Cognitions: Random thoughts from the Northeast Area Director - By Steven Smith #3184 Issue 2, 2007
Welcome to the riding season??? Could have fooled me. It is the beginning of April, but the 29 degree temperature this morning and chance of snow this weekend makes it feel more like late winter. I guess we must suffer now for having an extended riding season into January.
Publication deadlines for the Concourier and the next newsletter are coming up. Do you have a great ride destination to share? Maybe you want to write about a fun COG experience you had. The Concourier is the place to submit your longer articles and stories. The deadline for submissions for the next issue of the Concourier is April 30. Send your submissions to the Concourier editor (editor@concours.org) or me. Our area newsletter is perfect for short pieces of a few paragraphs or so. The deadline for the next Northeast Newsletter is May 31. Please send submissions to me. The 2007 Member Directory is in production and scheduled to be mailed out very soon. There are usually an extra item or two “stuffed” inside the directory. Along with the usually stuff, please look for a survey from the COG Board of Directors. The survey pertains to possible options to alleviate some of the past delivery problems with the Concourier and member directory. It is very important to us that we get as much member feedback as possible. Please respond to the survey in any one of the methods mentioned in the survey. In an effort to ensure delivery of the survey (and member directory) we decided that for this mailing only we would incur the additional expense of First Class postage to all members. Future first class mailing will depend on the outcome of the survey results. Electronic delivery of newsletters could mean a savings of $2000 each year and could be used to offset other club costs, such as rising postage rates or first class mailings of other club publications. The Southeast Area has already switched to mostly electronic delivery of their newsletter, with only a few being mailed to those without a computer or internet connection. How would you feel if the northeast considered a similar switch. I want to hear from you. My email, phone, & mailing address can be found on the next page. If you want to sign up for e-delivery, check out the NE web for info or send me an email. Northeast Area member statistics seem to be something newer member wonder about. Each year I get a chance to talk about COG with many members from around the Northeast Area at rallies, rides, email & phone calls. One frequently asked question from newer members has to do with how many COG members there are in the Northeast Area and in total. If I recall correctly, over past several years the total membership has been around 2200. The number fluctuates cyclically - just like the ebb and flow of the tide - although it has been on a very slow increase over the past 4-5 years. For example, the NE Area gained twenty eight new members since the beginning of 2007, while losing around a dozen. Some months are better than others. As of March 26 the Northeast Area had just over 600 members with the following distribution in the USA, Canada, & Europe: CT(49), DC(1), DE(3), FL(1), MA(61), MD(48), ME(12), NH(17), NJ(44), NY(109), OH(1), PA(93), RI(6), VA(79), VT(7), WV(11), AE (3), NB(2), ON(64), NS(5), PEI(1), QC(5), Europe(1). One interesting thing to note. You do not have to reside in a COG Area to be a member of that area. The area you are assigned to is the one you will receive a newsletter from. This works well for folks who have two residences or live close to borders of others areas that have more COG activity. If you wish to be a member of an area different than the state you reside in, contact the membership director. This [not so pretty] graphic is a map of the Northeast Area states with a push pin mark for each NE Area member with an overlay of the NE AAD locations with a 60 minute drive time radius from their home as a point of reference. Most often there is a correlation between regional population and member density. I’ve always believed that regional memberships strive and flourish because of the tremendous efforts of the AADs and members who host rides & events. There seems to be a correlation to the number of events a region hosts to the number of members and AADs in that region. This map provides us with a way to identify potential regions that could benefit by having a volunteer AAD to help bring members together to become more active. Possible growth regions are upstate and central New York, east and central Pennsylvania, north New Jersey, southern Virginia, and Quebec, Canada. While there are only a few members in Atlantic Canada, I think there are more Concours Owners there that are not members already. Until next time, ride safe.
Steve
Northeast Area Member Density Demographic with AAD Location Overlay
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 davecla2@sympatico.ca 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
Hello from Western New York. Sorry I've been out of touch, but it’s been a heck of a past six months. The surprise October lake effect storm that hit the Buffalo Area was one of enormous proportions. My wife and myself work for Verizon Telephone and the damage from the storm us working 10hrs/day by 7 days a week for 5 weeks mandatory. Then we became Grandparents and the Holidays hit which had us on the road a couple of times. Then some scheduled surgery laid me up for 4 more weeks. Things are getting back to normal and I hope to get things back on track soon. However, before all that crap we did have a Fall Ride to Letchworth State Park on October 7, which was a picture perfect day! We had 10 people in attendance and a great ride! In the photo are Tom Welsh, Bill Wilcox, J.R., and Roy Kaczynski sitting on the West Rim of the Letchworth Gorge about 500' above the river. As the national rally camping coordinator I am happy to report that things are progressing very well. Many of the campsites have been already been reserved and it looks like we’ll have a nice group at the campground. Overall it seems the rally will be a huge success. I am working on plans for a spring meeting, with more to follow. I do not have the details to put in print here, but I hope to have something posted in the online ride schedule as well as letting the Western NY members know via email or phone. Please be sure COG has your current contact information or I will not be able to let you know.
NY Hudson Valley Report- by Mike Flynn ,#4493 So, another riding season is upon us. I, for one, can’t wait. I’m sure most everyone else agrees. I’ve managed to get a few short rides in, but it’s not enough to take the edge off. Hopefully spring will get here in a hurry, and wash away all the crud that’s been dumped on our roads.
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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Western NY Report - by J.R. Healy, #6591
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!
As I’ve stated before, I’m dropping the meet and greets this season. I’m going back to just hosting a few day rides. The first is on Sunday, May 20, at the Somers 7/11 on RT100. The next is on Tuesday, July 24. Both rides will have route sheets available, and everyone is encouraged to ride their own ride. I’m also hoping to host a weekend camping trip in June or July. This will be at a NY state campground in the area. They will be very informal, with no real schedule. I’ll have some routes on hand for folks, or map out your own. More than likely my family will join me, so we’ll have a little more creature comforts, and you won’t have to pack all sorts of things. I’ll post a date closer to the actual weekend, as I don’t like camping in the rain. If you would like to be notified personally, then let me know, so I can add you to the loop (keltwolf@optonline.net or 911-263-5440) Well, I hope to see you guys out on the road as the weather gets nicer. You have mailed in your National rally registrations and made your hotel reservations, right?
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 Wouldn’t you know it. Only 4 days till the Spring Equinox with it looking like we were going to slide right though winter into spring with no snow on the ground, and a good old fashion Nor’easter hits New England dumping at least a half a foot of snow in the greater Boston area, and over 2 feet of snow in the mountains. So much for an early riding season. That’s New England weather for you. Well some of us might not be doing any early riding, but we still have some COG events going on up here starting with our annual winter social. The social this year was held at the Lowell Brewery Exchange and we had good participation with 20 people attending. Most of those who attended came from Massachusetts and New Hampshire with one exception when I was pleasantly surprised to see my good friends Dick and Donna McWay from Rhode Island walk in. It was really nice of them to drive all the way up to Lowell to join us for our first COG get together for the season. As in past socials, we had a good mix of membership representation with some “Old Timers” (I’m one of them), and some new members from around the area including Lyle Cooper and his wife Lucille, and a couple of our newest area members, John Hugo and Catalina Cuervo. It’s great to get together with friends during the off-season. Hope you all had a good time! The very next day after the social, Greg Habel and Pat Mulloy were planning on doing a valve adjustment on their bikes and offered area COG members to drop by to watch and learn the procedure. Greg and Pat are also teaming up on April 21 to host the Spring Tech Session down at Pat’s place in Monson MA, so mark that down on your calendar. The Spring Tech Session will also be my first official COG ride of the 2007 season where I’m planning on coordinating a ride down to Pat’s house to join in on their event. If you’re interested, check the event schedule for more details on joining in on the ride. In May we’ve got two great events scheduled for northern New England that I’m personally looking forward to. The first is a repeat of last year’s Whitehorse Press Club Day, where motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the New England area will be dropping buy Dan Kennedy’s store in Conway, NH to join in on their bi-annual Club Day social and tire kicking event. If you’ve never been to one of the Whitehorse events before, then mark your calendar for May 19th and be prepared for a great time. Oh, by the way, Whitehorse is just a stones throw from the NH White Mountains National Forest, so no matter where you’re coming from, the riding will be great. Then the weekend after Memorial Day weekend, yours’ truly will be hosting the COG Spring Fling up in southern Vermont. This years’ Spring Fling Rally will be held in the valley of Mount Snow, right on famous Route 100. The riding in Vermont is spectacular for Sport Touring, and from the Rally site, you can head out in any direction and ride some of the best roads in New England. We’ll be staying in the town of West Dover, which is only about 8 miles north of Wilmington Vermont, which has some great restaurants and shops. This event is bound to be a great time, so make your reservations as soon as you can cause the Lodge will fill up quickly. ISSUE 2, 2007
The rest of the year is packed full of events scheduled throughout the Northeast Area, so keep an eye on the schedule for the latest up to date information. While we’re on the subject of the Spring Fling, I’m looking for folks interested in helping out with checking in members for the Rally as well as helping to coordinate the membership attendance at the banquet. Anybody interested in helping out, please contact me. For you campers, the host lodge is allowing a limited number of campers to pitch tents on the property so that you don’t have to ride back and forth from the area campgrounds late at night. New York member Richard Wackett will be tenting onsite, and has offered to help coordinate the tent sites and welcome arrivals. Rich is planning on being there early so if your planning on tenting, introduce yourself to him, and he’ll help in any way he can. During the last Newsletter, I mentioned that I was working on a new website format. Well it has been up and running for several weeks now. Check it out when you have time and see if you can find yourself in one of the many photos from current and past events. I’ll be adding new photos throughout the year along with additional Tech articles and Tips for Members. Hope you enjoy it, the website link remains the same at: www.masscog.org Also, it’s very important to keep your email up to date (mailing address and phone too) otherwise you may miss out on last minute events or unexpected changes to a planned event. If you’ve changed your email recently, send me a note so I can update my COG address book. That’s it for now. See you soon on the road.
CT Report - by Jonathan Coler, #5379 Greetings folks - March 31 was a gorgeous day in Connecticut for our PMS Breaker Ride! Meeting at the Town Line Diner in Rocky Hill, CT were Robert Lancer, Sherman and Michele Baumann, Jim Keane, Mike Cullinan, Bruce Unger, Carle Dye, Dave Fazzuoli, Dave Dutton, Skip Desorbo, & yours truly. It was great to see everyone again after being cooped inside this winter and it was especially nice to meet some new faces. Welcome! After breakfast we set out for the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT. (Great idea Sherm) The museum has an impressive collection of military and civil aircraft as well as a few vintage cars. They even had an old Indian motorcycle which looked right at home amid the collection. After the museum, we headed out for a meandering ride through the greater Granby area, Hartland, Riverton, Barkhampsted, New Hartford, Canton, Collinsville and Farmington making our way to the Westfarms Mall area where we stopped for lunch at Chili’s. It was great to just be out and about on the bike again but even more so it was great to see everyone again and meet new folks too. 2007 is gonna be a GREAT riding season with lots of awesome rides on the schedule. April 3 we met for dinner at Pat’s Kountry Kitchen (yes, spelled correctly). Present were Jerry Gillespie, Fiona Tripp, John LaMattina, Jim Keane, Wes and Denita Schulz, Gary Thorstenson, Amanda Coler and yours truly. It was great to see everyone again. Dinner and good conversation with friends made for a great evening. Pat’s Kountry Kitchen is a neat place to dine on American cuisine amid life-size teddy bears and multiple trinkets elegantly arranged throughout the establishment. Kudos to Jerry Gillespie, Fiona Tripp, & Jim Keane who rode to the event! Photos from these gathering are on page 8 and can be found at: www.photos.yahoo.com/joncoler The next event scheduled is a April 28 tire changing seminar hosted by Craig Rabin. See the event schedule in this issue for details. Best wishes and safe riding to all. Page 3
Photo-Op or Disaster in the Making?
MD/PA Report - by Russell Fleming, #599
- by Jonathan Coler, #5379 As spring sets in I find myself thinking of past suggestions that never quite seem to make it to fruition or seem to resurface often. I wrestle with one suggestion in particular that seems so inviting, yet presents a real cause for concern. The suggestion is to meet for a ride and head to an area where action shots of riders can be taken. I’m always genuinely lured to the venture of setting up such an event. Most riders seem to enjoy seeing photos of themselves “in action on two wheels” but often don’t find the opportunity make it so. Yet in consideration of the many predictable and infinitely unpredictable variables that the road presents while in transit, my better judgment tends to direct me away from planning this sort of gathering. In evaluating the safety of a photo-op, there are two main facets of a disaster fantasy that concerns me most. The first is riders obstructing traffic either by slowing down in order to get “that perfect shot”, or riders turning back (i.e.: U-Turn) to a staging point. No matter, the risks to all on the road are increased. Second, the potential danger presented by (a) motorists not seeing/reacting to riders who may be in a curve while the rider’s attention is distracted toward the photographer and (b) the rider in concert, may not see the oncoming motorist and/or be provided time to respond to a potential danger. (Hypothetically an increased risk factor - that if a reality - can have serious consequences). After all, the ideal area for a photo-op is one with winding roads to get shots of riders leaning into curves. As with previous years, I have been approached with an inquiry or two about planning a photo-op. I haven’t yet discovered “a safe area” in our locale to conduct this sort of event. Granted, I may be more than a bit anal in the criteria I seek to meet to conduct such an event… but my feeling is better safe than stupid. (It reminds me of the Honda ad with a band-aid and a caption that reads “Stupid Hurts!”). Safety ALWAYS First Folks!
Here’s what is going on in Maryland and Pennsylvania. On Sunday February 24 the Chicken/Corn soup Gig was held at John and Missy Lippy’s house. The weather was sunny, but rather cool. Some braved the weather to ride their bikes; others chose to bring their cars. The soup had fluffy wide noodles, lots of chicken - some with potatoes and some without. There also was little wieners wrapped in crescent rolls, cookies, pretzel munch, chips, sodas, tea and lemonade. Stories were told about past and future rides. Those in attendance were: John & Missy Lippy, Guy Young, Russell & Martha Fleming, Wayne & Mil Tenney, Herman, Greta and Sharon Tessman, Jim Doyle, Marvin Ziss, Pat & Sharry Sprague, Bobby Winters, Greg Puterbaugh, Tony Borum, Billie McCargism, Eddie Phelps, Tom Arnold, Jay & Kristin Shaffer, Paul Vangellow, Trevor Angel, Tim Lippy, Luke and Logan. There was a small tech session in the driveway. If you ever break your key off in your gas cap and are lucky enough to retrieve the broken off part do not put the broken off part in your ignition because you cannot start the motorcycle - Just ask Billy. For the fist time in a while the Crab Cake ride was cancelled because of 6 inches of snow and 1 inch of ice. Rescheduling was not possible so we’ll have to wait for next year. Major regional events coming up: April 22 Breakfast ride: Hanover PA and ride the Greg Puterbaugh favorite ride. This is a 175 mile ride from Hanover PA to Gettysburg PA. May 5-6 Slate Run for Buns and Wellsboro Gas Lights: COG & BMW Dutch Country Riders Camaraderie Weekend. This ride is not just for MD/PA, but is open to anybody who wants to ride. This is a camaraderie ride among fellow riders. June 15-16 North/South 10: if you have some vacation days you want to use come to the hosted by Russell and Martha Fleming. July 1 Sport Touring at its Finest: Russell’s newest ride. There has been a lot of work put into this ride. If you get a chance, this is the ride that you may want to come to. There is over 1000 miles of routes to choose from. Please check the Northeast ride schedule for more detail on all these rides.
Another consideration is that of liability. I am not comfortable planning a “COG event” that seems to present an increase in potential risks on the road. One tidbit of information that comes to mind from the several ERC’s I’ve taken is the theme repeatedly stressed: Managing Risks! I can’t justify adding to the risk factor. Remember: Our rides attract riders of varying skills levels and are usually open to all bikes and all riders. My stance is that this form of an event would best be conducted privately amid those individuals wishing to participate. The participants would be autonomous in electing a location and with all due respect, equally autonomous in evaluating risks and consequences.
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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
placed over the tire changer (mounted outside) and the shed is dry and heated. While your bike is on the lift you will have the opportunity to grease the swing arm 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. Craig Rabin crabin@cox.net or 860.745.2941.
(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, (VA) Southern Wrenchfest IV 905-389-7681 or clanfam@hwcn.org 04/28 – 04/29/07 - Come and get your ride ready. (PA) Meet Greet and Ride Sundays Jim Hammond, #3192, has once again hosted a Saturday & Sunday tech session at his home in Meet Sundays at 10:00 am at Kings Restaurant Lynchburg, VA. Jim has a very nice garage, many located in Imperial, PA, located right off the tools, and a bike lift. Bring any other tools you Imperial exit of routes 22 & 30. We will decide a may want and any fluids, filters, parts, tars, etc. ride or destination with whoever attends, or I will that you need. If a valve adjustment is planned you have a route ready if we need it. Rides will begin the 1st week in April until the 1st week in Nov. If may tow the bike or make arrangements with Jim you have a ride idea, or need any additional info or to bring it early. Come one or both days; tent and bunk space is available, first come, first served. directions contact Joe Cyprych 724.796.1401 or Directions to 1220 Pokeys Creek Road, cyprych@hky.com Hope to see you there. Lynchburg, VA: all routes but one will involved the use of the Lynchburg Expressway, so follow Calendar of Events the signs for 501 north. At a stoplight, turn left (VA) Breakfast and Ride, Thunderbird Diner onto RT221 south. The second light near the CVS 04/15/07 - Meet for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in on the left is Cottontown Rd and goes only right. McGaheysville, VA at the Thunderbird Diner, 42 Follow that about one-half mile to a fork. Island Ford Road, right on US RT 33 across from Cottontown Rd goes left but you go straight on the McGayesville Volunteer Fire Dept. A great Howkins Mill Rd. At about 3.2 mi you will turn on new diner with good food and right reasonable Old Farm Rd. on the left. Turn again at the third prices. After breakfast, we will head towards the road on the left and go to the stop sign at Pokeys Mountain State, weather permitting. Pat Sprague Creek. Turn left and go to the first house on the 540.743.5132 psprague@shentel.net or left. From the north on RT29 you will enter pesprague@earthlink.net Lynchburg on the Expressway. Follow the above directions. From the south on 29 you take the (MA) Spring Tech Session second exit to the Expressway and follow the 04/21/07 - Meet at 9:30 am at Pat Mulloy’s above. From the west on 460 you take the home and 3 bay garage, 507 Old Wales Rd, Lynchburg Bus. exit and stay on Timberlake Rd. to the Expressway. Take the second exit and follow Monson, MA. We intend to do Tip-over bars, the above. Call or email Jim to let him know that Oil Change, Bergmen adapter, Brake lines/ bleeding (fluid change), Tire changes. 1:00 pm - you're coming! Jim Hammond 434.386.3075 or hamnj1@verizon.net lunch break - chilli, fixins, pizza. AAD Kevin
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. 304.294.4000 or 800.CALL.WVA www.twinfallsresort.com We will base our rides from Twin Falls State park where the camping is fine and the lodge is very nice. Call very soon for reservations - there are only 20 rooms at the lodge. 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 your travel time. Join COG friends and ride some great roads through Coal Country. Great roads, mountain scenery, and much local history to see. We’ll do a loop ride on Friday and Saturday, returning to the Twin Falls. Call Pat Sprague at 540.743.4874 or email psprague@shentel.net or pesprague@earthlink.net with any questions or for further details.
(CT) “Chill-Buster Ride” 05/19/07 - Over the River & Through the Woods to Curtis’ BBQ – Putney, VT. Meet 8:30AM at Bickford’s in Enfield, CT. We depart at 9:15AM. We will traverse some of the best roads in the area as we twist and wind through CT, MA and into VT en route to Curtis’ BBQ (802.387.5474) in Putney. At Curtis’s we’ll feast on some of the most mouth waterin’, lip smackerin’, ribs and chicken west of Martin will be scheduling a ride to get there if (CT) Tuesday Night Meet & Greet the Connecticut River. Route sheets will be you are interested. We'll have all the tools. Are 05/01/07 – Join us at Maggie McFlys, Middlebury, available. All bikes and riders welcome. Contact ya comin? Contact Greg Habel 508.473.2257 or Jon Coler 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. CT, a unique eatery with a mixed menu that has habels65@verizon.net burgers, tex-mex, pizza and other sumptuous victuals. Meet at the restaurant 6:30 PM for dinner. (NH) Whitehorse Gear Open House (PA) April 22 Breakfast ride 05/19/07 - Not a COG event, but Whitehorse Gear 04/22/07 – Join us for breakfast and ride the Greg The ride will be the one you take to get there. will be hosting another Open House and BBQ and Puterbaugh favorite ride. Meet at 9AM at Robert’s Maggie McFlys, 6 Woodside Ave. Middlebury, COG is invited. The hours are 10am–3pm with a CT, 203.577.2205 Directions: I-84 West to exit 17. Family Restaurant, 871 Baltimore St (RT94), Hanover, PA. If you cannot make breakfast join us Take a left at the light onto Route 63 South. It is on free, high-end BBQ, special guests, & shopping the right at the first light. I-84 East to exit 17. Take specials. Join in for another fun-filled day of in the parking lot at 9:45AM ready to ride. Come eating, schmoozing, and shopping! For more info a left at the light onto Route 63 North. It is on the out and enjoy a day of back road riding and have left at the first light. All bikes and riders welcome. 800.531.1133 or www.whitehorsepress.com. fun with friends. The ride ends at the Gettysburg For more information contact Jonathan Coler Family Restaurant in Gettysburg, PA. Russell (CT) Tuesday Night Meet & Greet 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. Fleming fleming@qis.net or 410.374.9687. 06/05/07 - Come and join us for good food and (PA) Run for Buns and Wellsboro Gas Lights conversation at Bill’s Seafood, Westbrook, CT. (CT) Tire Changing Seminar We’ll meet at 6:00 PM. Bill's Seafood is familiar 05/05-05/06/07 COG & BMW Dutch Country 04/28/07 - Hosted by Craig Rabin, who has a full motorcycle lift table, which will be used on a first Riders Camaraderie Weekend. Saturday we’ll meet territory to boaters who dock their boats in some of at Sheetz at Route 11 and 114 on the north side of the finest marinas on the east coast in Westbrook, come first serve basis. Other featured tools: the Mechanicsburg, PA at 8:00AM and plan to leave at CT. Outside picnic tables on the edge of the Harbor Freight Tire Changer, an after market Patchogue River, and a center bar/dining room 8:30AM. There will be a rider’s meeting to hand mounting bar, tire irons and a Marc Panes tire with a nautical atmosphere is the best. This is the out maps and route sheets so everyone can ride at balancer. Craig is able to supply tire weights for a there own pace. There is a planned lunch stop at buck or two. In the case of rain, a canopy will be (Continued on page 6) Slate Run Store and Tackle Shop. After a super ISSUE 2, 2007
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place to be when thinking of scrod, swordfish, tuna, big, sweet lobsters, cherrystone clams and fried clams. They are located at 548 Boston Post Rd. (RT 1), Westbrook, CT. For directions and a peak at their menu, visit their website at www.billsseafood.com or call 860.399.7224. Weather permitting; an impromptu ride will follow dinner. All bikes and riders welcome. NOTE: Bill’s does not accept credit cards. They are a Cash Only establishment. Contact Jonathan Coler 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. (PA) Cook Forest Camp and Ride Weekend 06/08-06/10/2007 - 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 (PA) 2007 BellyBuster Covered Bridge Ride 06/09/07 - The 2007 Covered Bridge ride is updated and improved. This year we will be crossing 14 covered bridges in a 4 hour run around Lancaster & Chester Counties with a couple of dips into Maryland and Delaware. The BellyBuster part is the lunch stop. If you have never enjoyed a BellyBuster steak or sub from this Oxford eatery, I guarantee you haven't been full like this place will leave you. (Plan on loosening the belts after lunch.) We will be starting at the Spread Oak Restaurant on U.S. Rte 1 (1643 Conowingo Rd), just south of Rising Sun, MD. Breakfast is between 8 & 9 with the ride starting around 9:30. Overnight accommodations are available at my house. Call Ken Quesenberry, 302 234 0737 or email kqberry@comcast.net.
left) 2.4 miles. Then a left onto Old Fort Schoolhouse Rd. Fleming's is 1 mile on left at top of hill. Please give me a call if you plan on coming so that I know how much food to fix. Contact Russell Fleming fleming@qis.net or 410.374.9687 (PA) Thunder In The Valley 06/22-06/24/07 - We’ll once again hold a joint weekend with Jason and his BMW group. This event is very well organized and attended and is held at a great campground, in an excellent area for riding. Details on camping and all other information will be coming soon. Contact Joe Cyprych cyprych@hky.com 724.796.1401 or Jason Kaplitz gsjay62@verizon.net 814.535.8669
Vermont first and returning via NH. This will be another fairly long ride, so we’ll need to get an early start. Meet at Cliff’s Diner on RT-119 in Townsend MA. (Cliff’s is just beyond the corner at the Jct of 119 & 13 in Townsend). Get there early, ride leaves at 8 am. Host: Kevin Martin 978.459.6275 or cog145@verizon.net
(VA) The Urinal Ride 07/14-07/17/07 - 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, (CT) Toppings on the Pizza Ride WV, Sommerset, PA, and Sistersville, WV. There 06/23/07 - Meet 9:00 AM at the Big Y in Tolland, may even be a ferryboat ride! Details are being CT at 33 Field Stone Commons (along Merrow worked out for lodging on Saturday evening. Road – RT 195). Ride starts at 9:30 AM. After a Sunday will be spent riding over some great WV day of riding around CT, RI & MA, the bikes will roads back towards our homes. We’ll meet on rest in the parking lot of Willington Pizza while we Saturday at 8:AM for breakfast at The Pink graze to hearts’ content. Located on RT 32, Cadillac restaurant just north of the route 11/I-81 Willington, CT, Willington Pizza House is said to Fancy Hill interchange for breakfast and start our serve the BEST pizza in Tolland County for over ride around 9 AM. An interesting link: 25 years. For directions to Willington Pizza and a www.urinal.net If ya gotta go, do it in style. Bring sneak peak at their menu, visit their website at your thermos and camelback. Ladies are certainly www.willingtonpizza.com. All bikes and riders invited, though they may not get to enjoy all the welcome. For more information contact Jonathan ride “attractions.” Pat Sprague Coler @ 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com. psprague@shentel.net or pesprague@earthlink.net or 540.743.4874 (NH) NH Lakes Region Ride (CT) Ride, Hike, Water Falls & The Moose 07/01/07 - This is a new ride expanding on my yearly Lake Sunapee ride. This year we’ll ride 07/21/07 - This one has become a CT-COG three of New Hampshire’s most popular lakes, favorite! Meet & Greet at Marcus Dairy in starting with Sunapee, then heading north out to Danbury, CT at 8:30 AM. Ride starts at 9:15 AM. New Found Lake, then out to Winnipesaukee This ride will combine some awesome, scenic where we’ll stop for lunch. This is another fairly twisties skirting back and forth along the CT/NY long ride, so meet me at Skips Restaurant, Rt-110, border and then routing us into the Berkshire Chelmsford MA for breakfast, ride leaves at Taconics. (CAUTION: the road from the 7:30am. Contact Kevin Martin 978.459.6275 or Berkshires into the Taconics is at times narrow and cog145@verizon.net quite bumpy with steep descents and sharp turns). We will dismount on the NY State side of the (PA) Sport Touring at its Finest Ride Taconics and hike approximately 1.2 miles (20 07/01/07 – This will be a multi-club event (COG, minutes) along a moderate dirt trail into the woods BMW, V-Strom, Triumph) Meet for Breakfast at 9 to arrive at beautiful Bash Bish Falls (Bash Bish is am at the Iron Skillet at the PETRO truck stop a state park named for the beautiful waterfall it in Carlisle, PA, 1201 Harrisburg Pike (GPS protects. The falls split a huge boulder and then Coordinates N 40-13.903 W 077-08.551) There plunges 80 feet into a clear, green-mountain pool). will be 6 rides to choose from 150 to 200 miles We will enjoy the falls and a PACKED LUNCH long. All rides end at the Middlesex Diner in (prepare your lunch in advance) for about 45 Carlisle, PA. COG contact: Russell Fleming minutes to an hour then hike back to the bikes. fleming@qis.net 410.374.9687 We’ll head out of the State Park into the NY Taconics and follow more twisties and winding (CT) Tuesday Night Meet & Greet roads looping back into CT and ending the trip in 07/03/07 - Come and join us for good food and Sharon, CT at The Wondering Moose Cafe on conversation at Chick’s Drive In, West Haven, CT. Route 128. Those inclined to dine will enjoy the We’ll meet at 6:00 PM. A beachfront dive, uh, fine, yet simple cusine offered at the Moose. If you forgive the pun, and landmark establishment. Clam like twisties, the beauty of nature, and moderate strips, hot dogs, fries, burgers – all the basics. hiking, this is one event that has it all. All bikes Good view of Long Island Sound. A bit pricey for and riders welcome. For more information contact this style of restaurant – but fun and worth it. Jonathan Coler @ 860.221.5194 or Chick’s is located at 183 Beach Street, West joncoler@yahoo.com. Haven, CT – phone # 860.934.4510. All bikes and riders welcome. For more information contact Jonathan Coler @ 860.221.5194 or joncoler@yahoo.com.
(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; Days Inn, 25 South Cranberry Rd, 800.329.7466; Best Western, 451 WMC Drive, 800.528.1234. Lodging in Hanover, PA: Hampton Inn, 800.426.7866; Super 8, 40 Wetzel St, 800.800.8000; Clearview Motor Inn, 901 Carlisle St, 717.637.3701. Directions From Westminster to the Fleming's: Route 140 to Route 27 North 6 miles, Right on Old Fort Schoolhouse Rd. Fleming's is 1 mile on left at top of hill. Directions (MA) Queeche Gorge Ride from Hanover to the Fleming's: Take PA 94 south 07/14/07 - Back to Queeche again this year, but into MD where it becomes MD 30. Continue to Manchester. Turn right at MD 27 (Sheetz store on this time we’ll be doing it CW heading out to Page 6
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Western PA Report by Joe Cyprych, #4665 Hello fellow North Easters. We’re probably all on our bikes by now getting rid of the dreaded parked motorcycle syndrome (PMS) we were stuck in for months. Let’s all get out and attend some of the numerous rides that are planned for this year. Don’t forget about putting in for your vacation time for the COG National in Canaan Valley, WV - its going to be huge. Anyone that’s on our local group email that I send out about local rides, upcoming events, etc. please update me with your email changes if you change services. If you would like to be added on to the email list send me your info. 2007 is going to be a great year for riding and I hope to see some of you at a ride soon. Take care.
“COG in Canaan” National Rally Update The rally organizers are beginning to think this event may become the most attended COG rally ever. Canaan Valley Resort is reporting that over 200 combined room/cabin reservations have been made so far. There were a limited number of rooms left at the time of this writing. Also, the standard room rate goes up to $74/night beginning May 1. You better hurry to make reservations if you have not done so already. In the event you are unable to get lodging at the rally headquarter (Canaan Valley Resort), it is recommended that you check with the Canaan Valley Chamber of Commerce (800.782.2775 www.canaanvalley.org) for alternate lodging recommendations. Canaan Valley campsite reservations are also doing quite well and there are only a few remaining; if you want to camp within the rally HQ facility you should lock in your campsite soon. Contact the COG camping coordinator: J.R. Healy, 716.648.6729, dafonman52@yahoo.com Please remember to send in your to rally registrations and rally merchandise orders ASAP. It really helps with the event planning. Mike Flynn, our rally pre-registration coordinator, has reported that nearly 150 registrations have been sent in. This is good, but based on room & campsite reservations we are expecting an estimated 500+ attendees. Please do not wait too long as we do not want to overwhelm Mike with paperwork in the few weeks prior to the event. He has to prepare himself and family to make the trip to Canaan Resort too. The latest info for our golf outing is that we now have 13 signed up. It takes place on Thursday, August 9, and starts at 8:30. Tee times have been assigned and golfers will be notified of their specific tee times as we get closer to National. Prizes are starting to come in as well. We have two certificates for greens fees/cart certificates for two people and if we get 20 golfers we can offer a free night’s stay at Canaan Valley Resort. These items are being supplied by the Resort. In addition, one of our golfers has a contact that may be able to get us some PGA items as give-a-ways. Now you all need to do two things. First, keep your eye on the forum, in the section about Rides/Rallies/National Rally, to see the latest info; Refer to National Golf Outing at Canaan. Second, sign up for golf. Cost is $54 plus $18 for club rentals if needed. It’s going to be great fun and we do have some nice prizes. Contact Bob Calin at calinphotography@aol.com or call 570 562-1330.
ISSUE 2, 2007
South East Area “Run with the Wolf Rally” You are invited to join old friends and make new ones at the longest running COG rally in the South East. Some of the best riding roads in the country can be found in any direction from High Valley Resort. 13th Annual Run With the Wolf Rally, April 27-29, 2007, at the High Valley Resort in Suches, GA. Registration is $18 per member, $28 per non-member. Camping and the Saturday dinner is NOT included in the registration, they are your responsibility. Registration will open on Friday afternoon and again on Saturday morning. High Valley offer an abundant camping area as well as bunk houses and fully furnished cabins. Please call High Valley directly to book either the bunkhouse or cabins. A breakfast will be available on Saturday and Sunday mornings and on Saturday there will be a steak cookout where you “cook your own” steak. Baked potatoes and other fixins will be included. The cost of the cookout is $15 per person and that will be paid directly to High Valley Resort as are the breakfast meals. There will be ride routes available showing most of the scenic and challenging roads in the area. Suches is within riding distance of Deals Gap, Helen Georgia and a number of local wineries. New this year will be a riding clinic presented by Susan Galpin of Huntsville , AL . Susan is a two-time mileage slave with BMWMOA and has over 500,000 miles of riding experience. In addition she has road raced successfully, and teaches her clinic several times a year at different rally's around the country. She is very proficient at riding the North Georgia Mountains and can regularly be seen there on weekends instructing small groups. Her “Think Quick, Be Safe” Clinic will be available to the first twenty registrants on a first come, first served basis. It will include an introductory “classroom” session on Friday evening from 8PM until 10PM and small group riding sessions throughout the day on Saturday. Individual one-on-one sessions may be available on Sunday for a nominal charge. The charge for the basic clinic will be $20 per rider. Riders must be able to furnish proof of insurance, registration, and motorcycle endorsements. Make your plans now to be a part of this great rally. Get the registration form and more info on the Southeast Area web: www.concours.org/se Or contact the rally hosts: Jerry Holland: cognosticator@yahoo.com 912.596-7393. Jack Ferguson: jack.ferguson@mindspring.com 770.630.5205
North Central Area Memorial Day Weekend North Central Area Memorial Weekend in Marietta, OH (Saturday, May 26th and Sunday, May 27th with Friday and Monday reserved as travel days or additional ride days) Riding will be self guided tours. We will have route suggestions available. Meet fellow COGgers and enjoy parking lot lie sharing and tire kicking each evening. Things to see and do: Ride the best roads in Ohio, including OH SR 536 (Ohio's dragon). Ride some of the best roads in WV (We will be far enough away from the location of the 2007 COG National Rally, that only the true Iron Butts will be able to ride some of the same roads at the National). Ride the Sistersville, WV Ferry. Visit the Wilds wildlife conservation center. See the Big Muskie Bucket. Ride through the Hocking Hills region and the Wayne National Forest. Where: Best Value Inn, 506 Pike St. (I-77, Ohio Exit #1, S.R. 7), Marietta, OH 45750, 740-373-7373. 2 double beds - $44.95 + tax 1 or 2 people, 1 King bed - $47.95 + tax 1 or 2 people. Tell them that you are with the Concours Owners Group when making reservations. There are many restaurants nearby for your dining pleasure. Camping: Available 10-15 miles away. Contact Scott Ashbaugh at 740-568-0767 for details on campgrounds. The is no banquet or costly frills planned at this time. So, in true frugal COG fashion, there's NO RALLY FEE. Contact Bill Hookman at 614-776-5298 (home) or 614-226-3230 (cell) or billhookman@yahoo.com to let him know if you are coming or if you have any questions. Watch the COG forum and your email for updates and further details. Page 7
Our Newest Northeast Area Members (since the last newsletter) Alan Simkin, #7742 Ellicot City, MD
Bob Leggat, #7760 Ellicott City, MD
Anthony Whitaker, #7782 Virginia Beach, VA
Paul Quinn, #7748 London, ON Canada
Bob Stengel, #7762 East Bridgewater, MA
Joseph Boddiford, #7783 Forest Hill, MD
Jay Scales, #7749 Coopersburg, PA
Gene Page, #7764 Clifton Forge, VA
Bruce Unger, #7784 Granby, CT
Walter Williams, #7750 Bordentown, NJ
Tony Novak, #7765 Bala Cynwyd, PA
Tom Motiska, #7806 Old Forge, PA
Paul & Lisa Martin, 7752/7752A Virginia Beach, VA
Gene Berger, #7769 Allendale, NJ
John Bailey, #7807 Leroy, NY
Gary & Judi Rodgers, 7757/7757A Meadville, PA
Tom Furey, #7772 Springdale, PA
Scenes from CT PMS Breaker Ride
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