Despite unseasonably warm temperatures in February that threatened to halt the first-ever Mud Dogs Snowmobile Ride for Sarcoma, seven riders completed a two-day, 200-mile snowmobile ride from Zimmerman to Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to raise funds for the Karen Wyckoff Rein In Sarcoma Foundation.
The ride coincided with the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association annual Winter Rendezvous, which took place this year at Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge near Grand Rapids. For the past 20 years, members of the state snowmobile association have been encouraged to ride to the Winter Rendezvous to promote snowmobiling in the state. This year, the annual Mud Dogs journey took on a special meaning to also promote Sarcoma awareness and to raise funds for RIS.
Though more riders were expected to participate, above freezing temperatures and rain before prior to the Rendezvous caused many to cancel their riding plans. Still, the seven Mud Dogs that rode and many others raised more than $3,300 for the Foundation.
“To raise that much money the first year of this snowmobile charity ride is incredible,” said Sarcoma patient Eric
Skogman, who also helped organize the ride. “The kindness and generosity of those who pledged to support the Rein In Sarcoma Foundation is unprecedented.”
Overview
The first-ever Mud Dogs Ride to Benefit the Karen Wyckoff Rein In Sarcoma Foundation (KWRISF) was held in conjunction with the MN Snowmobile Association Annual Rendevous in February 2009. This was a combination of a snowmobile ride and a fundraiser for the Foundation. All proceeds are donated to the Karen Wyckoff Rein In Sarcoma Foundation.
What is the Mud Dogs Ride?
About 20 years ago, C.J. Ramstad, then owner of
Midwest Sports Publishing Network (MSPN), the official publisher of Minnesota Snowmobiling magazine, started the Mud Dogs ride to encourage snowmobilers from across the state to ride their snowmobiles to the
Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association’s (MnUSA) annual Winter Rendezvous. That event takes place each February and is in a different city or town each year. Snowmobilers – including MSPN employees – begin from their own chosen starting points and ride their snowmobiles to the Winter Rendezvous to show their support for snowmobiling in the state and for MnUSA.
For the 2009 Mud Dogs ride to the Winter Rendezvous, riders were asked to get pledges to benefit the KWRISF. The
MnUSA Winter Rendezvous which took place February 13-15, 2009. The evnt was organized by Eric Skogman an active snowmobiler. To read Eric's story,
click here.
Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge was their destination and they it did not disappoint. They have excellent lodging facilities with great dining available. They have great access to our trail systems and the beauty of the northland is just a squeeze of the throttle away.
Itasca County is home to many lakes and rivers. Ice fishing, cross country skiing, and ice skating are among the other winter sports that are readily available. The winter time is an excellent time to be in the northland. The stars in the night fill the wide open sky with wonderment and hope. It is some of Mother Nature’s best work.
The RIS Mud Dogs Ride
This year, the Mud Dogs Ride to Benefit the KWRISF wasl NOT be an organized ride. Those that that participated on the ride did so on their own and decided where to start. Riders then rode to the MnUSA Winter Rendezvous at Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
In order to participate in the Mud Dogs Ride to Benefit the Karen Wyckoff Rein In Sarcoma Foundation you MUST be a member of MnUSA. To become a member, ($20 annual individual/family membership), log onto
www.mnsnowmobiler.org to register or call MnUSA at 763-577-0185.
As noted above, this is NOT an organized ride for 2009. All riders who participate will complete the ride on their own.
All pledges are tax deductible. Pledges were collected at the MnUSA Winter Rendezvous on February 14, 2009 at the Saturday night banquet. If you do not participate in the ride and cannot attend the banquet, please use the on-line form described below or mail in your pledges to the KWRISF at:
3312 Richmond Avenue
Shoreview, MN 55126
Skogman, who also helped organize the ride. “The kindness and generosity of those who pledged to support the Rein In Sarcoma Foundation is unprecedented.”
For the 2009 Mud Dogs ride to the Winter Rendezvous, riders were asked to get pledges to benefit the KWRISF. The MnUSA Winter Rendezvous which took place February 13-15, 2009. The evnt was organized by Eric Skogman an active snowmobiler. To read Eric's story, click here.