Cognitions: Random thoughts from the Northeast Area Director - by Steven Smith #3184 Issue 5, 2006
BIG news - During September Kawasaki announced a new 2008 Concours. You can read more about it in this issue. Please keep your member info up to date - Each newsletter mailing a number of newsletters are returned to sender due to incorrect email or home mailing addresses, preventing you from receiving your COG mail. In the ever changing landscape of internet providers, email addresses change often. We want to be able to communicate with you easily and efficiently. Please keep your mailing and email address current with COG. You can provide updated information to the membership director or me. eNews - These newsletters are also published electronically as internet standard Adobe PDF files, and many members choose to receive an electronic subscription instead of by mail - a feature we call eNews. Before issues are printed and mailed, members signed up for eNews receive an email with a web link to the new issue with color photos that they can download, then view or print. The newsletters are archived to the NE web site about a month or so after distributed to northeast members. If you wish to sign up for eNews, you can find out how to do so on the Northeast Online web site - just click the Newsletter menu item. www.concours.org/ne 2007 Events - If you have an idea for a ride or other event, please contact me or your AAD to see how we can help you make it happen. Here is a quick look at some of the major events for next year. Spring Fling 2007: May 31 - June 3, Mount Snow Valley area of southern Vermont (host: Kevin Martin). COG National Rally, August 7-12, Canaan Valley, WV. Fall Rally 2007: late September early October, Lake George, NY (host; Terry Faherty) Fall Foliage Rally 2006 - This rally proved to be a bit more stressful for Jim from the planning side due to some issues with the motel he originally planned to use, but he pulled it off in grand style anyway. He even managed a cool, but beautiful weekend. Many thanks to Jim Clark, Artie Vaccaro, Scott Sorger, and Terry Faherty for all they did to pull the Fall Rally together. I also want to thank Cherry & Gerry Barnett for transporting the COG banner to & from the rally so I did not have to pack that monstrous tube on my bike. I’d also like to thank a new friend of COG, Sam Yasgur, who was kind enough to drop off maps and other stuff to Jim on Thursday. Other commitments prevented me from leaving home on Thursday, and I was not sure if I would get to the rally on Saturday morning or late Friday night. A major cold front was moving in after Buffalo, NY was blasted with 2 feet of snow and my worst fear is frost/ice on the road traveling after dark. I decided to blow off my Friday evening commitment in lieu of riding in daylight with a few others whose plans just happen to align with mine. We departed Connecticut Friday afternoon and after seeing that I-84 was bumper to bumper we decided to use the roads less traveled all the way to Liberty. The sun was bright and the skies clear, which made for an absolutely wonderful ride. The electrics got turned up as the temps started to go down, and by the time we arrived in Liberty at 6:30PM the sun was setting. The temperature on a local bank indicated 45 degrees, and my jacket & gloves were set to high. We dropped off stuff in our rooms, signed-in with Jim, and headed across the street for a terrific steak dinner at Manny’s. After dinner folks were doing the typical rally socializing. Most were milling around the lobby of the motel, the room used for sign-in, or in the motel lounge. The outside temperature kept many inside, although there were some brave souls that endured it. At one point Stave Cerutti & I walked outside to take a photo of the reading of the thermometer on Kevin Martin’s bike. What we saw was amazing. The 25-degree reading explained why everything was covered in a heavy frost. Jim had a number of sample routes planned, including a trip to grey Tower museum. Most people decided to avoid a very early departure to allow the frost to melt in the morning sun. I headed out with friends for a nice 250mile loop around the Catskills, after heading down to Hawks Nest. We looped into Pennsylvania and came back into NY via the Roebling Bridge and followed the Delaware River northwest to Hancock, NY. From there we beat feet on RT 17 to route 30 and rode along the Pepacton Reservoir, past Margaretville, Fleischmanns, and Big Indian to RT 28, RT 28A and the
More rally photos posted to the COG Northeast Online fall rally web page
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Northeast Area Officers
Ashokan Reservoir. We headed south on County Road 42 to RT 55A, RT 55 passing the Neversink Reservoir and then took RT 52 back to Liberty.
Area Director Steven Smith, #3184 203-720-7575 nead@concours.org
The Saturday banquet dinner was catered by a local restaurant and hosted at the Grossinger’s golf course clubhouse, which was about a mile or so away from the rally HQ motel. A few people decided to walk there, and even less rode their bikes. Most decided to wait & pay for the taxi vans to shuttle them over. The clubhouse environment was relaxed and roomy for the 70 or so attendees. The food was served buffet style and there was plenty enough for seconds if you wanted. After dinner Jim & Terry gave away the numerous door prizes. We would like to thank these sponsor’s for providing door prizes: American Motorcycle Specialties (www.amspecialtiesusa.com); Backroads Magazine (www.backroadsusa.com); Murph’s Kits (www.murphskits.com); ROADGEAR (www.roadgear.com). Thanks also go to Guy Young who was unable to attend, but donated his rally fee to the door prize pool. On the trip home we took County Road 7, which brought us past the backside of Minnewaska State Park. This road provides spectacular views of the cliffs and rock face of the northern end of the Gunks (an abbreviated name for the Shawagunk Mountain
Northern New England Report - by Kevin Martin, COG #145 The 2006 riding season is going out pretty much the way it came in, and not one of the best overall riding seasons on record. I’ve rescheduled more rides due to inclement weather than any riding season in recent memory. Some of my reschedule dates needed to be rescheduled, and some dates where the forecasters swore up and down that there wouldn’t be any rain, ended up being wet rides. Most recently I hosted another wet and foggy Mt. Greylock ride. This was not one of my better rides, as it was full of setbacks. I knew there was no chance of riding up to the summit, when on our way there, we ran into extremely thick fog on the higher elevations of the Mohawk Trail. Working our way to the North Adams hairpin turn, the fog was so thick I could just barely see the striped lines in the road directly in front of me. The headlights of on coming traffic diffused in the fog giving the impression of being too close for comfort, but turning around or pulling over would be far too dangerous for those of us on the ride. So we continued. Fortunately, the hair pin turn is on the down side of the Mohawk Trail summit. The fog was not as thick and allowed us fairly good visibility around the turn, and we only had to deal with the rain at that point. Not everybody was as fortunate that day. Just after the turn we were held up for a while in the pouring rain due to a serious crash of a pick up truck, which looked like it rolled over a couple of times. We made it past the worst part of the ride, but needless to say, if the fog was that thick at around 1500 feet, there was no way I was going to attempt the 3500 foot ride up to the Mt. Greylock summit. I decided to press on and go around Mt. Greylock directly to the lunch stop, and wouldn’t you know, when we finally got to the restaurant, they had gone out of business and were closed! (NNE report-Continued on page 3) Page 2
Newsletter Editor Louis Caplan #2894 703-978-9844 Nighthawk700@yahoo.com Web Staff Steve Smith Kendra Weaver, #4807A
Assistant Area Directors Massachusetts (VT, NH, ME) Kevin Martin, #145 Dracut, MA 978-459-6275 cog145@verizon.net Connecticut (RI) Jim Purucker, #7251 East Longmeadow, MA 413-525-8459 j.purucker@verizon.net 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
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 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 Atlantic Maritimes, Canada position open
Western NY J.R. Healy, #6591 Hamburg, NY 716-648-6729 Dafonman52@yahoo.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
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
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Again we pressed on, and I found a fairly nice place to eat in the town of Adams Mass, a few towns away from our original destination. We had a nice lunch, and rode the rest of the day in the rain. My good friend Bill Hamilton said I should rename this annual fall foliage ride as the Mt. Greylock rainy day ride (or similar) based on my track record. He’s right! All I can say is it’s a good thing we Coggers know how to dress and ride in the rain. That’s one of the advantages of being a long distance sport touring rider. By the time I got home, I was completely dry, and at least enjoyed the fact that I got to take a ride, with my busy work schedule. The next ride, my Lake Sunapee NH ride, was also rescheduled, and turned out to be a great fall day with bright sunshine and cool temperatures in the 60’s. Turn out was unexpectedly light, but we had a very good ride, meeting some folks up at the lakeside lunch stop. My Sunapee ride pretty much wraps up my 2006 riding season for extended local rides.
MD/PA AAD Report - by Russell Fleming, #599 In August Martha & I went to Alaska so we missed Charles Rice’s ride and was told those that attended had a good time. A big thank you to Charles for hosting the ride. In September Jim Miller hosted a ride at Harpers Ferry KOA. I would like to thank Jim Miller for hosting the ride and Dave Meadow for the ride report. For what is happening the next couple months check the NE web site for events. I am busy putting the 2007 ride schedule together. The following ride report was written by Dave Meadows who came from Ohio for the weekend. Rolling into the KOA campground across the street from historic Harper’s Ferry and seeing 2 Concours parked at the registration building, I knew I had made the right decision to attend the ride September 15, 16, and 17 that COG member Jim Miller organized. Over the next few hours the rest of the gang that made up our riding contingent for the next day rolled into camp including Jim, who was towing a trailer chock full of essential camping necessities. After all was said and done a fine mix of Concours, V-Stroms and a few KLR’s thrown in for good measure rounded out the group. The sites at the campground varied from rocky to moonscape to downright uninhabitable. Kurt and Sue Nordstrom along with Son Richard had the right idea with one of the very nice cabins available, but it was all worked out and solved and soon after dinner on Friday night, the campfire was lit off and the solving of all the worlds problems proceeded with gusto well into the night aided by large quantities of sugar laden soda and alcohol infused beverages. The weatherman promised sunny skies and fairly warm temperatures for the whole weekend and was quickly proven wrong as it rained most of Friday night. The heavy dew did not dampen spirits as dawn broke overcast and cool for the ride Saturday morning with all anticipating the breakfast run to the local eatery known as Cindy Dee’s. Sausage gravy over warm homemade biscuits in a local mountain top food emporium that has varnished plywood ceilings served by a waitress that holds a psych degree reaffirms my notion that my home state of Ohio and West Virginia are two states separated by a common language. Standing in the parking lot after breakfast burping off excess stomach flatulence and jockeying for riding positions and groups, I noticed a KLR that had seen better days. What caught my eye was the rider’s good taste in orange helmets, local rider Zack pulled in on his KLR whose chain could be doubled back on itself and he was telling us of how difficult it was to accelerate as the chain kept ISSUE 5, 2006
jumping teeth on the rear sprocket! We gawked for a few minutes then saddled up for the ride laid out by Jim with very convenient green arrows marking the correct routes at the intersections along with route sheets-NICE. I fell into a loose group of about 5 or 6 bikes and we proceeded slightly above the posted speed of the first road of the 180 mile ride and quickly encountered air under my wheels 2 or 3 times in the first mile. It was then I really knew I made the right decision to make this COG event, that and names or roads like Butts Mill Rd. and Poor House Rd. made it all the more evident that this was to be a banner day for us all. Dampness on the roads early on made most of us back down a bit in our riding styles, at least it did for me as my Metzler 880 aren’t known for their stickiness and the presence of a few tar snakes made for a few high adrenaline moments on the some of the sharper corners we encountered. Jim promised gravel in the corners and I’d like to report this did not come to pass, I was glad that for only one instance that I can recall, Jim was wrong. 25 miles into the ride, all the groups bunched up and a few of us broke off at a gas station, took a break, unloaded any excess water and while taking in the local scenery driving by wondered why on earth Chevy stopped making Z-28’s. Being from Northern Ohio and riding mostly rolling farm country roads simply does not prepare you for the sensory overload one encounters riding the back roads and mountains of VA, WV and MD. It was very difficult for me to attempt to look at some of the beautiful scenery that flashed by my helmet, I was constantly rowing through the gearbox and my arms ached, but my smile was huge and my boot tips worn as we wound our way over the mountain roads and smooth single lane blacktop glorified buggy trails and towards lunch in Hancock. After a hearty sandwich at the restaurant, we rode on towards Harper’s Ferry and the end of the ride passing through some of the most scenic vistas and historically significant places I have yet to see, a few times I could have sworn had I not ducked my head would have hit some of the gigantic Sycamore trees overhanging the sunken lanes we rode on. The Shenandoah Valley, Antetiem Battlefield, the Potomac River are but a few of the many sites we passed through riding around Saturday and ensures the fact that I’ll be back soon to ride it all again. Dinner Saturday evening was at the Mountain Top Restaurant in Harpers’s Ferry, and a few people that didn’t make the ride joined us for food and fellowship. When we got back to the campground the fire was already going and marshmallows were soon to follow, along of course with the usual soda and alcoholic beverages that were consumed in relatively responsible amounts, although subtle hints of bodily harm were mentioned to some around the fire concerning an encounter I had with a Red Pontiac Friday afternoon. All woke up the next morning with limbs intact, though some I suspect didn’t sleep. It’s times such as these that make COG what it is for me and I think many others, the talk around the campfire is universal in its appeal and therapeutic in its effect. After good-byes and well wishes, everyone road out of the camp Sunday morning either headed home or to breakfast satisfied that we all had the unique experience of what is COG and riding the best roads around with the best people around.
Hudson Valley AAD Report- by Mike Flynn,#4493 The summer is over tomorrow. It was brutally hot at times, and quite rainy on the weekends. At least it seemed to rain on my weekends off, or when I had rides planned. Such is summer in the northeast. That’s OK; I prefer the fall anyway. The temperatures (Continued on page 4) Page 3
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are such that you don’t swelter in your riding gear, and your head doesn’t overheat. Of course, autumn brings its own plethora of riding issues. While the bugs are pretty much gone, the forest rats are out in force. The blaze of color in the trees eventually finds its way onto the road surfaces, usually in the best line of turns. While the cooler temps are great to ride in, it also takes longer for tire temps to rise, making early ride cornering more hazardous. As with riding in general, we accept these risks. It is up to each rider to remain COGnizant of these possible dangers, and the usual host of dangers we might face each time we saddle up. Being aware of the different risks in each season, we can make smarter choices as we ride, and still have as much fun, if not more! This year is probably the least amount of miles I’ve ridden since I started riding almost 10 years ago. There were many factors involved, but it’s shown in my attitude. How many others have that problem? I’m seriously hoping that come this fall, and next year will change that. 2007 is looking to be a great year for the NE region of COG! What with a new venue for the Spring Fling, and a kick ass National in WV, I hope to rack up a few miles next year. As far as the Hudson Valley area rides, I will likely drop them next year. The meet and greets just didn’t attract more than three or four people. With working every other weekend, I’m not going to give up a weekend day to sit and see if anyone decides to show up. I’ll still do a couple of rides (mainly to satisfy my appetite), and have been kicking around an overnight camping trip or two. I’d like to thank those that have showed up for my rides this past year, as well as previous years. It did make all my route planning worthwhile. I hope to cross paths with many of you folks in 2007, both at the rallies, and just riding down the road! Have you booked your room for the 07 National yet?
New York Motorcycle Show Gathering - by Terry Faherty, COG #792 Before you know it the NYC show will be here! I am just looking for feedback as to some possible food destinations for this year. I found a place called Daisy May’s BBQ (www.daisymaybbq.com) that is not far from the Javitz Center and is rated the best in the city. It's a bit expensive for a complete whole pig ($30-$50 per person), but ya gets what ya pays for! Also, doing a whole or half pig is the only way to get reserved seating. If you would prefer, we can return to the Heartland Brewery and Chophouse. We went here a few years ago and it is always popular with us beer geeks. There is also a new Dallas BBQ in Times Square (wwwbbqnyc.com), not quite the ratings of Daisy May's, but probably more reasonable in price, although seating may be an issue. Please e-mail me or call my cell and drop a voice mail to let me know what you think. I'd like to set things up beforehand this year rather than wing it. Come see the new Connie 14 (we hope!). Be there, or be square!
Reservations began being taken in August. If you plan to attend, or even think you will plan to attend this rally, we highly recommend that you make your room reservation now. Based on the number of rooms booked already we expect a large attendance. We have a limited number of rooms blocked for our rally and booking early will guarantee availability in your choice of room style. Also, a high number of early bookings will raise a flag with the resort and allow us the leverage needed to increase the number of rooms in our block. It would be nice to book all 250 lodge rooms and have COG take over the resort for the week. Please make your reservations ASAP. Make Reservations at the Lodge, Cabins & Cottages: Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center Call 1-800-622-4121. Ask for reservations. Tell the reservation taker you are with “Concours Owners Group” to get discount rates August 4 through 12, 2007. June 30, 2007 is the official group cut off date for booking rooms at these rates and the block will be released to the general public. Standard rooms: Reserved now to 02/28/07 - $60.00/night Reserved between 02/01/07 - 04/30/07 - $64.00/night Reserved between 05/01/07 - 06/30/07 - $72.00/night Premium rooms: King - $100.00/night Efficiency - $160.00/night Cabins & Cottages – 7-night minimum stay required. Two (2) Bedroom Cabin - $106.00/night Three (3) Bedroom Cabin - $121.00/night Four (4) Bedroom Cabin - $136.00/night Four (4) Bedroom Cottage - $171.00/night Camping at Canaan Valley State Park There are 34 sites, all with full hook ups; Camping is very to close to the Lodge HQ (about 1.5 mile away, and within the park) Camping reservations – We are working on reserving all 34 campsites for the nights of the rally for COG only. If this happens, campers will pre-pay and make reservations through the COG Rally Camping Coordinator, J.R. Healy. You can contact J.R. with questions or to express interest in camping at: 716.648.6729 or dafonman52@yahoo.com Look for additional information in The Concourier and Area Newletters, including rally & ERC registration forms and apparel order forms. Visit the rally web site www.concours.org/2007 to find all the latest information about the rally and the area to help you plan your trip! In the “Ride West VA” section you will be rewarded with links to many area attractions and ride opportunities. Mark your calendars now and we hope to see you all at “COG in Canaan” next year. Jason Kaplitz, COG #62, Rallymeister Steven Smith, COG #3184, Northeast Area Director
Terry Faherty E-mail: tmcefah@aol.com or 917.837.6634.
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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. Craig Scott 519.823.1545 clscott@golden.net (PA) Meet Greet and Ride Sundays Meet Sundays at 10:00 am at Kings Restaurant located in Imperial, PA, located right off the Imperial exit of routes 22 & 30. We will decide a ride or destination with whoever attends, or I will have a route ready if we need it. Rides will begin the 1st week in April until the 1st week in Nov. If you have a ride idea, or need any additional info or directions contact Joe Cyprych 724.796.1401 or cyprych@hky.com Hope to see you there. (NY) Central NY Sunday Gatherings Get together on the 2nd Sunday of each month, 2pm at Johnny Angel's Heavenly Burgers, 15 E. Genesee St. Baldwinsville, NY. Meet fellow COGgers and enjoy some good food in the process. Need more info or directions? Contact Lee Brink 607.299.4409 or lcbrink@pobox.com
Calendar of Events (MA) COG Pizza Party & Fall Social 10/28/06 - Meet for a pizza lunch at the New Moon Saloon at 277 Main St. Marlborough Mass. (508) 485-4300. Join in on a morning local ride leaving from Bickfords, Nagog Park, Acton MA (RT-119) @ 9 am, or ride direct to the New Moon. The social will start around noon time. Please RSVP if your interested in attending so we’ll have an idea on food quantity. Directions: The New Moon Saloon is located inside the Victoria Building at 277 Main Street, Marlboro. Take RT 495 to RT 20 East – Go 1-1/2 miles East, when you get to the 3rd set of lights stay straight – that’s Main Street. (don’t bear right onto RT 20 bypass which is just before the 3rd set of lights). Immediately after going thru 3rd set of lights, the Victoria building is on the left with off street parking in front. Host: Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net 978.459.6275 (CT) Frost Is On The Pumpkin Ride 10/28/2006 - A fun ride around the Quabbin Reservoir in MA. It is a great place to view the entire valley when fall is at its best. Electric vests/jackets are recommended. Meet at Bickfords for breakfast off exit 47 east on I-91 at 9:00AM and depart at 10:00 AM. Lunch will be someplace special in MA. I use a CB for communications, so if you have one, bring it! Contact Gerry Barnett gbwinger@yahoo.com or 860-798-2329 ISSUE 5, 2006
(CT) Meet, Eat, Ride – End of Season Spin 11/04/06 - 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 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com
some favorite scenic roads before returning to the KOA. www.koakampgrounds.com/where/va/46144.htm Contact Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or psprague@shentel.net Russell Fleming at 410.374.9687 or fleming@qis.net
KOA. Call 540.291.2770 to reserve one. Motels in the area are: Fancy Hill Motel, 4852 S. Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA (540) 291-2143 Natural Bridge Inn & Conference Center, RT 11 and RT 130, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.2121 Red Mill Inn, 50 South Red mill Road, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.1704 Budget Inn, I-81 Ext 180 US 11, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.2896 Meet for breakfast 8:00AM Sat. at the Fancy Hill Restaurant at 4832 S. Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.2860. After breakfast we will ride
(VA) Breakfast and Ride, Williamsburg 12/17/05 - We'll meet at The Capitol Pancake and Waffle House, 800 Capitol Landing Road, Williamsburg, VA 757.564.1238 at 8 AM. After a great breakfast at the Capitol we'll go for a ride at 9AM, weather permitting. Contact: Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or psprague@shentel.net
(NY) Hudson Valley Area Meet-n-Greet 11/19/06 - 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. (MA) Accident Scene Management Training Kisco). From Saw Mill Parkway take exit 34 (Rt133), turn right onto 133 (E Main St), follow 11/05/2006 - This course is specific to to 3rd lite, turn right onto Main St. Go thru 2 motorcyclists. Northeast Member Greg Habel lites, diner is on the right (parking in rear). has made arrangements for COG Members to From southern Westchester via 684, take exit 4/ be able to participate in a training session Rt172, left at light, follow to end (at hospital), offered by Accident Scene Management Inc. The training session is called “Crash Course for and bear right. Diner is about ½ mile down on left. From points north, follow 684 to the Saw Motorcyclists“, and will be offered at the Whittier Rehab Hospital located at 150 Flanders Mill directions. Mike Flynn keltwolf@optonline.net or 914-263-5440 Rd, in Westborough MA. The cost to attend will be $40/person, ($35 for MSF Instructors). (PA) Baugher’s Family Restaurant Ride Additional details and information on class 11/19/06 - Meet at 10 am for brunch at registration can be found on their website, (www.accidentscene.net) under class schedules, Baugher’s Family Restaurant in Westminster MD, 289 West Main Street. The restaurant is or contact Gail Riley directly at 978.346.9760 located at the intersection of Main street and Route 31 on the west side of town. GPS N 39(CT) Meet, Eat, Ride 35.091 W077-00.655. I will have a ride about 11/07/06 - Meet the first Tuesday of each 75 miles long that will end somewhere for month for an informal gathering of dinner & conversation. Renew old friendships, & kindle dessert. Russell Fleming fleming@qis.net or 410.374.9687 new ones. We will meet at 6:00 PM at T.G.I. Friday’s located at 2335 Dixwell Avenue (Skiff (CT) Motorcycle Movie Madness Street), Hamden, CT 06514 (phone 203.407.0111). Directions: Take I-91 to exit 10. 11/25/2006 - Come on over at 2:00PM and bring a bag or two of munchies, soda, or Take Route 40 North 0.3 mile, Take Devine whatever to share with the crowd. 80 Highland Street exit and go 0.2 mile. Turn Right at Street, Rocky Hill, CT. We'll be popping a Devine Street and go 0.1 mile, Turn Right at Motorcycle DVD in the ol’ player and kickin’ State Street and go 0.2 mile. Turn Right at Dixwell Avenue. How can you go wrong when back with a warm fire in the hearth and the munchies and beverages bountiful. RSVP "every day is Friday?" At this popular, allRequired due to limited space – Contact me at American chain, the staff always seems to be having as much fun as the customers. Generous 860-221-5194 or blast an e-mail to joncoler@yahoo.com. Due to limited space this portions are a hallmark, and the food is event is only available to current members. satisfying, too. You could make a feast from appetizers alone. Weather permitting; an (CT) Meet, Eat, Ride – Grand Season Finale impromptu ride will follow dinner. All bikes 12/05/06 - End of the Year Bash… Braza’s… and riders welcome. Contact Jon 860-221-5194 Okay… so it’s a little on the expensive side. or joncoler@yahoo.com (About $30-$50 per person.) But it’s been a terrific year of motorcycling and friendships. (VA) Brrrrrrr Ride It’s the holiday season! The food; Oh, the food 11/10-11/12/06 - Gathering once again at the Natural Bridge KOA off I-81 and RT 11. Camp is so Goooooood! The downside, parking is limited. Contact Jon 860.221.5194 or on Friday and Saturday nights. For those not joncoler@yahoo.com wanting to tent, cabins are available at the
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(CT) Motorcycle Movie Madness 12/23/2006 - Come on over at 2:00PM and bring a bag or two of munchies, soda, or whatever to share with the crowd. 80 Highland Street, Rocky Hill, CT. We'll 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. RSVP Required due to limited space – Contact me at 860-221-5194 or blast an e-mail to joncoler@yahoo.com. Due to limited space this event is only available to current members. “Wherever Ride” 01/01/07 - If the weather permits, give the TV a rest and your bike some exercise. Maybe you’ll get that 50K or 100K sticker this year. No scheduled ride, “Just Do It”. Email or call another COG friend and get together. You’ll feel good. Happy New Year! (DC) Cycle World Motorcycle Show 01/13/07 - Not a COG event, but mentioned for your interest. We’ll meet at the Kawasaki booth and leave about 11:45 AM for a short walk to lunch. Wear your COG gear, and I’ll see you there. Washington Convention Center; www.motorcycleshows.com Contact: Pat Sprague at psprague@shentel.net or 540.743.4874 (VA) Port Royal Ride 01/14/07 – We’ll meet at the Horne’s Restaurant at the intersection of routes 301 and 17 at 9:00 AM. Jim Sparkman has some interesting back roads planned for us to ride before arriving at another place serving great, hot food! In the event of snow/sleet we’ll try this ride again on the January 22nd. Any questions or comments please contact Jim Sparkman at 540.775.5864 or kawvger12@aol.com (NY) Cycle World Motorcycle Show 01/20/07 - Not a COG function. Most COGgers attend the NYC show on Saturday. Will the new Concour 14 be there? Plans are being formed now for a late lunch gathering; see the article in this issue. Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, www.motorcycleshows.com Contact: Terry Faherty 718.227.2099
McGaheysville, VA at the Thunderbird Diner, 42 Island Ford Road, right on US RT 33 across from the McGayesville Volunteer Fire Dept. A great new diner with good food and right reasonable prices. After breakfast, we will head towards the Mountain State, weather permitting. Pat Sprague 540.743.5132 psprague@shentel.net or pesprague@earthlink.net
(VA) Southern Wrenchfest IV 04/28 – 04/29/07 - Come and get your ride ready for the 2007 season. Jim Hammond, COG # 3192, has offered once again to host a Saturday & Sunday tech session at his home in Lynchburg, VA. Jim has a very nice garage, many tools, and a bike lift. Bring any other tools you may want. Also, bring 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. Come one or both days; tent space and bunk space is available, first come, first served. 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 above directions. From the south on 29 you take the second exit to the Expressway and follow the above. From the west on 460 you take the Lynchburg Bus. exit and stay on Timberlake Rd. to the Expressway. Take the second exit and follow the above. Please call or email Jim to let him know that you're coming! Jim Hammond 434.386.3075 or hamnj1@verizon.net
(WV) COG in Coal Country 05/18-05/20/07 - Twin Falls Resort State Park, Mullens, WV. You ride 1600 miles and what do ya get? Four days older and deeper in debt. Saint Peter don’t you call me ‘cause I can’t go. I owe my soul to the bike parts store. (with (VA) Breakfast & Ride apologies to Tennessee Ernie Ford and his all02/11/07 - Gordonsville, VA. Meet at the time number one song“Sixteen Tons”) It is a fur Inwood Restaurant at 9:00 AM. The Inwood piece to Mullens so you may want to use Restaurant is on Rt. 15 just north of the traffic Thursday as a travel day, and don’t count on circle in Gordonsville. A ride will follow, any straight roads to reduce your travel time. weather permitting. Hope for blue skies and clean roads. This is normally the coldest ride on Come join your COG friends and ride some great roads through American Coal Country. the mid Atlantic ride schedule. Got ‘lectrics? Alternate date if bad weather will be Sunday the We will base our rides at West Virginia’s Twin 18th. Contact: Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or Falls Resort State park (www.twinfallsresort.com) where the camping is fine and the lodge very psprague@shentel.net or nice. Call 304.294.4000 or 1.800.CALL.WVA pesprague@earthlink.net very soon for reservations. There are only 20 (MD) Crabcakes Ride rooms at the lodge. Great roads, mountain scenery, and much local history to see. We’ll do 03/17 - 03/18/07 –Contact Russell Fleming at a loop ride on Friday and on Saturday, returning 410.374.9687 or fleming@qis.net. to Twin Falls each evening. I hope to see you in (VA) Thunderbird Diner Breakfast Ride Coal Country. Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or psprague@shentel.net pesprague@earthlink.net with 04/15/07 - Meet for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in
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any questions or for further details. (VT) COG Northeast Spring Fling Rally
05/31-06/03/07 - Join rally host Kevin Martin at the Andirons Lodge in West Dover, Vermont. Contact Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275 (MD) North Meets South 10 06/17/07 - Russell and Martha Fleming’s, Hampstead. MD. Contact Russell Fleming 410.374.9687 or fleming@qis.net (VA) The Urinal Ride 7/14-7/15/2007 - You read that right. We will ride some beautiful back roads over Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, get a stone’s throw from Ohio and in our travels, check out some of the areas oldest, most ornate, and classic repositories for used coffee. Our ride will take us through Natural Bridge and Luray, VA, Shepherdstown, WV, Cumberland, MD, Sommerset, PA, and Sistersville, WV. There may even be a ferry boat ride! Details are being worked out for lodging on Saturday evening. Sunday will be spent riding over some great WV roads back towards our homes. We’ll meet on Saturday at 8:AM for breakfast at The Pink Cadillac restaurant just north of the route 11/I81 Fancy Hill interchange for breakfast and start our ride around 9 AM. An interesting link: www.urinal.net If ya gotta go, do it in style. Bring your thermos and camelback. Ladies are certainly invited, though they may not get to enjoy all the ride “attractions”. Pat Sprague psprague@shentel.net pesprague@earthlink.net 540.743.4874 (WV) “COG in Canaan” 2007 National Rally
08/07-08/12/07 - Come join us at Canaan Valley Resort for a week of wild & wonderful West Virginia. Great scenery and superb riding. Check out the rally web page for info: www.concours.org/2007 (VA )to GA Ride to TWO 09/06-09/09/2007 - A perennial favourite. Great roads, great destination (TWO), great food, great COG companions. There is no COG rally there this weekend, just ride down there, hang out, and ride some more. Meet at Afton Mountain, Route 250 at the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway on Thursday at 8 AM sharp. It’s about 420 miles to our first night stop at Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground where we will spend the night and have breakfast Friday morning before riding some of the best motorcycle roads in the US before arriving at TWO in Suches, GA No reservations are required for camping at BRMC or at TWO. Lodging may be reserved at BRMC by calling 828.235.8350 and at TWO by calling 706.747.5151. Some will return to our homes on Sunday and some will make it a two (or three!) day jaunt. Contact: Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or psprague@shentel.net. or pesprague@earthlink.net
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
The Concours Lives - by Steven Smith If you recall, it was a year ago this time I provided my experience as the COG rep at the Kawasaki National Dealer meeting. The ZX14 & Ninja 650R were introduced and after discussions with Kawasaki staff I was able to come back and relay a hint to the future that Kawasaki was developing a new sport tourer based on the ZX-14 mill. This year Bob Sherwood, the COG Industry Liaison, had the honor of attending the show and provided instant reports via cell phone and email. On September 23, Kawasaki introduced the all-new 2008 Concours 14. Kawasaki derived the engine from the ZX-14, but Kawasaki says it is purposely built sport-tourer from the ground up, designed to eat up miles with reportedly relatively low maintenance. The bike has some of the features we have come to expect: Shaft drive, standard hard luggage, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, and clock. It also has some additional amenities like a gear position indicator, tire pressure sensors, electrically adjustable wind screen, cockpit mounted DC power jack, and optional ABS, and more. The bike is expected to be available in early 2007. No price has been announced and complete specifications have not been released. Any details we know have already been posted to the COG web site, including lots of photos taken at the Kawasaki Dealer Meeting where the bike was introduced. Check out the COG web site home page. You can find a link there to information we have on the Concours 14.
New Concours14: Thoughts - by Kevin Martin, COG #145 As everyone undoubtedly knows by now, Big K made the official announcement of the replacement bike for our beloved ZG1000 Concours, and the buzz over the internet is wild and hot as expected. I’m not going to talk about technical specifications or design characteristics, or even advantages or disadvantages of this new bike over it’s competition, I’ll let the rest of you debate that. I just want to express my humble opinion on this long awaited announcement, and then sit back and watch the ride, so to speak. First I’d like to say “Way To Go” to Kawasaki for not only releasing what could turn out to be the most state of the art SportTourer on the market today, but also kudos for carrying on the legendary name of “CONCOURS”, through the badging of the all new 2008 “Concours14” ! What a rush for me to see that nameplate on a whole new motorcycle design. I’d also like to say “Congratulations” to COG and it’s Members, for making your voice heard! Some people may disagree with me, but I’m convinced that Kawasaki heard our voice regarding what loyal Concours Owners wanted and expected for a next generation sporttourer, and Big “K” responded with conviction by taking their time to design and develop a whole new generation of SportTouring motorcycles with capability beyond what the competition now has to offer ! The jury is still out, but I believe that they did the right thing this time around by not rushing to market another parts bin bike that ISSUE 5, 2006
performs just well enough to keep them in the ball park, but just doesn’t cut it when compared to the latest technology the competition has to offer. Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m not slamming the legacy Concours ZG1000, after all, I’m on my third ZG, and love my current 2004 model, but how many of you have thought more than once that wouldn’t it be nice for Kawasaki to introduce a whole new Sport-Tourer that has the looks and capability of a true 21st Century motorcycle? I’m guilty of that, and what’s wrong with dreaming? Now the dreams have become reality, and the bar has hopefully been raised to an all new level, and set by Big K with the introduction of the all new Concour14 ! Now we wait for the ride reviews to see if the bike performs as well as advertised. 2007 is about to get very interesting indeed. I also believe that Kawasaki realized the loyal sport touring rider base, expressed through the long standing Concours Owners Group and its members, and indirectly thanked us for that loyalty by carrying on the Concours name into this all new incredible model for years to come. To Kawasaki’s credit, they have intentionally breathed new life into the Concours Owners Group Club, with this business decision. They certainly didn’t have to do that, and some in the business world might say, that introducing a whole new product line with and old name is a death sentence, but I believe that this was in part Big “K’s” way of saying “Thank you COG” for all of the years of support you have given us. To that end, you’re very welcome Big K. Now it’s time for us to return the favor, and help Kawasaki be successful with this new introduction. Whether you intend on eventually upgrading to a C-14 or continue to stay with the legendary ZG1000, which will be around for a long time to come, it’s up to us to help out by continuing to do what COG has done over the past 20 years, and with great success. COG members should continue to support Kawasaki Motors through product loyalty and ownership, and help promote sales of this latest introduction through Club expansion of new members. We need to continue to get the word out that being a “Concours” owner, and a member of the Concours Owners Group, is like being a member of an elite family. COG has been time tested, and is well known throughout the industry, not just because we’re based on a group of owners of a long standing, relatively inexpensive, SportTourer, but because being a COG member is all about making lasting friendships, having fun, and sharing a passion for motorcycling in general. For Coggers, this is expressed by joining in on Club events while riding our favorite breed of motorcycle. For Kawasaki Motors it’s expressed by providing reliable quality products to its loyal customer base. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me. Keep up the good work team! Page 7
Our Newest Northeast Area Members (since the last newsletter) Harold Gilbert, #7529 Millville, NJ
John Mcclean, #7570 Woodville, On
Lyle Cooper, #7588 Franklin, MA
Wayne Maywood, #7602 North Huntington, PA
Stanley Baker, #7536 Ipswich, MA
Dennis Renda, #7576 Northport, NV
Jim Schaffer, #7592 Lexington Park, MD
Bobby & Dianne Welch, #7604 Fairmont, WV
Patrick Delauder, #7548 Terra Alta, WV
Paul King, #7578 Smithfield, VA
Martin Kreplin, #7593 Moncton, NB
Ken Williams, #7606 Passaic, NJ
Steve Meshefsky, #7550 Andover, NJ
Art Bureau, #7579 Medford, MA
W Michael Gill, #7595 Owings Mills, MD
Robert Zimmerman, #7616 Glenside, PA
Bill Johnson, #7552 Baltimore, MD
Scott Myers, #7582 Manassas, VA
Michel Scheffers, #7596 Lincoln Park, NJ
Timothy Fiato, #7626 Sand Lake, NY
Maurice Gauvin, #7555 Saint-Lambert, PQ Canada
Kurt Rockafellow, #7584 Nashua, NH
Mitchell Luskin, #7597 Riverdale, NY
John Devos, #7631 Kitchner, ON Canada
Todd Schroder, #7558 Reston, VA
Peter Lomax, #7585 Lodi, NJ
Sal Anfusi, #7599 Milford, NH
Erik Stephens, #7632 Peace Dale, RI
Ride for Clydesdales - by Jon Coler #5379 & Jim Purucker #7251 Starting off on an fairly cold morning I met we met Jon Coler at Friendly's in Ludlow, MA. Jon and myself were the only ones there when departure time came and we headed north. We went along the western Side of the Quabbin and I started to hear a hummmmm‌ and sure enough there is was a caravan of Hummers 4 X 4 trucks doing the same thing we are doing checking out the views. We arrived at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery about 11:00AM and proceeded to the tour which provided an eye opening view of the beer making process. After the tour we were surprised when we were heckled by Bud King, who rode in from MA to join us for the ride. The outside of the plant is as clean and neat as the inside. We wandered over to the Clydesdale Hamlet and finally saw the horses and had a chance to take a picture or two with one. The training of the animals is just some of the best I've seen. The next part of the trip we looked at three cover bridges and from there we started back. I plan to run this ride again next year, so be sure to join us then and ride. Jon Coler (l) and Jim Purucker (r) posing with the Cyldesdale
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N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S