling the rope.

3/4 of the ride was in, we lined up on the lake, and took off once more!

A shot of our support drivers. Angie Stafford on the left, Cari Rainville on the right.

[400brian]

I think it was somewhere on the trail before Cisco, that Nick stopped, and went running back down the trail. He yelled something on the way by, but I didn't quite catch it. I turned around and followed him, he waded out in the snow and comes back with an idler wheel in hand. He says, "I hit this." I look at it closely and realize it is a cut down idler...a 340/S aux idler. I think I know where that came from. I think Nick gave it to him when we got to Cisco.

So, we are running across the Cisco chain, buzzing along nicely. No wrong turns this time, and soon Bent's Camp comes into view. LOTS of activity there now, people, sleds, cars, and trucks, all moving around. We had to exit off the lake in a different spot, and dodge a ton of traffic, but finally I was out on the road ready to get moving again. I look back...no Troy.

I sat on the side of the road beside two fellow riders waiting for Troy. One was on a El Tigre, the other on a LF. Looking at photos posted by John Sandberg at Arctic Insider, this may have been Jim Dimmerman and Doug Braswell, but I have no way of knowing now. The guy on the LF was asking questions about the X8. I finally headed back into Bent's Camp, and of course I met Troy almost immediately. He motioned me to come around him, so I led back out to the road and into the ditch, where we wound them back up. We ran into the rest of the crew, and down the trail we we went.

[jdsledsrgr8]

Brian,

Great memory and detail. You recollections make a slow Friday night very enjoyable.

[400brian]

As we traveled back south ( now back in WI ) the trails were a very mixed bag. In places they were great, other places rough, bare spots here and there. We were moving well, and at least it wasn't as rough as it had been in the UP. I remember thinking that we were doing really well. Yes,Troy and Matt had been fighting some issues, but they were still running. I knew we were getting close to the Stillwaters Bar, we were on track for the earliest return ever!

I came around a corner and approached an intersection, several sleds were stopped there. Troy was swapping plugs again, if he let it drop to idle it would foul the plugs, but I guess it was running strong in the mid-range. There was a trail sign that indicated that Stillwaters was dead ahead. As we got ready to go, I yell that Stillwaters was next. Troy leads off, and we follow him down the trail. A few miles further I come to another intersection that sleds are stopped at. I pull over to see what's going on, and am soon informed that Troy has went the wrong way. I go: "WHY WOULD HE DO THAT?" Nobody could answer that one. This is the same turn that was missed on the very first Vintage Challenge back in '09, that resulted in 7 of us re-grouping in front of Stillwaters, and then running the lakes back to Sayner.

We all call Troy ( phone service is sketchy at best ) I notice that my phone is pretty much dead, don't understand that, but I shut if off to see if I can get some battery back. The 5 of us are standing around discussing what we should do next. Large numbers of Cats are filtering into our midst. It's like they've been breeding out here, good grief, you'd think that this was an AC event.

A couple of the guides are asking what's going on. We try to talk one of them into running down the trail after Troy.
They weren't much interested. The Cat groups continued to come and go, Matt decided to tag along back with them, so now its the 4 of us. The sun is getting lower, and neither Nick or myself have headlights, we are on a deadline here. All of us wanted to run the lakes back to Sayner, but I didn't want to leave Troy out here. Finally I said ; "OK, saddle up, we'll ALL run the trail after Troy." At that point Nick says; "No, I'll go, I can run it fastest."

OK, decision made, we take off. Nick down the ground trail after Troy. Wade, Chris, and myself on to Stillwaters and Star Lake. We were running directly into a blazing setting sun as we buzzed across Star Lake, then on to Plum Lake and Sayner. Pulling into the Mobile Station in Sayner, we waited. I pull my phone out and turned it back on. I had a message from Troy: It was sketchy, and the low battery signal was beeping, but I heard him say all was well and he was continuing on to St Germain. OK, so now we are waiting for Nick.

Groups of sleds continued to come through. The streets of Sayner were teeming with late model sleds. RWTC riders would stop and re-group near us, the guides would ask us if we needed help. The sun is getting lower...
Wade is calling Nick, trying to leave him a voice mail, it's not going well.

Nick comes roaring up, we fire the sleds and yell; GO! The trail south of Sayner is snirt. We are dodging puddles, and sliding around in the slush, but we are running hard. We come up on the road intersection with county "C", Nick is motioning; "which way?" I peel into the ditch heading south and put it to the bar. There were a couple of white knuckle moments; I bounced it off the berm running on the road shoulder, then while on top of the berm, had a ski drop over the edge along a deep ditch. I gathered it in and kept cranking. Soon HWY 70 was in sight!

I took a victory lap around the motel parking lot, then pulled up in front of Troy's truck, he was standing there with Kevin and Ross. I shut the sled down, and asked what the big idea was with ditching us? While Troy is profusely apologizing, I notice a box of beer behind him, and start pitching cans to each of the guys.

WE HAD MADE IT!

Epilogue to come yet.

[hotrodcr250]

what a fun recap of the days events, it was awesome meeting and chatting with everybody ,and the challange ride was the most fun i'd had all winter,i did end up riding another brand due to the red lake race sled running to lean in the mid range and not wanting to burn down still awesome event ,ive already started working on next years vintage challange sled,-chris

[HoosierDeereMan]

I pull over to see what's going on, and am soon informed that Troy has went the wrong way. I go: "WHY WOULD HE DO THAT?" Nobody could answer that one.

I swear there were two guys in blue Polaris jackets that pointed me in that direction!!!!!!

The intersection was at an angle and the late model guys must have been hidden from my line of vision. With the S wanting to load up and die at the intersections I had just enough time to glance each way for traffic and go while popping the throttle to keep it cleaned out. As soon as I crossed the intersection I got behind two guys on late model Yamaha's. They pulled off and let me around. Away I went headed for Sayner. A few miles down the trail my pocket starting vibrating. I'm thinking I don't have time to talk with the wife. She is probably wondering if I'm back yet? Then it kept vibrating! Something is wrong! So I stopped, fished my phone out of my pocket, and searching through missed calls. One was Brian and 2 other numbers I did not recognize. So I was calling Brian back when the two late model Yamaha guys rode up and informed me of my misdirection. He had a trail map and was showing me about where I was from Sayner. Back on the 340S, one pull of the cord and I was off again. The outside temp was dropping and the S was starting to act like it's old self again. As Brian had mentioned the sun was getting lower in the sky and I had rattled the filament out of my headlight from the rough trails. I felt like I was on a by-pass riding circles around Sayner! As I kept on toward Sayner I was running a good clip. All alone I was thinking Boy I hope I don't have trouble because I don't have a clue where to tell anyone to come look for me at. The sun was just right making shadows of the trees look like a picket fence on the trail, at speed it was really starting to mess with me. With being all alone, not sure of my way, the shadows giving me a headache, and wondering if the 340S is going to hold out? I'm starting to understand what every cross country racer back in the day went through. I have lot's of respect for guys and now have even more! Finally I come to intersection that says St. Germain 11 miles. I'm getting closer!

[HoosierDeereMan]

As I turn onto the trail headed for St. Germain the old 340/S is getting crisper. The trail conditions are awesome. It looks like it had been recently groomed with only a few sled tracks. At this point I'm hoping I have enough gas to make it back. The dual Mikunis and fat jetting are taking their toll on my gas supply. I'm running pretty hard and this is starting to get fun again. I see a sign that reads "St. Germain 3 miles". I'm staring to get into the outskits of St. Germain. I'm riding along the side of the road and there are street signs. Finally I come to a highway but it's not 70. I stopped and dug my phone out again. I called Brian, went to voice mail. I tried one of the other numbers from earlier and Wade answers. I told him I'm in St. Germain and not to worry about me. About that time a car turns onto the street I'm on. I flag down the driver. As he rolls the window down he asks if I'm part of Hall Of Fame group? Yep and I'm lost! How do I get to the Whitetail lodge from here. As it turns out I was 3 blocks from the Hwy 70 "T" in St. Germain. I make my way down to 70 and start riding along the road until I can get into the ditch where the snow is. My back, shoulders, and chest are aching and I can't wait to get this pounding ride over! All of the sudden I notice a truck that is driving along side of me honking. I look over and it's Kevin Campbell and Ross Heavener. They are cheering me on to the Whitetail. Now I'm pumped. This is the pick me up I needed. I make it to Sister's Saloon and cross over Hwy 70 and ride across the dam bridge of the creek. I'm in the home stretch now as I know where I'm at. I cross Hwy 70 again and tear down the trail to the Whitetail. I pull up in front of the trailer and and pat the 340/s on the hood for getting me back. Kevin and Ross come over and start congratulating me and handed me victory beer! The victory is short lived as I start thinking about the rest of the guys. Brian, Nick, Wade, Chris, and Matt had been supportive all afternoon when I was fighting a rich condition and holding up the group. Especially Brian, He had the forsight to pack extra Mikuni jets and the tools to change them. Without his preparedness I would not have made it! That's the advantage of the Deere guys riding together. I hope these guys are still running and are close to getting back.Kevin and Ross said they had been at Mike and Carl Firehammer's ice fishing hut. For those who don't know Carl Firehammer was part of ETD. They had been listening to Carl's stories from back in the day and where headed back when they wondered upon me riding in the ditches. About that time we hear sleds coming. It's Nick Freatman and The "Iron Man" Brian Lindner on the Bullet proof JDX8. They made it! When they rolled in the crap started flying about my wrong turn. Then I found that all the Deere guys finished the ride. At that point is was a great day! What a ride, I was wiped out and started wondering how I was going to get out of my suit.

Troy

[400brian]

Finishing the Vintage Challenge leaves me with a mix of emotions. There is a sense of accomplishment for sure, but there is a bit of a let down as well, all the work and planning has come to its completion.

I get the X8 loaded onto the trailer, and was walking over to get the green machine, when I ran into John Sandberg. We stepped into Brian Nelson's trailer, and I settled up with John for the gas I'd gotten at the first fuel stop. I was glad to get that taken care of. I brought the wife's machine over to the trailer, and headed into the motel. It seemed like a long walk, the adrenalin, or whatever had been fueling me to this point seemed to have faded. As I walked into the lobby, I was acutely aware that my butt was dragging.

Jon Carlson was standing at the front desk, looking much better than he had at lunch. He asked if I had made it? I replied that of course I had! He shook my hand, and said; you have made it every time haven't you? I can't believe you have done that, congratulations! I replied that I sure felt like I had done something. Jon suggested a hot shower would help, and I nodded and headed for the room.

The Mileys drove us over to the banquet, and after hitting the bar, we found a table. The lady behind us commented on the sweaters the wife and I were wearing. In 32 years of marriage, it was the first time we had ever worn matching outfits! It turned out that the lady was Tom Otte's wife. In short order, Tom stopped by to tell his wife: "don't talk to that guy, he rode an X8 on the ride, he's CRAZY!"

The meal was great, prime rib, and afterwards I was my normal post ride, tired, dehydrated, nervous energy self. It had been a big day. I remember while we were stopped changing Troy's fuel filter, ( I was relaxing on the sled ) and Troy looked up and asked: "are we having fun yet?" We all agreed that we were, especially since it was Troy's sled that was the problem and not any of ours!

Oh, and that dead phone? It had been butt dialing all day, call after call of gibberish numbers. Either I was hitting it, or the impacts were getting the job done. Turn off the phone next year I guess.