Cognitions: Random thoughts from the Northeast Area Director - By Steven Smith #3184 Issue 2, 2008
Welcome to the riding season!! As you will read, there is a lot going on and great things happening within COG...
Exciting News - COGMOS is Coming, COGMOS is Coming... Over the past few years, COG has had a few maintenance issues that have and are still being addressed. As volunteers with limited time, these are being tackled one at a time. Late last year the COG Board of Directors approved to move forward with one of the biggest initiatives I have seen in my time with COG. Guy Young alluded to it in a recent Concourier column. It is the Concours Owners Group Membership Online Services (COGMOS). Through this new web service members will have access to a wealth of online membership services. Some of the features will be the ability to renew membership and change or update your own contact information. You will also be able to purchase COG merchandise through an online storefront, register and pay for rallies. We will have a document library to access archived newsletters and Concourier issues. The hope is to eventually offer other COG related information through the safe and secure member's only (paid COG members) portal. All this will be accessible via the Internet from the comfort of your home, or any place there is a computer with Internet, through a password protected login system. For the few members who do not have a computer or Internet service, or just do not want to use COGMOS, we will still maintain a manual system very similar to what we do today. For a number of years the membership has been asking for this ability and we are now ready to deliver the product. Introducing, the all new… www.cog-online.org Only members who register on COGMOS will have access to the member only menu area, features, and information. As memberships come up for renewal, the notice you receive will provide instructions to either mail in the form and payment as usual, or you may create an account in COGMOS and renew online. If your membership is not due for renewal and you would like to register to use COGMOS now, see the instructions on page 4.
Keep your contact info current When COGMOS is ready to roll out to Northeast members, I want to be able to contact everyone to share the news. Please help us get this information to you by keeping us posted if you move, change phone number or email. You can call, email or send a letter to me and I will be happy to submit the change for you.
Northeast Staff & Leadership COG is an all-volunteer grass roots organization. The term “leadership” seems to be over-used in the business world (or abused, as Kurt Nordstrom told me). I see the AADs and myself as the cohesive, organized structure, that binds the members together, but we need you, the member, to be leaders as well. It can be as simple as suggesting a restaurant to meet at. If you see a gap in COG activity in your locale, the best way to begin to promote more riding activity is to get folks together where they can chat… selecting a location with tasty food & beverage seems to be an enticement for a gathering. Please note that Joe Cyprych, Western PA AAD, has changed his email to: cyprych@windstream.net We are still looking for an interested member (or members) to take over Russell’s AAD position beginning in 2009.
Newsletters Past issues of the Northeast Area Newsletter are archived on our web pages. We also have what I like to call eNews. How would you like to be among the first to receive a Northeast Newsletter when it is published? When a new issue is ready, members who choose to use eNews instead of regular mail will receive an email with a special web link to download the latest newsletter, usually a week or more before the issue hits mailboxes. Need more incentive… the electronic version has full color photos.
2008 Ride Schedule At this time there are 91 individual activities on the schedule. Most of these activities consist of day, overnight, and weekend rides. If you are part of the ride to eat crowd, many rides also tie in to social events, breakfast, lunch, and dinner gatherings - some of which occur monthly or weekly. We also have 3 regional rallies on the schedule scattered about the northeast, so you should be able to find one that you can make it to. Generally we only publish a few months worth of the annual ride schedule in each newsletter. This is because the complete ride schedule is so large it would take up almost the entire newsletter. We managed to squeeze in the entire remaining ride schedule so you can see what is up and make plans to attend som eof these great activities. As the season progresses new rides and activities are sometimes added, so watch the schedule. Our wonderful AADs try to keep the online version of the schedule as up to date as possible. COG article deadlines. Concourier articles must be submitted to the editor prior to these dates. Summer Issue - June 1, Fall Issue - September 1, Winter Issue - December 1 The deadline for the next Northeast Area News is May 30.
Until next time, ride safe.
Steve
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) Norm & Lorie Walton, #7011 Cromwell, CT 860-836-5162 ctaad@live.com Metro NY/NJ Jim Clark, #2113 Valley Stream, NY 516-872-3694 NY Hudson Valley Mike Flynn, #4493 Bedford Hills, NY 914-239-3721 Keltwolf@optonline.net Western NY J.R. Healy, #6591 Hamburg, NY 716-648-6729 Dafonman52@yahoo.com
Connecticut Report - by Norm & Lorie Walton, #7011
Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh (Western PA) Joe Cyprych, #4665 McDonald, PA 724-796-1401 cyprych@windstream.net
Greetings Coggers! As the warmer weather approaches we are as excited as kids at Christmas in anticipation of the first ride. It seems like forever since last year and our last ride that I had to go into the garage and visit with my bike last week to make sure it is still there! So today (March 30) we saddled up and hit the road despite the cooler temperatures, for a short ride and lunch at a shoreline restaurant.
DelMarVa & Philly burbs (PA/NJ) Bob Chappell, #1283 Claymont, DE 302-791-0582 cog1283@comcast.net
In the near future, Norm and I are looking forward to attending the Spring Fling in Wellsboro PA. We hope to see new and old members there and enjoy the sights in PA.
Ken Quesenberry, #3361 Hockessin, DE 302-234-0737 kqberry@comcast.net Maryland/Southern PA Russell Fleming, #599 Hampstead, MD 410-374-9687 Fleming@qis.net Virginia/West Virginia Kurt & Sue Nordstrom, #6049/A Spotsylvania, VA 540-582-9414 Ironhorsefun@mindspring.com 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
The Northeast Area schedule is filling up, with a full schedule of gatherings and a couple of rides planned through June. Gerry Barnett has planned dinner and a ride for April and Sherman and Michelle Baumann one for June. There are still months open (July through October) if anyone is interested in sponsoring or suggesting a ride and gathering of their choice. On April 1st, 2008 we had another of our monthly Tuesday Dinner Meet & Greets. Gerry Barnett provided this report on his experience from the evening… We had a great time enjoying the camaraderie of fellow riders. While the weather initially didn't lend itself to riding we made the best of it anyways. With Norm, Lorie, and Erzsica Walton, Moe and Bobbie Lavoie, Craig and Lee Rabin, Cherry, and me, Gerry Barnett in attendance, we munched away on some great South Of The Border cuisine at Acapulcos Mexican Restaraunt. We had a lot of fun (we always do) swapping funny stories. Afterwards I decided to take a short night time ride and had a "Near Cow Experience" out in the farmlands of Eastern CT. I came riding up over a rise and there was a black cow on a dark road. I was extremely thankful I was running those Hella FF50 driving lights! Luckily I saw her in time to come to a complete stop so I could ascertain just what she was doing to do... She mosied off and I continued on in a very cautious manner! I notified the Ellington PD and they took off in hot pursuit of the wayward bovine. I guess it was natures way of telling me to go home... So I did. Arriving 1/2 hour before a big thunderstorm came rumbling thru. All in all a fun and exciting evening.
Western PA Report - by Joe Cyprych, #4665
Northeast Area News Newsletter Staff: Louis Caplan, Steven Smith The Northeast Area News is a publication for Northeast Area members of the Concours Owners Group. Submissions are welcomed and members are encouraged to share 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 Page 2
best fit available space. If you would like to have your material returned, please include a SASE. Please send submissions to:
Steven Smith 39 Alison Ave Naugatuck, CT 06770-3566 nead@concours.org Many of the opinions stated in this publication may make no sense to those sound of mind and may just be conveniently ignored. If you use any of the information in this rag to incur damage to yourself, your motor or any innocent or not so innocent bystanders it is you own fault...you were warned!
Hello fellow COGgers. The weather is finally starting to break, and I know that everyone will want to get out and start riding soon. (I just came back from a much-needed ride) With that in mind, we’re going to be holding our weekly Meet, Greet and Ride Sundays again. I also have about 3 or 4 weekenders planned. Don’t forget about the upcoming Spring Fling in Wellsboro; this is a awesome area for riding and holding a rally and the first “must attend” of the season. If you go over to the COG web page and look under schedules, you will find all the info for these events and many more that are planned for this year. The schedule looks awesome for this early in the year. If anyone has a ride idea or suggestion feel free to contact me or Steve and we will help you make it happen. I am looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends and hoping to make some new ones this year, so don’t be shy, come on out and hook up with us this year for some rides. As always, if you have any questions or need additional info feel free to give me a yell. Everyone have a safe and enjoyable riding season. Take care - Joe
Copyright 2008 © Concours Owners Group
N O R T H E A S T A R E A NE W S
Fredericksburg Loop Ride Report - by Kurt & Sue Nordstrom, #6049 Well, what started out as a very mild morning with no and/or little wind made a complete turn around within an hour while we ate breakfast. The temperature dropped to a balmy 35 degrees and the wind kicked up to a steady 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph. Would this stop the COG faithful? Not a chance, we just cranked up the Gerbings. With six hearty COG souls on their steeds and two guests (a BMW and Kawasaki) we headed out for a brisk ride through the Piedmont of VA. From two lanes to four lanes, crossing bridges and getting blown into oncoming traffic, this bunch trekked for 155 miles of twists, turns and cork screws and ended up at the Hard Times Café for some liquid refreshment and a good warm meal. Another Cogger from Chesapeake, VA came up and joined us for lunch. While enjoying the warm meal, many stories were told (some true) of the past few months down time and the riding everyone has scheduled for the year. One important discovery was made during the 155-mile trek… the ABS on the C-14 is no match for the brakes and an anchor being dragged by Kurt on his C-10 in loose VDOT sand after an ice storm. This especially holds true when attempting to make a sharp right hand turn. The C-10 negotiated the turn; the ABS on the C-14 was “clicking” loudly in disbelief that it could not bring the pocket rocket to a safe stop. Also, the left saddlebag on the C-10 is much stronger than the faring of the C-14. Next time you are in VA keep a look out for a C-14 with a band-aid and “ouch” sticker under the right front turn signal.
his 2006 Concours and Harry Dinger Sr. on his 2005 Goldwing from New Jersey. They rode 200 miles to meet us for breakfast. This was their first COG ride. For the ride they hooked up with U-turn Tony Borum. They made it to the campground in time to unload their gear so they could go to Woody’s for dinner. There were 10 people who went to Woody’s; everyone enjoyed some type of crab dish. Back at the campground Roger is taking over Clyde’s place as the firemeister. It started raining about 10 pm and rained until 6 in the morning. Sunday morning everybody packed up and 6 of us went to Pier1 for breakfast, where I had a fantastic crab and cheese omelet. Clyde’s best saying of the morning was a western omelet, home fries, toast and coffee for less then 6 dollars my kind of restaurant. After a hearty breakfast everybody said their good-byes and went on their way. Harry Dinger asked if all COG ride are like this and I had to say no. I have to thank Ken Quesenberry for proofing the ride so we could get from point A to B. without any problems. Check the NE Website for future rides. Just a reminder in 2008 I am stepping down as AAD. I will not be totally out of the picture. Martha couldn’t put up with me all the time just part of the time. See the schedule in this issue for what is happening the next few months.
Until our next outing, ride safe!
MD/S. Central PA Report- by Russ Fleming, #599 What’s happening in Maryland and Pennsylvania. In February we had the chicken corn soup gig hosted by John and Missy Lippy, There were 26 people in attendance. This event is the only time we see some of the people. Do they ever ride their motorcycles? All had good stories and food. Thank you John and Missy. March was the Crab Cake ride in memory of Herman Tessman, who passed away July 2007 of cancer. There were about 20 people who showed up for breakfast at Holly’s. Not everybody stayed for the whole ride. Some were only going part of the way and then they were going home to do the honey-do things. It was good to see Harry Dinger Jr. on ISSUE 2, 2008
Northern New England - by Kevin Martin, #145 I’m sure most of you will agree with me when I say that it’s been a long, long winter. Last winter was one of the few winters I never got a chance to go for a ride what with all of the snow, ice, and freezing rain, not to mention the most sand on the roads that I’ve seen in years. I still haven’t had a chance to take my Connie out for a ride yet, and the first of my scheduled rides is coming up in just 2 weeks, I guess I better get moving. Lack of riding didn’t stop up from having our annual COG Winter Social at the Lowell Brewery Exchange in early March. This is a good time to the year for COGgers to get together and start discussing and planning out Club events for the coming season, as well as meet new faces and raise a glass or two for old faces. 2008 is going to be a busy and exciting year for me with lots planned on both sides of the handlebars. The most exciting thing we’re planning this year is a wedding in August for my oldest daughter. Amy and I are very happy for her, plus I gain a great son-in-law, although it looks like (Continued on page 4) Page 3
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I’ll have to wait at least another year to buy that new C14. I’m being told that I have to go for my Tux fitting real soon… hey what’s wrong with my black Aerostich Darien? I’m also hosting the Northeast Summer Rally up in Stowe Vermont in July, but more on that a little later.
Signing up for COGMOS Here is the COGMOS sign-in info from Colin Prior, the COGMOS Committee chairman. 1. Go to www.cog-online.org 2. Have a look around the website as a “public” visitor and note that you can see an amount of information about COG, but not get into any of the real meat! 3. Create an account. (Join Today!) Filling out all the relevant fields with accurate information. Note that some fields are required others optional. The optional ones can be filled out later on if you wish. 4. When you get to the membership plan selection, if your membership is not up for renewal don’t select a plan, simply enter “cogmos” in the Promotion Code box at the bottom and it will let you in without having to pay. Complete activation could take a day to several days. The membership director will carry over your current membership expiration date upon activation. Once your account is activated you will receive an email with further instructions to complete the process and pay online, if needed.
COG Winter Social at the Lowell Brewery Exchange Like the other Area AADs, I’ve been busy planning my yearly ride schedule and I’ve got a few new rides planned this year to mix it up a bit. We’ve also got another spring tech session on the books planned for Saturday April 19th , at Pat Mulloy’s house in Monson Mass. If you’re looking to get advice on Connie service or just want to kick some tires and do some old fashion socializing, feel free to stop by and say hi to the gang. Complete details can be found on www.MassCog.org or on the Club web pages. New weekend rides planned for this year include a ride this spring up to the Nubble Lighthouse in Maine for lunch and a ride to Polly’s Pancake House in early June. There will also be a ride hosted by NH Member, Mark Jenson called “Back Roads Ramble Through Southern VT”. Mark is like a walking GPS unit when it comes to riding Vermont, so if you’re looking for a great ride through areas of Vermont you’ve never seen before, then be sure to join in on this ride. We’ve also got the Spring Fling in Wellsboro PA to look forward to, of which I’m planning on attending. There’s some great sport touring roads in the Wellsboro area, and Jason Kaplitz puts on a great event, so try to fit this one in your schedule this year. We here at Northern New England COG have our own plans for a rally this year. In July, we’re going back to the Commodores Inn in Stowe Vermont, hosted by yours truly. Get ready to ride some of the best roads in the great State of Vermont, including Smugglers Notch, Mad River Glen, Brandon Gap, etc. I’m in the process of planning out several routes including a full day loop out across Lake Champlain into New York through the upper Adirondacks and back to Stowe. Sounds like fun doesn’t it, well fill out your registration forms and make your reservations so you don’t miss out on this Rally. See the ride schedule in this issue for all the planned NNE events this year.
5. Go to My Info in the menu on the left and you can update your account information by selecting the links just under the “My Info General” text towards the top of the page. i.e. Edit Profile, Edit Photo, Members Interests, & Newsletter Subscriptions. IMPORTANT! Note that you can select what inform you agree to display to other COG Members here. MAKE SURE you select the Submit Changes button at the bottom of the page! Now browse around COGMOS to get the feel of what’s there in the member area. Please keep in mind we are still building it out! Here is a quick reference to some of the menu items: Calendar of Events: View events per area My Events: This will be empty until you register for an event My Info: Covered above iMessage: You can send and receive messages, or forward them to your existing email account. Members Interest: You can see who in an Area has the same interests Member List: See full member info by Area (providing they are registered on COGMOS and have elected to make their information available) Classifieds: Still a work in progress Forum: At this time this is the COG only Forum. This may change in the future. Help: What it says! Library: Past issues of Concourier, Newsletters, GPS files etc. Photos: Pictures of COG’ers in various stages of undress. Online Store: This works – buy you COG goodies here. Registered members get member discount. Vendors: Another WIP. (Work in Progress) Industry member & sponsor listing.
As usual, I’ll be leading group rides for most of these events so check the ride schedules for meeting locations and times. Also occasionally day rides may be delayed or even cancelled due to bad weather, so if you’re planning on attending one of my day rides contact me the day before if you’re not sure about the weather or check my website for last minute postings on event changes. We’ve got another great year to look forward to so start making plans now and I’ll see you on the road. Ride safe and most of all enjoy this wonderful sport. See you soon! Page 4
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 covers now. I am told the reservoir holds more water than the Long Island Sound. After winding (ON) S. Central Ontario Get-Together our way around the area we will make tracks for Meet at 6:30 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month Bubs BBQ on RTE 116 Sunderland MA for some lunch. After lunch we will take a scenic ride along at the Mohawk Inn in Guelph. Join us for dinner the Connecticut River back to Enfield CT. This and socializing. All Welcome. Located on the northwest corner of Hwy 401 at Guelph Line, exit ride could be canceled due to inclement weather. All bikes and riders welcome. Directions to 312, next to the Mohawk Raceway & Slots Bickford’s- Rte 91 North to exit 47E.Turn left at Entertainment Facility. 9230 Guelph Line, the first light after the end of the ramp. The Campbellville, Ontario. 905.854.2277 restaurant is on the left. From 91 South: Exit (www.mohawkinn.com) Contact: Dave Clancy, 47East to 190E to the second light, turn left ,the davecla2@sympatico.ca or 905.389.7681. restaurant is on the left. Contact Norm and Lorie (PA) Meet Greet and Ride Sundays Walton ctaad@live.com or 860.836.5162 Meet Sundays at 10:00 am at Kings Restaurant located in Imperial, PA, located right off the (NY) Hudson Valley Surprise Ride #1 Imperial exit of routes 22 & 30. We will decide a 04/27/08 - Join me for some back road fun on ride or destination with whoever attends, or I will another surprise ride. The surprise is the roads and have a route ready if we need it. Rides will begin lunch stop. We’ll be hitting some of the area's more the 1st week in April until the 1st week in Nov. If hidden secret roads to play on. All riders welcome; you have a ride idea, or need any additional info or route sheets will be handed out. Meet at the directions contact Joe Cyprych 724.796.1401 or Somers, NY 7/11 on Rt100, off I 684, exit 6. cyprych@windstream.net Hope to see you there. Contact: Mike Flynn keltwolf@optonline.net or 914.263.5440 Calendar of Events Snapshot
Repeating Events
lunch at the Lighthouse Restaurant. After lunch we’ll ride the Coast back down into Massachusetts. Meet me at Skips Restaurant for breakfast to join in on the start of the ride which leaves at 8:30 am.Skips Restaurant, 116 Chelmsford Street(Rte 110) Chelmsford MA.GPS Coordinates: N42 36.196 W71 20.749 We’ll also be stopping briefly at the Windham NH Mobil Station at the Jct 111 & 111A to meet up with any other riders that want join us. (Exit 3 off Rte 93, ½ mi East on Rte 11). Contact Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275
(PA) Northeast Spring Fling Rally 05/15/08-05/18/08 - After a one-year hiatus we return to Wellsboro, PA, home of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon! Wellsboro has proven to be a great location for a NE Regional rally. It's central location is just a day ride or less for many members and offers great riding and sightseeing at an affordable price. Our host town of Wellsboro is located in north central PA, along the famous Route 6 corridor, not far from New York State's Finger Lake Region. The rally area is abundant with museums, wineries, terrific scenery, and great (PA) Slate Run for Buns roads. Rally Headquarters will be the Penn Wells (MA) Spring Tech Session 05/04/08 - Meet at Sheetz at Route 11 and 114 on Lodge. Room rates vary, but are around $70/night. 04/19/08 - Members Greg Habel and Patrick Mulloy will be hosting another spring tech session the north side of Mechanicsburg, PA at 8:00am and For campers, the Stony Fork Creek Campground is only a few miles away. The base rally fee is $40, this year at Pat’s house in Monson MA. Start time plan to leave at 8:30AM. There will be a riders meeting to hand out maps and route sheets so that with discounts for COG members and early-bird is 9:00 am. Spring Tech Sessions tend to be very everyone can ride at there own pace. There is a registration. For our banquet dinner we’ll continue popular with area members so If you’re interested the COG favorite tradition of heading over to the in servicing your bike, contact either Greg or Pat in planned lunch stop at Slate Run Store and Tackle Shop. After a SUPER Sandwich and drink we will Penn Wells Hotel for their well known Saturday advance to reserve a spot on Tech Day, and to head home. This will be a day ride of 400 miles. Smorgasbord. See the rally registration from for discuss requirements for tools and supplies to Contact: Russell Fleming fleming@qis.net or complete details or contact Jason Kaplitz, accommodate your particular service request. If 410.374.9687 cog62@kaplitz.com or 814.535.8669. you don’t have any service needs, stop by anyway and meet fellow Coggers. Also, Greg & Pat’s (CT) Tueday Meet and Greet dinner (VA) Sport Touring at its Finest Ride South significant others (Tracey & Sherry) will be 05/06/08 - COG Meet and Greet Dinner, Tuesday 05/18/08 - Meet for Breakfast at 8:30 am at the whipping up another tasty lunch like they did last May 6th 2008. Dinner will be at Smoking with Country Market Restaurant at the Flying J Truck year. Anyone wishing to ride down to Monson with Chris, 59 West Center St. Southington CT 860Stop ( I-81 exit 323 ) 1530 Rest Church Road (N me can meet me for breakfast at Skips Restaurant 620-9133. We will gather at 6:30pm. They offer 39-15.22 W 78-06.13) in Winchester, VA. There (Skips Restaurant, 116 Chelmsford Street (Rte 110) BBQ, Seafood, Salads, and a Vegetarian menu. will be 5 rides to choose from 150 to 200 miles Chelmsford MA GPS Coordinates: N42 36.196 They come highly recommended by a group long. One of the rides will be a mix of paved and W71 20.749) It will take at least 90 minutes to get member. Check out their web site at unpaved roads. ALL of these rides are self-guided, to Pat’s house, so plan on leaving Skips no later www.smokinwithchris.com A short ride may but the Pat will lead the paved and unpaved ride. than 8:00 am. Pat Mulloy’s House: 507 Old Wales follow dinner is weather and time allow. All bikes All rides end back at the Flying J Truck Stop. Rd, Monson MA GPS Coordinates: N42 04.033 and riders welcome. Contact Norm and Lorie Contacts: COG: Russell W Fleming 410.374.9687 W72 17.033 Contact Pat Mulloy Walton ctaad@live.com or 860.836.5162 fleming@qis.net or Kurt & Sue Norstrom sniper64@aol.com 413-267-9462 or Greg Habel 540.582.9414 ironhorsefun@mindspring.com Habel65@verizon.net or 508-473-2257 (ON) South Central Ontario Spring Ride (CT) Tuesday Meet and Greet Dinner 05/10/08 - Depart 9:30am from Angel's Diner in (MD) Sunday Breakfast Ride Fergus to Tim Horton's Coffee Shop in 06/03/08 - Work up your appetite with ride. We'll 04/20/08 - Meet for breakfast at the Golden Corral Collingwood, 1st (hwy 26) and Oak streets; ride meet at the intersection of RT16 & RT149 in in Frederick MD on route 355 south of route 70 at time 2.25 hrs. For Angel's Diner - follow hwy 6 Westchester at the Westchester Market parking lot 9 am. After breakfast route sheets will be handed north from Guelph to outskirts of Fergus, when you at 5:30PM and ride to Kathy Johns, 643 Middle out for a 150 mile self guided ride that will end at pass Canadian Tire start watching; you're close. Tpke on RT 44 in Storrs, CT. Arrival time around Mountain Gate Family Restaurant in Waynesboro 2nd leg depart Tim Horton's 12:30pm to Super 6:30PM. (meet us there if you cant make the ride) PA. The ride will take you on some of the FINEST Burger Jctn Prince of Wales Rd and Hwy 89 The ride will consist of as many twisty backroads Motorcycle riding roads in the area. Contact (approx. 20 km North of Orangeville); ride time as we can come up with between point A and point Russell Fleming fleming@qis.net or 410.374.9687 2.25 hrs. Route sheets will be available. Contact: B. All bikes and riders welcome. This ride is Dave Clancy davecla2@sympatico.ca or hosted by Sherman and Michelle Baumann. (CT) Round the Quabbin Ride 905.389.7681 Contact Norm Walton ctaad@live.com or 04/20/08 - Ride the Quabbin Reservoir, on Sunday 860.836.5162 April 20, 2008. This ride is sponsored by Gerry (ME) Nubble Lighthouse Ride, Maine Barnett. We will meet at Bickfords in Enfield Ct on (NH) Polly’s Pancake Ride 05/10/08 - Join me for another Spring ride out to Rte 190 for pre-ride breakfast. We will depart at the coast before the tourist season gets into full 06/07/08 - If you like pancakes and riding some of 9:00AM to run some awesome back roads to the swing. This year I’ll be leading a ride up into Quabbin Reservoir, the main water supply for (Continued on page 6) Maine to visit the Nubble Lighthouse and have Boston. There are 4 towns under the area the water ISSUE 2, 2008
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New Hampshires best roads, then this ride is for you. The plan is to meet at Polly’s Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill NH at 9:30 am for breakfast. The ride up to Polly’s from the Lowell area is approximately 2.5 hours up Rte 93, so if anybody wants to ride up with me, I’ll be leaving my house at 7am. After breakfast, I’ll host a ride back south on some favorite county roads. Polly’s Pancake Parlor is located at 672 Route 117 in Sugar Hill NH. For you northern folks, I’ll be stopping for a break at the Rte 93 northbound Hooksett rest area.To learn more about Polly’s, go to: www.pollyspancakeparlor.com. Contact Kevin Martin Email: cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275 (CT) EXPERIENCED RIDER COURSE 06/14/08 –An Experienced Rider Course is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2008, 11:00am to 6:00pm, at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, CT. Contact the college to see if there is room left in the course. 203-575-8123 (MD) North & South 11 Get Together 06/20/08-06/22/08 – This event will be held at Martha & Russell Fleming's House, 2610 Old Fort Schoolhouse RD, Hampstead MD 21074. Tracy Martin from Total Control riding clinic has volunteered his time again this year to give a suspension tuning seminar Saturday after the cookout. Friday June 20 for camping, come and setup your tent and have a cookout in the evening. There is plenty of tent space in the backyard. Saturday June 21 Breakfast, Ride and Cookout. Breakfast will be held in the driveway. Serving Bacon and Eggs, Juice and Coffee. Starting at 8:00 am then you can leave at your free will on one of 4 past route that could take you in PA, VA, WV and MD of 260 miles or 1 of 2 short routes of 100 miles and end back here for a cookout that will start about 6:30 pm. Sunday June 22 Breakfast will be held one more time in the driveway. Starting 8:30 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 from Hanover to the Fleming's: Take PA 94 south into MD where it becomes MD 30. Continue to Manchester. Turn right at MD 27 (Sheetz store on 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
(www.pioneerparkcampground.com). Thunder is a scenic 30 minute ride north of the campout. Close enough to enjoy, far enough to be out of the noise and crazyness! Pioneer Park is a terrific full-service camping resort with excellent showers and facilities, minutes away from the PA Turnpike Exit #10, Somerset, Pa. or the Donegal exit #9. Directions: From Somerset follow Rt. 31 W. 7 miles to campground. From Donegal, follow Rt. 31 E 12 miles. Cost for the rally is just $20 payable to the club and a camping fee of $5.00 per night/per person payable at the campground. 4th Annual rally pin for the first 100 registrants. Activities include tech session, self-guided rides to Flight 93 Memorial crash site (www.nps.gov/flni). Johnstown Flood Memorial (www.nps.gov/jofl), and other self guided rides in the Southern Alleghenies (www.cyclesa.com). Dump Stew (bring a can or 2 to add to the pot), hotdogs & snacks Friday evening. Saturday evening meal by the local Volunteer Fire Dept. Sunday send off breakfast. Pavilion, picnic tables, Hot showers, campfires allowed and some wood provided! Motels & Restaurants nearby. Sat. night campground band. Contact Joe Cyprych cyprych@windstream.net or 724.796.1401
07/10/08-07/13/08 – Save the dates: We’re going back to the Commodores Inn in Stowe Vermont. Get ready to ride some of the best roads in the great State of Vermont, including Smugglers Notch, Mad River Glen, Brandon Gap, etc. Rally Fee: $40 for COG members, $45 for Non-COG members Registration form was in the newsletter. Rally Headquarters: Commodores Inn, 823 South Main St, (RT 100) Stowe, Vermont. 800.447.8693 www.commodoresinn.com A limited block of rooms will be held until 6/30/2008, so book your room early. Call Commodores Inn to make reservations (mention Concours Owners Group) Room Rates: Double: $92 Single: $78 (inclusive). The same rates will apply if you wish to extend your stay. Breakfast Buffet is available at $8 pp/day (+tax+gratuity). Commodores Inn features modern comfort with country charm. This family owned and operated resort has the amenities to make your visit enjoyable including a 3 1/2 acre lake; heated outdoor and indoor pools; 3 Jacuzzis, 2 saunas; comfortable living room with large fieldstone fireplace; fitness facility; Game room. For additional information: www.concours.org/ne or contact Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275 (PA) Cooks Forest Weekender 07/18/08 - 07/20/08 - We will be holding our now annual cook forest campout at the Kalyumet campground, this is a very motorcycle friendly campground with great facilities located in a excellent area for riding, some attractions include wineries, Kinzu dam and bridge, the Zippo factory and museum, and lots of great roads in and around cook forest state park. the campground also has some rooms and cabins available for rent for those who prefer them. the campground info: Kalyumet campground, 8630 Miola Rd, Lucinda PA 16235. www.kalyumet.com 814.744.9622 when calling for reservations mention you are with COG. They also allow two tents to a site for those wanting to split a site. Hope to see you there. Contact Joe Cyprych cyprych@windstream.net or 724.796.1401
(CT) Add Em up ride!! 06/28/08 - Bring your digital cameras + your calculators (or your Polaroids + fingers + toes) You pick the route on this ride-starting point is Cromwell Diner 135 Berlin Rd (rte372) Cromwell CT at 8:30AM--the finish point is Harrys Place 104 Broadway St, Colchester, CT between 2-3PM. The object is to add up all the route numbers en route to come up with a total closest to a number that will be decided randomly at the last second. Then its up to you to go out + shoot a picture of the Rte number signs along the way. Meet back up at Harrys to check your pics-+ math skills. Who took the longest route? Most or least roads? Closest to the number? This ride is hosted by Sherman and Michelle Baumann. All bikes and riders welcome. Contact Norm Walton ctaad@live.com or 860.836.5162 (VA) Summer Wrench Session 07/19/08-07/20/08 - Kurt Nordstrom will host a (VT) Vermont Day Ride wrench session at his home in Spotsylvania. The 06/28/08 - Meet me at Cliff’s Café’ for a ride up season's half over, and should be time for a valve through Vermont and back. Get there early for adjustment. Kurt has a nice garage, fair amount of breakfast, ride leaves at 8 am. The plan is to ride tools and a bike lift. Bring any other tools you may out to Brattleboro, head north up Rte 30 & 35 into want or need. Also, bring any fluids, filters, parts, Grafton, looping around and back via routes 103 & tars, adult liquid refreshment, etc. that you may 5 and area roads. Cliff’s Café, 268 Main St. (Rte need. If a valve adjustment is planned you may tow 119) Townsend MA, (Cliff’s is just beyond the the bike or make arrangements with Kurt to bring it corner at the Jct of 119 & 13 in Townsend). GPS early. Come one or both days. There is plenty of Coordinates: N42 40.027 W71 42.368 Host: tent space or Quality Inn 6 mi. away at the Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net or Thornburg exit off I-95 (Exit #118). Please call or 978.459.6275 email Kurt to let him know you are coming. The address is 306 Bell Grove Lane, Spotsylvania, VA (NY) Glocks In The Tankbag Ride 22551. Contact Kurt & Sue Nordstrom 06/29/08 - I did this a few years ago and had a ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or 540.582.9414 blast! The range (sunsethill.slvrcreek.com ) has (PA) Thunder In The Valley guns to rent, mostly historical and movie famous (VT) Back Roads Ramble Thru Southern VT 06/27/08 - 06/29/2008 - We have been invited types. The rates are quite decent, and it's alot of 08/09/08 - Meet 8:30am at the Brattleboro, VT again to join in at the 5th Annual Laurel Highlands fun. You can bring your own, check the site for Duncan Donuts, just south of the rotary on RT 5 at BMW Riders Campout. This campout coincides rates/issues. The ride out is really fun, as the roads the intersections of NH RT 9 and Exit #4 off I-91. with Johnstown, Pa's famous “Thunder in the in that area are very cool. If you are thinking about This is a 185 mile loop on State and county roads Valley” Rally (www.visitjohnstownpa.com). In just joining me, give me a heads up. Contact: Mike out to Granville, NY where we will have lunch at ten short years, “Thunder in the Valley” has grown Flynn keltwolf@optonline.net or 914.263.5440 the Pine Tree Diner. [mile 90]. Optional visit to the to host over 125 vendors and 200,000+ bikers. We Slate Valley Museum (www.slatevalleymuseum.org) (VT) Northeast Summer Rally, Stowe, VT return to Pioneer Park Campground
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campground located in the middle of some of the best riding areas in the state. It is close to wineries, great small towns to visit, and fantastic scenery to take in. Come on out for some riding or just relax (WV) Days Rally, Arbovale, WV around the campfire with your fellow coggers. 08/08/08-08/10/08 - Come visit beautiful Hope to see you there. Stonyfork Campground Pocahontas County, WV. The rally will be at the (www.stonyforkcamp.com) 658 Stony Fork Creek Boyer Motel, Restaurant and Campground, located Rd. Wellsboro, PA 570.724.3096 Contact Joe near the confluence of RT 28 & 92. The motel has Cyprych cyprych@hky.com or 724.796.1401. about 20 rooms (definitely not the Hilton) and the campground has water and electric hookups, picnic (NY) Hudson Valley Surprise Ride #2 09/21/08 - Join me for a day or finding the area's tables at each site, hot showers with private best kept secret roads. We'll stop for pictures and dressing rooms, flush toilets, sewer hookups for those with a land yacht, dump station, playground grub, but it's all about the back roads. Route sheets will be on hand, and no one will be left in dust. and more. Grocery stores and gas nearby. Base Meet at the Somers 7/11 on Rt100, just off I 684, registration fee is $25 with discounts for COG members and early registration. Details are on the exit 6. Contact: Mike Flynn keltwolf@optonline.net or 914.263.5440 registration form that was in the 2008, Issue 1 newsletter. Contact Jason Kaplitz cog62@kaplitz.com or 814.535.8669, Joe Cyprych (PA) Sunday Breakfast Ride, Cross Keys 10/12/08 - Meet for breakfast at 9 am At Cross cyprych@windstream.net or 724.796.1401. Keys Diner. Restaurant is located at the Registration questions go to Kurt & Sue intersection of US route 30 and route 94. The ride Nordstrom: ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or end at the Lincoln Diner in Gettysburg PA. 540.582.9414 Contact: Russell Fleming 410-374-9687 or (PA) Sport Touring at its Finest Ride North fleming@qis.net 08/17/08 - Meet for Breakfast at 9 am at the IRON SKILLET at the PETRO truck stop in Carlisle, PA. (VA) Fall Foliage Ride and Camp, Meadows of Dan, VA 1201 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA GPS Coordinates N 40-13.903 W 077-08.551. More 10/17/08-10/19/08 - We will meet at Willville Details Coming Motorcycle Camp just off milepost 178 of the Blue (NY) Tuesday Hooky Ride Ridge Parkway, Meadows of Dan, VA on Friday 08/19/08 - Join me on a Tuesday while all the night. http://www.willvillebikecamp.com. Saturday other working stiffs are cooped up in the office. we'll have breakfast at Meadows of Dan (a couple We meet at the Somers 7/11 on Rt100, off exit 6 of of good restaurants there) at 8:00 a.m. and head out I-684, then go in search of curvy back roads. We'll to ride through the pretty area. Hardtop lodging is hit someplace for lunch, hopefully grab some pics, available at the Blue Ridge Motel (540-952-2244) then head home before school is out, and the roads on Route 58 at Meadows of Dan. Have a safe ride become clogged. Contact: Mike Flynn to Willville! Kurt & Sue Nordstrom keltwolf@optonline.net or 914.263.5440 ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or 540.582.9414 (MA) White Mountains Day Ride (NY) Monday Hudson Valley Hooky Ride 9/06/08 - Join me for a post Labor Day ride up through the Lakes Region, across the Kancamagus 10/27/08 - Join me on another Hudson Valley Highway and into the White Mountains National Hooky Ride. We get to go have fun while others Forest. Ride leaves at 8 am from Dunkin Donuts, are hard at work. Route sheets will be available, as Rte 110, Chelmsford MA (Exit 34 / 495), (From is a lunch stop. We should be back in time to avoid 495 South, turn RIGHT for 110 West, from 495 the after school traffic. Meeting point is the Somers North, turn LEFT for 110 West). GPS Coordinates: 7/11 on Rt100, off I-684 exit 6. Contact: Mike N42 36.187 W71 20.752 Contact: Kevin Martin Flynn keltwolf@optonline.net or 914.263.5440 cog145@verizon.net 978.459.6275 (DE) The Chunk Yer Punkins Ride is Back! (WV) Over the River and Thru Woods 11/02/08 - After a four-year absence, I feel the time 09/14/08 - This ride leaving from Harpers Ferry is is right to resurrect this weekend-after-Halloween organized by COG member Tony Borum. We will ride. But there's a twist... Instead of riding to the meet at Cindy-Dee Restaurant 19112 Keep Tryst World Championship Punkin Chunkin', which has Rd, Knoxville MD on Sunday morning at 8:30 for grown into a huge (and by some accounts, unruly) breakfast and ride from there. Tony has a ride of weekend event, we'll find decent roads to ride approximately 200-mile ride ending up back anywhere except the Punkin Chunkin'! Heck, this Cindy-Dee Restaurant. Contact: Russell W idea may even convince my wife to ride along!! :-) Fleming 410-374-9687 or fleming@qis.net Anyhow, quite a few good (IE: curvy/twisty) roads can be found on the upper DelMarVa peninsula, (VA) Wine Ride, Charlottesville, VA and on into Southeastern PA. The plan is to explore 09/19/08 - This event will be centered out of the some of these roads, find a "Mom-and-Pop"-type Charlottesville KOA. Details will be forthcoming. place for lunch, ride some more, then stop Suggested routes will be provided to various area somewhere to check out potential "punkin wineries. Kurt & Sue Nordstrom targets" (like maybe the whirlybirds at the ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or 540.582.9414 American Helicopter Museum, f'rinstance). Meet Sunday, November 2nd, at 08:00 for breakfast at (PA) Wellsboro Camp And Ride Weekend the Crossroads Restaurant, Naamans Road at I-95. 09/19/08 - 09/21/08 – We’ll be camping at Admission fee (purely optional) is a one-to-twoStonyfork Campground. This is a great pound pumpkin. :-) We'll be hitting the road returning back to Brattleboro, VT around 4pm. Host: Mark Jenson mjenso@comcast.net 603.756.4143 or 603.513.8633
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sometime between 09:00 and 09:30. More (maybe altered) details to follow. Contact Bob Chappell Cog1283@Comcast.net or 302-791-0582 (VA) “Brrrrrrrrrrr Ride” 11/07/08 - 11/09/08 - Bundle up and point your headlight toward the Natural Bridge KOA campground where we will gather on Friday and Saturday nights to poke fires and partake of COG fellowship. We will meet for breakfast 8 AM Saturday. After breakfast we will ride some favorite scenic roads before returning to the KOA. For those not wanting to camp, cabins are available at the KOA. Call 540.291.2770 to reserve one. (www.koakampgrounds.com/where/va/46144.htm) Motels in the area are: Fancy Hill Motel, 4852 S. Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.2143; Natural Bridge Inn & Conference Center, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.2121; Red Mill Inn, 50 South Red mill Road, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.1704; Budget Inn, I-81 Ext 180 US RT 11, Natural Bridge, VA 540.291.2896. Contact: Kurt & Sue Nordstrom (540) 582-9414 or ironhorsefun@mindspring Russell Fleming at (410) 374-9687 or fleming@qis.net (MD) The Buttersburg Inn Dessert Ride 11/16/08 - Meet at 10 am for brunch at Baugher’s Family Restaurant in Westminster MD, 289 West Main Street. Restaurant is located at the intersection of main West Street and Route 31 on the west side of town. GPS N 39-35.091 W07700.655. I will have a ride about 85 miles long that will end at The Buttersburg Inn in Union Bridge MD for dessert. Contact: Russell Fleming 410-3749687 or fleming@qis.net (VA) Holiday Lunch at the Beach 12/13/08 - For some awesome seafood, join Kurt & Sue for lunch at the Dockside Restaurant, 1787 Castlewood Drive, Colonial Beach, VA, 804-2248726, www.dockside-blueheron.com. From wherever you are, make your own route and plan to arrive between 11:30 and 12. The restaurant is at the southernmost point of Colonial Beach, adjacent to the Colonial Beach Yacht Center & Marina. Visit Dockside's website for more information as well as a look at their menu. Kurt & Sue Nordstrom ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or 540.582.9414 (MD) December 2008 ride Will be put together depending on the weather. Contact: Russell Fleming 410-374-9687 or fleming@qis.net
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Our Newest Northeast Area Members (since the last newsletter) Tom Edwards, #8144 Marlborough, MA
Les & Cathi Glanz, #8192/8192a Slatington, PA
Dan Roberts, #8213 Centreville, VA
Ron Wampler, #8147 Gate City, VA
Joseph Diluzio, #8193 Somers Point, NJ
Vance Wagner, #8220 Valencia, PA
Jim Brown, #8174 Westhampton, MA
William & Gay Derose, #8195/8195a Monroe CT
George Garrat, #8189 Wickford, Essex United Kingdom
Michael Morales, #8210 Harwood, MD
NC COG Memorial Day Weekend Event in Marietta, OH - by Bill Hookman, NC AAD Come join us for a long holiday weekend of riding headquartered in Marietta, Ohio on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26. Riding will be self guided, however, I will provide route sheets for a few suggested rides. This area of Ohio contains the best roads the state has to offer. Marietta is just across the Ohio River from some great West Virgina roads, too. Back in Ohio, you can visit the Big Muskie Bucket; ride Ohio's "Dragon" (SR 536) and visit Keidasch Point park, offering a panoramic view of the Ohio River and New Martinsville, WV; ride the Sistersville, WV/Fly, OH Ferry; visit the ornate urinals at the Wells Hotel in Sistersville, WV that were the featured attraction on the COG N.E. Region's Urinal ride in 2007; hang out in the H.Q. hotel parking lot each evening kicking tires and telling lies. You are on your own for meals, however, we will order pizzas on Saturday night and split the cost amongst those of us eating. Friday and Sunday evenings, we will choose a local eatery or 2 to "invade". Unfortunately, the frugal motel that we
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used last year has closed, so we are moving to the Best Western located at 279 Muskingum Drive, Marietta, OH 45750, Phone: 740.374.7211. I have blocked 12 rooms, which will be released back to the public on May 1, so reserve your room soon ($59.40 for a single, $69.30 for a double). Be sure to tell them you are with the Concours Owners Group or COG. The hotel has a pool, each room has a refrigerator and continental breakfast is included. I know there is camping available in the area, but I am not familiar enough with the area to know where you can camp. I have been given the phone number of a campground nearby, so I will be contacting them soon to get details of what they can provide us. I would appreciate you letting me know if you will be attending, so that I have some idea of how many people to expect. I (Bill Hookman) can be contacted via email (billhookman@yahoo.com) or phone (home: 614.776.5298, cell: 614.226.3230), if you have any questions.
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