From the Area Director By Steven Smith Issue 3, 2004
Upcoming Activities: Floodcity National Rally, Johnstown, PA July 13-17 www.concours.org/2004 You must be a new member or living under a rock if you have not heard something about this major COG event. Rooms are booking quickly and the registration forms will probably be flooding in soon (excuse the pun). If you want to be able to attend a national rally without traveling for days, this is the one for all Northeast members. Also, check out the info on the Vermont fall rally in this issue. This issue has so much content there was little room to mix in pictures. We have gotten many pictures from members who attended many of the events around the NE area. We try to post them all to the Northeast Online web site for your viewing pleasure. Go to our home page and click on Ride Reports and follow the links.
I’ll keep it real short this time and leave you with some photos from the Spring Fling in New Hampshire.
Northeast Area News
Until next time, ride safe. Steve
Inside this issue: Editor Intro, Electronic Newsletter, Contact Info
2
Ontario ride, western PA Report, MD ride, Spring Fling
3
Fall Rally info, Run for Buns report Northeast Ride Schedule
4 5-6
Fall Rally registration
7
New Members
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Editor Introduction - Louis Caplan, NE Editor
Northeast Area Officers
Hello, I've been working with Steve to edit the Northeast Area Area Director Newsletter for a while now and never did get a chance to introduce myself. I'm Louis Caplan. I live in the suburbs of Washington, DC, Steven Smith, #3184 and ride a '98 Concours. I signed up for COG the week after I bought Naugatuck, CT 203-720-7575 my Connie. I've enjoyed many of the COG rides in the area. When nead@concours.org Steve asked for help with editing, I was happy to do what I could. Besides COG, other aspects of my motorcycle life include teaching the MSF Course once a month. Once a year I teach the class in Sign Language for deaf students. I'm also on the Task Force for the Columbia, MD Ride for Kids. I’m an assistant rallymaster with Rick Miller’s Mason Dixon 20-20. And finally, I'm the Safety Officer for a deaf motorcycle group in the Mid-Atlantic area. Whew! Quite a bit to do! I do have a life outside of motorcycles! My day job is working for the Federal Gov't. I'm also a student, learning about life again through the eyes of my darling 10 month old daughter. What a teacher! I forgot to stop along the road of life and look at the daisies (I do stop her from eating them though). And Leah, my wonderful wife of almost 3 years who patiently allows me to pursue my motorcycling dreams with limited eye-rolling.
Electronic Newsletter - Louis Caplan, NE Editor NEAD Steve Smith and I would like to see more people subscribing to the electronic version of this newsletter. Here are some reasons why. - Faster Delivery: As soon as the newsletter is complete, proofed, and made into a PDF file, it is placed on the web page and the link sent to electronic newsletter subscribers. At the same time, it is sent to the post office for printing and distribution to members in the U.S. They will receive their newsletter about 3-4 weeks later. The printing/distribution method doesn't work for Canadian members, so those are printed out, stuffed in envelopes by hand, and dropped off at the post office. Also time consuming. As a result, by the time the hardcopy of the newsletter is received, several events in the calendar have already gone by. - More Content: With our method of printing and distribution through the post office, we are limited to 8 pages per newsletter. Costs would almost double to add 2 more pages! However, there are a lot of articles and pictures submitted by your local AADs that have to be edited down, or even cut completely. Steve and I hate having to figure out what stays and what goes. With electronic distribution, the newsletter can grow and not incur additional expenses. Steve and I have discussed having two editions of the newsletter, a print and an electronically distributed one. However, we need a lot more electronic subscribers to justify the extra layout work that would be required. - Color: Did you know that the pictures in this issue are in color? The printer used to send out hard copies is only black and white though. - Saves money: Let's face it, money talks. Distribution to US members is about 65 cents for each issue to each member (times 558 members). Distribution to Canadian members is about $1.35 each (times 30 members). That's a total of $403.20 per issue release. The rate is going up soon. Our goal is to get 6 newsletters out per year (and we are on schedule so far). If you decide to subscribe to the electronic version of the newsletter, then every other month you will receive a short e-mail from Steve (Continued on page 3) Page 2
Webmaster open position contact the AD is interested Editor Louis Caplan, #2894 Fairfax, VA 703-978-9844 nighthawk700@yahoo.com
Assistant Area Directors New Hampshire Tony Shelver, #2647 Moultonborough, NH 603.520.0324 Tony.Shelver@ctp.com Massachusetts Kevin Martin, #145 Dracut, MA 978-459-6275 cog145@sprintmail.com Connecticut Jonathan Coler, #5379 Rocky Hill, CT 860-257-4009 JonColer@yahoo.com NY Hudson Valley Mike Flynn, #4493 Bedford Hills, NY 914-244-3537 Keltwolf@optonline.net
Northeast Area News Newsletter Staff: Louis Caplan, Steven Smith The Northeast Area News is a publication for Northeast Area members of the Concours Owners Group. Submissions are welcomed and members are encouraged to share information about a wide variety of topics on motorcycling. The preferred method is via e-mail, so the editor doesn’t have to do a lot of typing, but any type of legible submission will be gladly accepted. Digital images are welcome, but please do not embed them in the document. Submissions may be edited to
Metro NY/NJ Jim Clark, #2113 Valley Stream, NY 516-872-3694 Pennsylvania - Western Joe Cyprych, Jr., #4665 McDonald, PA 724-796-1401 Cyprych@hky.com DelMarVa & Philly burbs (PA/NJ) Bob Chappell, #1283 Claymont, DE 302-791-0582 cog1283@comcast.net Maryland Russell Fleming, #599 Hampstead, MD 410-374-9687 Fleming@qis.net Mid-Atlantic States Patrick Sprague, #1887 Luray, VA 540-743-4874 (home) 540- 743-5132 (work) 540-743-3229 (fax) PSprague@shentel.net Northeast Ontario, Canada Rudi Verspoor, #6173 Ottawa, ONT 613-692-9356 RudiVerspoor@rogers.com Atlantic Maritimes, Canada Ian Rennie, #5525 Saint John, NB 506-635-2124 IanRennie@mac.com
best fit available space. If you would like to have your material returned, please include a SASE. Please send submissions to:
Steven Smith 39 Alison Ave Naugatuck, CT 06770-3566 nead@concours.org Many of the opinions stated in this publication may make no sense to those sound of mind and may just be conveniently ignored. If you use any of the information in this rag to incur damage to yourself, your motor or any innocent or not so innocent bystanders it is you own fault...you were warned! Copyright 2004 © Concours Owners Group
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
(Electronic Distribution - continued from page 2)
announcing the availability of the newsletter, with a link to the newsletter. The newsletter file itself is NOT sent to your e-mail box, so you do not need to worry about exceeding quota. The newsletter is in PDF format. PDF readers for most computers can be obtained for free at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/ readstep2.html To those who are subscribed to the electronic newsletter, thank you. To others, we hope you will join us! Doing so is simple: To sign up for eNews go to the COG Northeast web pages www.concours.org/ne and click on the NEWSLETTER menu item at the top of the screen. Instructions for eNews is in the left column.
Sixth Annual Ontario/Quebec COG Ride - by Rudi Verspoor AAD #6173 Eastern Ontario has some of the best roads in the continent for motorcycles. So on August 14 for our annual ride, we are heading to the Adirondacks. What gives, you might ask? Well, we spend all summer on these roads and by the time August rolls around, we need a diversion, so we do the next best thing - head for the hills of upper New York State, just over the border, on the other side of the St. Lawrence. The roads there are just short of amazing, and the traffic is sparse. This gives everyone from far and wide in the North East a chance to meet. We'd love to have you on our ride. A group will start in Ottawa and then there will be a meeting point for those from the East and West at Cornwall, just at the International Bridge. If there are any New York riders, we could meet them on the other side of US Customs and Immigration. Kick off on Saturday, 14 August is at 8 AM. Riders wanting to start in Ottawa can meet around 7:30 AM at the Tim Horton's at Mitch Owens and River Road in the south end of Ottawa, near the charming village of Manotick. We then head for Cornwall, and should arrive around 9 AM. This is a long day ride of about 700800 km round trip from and to Ottawa. For more information, or accomodation in Ottawa or Cornwall, contact Rudi Verspoor at rudiverspoor@rogers.com or call 613-692-9356.
Western Pennsylvania - by Joe Cyprych AAD #4665 Hello fellow coggers. Well the riding season is definitely in swing now for our area (no more snow but a lot of rain so far). The weekly meet greet and ride Sundays are starting to pick up, and I have received a lot of inquires about it, hope to see some of you guys soon. We missed Russell Fleming’s Wellsboro ride (sorry Russell, see you at the North meets South ) but 3 of us made our own Wellsboro trip a couple weeks later and had a great time. On another note I would like to welcome back COG member Jamie Headly who was away on military duty for 18 months. He attended a ride already and I hope to see him at some more. Thanks goes out to Jamie and all our other military personnel. In addition to the upcoming north south ride we also have the Thunder in the Valley ride coming up. Looks like we have a full schedule of riding coming up this season, and I hope that some of you can attend some rides this year. As always, feel free to email or call me if you need any more info. I hope everyone has a great and safe riding season this year. Take care.
Multi-Brand Ride: Fredrick, MD - by Russell Fleming AAD #599 Come one and all to a day of fun with fellow motorcyclists. On August 15, 2004 MD, PA, VA. and WV will hold a camaraderie ride between COG, BMW and other sport-touring motorcyclists. At this time there may be some Honda ST’s, Yamaha FJR’s and Suzuki V-Strom’s. The ride starts at Golden Coral in Frederick, MD at 9a.m. for breakfast. After breakfast, route sheets will be handed out for about a 155-mile self-guided ride. The ride will end at Mountain Gate Restaurant in Waynesboro, PA where everybody can get a late lunch. Come out and ride a selection of roads that Russell and his buddies like to ride and see why they have to change their tires at least three times a year. Hope to see you there!!!!
The ’04 Spring Fling: Jackson, NH - by Tony Shelver, NEAAD May 13-16 - How do you measure the success of a rally? Is it the socializing and fun, meeting new friends or catching up with old acquaintances? Sharing a few beers on the hotel verandah, and wandering around the (bikes-only) parking lot? Or is success measured by the great roads we rode, with 6 formal routes, covering over 1300 miles of some of the best riding available in northern New Hampshire, western Maine and eastern Vermont? Or the moose a lot of attendees saw? Or is it the satisfaction most attendees expressed with the host hotel (Eagle Mountain House) and the banquet they prepared, or by the numbers of riders at the Whitehorse Press ice-breaker? How about the mostly excellent (if hot) weather, or the double rainbow we saw from the Eagle Mountain verandah late on Saturday afternoon? Maybe it is all of the above? So, what happened during the rally? By Thursday evening a majority of rally-goers had arrived and a number of us had a (slow) supper in the hotel dining room. The food was good, but the hotel had totally underestimated how many people would be in the restaurant. However, this didn’t seem to put a damper on the festivities. I heard that the barkeeper eventually had to evict rallygoers somewhere around 1AM. I don’t know much of what happened on Friday, because for most of the day my bike was the only two-wheeled vehicle in the parking lot: the COGgers were out there somewhere, riding, riding, riding, while I was sitting at the registration desk. Friday afternoon the arrival rate started picking up again, and eventually we adjourned to the Whitehorse Press in East Conway for their ice-breaker from 4pm to 7pm. It appeared to be a great success: there were over 50 bikes in the parking lot at any one time. The Press staffers had never seen so many bikes in their parking lot at one time before, especially not Connies! Some people obviously enjoyed the day’s ride, there were mentions of ‘there is just nobody there, the roads are deserted, what great high-speed sweepers’ from a contingent of Western Maine Blasters… Saturday started off with more riding. My wife took over the rally desk, so Brad May and I took the road to Maine shortly after 8:30. Just over six hours, 355 miles, 2 refuels and a few thousand black flies later, we pulled into the hotel parking lot, having had a great (Continued on page 8)
ISSUE 3, 2004
Page 3
Northeast “Green Mountain Fever” Fall Rally - by Steven Smith, NEAD #3184 Registration is open for the COG Northeast “Green Mountain Fever” Fall Rally, September 9-12. We have cleverly moved the rally date a month earlier to take advantage of some warmer riding weather as we head to the Village of Stowe, Vermont. Each year the attendance of the Northeast Area Regional Rallies continues to climb. More and more COG members and friends are finding out that these events are a lot of fun. We hope that you will help us maintain this trend by adding it to your calendar now and honoring us with attendance. We hope to provide a memorable event and have some great routes being planned. The late summer weather should provide spectacular riding conditions. On Friday this rally will also feature an optional bonus location Scavenger Hunt that should be a lot of fun for all those choosing to participate.
We have chosen Commodores Inn (www.commodoresinn.com) as our rally headquarters, which provides a beautiful 30-acre lakeside setting at the entrance to Stowe. Featuring modern comfort with country charm, this resort has all of the amenities to make your visit enjoyable including: a 3-1/2 acre lake with canoes, kayaks, row boats and paddle boats; heated outdoor and indoor pools; 3 large Jacuzzis, 2 saunas; comfortable living room with large fieldstone fireplace, and more. We have arranged special room rates for singles and doubles as shown on the registration form. Commodores Inn is also offering a special rate that includes a full hot buffet breakfast each morning. Please take a moment to look at the Fall Rally web page at www.concours.org/ne/FallFoliage
Rally Within a Rally Scavenger Hunt - by Steve Dave, John and Jon, Mischievous Scavenger Hunt Hosts. Rally Within a Rally Scavenger Hunt by Steve, Dave, John and Jon, mischievous scavenger hunt hosts! For this year’s “Green Mountain Fever” Fall Rally, we have decided to try something a little new and different; a scavenger hunt!! Call it a rally within the rally. Well, it is not really new. Under the careful watch of Mike Flynn, the COG Contest Director, members have been doing this for a while. This year, Mike has sent people off in search of “the presidents” for a year-long scavenger hunt.
website 72-hours before the start of the rally. Then, it is up to you to plan the best route to get the most points without taking longer than 8-hours or exceeding 350 miles. You will find out what you have to do at each location in your rally welcome packet when you arrive at the Rally. So, you may then have to adjust your route choices before leaving at 8:30am so that you are not time-barred.
When Will it Start/End – Friday morning at 8:00 we will have a brief riders’ meeting and conduct odometer checks. At 8:30 you are off in search of your “win” and to enjoy some awesome roads, solo Our scavenger hunt will take a little less time. No more than 8-hours or with a partner in crime. But be careful because your partner is also to be exact, and no more than 350 miles. Yes, folks you must be your competition! You must check back in between 3:30 pm and back in under 8-hours and do no more than 350 miles. There is no 4:30 pm with the required verification of reaching the bonus minimum for miles and winners may travel as little as 130 miles in locations (so hold on tight to the verifications) and a final odometer the whole day. It all depends! So you ask, what’s the deal? How will check. Anyone over the mileage limit shall be disqualified, and it work? Well, here is the scoop. anyone who does not return by 4:30 shall be disqualified. How it Works - Your hosts have selected bonus locations Additionally, anyone who gets a speeding ticket shall have a throughout Vermont and the surrounding New England states each predetermined number of points deducted. And, yes, we have a worth a different amount of points. Of course, the bonus locations method in place to find out! are placed in strategic locations to ensure great roads and scenery. What Do I Win - Of course, you mean what do I win besides a great And, of course there will be more locations then you will be able to day of awesome roads and scenic riding? Well, first, second and reach within the 8-hours and 350 miles. The trick is to plan your third place finishers shall receive a trophy at the banquet on route so that you acquire the most points, but do not become barred Saturday. And, everyone enjoys a great time!! Please submit your because you exceeded the 8-hours or 350 mile limitation. But be registrations early so that we can better prepare for the scavenger forewarned, this is not about speed! The bonus locations will require hunt! And, it is only an extra $5.00!! (Due to cost and time involved you to do things. For example, bonus locations may be at a restaurant we need to have a minimum of 15 riders participating in the where you have to eat/rest for no less than 30 minutes, require you to get a timed gas receipt by a certain time, spend time in a motorcycle scavenger hunt.) So, come play. dealership, go for a swim in a hot spring, or take a tram ride. The carefully guarded bonus locations shall be posted on the Rally
Slate Run for Buns Ride - by Russell Fleming
AAD #599
The Slate Run for Buns Ride was held May 1&2, 2004. In attendance were Russell Fleming, Bruce Harbin, Bobby Winters, Ed Myers, Tony Borum, Paul Farinholt, Wes Dunn, Steve Browne, Bob Fleming, Missy Lippy, John Lippy and Dave Leburn. Others were supposed to go but watched the weather channel too long and got scared; even though it wasn’t that bad. Missy was the only passenger, with her harem; she was able to see a bald eagle soaring. Arriving at Slate Run some of the girls recognized Russell and asked him if he brought his motorcycle buddies with him. Getting their bellies stuffed with super sandwiches the group headed for Wellsboro. We did have some rain but not what they were calling for.
Pennsylvania. There was a discussion on if we saw a bald eagle or a buzzard. We went to the steak house in town and had the special prime rib, the best we ever had. Sunday morning some of us went to the New York border. We made it back in time to meet everybody for breakfast at Harlands. Let’s document this: Russell was not packed and ready to go like everybody else. This is a first. Every one had a good ride home through World’s End State Park. We got to ride 28 miles of Route 125 also known as Deal’s Gap of PA. At the end of the ride everybody was saying great roads, great food, great friends, and looking forward to going back next year. The gaslights through town are another nice sight to see.
Checking into the rooms we took a ride to the Grand Canyon of Page 4
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
Northeast Ride Schedule - view the most current event info at www.concours.org/ne/schedules.htm Schoolhouse Rd. Fleming's is 1 mile on left at top of hill. Camping in the back yard on Friday and Saturday night. Please give me a call if you (ON) S. Central Ontario Get-Together Monthly: Gather at Bumpers in Milton, ON on plan on coming so that I know how much food the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm just to fix. Contact Russell Fleming 410-374-9687 to meet, exchange factual anecdotes, plan rides, fleming@qis.net etc. From 401 S. on 25 through Milton to where (CT) Ride, Hike, Water Falls & Ride More 25 jigs left; keep going straight (Martin St.) 6/20/2004 - Meet at Marcus Dairy in Danbury, until you come to a T (Main St.) turn right. CT at 8:30 AM. Ride starts at 9:15 AM. For Bumpers is on the right about a block up. From directions to Marcus Dairy go to QEW or Hwy 5, take 25 north (aka Bronte) to Milton. Contact Dave Clancy 905-389-7681 or www.marcusdairysupersunday.com/directions.htm or e-mail me. This ride will combine some clanfam@hwcn.org awesome, scenic twisties skirting back and forth along the CT/NY border and then routing (CT) Dinner Ride-In us into the Berkshire Taconics. We will enjoy Monthly: We will gather for dinner and the Bash Bish Falls & a packed lunch (prepare conversation on the 1st Wednesday of each your lunch in advance). If you like twisties, the month at 6pm. Great way to meet and renew beauty of nature, and moderate hiking, this is old friendships. Check the schedule to see if a one event not to be missed. All riders and all new place was selected as a change of pace. If bikes welcome. Contact Jon Coler not, our usual meeting place will be the 860.257.4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com Cromwell Diner, Cromwell, CT, I-91, exit 21
Repetitive Events
(RT372), about 1/4 mile west on the left. Contact Jon Coler 860-257-4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com (PA) Meet Greet and Ride Sundays We will meet at the Kings Restaurant located in Imperial PA. at 10:00 am and pick a destination with who ever shows up, or I will have a ride planned. Kings is located right off the Imperial exit of routes 22-30. Need directions or more info, contact Joe Cyprych. cyprych@hky.com or 724.796.1401. Hope to see you there.
Calendar of Events
COG Floodcity National, Johnstown, PA 7/13/2004 - 7/17/2004 - No excuse for NE area members to miss out on another COG National. Get registration forms from the Concourier, rally web site, or touch base with the rally master or area director. Call Jason Kaplitz 814535-8669 or www.concours.org/2004
(NH) Maine European Motorcycle Event 7/23 - 7/25/04 - See current and older European motorcycles, and a visit to Dave Percival's collection of over 70 BMWs of all shapes and sizes. Lots of western Maine riding is included in the mix. Last year we stayed at the Jordan (PA) Thunder in the Valley Weekend Ride Grand Resort Hotel. You will need to phone the 6/25 - 6/27/2004 - Weekend camp and ride group sales department (207.824.5850 Mon-Fri, centering around the (non-COG) Thunder in the 8-5) to make a reservation. I'm not sure whether Valley motorcycle rally held in Johnstown, PA. we will go for the weekend or just for a ride on We will take in the rally and do some riding on Saturday. Contact Tony Shelver 603.520.0324 the roads in this area. Camping is available Fri. or tshelver@hotmail.com and Sat. nights at my camp located in Bakersville, PA. The camp is located off RT 31, (CT) The Dairy, The Moose & The Bean on Grove Rd. - a good land mark would be the 7/25/2004 -Meet at Marcus Dairy in Danbury, Laurel Mountain Inn, a restaurant and bar CT at 8:30 AM. Ride starts at 9:15 AM. Ride located on RT 31; Grove Rd. is directly across along sensational twisties skirting the CT, NY the street from here. Follow grove road up the State line and then route to The Wandering hill appr.1.5 miles; camp will be on the left. If Moose Café in W. Cornwall, CT for a brief you need any more info contact Joe Cyprych: break and some light fare. We’ll head along the 724.796.1401 or cyprych@hky.com CT/MA line to The Vanilla Bean in Pomfret, CT. These restaurants are area motorcyclists’ NE - Fall Rally Scouting/Camping Party favorites. All riders and bikes welcome. 6/25 - 6/27/2004 - This scouting party is in Contact Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or support of the forthcoming Northeast area "Fall joncoler@yahoo.com Green Mountain Fever Rally" to be held (MA) Southern VT Day September 9 - 12, 2004. This scouting party will be somewhat unique and very exciting as it 8/7/2004 - Meet at Moto Market, Acton, MA at will include a camping option and be sort of a 8:30am, and take a ride up through Southern mini "pre-fall rally" in and of itself. Tent Vermont. Routes include; RT 100, 30, 112. camping will be at Common Ground Park Host: Kevin Martin 978-459-6275 or Campground in Hyde Park, VT. We will travel cog145@sprintmail.com to Stowe on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, teams consisting of two riders each will explore (WV) Dog Days Ride, Boyer, WV a pre-set route. The agenda will be 8/13/04 - 8/14/04: Leave the heat and join other predetermined by the arrival date at the Coggers at the Boyer Motel and Campground at campground. The base rate for a tent site is $15. 2,693 feet where the weather is cooler and the Two tents are allowed per site... etc. Be all that roads are great. Excellent restaurant, you can be... The Few, The Proud, The campground, and a motel all at one location. Scouts...! Contact Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or Call the Boyer Motel for reservations at (304) joncoler@yahoo.com 456-4667. Plenty of deer in this pretty area… watch for them! Pat Sprague 540-743-5132 (MA) Visit Queeche Gorge, VT psprague@shentel.net 6/26/2004 - Meet at Dunkin Donuts on RT 110, Chelmsford (Exit 34 / 495) @ 7:30 am. Join me (NH) Vermont Perimeter Ride for an early morning ride up to Queeche 8/13/2004 - 8/14/2004 - A weekend ride around Vermont to have lunch and view Vermont’s the borders of Vermont. Mark Jenson Little Grand Canyon. Host: Kevin Martin 978- 603.756.4143 or mjenson@adelphia.net 459-6275 or cog145@sprintmail.com
(MD) North Meets South 7 6/18/2004 - 6/20/2004 - Gathering at Martha & Russell Fleming’s house in Hampstead, MD. 2610 Old Fort Schoolhouse Rd. Friday: Come and setup your tent and have a cookout in the evening. There is plenty of tent space in the backyard. Saturday: Breakfast, Ride and Cookout. Breakfast will be held in the driveway. Serving Bacon and Eggs, Juice and Coffee. Starting at 8:00 am then you can leave at your free will on a 270 mile ride that end back here for a cookout that will start about 6 pm. Sunday: Breakfast will be held one more time in the driveway. Starting 8:30 with a guided ride there after. Non camping lodging in Westminster, MD: Boston Inn, 800-634-0846, 410-848-9095; Days Inn, 800-329-7466, 410-857-0500; Best Western, 800-528-1234, 410-857-1900. Lodging in Hanover, MD: Hampton Inn, 800-426-7866, 717-633-1117; Super 8, 800-800-8000, 717-630-8888; Clearview Motor Inn, 717-637-3701. Directions to the Fleming's: From Westminster: Route 140 to Route 27 North 6 miles, Right on Old Fort Schoolhouse Rd. Fleming's is 1 mile on left at top of hill. From Hanover: Take PA 94 south into MD where it becomes MD 30. Continue to Manchester. Turn right at MD 27 (Sheetz store (MA) Mt. Greylock Summit Ride on left) 2.4 miles. Then a left onto Old Fort ISSUE 3, 2004
7/3/2004 - Date Change -Meet at Dunkin Donuts on RT 110, Chelmsford (Exit 34 / 495) @ 7:30 am. Join me for a ride out the Mohawk Trail into North Adams MA to climb to the summit of Mt. Greylock, the highest point in the State of Massachusetts (3,491 ft). Host: Kevin Martin 978-459-6275 or cog145@sprintmail.com
(Continued on page 6) Page 5
(Schedule continued from page 5)
(CT) Connecticut Camping Weekend 8/14-8/15/04 - Come join us for some camping fun in Southeastern Connecticut!!! Exact times for meeting, etc... will be announced as the event date approaches. We will meet Saturday morning at the Cromwell Diner in Cromwell, CT for breakfast and then take back roads to Markham Meadows Campgrounds. We'll unload the bikes, and set up camp and then head over to the Northeast corner of Connecticut loop around and head back down to the shore for some delicious, seafood. Then we'll head back over the river to Gillette's Castle - we're hoping to arrange a "behind the scenes" private tour. Depending on time, we can head out for another ride or back to camp which is twenty minutes from the Castle. Bback at the campground we’ll share a campfire, beverages, and maybe experience a fire grilled mushroom burger. Mark your calendar and get the camping gear ready. We are tryng to keep the cost of the campground between $12.00 and $20.00 per person. The campground cost will depend on the number of participants. Contact Jon 860.257.4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com (CT) Meet, Greet n Ride, Southbury 8/15/2004 - Cancelled - everyone will be at the CT camping weekend… (see above) (MD) COG / BMW Get Together 8/15/2004 - Russell Fleming of COG and Eddie Phelps of MW were discussing way to get more camaraderie between brands of motorcycles. Here is what we came up with. Meet for breakfast at the Golden Corral in Frederick MD on route 355 south of route 70 at 9 am. After breakfast route sheets will be handed out for a 130 mile self guided ride that will end at Mountain Gate Family Restaurant in Waynesboro PA. The ride will take you on some of the FINEST Motorcycle riding roads in the area. Come out and show your support for Sport Touring at it’s finest. Contact Russell Fleming 410-374-9687 or fleming@qis.net (NH) 45th Parallel Lunch 8/21/2004 - Jeff Adams repeats this ride by popular request... Dine from the widest menu in the Great North Woods, only yards South of the 45th parallel, exactly halfway between the Equator & the North Pole! Take a souvenir photo by the historic marker! Dine on goose, smell the spruce, see the moose! We are meeting at the Spa Restaurant in West Stewartston, NH, RT 3: just yards from the 45th parallel. The food is good, plentiful (to excess) and cheap: right up the COG alley. Contact Jeff Adams Jeff@WhitehorsePress.com or Tony Shelver 603.520.0324 (MA) White Mountains Ride 9/4/2004 - Date Change - Meet at Dunkin Donuts on RT 110, Chelmsford, MA (Exit 34 / 495) @ 8 am and ride up through the Lakes Region and across the Kancamagus Highway. Host: Kevin Martin 978-459-6275 or Page 6
cog145@sprintmail.com (VT) Northeast Fall Rally 9/9 - 9/12/04 – Stowe, VT. A fun filled weekend is planned. Commodores Inn will be the rally headquarters. Mark your calendars now. Check out the info in this issue.
Keys Diner. Restaurant is located at the intersection of US route 30 and route 94. Contact: Russell Fleming 410-374-9687 or fleming@qis.net
(CT) Meet, Greet n Ride, Southbury 10/17//2004 - Meeting time 9:00am at Dunkin Donuts in Southbury. A route may be provided (GA) Run with the Wolf Rally, Suches, GA or riders will decide where they want to go. Directions: From I-84: Get off exit 15 go north 9/9/04 - 9/12/04: A perennial favorite. Great to light at first shopping plaza on left. Take a roads, great destination (TWO), great food, left and then an immediate left into shopping great COG companions. Hosted by the SE Area, folks ride from Ontario, Florida, the mid- plaza. Look for Dunkin Donuts. (Look carefully, zoning laws don’t allow usual bright west and all points in between to enjoy this rally. Meet at Afton Mountain, Route 250 at the DD sign Contact Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway on Thursday at 8am sharp. It’s about 420 twisty (VA) Fall Foliage Ride Weekend miles to our first night stop at Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground where we will spend 10/22/04 – 10/24/04 - Pat and Sharry Sprague will host a weekend camp and ride at their the night and have breakfast Friday morning before riding some of the best motorcycle roads home based One Wheel Only, seven miles north of Luray. This will be approximately a in the US before arriving at TWO. No 260 mile ride on Saturday from OWO, with reservations are required for camping, but camping available there Friday and Saturday lodging may be reserved at BRMC nights. A continental breakfast will be served 828-235-8350 and at TWO 706-747-5151. Saturday and Sunday mornings, barbecue on Contact Pat Sprague 540-743-5132 Friday night, and a chili with fixins’ supper on psprague@shentel.net Saturday night. Lunch on Saturday will be on (CT) Meet, Greet n Ride, Southbury the road. Come ride with friends, make some new ones, and see the beauty of Autumn in the 9/19//2004 - Meeting time 9:00am at Dunkin Donuts in Southbury. A route may be provided mountains. To get to the Sprague's, from Luray, VA, ride north on Rt. 340 about 5 miles. When or riders will decide where they want to go. Directions: From I-84: Get off exit 15 go north you see Springfield Elementary School on the left, go about 1/2 mile further and turn left on to light at first shopping plaza on left. Take a Rt. 661 (Cavalier Rd). Rt. 661 becomes a good left and then an immediate left into shopping gravel road. Ride 8/10 mile and turn right on plaza. Look for Dunkin Donuts. (Look carefully, zoning laws don’t allow usual bright Beylor's Ferry Road. Go 4/10 mile and their house is the third driveway on the left (#421 DD sign Contact Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or Beylor's Ferry Road). Turn left at the "Wheelie" joncoler@yahoo.com and allow the dogs to sniff you. Please call or (VA) The General's Scouts, New Market, VA email Pat and Sharry so they can plan the food 9/24/2004 - Awright all you enlistees, draftees, requirements. Contact: Pat Sprague at 540-743-4874 or psprague@shentel.net and overnight officers who can read and rite. Join up and serve your COGdom (Blue or (MA) Trip to Lake Sunapee, NH Gray), and help scout out some roads, attractions, and historical points to be featured 10/30/2004 - Meet at Dunkin Donuts on RT 110, Chelmsford, MA (Exit 34 / 495) @ 8:30 in “The General’s Ride”, a Civil War theme am for a late Fall ride up to Lake Sunapee. rally to be held one year from now in New Routes include; NH RT-123, 124, 103. Host: Market, VA. We muster men and materiel at Kevin Martin 978-459-6275 or The Johnny Appleseed Restaurant at the Quality Inn on route 211 in New Market, VA at cog145@sprintmail.com 9am Saturday morning. Camping is available at (NH) The ABF2 Ride-to-eat OWO both Friday and Saturday nights. Uncle 10/31004 – (Absolutely B*y Freezing, COG wants YOU! Contact Pat Sprague Absolutely B*y Final) Last ride of the year. 540-743-5132 psprague@shentel.net Venue TBD. Tony Shelver 603.520.0324 or (MA) Trip to Ludlow, VT tshelver@hotmail.com 10/2/2004 - Meet at Dunkin Donuts on RT 110, There are more events on the NE schedule that Chelmsford, MA (Exit 34 / 495) @ 8 am. Join me for a secnic Fall ride up NH RT-123 & 124 will appear next issue or go to the online ride crossing the Connecticut River at Bellows Falls. database: We’ll head north on RT-5 & 103 stopping for www.concours.org/schedule lunch at the Mill Restaurant on Main St. in Ludlow VT. After lunch we’ll tour more of Vermont’s best roads. Host: Kevin Martin 978-459-6275 or cog145@sprintmail.com (PA) Sunday Breakfast Ride Cross Keys Diner 10/17/04 - Meet for breakfast at 9am at Cross N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
C o n c o u r s
O w n e r s
G r o u p
Northeast Fall Rally “Green Mountain Fever”
This event will be
September 9 - 12, 2004 Rally Headquarters: Commodores Inn, 823 South Main Street, Stowe, VT. Website: www.commodoresinn.com Phone: 1.800.447.8693. Provides a beautiful 30-acre Lakeside setting at the entrance to Stowe. Featuring modern comfort with country charm, this family owned and operated resort has all of the amenities to make your visit enjoyable. The amenities feature: 3 1/2 acre lake with canoes, kayaks, row boats and paddle boats; Heated Outdoor and Indoor Pools; 3 large Jacuzzis, 2 saunas; Comfortable living room with large fieldstone fireplace; Quiet reading / board game area; Wide screen TV, VCR/DVD; Fitness facility with exercise equipment; Game room. Room Rates: Single: $68 ($78) Double: $78 ($88). Special rates are per room, per night, and include tax and gratuities. (Rates in parenthesis are per room per night and include breakfast, tax, and gratuities) A limited block of rooms has been set aside and will be held until 08/09/2004, so book your room early. Call Commodores Inn directly for reservations and let them know if you are selecting the breakfast package or not. (Be sure to mention Concours Owners Group). Riding: Thursday rides will be impromptu & self-guided, decided by those present. Sample route sheets will be provided and are planned as self-guided rides for Friday and Saturday. On Friday there will be an optional 8-hour bonus location, scavenger hunt, with awards presented to the winners - an extra fee of $5/bike for members, $10/bike for non-members applies to cover scavenger hunt costs. Events: There will be a Friday evening welcome reception and a Saturday evening banquet held at the Commodore Inn. Restaurants: Commodore Inn has an on site restaurant and lounge. There are other restaurants in the surrounding area. Rally Fee: $35 (US $) per person for COG members, including their immediate family and significant other; $40 for non-COG members and their guests. An additional $5.00 late fee for all registrations received after 8/20/04. Full refund issued before 8/20/04; refund less $5 after 8/20/04; no refund after 9/2/04. We cannot guarantee a banquet meal for registrations received after 9/2/04. The rally fee covers the cost of the welcome reception, banquet, and normal rally expenses. Send lower portion of the Registration Form with rally fee payable to “Concours Owners Group” to: Steve Smith – Fall Rally 39 Alison Ave. Naugatuck, CT 06770
Questions / Comments / Suggestions? Steven Smith: 203.720.7575 nead@concours.org Rally web page: www.concours.org/ne/fallfoliage
Rally Registration Form (Please PRINT Clearly) Name: (One person per form) __________________________________________ AMA # ___________ COG #__________ Street: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________________ State/Province: ___________ Zip Code: _______________ Phone: (______)_____-____________ E-Mail: _______________________________________________ Country: ________
Motorcycle model: _________________________ License tag # __________________ I wish to participate in the Friday scavenger hunt:
□ No □ Yes – please include $5 additional ($10 non-member) per bike
Emergency Contact: Name: _________________________ Relationship: _____________ Phone : (_____)_____-_________
Please read and sign the following Concours Owners Group Release: I understand that the Concours Owners Group (COG) cannot assume responsibility for my personal safety in this event. I choose to participate in this event voluntarily, based on my own assessment of my abilities, the routes conditions and facilities, and therefore assume all risks. I release and hold harmless COG, its officers, agents and members from any and all injury and/or loss to my person or property that may result from my participation in this event. I further certify that my vehicle and I are in compliance with all applicable license, insurance and financial responsibility laws applicable to my participation in this event. All participants under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian sign the following additional release. As the parent or guardian of the above participant, and being informed or familiar with the risks normally associated with motorcycle events, I hereby consent to his or her participation in this event, and accept and adopt all the representations and assumptions of risk set forth in the foregoing release.
Participant Signature: _______________________________________ ISSUE 3, 2004
Parent or Guardian (if applicable) ________________________________ Page 7
Our Newest Northeast Area Members Roy Andrews, #6278 St Marys, PA
Martin & Pamela Smith, #6298 Loudon, NH
Alan Peabody, #6322 Scarborough, ME
Thomas Scott, #6280 Webster, NY
Michael Benham, #6309 Dover, NH
Richard Knowlton, #6327 Belgrade, ME
Aaron Thieme, #6283 Norwich, CT
Michael Margolis, #6311 Herndon, VA
James Streeter, #6334 Portsmouth, NH
Terry & Miriam Hills, #6288 St Catharines, ON Canada
Jack Macica, #6313 Saratoga Springs, NY
Mark Lange, #6335 Amherst, MA
Jerry Jantz, #6301 Cranberry, PA
Steven Benner, #6317 Harveys Lake, PA
Dan Lim, #6338 Voorheesville, NY
Alfredo Morgia, #6304 Essex, MD
Christian Johnson & Elizabeth Macmanus, #6318
Paul Giblin, #6306 North Conway, NH
George Parmelee, #6320 Naugatuck, Ct
Johnston, RI
(Spring Fling, continued from page 3)
ride. The ZX had seen a little WFO riding, the Wing had lost an ounce or two of metal and rubber, and we were ready for banquet and beers. I was surprised at how well Brad has got his Wing trained: it has learned to follow Kawasaki tail pipes very obediently, even if they aren’t in sight. It only passes when invited, and it doesn’t even seem to mind what model of Kawasaki is in front… Our customary Fling banquet in the Carriage House followed the group photos (and the double rainbow that a lot of us relaxing on the verandah saw). The hotel did a great job, one COGger saying that the food was ‘unbelievably good for a buffet’. Steve Smith welcomed the assembled COGgers, and the owners of the Whitehorse Press (Dan and Judy Kennedy) announced the winner of the ice-breaker raffle, and the door prizes give-away concluded the formal festivities. A number of folks adjourned to the verandah and hotel bar to wrap up the evening.
It’s not just the COGgers who appreciated the Fling. A local bank attendant talking to COGger Jeff Adams mentioned something about ‘such a lot of pretty bikes in town this weekend, and they’re even quiet’. Dan Kennedy from Whitehorse Press said ‘we really need something like this in the Mt Washington Valley more regularly’, and even the hotel wants us back! For those who are Backroads subscribers, keep a lookout for the rally report as Brian Rathjen and Shira Kamil attended, and really liked the area and hotel. If you would like to make use of the rally documentation for future rides, it will remain on the web. You can link to it by beginning at the Spring Fling Ride Report page at www.concours.org and, and follow the links to my personal rally page, where you can download the documents. They are currently in MS Word format, but are slowly being converted to PDFs. The rally page itself will also move and change format in the future.
So now it’s over to the guys from Connecticut who are organizing Sunday morning dawned a bit wet, and COGgers slowly drifted out the Fall Foliage rally in Stowe, VT. See you all in September! into the drizzle on their way home. The first person I saw depart was Mark Jenson, around 6 a.m. By 11:30, most COGgers were well on their way, ironically just as the weather was starting to dry up from the north. Page 8
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