Cognitions: Random thoughts from the Northeast Area Director - By Steven Smith #3184 Issue 1, 2009
Here we are in 2009. Our Northeast Area calendar of events is shaping up nicely. If you have something to add get it to me or your AAD soon. If you wish to switch over to electronic delivery only of this newsletter, send me an email to request the change.
Club Happenings In the last issue I mentioned we needed a newsletter and web editor. I am happy to report that David Geyer (COG#8542) of Merrimack, NH has volunteered to try his hand as our web editor. Dave has been dabbling with our new COGMOS system for a few weeks and has been making edits as needed and reviewing the pages for errors. Thanks Dave. There is a need to find a replacement newsletter editor as I am handling all aspects of the newsletter since Louis left. Many hands lessen the load. Also, I am still seeking an AAD candidate for the Maryland/ Southeast PA region. There may also be other regions around the NE area that could use someone to champion the effort to bring folks together. Please contact me if you believe you may the right person for any of these opportunities to get more involved with COG. Executive Director Election: By the time you read this the election process will be over and COG will have a new Executive Director. I want to thank all of those that suggested me for this position in response to Guy Young’s letter. I was honored to be part of the process, but removed myself from the running as I felt I could have more positive impact for the Northeast COG by staying on as your Area Director. 2009 Ride Schedule: Thanks to the efforts of the AADs we once again make the bulk of the NE Area calendar of events available to members early so you can begin planning. The complete schedule is online on our web site, and a printable version is in the online Library. Look it over as there are many choices. This newsletter has several months listed. Registration is now open for the Spring Fling with our preference that you use the online registration process. We will be posting details to the web for the Wellsboro fall rally and hope to have the registration info in the next newsletter. We are pleased to announce that the Penn Wells has held our cost to last years prices, so there will be no increase in room rates or rally fees.
New York Motorcycle Show
Victory Concept Core
Attending the International Motorcycle Show in New York City has become a tradition for me. My cousin and his crew from Boston come to spend a weekend in the city and attend the IMS, and I usually stay with them one night. Taking the train, I got into the city early Friday morning. I hit the show floor to see the world unveilings of several motorcycles. Honda unleashed the Fury, a mass-produced custom chopper. Victory showed their new Concept Core, and Kawasaki debuted a custom ZX-14 Rickey Gadson tribute bike. I had the opportunity to have a quick chat with 8-time AMA drag racing champion Rickey Gadson about the tribute bike and his racing career. The bike was designed and built by Steve Kehler (Tricked Out Custom Cycles) with lots of input from Rickey. It’s more than show… it’s a 400 Ricky Gadson and the ZX-14 Tribute Bike HP custom drag cycle.
Months ago we solicited for volunteers to help out at the IMS “Club Connection” booth at the NY and D.C. shows as Club Ambassadors. A few volunteered their time and effort and I would like to acknowledge them. Sue Cerutti was in the booth Friday afternoon and evening (Steve was called in to work). Dave Muir took the Saturday morning shift, while Greg Habel and Pat Mulloy did the evening shift along with a local Ducati club member. The volunteers received a pass good for show entry for the entire weekend and a cool looking t-shirt. Special thanks to Steve Cerutti for handling the coordination and scheduling our volunteers. Everyone reported they had a good experience, fielding general Sue, Pat, and Greg staff the booth at the Motorcycle Show in New York. motorcycling questions from new and experienced riders. They also extolled the virtues of COG (and clubs like us) and passed out info cards pointing them to our club web site. While wandering around the show floor I was able to visit with several vendors who are supporters of our club. The first was Backroads Magazine. Maybe you had a chance to meet Brian Rathjen and Shira Kamil, the publishers of this fine northeast centric motorcycle, travel, and adventure magazine, at one of the regional or national COG rallies they had a chance to attend. Another was Mansoor Shafi, the co-founder of ROADGEAR, who over the years have provided us with many, many rally door prizes from their catalog. Lastly, I finally had a chance to meet Erik Stephens of TwistedThrottle.com Erik Stephens who is owner of Twisted Throttle.com and a COG Industry Member. Erik and I have emailed back and forth and it was nice to meet him face to face. He wanted to remind COG members that they are invited to attend the open house at their headquarters in Peacedale, Rhode Island. (details in the event calendar). COG article deadlines: The deadline for the next Northeast Area News is March 31. Until next time, ride safe.
Northeast Area Staff Area Director Steven Smith, #3184 203-720-7575 nead @ cog-online.org Newsletter Editor Looking for help!! Web Staff David Geyer, #8542 Merrimack, NH
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 Terry Faherty, #792 Staten Island, NY 718-227-2099 tmcefah @ aol.com NY Hudson Valley Mike Flynn, #4493 Bedford Hills, NY 914-239-3721 Keltwolf @ optonline.net
Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh (Western PA) Joe Cyprych, #4665 McDonald, PA 724-796-1401 cyprych @ windstream.net DelMarVa & Philly burbs (PA/NJ) Bob Chappell, #1283 Claymont, DE 302-791-0582 cog1283 @ comcast.net Maryland/Southern PA Open!!
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
Western NY J.R. Healy, #6591 Hamburg, NY 716-648-6729 Dafonman52 @ yahoo.com
Membership renewal, activity calendar, rally registration, COG Library and archive, tech pages, classifieds, discussion forum, and much more…
Northeast Area News The Northeast Area News is a bi-monthly publication for Northeast Area members of the Concours Owners Group. Submissions are welcomed and members are encouraged to share their COG experiences.
of legible submission will be gladly accepted. High resolution digital images are welcome, but please do not embed them in the document. Submissions may be edited to best fit available space. If you would like to have your material returned, please include a SASE.
Please send submissions to:
Steven Smith 39 Alison Ave Naugatuck, CT 06770-3566 nead @ cog-online.org The preferred method is via e-mail, so the editor doesn’t have to do a lot of typing, but any type Page 2
Many of the opinions stated in this publication may make no sense to those sound of mind and may just be conveniently ignored. If you use any of the information in this rag to incur damage to yourself, your motor or any innocent or not so innocent bystanders it is you own fault...you were warned! Copyright 2009 © Concours Owners Group
Metro NY Report - by Terry Faherty #792 Hello all and I hope you're staying warm this blustery January! The northeast has been hit with some seriously cold weather as I write this, so riding has been pretty much impossible for most of us. I took advantage of the New Years warm spell and got my beast out for a spin on Jan 2nd. Even a quick 30 min blast around my local highways was seriously worthwhile. I might have allegedly hit 130 at one point, but it's not on tape so you can't prove a thing! It's amazing what a new (street legal, at least in Europe, BTW) pipe, jet kit, and dyno tuning will do for a bike! My FZ now pulls 131 hp and 75 lbs/ft (or is it ft/lbs?!?) at the rear wheel with no flat spots anymore… sweet! The Javits [International Motorcycle Show] get together was an enjoyable gathering again. Thanks to all who attended, and we'll see you again next year. Virgil's BBQ was delicious as always, but next year perhaps we'll make a change and return to Heartland Brewery, just to break the monotony. I gave my credit card a workout at the show this year! New boots for my son, and I finally broke down and bought a pair of Lee Park's Deersports gloves with the phase change material (Outlast). Perhaps a review will be forthcoming when the more rideable temps return? I will try to get a day ride going some time in March when old man winter decides to take a break (we hope). Lastly, here is an opportunity for anyone who is thinking of attending Americade. For the first time in 15 years my partner in crime, Scott Sorger, and I will probably not be attending. Rather than let the room go this year we might be able to let some fellow members take advantage of the perfect location of O'Sullivan's one last year. It's right on Canada St right within walking distance of all the downtown strips; Even the tour expo is within reach. As of this writing we have two people possibly lined up already for either Monday and Tuesday or Tuesday Wednesday. I might be able to sneak up on Thursday if I can score some days off (man it sucks being un-retired and the FNG!). The room comfortably sleeps three with enough room to squeeze in a fourth if a rollaway is added. We'd like to see it stay with COG one more year at least since its been kind of COG central HQ all these years. Unfortunately there might be a waiting list for rooms so passing it directly to another member might not be possible. Like most hotels in town the minimum reservation is for the whole week, but with the economy being what it is maybe they will stop this policy. Drop me an e-mail if you might be interested. It might not be possible but we'll see what we can do. Stay warm folks and see you on the road… soon! N O R T H E AS T AR E A N E WS
Northern New England - by Kevin Martin, #145 This is the first newsletter of the year and I’d like to start off by wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year and a prosperous 2009! It looks like ‘09 is going to bring us a long, cold winter with temperatures in the single digits. As I write this it is a sunny, Saturday morning, but also remembering that it was 12 below zero on my way to work yesterday morning… no thoughts of riding my bike yesterday… brrrr. The good news is that us hardy New Englanders are used to the changing seasons and we anxiously await the start of the riding season. In preparation for this years’ rides and events, Northern New England COG has ramped up the event schedule with many of my favorite rides and places to visit. We also have some special activities scheduled this year that are hosted by area members. As AAD of the Northern New England 4-State Area, I’ve been very fortunate to have a core group of Member Friends who regularly attend my rides and events and support me in everything I do for COG and our members. Many of you have offered to help on my rides by riding trailer and mid-group with voice communications to ensure all are safe and don’t get lost. Others have offered assistance at past regional rallies that I’ve hosted to help make those events successful. You know who you are, and even the little things that you do are very much appreciated, and I thank you for your continued support to me and COG. A special thanks also goes out to those past and present who stepped up and volunteered their time to host rides and special events to help this regional area be even that much more successful. I tip my COG hat to each and every one of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the good work. To that end, let’s talk about some of the special events being planned this year from our volunteers before I give an overview of my ’09 ride schedule. May is going to be a big month. Greg Habel, Pat Mulloy, and their lovely wives Tracey and Sherry, will be hosting another COG Tech Session at Pat & Sherry’s house in Monson, MA on Saturday May 2nd. These tech sessions draw Coggers from all over the regional area including Members outside of New England. Last year we had a Cogger from Long Island ride up just to change the tires on his Concours, and believe me he needed it. This event is well organized and hosted right down to the morning snacks and planned lunch by the ladies. Even if you’re not interested in doing any service on your bike, stop by to meet the gang, observe all of the activity, and kick a few tires. Later that month on May 16th, Dan Kennedy and his team will be opening up White Horse Gear in Conway NH and hosting another club day event with discounts on all kinds of rider wear and accessories, not to mention the traditional tent BBQ. This event is open to the public and all area motorcycle clubs. If you’ve never been to Whitehorse, you’ve got to put this one on your calendar so you don’t miss out on the fun, food, and special buys. As in the past, I’ll be hosting a group ride up to Whitehorse on some of the best back roads that New Hampshire has to offer. Check out the online ride schedule for more detailed information. At the end of May, the Habels’ and Mulloys’ team up again to host a camping & ride weekend starting on Friday night 5/29 with a campfire and goodies at the West Thompson Lake Campground in Connecticut. Saturday morning will begin with a campsite breakfast before a ride to Wilmington, VT for lunch at Dot’s Restaurant. After lunch, ride back to Connecticut for a supper cookout at the campground’s pavilion. The night will be topped off by a nice campfire to share the day’s stories. This sounds like its going to be a great event and if I know Greg, he’s probably spending the winter mapping out cool routes with his new Garmin Zumo. Greg has also picked out some area motels for those of you who aren’t into camping. Complete details on www.cog-online.org and make your reservations early. Sunday, June 14th New Hampshire member Mark Jenson will host a ride through southern Vermont to Granville, NY to have lunch at the Pine Tree Diner with an optional visit to the Slate Valley Museum (www.slatevalleymuseum.org) before heading back to Brattleboro, VT. ISSUE 1, 2009
Mark puts on great rides, so don’t miss this one. Hopefully some of our New York friends in the Granville area will meet us for lunch as well. The NNE event schedule has over a dozen more activities scheduled in addition to the four listed above starting with my annual Winter Social coming soon on Sunday, March 3rd at the Lowell Brewery Exchange in Lowell Massachusetts. We’ve had several of these socials at this location over the past few years and I’ve received calls and emails from member friends to see if I’ll be planning another. The answer is obviously yes, and I picked an earlier time and a Sunday this time around because the Brewery will be less crowded on a Sunday and they offer free activities on Sunday like free pool if anyone is game… get it? I’ve thrown in a few rides this year that I haven’t offered in several years, like my North Shore Day Ride where we’ll ride through towns in eastern MA to have lunch in Rockport Harbor. I’ve thrown in my Pioneer Valley/Berkshire Ride with a few changes since I last hosted this one a few years ago. There are nice roads on this ride. In early July I’ll host a ride out to Hogback Mountain in Marlboro, VT to stop at the overlook for the three State, 100 mile view—one of my favorite stops when I’m in that part of VT. I also plan to lead a ride to the Yankee Candle Factory in South Deerfield, MA. This is usually a great couples ride so make sure you have room in your saddlebags for those extra candles the better half will buy. Later in the summer I’ve got rides planned for the New Hampshire Lakes Region and the White Mountains National Forest. I’ll also be repeating the ride I hosted last year to Nubble Lighthouse in York Maine for a photo shoot and lunch at the Nubble restaurant overlooking the coast. This time the ride will be in the middle of September, so tourist traffic should be light. We'll also have a ride to the summit of Mount Greylock in North Adams, MA. Mt. Greylock has been closed for renovations for three years, so it will be a welcome treat and a pleasure riding up to the summit to see the fall foliage view from 3,491 feet. As with all State Parks and Reservations, I expect that there will be a nominal fee to park at the summit. If we have time, I might even take everyone over to Natural Bridge also in N.Adams. I’ve never hosted a ride to Natural Bridge, but it’s a very interesting place with natural marble walkways and passages left over from the ice age. Well worth it if you’ve never been there before. There will be a Fall Pizza Party and Social this year in the afternoon at a new location instead of another night time event at the Brewery. My hope is that people will be able to ride to this event if the weather cooperates. There’s generally not a lot of opportunities to ride in late October, so I thought I’d try this out. My last ride will be a fall ride around the Merrimack Valley area starting at Bickfords in Acton, MA and riding through Clinton, Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, and stopping for lunch at Joey’s 1950’s style Diner in Hollis NH on 101A before returning back in Acton at MotoMarket before they close. As you can see, with the help of volunteer friends, we have a full event schedule for this year. Wow, what a line up! I’ll be scanning Google Earth and laying out routes for my Garmin Zumo using RoadTrip on my Mac to ensure the best rides possible, so hope you can join . Don’t forget the regional rallies starting with the Spring Fling down in Natural Bridge Virginia on May 13 – 17, hosted by Guy Young. The COG National will be at the Fontana Village Resort in North Carolina June 8 – 11 this year, and for the first time that I’m aware of, Jason Kaplitz will host the fall rally in Wellsboro, PA. Riding the Wellsboro area in the fall instead of in the spring should be a nice change. We’ve got another great year to look forward to and a lot of new members out there that should join in on the fun, so keep watching the COG ride schedule calendar on COGMOS or my Home Page for updates to ensure you don’t miss another fun filled riding season. See you soon!
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VA/WV Report - by Kurt & Sue Nordstrom (AAD), #6049/A First off Sue and I hope everyone in the NE had a happy and joyous holiday season and you rang in the New Year with a bang…personally I was watching the inside of my eyelids. We Coggers in VA & WV have a busy schedule this year with something happening just about every month. Check out the Northeast (NE) event calendar for up-to-theminute activity info. Be sure to plan your long weekends now; before the wife, girlfriend and/or significant other plans your vacation time for you. Many members within our area that have stepped up to host weekend events or rides this coming year. That means new and exciting roads and destinations… don’t miss out!! January 10 brought us together for the International Motorcycle Show (IMS) at the Convention Center in Washington, DC. The late COG member Herman Tessman used to invite us all to his home in Arlington, VA for hot java and goodies the morning of the show. After indulging in the Tessman’s hospitality we made the two block journey to the Tube (Metro) and went to the show. This year Herman’s widow Sharon wanted to continue the tradition by hosting a get together before the show. Several members participated in Sharon’s hospitality and I am happy to report that a good time was had by all. But… The IMS was a huge disappointment for many of our members that traveled in some cases over 200 miles each way to attend. BMW, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi stuck their noses up to the DC crowd and did not attend, Piaggio as a company did not show any of their products. Maybe the Germans and Italians have some new fancy marketing plan for the 2009 season. I mean come on fellows Washington, DC is one of the most recession proof cities in the USA because of the Federal Government. Plus we all know we have some of the best and/or the prime riding roads on the east coast in MD, WV and VA. The IMS get together was not a complete wash out, all the members and wives that attended met at the Kawasaki booth 11:30 AM and we departed at 11:45 for the short walk/hike to the Capitol City Brewery for lunch and libations. As always the food, brews and conversation was first rate. After lunch many members headed back to their homes, while others stayed for a few more hours. BTW, Kawasaki looks like they have hit a home run with their new heavy weight cruiser and bagger. January 24 brought us the Northern Neck Breakfast and Lunch Ride based out of Port Royal, VA. This ride has been hosted by Jim Sparkman of King George, VA for many years and I would like to thank Jim for his continued support and time spent in the planning of this event. In the past my thought process for this event has been… do I get up at “0” dark thirty, dawn the heated gear and go? Or… Stay in my warm bed? (Jim will understand that I am a wuss). Will Jim cancel because of foul weather? Can we make it out my driveway and gravel road (ice and snow) to the road without killing ourselves? Two years ago we had 15 to 20 members show up when the weather was in the upper 60’s during the day. Last year we had an ice and snow storm two days before and two hardy COGgers attended and did the entire route. The temperatures were in upper 20’s and they spent all day dodging snow, ice and slush on the roads. Jim claims this type of event will never happen again on his watch. It was dicey to say the least. The weather here in VA has been unseasonably cold and wet (rainy) this winter. The temp this day was 45 degrees and it’s 7 AM! Is something wrong? I must have woken up in Florida. For the last three days the average morning temp has been 9 degrees and the wind has been howling out of the northwest. It finally looks like the weather gods were going to look after the Coggers on this ride today, but the weather can change rather quickly in VA. We met at Horne’s Restaurant in King George County, VA, for hot java and vittles. I must say Horne’s does a great job at breakfast - quick, fast and cheap for the amount of food you get. We went outside at 10 AM to mount our trusty steeds and the temperatures had dropped 10 to 15 degrees and the wind had come back. Oh well, the ride to Horne’s was enjoyable. Jim Sparkman again out did himself with a great route through the Northern Neck of Page 4
Virginia. The group did approximately 125 miles before lunch on a bunch of great roads through some of the prettiest countryside and scenery that Virginia has to offer. We ended up in Colonial Beach, VA at the Happy Calm for some great tasting food. This restaurant has a unique feature; it has Valet Parking for women on motorcycles (Sue just doesn’t do gravel parking lots). Thanks to Paul Vangellow for the suggestion that has “NOW” started a tradition… I owe you one buddy. After a hot lunch, with full bellies we waddled out to the parking lot and set the waypoints in our GPS, that makes two great places to eat in Colonial Beach, the other being the Dockside Restaurant which is down the street about a mile. For those that are not familiar with Colonial Beach, VA please check out this web site (www.colonialbeachva.net) for a bit of history. In its day, before the invention of the automobile and Atlantic coast beaches, it was quite a happening place. Well that sums up the last month or so in the VA & WV area. I would also like to thank Dan Hermes from Chesterfield, VA for attending this ride; it was nice to meet you. It also proves that the web site is up and working well. Dan joined COG on Friday and was at the ride on Saturday on his new to him C-14. Please keep an eye on the official COG web site www.cog-online.org, especially the calendar for up to the minute additions and changes to the schedule in our area. Since the last newsletter there has been a Wrench Session added the first weekend in May. The Spring Fling will be in Natural Bridge, VA in May as well. A special thanks needs to go out to Guy Young for organizing this event. As of right now we do not have an activity scheduled for February or April, but that can change in a moments notice. As always I will be sending out event reminders about two weeks before they happen.
Western PA Report - by Joe Cyprych, #4665 Hello fellow COGgers, well looking out the window I still see white, white and more white, I think everyone is as sick of seeing snow as I am by now, but looking at the schedules (online and in the newsletters) better things are soon to come, the schedules are already full of great rides and destinations with a couple rallies to boot, we plan on continuing our Sunday meet greet and rides and have the cook forest weekend on the schedule, we are also working on planning another weekender but trying to find a open weekend is getting tough, the calendar is rapidly filling. With that I hope everyone can get out this year and attend some of these events that are on the schedule. This year all of our ride info will be located in the newsletters or on our own (the club’s) website www.cog-online.org I think its time that everyone weans themselves off the old site and utilizes our website. I have been talking to some of the other folks who put rides and events together and they plan on using our website only also. Well as always if anyone needs more info on rides etc or if you want to put something together yourself feel free to contact me and we will make it happen.
CT ERC Sign Up - by Norm & Lorie Walton, #7011 An Experienced Rider Course (ERC) is being scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 11:30 am to 6:30 pm. The course is provided by Connecticut Rider Education through Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, CT and is open to riders from any state. This one day course of riding skill practice is a great way to tune up for the upcoming riding season. There are only 12 openings in the class and all applications must be in by March 1, 2008 if we are to keep the class an all COG event. After that date the class will be open to the general public. Get me your name and mailing address (email is best) and the registration info will be sent to you by directly the school. I hope to see you at the class. Ride Safe!!! Norm Walton at ctaad@live.com or 860.836.5162 N O R T H E AS T AR E A N E WS
Concours Owners Group
Spring Fling “Back to the Bridge” Rally May 13 – 17, 2009 Natural Bridge, VA
Rally Headquarters: Natural Bridge of Virginia, 15 Appledore Lane, Natural Bridge, VA. 800.533.1410 or 540.291.2121 (www.naturalbridgeva.com) A limited block of rooms will be held until 04/13/09. Book your rooms early. Room rates are double occupancy (+ 11% tax): $75 hotel; $65 Patio; $58 cottage; $145 suite. Ask hotel about options. Mention Concours Owners Group to get rooms in our block. Camping: Natural Bridge/Lexington KOA (www.koakampgrounds.com/where/va/46144.htm) Group tent rates are $5.00/night per person in the meadow. Please call 800.562.8514 to make reservations or to inquire about other camping options at their facility. Mention Concours Owners Group to get special pricing. Rally Fee: $45 per person for COG members, their immediate family or significant other. $50 per person for Non-COG members and their guests. Early-bird: Deduct $5 per person if registration is postmarked by 4/24/09. Refund Policy: Rally Fee paid minus $5 refunded prior to 5/1/09. No refund after 4/30/09. Rally fee covers banquet dinner and other rally expenses. Wristbands or similar may be used to identify registered rally attendees. Riding: Sample, self-guided ride routes provided. Events: Self guided rides. Friday evening banquet dinner. Questions? Guy B Young II 804-745-1439 or gbyoung2 @ verizon.net Online Registration and more info: Go to Northeast Area section of the Calendar of Events at: www.cog-online.org ** IF REGISTERING BY MAIL ONLY ** Mail the form below with rally fee payable to “Concours Owners Group” to: Guy B. Young II - Spring Rally 5919 Fieldstone Road Richmond, VA 23234-4015
2009 Spring Fling “Back to the Bridge” Rally Registration Form (Please PRINT Clearly) Name: (One form per person) ____________________________________________ AMA # _____________ COG #___________ Street: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________________ State/Province: ________________ Zip Code: _______________ Phone: (______)_______-____________ E-Mail: __________________________________________________ Country: __________ I will be a: rider
/ passenger / guest Motorcycle model: ________________________________ License tag # __________________
Emergency Contact Information:
Name:
________________________________________________________
Phone No.:
(______)______-___________ Relationship:____________________
Please read and sign the following Concours Owners Group Release: I understand that the Concours Owners Group (COG) cannot assume responsibility for my personal safety in this event. I choose to participate in this event voluntarily, based on my own assessment of my abilities, the routes conditions and facilities, and therefore assume all risks. I release and hold harmless COG, its officers, agents and members from any and all injury and/or loss to my person or property that may result from my participation in this event. I further certify that my vehicle and I are in compliance with all applicable license, insurance and financial responsibility laws applicable to my participation in this event. All participants under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian sign the following additional release. As the parent or guardian of the above participant, and being informed or familiar with the risks normally associated with motorcycle events, I hereby consent to his or her participation in this event, and accept and adopt all the representations and assumptions of risk set forth in the foregoing release. Participant Signature: ______________________________________ ISSUE 1, 2009
Parent or Guardian (if applicable) ___________________________________ Page 5
Northeast Activity Schedule - view the online Event Calendar at: www.cog-online.org Repetative Events (ON) S. Central Ontario Get-Together Monthly Dinner Gathering: Meet at 6:30 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. Contact: Dave Clancy, davecla2@sympatico.ca or 905-3897681. (PA) Meet Greet and Ride Sundays Meet Sundays at 10:00 am at Kings Restaurant located in Imperial, PA, located right off the Imperial exit of routes 22 & 30. We will decide a ride or destination with whoever attends, or I will have a route ready if we need it. Rides will begin the 1st week in April until the 1st week in Nov. If you have a ride idea, or need any additional info or directions contact Joe Cyprych 724.796.1401 or cyprych@windstream.net Hope to see you there.
Calendar of Events (NJ) Meet & Greet Dinner 02/19/09 - Been thinking that maybe we need to try something different to start getting NJ members more active and figure I'll try some Meet & Greet type get togethers over the winter. I'll host them on the 3rd Thursday of February & March at 7:30 pm. The location is Thatcher McGhee's Irish Pub & Eatery (www.thatchermcghees.com) on the corner of Wanaque & Ringwood Ave. in Pompton Lakes, NJ. The food is good enough, that if no one shows up, I won't mind eating by myself. If members contact me in advance and make a FIRM commitment to come, I'll try to reserve a table. Otherwise we will just meet in the bar. Contact: Mike Aldea, MikeAldea48@yahoo.com, 973.238.1107
N42 39.059 W71 18.988 Contact: Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275
eventually working our way out to Gloucester & Rockport, where we’ll stop for lunch in Cape Ann before heading back. Planned lunch stop is Ellen’s (NJ) Meet & Greet Dinner Harborside Restaurant,1 T Wharf, Rockport MA 03/19/09 - Been thinking that maybe we need to try (ellensharborside.com) with a view of Rockport something different to start getting NJ members Harbor. Contact: Kevin Martin more active and figure I'll try some Meet & Greet cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275 type get togethers over the winter. I'll host them on the 3rd Thursday of January, February & March at (VA) Bunny Hop 125 7:30 pm. The location will be Thatcher McGhee's 04/19/09 – Massaponax, VA. We will meet at the Irish Pub & Eatery on the corner of Wanaque & McDonalds at the corner of Route 1 and South Ringwood Avenues in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Point Parkway (just south of exit 126 on I-95) at 9 www.thatchermcghees.com The food is good AM for breakfast, departure will be at 9:45 AM. enough, that if no one shows up, I won't mind Spring time should be upon us, its time to work the eating by myself. If members contact me in cobwebs out and do some technical riding with advance and make a FIRM commitment to come, plenty of off camber turns, uneven road surfaces, I'll try to reserve a table. Otherwise we will just long sweepers, tight switch backs, a few railroad meet in the bar. Contact: Mike Aldea, tracks to cross and plenty of beautiful countryside to ride through. The ride will end at Four Mile MikeAldea48@yahoo.com, 973-238-1107 Fork Shopping Center at the intersection of Routes (MD) Crab Cakes Ride 1 and 208 (Courthouse Rd) at the Hard Times 03/21/09-03/22/09 – We will meet at Holly's Cafe for lunch at approximately 1:00 – 1:30 PM for Restaurant. Holly's is located east of the Bay those who are unable to make the ride. Any Bridge on the service road on the north side of Rt. questions please contact Kurt & Sue Nordstrom: 50 at exit 43B, heading east (exit 43A if you’re ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or 540-582-9414. heading west). Directions and a map are available (VA) Wrench Fest at OWO at www.hollsrest.com. We plan to meet for breakfast at 9:00 am and will depart the restaurant 05/02/09 – 05/03/09 - Pat and Sharry Sprague will around 10 am and ride the eastern shore of sponsor a weekend wrench/tech session at OWO, Maryland and Delaware. The ride will end at Elk 421 Beylor’s Ferry Rd, Rileyville, VA. Please Neck State Park in North East Maryland where we bring any oil, filters, other fluids, parts, farkles, will camp for the night. Campsites allow 2 tents seals, gaskets, tars, tubes, and any tools, especially per site. Hookup with a COG friend and make job specific tools you may need. Also please bring reservations by calling 1.888.432.2267 or online at: your service/shop manual with you. For those reservations.dnr.state.md.us and ask for camp site interested, we can set suspension static sag. Bring #230 to #240 area which is close to the bath house. any aftermarket manuals you may have, too. I will I have made reservation at Woody’s Crab House have a short route to test suspension changes. I’ll in North East MD for dinner at 6:30 pm for crab have two bike lifts, shop cloths, solvents, cakes. Woody’s is located at 29 South Main Street compressed air, tire balancer, some tools, etc. if you cannot make the ride and want to join us for Camping is available at OWO Friday and Saturday the evening please let me know so I can put your nights. Continental brekkie will be served on name on the list for dinner. Sunday morning we Saturday and Sunday, lunch and supper on have reservations at Pier 1 Restaurant for Saturday. Coffee, tea, water, sodas will be breakfast at 8.30 am. Which is located at 1 North available. BYOB. Please advise us if you plan to Main Street, North East MD. For more information attend. Come hang out with your COG friends, contact: Russell W Fleming retired AAD MD/PA, meet new ones, and get your bike ready for the fleming@qis.net or 410.374.9687; Kurt & Sue summer. Contact Pat and Sharry Sprague Nordstrom: ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or psprague@shentel.net or 540-743-4874. Kurt & 540.582.9414; or Ken Quesenberry: Sue Nordstrom: ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or kqberry@comcast.net or 302.234.0737. 540.582.9414
(CT) Tuesday Night Dinner 03/03/09 - Tuesday March 3rd 6:30 PM Meet for dinner at 6:30 PM at AC Peterson Farms, 240 Park Rd, West Hartford CT. AC Peterson is an old school soda fountain type restaurant with some great melts and awesome fries and some of the best local ice cream in the area. Contact Norm Walton (CT) Tuesday Night Dinner ctaad@live.com or 860.836.5162 04/07/09 – Meet at 6:30 PM at Smoking with (MA) COG Winter Social Chris, 59 West Center ST Southington Ct 03/08/09 – Come join us for some off season fun at 860.620.9133. www.smokinwithchris.com Chris delivers up some very tasty BBQ along with some the Lowell Brewery Exchange, 201 Cabot Street, great salads and pasta dishes. Directions are Rte 84 Lowell, MA. We’ll meet on the 2nd floor of the East/West to exit 30 W Main ST/ Marion, Turn Brewery for some good old socializing and snacking. The Lowell Brewery Exchange offers a Left on Atwater St. Turn Right on Marion Ave. Continue on W Main St.Turn Left on Summer St. large seating area with bar, big screen TV’s, Turn Right on W Center St. Contact Norm Walton Billard Tables, and other games. Sunday night is ctaad@live.com or 860.836.5162 free pool night if anybody’s interested. As usual,
(MA) Spring Tech Session 05/02/09 - Greg Habel and Pat Mulloy will be hosting another spring tech session at Pat’s house, 507 Old Wales Rd, Monson, MA. Start time is 9:00 am. This event is very popular with area members. If you’re interested in servicing your bike, contact either Greg or Pat in advance to reserve a spot on Tech Day and to discuss requirements for tools and supplies to accommodate your particular service request. If you don’t have any service needs, stop by anyway and meet fellow Coggers. Also, Greg & Pat’s significant others (Tracey & Sherry) will I’ll be buying the 1st round of appetizers, after that (MA) North Shore Day Ride whip up a tasty lunch like they did last year. GPS attendees can order off the menu. Arrive any time 04/18/09 - Meet at Dunkin Donuts and join me for Coordinates: N42 04.033 W72 17.033 Contact Pat after 4 PM. Directions on the Brewery Exchange a ride out to the North Shore, departing promptly at Mulloy sniper64@aol.com 413.267.9462 or Greg website: www.thebreweryexchange.com I also 9am. We’ll head up I 495N for a short distance to Habel habels65@verizon.net or 508.473.2257 have my own directions available for .pdf get out of the city, then hop on 133 E for a scenic (Continued on page 7) download on our Northern New England website ride through Georgetown, Ipswich, & Essex, located at: www.masscog.org, GPS Coordinates: Page 6
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05/23/09 – 05/24/09 - Not a COG event, but we’re invited to this weekend ride held at Boyer Station Motel & Campground. I’ve attended this ride for years and they really put on a great weekend. Details on the web at: www.mountaineerbmw.org or contact me for more info. Joe Cyprych cyprych@windstream.net or 724.796.1401
(PA) 7th Annual BMW Riders Campout 06/19-06/21/2009 – Non-COG, but we are once again invited to attend… We return to Pioneer Park Campground (www.pioneerparkcampground.com) in Somerset, PA. This 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. (CT) Camping, day ride, and cookout Directions: From Somerset, Rt. 31 W. 7 miles to 05/29/09 – 05/31/09 - Greg Habel, Pat Mulloy and campground. From Donegal, Rt. 31 E 12 miles. their spouses will be hosting a camping weekend at Cost is just $40.00 for the full weekend of the West Thompson Lake Campground, 449 activities and includes, two nights camping, meals, Reardon Rd, N. Grosvenordale CT 06255-9801. loads of door prizes, self-guided ride info and rally (Directions from I-395, take Exit 99. Follow Route pin for the first 100 registrants. Activities include 200 to Thompson Center. Go 2 miles south on self-guided rides to Flight 93 Memorial crash site, Route 193. Cross Route 12 at traffic light. Make a Johnstown Flood Memorial, and other self-guided right onto Reardon Road. For the campground rides in the Alleghenies. Great riding in any travel 1/2 mile and turn left. Travel 2/10 of mile direction. Visit covered bridges and historic sites and make a right) Hang out by the campfire Friday including Frank Lloyd Wrights Fallingwater. (VA) “Back to the Bridge” Spring Fling Rally Friday evening Gourmet Dump Stew (bring a can 05/13/09 – 05/17/09 – This year the Fling is hosted evening. Saturday will feature a ride through CT, MA, and a stop at Dots restaurant in VT for lunch. or 2 to add to the pot), hotdogs & snacks till their by none other than Guy Young and is headed to Saturday we’ll have a cookout supper at the gone. Morning Coffee & tea. Natural Bridge of Virginia. A limited block of rooms will be held. Book your rooms early. There campgrounds’ East Shelter/pavilion followed by a Saturday evening Chicken BBQ Dinner, tons of will be nearby camping available too. Registration nice campfire to share the days’ stories. If camping door prizes. Sunday Hearty send-off breakfast! and more details online at www.cog-online.org or isn’t your thing then choose a nearby hotel, or just Pavilion, picnic tables, hot showers, campfires join us for the ride and cookout. Campers, reserve allowed-wood provided! Motels & Restaurants use the mail-in form. Contact Guy B Young II your site now (there are only 24 sites in the nearby. Sat. night campground band! Discount for gbyoung2@verizon.net or 804-745-1439 campground) at www.recreation.gov or one night, not camping or 16 or younger. Pre877.444.6777. We will provide a simple breakfast registration appreciated. Contact Jason Kaplitz; (NH) Whitehorse Press Club Day gsjay@kaplitz.com 814.535.8669 05/16/09 - Join me for a ride to North Conway NH, Sat and Sun morning for the campers. Cost to cover the cookout and pavilion rental is expected to to attend the Whitehorse Press semi-annual Club be no more than $10 pp and will be payable to the (MA) Pioneer Valley / Berkshire Ride Day and BBQ. The event runs 10 am - 3 pm. It is hosts at the campground. More details on the NE 06/20/09 - This ride will include some of the best open to all New England motorcycle clubs and calendar at www.cog-online.org. To help us get an motorcycling roads in western Massachusetts, motorcycle enthusiasts, so you’ll be able to kick accurate headcount for food, please RSVP Greg including 112, 116, 202, 8A, and a number of tires with all types of riders. Whitehorse will be Habel habels65@verizon.net or 508.473.2257. unmarked county roads. Meet at the Blue Moon offering discounts on all of their merchandise Diner, 102 Main St (Rt 68) Gardner MA for during this event, so don’t miss out on this (NH) Ride the Coast breakfast. Ride leaves at 9 am. Contact: Kevin opportunity to buy cool stuff. If you have any 06/06/09 - Join me for a Spring ride out to the coast Martin cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275 questions or special requests, contact Whitehorse Press directly at the number listed below. I have a before the tourist season gets into full swing. Ride (MD) North & South 12 Get-Together nice ride planned. Anybody joining us for the ride southern NH and coast road 1A and stop for lunch at Petey’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar, in Rye NH. 06/26/09-06/28/09 - Location: Martha & Russell to Conway should meet me at the Tewksbury Petey’s is located at 1323 Ocean Blvd (1A), Rye Fleming's House, 2610 Old Fort Schoolhouse RD, Mobil on the Run. Take I-495 North or South to NH, 5 miles south of Portsmouth NH, or 8 miles Hampstead MD 21074. Friday June 26 for Exit 39, go West on SR-133 for about 500 feet to North of Hampton Beach. We should be at Petey’s camping, come and setup your tent and have a Mobil on Left. We’ll meet at the Mobil Station at around 12:30 pm for anyone who wants to join us cookout in the evening. Camping in the back yard 7:30 am and ride to breakfast before heading out for lunch. Meet me at the Acton Bickfords, Nagog at the Fleming's on Friday and Saturday night. for North Conway. This is a fairly long ride on Park, Rt 2A/119 for breakfast. Ride leaves at 8:30 Please give me a call if you plan on coming so that some great secondary roads, so make sure you‘re am. Contact: Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net or I know how much food to fix. Saturday June 27 gassed up and ready to before we leave. Potential 978.459.6275 Breakfast, Ride and Cookout. Breakfast will be breakfast stop will be either Shaws Country held in the driveway. Serving Bacon and Eggs, Kitchen on 113 in Dracut or Alicia’s Diner, SR-38, (NC) COG National Rally Juice and Coffee. Starting at 8:00 am then you can Pelham NH. Contact: Kevin Martin 06/08/09-06/11/09 – Fontana Dam Resort (Fontana leave at your free will on one of many route that cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275 Dam, NC) is the host venue. Complete details in could take you in PA, VA, WV and MD of 260 the Concourier and online at www.cog-online.org. miles or 1 of 2 short routes of 100 miles or a (RI) Twisted Throttle Open House Contact John Carver zgjc2@bellsouth.net or 706- DUAL Sport Ride that Jay Schaffer has laid out 05/23/09 – COG Industry Member 621-7833. and end back here for a cookout that will start TwistedThrottle.com has invited us to join them about 6:30 pm. Sunday June 28 Breakfast will be at their Memorial Day Weekend Open House event (VT) Vermont Back Roads Ramble Ride held one more time in the driveway. Starting 8:00 for free food, door prizes, & discounts on great 6/14/2009 - This ride will be hosted by long time am with a guided ride there after. Lodging in stuff at their in Peacedale, RI Headquarters. The New Hampshire COG Member, Mark Jenson. Westminster, MD: Boston Inn, 533 Baltimore festivities run 11:30am-4:30pm. The showroom & Meet Mark at 8:30 AM at the Brattleboro, VT warehouse are located in Building 1 in the north Dunkin Donuts, just south of the rotary on VT RT Blvd 800.634.0846; Days Inn, 25 South Cranberry side of the Palisades Mill Complex at 1080 5 at the intersections of NH RT 9 and Exit #4 off I- Rd, 800.329.7466; Best Western, 451 WMC Drive, Kingstown Road (Route 108) in Peace Dale, Rhode 91. This is a 185 mile loop ride on State and county 800.528.1234. Lodging in Hanover, PA: Hampton Inn, 800.426.7866; Super 8, 40 Wetzel St, Island. The entrance to the complex is across the roads with a lunch stop at the Pine Tree Diner in street from Baud Construction on Route 108 just Granville, NY [mile 90] Optional visit to the Slate 800.800.8000; Clearview Motor Inn, 901 Carlisle St, 717.637.3701. Directions From Westminster south of Sweetcakes Bakery. Phone: 401.284.4200 Valley Museum (www.slatevalleymuseum.org) to the Fleming's: Route 140 to Route 27 North 6 GPS Coordinates: 41.451735 N, 71.496877 W returning back to Brattleboro, VT around 4PM. miles, Right on Old Fort Schoolhouse Rd. Contact: Mark Jenson mjenso@comcast.net (WV) Mountaineer BMW Memorial Day Ride 603.756.4143 or 603.513.8633 (Continued on page 8) (Continued from page 6)
(VA) Sport Touring Camaraderie Ride 1 05/03/09 – Organized by members of COG and other sport-touring clubs (FJR, BMW, WMMA, VStrom). Meet for Breakfast at 8:30 am at the Country Market Restaurant at the Flying J Truck Stop ( I-81 exit 323) 1530 Rest Church Road, Winchester, VA N 39-15.22 W 78-06.13. There will be 5 rides to choose from between 150 to 200 miles long. One of the rides will be a mix of paved and unpaved roads. All rides are self-guided and end back at the Flying J Truck Stop. For lodging information please contact one of us and we will provide you with information. COG Contacts: Russell W Fleming 410.374.9687 fleming@qis.net or Kurt & Sue Nordstrom 540.582.9414 ironhorsefun@mindspring.com
ISSUE 1, 2009
Page 7
Welcome to Our Newest Northeast Area Members (since the last newsletter) Larry Kimble, #8372 Ripley WV
Daniel Forgues, #8584 Ste-Marie PQ Canada
Randy & Karen Dyer, #8610 Woodville ON Canada
Sean McCloskey, #8404 Alexandria VA
Daniel Hermes, #8592 Midlothain VA
Peter Panchev, #8613 Roslindale MA
Mike Barry, #8576 Salem NH
Ben & Abbe Otunu, #8594 Ellenville NY
Chris & Claudia Wheatley, #8615 Newfield NY
Steve Tracy, #8577 TRENTON NJ
Jack Kargus, #8609 Port Hope ON Canada
Allan Begg, #8616 Marietta PA
07/11/09 - Join me for a ride to the summit of Hogback Mountain to check out the 100 mile view. The summit of Hogback Mtn in Marlboro Vermont on Rte 9 is about 2,400 Ft. in elevation and the view on a clear day is great, plus they have a great gift shop and museum onsite for anyone that’s interested. Meet at Cliff’s Cafe, 268 Main St. Townsend MA for breakfast, ride leaves at 8 am for Vermont. If it’s not too crowded, we’ll have lunch at the Hogback Skyline Restaurant at the summit or an alternate lunch stop is a great little pizza/sub shop just east of the Wilmington Center Mobil Station on Rte 9. After lunch, we’ll take Rte 100 & 112 South back into MA. Contact: Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275
Deerfield MA and the nearby Sugarloaf Mtn Summit overlook. If you’ve never been to the candle factory it‘s quite a take plus we’ll be riding some of the best roads in central Mass to get there. After touring the factory, we’ll have lunch at a local Restaurant then head up to the Sugarloaf summit which offers a great view of the Amherst area before heading back. There’s a small State parking fee to stop and view from the summit. Meet at Cliff’s Café’, 268 Main St. Townsend MA for breakfast. Ride leaves at 9 am. Contact: Kevin Martin cog145@verizon.net or 978.459.6275
(Continued from page 7)
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 (PA) Cook Forest Camp and Ride Weekend 07/10/09-0712/09 - We will be holding this event at Kalyumet Campground, (www.kalyumet.com) 8628 Miola Rd, Lucinda, PA 814.744.9622. This has turned into an annual event with a great turnout every year. The campground is very motorcycle friendly and they have a very nice campground. Come out and join the gang. The Cook Forest area is an awesome place for riding… great roads, plenty of attractions to visit, awesome scenery. You can just kick back around the campfire and relax. They are holding an area for us, so when calling for a reservation mention you’re with COG. They allow two tents per site, so you can share a site if you would like. They also have a cabin and sleeping rooms for rent for those who prefer that. Hope to see everyone there. Contact me if you need more info. Joe Cyprych 724.796.1401 or cyprych@windstream.net (VT) Hogback Mountain – 100 mile view Page 8
(VA) Mr. B’s BBQ 07/11/09 - Ride to eat, eat to ride, repeat! Plan your Please check the www.cog-online.org own route, enter it in your GPS and don’t be late Event Calendar for the most complete for some of the best BBQ in the state of VA. Join and up to date activities listing. your fellow VA & WV Coggers for lunch ride to Mr. B’s BBQ. Plan on meeting around noon at Mr. B’s BBQ on Route 340 in White Post, VA. Mr. B’s BBQ is located next to the Post Office in White Post on Route 340. Contact: Kurt & Sue Nordstrom: ironhorsefun@mindspring.com or 540.582.9414 (MA) Yankee Candle & S. Sugarloaf Summit 07/25/09 - It’s been a few years since I’ve hosted a ride to the Yankee Candle Factory in South N O R T H E AS T AR E A N E WS