Much fun was had at McBride’s Annual Bung Bung Vintage Ride, but gaining elevation took more than just good riding on older sleds – it also took some setting of jets on the carburetors to account for the atmospheric pressure change. Regardless it was a great success according to organizer Sara Olofsson.
More than 150 people took part in the ride up to Mount Lucille Cabin and more than 85 sleds made the journey up. About 40 vintage sleds did not make it to the cabin. It’s a bit of a downer, but part of the experience. Organizers called the abandoned sleds “fallen soldiers.”
Folks made the trek from all over, including Prince George, Edmonton, St Albert, Lamont, Ardrossan, and Grand Prairie. Many locals helped out in the organizing of the event.
Below, L to R: Some of the machines look they belong on movie set, like this side-by-side seating sled. Les Aldren, a skidoo mechanic from Prince George, made it up with his father’s old Snow Cruiser, but not without rejetting the carb numerous times. Aldren said the number of snowmobile manufacturers peaked in 1972 with about 28 different manufacturers. Rod Whelpton works on his machine; a few bungers were seen adjusting their sled with the hood open while riding it up the trail. Safety was first and foremost on everybody’s minds. Brian McMillan (far left) made the trip with family and friends from Grande Prairie for the first time. These folks sometimes do a vintage ride at Valemount riding areas, but decided to come to McBride for the Bung Bung. They brought a host of vintage sleds including a minty Panther with a leopard print seat. A man in a one piece snowsuit drives an impossibly small snow machine. Style, much more than power, was the order of the day.
