The Goodhue-Bellechester Railriders annual vintage snowmobile show and ride was held February 4th with close to 70 sleds taking advantage of the near perfect weather and trail conditions. Registration began at 9 AM with sleds on display in the Goodhue Lion’s parking lot until 1 PM. Various awards and numerous door prizes were handed out and then most of the participants made an approximately 15 mile scenic loop to Bellechester via the trail to Hogsback and returned to Goodhue.
There were 66 snowmobiles officially registered although there were a few late-comers and others riding along just for fun. Among those attending the show and ride were Dan and Denise Reardon who came from Delano, MN. The couple knew where Goodhue was but had never been to the town and said they had never even heard of Bellechester. They participated on a 1978 Yamaha Exciter and a 1996 Yamaha V-Max.
There were sleds of all ages, sizes and varieties. Some that easily caught the eye were a 1964 Arctic Cat 101 with a 6 horse-power engine owned by Mark Breckenridge, a child-sized Little Indy also made by Arctic Cat and displayed by Leo Wingert, and a machine dubbed “Snow Ranger” homemade by Jessie Frandrup in 1995. The Snow Ranger received the “Most Off The Wall” award.
Nearly 40 sponsors from around the area contributed financially or by providing great door prizes. Trophies and other prizes were given out in 11 different categories as follows:
69 & Older class: Rick Stockey , 1962 Polaris L-55 (4 in the class)
70-71: Greg Gernentz, 1971 440 Rupp with Cutter (7 in class)
72-73: Jeff Ryan, 1973 340 Skidoo TNT (16 in class)
74-76: John Little, 1976 440 Rupp Magnum (13 in clas)
77-80: Renee Hadler, 1977 John Deere Liquifier (4 in class)
81-89: Alexis Van Eps, 1986 Arctic Cat Cougar (6 in class)
90-95: Nathan Skog, 1993 580 Arctic Cat (9 in class)
Best Matching suit and sled: Greg Gernentz, 1971 440 Rupp with Cutter (Trophy and $50)
Best of Show: John Little, 76 440 Rupp (Trophy, $50 from GBRR, $50 from Smokin’ Oak of Red Wing)
Best Unrestored: Tim Bergeson, 1985 Ski Doo ($50 from Smokin’ Oak of Red Wing)
Most off the Wall: Jesse Frandrup, 1995 Homemade 2300cc, ($10)
Members of the Railriders club followed the vintage group on newer sleds to insure that everyone made the trip safely. The club also hosted a sledding party on the hill by AgPartners the following day. For more information on the Railriders and more photos and videos, visit the Goodhue-Bellechester Railriders facebook page.
