Cognitions: thoughts from the Northeast Area Director - by Steven Smith #3184 Issue 4, 2005
Over the past years we’ve had stellar growth in attendance at our Northeast Area regional rallies. The word is getting out among our members and friends that these events are loads of fun and a great way to get together with old friends or meet new ones. We’ve already had two events this year with attendance over 100: the Spring Fling Rally in Wellsboro, PA and the recent Mid-Summer Rally in Stowe, VT. You still have one more chance to get out and join in on the fun and camaraderie at a NE Area COG rally this year. Break out your blue and gray for the “General’s Ride” Fall Rally in New Market, VA. This event will be held September 18-23 and is being organized by Patrick Sprague. Rally details and registration form are posted on the COG NE web site. You can also contact the rally host. Some basic rally info is listed in the Ride Schedule in this issue. Be sure to book your rooms and get your registration form in ASAP.
Northeast Area News
It is not too soon to be thinking about rides and events for 2006. This time of year is when the planning for next riding season begins. Our volunteer staff of Asst. Area Directors (AADs) do a terrific job of coordinating activities in their respective area. Each one hosts a number of activities throughout the riding season, but they can not be expected to continually organize and lead every event in your area. Please help them out by volunteering to assist by organizing a ride or other activity. It is not as difficult as it may seem and it can be very rewarding. There is a already a group of members led by one of our AADs planning a Fall 2006 Northeast Rally. Details like dates and location are being nailed down now. By the way… The 2006 Spring Fling Rally is still up for grabs if someone wants to organize it. Contact me if you have an idea for a ride or rally, but do not know where to start. The big question each year is “what will be the location of next year’s COG National Rally?” The tradition has been to make the announcement at the current year’s National Rally banquet dinner. There is no need to speculate any longer as the news was recently announced at the banquet in Centralia, WA. The location for the 2006 COG National Rally will be Hill City, SD; June 26–July 1. A Kawasaki plant tour is scheduled for Monday June 26. Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Concours motorcycle. More info will be posted on the rally web: www.concours.org/2006 In this issue there is a short, but important notice. Mike Flynn (NY Hudson Valley AAD) has stepped up to conduct a NE Member survey. Please tae a moment to send your thoughts and ideas to Mike. Also in this issue Tony Shelver shares some interesting thoughts and concepts on group ride formats and practices. From a safety standpoint there is a lot to be said about remind everyone about “The Pace”, riding your own ride, and not exceeding your individual limits. Lastly, I was reminded a few months ago that this is an election year for the Northeast Area position. I encourage everyone to participate in the nomination and voting process which is described below. Until next time, ride safe. Steve
COG Northeast Area Director Election - Bob Dombrowe, COG Secretary It’s time to elect a Northeast Area Director (AD) for the 2006-2007 term. The process begins with nominations submitted to the COG Secretary/Historian. Please nominate those, including yourself, you feel are qualified and willing to serve. An AD candidate must be a member in good standing in COG, and a member of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). These requirements are defined in the Group’s Constitution, Article No. 9, Article No. 16 and BY-LAWS Number 2 and 3 (printed in the member directory). The Secretary/Historian will contact the nominees by October 22 to interview and review the position with them.
If there is only one nominee after the nominee deadline has passed, no election will be necessary and that person will assume the AD position by default. If more than one candidate is vying for the Area Director position, all will be asked to submit a short bio to the Secretary/Historian. As outlined in the COG Constitution, all members, including Associates and Industry Members (of the NE Area) also have voting rights. The bios and election ballot will be provided to members in early November. The Nomination Period will close October 15; any nominations received after that date will be discarded.
I would like to nominate the following person(s) for the position of COG Northeast Area Director: (please print clearly)
__________________________________________________________________________________________ Print your name here: ________________________________________
COG#____________
Signature ________________________________________________
Date ___________________
Mail to: Bob Dombrowe - COG Secretary Sandown Park Road Keswick, VA 22947-9166
Or Email your nomination to: dombroweRJ@aol.com
MD/PA AAD Report -by Russell Fleming, COG#599 The North/South 8 was held on June17-19, 2005. This was a true N/S event with the far north Canada and New York coming south and the south Kentucky and Southeast Ohio coming north to meet in Maryland. There was about 35 people in attendance, we has 7 states and 1 Canadian province. We also have about 30 motorcycles in our yard and about 17 tents. Hosting the event at our house is lots of fun, and takes time to do but our fellow COGGERS that live close by help out with mowing the grass, putting up canopies, setting up picnic tables, and making food or other things that have to be done. It is a joint effort by all so that we all can have fun. People kept coming in Friday night wanting a campfire so Russell had an old barrel, put wood in it and that was their campfire in the driveway. Clyde, the fire master, was in his glory when he saw the barrel. Friday night’s cookout started our Weber grills workout. Saturday morning they were taking bets on whether Russell would set the grill on fire while he was frying fresh bacon from the local butcher shop. The eggs are scrambled on another grill and the toast is made in the house with the toaster. With their bellies full they are left to go on a 265 mile ride that Russell lay out along with route sheets. A lunch stop was planned this year at a very nice restaurant that has a buffet with Pa. Dutch desserts. While everyone is on his or her ride the grill gets another workout grilling barbeque chicken. The hotdog and sauerkraut are in the crock-pot for the hotdog and sauerkraut contest, which was won by Guy Young again a total of 7 this year. We also had barbeque, pasta salad, beans, chips, pretzels, mustard, and fresh fruit salad and have course our famous photo cake. At night they sat around the fire and told riding stories. Sunday morning the grill gets its last workout. Everybody had to have breakfast before they packed up to leave. Everybody pitched in to clean up so that Russell and I could go for a ride. If you want to see more pictures of this event go to the North East Website and check out ride report for the N/S 2005. Page 2
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@verizon.net Connecticut Jonathan Coler, #5379 Rocky Hill, CT 860-257-4009 joncoler@yahoo.com Metro NY/NJ Jim Clark, #2113 Valley Stream, NY 516-872-3694 NY Hudson Valley Mike Flynn, #4493 Bedford Hills, NY 914-239-3721 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
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 Ranald 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 2005 © Concours Owners Group
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
Mid Summer Bash Report - by Steven Smith “I love it when a plan comes together” is what George Peppard’s A-Team character Hannibal Smith always said. What else can you say when you combine perfect ingredients of location, accommodations, people, and weather. The plan did come together the last four days of July when COG held the Northeast Area Mid-Summer Bash in Stowe, VT. After a successful event last fall, the COG summer rally staff chose Commodore’s Inn again as rally HQ location. This is a full service resort that has sufficient guest rooms, terrific amenities for relaxing after the daily ride, and an on site dining room and lounge. Attendees were rewarded with fabulous weather. Temps in the 70’s and nearly no humidity for a few days. The turn out for this rally was very good. We had 109 registered rally attendees plus a few of my family members as additional guests at our banquet. During initial planning Kevin & I really did not anticipate more than 70 or 80. We were proved wrong and luckily we were able to handle the crowd with no problem. There is a lot going on in the background to make an event like this seem nearly seamless to the participants. Things like event planning and execution, rally check-in, and all the end of rally paper work. At every AMA sanctioned rally we need to have a person act as referee for the event. This a COGger who is an AMA member who and has attended an AMA Risk Management Workshop in the past 2 years. Jerry Gowen, COG #19, has been that person since 2004 and we thank him for that. It’s not unusual to see him & Kat helping at the check-in table too. This event put him to the test. With two riders going down, Jerry had the task of asking the questions, getting answers, and completing paperwork. Thanks to everyone else who was involed in helping out these riders.
Mid Summer Bash: a home coming - by Jon Coler, CT AAD Hats off to Kevin Martin and Steve Smith, rally masters of this past midsummer bash held in Stowe, VT at the Commodores Inn. Once again, Stowe proved to be the perfect staging ground to headquarter a motorcycle rally. New York state, New Hampshire, Canada and the terrific roads of Vermont are all well within the scope of a hearty day’s ride. The only shortage overshadowing the rally was that of not having enough time to experience it all. There is just so much nestled into this one geographic location. The event was awesome, well planned, with numerous suggested routes available for folks to traverse. Yet, the appeal of Stowe and the surrounding vicinity as a motorcycling playground is further enhanced by the many activities and attractions in the area. The Commodores Inn, once again, proved to be a comfortable lodging facility with more amenities than anyone could possibly enjoy in a short weekend. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, quaint boutiques and shops, scenic vistas overflowing with natures bounty, pastures spotted with farms which are home to an abundance of happy bovines – it’s all to be sampled when in Stowe. Stowe always has an inviting, cozy feeling. For me, there is a sense of returning home when visiting the area. The more I visit northern Vermont, the more I realize I just can’t get enough of the area. Coupling the warmth of the area with the exceptional planning that went into the midsummer bash, this rally was truly a homecoming. Kudos to Kevin and Steve. Thank you.
There are some other people we owe thanks to: Rally Host Kevin Martin for taking the lead role, acquiring door prizes, and making the route sheets; David Samuels for handling the contract negotiations; Commodores Inn & staff for their hospitality and for providing the tourist info in the welcome kits; and all the providers of door prizes: Aerostich/Riderwearhouse; Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream; Boston Soap Works (Glen Ilacqua COG #6237); CycleGadgets; DP Brakes; HVMP (Steve & Sue Cerutti COG #6763/A); Millerized Highway Pegs (Jim Miller COG #6425); Moto Market, Acton, MA; Protect All Cleaners; Kawasaki/ROK. ISSUE 4, 2005
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New Hampshire Report - by Tony Shelver, #2647 We’ve had a good year so far, other than the rained out ‘Escape to Lac Megantic’, and Polly’s Pancake Parlor not being open in time for the Pancake ride… Oh well, live and learn! Important: There are a number of you for whom I do not have current email addresses. If you have changed your address, would you please send it to tshelver@hotmail.com. If you haven’t received email from me in the last 6 weeks, you know who you are… Upcoming events: The important upcoming items on the New Hampshire agenda include the sponsored lunch and Tech / Farkle day / weekend ride at the Whitehorse Press Warehouse on August 20. Note that the Press has a lot of stuff for sale other than books, including RAM mounts, Powerlet plugs, motorcycle clothing and much more. (www.whitehorsepress.com) See the ride schedule in this issue for contact info. The Northeastern Exposure rolling rally from Jackson, NH to Bar Harbor, September 8 – 11. Details can be found at: www.northeasternexposure.com/Rides05/nhcog_05_schedule.html, as well as in the COG online schedule and this newsletter. Or contact me at 603.520.0324 or tshelver@hotmail.com. I’ll probably add a few more events to the calendar, but these may be somewhat short notice, so I’d appreciate having up-to-date contact details for all members. Thoughts on Ride Format: The following are mostly my thoughts, and not official COG doctrine or policy. One of the issues I’ve had with past group rides is that when it is fast enough to interest the sport-oriented COGgers, the pace may be too fast for 2-up or more touring-focused members. And when we ride at a pace that allows people to look around and see all the scenery they want, the go-fast guys get bored. As a result, there are riders from both ends of the spectrum who no longer attend NH COG riders. Another issue is safety. We had a few incidents on NH COG rides last year that may have been related to group-riding and fortunately, nobody was seriously injured. Additional problems creep in when we attempt to ride as a single large group (more than 5 bikes). This is a big subject that I’m not going to expand on here.
with some very experienced sledders spending good money to come back, often several times each winter. He must be doing something right, as he is fully booked every day from January through March. The basics of the format are that we will not ride as one big homogenous group, but rather as a number of loosely connected individual riders or informal sub-groups. Everybody is responsible for riding at a pace that they are comfortable with, as well as for the rider behind. If the group or rider up front is riding too fast, no problem, as they will stop at every major intersection or route change and wait for following riders. Every rider is responsible for riding within their limits at a pace that they are comfortable with. Some of the specific of how we will run future NH rides:
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The destination will be published on the web in advance along with any route sheets where applicable. If riders somehow get lost, they can proceed directly to the destination or use the published route. Target riding style (sport-touring, touring, sport or a mix of all three) will be announced in advance. Where not specified, assume all three…
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Rain stops play, unless otherwise specified. Contact the ride organizer if you are in doubt.
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We will go over the route, the destination, and the ride methodology and “pace” at a rider’s meeting prior to departing.
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Intermediate stopping / gathering points will be established during the group meeting where the group will be gathered and any route changes decided.
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The group will wait for following riders at all intersections or route changes. At the group-leader’s discretion, either the group will wait until all members have reached the intersection, or the leader will indicate that the next rider will wait until he sees the following rider, and then leave. In turn, this rider will wait for the rider after him, then proceed and so on.
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Follow ‘The Pace’, doing the corners at an interesting speed, and not increasing speed on the following straights.
I personally am very much a ‘zone’ rider. And no, this isn’t related • to Zen or any other mystical belief! I’ve found over the years that I’m far safer and more efficient when I’m riding ‘in the zone’, and • this is borne out by recent research. What riding in the zone means, is riding at a pace that challenges my skills and keeps me mentally engaged, while not pushing beyond my capabilities as a rider to where I become unsafe. Nearly all my ‘stupids’ have happened when I’m outside my zone, and most have been when I’m riding well below my personal capability as my attention wanders, which is • typical of riding slower than ‘zone speed’. I’ve also wondered why over the years I’ve enjoyed some group rides or portions of a ride much more than others, and have worked out that it’s nearly always been those rides where I’m closest to my ‘zone speed’ that I’ve enjoyed the most. Unfortunately, different riders have different speeds at which they are ‘in the zone’. This speed varies from rider to rider, and even from day-to-day or hourto-hour for the same rider, depending on natural ability, skill, training, experience, physical and mental condition, health, the night before, sleep and lots more. As you would expect from the above, group riding and zone riding are a direct antithesis, very seldom will any two riders have an identical speed for any given stretch of road. No single system will ever be perfect, but this one seemed to suit most. The format is based on some snowmobile touring I did with a professional guide in Quebec this last winter, which I liked, as well as on group riding techniques from a few European sport and sporttouring motorcycle magazines. Bob, the sled guide, specializes in multi-day, fairly fast tours. He has a very loyal repeat customer base,
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If the rider behind you wants to ride at a quicker pace, or is following too closely, wave them through; it’s not a race. Group leaders should be confident that they will not hold up more the sport-focused-riders in the group, or if the ride has been announced as a touring ride, the sport-riders should proceed as a separate group. It is also fine to swap leaders during the ride, as leading can be a tiring job. As an option with, the group can be broken into separate ride groups of 5 or fewer riders with similar interests and abilities.
We used this format for the recent Back Roads and Covered Bridges ride. For me, the format allowed me to enjoy the ride (in the zone…) for itself in addition to the social aspects, and I found myself a lot less tired at the end of the day than usual when leading a large group. I noticed that the riders automatically sorted themselves out into a touring group, a sport-group and a ‘in-between’ or sport-touring group, and due to the frequent stops at intersections, there was seldom a big gap between the sport and touring riders. I’ve had a lot of very positive feedback from attendees. There were some suggestions made as well, including pre-announcing the ride style (touring versus sport) and also to make sure that everybody knew exactly where they were going for all portions of the ride. I’ll be using this again and refining it over the rest of the season.
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 Recurring Events (ON) Greater Toronto Area Monthly Dinner LOCATION CHANGE: Meet at 6:00 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Mohawk Inn, 9230 Guelph Line, Campbellville, ON. (www.mohawkinn.com 905.854.2277) Located on the northwest corner of Hwy. 401 at Guelph Line, Exit 312, next to the Mohawk Raceway & Slots Entertainment Facility. Join us for dinner and socializing. All Welcome. Craig & Lynn Scott 519.823.1545 clscott@golden.net (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 (NH) Tech/Farkle Day @ Whitehorse Press 08/20-08/21/05 -WHP has kindly offered use of their facilities to host a Tech Day and weekend ride-out. Jeff Adams, will provide the technical skills. We’ll have run of the workshop and barn, not to mention the warehouse & WHP will also provide lunch (what a deal). We’ll be allowed to browse the extensive array of accessories, books, and other goodies in the warehouse. This area has excellent riding and Tony Shelver will provide interesting routes of varying lengths. For those who want to spend the night, we will pick an overnight spot in the area, depending on demand. Whitehorse Press, 107 East Conway Road, Center Conway NH. Contact: Tony Shelver: tshelver@hotmail.com / 603.520.0324 or Jeff Adams: Jeff@whitehorsepress.com / 603.356.7225 (NY) Let’s Play Hooky! Ride 08/23/05 - 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 info provided. This won't be a parade style ride, ride your own pace. The 7/11 does not have gas pumps - Have a half tank on arrival. I-684 Exit 6; RT35 West and take a right on RT100 North. The store is about 1 block up. Bring your E-ZPass if you have one.Contact: Mike Flynn at 914.263.5440 / keltwolf@optonline.net (CT) Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome 08/27/05 - The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is a “living” museum of antique aviation in Rhinebeck, NY. Many of the aeroplanes take flight regularly during weekend air-shows. Visit their Web site at www.oldrhinebeck.org for more info. We will travel some exciting roads and plan to arrive by 1:00PM. Air-show starts at 2:00PM. There is a snack bar serving burgers, hotdogs, etc. Air rides are available for a fee. ISSUE 4, 2005
Contact: Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com (MA) Ride Lake Sunapee, NH 08/28/05 - Meet at Bickfords, Nagog Park, Acton MA (RT-2A) about 1/2 mile from Moto Market @ 8 Am. Join me for a ride up to Lake Sunapee. We’ll ride the Sunapee area, and stop for lunch at Murphy’s Restaurant, RT 103, Sunapee. Contact: Kevin Martin 978.459.6275 or cog145@verizon.net (CT) Meet, Eat Ride 09/06/05 - Meet the first Tuesday of each month for an informal gathering of dinner & conversation. We will meet at 6:00 PM at the Cromwell Diner, 135 Berlin Road, Cromwell, CT (860-635-7112). I-91 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 860.257.4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com
camera to film those that go for a ride. Email me more for more info and fees. Meeting point is the 7/11 on RT100 in Somers, NY at 8:30am. Ride leaves at 9am. Route sheets provided. There is no gas there -Try and have a half tank. We will make gas stops along the way, and decide lunch as we go. I am planning a meeting place across the Hudson if there is a need. Exit 6 off I-684, and RT35 west and take right onto RT100 north. The store is about 1 block up on the right. This will be a full day affair, so plan accordingly. Bring your EZpass if you have one. Contact: Mike Flynn at 914.263.5440 or keltwolf@optonline.net (VA)
“General’s Ride” Fall Rally
09/18-09/23/05 - New Market, VA. A week long regional rally with an American Civil War theme. General’s HQ: Quality Inn-Shenandoah Valley in New Market, VA 800.228.5151 / 540.740.3141. General’s Camp: (10 miles from HQ) Mountain Valley KOA, Broadway, VA. 800.562.5406/540.896.8929. Self-guided (NH) Northeastern Exposure long weekend sample rides include a number of “Campaign 09/09 – 09/11/05 - We will start in Jackson, NH Rides” (300-400 mi) and “Skirmish Rides” on the Thursday evening. Friday there will be a (100-150 mi). Local Civil War demonstrators number of routes to Millinocket, ME. Saturday share details about area history & a special bus tour is being planned at Gettysburg. A local we will ride to Bar Harbor, ME and the route will traverse some stunning Down East coastal Kawasaki/Suzuki dealer will host an open scenery. It's a rider's rally, with great roads that house. Civil War history abounds within two mostly have very little traffic. Most of the roads miles of the Generals HQ. Door prizes & surprise gift to those attending with a Blue or and areas will be new to most COGgers / Grey Concours. Thursday night banquet will be participants. It's the very best time of the year a country theme. www.concours.org/ne/fallrally for this area. The roads are fixed, the frost heaves have flattened, the bugs and tourists are Pat Sprague 540.743.4874 / psprague@shentel.net dying down, the traffic is quiet and hotels are reasonable. The weather is possibly at its best, (CT) Devil’s Hopyard State Park with minimal fog, and mild temperatures. The 09/24/05 - Meet at the Cromwell Diner (I-91, concept behind the rally is minimal overhead / exit 21) for breakfast at 9:00 AM. After minimal cost / minimal administration. All breakfast we’ll depart for some of the best roads documentation, routes and registration in Connecticut. This will be a relaxing ride, and confirmation will be on the website a definite crowd-pleaser. The more we ride, the (www.northeasternexposure.com), I will do more delightful the roads become. There will be minimal printing of route sheets and so on. No several stops along the way for R&R and door prizes, and no check-in desk if I can help picture taking. A great way to spend an autumn it. All participants are responsible for making day! Contact: Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or their own hotel bookings and restaurant joncoler@yahoo.com reservations, and will be responsible for paying (CT) Meet, Eat, Ride for these themselves. There will not be an organized banquet. We will provide suggested 10/04/05 - Meet the first Tuesday of each routes for the rally, including rides to and from month for an informal gathering of dinner & the starting/final destinations. I will also conversation. We will meet at 6:00 PM at the provide a suggested hotel(s) and restaurant(s) Cromwell Diner, 135 Berlin Road, Cromwell, and meal times for each day of the rally, CT (860-635-7112). Directions to the Diner: Iexcluding lunch. I'd like to get the rally fee as 91 to exit 21, 3/10th of a mile West of the exit close to $0 as possible. NOTE: If you do not on the left. Weather permitting, an impromptu have web and email access, but would like to ride will follow dinner. All bikes and riders attend, contact me via phone. Other than these welcome. Contact: Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or few exceptions, all communications and joncoler@yahoo.com materials will be via email or the website. Conatct Tony Shelver tshelver@hotmail.com or (MA) MT Greylock Summit Ride 603.520.0324 10/09/05 - Meet at Jeanne’s Restaurant in Phillipston MA, at the Jct of RTs 2 & 202@ (NY) Ride To Glide 8:30 Am. Join me for a ride out the Mohawk 09/17/05 - Join me for a ride across the Hudson Trail into North Adams MA to climb to the to Middletown, NY. Here we will shed our summit of Mt. Greylock, the highest point in earthly steeds and go for a ride on a wing and a prayer (and some wind). I hope to have a video (Continued on page 6) Page 5
860.257.4009 / joncoler@yahoo.com the State of Massachusetts (3,491 ft), for a view (VA) Brrrrrrr Ride of the Fall Foilage. After leaf peeping, we’ll ride to lunch in the Berkshiers. Contact: Kevin 11/11-11/13/05 - Gathering once again at the Natural Bridge KOA off I-81 and RT 11. Camp Martin 978.459.6275 or cog145@verizon.net on Friday and Saturday nights. For those not (PA) Hanover Breakfast Ride wanting to tent, cabins are available at the 10/16/05 - Meet for breakfast at 9 am at KOA. Call 540.291.2770 to reserve one. www.koakampgrounds.com/where/va/46144.htm Robert’s Family Restaurant in Hanover PA. Motels in the area are: Fancy Hill Motel, 4852 The restaurant is located at 871 Baltimore Street or on route 94 on the south end of town. S. Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA (540) If you cannot make breakfast be in the parking 291-2143 Natural Bridge Inn & Conference lot at 9:45 to ride. Greg Puterbaugh a long time Center, RT 11 and RT 130, Natural Bridge, VA deliver truck driver knows all the fun back road 540.291.2121 Red Mill Inn, 50 South Red mill of MD, PA and DE. Greg has laid out a BACK Road, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.1704 ROAD TOUR of York and Lancaster Counties Budget Inn, I-81 Ext 180 US 11, Natural of PA. Come out and enjoy a day of back road Bridge, VA 540.291.2896 Meet for breakfast 8:00AM Sat. at the Fancy Hill Restaurant at riding and have fun with friends. Russell W. 4832 S. Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA Fleming 410-374-9687 or fleming@qis.net 540.291.2860. After breakfast we will ride (CT) Connecticut Lighthouses some favorite scenic roads before returning to 10/22/05 – Can we see them all? This is an the KOA. Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 / ambitious all day scavenger hunt in search of psprague@shentel.net all the lighthouses along the Connecticut coast. (MA) Quabbin Reservoir Ride We can’t sight them all because motorcycles 11/13/05 - Meet at Bickfords, Nagog Park, don’t float, but we’ll see a good number of them. Bring your camera. We’ll stop for lunch Acton MA (RT-2A) about 1/2 mile from Moto Market @ 9am. We’ll head west via RT-62 & along the way. Contact: Jon Coler 32 stopping at the Reservoir Summit off of RT860.257.4009 / joncoler@yahoo.com 9, for view of the Quabbin. After a short break (VA) “Fall Foliage at Hungry Mother” we’ll ride to lunch at Harley‘s Restaurant at the 10/21-10/23/05 - Meet at Hungry Mother State Jct of Rtes 9 & 202. Contact: Kevin Martin Park west of Marion, VA to camp. Ride the 978.459.6275 or cog145@verizon.net wonderful local roads, and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage of Appalachia. Breakfast at a to-be- (PA) Shrewsbury Family Restaurant Brunch determined restaurant in Marion on Saturday at 11/20/05 - Meet at 10am for brunch at Shrewsbury Family Restaurant. The restaurant 8AM. Clyde Watson 804.675.0513 / is located 2 mile south of Shrewsbury, PA at cswatson@mindspring.com the intersection of Susquehanna Trail and (CT) Meet, Eat, Ride Keller Drive. We will make a ride up depended 11/01/05 - 1st Tuesday of each month for an on the weather. Contact: Russell Fleming 410informal gathering of dinner & conversation. 374-9687 or fleming@qis.net Meet at 6:00PM at the Cromwell Diner, (CT) Oh! Whatta Ride!! The Dairy, The Cromwell, CT (860-635-7112). Directions to the Diner: I-91 to exit 21, 3/10th of a mile west Moose & The Bean 11/26/05 - Meet at Marcus Dairy in Danbury, of the exit on the left. Weather permitting, an CT at 8:30AM. Ride departs at 9:00AM. We impromptu ride will follow dinner. All bikes will ride skirting between the CT/NY border and riders welcome. Contact: Jon Coler (Schedule continued from page 5)
Ride / Activity Survey
stopping at The Wandering Moose Café for a brief 15 – 20 minute break and some light fare. We’ll then head along the CT/MA line to The Vanilla Bean in Pomfret, CT. These restaurants are renowned motorcyclists’ favorites. Route sheets available. Directions to Marcus Dairy: www.marcusdairysupersunday.com Jon Coler 860.257.4009 or joncoler@yahoo.com (CT) Meet, Greet & Ride 12/10/05 - Meet at 10:00AM 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 snow/sleet/ice, 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 (VA) Breakfast and Ride, Williamsburg 12/18/05 - 12/18/05 - We'll meet at The Capitol Pancake and Waffle House, 800 Capitol Landing Road, Williamsburg, VA (757) 5641238 at 8 AM. After a great breakfast at the Capitol we'll go for a ride at 9 AM, weather permitting. Contact: Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or psprague@shentel.net There may be more events on the NE schedule that will appear next issue or go to the online ride database: www.concours.org/schedule To receive a paper copy of the complete ride schedule, please send a SASE to Steve Smith.
Custom Name Badge Pins
We want to know what types of COG (Northeast) activities you like best or would like to see more of. Mike Flynn will be compiling the survey info and will report in a future newsletter. Write down your thoughts in a letter, email, or give him a call. Mike Flynn 48A Lawrence Ave. Bedford Hills, NY 10507
Phone: 914.263.5440 email: keltwolf@optonline.net
Please include your name, phone or email in your correspondence. Here are some ideas or feel free to submit your own suggestions… Day rides; Overnight trips; Weekend trips; Camping or hotel/motel; Route sheet type rides (pair up or ride alone); Guided rides; Meet and Greets (no ride planned); Wrench sessions; Cookouts; Social type meets; Hooky rides (rides during the week); Dinner, lunch or breakfast rides (everyone meet up at a certain place/time); Event type rides ( Punkin’ Chunk, Glider Ride, museums/shows, ride to the races, etc); Multi-Day Rallies (COG, Americade type rallies, other groups, etc); Page 6
Sample shown half size
Would you like your own pin-on name badge to wear at rallies, rides and other gatherings. The badges are printed and engraved with and black lettering on a white background as shown. They are available directly through the vendor via mail order. Cost per badge in US funds (including shipping): USA: $8.00; Canada: $9.00; Rest of world: $10.00. Instructions to place your order is on the order form that you can download form here:
www.concours.org/ne/docs/cogbadgeorderform.pdf You may also send me a letter requesting order forms. Be sure to include a self addressed, stamped envelope to return the form to you. Steven Smith, 39 Alison Avenue., Naugatuck, CT 06770 N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
NY Hudson Valley Report-by Mike Flynn, #4493
VA Wine Tour - by Patrick Sprague, #1887
Here we are in the middle of summer. The temps are high, along with the humidity. Not especially fun riding weather, but with the proper gear and preparation, it can still be fun. Well ventilated gear, or better yet mesh, will make temps into the upper 80s and low 90s tolerable. On a bike like the Connie, you might want to find an old windshield and trim it down. You will get much more air flowing onto you, and in your helmet. Dowsing your shirt in cold water also helps. I also find that a Camelbak system does wonders. Since I do a lot of riding solo, I tend to just ride, stopping for gas only. With the personal hydration systems, I can load up with my beverage of choice and ice, and take a sip whenever I want. The bite valve fits easily enough into my full face helmet, so I can drink on the fly and prevent dehydration.
Coggers from VA, MD, and PA gathered at One Wheel Only in Rileyville, VA on Friday night the 8th. The weather was about perfect for camping and we were joined by Jim Hammond, Chris and Kendra Weaver, Joe and Michele Cyprych, Alan Mognet, and hosts Pat and Sharry Sprague. We enjoyed burgers and dogs from the grill on Friday night and some Pat Sprague, Jim Hammond, & Joe Cyprych sidecar rides in “Ben”, our Ural Gear Up rig were taken around the campground. We even had a “three up” ride. We headed out about 7:30AM Saturday for breakfast at the Inwood Restaurant in Gordonsville.
There are rides happening all over the Northeast Area, both big and small. Next up on my schedule is my second Hooky Ride of the year on Aug 23. We meet at the 7/11 in Somers, NY (RT100, a block north of RT35) at 9:30am. They have the usual 7/11 fare, but no gas or bathroom. The ride leaves at 10am, with route sheets for all. We ride some of my favorite roads to play on, grab some lunch, take some pictures, and pillage the town, all sorts of merriment! After that, is something I am looking forward to! I need your help in this. Saturday, 9/17, is the Ride To Glide Ride (say that 3 times fast). We again meet at the Somers, NY 7/11 (RT100, just north of RTt35), this time at 8:30am, the ride leaves at 9am. If you have EZPass, bring it! We’ll be taking a scenic stroll in the Hudson Valley to Middletown, NY. There, we will hit Randall Airport and the Valley Soaring Club. This is a group of folks, much like ourselves, that are into soaring. For a modest fee ($45) they will take you up in a 2-seat sailplane (FAA certified pilot) for 15-20 minute ride on the wind. Depending on conditions, you can even try your hand at doing it! These are folks like us, guys into the sport, and they open up their free time to let others enjoy it. The tow plane (and fuel) costs some money, so they charge a fee to cover it. They do ask for a head count so they can have enough pilots/planes on hand. If you are seriously planning on attending, you must RSVP me September 8th. You may do so at my email (keltwolf@optonline.net) or phone (914.263.5440). I plan to have a camera and video camera to record our exploits. If you want to come along, but not fly, feel free! There will be a great ride to and from! If there is interest, Orange County Choppers has a showroom nearby that we can hit. I look forward to meeting up with the fine folk of COG at my rides, and the other area rides. Check the schedule and make a plan. If you need any help, or directions, let me know. And in the words of the 04 National RallyMeister…book your rooms, and book early!
Western PA Area News - by Joe Cyprych, #4665 Hello COGgers - It’s been a pretty busy riding season so far. I have already attended some great weekend events with still more to come. We just returned from the Dog Days ride in Boyer, WV and had a great time, thanks to all present. Don’t forget that we are still doing our western PA Sunday meet, greet and rides. Please continue to check the COG ride schedules for details of all the upcoming activities. I see we have quite a few new members in our area and hope some of you can get out and attend a ride or event soon. I am looking forward to meeting and riding with you all soon. As always, if anyone has a ride or event idea that they want to make happen, contact myself or Steve and we will help you make it happen. Take care. ISSUE 4, 2005
It was a beautiful morning to ride and RT 231 was clean and nearly empty. We were joined for breakfast by Guy Young, Clyde Watson, Charles Winkler, Ben Brown, Mike Nasca, Tony Borum, and Richard Datko. Those of us not having work or honey duty departed for the Lake Anna Winery on, of course, Lake Anna. There is a nuclear power plant on the lake and in case you ask; no, the grapes don’t glow in the dark. This beautiful winery is owned and operated by Charles Winkler’s relatives; we were treated to a very informative and interesting tour by Ann and we learned about a lot of very modern equipment and procedures. A full 60 gallon wine barrel weighs in at about 600 pounds, more than the Concours payload, but they conveniently had it available in easy to carry bottles, too. I prefer the drier reds and bought a bottle of a dryer than usual Merlot. Very nice.
Chuck, Kendra & Chris
Our next destination was Afton Mountain. We left the piedmont and headed for the mountains, and I tried to keep to smaller, shaded roads, which were also less traveled. This worked especially well on RT 712 and 692; pretty country lanes with almost nothing on them. Afton Mountain Vineyards was located up against the east side of the mountain. After a stop there and adding another bottle to the pannier, we headed north towards OWO. Ben expressed an interest in joining COG and was given an application. He lives about two miles from Afton mountain and departed for home there. We then rode down to Crozet and took RT 810 up to Standardsville, and RT 230 and 231 up to the mountain at Sperryville, and over RT 211 to Luray.
Back at OWO Sharry had put together some superb pork barbecue which she had been preparing for two days. Awesome good. Yummmm! Rich and Donna Riczinger joined us for the campfire. They are more serious Civil War students and have selected some must see places for the Clyde Watson, Guy Young, & Pat Sprague Generals Ride. Lots more good riding will be available at the Generals Ride in New Market, VA September 18-23. Check out the COG NE web page and send in that registration form now (or call Pat if you need a form). Firemeister Clyde Watson could not attend so I was pretender to the title and scored B minus; Hey, that’s an honor! Sadly folks headed home on Sunday morning and another campfire died down. Thanks to all who participated and we hope to see you in New Market! Page 7
Our Newest Northeast Area Members Richard Reinke, #6946 Muhlheim, Hessen Germany
Steven Bennett, #6970 Hershey, PA
David Webb, #6996 Waterloo, ON Canada
Patrick Couillard #7034 Jericho, VT
George Carr, #6948 Verona, PA
Jack Ng, #6972 Greenwood Lake, NY
Craig Ziemer, #6999 Fleetwood, PA
Raymond Cadieux, #7040 Derby Line, VT
Dean Monroe, #6950 Spotsylvania, VA
M.J. Vaiciunas, #6973 Cliffside Park, NJ
Brian Ruland, #7002 Westminster, MA
Billie Mccargish, #7043 Taneytown, MD
Chris Fennelly, #6952 La Moine, ME
Jere Ballard, #6974 Spring Grove, PA
Theodore Dziok, #7007 Hadley, MA
Joseph Saeli Jr, #7045 Williamsville, NY
Brian Davy, #6956 Barrie, ON Canada
Terry Obrien, #6976 Wakefield, MA
Gregory Habel, #7010 Hopedale, MA
James Mileski, #7050 Cheswick, PA
Jay Martineau, #6957 Westport, MA
Jon Delvecchio, #6979 Churchville, NY
Norm Walton, #7011 Cromwell, CT
James Griscavage, #7051 Bristo, VA
Mark Smith, #6962 Franklinville, NJ
Kevin Cobb, #6984 Windsor, VA
Matthew Murphy, #7013 Waquoit, MA
Greenfield Twp, PA
Arnold Doden, #6963 State College, PA
Paul Mutzek, #6985 Cochecton, NY
Rob Kenworthy, #7014 North Branch, NA
Kevin Littlefield, #6964 Belfast, ME
Lee Brink, #6993 Cortland, NY
M Lazar, #7023 Feasterville, PA
Robert Hall, #6968 Walkersville, MD
Hugh Burks, #6995 Stafford, VA
Gregory Schmidt, #7024 Parkville, MD
Mike Krisa & Nadine Vadala, #7052
Metro NY/NJ AAD Report - by Jim Clark, #2113
Who’s That AAD?
Greeting fellow NY/NJ COGgers from your AAD. I was hoping to have a summer get together in New Jersey, but had to scrap those plans due to a family illness. Let’s try to have a fall Meet & Greet. On Sunday, October 16, we’ll meet at the Liberty Diner on RT 110 near Melville Rd. in Farmingdale, Long Island. There is a parking lot in back of the diner where I will be from 9 to 11am to meet with everyone who comes. I hope you will come by even if it is just for a few minutes or come early and plan to have breakfast in the diner. After the meet you can join us for a ride. I hope to see you there. Directions to the Liberty Diner: I-495 (Long Island Exp) to Exit 49 S. Rt. 110; Liberty Diner will be on the left. Or take Southern State Pkwy to exit 32 N. The Diner will be on the right. SEE YOU THERE! Contact me if you have questions. Jim Clark 516.872.3694
Each month or as newsletter space allows, we hope to feature a picture of a member of the COG Northeast staff. This issue we spotlight our Massachusetts Assistant Area Director Kevin Martin with his lovely wife Amy enjoying the welcome reception at the Mid-Summer Bash Rally that he hosted. As COG #145 he knows his way around a Concours. Kevin has led many rides and has hosted a number of tech sessions over the years, passing on the fine points of Connie maintenance to newer members.
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N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S