Once upon a time, there was a generation of youth who read comic books. There were all sorts of comic books, from Marvel super-hero stuff to satirical MAD magazine to car-culture stuff like CARtoons. And pretty much everything in between.
This generation of youth read (and sometimes purchased) these comics at drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, bookstores and even comics stores.
If you were a snowmobiler WAY back then, your heart absolutely RACED on those rare occasions when a comic book featured your favorite sport. It was kind of like hitting the jackpot.
Funny now, looking back on a few examples of these comics from the early 1970s. The writers surely identified the subtle nuance of what the snowmobile experience was like back then: that sleds were often a bit unreliable.
I love that in our modern age, we can make a few clicks to watch video or see images of every single aspect of snowmobiling that exists today. Snowmobiling is literally at our fingertips. We’re damn lucky.
But there’s a part of me that appreciates (and wishes for) the simplicity of yesteryear. Of Archie, Dennis the Menace, Scooby Doo and snowmobiles that were tough to keep running a whole day.
I appreciate your comment about missing the simplicity of the sport back in the day – that’s something I agree with. Just getting home was an adventure. Today’s sleds have evolved so much that you have to
We joke around now about having carried a pocket full of spare spark plugs and how you could always tell a snowmobile owner in the crowd by seeing their right arm was longer than their left arm. Can’t say I miss that all to much but I can say my last new sled purchase was a return to simplicity.
Coming off a 2012 XF 1100 50th with all the bells and whistles – including heated seat and valve adjustments every 5,000 miles, I decided my next sled would be return to simple. No 4 stroke; no electric start; no heated seat. Not simple like my 71 Mini Sno, but much simpler by today’s standards and a move back in the right direction.
I appreciate your comment about missing the simplicity of the sport back in the day – that’s something I agree with. Just getting home was an adventure. Today’s sleds have evolved so much that you have to work a lot harder to find that sense of adventure.
We joke around now about having carried a pocket full of spare spark plugs and how you could always tell a snowmobile owner in the crowd by seeing their right arm was longer than their left arm. Can’t say I miss that all to much but I can say my last new sled purchase was a return to simplicity.
Coming off a 2012 XF 1100 50th with all the bells and whistles – including heated seat and valve adjustments every 5,000 miles, I decided my next sled would be return to simple. No 4 stroke; no electric start; no heated seat. Not simple like my 71 Mini Sno, but much simpler by today’s standards and a move back in the right direction.
I remember growing up in Fort Frances Ontario on the border with International Falls Minnesota
The drug stores in the Fort did not sell Race and Ralky magazine do I would walk across the international bridge,clear customs and walk to Wahlgreens Drug Store. Total round trip was 6 miles.
Half the time when I got there the new issue was still not out and I would walk home empty handed.
Long distance calls were too expensive to call and check.
Can you imagine kids doing that today?
CARtoons, wow that dates me! Long live Kraz and Bernie!! Anyone remember watching Devlin on Saturday mornings?