Cognitions By Steven Smith, North East Area Director Expanded
Issue 6, 2004
COG Executive Director (ED) Election: I suspect the next Concourier issue will have more details, but since the news is spreading quickly I want to leave you with no doubts… Elected COG Director positions have a two year term and are staggered to maintain some continuity among board members. The elections were held, the votes counted, and the results are in and final without debate over hanging chads… Bob Dombrowe, the COG Secretary, has announced that the Area Directors have elected Guy B. Young II to be COG’s next Executive Director and will commence a two-year term effective January 1, 2005. Guy will retain his position as Technical Editor. In addition to being the current Executive Director, Carl Metler simultaneously serves as Membership Director and plans to stay on in this role after the first of the year. Thanks to Carl for all his years of being a guiding force for COG. Area Director (AD) Elections: Carl Metler reported that Kerry Perkins and Darrell Anderson have been re-elected to the positions of Area Directors of the SW and the NW respectively, and that Bruce Alsobrook has been elected as the Area Director of the SC area.
Northeast Area News
Concourier Editor Appointment: Prior to the elections, the Board of Directors approved the appointment of Bruce Alsobrook as the new Concourier Editor. Bruce has been working for the past two years as the liaison between Rick Hall (the interim editor) and Echo Publishing Company, where the Concourier is produced. Bruce has a bachelor's degree in journalism from East Texas State University, and has spent a dozen years as reporter and editor at two daily newspapers, and has been the managing editor of the Sulphur Springs (Texas) News-Telegram. He has been a COG member since shortly after purchasing his Concours in October of 2001. He and his wife, Beth, have been married for 14 years, and adopted their three foster children, Rob, Daniel, and Laura, in 2002. Rick Hall has been the interim editor of the Concourier for almost two years, and once again has proven his dedication to the organization by stepping up to a job when we needed someone. Thank you, Rick! New Northeast Assistant Area Director (AAD): I am pleased to welcome another addition to the COG Northeast Area Leadership Team...MacDonald, #2349 of Greely, Ontario, Canada has accepted an appointment as NE AAD - Eastern Ontario. Ron has been actively keeping the COG spirit alive for years and was a past AAD before my time in the group. He has decided to come out of retirement to once again have an impact on the riding life of Eastern Ontario Concours riders. A year or so back he started up a Yahoo Group email list for Eastern ON members and friends. If you are interested in the email list the web address is: ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Connymeisters-EOCRG 2005 Riding Season: The ride and activity schedule is really beginning to take shape. My desire is to be able to provide basic date and location information of upcoming rallies as early as possible. This allows you to be able to plan which events you would like to attend more effectively. The AADs have been terrific at providing their information on time, if not early. We need to give an a lot of credit to the folks who are able to plan rides and events far in advance. This is a very challenging task – especially for those of us with jobs, families, and other daily commitments (that’s everyone, right?) If you have an idea or would like to plan a ride or activity, now is the time to touch base with your AAD or myself to get going. A big part of a successful activity is being able to advertise it in the ride schedule so that others find out about it. The entire NE Area ride schedule is kept current in the COG online Ride Schedule Database and the NE Staff tries very hard to keep it up to date. Our ride schedule is too extensive to publish in its entirety in the newsletter, so we choose to provide a few months listing of upcoming events in each issue. Even though this issue lists rides & activities into April, do not take this to be a complete list as there are still more to be added. I am confident that the next newsletter will list all spring events. Reminders:
•
From the Newsletter Editor: The next Newsletter Deadline is: January 30, 2005
•
From the COG Treasurer: COG charges a $20 fee for any returned check.
Have a very wonderful holiday season and a healthy New Year. Until next time, ride safe. Steve
COG presence at Toronto SuperShow The onset of the new year brings with it the International Motorcycle SuperShow 2005 in Toronto, Ontario. This is North America’s largest motorcycle show, larger than the shows in New York, Chicago, Detroit and Montreal. A group of COG enthusiasts from the southern Ontario area will have a booth set up promoting the COG and the Concours. Come on out and join us, meet other COG members and add your support. The COG booth well be set up in Hall 1 and will be manned the whole show. Nothing special is planned. We will have a few copies of the Concourier for people to look at and we will have a one page handout talking about COG with an application form on the back. Fri Jan 7 10am-10pm, Sat Jan 8 10am-10pm, Sun Jan 9 10am6pm. International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd. Free Parking. Admission $15 for Adults, $5 for youths 6-12 and free for kids under 6. www.supershowevents.com
Winter Social - by Jon Coler, AAD We had a wonderful turnout of 28 COGgers at the NE pre-winter social held at Hooters in Wethersfield, CT. Members as far north as New Hampshire and as far south as Queens, NY made this event one exciting and fun gathering. Several members rode their bikes, most drove. Wings, wings, and more wings, thanks to COG. As planned, we assembled at 2:00ish and the better part of the group did not break up until about 5:30PM. After Hooters, some folks met at The Outback for a bit of a nibble and drinks. Thank you to all who attended and made this a memorable, fun time. Best wishes and Happy Holidays.
Northeast Area Officers Area Director Steven Smith, #3184 Naugatuck, CT 203-720-7575 nead@concours.org
Webmaster Open position Inquire within Newsletter Editor Louis Caplan #2894 703-978-9844 Nighthawk700@yahoo.com
Assistant Area Directors New Hampshire Tony Shelver, #2647 Moultonborough, NH 603.520.0324 tshelver@hotmail.com Massachusetts Kevin Martin, #145 Dracut, MA 978-459-6275 cog145@sprintmail.com Connecticut Jonathan Coler, #5379 Rocky Hill, CT 860-257-4009 jcoler@yahoo.com Metro NY/NJ Jim Clark, #2113 Valley Stream, NY 516-872-3694 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 Page 2
Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh (Western PA) Joe Cyprych, #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/Southern PA 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 Atlantic Maritimes, Canada Ian Rennie, #5525 Saint John, NB 506-635-2124 IanRennie@mac.com Greater Toronto, Canada Craig and Lynn Scott, #6054/A Guelph, Ontario 519-823-1545 clscott@golden.net Eastern Ontario, Canada Ronald MacDonald, #2349 Greely, Ontario 613-821-1206 macdonrg@rogers.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
Massachusetts AAD Report - by Kevin Martin, AAD #145 Well, the year is winding down, and because of the early cold and wet weather Mother Nature sent our way, especially last week’s snow storm, I’ve actually had a number of those scary visions of my new Connie being put away for it’s first long cold winter nap. But I’m not ready to give up the fight yet, I’m still holding out for a few more good riding days as we move toward Christmas. Even though this wasn’t the best year weather wise, with some luck, I was able to hold all of my “Meet-N-Greet” rides with only a few re-schedules. There were a few rides that we expected to be held on sunny & warm days but turned out to be on the cool side with our own personal black clouds following us around, but I guess you have to expect that in New England. It’s hard enough scheduling rides and taking responsibility for leading a group, but when you can’t even depend on the Boston forecasters to get the weather predictions right, what’s this world coming to ? Actually, I’ve been thinking very seriously about a career change to weather forecasting. Hey where else can you get a great paying job and not have to worry about being wrong 90% of the time? But as I think back, it could have been a lot worse. All in all, we had good participation from the Membership on all of the rides, and everyone that attended had a genuinely good time. I know this to be true as I received the ultimate compliment from one of our New Hampshire Members, (who will remain nameless), when after lunch when I went to pay my bill, the waitress told me it had already been paid. It was his way of showing his appreciation for my efforts with hosting monthly rides. In response to his kindness, I say – you’re very welcome! Oh, by the way, any time someone wants to buy me lunch, I’ll be happy to accept – just kidding. In between all of the other COG rides, activities, and rallies, not to mention personal stuff, I managed to squeeze in, for good measure, my very first ever Tech Session, which was held on October 23rd. I’m sorry for not being able to provide members with more notice, but it was an unscheduled event as I really never planned on holding a Tech Session this year, especially so late in the season with the weather being so unpredictable. Glen Ilacqua very much needed to do a valve adjustment on his ’03 Concours and wanted to learn the process himself to save some future bucks. With some quick planning, a bunch of emails, another prayer to the weather gods, and an offer to buy me breakfast, I was able to pull it all together. (There seems to be a pattern here that I’d do anything for a free meal! Ok, so I’m easy). Anyway, joining Glen, by also sacrificing his Connie to the COG doctor, was member Wayne Geiser. Before we started though, a bunch of us went to a local restaurant for a hearty breakfast, where I got my free meal (I love saying that). As we were leaving the restaurant, New Hampshire member Pete Stevenson rolled into the
parking lot, waved hello, and before I knew it he and Bill Hamilton pull out for a Saturday ride. Needless to say we never saw them again. Hey; they missed some of my best home grilled burgers. The rest of the dedicated techies proceeded to work on their bikes while I provided Glen and Wayne with the necessary valve adjustment tutorials. When it was all over, everybody’s bike fired right up and purred down my driveway to the street for the long ride home, and best of all, I never found any parts left over when I was cleaning up after the event. Success! For those of you who know me, I’ve owned a Concours since 1987, and have always done my own servicing. In 17 years I think I’ve only been back to a Dealer once for warranty service. Guess I’ve been lucky. Because I’ve always done my own servicing, I figured that most members pretty much did their own as well, and really wouldn’t be interested in attending a Tech Session. But from the emails I got, it became clear that there are more people out there than I thought who don’t do their own servicing, but would really like to learn. I think this is because they never had the opportunity to have someone show them how easy it really is. I have to admit, that to new owners and to people who feel that they don’t have enough mechanical ability, working on a big sport-touring bike like the Concours can be intimidating. I would venture to say that a Concours valve adjustment is one of the more involved routine service procedures anyone can do on a Concours, but ask Glen or Wayne if it was as hard as they thought it would be, and I’ll bet they tell you that it was really quite easy, just time consuming. And that’s the point I tried to get across. If you allocate the time and pay attention to detail, anyone can do their own servicing, even something as involved as a valve adjustment, cause its really not that difficult. I think the event went very well for a first time effort, and I will certainly consider doing another one next season. If somebody has something specific they would like to learn, feel free to shoot off some ideas, or we could do another valve adjustment, there seems to be plenty of interest with that procedure. One thing I wanted to do but didn’t have time was to give everybody a demonstration of my Eazy Rizer lift. It’s one of the best tools I’ve ever bought for my bike. It you want to see what it looks like, check out my website. Other Mass-COG Business: Well I haven’t planned out next year’s ride schedule yet, but there’s plenty of time for that even though Steve would have liked to see the entire schedule posted in September. Hell, I don’t know what I’m doing next week, let alone next year. (Continued on page 4)
E X P AN D E D
Page 3
(MA AAD Report, Continued from page 3)
I do, however, have an offer on the table from Member Doug Gray to host an overnight ride next summer out to Cooperstown, NY, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Doug hosted his “Roads Less Traveled” ride this past summer, which was a great success, and his Cooperstown ride is expected to be even better, so stay tuned for more information as we firm up the details. I am planning on hosting another Winter Social like I did last year, only I’m looking for a different location to make it more accessible to members outside of Massachusetts. I felt that the Brewhouse Café in Lowell was a good pick but not real easy to get to for those who are not familiar with Lowell, so I’m looking for something closer to one of the interstates. Check the next Newsletter for updates. Looking a little further in the future, word has already gotten out, but for those of you who haven’t heard, we’ll be having a Mid-Summer Rally next year to be held on July 28–31, back up at the Commodores Inn in Stowe Vermont. For those of you who attended the Fall Rally, you know that the Commodores is top notch accommodations, so save those dates. Steve’s idea for a mid summer rally was based on some concern that many Members won’t be able to make that long trip to the other coast for the National next year, and wanted to offer an event for people in the Northeast Area so that they don’t feel left out. What a nice guy, huh? More information will be filtering out over the next few months, so stay tuned. We have our winners for the raffle! What raffle you say? If you remember, I came up with the idea of having a raffle at the end of the season for all Members who attended my Meet-N-Greet rides and signed the Club liability waiver form. I took all of the members’ names off the forms and stuffed them in a container and had my daughters pull 2 winners.
MD/PA Ride Report - by Russell Fleming, #599 My hats off to Jay and Kristen Shaffer for lying out a great ride. We had a good bunch at Shrewsbury Family Restaurant. In attendance were Russell Fleming, Bobby Winters, Tony Borum, Gary Manning, Greg Kruse, Paul Farinholt, Alan Brown, Kristen Shaffer, Jay Shaffer, Greg Putterbaugh, and Gerard Salmon. The ride took us on some of my favorite roads and brought back memories of my days before I met Martha. These were the days when I used to run around and party Jay had 145 mile ride laid out which I am glad that I groomed my tires earlier in the week for. I don’t believe that there was more than ½ mile straight stretch on any road. Gerard’s friend Harry says “I love riding with you guys because even though he has a big Yamaha cruiser and drags the floor boards then he goes home and rides for awhile and comes back to ride with the COGGERS just to wear off the rust.” At one point on the ride we went past 2 properties that had camels on them. At the rest stop midway through the ride Bobby told everybody that they were crazy they didn’t see any camels. The first place had buffalo and the second place had llama. Tony decides that he has to go to the bathroom out in the middle of nowhere. We still had about 15 miles to go. About 5 miles later we go by a new house being built with a spot a pot so Tony got to go to the bathroom. The ride ended at LaMotte’s Restaurant, which had good food. Being an AAD in this area I am lucky to have members who are willing to lay out rides and make things easier for me to put rides together. One more note LaMotte’s is about 4 mile from Shrewsbury Family Restaurant. Thanks for a GREAT ride Jay and Kristen.
Brrrrr Ride- by Pat Sprague, AAD #1887 A full day of rain on Friday discouraged some, but 26 folks still attended the Brrrrrrr Ride at Natural Bridge.
The prize is a custom embroidered COG Polo shirt of you choice with your name and COG membership number embroidered on the front. And the winners are; Bill Hamilton / COG# 2758 and our very own Merchandising Coordinator, Dave Fazzuoli / COG# 4610. Congratulations guys! Also, we often have non-COG members attend my rides, so I had a single drawing for our Ride Guests, and Deb Lally will be receiving a COG T-shirt to show my appreciation for joining in on our rides. I’ll be contacting the winners off line to get all of the particulars. I guess that’s it for now. I just want to say thanks again to everyone who attended my local rides, I really enjoyed the company. And thanks everyone who has supported COG and our AD Steve, by either attending, participating, or volunteered their services to help with an event this past year. It’s because of people like you that this Club is as successful as it is! This is a great Club with great people – keep up the good work! Happy Holidays to everyone enjoy the winter season and stay safe.
Present were Guy Young, Clyde Watson, Randy Rosebro, Russell Fleming, Bob Fleming (no relation), Paul Farinholt, Tony Borum, John Lippy, Mike Schmidt, Dusty Schilling, Herman Tessman, Pete Long, Jimmy Miller, Jason Kaplitz, Kurt and Sue Nordstrom, Rich Riczinger, Kraig Neighdig, Jay Horine, Neal and Jenny Wells, Chris and Kendra Weaver, and myself. Bob and Nicole Held drove their car down to join us for breakfast and also at the lunch stop on Saturday. It was good to see them and doing well after their get-off at the fall foliage ride.
As wet riders arrived at the KOA Friday evening tents were pitched and bunks were claimed in the cabins. Rain continued until after 9 PM. The KOA owners offered to run a shuttle for us to pick up pizzas and beer and opened up the game room for us until 10 PM. Hot food, cold beer, warm, dry room. Very nice. (Continued on page 8)
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 want your valves adjusted, make arrangements to bring your bike the night before, or truck it to the Schmidt's on Saturday morning. Mike will (ON) S. Central Ontario Get-Together provide garage space, tools and a lift, and our Monthly Dinner Gathering: Meet on the 2nd own COG Technical Editor, Guy Young should Tuesday of each month at T.L.J's Bar and Grill, be on hand. Things get started at 9:00am. Chili 43 Main Street in Campbellville, ON at 6:30 and grilled cheese sandwiches will be served P.M. 905-854-3111 (bottom of the hill by the around Noon for those mainly interested in train tracks) Cambellville is just off the 401 at eating. Get your bike ready for the riding season Guelph Line, exit #312. Join us for dinner, and enjoy great food and COG camaraderie. It exchange factual anecdotes, plan rides, and has to be warmer this year. Directions to Mike's socialize. Western NY members & nongarage: From the North, East or West: From the members welcome. Craig & Lynn Scott center square in Hanover (where PA routes 94, 519.823.1545 clscott@golden.net 116 and 194 intersect), go south on PA 94 (Baltimore St.) through 2 traffic lights and (PA) Meet Greet and Ride Sundays make a right when you get to Mt. Royal Ave. We will meet at the Kings Restaurant located in Turn right at the first alley. The garage is on the Imperial PA. at 10:00 am and pick a destination left. From the South: Go north on MD route 30 with who ever shows up, or I will have a ride into PA. After passing through 4 traffic lights, planned. Kings is located right off the Imperial make a left when you get to Mt. Royal Ave. exit of routes 22-30. Need directions or more Turn right at the first alley. The garage is on the info, contact Joe Cyprych. cyprych@hky.com left. For those who are directionally challenged or 724.796.1401. Hope to see you there. and rely on GPS, the coordinates are: N 39° 47.64' W 76° 58.66'. Please RSVP to the Schmidt’s so they can plan enough food. Calendar of Events 717.637.2663 or Schmidt@superpa.net
Repetitive Events
(VA) "Cross the Border", Breakfast & Ride 12/12/2004 - We’ll meet at That’s-A-Burger, Inc. at 19606 Carson Road, Dinwiddie, VA (804) 469-7716 at 9 AM. This is on Route 703 near the intersection of Route 670. We’ll leave around 10 AM to ride some back roads crossing into NC, ending up in Appomattox, VA for lunch. Contact: Pat Sprague at 540-743-4874 or psprague@shentel.net “Wherever Ride” 01/01/05 - If the weather permits, give the TV a rest and your bike some exercise. Maybe you’ll get that 50K or 100K sticker this year. No scheduled ride, “Just Do It”. Email or call another COG friend and get together. (CT) Hooters of Wethersfield 01/04/05 - We will meet at Hooters @ 6:00 PM. Combined with the awesome company of fellow COGgers, what could be better? Hooters is located at 1731 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT. For directions, call Hooters at 860-563-8083. Weather permitting; an impromptu ride will follow dinner. Contact: Jon Coler 860-257-4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com (ON) Motorcycle SuperShow Event 1/7/2005 to 1/9/2005 - Toronto SuperShow Event, Motorcycle Show. We will have a COG booth at the show including a couple of bikes. Drop by and check us out. www.supershowevents.com/spring/sms2005.html
(VA) Breakfast & Ride 02/13/05 - Gordonsville, VA Breakfast and ride…and maybe lunch and ride. At 9:30 AM, meet at the Innwood Restaurant on RT 15 just north of the traffic circle in Gordonsville. A ride will follow, weather permitting. Hope for blue skies and clean roads. Will anyone get a 50K or 100K sticker on this ride? Come and see. Alternate date if bad weather will be Sunday 2/20/05. Contact: Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or psprague@shentel.net
(CT) Meet, Eat, Ride 03/01/05 - Meet the first Tuesday of each month for an informal gathering of dinner & conversation. Renew old friendships, & kindle new ones. We will meet at 6:00 PM at the Cromwell Diner, 135 Berlin Road, Cromwell, CT (860-635-7112). Directions to the Diner: I(VA) Port Royal Ride 91 to exit 21, 3/10th of a mile West of the exit 01/09/05 - We’ll meet at Horne’s Restaurant at on the left. Weather permitting, an impromptu Port Royal, VA at the intersection of Routes ride will follow dinner. All bikes and riders 301 and 17 at 9:00 AM. Jim Sparkman has welcome. some interesting back roads planned for us to (MD) Crabcakes Ride ride before arriving at another place serving great, hot food! In the event of snow/sleet this 03/19 - 03/20/05 - Ride will be Saturday and will loop through Calvert, St Mary's, & Charles ride will be held on the January 16th. Any in southern MD. Ride HQ will be at Dan & questions or comments please contact Jim Sharon Wright's home in Lusby,MD. There will Sparkman at 540.775.5864 or be food at both ends and informal lodging. kawvger12@aol.com Commercial lodging is also available nearby. (DC) Cycle World Motorcycle Show More details coming. Russell Fleming 01/15/05 - This is not a COG function.. Hope to 410.374.9687 fleming@qis.net see you there. www.motorcycleshows.com (CT) Rocky Hill Meet, Greet & Ride Washington Convention Center; Washington, 03/26/05 - We will meet at 10:00 AM at Town DC 202.249.3000 Contact: Pat Sprague at Line Diner, 80 Town Line Plaza, Rocky Hill, 540.743.4874 or psprague@shentel.net CT (860-242-4196). Those who gather will decide on a route or we can choose from route (NY) Cycle World Motorcycle Show sheets I will have available. In the event of 01/22/05 - This is not a COG function. Hope to snow/sleet/ice, this ride will be canceled. see you there. www.motorcycleshows.com Directions to the Diner: I-91 to exit 24 (RT 99), Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, NY north off exit, Left onto Town Line Road. 212.216.2000 Terry Faherty usually selects a Entrance to Plaza on left. Contact: Jon Coler lunch destination. 860-257-4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com (CT) Willington Pizza House 02/01/05 - Located on Route 32, Willington, CT, Willington Pizza House is said to serve the BEST pizza in Tolland County. I can attest that the food here is simply orgasmic! Their red potato pizza is to die for! We’ll meet at 6:00 PM and dine while our taste buds perform amazing somersaults. Visit their website at www.willingtonpizza.com for directions and a sneak peak at their menu. Weather permitting; an impromptu ride will follow dinner. Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com
(PA) Chili n' Cheese Tech Session 01/08/05 - Former Marylanders now Pennsyltuckians, Mike and Roseanne Schmidt once again host the famous Chili n' Cheese gig in their garage at the rear of their home at 438 South Franklin Street in Hanover, PA. Mike (MD) Chicken Corn Soup Gig will host a tech session if there is any interest. Please bring parts or fluids you will need. If you E X P AN D E D
02/12/2005 - John and Missy Lippy will host a hearty cold weather feed at there home at 227 East Green Street in Westminster, MD. We’ll meet at John and Missy’s at Noon and the ride will be getting there and home. Please RSVP a week before so the Lippy’s can plan food. 410.871.3285 or m.lippy@netzero.com
(VA) Southern Wrenchfest Weekend 04/02/05 – 04/03/05 - Cogger extraordinaire, Jim Hammond (#3192), has once again offered to host a weekend tech session at his home in Lynchburg, VA. Come one or both days; there is bed, cot, sleeping bag, and tent space. We will have the use of his 30x40 garage, many tools, and a bike lift. Bring any tools you may want and any fluids, filters, parts, tars, etc. that you may need. If a valve adjustment is planned you may tow the bike or make arrangements with Jim to bring it early. Jim says he can put up six in beds, three on cots, and an unlimited (Continued on page 6) Page 5
(Schedule continued from page 5)
number of tents in the yard or sleeping bags in the garage. He will provide two mid-day meals and coffee & donuts (or rolls) in the morning. There are plenty of restaurants in the area for the evening meal. Directions to 1220 Pokeys Creek Road, Lynchburg, VA: all routes but one will involved the use of the Lynchburg Expwy. Follow signs for 501 north. At stoplight you turn left onto 221 south. The second light near the CVS on the left is Cottontown Rd and goes only right. Follow that about one half mile to a fork. Cottontown Rd goes left but you go straight on Howkins Mill Rd. At about 3.2 mi you will turn on Old Farm Rd. on the left. Turn again at the third road on the left and go to the stop sign at Pokeys Creek. Turn left and go to the first house on the left. From the north on 29 you will enter Lynchburg on the Expressway. Follow the above directions. From the south on 29 you take the second exit to the Expressway and follow the above. From the west on 460 you take the Lynchburg Bus. exit and stay on Timberlake Rd. to the Expressway. Take the second exit and follow the above. Please call or email Jim to let him know that you're coming! 804.386.3075 or hamnj@earthlink.net (CT) Meet, Eat, Ride
04/05/05 - Meet the first Tuesday of each month for an informal gathering of dinner & conversation. Renew old friendships, & kindle new ones. We will meet at 6:00 PM at the Cromwell Diner, 135 Berlin Road, Cromwell, CT (860-635-7112). Directions: I91 to exit 21, 3/10th of a mile West of the exit on the left. Weather permitting, an impromptu ride will follow dinner. All bikes and riders welcome. Contact: Jon Coler 860257-4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com (VA) Waynesboro Breakfast & Ride 04/10/05 - Meet for breakfast at 9:00am in Waynesboro, VA at Lynn's Pancake and Steak House, 2120 West Main Street (Rt. 250; west side of town). You may come for coffee, but the many different pancakes will tempt you. After breakfast, we will head towards the Mountain State, weather permitting. Pat Sprague 540.743.5132 psprague@shentel.net (ON) Motorcycle Show, Toronto 04/16/05-04/17/05 - Watch for more details to come - we are checking into having a COG booth. Craig & Lynn Scott 519.823.1545 clscott@golden.net (PA) Reading Airplane Museum 04/17/05 - We will depart at 9:30am from the All American Travel Plaza Truck Stop at Clarks Ferry for Reading Airport and Plane Museum. The Truck Stop is located at the intersection of RT 22 and RT 322 near RT 11 and RT 15 north of Duncannon, PA. If you wish join us for breakfast, be at the Truck Stop by 8:30am. After checking the WWII plane out we will ride to Kauffmans BBQ for some good food. Contact: Dave and Carol Leburn 717-244-5458 bmw98r11rt@msn.com or Russell Fleming 410.374.9687 fleming@qis.net Page 6
(NY) Let’s Play Hooky! Ride 04/18/2005 - Extend your weekend by calling in a mental health day and go riding! The roads should have less Sunday drivers out, so let's play. Meeting point is the 7/11 on RT100 in Somers, NY at 9:30am. Ride leaves at 10am, for some back roads fun. We will end the ride at an appropriate food place. Route sheets will be provided. This won't be a parade style ride, ride your own pace. There is no gas there. Try and have a half tank. Take exit 6 off I-684, and Rt35 west to Rt100. Turn right onto 100, the store is about 1 block up. Bring your EZpass if you have one. Contact: Mike Flynn at 914-2635440 or keltwolf@optonline.net (CT) Rocky Hill Meet, Greet & Ride 04/23/05 - We will meet at 10:00 AM at Town Line Diner, 80 Town Line Plaza, Rocky Hill, CT (860-242-4196). Those who gather will decide on a route or we can choose from route sheets I will have available. In the event of inclement weather this ride will be canceled. Directions to the Diner: I-91 to exit 24 (RT 99), north off exit, Left onto Town Line Road. Entrance to Plaza on left. Contact: Jon Coler 860-257-4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com
Hotel, Wellsboro, PA. The event web page is www.concours.org/ne/SpringFling or see the registration form for complete details. Details in the registration form. Book your rooms now. Contact: Russell Fleming 410.374.9687 fleming@qis.net or Jason Kaplitz gsjay@floodcity.net 814.535.8669 (VA) Lost Ride 05/20/05 - 05/22/05 - www.willvillebikecamp.com Gather at Willville Motorcycle Campground Friday evening or meet at the Blue Ridge Restaurant at Meadows of Dan at 8:30am Saturday. John Hinton has interesting riding and destination planned. This should be much fun in an area known for great roads. Will you win the cobbler or bread pudding? Hard roof lodging is available at the Blue Ridge Motel on RT58 at Meadows of Dan at 540.952.2244. The motel is about one half mile from Willville. John Hinton 540.997.5207 webify@vaix.net
(ON) Exploration Huntsville 05/27/05 - 05/29/05 – Weekend run to Huntsville for members to check out the hotel, the roads in the area and potentially volunteer to participate as organizers and committee members for a 2006 Ontario, Canada spring (NH) Polly’s Pancake Parlor rally. Accommodation is the Holliday Inn Huntsville at the Hidden Valley Resort. Room 05/01/05 - Opening weekend ride returns for rate is $115 plus tax. This location is on the the 4th year. Meet at Polly’s on RT 117 in Sugar Hill, NH www.pollyspancakeparlor.com, or water with both an indoor and outdoor pool. meet at the Dunkin Donuts in New Hampton on The roads in the Muskoka area are amazing; RT104 east of I-93 exit 23 at 8:30AM for an enough twists and turns to challenge any rider. optional ride. Tony Shelver: All members and non-members welcome. For tshelver@hotmail.com or 603.520.0324 information on the area, please check the web sites: www.holidayinnhuntsville.com or check (CT) Meet, Eat, Ride www.huntsvillemuskoka.com For more information contact Craig Scott 05/03/05 - Meet the first Tuesday of each clscott@golden.net or 519-823-1545. month for an informal gathering of dinner & conversation. Renew old friendships, & kindle (CT) Meet, Greet & Ride new ones. We will meet at 6:00 PM at the 05/28/05 - We will meet at 10:00 AM at Town Cromwell Diner, 135 Berlin Road, Cromwell, Line Diner, 80 Town Line Plaza, Rocky Hill, CT (860-635-7112). Directions to the Diner: ICT (860-242-4196). Those who gather will 91 to exit 21, 3/10th of a mile West of the exit decide on a route or we can choose from route on the left. Weather permitting, an impromptu sheets I will have available. In the event of ride will follow dinner. All bikes and riders inclement weather this ride will be canceled. welcome. Contact: Jon Coler 860-257-4009 or Directions to the Diner: I-91 to exit 24 (RT 99), joncoler@yahoo.com north off exit, Left onto Town Line Road. Entrance to Plaza on left. Contact: Jon Coler (NY) Mike’s Surprise Ride #1 860-257-4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com 05/14/2005 - My surprise rides are back. We will wander some of the area's better roads, There are more events on the NE schedule ending to sample the fare of some roadside that will appear next issue or go to the eatery. Route sheets will be provided for all, as online ride database: www.concours.org/ this isn't a parade type ride. Ride at you own schedule pace and enjoy the scenery, or the roads. Meeting point is the 7/11 on Rt100 in Somers, NY. at 9am. Ride leaves at 9:30am. There is no gas there. Try and have a half tank. Take exit 6 off I-684, and Rt35 west to Rt100. Turn right onto 100, the store is about 1 block up on the right. Bring your EZpass if you have one. Contact: Mike Flynn at 914-263-5440 or keltwolf@optonline.net (PA) Spring Fling “Run for Buns” Rally 05/19/05 - 05/22/05 - The annual Spring Fling has merged with a favorite spring ride destination. Rally HQ: Penn Wells Lodge/ N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
Concours Owners Group Northeast Area 7th Annual
Spring Fling “Run for Buns” Wellsboro, PA May 19th – 22nd, 2005
This event keeps alive the tradition of two NE COG favorites… Spring Fling Rally and Wellsboro/Run for Buns. At the Slate Run Tackle Shop & General Store COGgers can sample some of the best sammiches in the area - and the riding around this area isn’t bad either. Our host town of Wellsboro is located in north central PA, along the famous Route 6 corridor, not far from New York State's Finger Lake Region. The rally area is abundant with museums, wineries, terrific scenery, and great roads. Rally Headquarters: Penn Wells Lodge/Hotel, 62 Main St, Wellsboro, PA 800-545-2446 570-274-2111 (www.pennwells.com) A limited block of rooms has been set aside and will be held until 03/19/2004, so book your room early. We have blocked 30 rooms at the Penn Wells Hotel and 30 rooms at the Penn Wells Lodge. Room rates vary ($50-$72) depending on if in hotel or lodge and if single, double, queen, etc. Ask hotel about available options. Alternate Lodging: We also have a limited number of rooms blocked at the neighboring Sherwood Motel, Main Street Wellsboro PA www.sherwoodmotel.org 800-656-5802. Camping: Stony Fork Creek Campground, 658 Stony Fork Creek Road, Wellsboro, PA, www.stonyforkcamp.com 570.724.3096 Be sure to mention Concours Owners Group to get rooms held in our block. Rally Fee: $25 (US $) per person for COG members, their immediate family or significant other; $30 each for Non-COG members and their guests. Add a $5.00 late fee for all registrations received after 4/19/05. Full refund issued prior to 4/19/05; refund less $5.00 4/19/05 or after; no refund after 5/18/05. We cannot guarantee dinner seating for registrations received after 5/16/04. The rally fee covers the cost of the Saturday banquet meal and other miscellaneous rally expenses. Riding: There will be sample routes and all are planned as self-guided rides for Friday and Saturday. Events: The Saturday banquet will be the famous Penn Wells Smorgasbord, held in the Penn Well dining room. Seating time will be provided at rally check-in. Rally Web Page: www.concours.org/ne/springfling Mail lower portion of the Registration Form with rally fee payable to “Concours Owners Group” to:
Questions / Comments / Suggestions? Jason Kaplitz 814.535.8669 or gsjay @ floodcity.net Russell Fleming 410.374.9687 or fleming @ qis.net
Steven Smith – Spring Fling 39 Alison Ave Naugatuck, CT 06770
Steven Smith 203.720.7575 or nead @ concours.org
Rally Registration Form (Please PRINT Clearly)
(Rev4NL)
Name: (One form per person) ____________________________________________ AMA # _____________ COG #___________ Street: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________________ State/Province: ________________ Zip Code: _______________ Phone: (______)_____-____________ E-Mail: __________________________________________________ Country: _________ I will be a: rider / passenger / guest
Motorcycle model: _________________________ License tag # __________________
Emergency Contact Information:
Name:
________________________________________________________
Phone No.:
(______)______-___________ Relationship:____________________
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
Parent or
Signature: ______________________________________
Guardian (if applicable) ___________________________________
E X P AN D E D
Page 7
Our Newest Northeast Area COG Members David Aker, #6544 Southborough, MA
Larry Malewit Jr, #6573 West Milford, NJ
John Brown, #6590 Orange, CT
Karl Schenkel, #6615 Naugatuck, CT
Shawn Whalen, #6558 Springdale, ME
Joseph Velicevich, #6580 Uniontown, PA
James Healy, #6591 Hamburg, NY 14075
Jeffrey Schulz, #6620 Pittsburgh, PA
Paul Gould Jr, #6562 Clear Brook, VA
Don Casella, #6584 New Hartford, CT
Edward &Ann Nelson, #6594 Woodstock, VA
Dave & Alethea Porfiris, #6626/A Woodbridge, VA
Jim &Eleanor Dick, #6564/A Virgil, ON Canada
J William Gifford, #6586 Grafton, MA
Craig Rabin, #6598 Enfield, CT
Bryan Dick, #6566 London, ON Canada
Philip Yarina, #6589 Johnstown, PA
Brett Bergquist, #6611 Watertown, CT
(Brrr Ride - Continued from page 4)
It never got below 44 degrees Friday night so the roads were wet but no frost or black ice. After a lot of breakfasts were served at the Fancy Hill restaurant we rode out to breaking blue skies and very clean roads. I had expected many wet leaves on the roads but not so; the roads were in excellent shape. Folks rode quite a collection of bikes: mostly Concours, of course, and four KLR650s, a Voyager, a V Strom, a ZRX1200, two BMW GSs, a Nighthawk, and Randy’s new KTM hooligan motard bike. Traffic was light and most of the other users were in camo and blaze orange. Most riders did find squirrelly little route 606 in Clifton Forge and rode the asphalt corkscrew over to route 220 where we enjoyed lunch at the Country Café. A wonderful selection of pie there, so I went straight for the desert. With the sun behind us we rode route 39 down through Goshen Pass and back to camp. The Pink Cadillac (there’s a real one in their yard, about a ’53) is only about a one mile walk from camp so we got a little exercise to get ready for supper. The food was excellent, and all the more so as Page 8
COG picked up the tab for the members in attendance. Grins all around. Thanks to our ED and NEAD for returning some “surplus” bux to the members. Walking back to camp we got even more exercise as we carried eight bundles of farwood. Firemeister Clyde got a quite respectable blaze going which was really appreciated as the stars above were just too darn far away to help much. Sunday morning saw 22 degrees and scattered frost. A few headed out for home early, but I let the sunlight wake me up. It takes a bit of thought and sometimes a bit more sleep, to crawl out of a warm sleeping bag in a 22 degree tent. But the showers were hot and soon a beautiful sunny day was in the making. Clyde, Guy, Randy and I rode some 110 miles over back roads to enjoy the Ruritan Buckwheats and Sausage dinner in Blue Grass, VA. Others joined in riding there by different routes and at different times. The Brrrrrrr Ride is our last fling before the days get a lot colder and shorter. I enjoyed it much. Thanks to all who came to enjoy the riding, eating, camping, and friends.
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
Mid-Atlantic Fall Foliage ride and camp at OWO, Rileyville, VA - by Pat Sprague, AAD #1887 October 22-24, 2004 - This being our 5th fall foliage ride and camp at One Wheel Only, Sharry and I enjoyed hosting a slightly bigger crowd of Coggers and friends than in the past. It was great to see so many riders, from Ontario to Mississippi, the Atlantic shore to Ohio. Some 57 folks OWO - One Wheel Only gathered at OWO for riding, eating, soaking in the campfire, relaxing, and just being with friends again. Some folks came in a cage and were here just to help us with the preparations and chores. A huge Thank You to Kendra Weaver, Brenda Watson, Scott and Kelli Sprague, and Suzanne Ashbaugh. We couldn’t have done it with you!
No other injuries for the ride though Clyde Watson filled me in about a Connie pilot who rear-ended another Concours after coming around a turn. A good saddle bag was exchanged for a smashed one and everyone rode back.
Hazards are everywhere and change on the road is constant; otherwise it might be like a motorcycle video game, predictable and boring after a while. What do these incidents give to us as riders? Leaves or anything loose on the road surface will have much less traction resulting in a down bike in less than a heartbeat. We should always be able to stop within our sight distance. Bad karma can This fall foliage ride was the best of times. It was the worst of times. sometimes just poop on our parade. There were a few incidents that tried to mar the weekend though the And - good protective gear rules don’t leave home with out it! outcomes might have been much, much worse. Trevor Angel was rear-ended in the heavy Front Royal traffic on Friday night en route Riders are still reflecting, I’m sure. to OWO. The driver hitting him never let off the gas; she probably Bikes can be fixed. Lessons were would have rear-ended a neon dump truck. You never like getting learned. And best of all, the bodies Jason awake, a rare occasion the call about a will heal, they’ll ride again. Mr. B’s friend in a crash but barbecue was excellent, as was Sharry’s chili. The rain held off until after Russell Sunday. People came together and helped. If all is well that ends Fleming and I well then perhaps it was the best of times. arrived at the Thanks to all who attended. I hope to see you on a ride soon. hospital we found Trevor not too chipper but ambulatory and with no hoses or tubes. After a CAT scan and a souvenir pair of crutches we brought him back to OWO a la Nissan. The bike was totaled. Trevor got to spend the Trevor Angel relaxing weekend popping pain meds and reading moto mags on the deck. His helmet gave its Joe Cyprych, AAD - western PA life for his head. Good trade! After hitting the sack at 3:30 AM I didn’t want to add to the injured list and so stayed in bed Saturday morning. Late afternoon we got a call from Bob Held that he and Nicole had low sided on some leaves on WV route 12 and both had slid under a guard rail. Bob was in the Petersburg, WV hospital but Nicole had taken a helicopter ride to the hospital at Cumberland, MD. That sounded very serious at best. Brenda Watson kept me company as we drove the Nissan over to Petersburg where we found Bob standing outside the ER entrance. Good sign! Two hours later we arrived at the hospital in Cumberland and found Nicole pushing a morphine pump and somehow managing a smile. She asked how the bike was---a true rider! Fortunately Nicole had no broken bones but a lot of bruising and a sore jaw from the road impact. Another full face helmet did its job. Bob and Nicole were very fortunate in that they each slid _under_ the guard rail at different points, missing the guard rail and uprights. The bike had minor damage from the 25 mph slide. They walked very slowly from the rental car to our house on Sunday night. It was good to see them out and mobile.
E X P AN D E D
Page 9