Vintage Snowmobile Enthusiasts Descend On Monroe
By Gary Moore
The Monroe Bumper Humpers hosted their 3rd Annual Vintage Ride-In and landowner appreciation event Sunday, February 22 and what a day it was. The Fairfield Road field in Monroe owned by club president Dr. Charles Hammer was alive with people from near and far enjoying the bright, sunny day while devouring delicious food, chatting with friends and admiring vintage snowmobiles.
I had the pleasure of attending the event, meeting old friends and seeing machines, I had long forgotten.
One of those old friends was Willie Minot whose photo accompanies this column. He and his wife are shown with their 1969 Skiroule SX300 which has been in the Minot family since it was new.
It was purchased from Arthur Joy Skiroule in Bath by Arthur S Minot. It then went to his brother Alden Minot and now is owned by his son William Minot and wife Brenda.
The Skiroule beside them is a 1968 now owned by Hill, NH resident Steve Punderson to whom Willie sold it six years ago. It was originally his mother’s sled.
The day featured guided trips at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. allowing many who came without sleds to get rides. I was offered several chances to ride vintage machines but time did not allow. Perhaps next year.
Food is my passion and there were plenty of delicious options including baked beans, beef stew, beef chili, venison chili, bear chili, cornbread, hotdogs and hamburgers as well as pies, cookies and brownies.
The food and beverage was by donation with landowners eating free as a thank you for allowing trails on their property.
On site to visit with the riders and others were New Hampshire Fish and Game Sgt. Christopher McKee and Conservation Officer Nicholas Masucci. They patrol the surrounding towns and were well known to many of the riders.
I was told club V.P. Dave Choate was one I should talk with as he had much to do with the event. When I told him that, he replied, “I must stress that there are other club members who do as much, or more, than I do to make this event happen. It was months in the planning. Hours and hours of trail repair and grooming, plowing of the event site, soliciting raffle prizes, food donations, making signs and posters, setup, and organizing.”
It was evident that all their work paid off with a big turnout of sleds and people, all of whom were having a great time.
Choate said, “I am a long-time collector of old sleds and I know people involved in that hobby. I participate in similar events in NH and VT.” That seems to fit the description of many I spoke with. I was surprised to learn how many vintage sleds many owned.
There was one downside to my visit. Mid-day it was warm with bright sun, ideal for being outside and enjoying the event, however, it was the worst conditions to take photos with the sun high and bright and reflecting off the fresh snow.