Cognitions: Random thoughts from the Northeast Area Director - By Steven Smith #3184 Issue 1, 2006
The COG Northeast Area has been very fortunate over the years when it comes to hosting regional rallies. I can not remember a single year since I became a member that there wasn’t at least one regional rally in the NE Area. From what I hear they were happening well before my time in the club too. This speaks volumes about the members who put in the effort and time to organize and host these events. Almost any member who has attended a COG national or regional rally will tell you that you’ll become hooked after your first one. These are not the same as some of the well-known events (Sturgis, Laconia, Americade, etc) you may have attended or heard about. The COG rallies are about the people and the riding. Most regional events are scheduled over weekends… the most popular format are THU-SUN or FRI-SUN. The first and last days posted are generally considered travel days. Attendees arrive in the mid to late afternoon on the first day of the event and depart sometime in the morning of the last day. We take this into account and do not have any planned activities on these days. Early arrivals are welcome to go out and explore the rally area on their own. Rally activities span a wide range, but first and foremost is the riding. Rally hosts will generally provide sample routes and if possible, area maps. The sample routes are usually of different lengths and head out in different directions. All riding is self-guided and you ride at your own pace. Folks are welcome to group up with other riders at the rally, but you are on your own to make these arrangements. For safety sake, please keep the groups small. The sample routes traverse public roads and highways. The organizer is not responsible for the conditions of these roads and highways, nor for the behavior of/or hazards caused by other individuals using the public roads and highways. The organizer is not responsible for any changes in the condition of these routes that may have occurred since they were selected. Each participant is solely responsible for the safe and successful operation of his/her motorcycle during the events. Another favorite part of the rally for attendees is the group dinner, which generally is included in the rally fee. This can range from family style BBQ to full sit down banquet and everything in between. Rally hosts try to gather up some door prizes to give away during the group dinner. One more thing that rates high all the tires kicking and story swapping that happens in the rally headquarter parking lot in the late afternoon after the riding is done. Sometimes you may even find an impromptu parking lot tech session. Cold & hot beverages of choice are enjoyed, along with the tales of the day’s riding. This can sometimes go on into the night. We are fortunate to once again have Spring, Summer, and Fall NE regional rallies planned for 2006; Plus the COG National. Choose to go to one or all of them. Save the dates, book your room, and get the registration forms in early. May 18-21: “Spring Fling” Rally, Wellsboro, PA - The Spring Fling Rally details and registration form (including hotel & camping options) were published in the last newsletter (Issue 6, 2005). Better yet, check out the rally web pages. There is lots of rally information already posted including sample ride routes and a growing list of registered attendees. You can also download the registration form from the web. If you are without a Internet connection, mail a letter to me requesting copies of the registration form and accompanying information along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to get it back to you. June 25-July 1: COG National Rally, Hill City, SD - The North Central Region is excited to be your host for this event. Info and registration form were in the recent Fall Concourier issue. Questions? send email to: registrationhc2006@hotmail.com or call NCAD Larry Leranth: .262.662.0360 or check out the rally web: www.concours.org/2006 August 4-6: “Dog Days” Summer Rally, Marlinton, WV - After many successful “Dog Days” campouts at Boyer Station, WV, we’re expanding the 2006 event to 3 days and moving to Marlinton, WV. The Marlinton Motor Inn will serve as our Rally headquarters. It offers all the amenities we require including an outdoor pool, restaurant and lounge! We negotiated a great room rate to make you stay affordable too! The Inn is right in the heart of some of the best riding you’ll find in the east coast! There is nearby camping at Watoga State Park, for those who prefer to tent. From our rally site you’ll be able to explore the Monongahela National Forest and experience the sites and routes that so many of us have come to love. Stops at Seneca Rocks or the New River Gorge are a must and you will want to highlight routes 219, 39, 250 and route 150 the Highland Scenic Highway, on your maps! This will be a riding rally and the mountain roads of WV will leave you wanting to come back! For the train buffs among us, don't miss the steam trains at Cass or Durbin! The Pocahontas County tourism board has an active campaign attracting motorcyclist to the area and offers some great route sheets on their website and we will provide hard copies of the Pocahontas County ride pamphlet. Surf their web site www.pocahontas.org and you can find all sorts of great information, including the route maps. The registration form is included later in this issue. There is a summer rally web page posted to the NE web site. Get your vacations scheduled, book those rooms and please send in your registration form ASAP so we can plan a great event for you! See you in Wild & Wonderful West Virginia! Rally Host - Jason COG #62 October 12-15, Fall Foliage Rally, Matamoras, PA / Port Jervis, NY -This rally will be situated at a venue bordered by the pristine Delaware River, right where the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania all meet. The location is convenient to literally hundreds of attractions and terrific riding in the Poconos, Catskills, and Hudson Valley. The area countryside is dotted with quaint antique and craft shops, historic attractions including the Grey Towers estate, Zane Grey museum, Roebling Bridge, and two national parks. Take a twisty ride through Hawks Nest on RT 97, which follows along side the Delaware River on the NY side. We plan to publish complete details and registration for in newsletter Issue 3, 2005 (June) and also on the NE web. Rally hosts will be the New York Gang of Four – Jim Clark, Terry Faherty, Scott Sorger, Artie Vaccaro. Until next time, ride safe.
Steve
Hudson Valley Report - by Mike Flynn
COG #4493
As you read this, the NYC bike show is done and over with. I hope you all had fun. I missed the show. I was chasing down electrical gremlins on my Triumph. OK, stop laughing! Anyway, looking at the schedule put together for the 2006 riding season, there is much to choose from. Taking a page from the CT crew’s playbook, I’ve added some meet and greets. These are intended to be more a social gathering than anything else. Show up, get to know each other, and maybe hit the road for a bit. The upcoming dates are March 12 & June 4. For more details and directions, check out the ride schedule in this issue. I am doing my Glock and Glider rides again this year. I wonder if any other COGgers will show up for these rides. I also have a couple Hooky rides planned. These are fun; as we let the worker bees get to work, then hit the nearly empty roads for some fun. I’d love to put together an overnight (or weekend) camping trip in the northern Hudson Valley if there is enough interest. I’m thinking of a NYS campground that has campsites, as well as cabin rentals for those not into roughing it. If interested, let me know. In the interest of getting the area more interactive, I welcome your suggestions. What would you like more of, less of? What would you like to see happening that doesn’t exist? I will put on whatever type event you want, or assist you in organizing your event.
17 Years of COG - by Sam Koehler, #381 Recently, Greater Toronto Area AADs Lynn & Craig Scott, with the help of long time Ontario member Brian Jordan, asked Sam Koehler, #381 to express his thoughts about his nearly 18 years of COG membership…. I have been riding motorcycles for 57 years with the last 17+ on my trusty Concours. After I purchased a new 1987 Concours in 1988, I saw an article in one of the US motorcycle magazines about a new club called the Concours Owners Group. The story went something like “Send in your $20 and if the club doesn't pan out we'll return your money.” Now almost 18 years later, I can say that the bike and the Group sure did ‘pan out’ for me! I have enjoyed over 375,000 km (233,000 mi) of trouble free riding between two Concours. The bikes have taken me to the Yukon, to both coasts more than once and even to the shores of James Bay. COG rallies and events have been the destination for many a summer vacation from Prince Edward Island to Oregon. Of course many local rides with other local COG members who are very much like family have also helped to pile on the miles. The riding and the rallies are great, but it's my friends in COG new and old that keeps me a COG member. At the first COG rally that my wife Rose and I attended at Richmond, VA in 1988 we felt a real sense of camaraderie and openness that is still felt today wherever COG members meet. We met Russell and Martha Fleming at that first rally and have been good friends with them ever since. Thanks to Kawasaki for one excellent motorcycle and thanks to my friends in COG for 17 years of camaraderie! Page 2
Northeast Area Officers Area Director Steven Smith, #3184 Naugatuck, CT 203-720-7575 nead@concours.org
DelMarVa & Philly burbs (PA/NJ) Bob Chappell, #1283 Claymont, DE 302-791-0582 cog1283@comcast.net
Newsletter Editor Louis Caplan #2894 703-978-9844 Nighthawk700@yahoo.com
Maryland/Southern PA Russell Fleming, #599 Hampstead, MD 410-374-9687 Fleming@qis.net
Web Staff Steve Smith Kendra Weaver, #4807A Ted Shiskoski, #6395
Assistant Area Directors
Mid-Atlantic States Patrick Sprague, #1887 Luray, VA 540-743-4874 (home) 540- 743-5132 (work) 540-743-3229 (fax) PSprague@shentel.net
Massachusetts (VT, NH, ME) Kevin Martin, #145 Dracut, MA 978-459-6275 cog145@verizon.net
Atlantic Maritimes, Canada Ian Rennie, #5525 Saint John, NB 506-635-2124 IanRennie@mac.com
Connecticut Jonathan Coler, #5379 Rocky Hill, CT 860-257-4009 joncoler@yahoo.com
Greater Toronto, Canada Craig and Lynn Scott, #6054/A Guelph, Ontario 519-823-1545 clscott@golden.net
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 Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh (Western PA) Joe Cyprych, #4665 McDonald, PA 724-796-1401 Cyprych@hky.com
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
Eastern Ontario, Canada Ranald MacDonald, #2349 Greely, Ontario 613-821-1206 macdonrg@rogers.com
There may be other regions within the Northeast Area in need of an AAD. Contact the AD if you are interested in becoming an AAD and representing your region.
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 2006 © Concours Owners Group
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
MD/PA Report - by Russell Fleming, #599
COG @ NYC IMS - photo by Alex Gofayzen, #6450
What has happened in Maryland and Pennsylvania so far? I would like to thank Dave and Dawn Fridinici for stepping up and hosting the Chili n Cheese get together and taking it to another level. Dave had door prizes for everybody. People came from MD, PA, New Jersey and Connecticut. Dawn made apple pie for dessert but she said that nobody would get her recipe. By the time you read this newsletter the Lippy’s will be hosting or may have hosted the Chicken Corn Soup Gig. Details for the March 18 Crab Cakes ride, April 23 PA/DE, and May 6 Slate Run rides are now included on the ride schedule. Please check the NE web page for these updates.
Chili and Cheese - by Dave & Dawn Fridirici,#3223 Friends and “Chili and Cheese” warms the heart, as the unusual January weather warms the soul. Twenty-three COGgers ventured to Pennsylvania for a taste of home, and the reminiscing of rides past, present and future. The Maryland crew came through even though they had to travel 3 hours instead of 15 minutes. Chris and Kendra Weaver renamed our home D & D’s B & B. The Dutton’s from Connecticut brought along the newest COG member named Cookie. Someone needs to design doggie COG clothes or pet clothes in general; you might bring in more revenue than you think. Our New Jersey friends took advantage of the great weather to ride over, and Rick Miller took advantage of the location to visit family as well. The previous CnC hosts, Roseanne and Mike were missed after their southern relocation, but we did have a little of the Florida weather in midwinter for all to enjoy - maybe that was their spirit shining down on this event. We truly enjoyed opening our home to meet new friends, as well as catching up with the old. Thanks to all for coming out and supporting the love of riding. Tony Borum, Chris and Kendra Weaver, Dave and Jill Dutton, Wayne Tenney, Russell Fleming, Bodo Wolters, Warren Kuhn, Grepg Puterbaugh, Bobby Winters, Jim Doyle, Rick Miller, Dave Brodnick, Rick Emerson, Bob Saeger and Kathy Toth, Jerry Gowen and Kathy Fregans and Steve Webber (Aflac) and the new hosts of the event David and Dawn Fridirici. The weather was fantastic for those that chose two wheels. Who would expect to be able to enjoy being outdoors in January? We also want to say thanks for the “pass the hat” collection; Dawn wasn't able to keep that a secret, Russell. We had a great time hosting the event, and look forward to doing more in the future. See you all down the road, lots of great events on the calendar to look forward to.
ISSUE 1, 2006
COGgers from the Metro NY, NJ, CT, RI pose for a photo - how many can you name?
Western PA Report - by Joe Cyprych, COG #4665 Here are some of the things happening this season in Western Pennsylvania… Weekly Sunday Meet, Greet & Ride- We plan to have weekly gatherings and rides beginning the 1st week in April until the 1st week in November. See the ride schedule for more details. Thunder in the Valley Weekend Camp & Ride (June 2325) - Jason Kaplitz and his BMW group have invited us to join them for their Thunder in the Valley weekend ride. The rally is held in Johnstown, PA. More details on the ride and accommodations will be forthcoming from Jason as the time gets closer. Cooks Forest Weekend Camp & Ride (July 21-23) We’ll be camping in the Cooks Forest area, which is full of great attractions to see and explore: historic towns, largest elk herd in PA, Kinzu Dam, great roads and scenery… or just kick back around the campfire. I am still working on the camping details but wanted to get the date set now for those like me who are making their 2006 ride schedule. Hope to see you at one of these activities. If you have any questions, please contact me at cyprych@hky.com or 724.796.1401
UPDATE! CT Experienced Rider Course Important Note: There was a bonding issue that delayed an expansion project at the college and the expectation was that the motorcycle program would have two parking lots to use for this year. We were recently informed that bonding went through and the demolition/construction will begin soon. This means that the motorcycle program is losing the parking lot where our ERC was scheduled. Instead of canceling the ERC it was rescheduled for the other lot, but it requires a date and time change. The new course date will be Sunday, April 23, 2006 8:00am-3:00pm. All other information is the same - Sorry for any inconvenience. COG members (and friends) can still pre-registration for this class. The cost is $85.00 per rider (additional fee for a passenger) and is open to riders from all states. It will be conducted at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, CT. To get a registration form, provide your name, address, and phone number to CT AAD, Jonathan Coler by e-mail at joncoler@yahoo.com and write “CT ERC” in the subject field, or by phone at 860-257-4009. This ERC pre-registration is open to the first 12 people who submit a completed registration with payment back to Jon Coler (do not send to it to the school) by February 24 for . The class will be opened to public registration in March. It is our hope to fill the class with only COG people, so get your registration in early. Page 3
Northern New England AAD News -by Kevin Martin, COG #145 Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone had a great Holiday season. I’ve got lots to say, so on to AAD business. By now, some of you may have noticed that I’ve changed the heading of my report from “Massachusetts” to “Northern New England”. Here’s the scoop... When Tony Shelver, New Hampshire AAD, decided to step down from the position this left a void in the Northeast Area staffing. I waited a little while to see if anyone was interested in taking over Tony’s position. When there were no takers, I decided to volunteer my services as interim AAD, picking up the states of New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. Since many of the folks who attend my Meet ‘N Greet rides come from New Hampshire, and I frequently end up riding in NH, VT, & occasionally ME, I may as well represent you all as AAD. I will continue to represent the four “Northern New England States” for as long as Steve needs me, or until someone else decides they’d like to give it a shot. I’ve made some adjustments to my COG MA home web page to indicate the expansion to visitors, but have decided to keep the MassCog URL and continue to refer to it as the COG Massachusetts Home Page, to prevent confusion. Well, here we are in a new year, and all of the COG NE AAD’s are diligently working to plan out the ride schedule for this year. I’ve got a full line up of fun rides and events for 2006, starting Saturday, March 4th with my annual COG Winter Social. The Social will be held again at the New Moon Saloon in Marlborough, MA. If you haven’t been to one of our social gatherings, don’t be shy, stop by and meet your fellow Coggers and join in on the fun. Again this year I’ll be hosting a few of my regular rides, but will also be adding some new ones. As a warm up to start the season off, in April I’ll be hosting a ride out to the coast for lunch and back This will be about a 100 mile loop of casual riding; A good way to shake loose those winter cobwebs. We’ve got the Spring Fling in Wellsboro, PA again this year, and I’m determined to make it this time around. The guys told me that the route I planned out, to get to Wellsboro last Spring, was great… too bad I had to cancel and miss the ride. For those of you who aren’t able to make the trip to the Spring Fling, but are available to do a day event, our New Hampshire Industry Member, Dan Kennedy of Whitehorse Press, has offered up his business to COG by hosting a Tech Session and cookout that same weekend. Whitehorse employee Jeff Adams has again offered his personal time to open shop on a Saturday to host us Coggers and loaning out their very large garage for the tech session. Jeff will also open the store for goodies shopping and firing up the grill for a free cook out. If you didn’t get a chance to attend the Whitehorse Press tech session last year, you’ve got to stop by this year, even if you don’t need to service your bike. Just browsing the store for motorcycle gear and accessories is a treat, and I challenge anyone to leave there empty handed! (I couldn’t). It’s like being in your own personal motorcycle candy store… yahoo! And to top it all off, you won’t find nicer more accommodating people than the Whitehorse gang. Thanks for all your support to COG over the years, Dan, Judy & Jeff. Next, I’ve got two rides scheduled for June. One is a fairly long Tri-State Ride through MA, NH, & VT. The other is a great ride for couples to the Yankee Candle Shop in Deerfield, MA. I hosted this ride a couple of years ago, and it was enjoyed by both couples and singles alike. In early July, I’ve got an event that is sure to be a blast, called the “Lake Ossipee Cookout & Overnight.” New Hampshire member Tom O’Neill has graciously offered to host
An Option for Americade -by Bob Hostetter #6703 After sharing a rental house for the last several years at Lake George I want to try something new. I have access to an Adirondack Lodge on 400 acres and a large reservoir in the northwestern Adirondacks. I am interested in hosting COG members and friends looking one or more of the following options during Americade Week June 2-11, 2006. The Lodge is located on NY RT 56, 9 miles north of the intersection with NY Route 3.(GPS coordinates to follow.) The lodge is located approximately 2-2.5 hours from Lake George depending on your riding style. One could plan a day trip or two to check out the Americade scene and spend the rest of the time riding the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Seaway Valley. There will be knowledgeable local riders on hand each day to provide trip routing suggestions and/or lead rides for both touring and dual sport riders. I plan to have the coffee, soft drinks, and snacks on stand-by for COGers and others looking to stop in for refreshment or stretch as you commute to Americade or ride the Adirondacks. I am open to hosting COGers and friends through a variety of options. You could plan on staying for the whole week, half a week or plan to stay only a day or two while you take in Americade. Those from western NY, PA, OH, Ontario, etc. could plan on stopping in on the way to and from Americade. This could be done by planning to arrive at the Lodge in the evening, spending the following day at Americade, returning to the Lodge that evening before heading home the following day. There is also potential for riders using the Lodge on the ThursdayFriday-Saturday nights before Americade on their way to their week long accommodations in Lake George. As you can see the potential is for those using the facility to have an opportunity for authentic Adirondack Lodging during Americade with a trout stream in the front yard and 400 acres of forest for your enjoyment, for as little as $25-30 per person including continental breakfast. Even if you don't want to stay for a night, please fell free to stop in for a visit. There will be signs welcoming Americaders and COGers. The coffee will be hot. The soda and water will be cold. The grill will be warm. We plan on having someone on hand for information, trip ideas, emergencies and tour leading all week. Check out the Lodge at www.catamountlodge.com For the frugal minded… the Lodge has a fully stocked kitchen including place settings for 16+ and most pots/pans that one might need. There are two refrigerators, two ranges, a microwave, hot plate, coffee maker and large coffee urn, etc. We can make this as frugal an event as one might like. I'm open to full breakfasts, eggs, pancakes, bacon… box lunches each day… Dinners prepared on site each night (Chicken, Beef, Brats, Fish, Pasta, Salads, desserts). I only suggested fresh donuts/bagels each day since there would be someone coming from “town” each morning that could haul them in. Our plan is to have someone on-site each day most of the day. This would allow us to have a rotating cook preparing his or her specialty in time for those returning from the day's ride, to sit down to a home cooked meal, which could be part of the program....in the true Adirondack Hunting Lodge tradition. As long as we have an idea of the numbers each day, we can make this as frugal as one likes. I plan on riding down from home most mornings to make room at the Lodge for additional riders and facilitating bring in fresh milk, pastries, and other supplies. We have a dedicated group of three-four+ local riders that will act as hosts, guides, greeters, and cooks on a volunteer basis. Please fell free to contact me with any thoughts and ideas. Phone: 315-212-0495 or email: APPRAISER@TWCNY.RR.COM
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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 Repeating Events (ON) S. Central Ontario Get-Together Monthly Dinner Gathering: Meet at 6 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Mohawk Inn, located on the northwest corner of Hwy. 401 at Guelph Line, Exit 312, next to the Mohawk Raceway & Slots Entertainment Facility. 9230 Guelph Line, Campbellville, Ontario. 905.854.2277 www.mohawkinn.com Join us for dinner and socializing. All Welcome. SPECIAL EVENT - Swap meet night. Bring motorcycle accessories, clothing, magazines, anything motorcycle related to sell or just show off. Craig & Lynn Scott 519.823.1545 clscott@golden.net
Please call the Lippy’s a week before so they can plan food. 410.871.3285 or m.lippy@netzero.net (CT) Motorcycle Movie Madness 02/25/06 - Come on over at 2:00 PM and bring a bag or two of munchies, soda – whatever – to share with the crowd. Location: 80 Highland Street, Rocky Hill, CT. Well be popping a Motorcycle DVD in the ol’ player and kickin’ back with a warm fire in the hearth and the munchies and beverages bountiful. Due to limited space RSVP is a must and this event is only available to current members. Contact Jon 860-221-5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com
(CT) Wood’s Pit BBQ, Bantam, CT 03/07/06 - This is the kind of joint your friends (PA) Meet Greet and Ride Sundays talk about that makes you wish you had Meet Sundays at 10:00 am at Kings Restaurant discovered it yourself. A small, “Real Pit BBQ” located in Imperial, PA, located right off the restaurant that also features Mexican, full Imperial exit of routes 22 & 30. We will decide service, bar & takeout. The BBQ here is a ride or destination with whoever attends, or I awesome! Beef and pork ribs literally fall off will have a route ready if we need it. Rides will the bone and are not drowning in sauce. Pulled begin the 1st week in April until the 1st week in pork sandwiches are divine as are the honey Nov. If you have a ride idea, or need any BBQ wings. They have real green chili! additional info or directions contact Joe Something unheard of here in New England. Cyprych 724.796.1401 or cyprych@hky.com Weather permitting; an impromptu ride will Hope to see you there. follow dinner. All bikes and riders welcome. They are located at 123 Bantam Lake Road (Route 209), Bantam, CT, Phone: 860-5679869. Directions: Follow Route 202. Turn West Calendar of Events onto 209. Drive Route 209 for 4.8 miles to (CT) Willington Pizza House, Willington, CT Wood’s Pit. Contact Jon 860-221-5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com 02/07/06 - Located on Route 32, Willington, CT, it is said they serve the best pizza in (NY) Hudson Valley Area Meet-n-Greet Tolland County for 25 years. I can attest that the food at Willington Pizza is simply orgasmic 03/12/06 - Join me for a simple breakfast/ brunch to get the Hudson Valley area COGgers and their red potato pizza is to die for! We’ll meet at 6:00 PM and dine while our taste buds acquainted. No planned ride, just meet and see what happens. Meet at 10am at the Mount perform amazing somersaults. For directions Kisco Coach Diner .(252 Main Street, Mt. and a sneak peak at their menu, visit their Kisco). From Saw Mill Parkway take exit 34 website: www.willingtonpizza.com. Weather (Rt133), turn right onto 133 (E Main St), follow permitting; an impromptu ride will follow to 3rd lite, turn right onto Main St. Go thru 2 dinner. All bikes and riders welcome. Contact lites, diner is on the right (parking in rear). Jon 860-221-5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com From southern Westchester via 684, take exit 4/ (VA) Breakfast & Ride Rt172, left at light, follow to end (at hospital), and bear right. Diner is about ½ mile down on 02/12/06 - Gordonsville, VA …and maybe left. From points north, follow 684 to the Saw lunch and ride. At 9:30 AM, meet at the Innwood Restaurant on RT 15 just north of the Mill directions. Mike Flynn traffic circle in Gordonsville. A ride will follow, keltwolf@optonline.net or 914-263-5440 weather permitting. Hope for blue skies and (MD) Crabcakes Ride clean roads. This is normally the coldest ride on 03/18 - 03/19/06 – We’ll meet at Holly's the mid Atlantic ride schedule. Got ‘lectrics? Restaurant, located east of the Bay Bridge on Alternate date if bad weather will be Sunday 2/19/06. Contact: Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 the service road on the north side of Rt. 50 at exit 43B, heading east (exit 43A if you’re or psprague@shentel.net heading west). Directions and a map are (MD) “Chicken Corn Soup Gig” available by clicking on Location at www.hollysrest.com. We’ll meet for breakfast 02/25/06 - John and Missy Lippy will host a at 9am and will depart the restaurant around hearty cold weather feed at there home at 227 10am on a ride that Bobby Winters laid out for East Green Street in Westminster, MD. GPS us on the eastern shore of Maryland and coordinates N 39-34.094 W 76-59.451 We’ll Delaware. The ride will end at Elk Neck State meet at John and Missy’s at Noon. If the weather is favorable plug in your electrics and Park in north east Maryland where we will camp for the night. Campsite cost is $30.00 per ride the bike. If the weather is questionable come in the cage and enjoy COG Camaraderie. night and allows 2 tents per site. Hookup with a COG friend and make reservations by calling ISSUE 1, 2006
1.888.432.2267 or through the web site reservations.dnr.state.md.us and ask for camp site # 230 to # 240 area which is close to the bath house. We have a reservation at Woody’s Crab House in north east MD for dinner at 6:30pm for crab cakes. Woody’s is located at 29 South Main Street if you cannot make the ride and want to join us for the evening please let me know so I can put your name on the list for dinner. Sunday morning we have reservations at Pier 1 Restaurant for breakfast at 9am. Which is located at 1 North Main Street, North East MD. Contact Russell Fleming at 410.374.9687 or fleming@qis.net. (CT) Meet, Eat, Ride – PMS Breaker! 03/25/06 - 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 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 860-2215194 or joncoler@yahoo.com (CT) Meet, Eat, Ride 04/04/06 - 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 KathyJohns, Storrs, CT 643 Middle TPK, Storrs Mansfield, CT 06268-1304. Telephone: 860.429.0362. An enormous array of sandwiches, burgers, and entrees to choose from, followed by even more combinations of ice cream sundaes and specialties for dessert. Casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Also notable is the large "souvenir shop" by the cash registers, featuring rubber stamps, knickknacks, incense, and other odds and ends. Weather permitting; an impromptu ride will follow dinner. All bikes and riders welcome. Contact Jon 860-221-5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com (NY) Hudson Valley Area Meet-n-Greet 04/09/06 - Join me for a simple breakfast/ brunch to get the Hudson Valley area COGgers acquainted. No planned ride, just meet and see what happens. Meet at 10am at the Mount Kisco Coach Diner .(252 Main Street, Mt. Kisco). From Saw Mill Parkway take exit 34 (Rt133), turn right onto 133 (E Main St), follow to 3rd lite, turn right onto Main St. Go thru 2 lites, diner is on the right (parking in rear). From southern Westchester via 684, take exit 4/ Rt172, left at light, follow to end (at hospital), and bear right. Diner is about ½ mile down on left. From points north, follow 684 to the Saw Mill directions. Mike Flynn keltwolf@optonline.net or 914-263-5440 (VA) Breakfast-n-Ride, Thunderbird Diner 04/09/06 - Meet for breakfast 9:00am at the Thunderbird Diner in McGaheysville, VA, 42 (Continued on page 6) Page 5
(Ride Schedule Continued from page 5)
Island Ford Rd, on US RT 33 across from the McGayesville Volunteer Fire Dept. A great new diner with good food and reasonable prices. After breakfast, we’ll head towards the Mountain State, weather permitting. Contact Pat Sprague 540.743.5132 or psprague@shentel.net (VA) “Blessing of the Bikes” 04/22/06 - Luray VFW Hall - Not a COG event. Lunch will be served. No charge, but a free will offering to benefit Habitat for Humanity can be considered. Local friend, pastor, and motorcyclist, Rev. Daniel Robayo will do the blessing. More details to follow. Contact Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or psprague@shentel.net (MD) Northeast Maryland, PA & Delaware 04/23/06 - Jim Doyle is hosting a ride that will start at the Cracker Barrel on Route 30 east of downtown Lancaster PA. Meet for breakfast at 9 am and plan to ride by 10 am. The route will take you through Southeast PA. Amish Country and Northern Delaware Horse and Country Home Estates. The ride ends with a cookout at Jim’s house in Landenberg, PA where we will feast on hotdogs and hamburgers. After enjoying the food and riding storys, Jim has rides planned either to Conowingo Dam or Lancaster, where we can start to find our way home. Contact Jim Doyle doylejj@comcast.net or Russell Fleming 410-374-9687 fleming@qis.net (CT) Connecticut COG ERC 04/23/06 - See the article in this issue for details or Jon 860-221-5194 joncoler@yahoo.com (VA) Southern Wrenchfest Weekend 04/29 – 04/30/06 - Cogger extraordinaire, Jim Hammond, # 3192, of has offered once again 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 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 Expressway, so you follow the signs for 501 north. When you come to a 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 Page 6
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 tell him you're coming! Jim Hammond 434.386.3075 or hamnj@earthlink.net
This will be a full day affair, so plan accordingly. Bring your EZpass if you have one. Contact Mike Flynn 914.263.5440 or keltwolf@optonline.net
(PA) Spring Fling Rally, Wellsboro, PA 05/18 - 05/21/06 – We had such a great time last year we are doing it again… The 8th annual event will be held in Wellsboro again. At the (CT) Ride to Curtis’ BBQ Slate Run Tackle Shop & General Store 04/29/06 - Putney, VT “Chill-Buster Ride” COGgers can sample some of the best Meet and Greet at Bickford’s Restaurant in sammiches in north central PA - and the riding around this area isn’t bad either. Our host town Enfield, CT at 8:30 AM. Ride departs at 9:15 AM. We will traverse some of the best roads in of Wellsboro is located in north central PA, the area as we twist and wind through along the famous Route 6 corridor, not far from Connecticut, Massachusetts and into Vermont New York State's Finger Lake Region. The en route to Curtis’ BBQ (Telephone: rally area is abundant with museums, wineries, 802.387.5474) in Putney. At Curtis’s we’ll feast terrific scenery, and great roads. More info can on some of the most mouth waterin’, lip be found on the web (www.concours.org/ne/ smackerin’, ribs and chicken west of the SpringFling) or on the registration form. Connecticut River. Route sheets will be Contact Jason Kaplitz 814-535-8669 or available. All bikes and riders welcome. gsjay62@verizon.net Contact Jon 860-221-5194 or (NY) Hudson Valley Area Meet-n-Greet joncoler@yahoo.com 06/04/06 - Join me for a simple breakfast/ (PA) Slate Run for Buns/Wellsboro Gas brunch to get the Hudson Valley area COGgers Lights acquainted. No planned ride, just meet and see 05/06 - 05/07/06 – We will meet Saturday at what happens. Meet at 10am at the Mount Sheetz at Route 11 and 114 on the north side of Kisco Coach Diner .(252 Main Street, Mt. Mechanicsburg, PA at 8:00 am and plan to Kisco). From Saw Mill Parkway take exit 34 leave at 8:30. There will be a riders meeting to (Rt133), turn right onto 133 (E Main St), follow hand out maps and route sheets so that everyone to 3rd lite, turn right onto Main St. Go thru 2 can ride at there own pace. There is a planned lites, diner is on the right (parking in rear). lunch stop at Slate Run Store and Tackle Shop. From southern Westchester via 684, take exit 4/ After a SUPER Sandwich and drink we will Rt172, left at light, follow to end (at hospital), ride to Wellsboro PA for an evening of and bear right. Diner is about ½ mile down on motorcycle stories. If anyone would like, I left. From points north, follow 684 to the Saw could lead a ride to the PA Grand Canyon or Mill directions. Mike Flynn some fun roads that I know in the area. Sunday keltwolf@optonline.net or 914-263-5440 we meet at Harland’s Family Style Restaurant, 17 Pearls Street, Wellsboro PA at 8:00 am to The entire ride schedule is listed in eat breakfast. There is a planned route to bring the online ride database: you back to south central PA. Lodging in www.concours.org/schedule Wellsboro is at your cost and arrangement; I will be staying at the Sherwood Motel. Sherwood Motel, Main Street Wellsboro PA 800-656-5802; The Penn Wells Lodge or Hotel, Main Street, Wellsboro PA 800-545-2446; Canyon Motel, 18 East Avenue Wellsboro PA 800-255-2718; For more Lodging checkout www.wellsboroweb.com Contact Russell Fleming 410-374-9687 or fleming@qis.net (NY) Glocks in the Tankbag Ride! 05/13/06 - Pack your Glocks in the tankbag because we're going shootin! Join me for a fun ride to the DE Water Gap area. We'll stop at at shooting range where you can bring your own, or better yet, rent one of their guns. They have the Dirty Harry .357, Glocks, AK-47s, M-16s, shotguns, 6 shooters and more. You can even shoot from a saddle! 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 will be 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. Take exit 6 off I684, and Rt35 west to Rt100. Turn right onto 100, the store is about 1 block up on the right.
Rumors are that since stepping down as NE AAD, Clyde Watson has taken on a new job. N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
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Northeast Area “Dog Days Rally” Marlinton, WV August 4-6, 2006 We build on smaller “Dog Days” events and move this year’s event to the heart of Pocahontas County and in the middle of some of the finest riding you'll ever find! Our rally site offers 70 rooms to accommodate our larger group. Get your vacation request in and book those rooms ASAP! We look forward to see you in the Mountain State this summer. Headquarters: Marlinton Motor Inn; Rt. 219N, Marlinton, WV 800.354.0821; 304.799.4711, www.marlintonmotorinn.com The motel setting may be rustic, but the accommodations are anything but! Recently renovated, offering in room phones, AC, Cable TV w/ HBO and comfortable beds! Room Rates: vary… but a room with 2 beds/2 people will run $56.99 including tax. You must call the Motel direct - Don't delay, our block will only be held until July! Be sure to mention Concours Owners Group (COG) to get these rates when making your reservations. Camping: Watoga State Park, Marlinton, WV, 1-800-CALL-WVA, 304.799.4087, www.watoga.com Everything needed to make reservations is listed on their website. Riding: Self-guided riding. The Pocahontas County tourism board actively promotes motorcycling in the area and lists a number of rides on their web site. There will be no other route sheets provided, but we will provide hard copies of the Pocahontas County rides. There is lots of information on the website: www.pocahontas.org. Planned Events: Saturday Dinner. Poker Run, & Bug Splat. Pre-register: Send lower portion of the Registration Form with rally fee payable to “Concours Owners Group” to: Scott Ashbaugh 217B Ingleside Ave. Marietta, Ohio 45750
(ashbaughs @ charter.net)
Rally web page: www.concours.org/ne/summerrally Questions / Comments / Suggestions? Jason Kaplitz: 814.535.8669 gsjay62@ verizon.net Patrick Sprague: 540.743.4874 psprague@ shentel.net Joe Cyprych: 724.796.1401 cyprych@ hky.com
Rally Fee (per person): US$25.00 including Saturday dinner; US$10.00 without Saturday dinner. We can only seat 70 at dinner. After dinner activities will be open to all! Rally fee shown is for COG members, including their immediate family and significant other; add $5 for non-COG members and their guests. Add $5 late fee for all registrations received after 7/16/06. Full refund issued before 7/16/06; refund less $10 after 7/16/06; No refunds issued after 7/31/06.
Registration Form – “Dog Days Rally” (Please PRINT Clearly)
(Rev 2.0)
Calculate total fee: Rally Fee: $______
Name: (One form per person) ___________________________________________ COG #___________ Street: ___________________________________________________________ AMA # __________
Late Fee:
$______
Total:
$______
City:_ ________________________________________________ State/Province: ___________ Zip Code: ______________ Phone: (______)______-__________ E-Mail: ___________________________________________________ Country: ____ I will be a (circle one): rider / passenger / guest
Motorcycle model: _________________________ License tag # ____________
I want to attend the Saturday dinner (circle one): NO YES (I understand dinner seating may be limited to the first 70 registrations received) 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) ___________________________________ ISSUE 1, 2006
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Our Newest Northeast Area Members Jim Vaigneur Jr, #7197 Stafford, VA
Shawn Russell, #7216 Charlottesville, VA
William Hendra, #7237 Toms River, NJ
William Higinbotham, #7202 Lake Hiawatha, NJ
Ken Ubry, #7214 New Castle, PA
Karl & Linda Henshaw, #7239 Red Lion, PA
Paul & Christy Brady, #7205 Blakeslee, PA
Donald Retzer, #7222 Midlothian, VA
Vic Ament & Karryl Salit, #7241 North Huntingdon, PA
Douglas Cropper, #7207 Philmont, NY
Manning Pick, #7226 Columbia, MD
Bill Maillet, #7243 Whitby, ON Canada
Charles Viola, #7211 Bohemia, NY
Robert Newell, #7228 Pepperell, MA
Jim & Karen Purucker, #7251 East Longmeadow, MA
James Grunenwald, #7212 Utica, NY
Glenn Szarzynski, #7236 Raphine, VA
Paul Quinn, #7253 London, ON Canada
folks to remember to send us their email address changes. Event plans and schedules can sometimes change overnight, making email correspondence very important to us, as it’s the only way for us to quickly get the word out on last minute event changes. I constantly get members emails returned to me because they are no longer active. It’s a little frustrating since I’d hate to see someone miss out on a club activity over something as silly as a missed email. If you’ve changed your email address recently, please contact me so I can update our records. How are you supposed to know if I have an old email address listed for you? If you see your name listed here it means that I don’t have an email address for you, or the email address I have doesn’t work. Missing emails: Bruce Bartlett, #2045, Craig Buckland, #5931, Steve Cataldo, #1573, Paul French, #252, Wayne Geiser, #4627, Joseph Kwasnik, #5025, William Patten, #4978, Philip Petschek, #4148, James Whitehead Jr, #6443, Michael Benham, #6309, Michael Gilbert, #4130, Stephen Whelton, #6389. Also, check to see if the email published in the member directory is correct. If you need to make changes, send me an email at This is just a start of what’s to come this season in the Northern New cog145@verizon.net and I’ll make sure that the database is updated. England area, and the other AAD’s are planning great events as In closing, we had some really successful rides and events last year, well. Check the Ride Schedule Database for up to date events. You can access the database directly through the NE Area Home Page or some that were hosted by local members. If you’ve got some favorite roads or and idea for a Meet & Greet ride, let me know. I’ll through my “Favorite Links” page at www.masscog.org see if we can fit it into the 2006 schedule for you. Enjoy the rest of Steve and I are always struggling to figure out the best way to get the winter, and see you all at the Social in March. (Northern New England AAD News - Continued from page 4)
and overnight and barbeque at his home in Lake Ossipee. This will be a fun event starting with a great sport touring ride up through southern and central NH, then winding our way up through the Lakes Region into Ossipee for lunch. After lunch, I’ll turn the reins over to Tom and he’ll take us on some of his favorite roads in the White Mountains National Forest area. We’ll wrap up the day with a Saturday night BBQ and some good old COG socializing. Sunday is up to you, pack your bags and head home, or join Tom and I for another great ride! Meet me at my starting point, or make your own ride up to Tom’s place. Tom has plenty of room for everyone. For those who like to camp, bring your tents and gear - there’s plenty of acreage. You don’t have to stay overnight to join in on this fun event. Come for a full or half day ride if you want. This event is flexible, but you’ll miss out on Tom’s cooking if you don’t stay over! Keep checking the online event schedule as I’ll be updating it to include additional information, like directions to Tom’s place.
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