Cognitions: Random thoughts from the Northeast Area Director - By Steven Smith #3184 Issue 1, 2007
Happy New Year. I hope you are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting year for the COG Northeast Area. There are already over 60 events on the Northeast Area Calendar of Events. Thanks to the event hosts we have a terrific mix of different types of planned activities to chose from including Day rides; Camping trips; Lunch runs; Socials; and Movie nights. But wait, there’s more… There are also weekend overnight events and rallies. Russell Fleming & I were talking recently that many members do not realize how many overnight events we have in the NE Area. Check out this list:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
March 17-18, (MD/PA/VA/ WV/DE) Crab cakes! Ride and camp. April 28-29, (VA/WV/MD) COG Southern Wrenchfest IV weekend, Lynchburg, VA May 5-6, (MD/PA/VA/WV/DE) Slate Run for Buns and Wellsboro Gas Lights weekend May 18-20, (VA/WV) COG in Coal Country May 31-June 3, (VT) Spring Fling Rally, West Dover, VT June 8-10, (PA) Cook Forest Camp and Ride Weekend June 15-17, (MD) North & South 10 Get-Together June 22-24, (PA) Thunder in the Valley, Johnstown, PA July 14-15, (VA/WV) The Urinal Ride July 28-29, (MA) Overnight Ride to Rhinebeck NY August 7-12 (WV) COG National Rally, Canaan Valley, WV September 6-9, (VA) Ride to Two Wheels Only Campground, GA September 14-16, (MD/VA/WV) Eastern Panhandle Ride and Camp in WV September 21-23, (PA) Wellsboro Camp and Ride Weekend September 27-30, (NY) Fall Foliage Rally, Lake George, NY October 19-21, (VA) Fall Foliage Ride & Camp, Meadows of Dan, VA November 9-11, (VA/WV/MD) Brrrrrrrrrr Ride, Natural Bridge, VA
There is always room for more events on the schedule. If you have an idea for any type of club activity please contact me or an AAD so we can help get you started. It’s easier than you may think and a great way to meet other members and introduce them to your favorite riding area. In each issue of the northeast newsletter we provide an abbreviated list of events upcoming in the next few months. For those who need to plan ahead I would be happy to send a printed copy of the complete Events Calendar to anyone who sends me a request and includes a self-addressed stamped envelope. Better yet, save the postage… the entire Northeast Area Events & Ride schedule (and the other COG areas) is kept online in the COG ride database: www.concours.org/schedule In addition to the COG National Rally being hosted by the NE Area in West Virginia this August, dates have been set for the NE Area regional spring & fall rallies. These events are open to all COG members and friend from all COG areas. The Spring Fling Rally will be hosted by AAD Kevin Martin and held at the Andirons Inn in southern Vermont the weekend prior to Americade (May 31-June 3). The registration form and rally details were printed in the last newsletter. You can get the registration forms by request or find all the info you need on the NE web site. The Fall Foliage Rally will be hosted by Terry Faherty and Scott Sorger and held the weekend prior to Columbus Day (Sep 27-30) in Lake George, NY. This event is in the planning stage and complete details will be provided as they come in. There will be a complete national rally update published in the Winter Concourier, but I will tell you that based on room reservations and registration coming in, we expect the 2007 National Rally to be a record breaker. We are about 8 months away from the event and over 100 rooms are already booked at the resort and close to 50 rally registrations have been received. The early booking rate of $60/night will increase at the end of February, so make your reservations as soon as possible. If you need added incentive to attend, Kawasaki has committed to be at this rally and is suppose to be bringing the demo truck to Canaan Valley with the new Concours 14. The International Motorcycle show came to venues in the Northeast Area over the past two weekends. I attended the New York show and saw many members wandering Lunch gathering after the NY Motorcycle show around. It’s always nice to see my COG friends at the show. Thanks to the folks who organized the group gathering at the D.C. and New York shows. Terry Faherty set up the group lunch in New York City at Virgil’s BBQ, located near Times Square. From the photo that Greg Habel sent me, it looks like they had a nice turn out and I heard that the food was good enough to warrant a return visit next year. Past issues of the Northeast Area Newsletter are archived on the Northeast Area web pages. Just go to www.concours.org/ne and click NEWSLETTERS on the menu. We post issues there after they have been in circulation about a month or so. While visiting the Newsletter web page, please read about Northeast Area eNews. This feature allows you to be among the first to receive an electronic copy of the latest Northeast Newsletter. When a new issue is ready member who choose to use eNew instead of regular mail will receive an email with a link to download the newsletter, usually a week or more before the issue hits mailboxes. Please help us make sure our mailings reach you by keeping us posted if you move or change phone number or email. You can call, email or send a letter to the membership director (membership@concours.org) or me. (Continued on page 2)
Northeast Area Staff Area Director Steven Smith, #3184 203-720-7575 nead@concours.org 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) Jonathan Coler, #5379 Rocky Hill, CT 860-257-4009 joncoler@yahoo.com Metro NY/NJ Jim Clark, #2113 Valley Stream, NY 516-872-3694
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 Virginia/West Virginia Patrick Sprague, #1887 Luray, VA 540-743-4874 (home) 540- 743-5132 (work) 540-743-3229 (fax) PSprague@shentel.net Greater Toronto, Canada Dave Clancy, #5452 Hamilton, Ontario 905-389-7681 clanfam@hwcn.org Eastern Ontario, Canada Ranald MacDonald, #2349 Greely, Ontario 613-821-1206 macdonrg@rogers.com
NY Hudson Valley Mike Flynn, #4493 Bedford Hills, NY 914-239-3721 Keltwolf@optonline.net Western NY J.R. Healy, #6591 Hamburg, NY 716-648-6729 Dafonman52@yahoo.com
Know of an region, city or state that needs an AAD? It could be you. Please inquire for details.
Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh (Western PA) Joe Cyprych, #4665 McDonald, PA 724-796-1401 Cyprych@hky.com
There are some Northeast Area Staff changes in the works as three Northeast AADs have decided to step down this year. Jim Purucker came on board during 2006 and was “in training” with Jonathan Coler as co-AAD in Connecticut. A change in employment found Jim moving to Wisconsin. I am sorry to see him go as he is a very enthusiastic individual, true to the COG tradition and the NC area is lucky to have him coming their way. We are lucky that Jon graciously offered to continue as AAD. Many Connecticut members, including me, are excited to know Jon will be back in action continuing the ride & social events he put in place over the past few years. Craig Scott recently informed me that he must resign, effective immediately, as AAD for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). For a while Craig and his wife Lynn shared the AAD duties. Lynn stepped down about a year ago to pursue operating a dog rescue organization, while Craig continued as AAD. I’d like to thank to Craig & Lynn for their time & effort. The Greater Toronto Area saw significant member growth during their time as AAD. At a recent GTA gathering Craig discussed a possible “changing of the guard” with David Clancy (#5452) of Hamilton, ON. I am happy to report that Dave has accepted the position and I have appointed him as AAD-GTA. In the last newsletter Pat Sprague announced his plans to step down as AAD (VA/WV) at the end of 2007. Pat has done a great job as a club leader, event host, and friend. Pat & I are hoping that one or more people will volunteer to carry on the great tradition Pat and his predecessors built up and members have come to enjoy. We are looking for someone to take over for Pat next year. Getting involved sooner will allow for a smooth transition, as Pat will be there to mentor his successor. If you are interested in this AAD position, please contact Pat or me for consideration or more information. For the newer folks… The Assistant Area Director (AAD) is one of the key positions within the Concours Owners Group. The AADs are appointed by the Area Director (AD) and are responsible for many of the activities of their sector, and as such controls the general “flavor” and “character” of the organization. The AAD is mostly a leader. They are responsible for hosting (or assisting members to host) most of the functions of an area, such as rides, rallies, theme events, and social activities. Any geographic region may have an AAD: a city, a state, or even just a part of a city or state. You do not need to be an AAD to host a ride or other club activity. To host an event, the most important criteria to have are enthusiasm and the desire to make COG a better club. If you would like to help make your region more active by holding a COG ride or activity, please contact me and I can answer questions and provide assistance to get you started.
Northeast Area News Newsletter Staff: Louis Caplan, Steven Smith
best fit available space. If you would like to have your material returned, please include a SASE.
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 their COG experiences. 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
Please send submissions to:
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(Cognitions—Continued from page 1)
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!
I wanted to pass along info on a discount for COG members from ROK (Riders of Kawasaki). COG members can get a ROK Premium Membership level at the same cost of their basic membership. All you need to do is mention that you are a COG member when you join or renew. I believe the premium membership includes roadside assistance & towing, but do not take my word on this. www.kawasaki.com/ROK Also, GEICO Insurance is running a promotion with Kawasaki in that if you get a free insurance quote (on the phone or on the web) it qualifies you for a free year of ROK membership. www.kawasaki.com/ROK/geico.aspx Until next time, ride safe.
Steve
Copyright 2007 © Concours Owners Group
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
Northern New England Report - by Kevin Martin, #145 Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a great Holiday season. Well, it’s 2007 already, wow where did the time go. It’s been kind of a crazy start to the New Year up here, as usually January brings on some very cold temperatures and lots of snow, but this has been a record breaking winter with unusually warm and dry weather. In fact, as I write this only a few weeks into the new year, I’ve already clocked over 350 miles of riding on my odometer. Not a bad way to kick off the new year! Sooner or later though the New England winter was bound to catch up to me as we’ve gotten our first taste of snow and cold the other day. Fortunately it was only about a half inch and was gone almost as fast as it came, but they are forecasting sub zero temperatures later in the week, so I won’t be doing any riding this weekend. So what does a grounded Cogger do during the winter, well some of us will be planning some much needed service on our faithful Concours, some might be doing some M/C accessory shopping to get prepared for the new riding season, or how about checking out new product lines for riding gear. For me though, this is the time of year that I’m very busy working out the 2007 Northern New England event schedule, plus I’ve decided to develop a new homepage that will give a whole new look and be easier to browse. My current website builder program is not well supported by my internet service provider and it’s a struggle just trying to make changes to keep the site up to date. I hope to have the website available before the start of the riding season, so stay tuned. As far as the ride schedule, I think you’ll be pleased at what I’ve got to offer again this year. For 2007 we’ll be starting off the NNE COG event schedule with my annual winter social. This year I’ll be moving the social back to the original location in Lowell Massachusetts, the Lowell Brewery Exchange. The past couple of years we’ve been doing our socials at my friend’s Pub and restaurant called the New Moon Saloon in Marlborough MA, but unfortunately he had to close his doors due to lack of business. There’s no point being in business if you can’t make the mortgage. So, I’ve been looking around for a suitable replacement, and for accommodating a fairly large crowd, going back to the Brewery Exchange seems to be the best bet, plus the Brewery has additional benefits of games, music and a full restaurant on the main floor. I’ll be posting detailed directions on how to get to the brewery on my website, plus directions are also available on their website. For those of you who are not familiar with the Lowell Brewery Exchange, check out their website on all they have to offer, it’s quite a place. The website URL and social details are listed in the event schedule. I’ve also got another full event schedule planned out for this year, which includes new rides and some completely new twists to some old rides. We’re also looking at potentially hosting another spring Tech Session some time in April, so keep watching for updates to the COG event schedule for more information. I’m also planning a group ride up into the NH White Mountains in May to attend the Whitehorse Press Club Day. Whitehorse puts on a great event which is open to all area motorcycle clubs, so I highly recommend that you consider attending this event and enjoy the fun plus take advantage of your COG discount in their onsite store. In case you haven’t heard, yours truly will be hosting the 2007 Spring Fling. There will be a change of venue this year, we’ll be heading north into the Green Mountains of Vermont. The Rally Headquarters will be in southern Vermont in the valley of Mount Snow, about 8 miles north of Wilmington. We’ll be staying at the Andirons Lodge located on famous route 100 in the town of West Dover. ISSUE 1, 2007
I’ve been riding this area of Vermont for over 10 years, and it’s a great location for riding just about anywhere. From West Dover, you can ride south into the Massachusetts Berkshiers, West into the Adirondacks of New York, East into New Hampshire and all of the great roads they have to offer, and finally North into the Green Mountain Gaps and Notches. If you attend this rally and can’t find a great road to ride, then you need to get out more. I’ve also planned a new overnight ride to New York to attend the Rhinebeck Aerodrome museum and air show. We’ll be meeting in the Sturbridge MA area, ride out to Rhinebeck for the afternoon show and stay overnight at one of the area motels. The ride back home will be another scenic ride through the Berkshiers. Check out the event schedule for more information on this ride which will be held at the end of July. Also, don’t forget the COG National, hosted by Jason Kaplitz and Steve Smith. The National will be held down in the Canaan Valley area of West Virginia, and although I personally haven’t ridden that area, I’m told that the riding is unbelievable and the scenery is breathtaking, not to mention luxury accommodations. And to top all of that off, there is the possibility of a demo ride on a new Concours 14……Big K, don’t let me down ! That’s about it gang, only in closing, I want to thank all of the folks who attended my events last year and hope you all enjoyed yourself, as much as I did. It was also great meeting the new members and the occasional prospective member or riding buddy who dropped by to check out what us Coggers were all about. Enjoy the rest of the winter, and see you all at the Social in March.
Western PA AAD Report by Joe Cyprych, #4665 Hello fellow Nor’easters. I know it’s cold, white and miserable out right now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Take a look at the ride schedule on the COG web site and it’s already full of great rides and events including the national rally right in our own backyard. I ride in the Canaan Valley area quite frequently and could go their every weekend. If you have never ridden in this area you are in for a huge treat. Make your plans now as Jason says “book those rooms and send in those registration forms.” We also have a lot of great rides before and after our rally, so start marking those calendars right now to attend some of these events. If anyone has a ride idea or suggestion let Steve Smith or me know and we’ll help you make it happen. I see we have a lot of new members in our area that I have never met yet and hope to meet all of you soon. A short personal story about this club… about 7 years ago I attended my first COG event Virginia and have made numerous life long friends in numerous states since then. So c’mon, get out and start your own lifelong adventures. See you all soon & take care.
CT ERC - by Jonathan Coler, #5379 I am pleased to announce Saturday, May 12, 2007, 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM as the date/time that an ERC for COG members (and friends) has been reserved. COG members (and friends) who have pre-registered for this Experienced Riders' Course (ERC) will be able to participate. (Limit: 12 registrants). The cost is $85.00 per rider (additional fee required for passenger) and is open to riders from all states. It will be conducted at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, CT. Once I receive applications for the course I will post a message on the COG List. If you need further information, please send me an e-mail at joncoler@yahoo.com and put “CT ERC” in the subject field, or call me at 860.221.5194. Mark your calendars and get those bikes tuned… Page 3
MD/PA AAD Report - by Russell Fleming, #599 Here’s what is going on in Maryland and Pennsylvania. By the time you receive this newsletter the Chili and Cheese and the Chicken Corn Soup gig will be over and we will be gearing up for the Crab cake Ride. Thanks goes out to Dave and Dawn for the Chili and Cheese and John and Missy for the Chicken Corn Gig. This short story by Dawn about the Chili and Cheese.
We had a fantastic turnout for the annual C & C event; some new faces that knocked on our door were welcomed with warm COG smiles. A big welcome goes out to, Tom Arnold, Wrightsville, Andy Brazelle, WilkesBarre, Steve and Ann Marie Pearl, Upper Black Eddy, and Steve & Patty Meshefsky from Andover, NJ. Old familiar faces that came to enjoy the friendships from past, enjoyed meeting the new as well. A big thanks goes out to those who keep making the trip East and West and North & South.... Russell Fleming, MD. Wayne Tenney, MD. Tony Borum, MD, Chris & Kendra Weaver, NY, Jerry Gowen & Kathy Fregans, NJ, Bob Saeger & Kathy Toth, Allentown, PA. It is always great to get together, even if it is on four wheels, but Bob & Kathy fared the cold and arrived on the big yellow touring machine, armed with electrics and their fine "Gold Wing". David & I enjoyed opening our home to a great bunch of "Riding Friends", thanks for your donations to the cause. Our friend, Patty supplied some sweet treats from M&M, she can come to all events, chocolate is always welcome among the women. Thanks for welcoming our "new" COGGER. "Beemer". He was exhausted, slept most of Sunday away. Please keep in touch, and to our new neighbors let's get together and ride. Think spring and riding with new and old friends. Keep it safe and remember it's our passion for riding which brought us together, thanks for being a friend. Yours in Riding, David & Dawn Fridirici Talking with local dealers in my area the word is out that there are about seven 2008 Concours on order with deposits. If anybody wants an update come to MD or PA. Some of these people should be at the National. At this time I am looking for volunteers to help at the National with On-Site Registration, you may contact me at fleming@qis.net if you would like to help.
NY Hudson Vally AAD Report- by Mike Flynn ,#4493
provide some extra creature comforts for fellow riders. Since these weekends will be tossed out short notice, I’d like folks to contact me if you’d like to be notified. If you provide me with an email address or phone number, I will contact you directly with details. I’ll also post to the mailing list, and the COG website schedule (will be last minute). Dates for my rides are as follows. May 20 Surprise Ride. July 24 is a Hooky Ride. September 9th is another Surprise Ride, and October 16 is the last Hooky Ride. As far as the camping weekends, I’m hopeful the weather will be helpful and let me choose a weekend in early May, late June, mid September, and possibly October. Again, provide your contact info to me, and I’ll notify you of intended weekend camping choices.
Gordonsville Ride: February 11 … it was seven degrees F when I left OWO at 7 AM, probably zero when I crossed the mountain. A little brisk but the roads were 99% clean. Made it home 2:30 AST (Arctic Standard Time). You know that, like the speed of light, time slows down the closer you get to Absolute zero ... (Pat Sprague)
Heated vest: $150 Heated gloves: $135 Having people stare at you and wonder why you are riding in Mid February: Priceless! (Scott Simon)
… I knew I was in trouble when it was 27 when I left home and not only was I getting colder the further west I went but I also started seeing snow on side of the road. Good ride though, just under 500 miles. (Roger Somero)
Hello fellow NorthEast COGgers. Hasn’t the winter been great? At least we can look forward to the spring. As always, the NE area of COG has many events to attend. My counterparts have come up with enough events for us to choose, and I’m adding a few myself. Due to lack of interest, I’m dropping my meet and greet Sunday brunches. I will be offering 2 Sunday rides, along with 1 Hooky day ride. I am also planning on at least 2 (maybe up to 4) weekend camping trips. These will be announced about a week to ten days beforehand. I’m not into camping in the rain, so I’ll pick the weekends around the weather. I’ll also be choosing NYS campgrounds that also offer cabins. These camping weekends won’t have any formal schedule, but I’ll have some suggested routes for Saturday.
The thought is that we each make our own way to the campground Friday. Saturday we go ride our own rides (or make our way to the campground), then meet up for a kick the tires session around the campfire at night. Bring what you want, cook it over the fire, then a camper’s breakfast Sunday. On at least half of these weekends, I’ll have my family there. On those weekends, I’ll have a big cooler, and can Page 4
Roger Somero, Brian Austin, Clyde Watson, Mickey Davenport, Igor Freezasskioff (Pat Sprague)
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. Dave Clancy, 905-389-7681 or clanfam@hwcn.org
as well. More information and directions can be found on our COG New England website at: www.masscog.org Contact Kevin Martin 978.459.6275 or cog145@verizon.net
(MD) Crab Cakes Ride 03/17-03/18/07 – This event will be hosted by Herman Tessman and we’ll meet at Holly's Restaurant, located east of the Bay Bridge on the service road on the north side of RT50 at exit 43B heading east (exit 43A if you’re heading west). Directions and map are available on the web at: www.hollysrest.com. Plan to meet for breakfast at (PA) Meet Greet and Ride Sundays 9:00AM and depart the restaurant around 10:00AM on a ride that Herman has laid out for us on the Meet Sundays at 10:00 am at Kings Restaurant eastern shore of Maryland and Delaware. The ride located in Imperial, PA, located right off the will end at Elk Neck State Park in North East Imperial exit of routes 22 & 30. We will decide a Maryland where we will camp for the night. ride or destination with whoever attends, or I will Campsites are $30.00 per night and allow 2 tents have a route ready if we need it. Rides will begin the 1st week in April until the 1st week in Nov. If per site. Hookup with a COG friend and make you have a ride idea, or need any additional info or camping reservations by calling 1.888.432.2267 or on the web at: reservations.dnr.state.md.us and ask for directions contact Joe Cyprych 724.796.1401 or camp site #230 to #240 area which is close to the cyprych@hky.com Hope to see you there. bath house. I have made reservation at Woody’s Crab House in North East MD for dinner at 6:30PM for Crab Cakes. Woody’s is located at 29 Calendar of Events South Main St. If you cannot make the ride and want to join us for the evening, please let me know (MD) Chicken Corn Soup Gig so I can put your name on the list for dinner. 02/24/07 - John and Missy Lippy will host a hearty Sunday morning we have reservations at Pier 1 cold weather feed at there home at 227 East Green Restaurant for breakfast at 9 am, located at 1 North Street in Westminster, MD beginning at Noon. Main Street, North East MD. Contact Herman GPS coordinates N 39-34.094 W 76-59.451. If the Tessman zg1kred@yahoo.com or Russell W weather is favorable plug in your electrics and ride Fleming fleming@qis.net or 410-374-9687. the bike. If the weather is questionable come in the cage and enjoy COG Camaraderie. Please call the (CT) Meet, Eat, Ride –PMS Breaker! Lippy’s a week before so they can plan food. 03/31/07 - Meet 10:00AM at Town Line Diner, 80 m.lippy@netzero.net or 410.871.3285. Town Line Plaza, Rocky Hill, CT 860.242.4196. Those who gather will decide on a route. In the (CT) Tuesday Night Meet & Greet event of snow/sleet/ice, the ride will be canceled 03/06/07 - Come and join us for good food and but breakfast will prevail <g>. Directions to the conversation at Wood’s Pit BBQ & Mexican Café, Diner: I-91 to exit 24 (RT 99), north off exit, Left Bantam, CT. We’ll meet at 6:00 PM. This is the onto Town Line Road. Entrance to Plaza on Left. kind of joint your friends talk about that makes you All bikes and riders welcome. Contact Jonathan wish you had discovered it yourself. The BBQ here Coler 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. is AWESOME! Beef and pork ribs literally fall off the bone and are NOT drowning in sauce. Pulled (CT) Tuesday Night Meet & Greet pork sandwiches are divine as are the honey wings. 04/03/07 - Come and join us for good food and The Mexican selections are very good too. They conversation. We’ll meet 6:00PM at Pat’s Kountry have real green chili! Something unheard of here in Kitchen, Old Saybrook, CT. Yes, I spelled it right! New England. 123 Bantam Lake Rd (RT209), <g> Enjoy Yankee fare at its traditional best served Bantam, CT 06750, 860.567.9869. Weather up in a setting that takes kitsch beyond the pale. permitting; an impromptu ride will follow dinner. Dine among teddy bears, lace and scented candles All bikes and riders welcome. Directions: Follow on classics like red flannel hash, Grape Nuts Route 202. Turn West onto 209. Drive Route 209 pudding and the best clam hash around. Directions: for 4.8 miles to Wood’s Pit. For more information Take I-95, exit 67 if coming from the West. At end contact Jonathan Coler 860.221.5194 or of ramp bear right, Restaurant on right. (Brown joncoler@yahoo.com. building) If coming in from the east get off I-95 at first exit after the Rt. 9 exit. Follow ramp straight (MA) COG Winter Social and bear right on Rt. 1. At stop light go straight and 03/10/07 - Come join us for some off season fun at "Pat's" is on the right. All bikes and riders the Lowell Brewery Exchange welcome. Contact Jonathan Coler 860.221.5194 or (www.thebreweryexchange.com). We’ll meet on joncoler@yahoo.com. the 2nd floor of the Brewery in the Kegs Sports Pub for some good old socializing and snacking. (VA) Breakfast and Ride, Thunderbird Diner Kegs Sport Bar also offers a limited bar menu, if 04/15/07 - Meet for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in your looking for something more than appetizers. McGaheysville, VA at the Thunderbird Diner, 42 The Brewhouse Café & Grill on the first floor Island Ford Road, right on US RT 33 across from offers a full service restaurant with a dinner menu the McGayesville Volunteer Fire Dept. A great ISSUE 1, 2007
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 (MA) Spring Tech Session
04/21/07 - Meet at 9:30 am at Pat Mulloy’s home and 3 bay garage, 507 Old Wales Rd, Monson, MA. We intend to do Tip-over bars, Oil Change, Bergmen adapter, Brake lines/ bleeding (fluid change), Tire changes. 1:00 pm lunch break - chilli, fixins, pizza. AAD Kevin Martin will be scheduling a ride to get there if you are interested. We'll have all the tools. Are ya comin? Contact Greg Habel 508.473.2257 or habels65@verizon.net (PA) April 22 Breakfast ride 04/22/07 – Join us for breakfast and ride the Greg Puterbaugh favorite ride. Meet for breakfast at 9AM at Robert’s Family Restaurant in Hanover, PA. The restaurant is located at 871 Baltimore St (RT94) on the south end of town. If you cannot make breakfast join us in the parking lot at 9:45AM, ready to ride. Come out and enjoy a day of back road riding and have fun with friends. The ride end at the Gettysburg Family Restaurant in Gettysburg, PA. Contact: Russell W. Fleming fleming@qis.net or 410.374.9687. (CT) Tire Changing Seminar 04/28/07 - Hosted by Craig Rabin, who has a full motorcycle lift table, which will be used on a first come first serve basis. Other featured tools: the Harbor Freight Tire Changer, an after market mounting bar, tire irons and a Marc Panes tire balancer. Craig is able to supply tire weights for a buck or two. In the case of rain, a canopy will be placed over the tire changer (mounted outside) and the shed is dry and heated. While the bike is on the lift you will have the opportunity to grease the swingarm linkage. The shed opens at 9:00 AM ‘til…??? Rabin Castle is located at 27 Spring Garden Road, Enfield, CT. Directions: From I-91 take exit 48, turn East off the exit ramp onto route 220 (Elm St) and follow it about a mile to a left on Spring Garden Road. For info contact Craig Rabin at via email at crabin@cox.net or 860.745.2941. (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 and any fluids, filters, parts, tars, etc. that you 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 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 follow the signs for 501 north. At a stoplight, turn left onto RT221 south. The second light near the CVS on the left is (Continued on page 6) Page 5
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 RT29 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. Call or email Jim to let him know that you're coming! Jim Hammond 434.386.3075 or hamnj1@verizon.net (CT) Tuesday Night Meet & Greet 05/01/07 – Join us at Maggie McFlys, Middlebury, CT, a unique eatery with a mixed menu that has burgers, tex-mex, pizza and other sumptuous victuals. The Thai Lettuce Wrap appetizer is wonderful. Meet at the restaurant 6:30 PM for dinner. Otherwise, the ride will be the one you take to get there. Maggie McFlys, 6 Woodside Ave. Middlebury, CT, 203.577.2205 Directions: I-84 West to exit 17. Take a left at the light onto Route 63 South. It is on the right at the first light. I-84 East to exit 17. Take a left at the light onto Route 63 North. It is on the left at the first light. All bikes and riders welcome. For more information contact Jonathan Coler @ 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. (PA) Run for Buns and Wellsboro Gas Lights 05/05-05/06/07 - COG & BMW Dutch Country Riders Camaraderie Weekend. On Saturday we will meet at Sheetz at Route 11 and 114 on the north side of Mechanicsburg, PA at 8:00AM and plan to leave at 8:30AM. There will be a rider’s meeting to hand out maps and route sheets so everyone can ride at there own pace. There is a planned lunch stop at Slate Run Store and Tackle Shop. After a super sandwich and drink we will ride to Wellsboro, PA for an evening of motorcycle stories. If anyone would like, I could lead a ride to the PA Grand Canyon or some fun roads that I know in the area. Sunday we meet at Harland’s Family Style Restaurant, 17 Pearls St., Wellsboro, PA at 8:00AM for breakfast. There is a planned route to bring you back to south central PA. Lodging in Wellsboro is at your cost and arrangement; I will be staying at the Sherwood Motel Sherwood Motel, Main Street Wellsboro, 800-626-5802. Other places for lodging is Penn Wells Lodge or Hotel, Main Street, 800-545-2446; Canyon Motel, 18 East Avenue 800-255-2718. For Lodging info checkout www.wellsboroweb.com Contact COG Russell Fleming fleming@qis.net or 410.374.9687 or BMW Mike Montville mjmontville@yahoo.com. (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 apologies to Tennessee Ernie Ford) It is a fur piece to Mullens so you may want to use Thursday as a travel day, and don’t count on any straight roads to reduce Page 6
your travel time. Come join your COG friends and ride some great roads through American Coal Country. We will base our rides at WV Twin Falls Resort State park www.twinfallsresort.com where the camping is fine and the lodge is very nice. Call 304.294.4000 or 1.800.CALL.WVA very soon for reservations. There are only 20 rooms at the lodge. Great roads, mountain scenery, and much local history to see. We’ll do a loop ride on Friday and on Saturday, returning to Twin Falls each evening. I hope to see you in Coal Country. Call Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or email psprague@shentel.net or pesprague@earthlink.net with any questions or for further details.
(MD) North Meets South 10 06/15-06/17/07 – Held at Martha & Russell Fleming's home at 2610 Old Fort Schoolhouse Rd, Hampstead, MD. Camping in the back yard on Friday and Saturday night. Setup your tent on Friday and have a cookout in the evening. There is plenty of tent space. Saturday breakfast will start at 8:00AM in the driveway, serving bacon and eggs, juice and coffee. Leave at your free will on a 260 mile ride that will take you in the back roads of MD, VA & WV and end back here for a cookout that will start about 6:30PM. Sunday breakfast will be held in the driveway at 8:30AM with a guided ride there after. Lodging in Westminster, MD: Boston Inn, 533 Baltimore Blvd 800.634.0846; (CT) “Chill-Buster Ride” Days Inn, 25 South Cranberry Rd, 800.329.7466; 05/19/07 - Over the River & Through the Woods Best Western, 451 WMC Drive, 800.528.1234. to Curtis’ BBQ – Putney, VT. Meet 8:30AM at Lodging in Hanover, PA: Hampton Inn, Bickford’s in Enfield, CT. We depart at 9:15AM. 800.426.7866; Super 8, 40 Wetzel St, We will traverse some of the best roads in the area 800.800.8000; Clearview Motor Inn, 901 Carlisle as we twist and wind through CT, MA and into VT St, 717.637.3701. Directions From Westminster to en route to Curtis’ BBQ (802.387.5474) in Putney. the Fleming's: Route 140 to Route 27 North 6 At Curtis’s we’ll feast on some of the most mouth miles, Right on Old Fort Schoolhouse Rd. waterin’, lip smackerin’, ribs and chicken west of Fleming's is 1 mile on left at top of hill. Directions the Connecticut River. Route sheets will be from Hanover to the Fleming's: Take PA 94 south available. All bikes and riders welcome. Contact into MD where it becomes MD 30. Continue to Jon Coler 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. Manchester. Turn right at MD 27 (Sheetz store on left) 2.4 miles. Then a left onto Old Fort (NH) Whitehorse Gear Open House Schoolhouse Rd. Fleming's is 1 mile on left at top 05/19/07 - Not a COG event, but Whitehorse Gear of hill. Please give me a call if you plan on coming will be hosting another Open House and BBQ and so that I know how much food to fix. Contact COG is invited. The hours are 10am–3pm with a Russell Fleming fleming@qis.net or 410.374.9687 free, high-end BBQ, special guests, & shopping specials. Join in for another fun-filled day of (PA) Thunder In The Valley eating, schmoozing, and shopping! For more info 06/22-06/24/07 - We’ll once again hold a joint 800.531.1133 or www.whitehorsepress.com. weekend with Jason and his BMW group. This event is very well organized and attended and is (CT) Tuesday Night Meet & Greet held at a great campground, in an excellent area for 06/05/07 - Come and join us for good food and riding. Details on camping and all other conversation at Bill’s Seafood, Westbrook, CT. information will be coming soon. Contact Joe We’ll meet at 6:00 PM. Bill's Seafood is familiar Cyprych cyprych@hky.com 724.796.1401 or Jason territory to boaters who dock their boats in some of Kaplitz gsjay62@verizon.net 814.535.8669 the finest marinas on the east coast in Westbrook, CT. Outside picnic tables on the edge of the (CT) Toppings on the Pizza Ride Patchogue River, and a center bar/dining room 06/23/07 - Meet 9:00 AM at the Big Y in Tolland, with a nautical atmosphere is the best. This is the CT at 33 Field Stone Commons (along Merrow place to be when thinking of scrod, swordfish, Road – RT 195). Ride starts at 9:30 AM. After a tuna, big, sweet lobsters, cherrystone clams and day of riding around CT, RI & MA, the bikes will fried clams. They are located at 548 Boston Post rest in the parking lot of Willington Pizza while we Rd. (RT 1), Westbrook, CT. For directions and a graze to hearts’ content. Located on RT 32, peak at their menu, visit their website at Willington, CT, Willington Pizza House is said to www.billsseafood.com or call 860.399.7224. serve the BEST pizza in Tolland County for over Weather permitting; an impromptu ride will follow 25 years. For directions to Willington Pizza and a dinner. All bikes and riders welcome. NOTE: sneak peak at their menu, visit their website at Bill’s does not accept credit cards. They are a www.willingtonpizza.com. All bikes and riders Cash Only establishment. Contact Jonathan Coler welcome. For more information contact Jonathan 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. Coler @ 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. (PA) Cook Forest Camp and Ride Weekend 06/8-06/10/2007 - We will be camping in the Cook Forest area. This area is full of great attractions to see and explore, historic towns, Kinzu Dam, largest elk herd in PA, great roads and scenery or just kick back around the campfire. We will be camping at the Kalyumet Campground 8630 Miola Rd. Lucinda, PA 814.744.9622 www.kalyumet.com They also have some room rentals and cabin rentals. This is a very motorcycle friendly campground and great hosts. Hope to see you there. Joe Cyprych 724.796.1401 or cyprych@hky.com N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
“COG in Canaan” COG National Rally 2007 Update Things are progressing well toward the big event, but additional help will be needed on-site. Please contact any rally committee coordinator if you can spare a few hours to help. There are still some rally committee coordinator positions that have not been filled for possible rally activities including, Saturday Poker Run and Flea Market. Also needed are coordinators for Signs & Banners and Road Crew. We will continue to post periodic updates to the rally web pages. Book those rooms – mail in your registration forms and merchandise orders. If possible, please send in the registration and merchandise order forms on separate sheets of paper. Kawasaki recently confirmed that they will attend our rally Wednesday & Thursday and will be bring along the demo truck with the all-new Concours 14. This is the first time ever that Kawasaki will bring demo rides to a COG National rally. New info will be posted to the web pages as it comes in.
Lodging & Camping: Presently over 125 rooms are booked – well over ½ our held block. Don’t wait until the last minute to make a reservation or you may be left without lodging. Call 1.800.622.4121 to make you room reservations at Canaan Valley Resort. Mention you’re with “Concours Owners Group” the period of August 4-12 to get the discounted rates. 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. Room prices increase the first step after February 28. COG has paid to reserve exclusive use of the entire Canaan Valley campground for the duration of the rally and offering these sites to members at discounted rates. Over one half of the campsites are now booked. If you wish to camp at the Canaan Valley campground you should chgeck out the camping information on the rally web pages or contact J.R. Healy, rally camping coordinator, 716-725-9577 or dafonman52@yahoo.com
MotorcycleSafety Courses Offered at National Rally: COG has made arrangements to offer three different safety courses at the national rally MSF Experienced Ridercourse, Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training, and Accident Scene Management. Registration for these courses has been slow and if there is not enough interest, course offering will be dropped. Complete details for all three of these are post to the rally web pages and will be published in the next Concourier. You can also contact the specific coordinator for more information. Here is a brief description of each… MSF Experienced Rider Course is being offered by the WV Motorcycle Safety Program. The ERC is a one-day course tailor-made for riders interested in refining their motorcycle handling techniques or just brushing up on their street skills. The course consists of 6 hours of riding activities on your street legal motorcycle and several breakout discussions. Training will be conducted at the Nature Center parking lot about 1.5 miles from the Lodge within Canaan Valley State Park. Depending on sign-ups, there may be more than one ERC conducted during the rally. The ERC sessions are being offered daily August 7 - 11, beginning promptly at 8:00 am. Each class must meet a minimum number of students to be able to run and the coordinator may need to assign riders to certain days to fill classes. Classes will be filled by prepaid advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the COG ERC Coordinator for more information: Tim McEldowney, ERC-concours@bnsi.net or 434.977.8606. Stayin’ Safe plans to conduct mini-sessions of their popular Neo-Alpine Training Tours. Conducted in real world, over-the-road, riding conditions, students will take turns leading and following, as they receive "real-time" instruction via an in-helmet Morning and afternoon sessions will be held on August 10 and 11, with each session lasting approx. 4 hours and covering a distance of 75-90 miles. The maximum number of participants is 3 per session and the cost is $195/person. Reservations will be taken on a first-come basis. Reservations will be taken by Guy Young. email: gbyoung2@mindspring.com (put Stayin' Safe Session in the subject line) or by phone: 804.241.2678 If you reach my voice mail, please reference Stayin' Safe, and leave your name and a number where you can be reached. The phone's date/time stamp will be used for determining slot assignments. Payment in full must be received NLT May 1, 2007 to hold your position. Accident Scene Management, Inc. is a non-profit organization that teaches motorcyclists (or any motorist) what to do at the scene of an accident until help arrives. The goals of the Bystander Assistance Program are to enhance the survival rate and reduce severity of injuries for the injured riders of all open recreational vehicles. We expect to decrease the chance of rescuer injury due to inappropriate actions at a crash scene. We also expect to educate the motorcyclists how to protect themselves legally and financially should a crash occur. For more information about ASMI, visit their website at: www.accidentscene.net The course is being offered Friday, August 11th, beginning promptly at 2:00 pm and ending at 9:30 pm at the Canaan Valley Resort. A minimum of 30 paid registration forms must be received by March 1, 2007 for the class to be scheduled. For more information contact the COG coordinator for more info: Greg Habel, habels65@verizon.net or 508.473.3357.
Golf Outing: For duffers and golfers alike, we want you to know that our Golf Outing for the National event in West Virginia will take place on Thursday, August 9. Tee time is 8:30 and later, depending on how many people sign up. Currently we have 6 people willing to show their talents and have some fun. Cost for 18 holes/cart is around $53. This includes a discount for our group. Also, club rentals are available for $18. And for you lefties - yep, they gottem. Now is the time to make a commitment as the course is filling up with other events or vacationing golfers. Don’t delay in indicating your interest. Please do so the first chance you get. Inquiries, or reservations, can be made by contacting: Bob Calin, at calinphotography@aol.com. Or, call 570.562.1330
For any other rally questions, first check out the rally web site: www.concours.org/2007 Or contact: Jason Kaplitz, COG #62, Rallymeister 814-535-8669 or gsjay62@verizon.net Steven Smith, COG #3184, Northeast Area Director 203-720-7575 or nead@concours.org
ISSUE 1, 2007
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Our Newest Northeast Area Members (since the last newsletter) Walter Kimble, #7697 Rockaway, NJ
Kenneth Brown, #7724 Hartland, VT
John Post, #7708 Norwich, NY
Patrick White, #7729 Front Royal, VA
John Frangakis, #7719 Lambertville, NJ
Roy & Nancy Gottschalk, #7732 Winchester, VA
Brendan Mcdonald, #7720 Gardner, MA
Robert Seager, #7735 Allentown, PA
Larry Herzog Jr, #7721 Apo, AE
Charles& Kathryn Kuchenbeisser, #7737 South Wales, NY
Perry Snethen, #7722 Hancock, ME
William Prinkey III, #7740 Timonium, MD
First Aid and a Quick Fix in One Tiny Bottle - by Jonathan Coler, #5379 First aid is a concern for all riders and seeking products that offer the most usefulness in an undesirable circumstance can be tough! When evaluating such products to carry, I find that I weigh the usefulness of an item against the worst, full trauma, disaster fantasy that I hope will never occur. Yet there is one product that I carry with me most of the time that has served well in the past for minor cuts, abrasions and lots more. The product is Skin Shield Liquid Bandage. It’s certainly the only first aid product that I’ve purchased and have used time and time again to the point that I take it for granted. A 0.45 ounce bottle sells under $5.00 and lasts forever. For the countless times I’ve used mine, I still have more than three quarters of a bottle remaining. Skin Shield, manufactured by Del Pharmaceuticals, provides an invisible barrier to shield bruises, scrapes and cuts Its also waterproof. The product is the only liquid bandage on the market to provide an analgesic to relive pain and an antiseptic to fight germs, thereby offering much more than a conventional adhesive bandage. Be forewarned, the antiseptic in the product stings quite a bit on open wounds, but I guess that means its
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doing its thing. By the way, on cold, long rides, if your skin cracks from the elements (ouch!!!) fill the cracked area with Skin Shield and be pain free. Okay, so I’ve ranted, raved and praised this product to the hilt and there’s more for me to share with you. The consistency of Skin Shield is a tacky, rubbery blend that once dried, provides a smooth-surfaced, clear coating, similar to rubber cement (but the bond is not as strong). It dries quickly and multiple coatings can be applied if needed. Once dried, it is no longer tacky. To remove Skin Shield simply peel it away. I have used the product to hold two small pieces of flashlight plastic together until I could make it home to make a more proficient mend. In the field, when over-stripping a wire’s insulation, I’ve used Skin Shield as a temporary insulation. I’ve also used it to coat temporary electrical connections and to seam seal part a leaking tent and rain gear. When installing helmet speakers, I’ve used Skin Shield to secure the helmet’s Styrofoam to the inner shell upon reassembly. It should be noted that the adhesive quality of the product is not very strong, but in a pinch… it can be a godsend.
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S