HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-01-18, Page 16SO T S Times -Advocate, January 18, 1995
E INTREID
SNOWM ' ER
By Craig Nicholson
The fun of snowmobiling touring can make you thow caution to the
wind. But don't forget that sleds carry us far beyond normal help. So
be prepared before heading out into a winter wonderland that can
turn nasty.
If your plans include trailering, reduce the potential of roadside
headaches. After a season's disuse, axle bearings may be seized or tires
may not support the load - similar to my knees after a summer's pig-
ging out. Grease and air before loading sleds, or risk damaging tires,
ego and maybe more.
Carry at least one spare tire. Besides the one around my waist, I car-
ry two for long trips, one on a hitch bracket and the other inside my
vehicle. Make sure they're sized to match and up to pressure. And
don't count on your car jack to lift the loaded trailer. I prefer to use a
heavy duty, upright jack. Chunks of 4 by 4 block up the trailer to pre-
vent it rolling.
Check that your vehicle's tire wrench fits your trailer wheel lugs. I
use an "X" shaped universal wrench and slip a 4' pipe over the end for
more leverage against air tightened lugs. You'll see me at the roadside
jumping up and down on the pipe.
Add sled tie -downs, covers, and gas cans, preferably full. Top up the
sleds before leaving and close gas valves to avoid flooding and spills.
If your trailer is open with no deflector, tape plastic shopping bags
around your exposed front suspension to prevent grit and roadsalt
damage. They may flap in the breeze, but a matched set lends a certain
cachet.
When you're ready, don't forget maps, reservations, money, driver's
license, snowmobile registration and insurance, sunglasses, camera/
film, watch, and medical info. And always carry spare sled and car
keys on your person . Many an exhilarating ride has been spoiled by a
key lost in the snow or locked in a vehicle by mistake.
Carry survival and repair kits including various spare nuts and bolts
to fit your sled. Include more and better tools than the manufacturer
provides. Take a spare belt, plugs, and oil. I also have a pry bar and
axe on board. And don't forget security locks and keys.
For ovemighting, you'll require at least one change of clothes for
apres sled. I also suggest extra cold protection: glove liners (to double
as work gloves), socks, balaclava. Remember that temperature and
weather can change dramatically both daily and throughout the day.
And don't forget a toilet kit that includes a comb to combat that rav-
aged helmet head. If all else fails, see a Marine barber.
I pack spare boot liners so a soaker doesn't mean frozen tootsies all
day. They're no fashion statement, but I also double as slippers for
walking around the hotel at night. Beats clumping about in snow-
mobile boots. And to ease those aching muscles, bring a bathing suit
for the spa. Skivvi,esare a transparent alternative. :
Packing this stuff requires patience, ingenuity and practice. Start
with good leather saddle bags. Take my word for it, other luggage
can't withstand the pounding and you'll end up scattering your own
personal trail for miles in your wake.
Bungee cords and cargo nets tie the bags on, anchored to eye -bolts
drilled through the rear running boards. Remember, nothing can be
too secure because you can't watch your backtrail. My theory is that
there are never too many bungee cords. Experiment on short rides,
check your load often and ride first so friends can pick up your drop-
pings (hopefully before they run them over).
Obviously, touring requires planning and foresight, starting with
the sled you buy. Look for compartments and luggage racks. A two-
up seat provides extra carrying space for solo riding. And a back rest
becomes an essential anchor point to stabilize your load. Most man-
ufacturers are now making "touring" models specially geared to des-
tination snowmobilers. Among the best is Ski-Doo's Grand Touring
with reverse, electric start, hand and thumb warmers, and rear view
mirrors.
By the way, if you see someone tailgating you this winter, it'll prob-
ably be yours truly, hoping that you haven't leamed these lessons too
well. I've lost lots of stuff on the trails over the years. Maybe you'll
drop something I need.
Until next time, happy trails and remember: Sled Smart - Ride Safe,
Ride Sober. For information on local snowmobiling, Snowaramas and
clubs, contact the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) at
705/739-7669. To plan your Ontario tour, call 1 -800 -236 -SLED.
Be The First One Back At The Lodge.
The EXT® is one trail sled that keeps you well ahead of the pack.
This year's machine draws on the ZRs winning technology with its
AWST'IV front suspension and boasts a 580 cc liquid -cooled
paw rplant. You have your choice of models, including a
carbureted version and the electronic fuel injected EXT EFI.
The EXT EFI is also available in a Mountain Cat® version
with a long 136" track. Stop by today to see this innovative
machine, or risk being stuck back in the pack this winter.
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Page 15
Third appearance for. DePrest
Lucan hosts Junior Development League all-star game
LUCAN - It may be his third straight ap-
pearance in the classic, but Greg DePrest still
gets excited about the annual OHA Junior De-
velopment League all-star game.
Saturday, the overaged centre will represent
the host Irish along with Lucan teammate roo-
kie defenseman Wil Giles. For Exeter, veteran
winger Shayne Robinson, who had a goal in
last year's game and forward Chris Kennedy
will represent the Hawks.
"It's my last year and I kind of want to go
and play this year and win," said DePrest who
after last Wednesday night's game against Pt.
Stanley led the Irish in scoring with 17 goals
and 27 assists.
"I want to play with some of the guys that
I've played against," added DePrest.
The all-star game pits the west division
teams Belmont, Exeter, Lambeth, Lucan,
Mitchell, Mt. Brydges, North Middlesex, Pt.
Stanley and Seaforth against those from the
east side - Ayr, Burford, Delhi, Hagersville,
Langton, St. George, Tavistock, Thamesford
and Wellesley.
A year ago in Lucan, the west built up a
huge 8-4 lead but were beaten 10-5.
While each team selected two players to go
to the game, the top three goaltenders (best av-
erage) will be/in the nets. The wgst will have
Lambeth's Jeff Baldacchino, Pt. Stanley's Brad
Joworski and Adam Agar of Mitchell.
Between the iron for the east will be Pat
Graham of Hagersville, Andy Cook of Ta-
vistock and Thamesford's Shayne Gow.
Rounding out the rosters for the game which
gets underway at 7 p.m. are, from the west:
Belmont - Wes Goldie, Many Smith, Lambeth
- Craig Watson, Jamie Allison, Mitchell - Jer-
emy Lambourn, Rob Boville, Mt. Brydges -
Paul Marcus, Shawn Thorpe, North Middlesex
- Jamie Vowles, Mike Stanlake, Pt. Stanley -
Craig Jalbert, Lyle Bedford, Seaforth - Steve
Geiger, Steve Mclnally. The west will be
coached by Pt. Stanley.
For the east which will be coached by Tha-
mesford: Ayr - Jay Purdon, Casey Mackay,
Burford - Chuck Greenwood, Kyle Leman,
Delhi - Rob Helmer, Jeff Arthur, Hagersville -
Brandon Hedges, Chad Husted, Langton -
Dave Boldt, Travis Lisabeth, St. George -
Ryan Conners, Matt Plumstead, Thamesford -
Gord Crocker, Jason Kilcan, Wellesley - Lee
Seabrook, Murray Altman.
Greg DePrest
...Lucan Irish
Wil Giles
...Lucan Irish
Shayne Robinson
...Exeter Hawks
Chris •Kennedy
...Exeter Hawks
What: OHA Junior
Development
League All-Star
game
Where: Lucan
When: Saturday,
7 p.m.
Gutsy effort from the Irish
Lucan captain Steve
Matthews had a hat trick
on Saturday in a 7-5 win
By Fred Groves
T -A staff
BELMONT - Guts and determination, that's what
the Lucan Irish had Saturday night in Belmont as
they picked up their 12th win of the season.
While they saw their OHA Junior Development
League west division winning streak stopped at five
games last Wednesday by the Pt. Stanley Lakers,
the Irish got back on the winning track against the
Bombers with a 7-5 win on Saturday.
The Irish are now 12-16-1 in the west division
standings.
In what manager Pat Ryan called a very strange
game in Belmont, the Irish received some great ef-
forts by captain Steve Matthews and forward Jer-
emy Jemec.
"We only had 13 skaters and 11 after the first pe-
riod. It was a marathon game that lasted two hours
and 45 minutes," said Ryan.
George Stephens was ejected early in the game
for checking -from -behind and defenseman Wil
Giles was also kicked out in the first for fighting
which left the visitors with just three defensemen.
Jemec not only scored 27 seconds into the game
but later moved back to the blueline to help pick up
the slack.
Giles scored in the first along with Jemec and in
the second Matthews really lifted the Irish as he
notched the natural hat trick. He was hurt in the
third and Lucan was looking at a very lonely bench.
"It was a very rough and controversial game to
say the least," said Ryan.
With 1:20 left in the game,Christian Criel scored
on a nice play set up by Bryan Stiefel and then Stie-
fel scored into the empty net.
Lakers 6, Irish 3
Wednesday, the Lakers :.eemed to be a bit more
physical in the opening 20 minutes and were up 2-0
fairly early.
"They had a couple of quick, cheap softies," said
Lucan forward Greg DePrest. "We were a little up-
set the way we lost, it wasn't our best effort."
The Lakers got on the board first with 5:40 left in
the opening period. Just 11 seconds into Lucan de-
fenseman's Brad Henderson's holding penalty Andy
Massa scored on
the powerplay.
Pt. Stanley had
a good chance
earlier in the
game when the
puck got past
Steve Watson,
was just two
inches in front of
the line before
Henderson dove
and knocked the
puck away.
Mike Rush
walked right in
alone and put one
past Watson to
give the visitors a comfortable lead. It was 4-0 on
goals by Mike Camp and Rush with his second of
three before the Irish got on the board.
With 5:50 left in the second, a shot from the point
got behind Brad Joworski and Travis Stinchcombe
was there to push it over the line. Rush blasted one
into the top corner and it was 5-1.
Four minutes into the final period it was a five -
goal lead for the visitors but the Irish really came to
life after that. Rookie Darryl Boshart put one under
the crossbar but it didn't count.
However, Matthews scored to cut the lead and
with 4:35 left, DePrest made a nice rush up the ice
and Steve Hudson finished it off.
Tonight the Irish will try to get a little revenge
against the Lakers, game time is 8:15 p.m.
Steve Matthews
Lucan defenseman Derek Green-
lee worked on a Pt. Stanley for-
ward during last Wednesday's loss
against the Lakers in Lucan. The
two teams meet again tonight.
Hawks take three of four points
continued from page 14
with three goals and a pair of as-
sists while Kennedy netted a hat
trick. Steve Farquhar had two goals
and an assist while Nathan Burns
and Ray Cousineau also connected.
This game got out of control as
both Exeter's Jason McBride and
Greg Dalrymple along with North
Middlesex's Mike Stanlake were
ejected for fighting.
Hawks happenings:—Both
weekend games saw large crowds
EXETER JUNIOR 'D'
HAWKS
vs
LUCAN IRISH
Tues., Jan. 24
at
South Huron Rec Centre
8:30 p.m.
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of
4
which was very nice to see...In the
past four games, Kints has a 4.00
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Hawks are 2-1-1. Robinson has 11
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