Our 2011 Penguin Rally, held February 20, was a huge success again. Prior to the event we were faced with some hurdles, mostly related to the weather and snow depth. Having been denied the ability to snowmobile and pack the 30 mile approved loop, we took advantage of the warm temperatures on Thursday and Friday. As of the Thursday prior, we had a heavy and wet snow pack with depths of up to 16″ in the woods and woods roads. Our plan to scale back the loop distance and break trail with a single track rut was our only option, and it worked! Thanks to Rich, Jake, Neil, Shawn, Peter and Paul for riding on Thursday and Friday under very difficult conditions. These guys not only created the ride loop by forcefully pushing through the snow; but they also cleared all of the blow downs and face slappers that were created by all of the heavy snow. My hats off to those guys; thanks alot!
As directed we all arrived at the Fire House at 8:30 and we were ready to ride at 9:00. It was brutally cold getting suited up with temps around 15º and wind chill “feel like temps.” close to 0º. Although the rider count was much less that last year, we had 20-25 hardy souls ready to get in the woods and generated some heat. Well the first loop was; let’s say, VERY difficult! Talk about single track, how about a single tire rut frozen solid for a total 4 miles. It felt like a slot car and unless you could ride at AA speed you were forced to ride the rut. It was great to stop along the route and B/S with our fellow club members. My personal experience stepped up after my second loop. I “hooked” on to invitee Wayne Galvin and he and I rode an additional two loops, with our best time coming from the last loop at 33 minutes. I confess this time is not a record setter, but it did feel good to watch a trials rider keep his feet on the pegs and to do my best to copy his form; thanks Wayne.
Well most riders completed 2-3 loops and we had the loop swept by 12:00. The West Greenwich Fire dept. really stepped up again and hosted a great lunch. We had our choice of hamburgers, hot dogs, chilli, chips and cookies. Bill Haas brought out some great pictures of Winter riding including several late 1960’s vintage enduro pictures. A few of the best pictures included the first Penguin Rally in 1967 and some shots of a BTR enduro in 1967 with ample snow on the ground. Again our club members really stepped up with donations. This has work great and I am always amazed how generous our club is. Donation wise we raised almost $400. for the fire dept. Additionally I would think our food service raised another $200-$300. Lastly I would like to thank all the club members that came out in less than ideal conditions. As predicted this was; “one for the record books”.