RWTC Weekend

[JDXJIM]

Great recap of your Vintage weekend. Makes a guy want to give the old sled a complete once over and head up there next year.

[JDT]

As always Brian, great review.
Thanks.

And congrats on number 6.

[400brian]

Thanks Todd.

After I shut the sled down, I sat there in the quiet dusk, the clouds were low and dark, and it would soon begin snowing. I was just savoring the moment, life doesn't give up a lot of big victories, I try to remember to appreciate the little ones. My 40 year old sled had just ran 150+ miles, hood down, running just as well on returning as when I had left. The only parts I had with me were a spare belt, a fuel filter, and a plug cap. I realized later I had put my last new plugs in the wife's sled on Friday, so all I had left were the typical used plugs bouncing around in the bottom of the tool box. So, I was pretty happy about that. I'd had a great day riding with friends, and the trails, particularly on the way up, were absolutely awesome. It was the snowmobile trip of your dreams.

I'm always left with mixed emotions at the end of the ride, it's kinda like the ride home from Grandma's after Christmas. After all the expectations and anticipation...it's suddenly over. But, we had a banquet to attend yet, so I got off the sled and made my way towards the lobby. Other than feeling a bit tired, I was feeling good. Half way across the parking lot, they came through towing the Blizzard. I held my arms out to indicate "what the heck?" He just shook his head.

[400brian]

When I got into our room, I peeled off the riding gear, and did a face plant onto the bed. Katy worked on my shoulders a bit, while she told me about her day. She had gotten along OK with Wade's 340/S, and Don had salvaged another participant's day by helping get his Scorpion's carb issues resolved. He then rode the local ride with them.

They had rode to Minocqua, and had dined at the Boathouse. Don took the photo after lunch.

[400brian]

A hot shower really works wonders in loosening things up, and we were soon dressed and headed over to the Whitetail for the banquet. Walking in, we found the place pretty much packed. The autograph session was winding down, so I suggested we wait for the staff to set those tables, and we could grab a seat then. However, before I could get a drink in my hand, Wade found us and told us they had saved seats for us. Wow, that was nice of them! So we sat down, and enjoyed the banquet.

Several things stand out in my memory of the evening program.

1) Jon Carlson's comments in presenting the John Deere Community the plaque recognizing our support. It's always nice to see your efforts appreciated.

2) Brian Nelson officially announcing that the I-500 race was going to be a real point to point race once again. Brian is perhaps the only person who could have made this happen, and it was interesting to hear how he had went about getting this done.

3) Loren Anderson's induction. Everyone was in rapt attention to Lorens remarks, and it was classic Loren. Also, Loren personally thanked the Deere guys in his remarks, saying: "thank you for helping make all this possible."

And the official 2014 RWTC was in the books!

This years RWTC was perhaps the best one yet. We have always had a good time, but there was something special about this one, even the wife thought this one was the best ever, and her sled hadn't run. THe weather and great trail conditions certainly helped. It just seemed like everything went very smoothly. This was the first RWTC under new President Craig Marchbank, kudos to him and the board for organizing a smooth running event.

The Vintage Challenge had went very smoothly as well. Rainville was mentioning to me how smoothly the guiding had went, the group was prepared, and had come to ride, so the sitting around was minimal. I was thinking about that, and yes,...last year we had this goof that was changing plugs before we got to Sayner, more plugs and dinking with the carbs at Fishtails, and then hitting a tree before we got back to Bent's Camp. Yes Joe, it went much better this year.

For you who have been thinking about attending the event; what are you waiting for? For the Deere collectors in particular; we had three JD factory racers riding with us on the Vintage Challenge, AWESOME! Back in the early 2000s, we discussed how neat it might be to meet some of these guys, never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we might be riding with them! This has really been a great experience.

Weekend of February 7th in 2015. The Whitetail Lodge is blocking out the entire motel for us until around the first of January, so make plans now, get your room reserved, and we'll see you there.

[JoeRainville]

Lindner,

I generally agree with you, the RWC ran pretty smooth, both as a board member and a guide for the VC. Not having to open the hood of Cari's Sprintfire except to add oil was a big help, as was staying out the trees. Not having carbides or studs made for a few exiting corners though.

The RWC video's are out, and Brian's JDX-8 is well represented, along with most all the vintage sleds. They can be purchased from the HOF now, and include POV helmet cam video and a few interviews and footage from along the trail, the stop at Sayner and Fishtails. Contact Jamie at the HOF to get your copy.

The HOF deffinately appriates all the support from JD guys over the years, and it was nice to see the group as a whole be recongnized for the support. I would also like to thank the riders and support crew of the Vintage Challenge, it was a pleasure to guide the crew again this year, and I am looking forward to doing it again.

I am already working on next years VC Sled, but my real goal is to get Lindner on a front motor sled... or ride a bogie machine

-Joe Rainville