2013 - Issue #2 - Spring
COGnitions Random thoughts and ramblings from your Area Director Once the snow was gone and the road condition became more favorable to riding I’ve been able to get out on two wheels. I am really looking forward to Spring Fling, and with 112 registered [as of today] it seems I am not the only one feeling this way. If you plan on attending please register ASAP as the rally is limited to 120 due to seating capacity at the Saturday group dinner. Sample routes and GPS files for the rally area are posted in the library and there is a link to it from the rally event page. Be sure to print your copies as Jason plans to “go green” as with past rallies and only have a few printed route sheets on hand. The May 18 Twisted Throttle Open House has been added to the event calendar as a non-COG event, but they are a COG Industry Member and support of the club rallies. They offer us table space at the open house to promote the club. Last year we hung up our banner, talked to people about the club, passed out some flyers, and even signed up 2 new members. The unfortunate thing is this is the spring rally weekend and I am unable to attend the open house and work the booth. I am seeking several members to volunteer to set up the table at the open house and be ambassadors of COG, answer questions, sign up members, etc. If you are interested please contact me ASAP so we can coordinate and reserve our place. Starting next month you will see some changes to the Northeast Staff listing. I would like to thanks each of these folks for their service and support of the club. Norm Walton has decided to retire from the AAD Connecticut/Rhode Island position after a most excellent 5 year run. Brian & Andre Felice (#9125) have agreed to be AAD RI/CT. Since they are located in Rhode Island, I am entertaining the idea of having a western CT AAD position if someone is interested. Jim Ansbro has been AAD South Jersey since 2011, and is still recouping from a serious car accident and has asked to take a sabbatical until he has recovered. Jim found a replacement for himself, and Chris Franceschini (#9283) has accepted to be co-AAD with Jim while he is recovering and beyond. As you will read in his column, John Hamilton AAD Maryland has decided to step down for health reasons. John came onto the staff a bit more than a year ago as AAD, and is also the COG Merchandise Officer. A replacement AAD is needed for John. Being AAD is easier to do than most think. The job requirements are minimal, needing to have a little time and lots of enthusiasm. Please contact me if you have interest these positions or other area that you feel could use AAD representation.
photo courtesy Bob Barbanti #7134
t Ride & Even E SCHEDUL e6 starts on pag 2 Pages!
Until next time… Ride safe,
Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
New Members
First things first, a warm welcome to our newest NE area COG members!
Around the NORTHEAST
Stafford, VA Jay Rucker #10697 Bryantown, MD John Alger #10776 Midlothian, VA Alvin Hunter #10771 Natick, MA Bruce Gilman #10779 Ottsville, PA Stephen Swennes #10793 Richmond, VA Rick Higgins #10794 Leominster, MA Jack O'Neill #10795 Potsdam, NY Randy Sanders #10789 Watertown, MA Ed Conde #10790 Millbrook, NY Robert Dunlop #10801 Kingston, ON Meredith Wright #10808 Brewster, NY Leigh Dornburgh #10818
Hello again all! As I write this it appears Spring has unsprung. It's snowing and raining here in beautiful Staten Island. The groundhog MUST PAY!!! Hopefully this is nature's last blast and warmer temps will arrive soon. I've started getting my trusty steed ready for the season in earnest! Let's keep our eyes on our calendars and the forum, because as things get springlike the riding picks up. The Spring Fling will be here before you know it so make sure you get those reservations and registrations in. I'm really looking forward to this
one so let's hope mother nature cooperates with some solid riding weather. Jason knows how to throw ‘dem rallies! I'm departing the NYC area early Thursday morning, anyone who is interested in joining me feel free to drop me an e-mail, text, phone call, carrier pigeon and maybe we can coordinate something. Come June I will be at Americade and I've dropped a forum post to see if anyone is interested in gathering for a meet and greet or ride while there. Again let me know if you'll be in the area and we'll have some yuks! Don't forget the Big W Ride coming in July too (gee, I hope I kept that route!). Scott Sorger and I should have more info on the fall rally in Lake George coming soon. We'll get that out as soon as we have things nailed down. I'll try to get a local meet and greet going in April. Maybe if we pick a place in Manhattan folks might come. Interest was less than stellar last time but hey ya never know! See you out there folks!
NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
Editor’s Corner
News from your Assistant Area Directors (complete list of AADs on back page) Metro NY/NJ Terry Faherty #792
is published 5-6 times a year for Northeast Area members of the Concours Owners Group. Submissions are welcomed and members are encouraged to share their COG experiences. Email: necogeditor@gmail.com Snailmail: Tim Anderson, 1040 Ocean Avenue, New London, CT 06320. Many of the opinions stated in this publication may make no sense to those of sound mind and may just be conveniently ignored. If you use any of the information in this rag to incur damage to yourself, your bike or any innocent or not so innocent bystanders it is you own fault...you were warned! © 2013 Concours Owners Group
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Tim Anderson #9470 Spring is here and the Ride & Event Schedule is bursting with entries—good news for all of us! I’ve had to trim some events to make room for some new entries, so as always, use the online calendar to check the full details and to see if there are any updates. To further improve the timeliness of event information, Steve will be providing periodic email blasts to all NE members with the latest info—let us know if
Truro, NS Peter Steele #10823 Wilmington, MA Anthony Church #10827 Port Crane, NY Jim Boehlert #10830 Shrewsbury, MA Jennifer Harter #10831 Mt. Royal, PQ Laurent Fellahi #10839 Hadley, MA Mark Lange #10842 Tolland, CT Don Smith #10835 Holyoke, MA Chris Butler #10840 Street, MD Gerald Martin #10844 Lincolndale, NY Ron Arden #10855 New York, NY Adam Dunefsky #10860
Spring Preparations Above: Ava demonstrates to her grandfather, Doug Gray, the proper torque setting for C10 fairing bolts… Get your bike ready and help others wrench theirs at the Spring Tech Session on April 27th — see page 6.
those are helpful. The Ride Events and the AAD reports are the core of the newsletter, but I’m always looking for other news and entertaining items, so if you have anything that fits that category, please send it along! All suggestions welcome for possible future newsletter improvements. I’m looking forward to meeting many of you this year… I expect to be at the Spring Tech Session, the Spring Fling, and probably several of the MA/NH ride events. See you there!
2013 - Issue #2 – Spring
Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
Around the NORTHEAST (continued from page 2)
MA/ME/NH/VT Greg & Tracey Habel #7010/7010A Hi All! If anyone sees that little groundhog Phil, tell him I have a bone to pick with him! Well, it can’t be long now that the warmer days will be here to stay and the riding season will be in full swing. We held our rescheduled Winter Social in February (thanks to Old Man Winter) and had a great turnout of about 25 albeit in cages due to the lovely white stuff on the ground. This included some new folks like new member Dave Duplin and his wife, and prospective member Martin Solberg. It was great to get to meet them and introduce them to some of the other members, and it looks like we will be seeing them at future events. Welcome to COGdom! The kick-off meet and greet was held on a chilly Saturday in March at the Miss Mendon Diner in Mendon, MA. We had quite a few brave souls battle the chilly temps to ride in on their steeds! COGers are a hardy bunch! Coming up soon will be the ever popular Tech Session at Pat and Sherry Mulloy’s in Monson, MA on Saturday, April 27th. The work schedule is full and it looks like the attendee list has already hit 30. The garage is full but we are still welcoming those who would like to stop by and socialize with other COGers for the day. We have put in our order for a beautiful and sunny day, so come on by! This year’s camping trip will be held the weekend of May 3-5 in East Bridgewater, MA where we will be “roughin it” in Tom & Ann Kerrigan’s backyard. Tom has a nice ride planned for Saturday. You can come for the weekend of just join us on the ride on Saturday; the choice is yours. We have secured the dates for the Experienced Riders Course in Nashua, NH for Saturday, June 8th and an overflow
2013 - Issue #2 – Spring
date of Sunday June 9th. This event has been added to the calendar and space is limited to the first 12 bikes registered per day so be sure to send in your forms ASAP if you would like to attend. A special thanks to Mark Williams and instructor Corvus Shorter for putting this great event together just for us. June 1st is Kevin Martin’s Cathedral of the Pines War Memorial ride and on June 22nd we will have the Pioneer Valley Ride/ Meet & Greet. Please be sure to register on-line at the NE events calendar at www.cogonline.org , if you plan to attend an event. This will help us to make reservations for lunch and plan accordingly to keep the ride group size at a safe number. If you have an idea for a ride or are interested in hosting an event, please contact us and we will be glad to help you put it all together! Spring is here so let’s get out there! Tracey & Greg
Pittsburgh/Western PA Joe Cyprych, #4665 Hello fellow COGgers! I am sure most of us have finally been able to get our bikes out for a ride by now with Spring arriving so now is the time to start planning your upcoming riding season. Looking over the schedule there are a bunch of rides and activities planned for this year, so make this the year to get out and attend a few of these events. Remember we are an all volunteer club so get out and show a little support for those who put these events together. Michele and I are looking forward to seeing all the gang again in this upcoming riding season. As always if you have any questions or a ride ideas feel free to contact me anytime. See you all soon! Joe & Michele
MD Report John Hamilton #9279 I have let Steve Smith know I need to be replaced as Maryland AAD due to medical issues. Please contact Steve to discuss if you are interested in taking
this role over. The Crabby Pig ride-to-eat was super successful last year, and it looks like it will be this year. If you can get to Cumberland, MD on May 11th and find the Crabby Pig by around 11:30-12:00 noon on that day, please join us so we can put 5 tables together this time and take over the place. The BBQ is not half bad, and it was much fun last year. I probably can't make it due to a surgery date, but don't let that deter you, just show up and you will see all the bikes in the parking lot. I'm hoping I can heal in time and make the Spring Fling, it will probably be my only rally event in 2013. More surgery after that all the way to March 2014. So with any luck, I'll see a few of you there at the Fling. JR
Central NY Rob Romano #10584 With the snowy weather finally looking like it’s behind us and the April showers have cleaned off the salt, COG riders in Central NY will be hitting the roads. Our first "Meet & Greet" on May 4th will be a two'fer event. The great people of K&H Kawasaki, Little York, will be hosting a "Concours Appreciation Day", offering 15% off accessories and parts (ordered or in stock!) to card carrying COG Members. Free inspections will be available as well. Afterwards we'll go to lunch to discuss upcoming rides and to see if we can plan a rally event somewhere in the Finger Lakes. There are some great roads and destinations throughout Central NY. With the help of other riders in the area, my plan is to develop pre-made route maps and Garmin GPS data loads to share with COG members and to create a library for future use. Lastly, the COG Facebook site is gaining more members. The good thing about using FB as compared to the COG Forum is that many people have FB updates linked to their smart phones. This can be a great way to let others know about a spur of the moment ride. If there is enough interest, I will create a NE specific satellite version of the COG Facebook page specifically for ride updates and quick information blasts. Rob Romano
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Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
Around the NORTHEAST (continued from page 3)
NY (Hudson Valley NW) Bob Barbanti #7134 Greetings from the Hudson Valley. It was not the nicest winter for us this year, we had quite a bit of snow and other weather that put a hamper on events. I had to cancel the February and March Meet & Greets in Newburgh. Folks could have had the March meet without me, but I had to work due to the storm and felt it best to just cancel rather than have confusion. We did manage to have the April Meet & Greet, it was damp and chilly but four folks out of the seven who came rode their motorcycles. That is great considering the weather, but any event I host does not make riding mandatory - they are about folks getting together. If it works for you to ride, great, but if not, that's fine too. It's all about getting together. I’ve been working on some other events for this year, but cannot yet commit to dates. So check the COGMOS calendar of events for updates. The Newburgh Meet & Greets are on the Calendar for May 11, June 8, July 13, and Aug 10, all on the normal second Saturday of the month. Also scheduled is the return of the Independence Ride to Big W on July 6. This is worth the ride for some great BBQ. Terry Faherty, Steve Smith and I have enjoyed doing this event. We start the ride in three different locations and all meet at Big W BBQ. Some folks do their own ride and meet us at the Big W. Whatever works is fine - come out for some great vittles! A bunch of us are planning to be in Bedford for the Spring Fling Rally May 16-19 - hope to see y'all there. Unfortunately, the COG National is out for me this year since getting the needed vacation days will be impossible. But that should make the Dog Days Rally, Aug 22-25 in Snowshoe, WV, another rally for me. If you haven't ridden in West Virginia, you don't know
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MD Crab Cake Run—March 23rd - 24th
Above: Riders getting ready to head off after breakfast Saturday at Holly’s Restaurant — "The Meeting Place of the Eastern Shore." Below: The crab cakes can’t be beat at Woody’s in North East, MD.
Below left: Campsite at Elk Neck State Park at the far northern end of the Chesapeake Bay. Below right: Guy Young's garage shortly after arriving home. Snow was really coming down the last 20 miles!
what you’re missing. I highly recommend making this Rally, this is some good stuff. I hope to see folks at one or more of the events this year. As always, if you have ideas for events or I can help you with club activities or its structure, please get in touch. I can't promise I have all the answers or what you want to hear all the time, but I'll try my best to help with questions and problems. This is a great club that I believe in, so I like to see other folks enjoying it as well. Come for the bike, stay for the people.
Newburgh, NY Meet & Greet
Sue & Steve Cerutti, Bob Barbanti, Wayne Jenkins, Bill Billig, Alex Benoit & Cindy Barbanti (behind the camera) enjoying lunch at the Neptune Diner.
2013 - Issue #2 - Spring
Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS Bug Splat is BACK! Russell and Martha Fleming have volunteered to organize this fun event for us at the upcoming Spring Fling in Bedford, PA. How to play: You purchase two dots for $5.00. Place the dots on your headlight before heading out. Upon returning from your days ride Russell & Martha will measure your Splats and determine who got a bull’s eye, or at least the closest to a bull’s eye! Winner will get half of the proceeds, the other half going to the local Volunteer Fire Department. So be sure to look Russell and Martha up Saturday morning in front of the Motel under the canopy to get in on this fun filled event! Jason
AADs for CT/RI and MD
Like to meet new people, find new roads, and have lots of fun? Have some good ideas for riding or social events in your area? Then we have the opportunity for you! The Assistant Area Directors (AADs) for CT/RI and MD are stepping down after significant service to the COG NE Chapter, so we are looking for new faces for these important positions. Here’s your chance to make a difference in COG and create some good times in your own neck of the woods. Contact Steve Smith at 203-720-7575 or nead@cog-online.org if you want to learn more about serving as an AAD in CT/RI or MD. Thanks!
Watch for the new monthly NE email blasts with full event detail listings 2013 - Issue #2 – Spring
COG Experienced Rider Courses in Connecticut By Norm Walton #7011 It's been several years since we've organized an experienced rider course for COG members in Connecticut. There are 2 MSF courses offered by Connecticut Rider Education Program: the Experienced Rider Course (ERC) and Advanced Rider Course (ARC-ST). Both are reasonably priced. Successful completion of an ERC gets the student a completion card that can be used to obtain an insurance discount. You will need to check with your insurance company if the ARC-ST qualifies for a discount as it does not have an evaluation or issue a completion card. We hope to have at least one COG member as an instructor for these courses. The community college will not offer dedicated course(s) to the club unless as a club we collectively submit enough paid registrations to fill the class in advance. We tried it this way in the past and it was a royal PITA to coordinate. It was suggested we pick specific courses/dates, and then inform our members to register for those specific courses using the standard registration process. 2013 motorcycle course registration is now open. Registration for either course through Naugatuck Valley Community College. You can download the info packs, schedules, and registration forms from their web site. Be sure to register early as these courses are open to the public and the early dates tend to fill quickly. Naugatuck Valley Community College Motorcycle Program www.nv.edu/Motorcycle 203-575-8123 Experienced Rider Course (ERC) May 11, 12 PM—6:30 PM. On-cycle: Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, CT This one-day course will help you improve braking, turning and evasive maneuvers and teach advanced “street strategies” for riding. There is no classroom session and approximately 6.5 hours of on-cycle instruction. Fee: $85.00 for rider; $20 for passenger. Advanced Rider Course (ARC-ST) June 15, 7 AM—6:30 PM Class session: Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, CT On-cycle session: UCONN, Torrington, CT This one-day course is to provide rider development in the areas of risk management, decision making, riding strategies, and rider behavior choices. Exercises focus on more advanced braking, turning, swerving, and utilizing a performance oriented body position. There is a classroom session in the morning and on-cycle instruction in the afternoon for a total of approximately 8.5 hours of instruction. Bikes will be inspected. Fee: $50.00 for rider. For both courses, participants must present a valid motorcycle license (driver only), current motorcycle registration and insurance card. You must also use your own street legal motorcycle (no straight pipes) for the course. Bikes will be inspected. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to class start time to check paperwork.
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Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
RIDE & EVENT SCHEDULE
Time listed is START time. Visit www.cog-online.org for updates. (MA) Sat 27 April 7:30 AM Spring Tech Session – Group Ride Group ride to Monson, MA — meet Kevin Martin for breakfast at Bickfords Restaurant, 20 Nagog Park, Acton, MA, Rt. 2A/119. Ride leaves at 7:30 AM, get there early if you are having breakfast. Please gas up before the ride. KEVIN MARTIN, 978.459.6275H, cog145@verizon.net
(MA) Sat 27 April 9 AM NE Spring Tech Session and Gear/Part Swap Hosts Pat & Sher Mulloy and co-hosts Greg & Tracey Habel will be having a Spring Tech Session at the Mulloy’s, 507 Old Wales Rd. in Monson, MA, starting at 9 AM. Interested in servicing your bike? Contact either GREG HABEL or PAT MULLOY (Sniper64@aol.com) to reserve a spot, and to discuss your needs for tools and supplies. Stop by to meet fellow COGgers, lunch will be provided so bring your appetites! Non-members cost is $5 but can be refunded if the person signs up as a COG member. Asking $5 fee to cover costs of tire disposal. Parts/gear sell/ swap table available. GREG HABEL, 508.444.2235H, COG7010@verizon.net
(VA) Sun 28 April 8:30 AM Sport Touring Camaraderie Ride 1 Meet for Breakfast at 8:30 AM at Denny’s 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. All makes and brands of motorcycles welcome. There will be 5 self-guided rides to choose from, 150 to 200 miles long. All rides end back at the Flying J Truck Stop. See the online calendar for full ride details. PATRICK SPRAGUE, 540.743.4874H, 540.743.5132W, pesprague@comcast.net or RUSSEL FLEMING, 410.374.9687H, fleming@qis.net
(MA) Fri-Sun 3-5 May 2 PM Camping Weekend in South Eastern MA Tom and Anne Kerrigan are hosting this camping weekend in their back yard! (45 Deer Run Drive, East Bridgewater, MA); the Habelloys will be assisting. Friday: Arrival and campfire. Cowboy dinner - franks & beans. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks provided. Sat/Sun breakfast for campers: bagels, muffins, coffee, OJ. Sat. Ride: TBD. Saturday Supper 7 PM: Cookout followed by a campfire. Camping is free, inside showers too! Per person cost for the event: TBD based on attendance but expected to be
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under $20 pp to cover food, drinks, supplies and firewood. GREG HABEL, 508.444.2235H, COG7010@verizon.net
(NY) 4 May 10:30 AM Central NY Meet and Greet Meet, greet and say hello at K&H Kawasaki, Little York MEET & GREET & COG APPRECIATION DAY, 813 Little York Cross Road, Little York, NY. Card carrying COG members normally get 10% off at K&H but they'll be offering an additional 5% off parts and accessories at the event. Free motorcycle inspections, other Open House specials to be announced. Afterwards we'll take a short ride to lunch at Garcia's Mexican Restaurant at 879 Rte. 13, Cortland, NY, at 12:30 PM. Full directions on the online Calendar. ROBERT ROMANO, 607-227-3899 H, ensoniqdude@yahoo.com
(NY) Sat 11 May 11 AM Newburgh Meet & Greet Join us for lunch at our monthly meet and greet at the Neptune Diner, 82 Rte. 17K, Newburgh, NY. Meet some of the COG family and have a great time. Chance of a short ride afterwards. All are welcome to attend. BOB BARBANTI, 845.895.1130H, 845.206.7406M, ny.neaad@yahoo.com
(MD/WV/VA/PA) Sat 11 May 11:30 AM Lunch at the Crabby Pig Meet at the Crabby Pig (13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD) around noon and we'll have some good BBQ. Ignore the GPS directions, you will get lost - just take exit 43C into Cumberland from US 68, and at the bottom of the ramp, follow signs to Canal Place, and soon there will be sign to Crabby Pig, and if you follow that, you will reach a parking place. CP is in back of the buildings, sort of. JR HAMILTON, 301.733.5387H, 240.291.8603M, john.hamilton@myactv.net
(CT) Sat 11 May 11:30 AM Experienced Rider Course It's been several years since we've had an ERC for COG members in CT. Join us for an MSF sponsored ERC offered by the CT Rider Education Program. Improve your riding skills! Full details on page 5. NORM WALTON, 860.635.0803H, 860.836.5162M, ctaad@live.com
(ON) Tue 14 May 6:30 PM South Central Ontario Meet 2nd Tuesday each month at Mohawk Inn, 9230 Guelph Lane, Campbellville, ON, just North of 401. All welcome, friends, wives, girl/boy friends. Many hungry people arrive earlier to get their dinner - road house food, salad, wings, burgers, fish & chips, etc. A mainly social function to meet other riders, shoot the breeze, plan rides. DAVE CLANCY 905.389.7681H dnclancy747@gmail.com
(PA) Thu-Sun, 16-19 May COG NE Spring Fling Rally Bedford, PA. Details on Page 8 and at www.cog-online.org. Make plans now!
(RI) 18 May, 10 AM Twisted Throttle Open House A fun non-COG event put on by a COG Industry Member. 10 AM – 5 PM at 570 Nooseneck Hill Rd., Exeter, RI. Food, demonstrations, presentations, and entertainment galore. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ register_for_the_open_house (MA/NH) Sat 1 June 8:30 AM
Cathedral of the Pines War Memorial Ride Join Kevin for a Post-Memorial Day ride out to Rindge, NH to visit the Cathedral of the Pines War Memorial, then stop for lunch at Kimball’s in Jaffrey for lunch and yes, ice cream! Meet at Bickfords, 20 Nagog Park, Acton, MA, Rt. 2A/119 for breakfast, ride leaves at 8:30 am. KEVIN MARTIN, 978.459.6275H, cog145@verizon.net
(NH) Sat 8 Jun 9 AM Experienced Riders Course We have secured dates for the Experienced Riders Course on June 8th with an overflow class on June 9th. Registration link below, full instructions and FAQs on the online Calendar. Note, this event is run by the state of NH. Class starts at 9 AM and ends at about 4 PM. Thanks to Mark Williams for getting this event on the map for COG. Class is open to both NH and non-NH residents. Nashua Community College, 505 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03063. http://www.nh.gov/ safety/divisions/dmv/driver-licensing/ motorcycle/experienced.htm. GREG HABEL, 508.444.2235H, COG7010@verizon.net
(NY) Sat 8 June 11 AM Newburgh Meet & Greet (see 11 May info) (ON) Tue 11 June 6:30 PM South Central Ont. Meet (see 14 May info) (WV) Fri-Sun 14-16 June 8 AM Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum & Blizzard Run Held in Buckhannon, WV. Here’s your chance to tour a famous (infamous?) old institution, eat some really good food, and ride excellent roads with your COG friends. TALA info is at: www.transalleghenylunaticasylum.com/index.html. We will likely do the first floor tour only for $10. Very interesting history and a really huge building! A Blizzard? Yeah, it’s a tasty ice cream goodie... Lodging will be at the Centennial Motel at 22 North Locust St., Buckhannon, WV, 304-472-4100. Details on the online Calendar. PATRICK SPRAGUE, 540.743.4874H, 540.743.5132W, pesprague@comcast.net
2013 - Issue #2 - Spring
Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS (CT) Sat 15 Jun 7 AM Advanced Rider Course It's been several years since we've had a rider course for COG members in CT. CONREP is offering an MSF Advanced Rider Course (ARC-ST) for $50. The Advanced course is the next step after an ERC. Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, CT. Full details on Page 5. NORM WALTON, 860.635.0803H, 860.836.5162M, ctaad@live.com
(MD) Fri-Sun 21-23 June 3 PM North & South 16 Get Together Arrive Friday for camping, setup your tent and have a cookout in the PM. Plenty of tent space in the backyard at 2610 Old Fort Schoolhouse Road, Hampstead, MD. Saturday will be Breakfast, Ride & Cookout. Breakfast will be 8 AM in the driveway, bacon & eggs, juice & coffee, then leave at your own time on one of many long routes (~250 miles) that could take you into PA, VA, WV and MD or short routes (~100 miles) or a Dual Sport Ride. Around 6:30 PM will be the evening cookout. Sunday breakfast at 8 AM with a guided ride afterwards. Local hotel info on COG calendar. RUSSEL FLEMING, 410.374.9687H fleming@qis.net
(MA) Sat 22 June 8:30 AM Pioneer Valley Ride This ride will include some of the best motorcycling roads in western MA, including the Mohawk Trail, 8A, 116, 112, and some county roads. Meet at Bickfords Restaurant, 526 N. Main St (Rt. 12) Leominster, MA, GPS: N42 32.985 W71 45.754. Ride leaves at 8:30 AM for Greenfield with bio stop at the Greenfield Rotary McDonalds, (1st traffic light on left, Rt. 2 West, off the I-91 rotary exit). We’ll stop for lunch and a Meet & Greet at Wolfie’s Restaurant (see next event). If anyone wants to join Kevin for the ride to Leominster, meet him at the I-495 South Rest Stop in Chelmsford, NLT 7:15 AM. The rest stop is just south of exit 34 on I-495. KEVIN MARTIN, 978.459.6275H, cog145@verizon.net
(MA) 22 June 12:30 PM Meet and Greet at Wofie's Restaurant Join us for a Meet and Greet at Wolfie's Restaurant in South Deerfield, MA. Bring a friend to introduce them to COG! Note, this is part of Kevin's Pioneer Valley Ride. Feel free to join in the ride before or after the Meet & Greet. Please register for the ride separately. 52 S Main St, South Deerfield, MA. GREG HABEL, 508.444.2235H, COG7010@verizon.net
(VA) Thu-Sun 4-7 July 4 PM Independence Getaway Weekend Come celebrate the Independence Day
2013 - Issue #2 – Spring
holiday with COG and enjoy the great riding in the historic Staunton, VA area. You won’t be disappointed. Within a few miles you can be on the Blue Ridge Parkway or in the Mountains of VA & WV with routes 39, 33 and 250 all at our back door. This is a ride-in event and will be very loosely structured with no planned events or registration fees. JASON KAPLITZ, 814.659.6865
(NY) Sat 6 July 9 AM Independence Ride to Big W BBQ What better way to continue the Independence Day celebration than to go for a ride and enjoy great BBQ. The hope is to set up 3 meet points (TBD) to kick off rides and make a three prong attack (like the three corner hat of the time) and converge on Big W BBQ, 1475 Rt. 22, Wingdale, NY. STEVE SMITH, 203.720.7575H, nead@cogonline.org, TERRY FAHERTY, 718.227.2099H, tmcefah@aol.com, or BOB BARBANTI, 845.895.1130H, 845.206.7406M, ny.neaad@yahoo.com
(ON) Tue 9 July 6:30 PM South Central Ont. Meet (see 14 May info) (MA/NY) Sat-Sun 13-14 July 7 AM Cooperstown NY Ride (Overnight) Kevin Martin and Doug Gray are hosting a day or overnight ride to Cooperstown, NY and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Two options for meeting places—see COG calendar for full meet and ride details. The group ride to Cooperstown is 200 miles of great back roads and scenery, stopping overnight in Cooperstown. The return trip is 230 miles through rolling farmlands and the Catskills, with a stop at Sweet Sue's for lunch. Hosts: KEVIN MARTIN, 978.459.6275H, cog145@verizon.net and DOUG GRAY.
(NY) Sat 13 July 11 AM Newburgh Meet & Greet (see 11 May info) (MD/VA/WV) Sat 13 July 12 PM Mr. B's BBQ Join us anytime around noon on July 13th for some of Mr. B's extraordinary BBQ. New location is on Route 340 just south of Berryville, VA (6967 Lord Fairfax Highway). JR HAMILTON, 301.733.5387H, 240.291.8603M, john.hamilton@myactv.net
(MA) Sun 21 July 12 Noon Bag Lunch Meet & Greet - Quabbin Reservoir Meet us at the Quabbin Hill Tower, 485 Ware Road, at the Quabbin Reservoir. Bring a bag lunch as we enjoy the view. Ride to follow. Bring a friend! Detailed directions on COG online calendar. GREG HABEL, 508.444.2235H, COG7010@verizon.net
(NH) Sun 4 Aug 12:30 PM Meet and Greet at Famous Legends
Legends Restaurant, 4 Essex Drive, Raymond, NH. Bring a friend to introduce them to COG! GREG HABEL, 508.444.2235H, COG7010@verizon.net
(NH) Sat 10 August 8:30 AM Newport, NH Day Ride I thought it would be fun to go back to the Car Hop Drive-In again this year. The Fabulous 50’s Car Hop is an old fashioned out door drive-in restaurant located in Newport NH. This is a fun place to stop for lunch, the food & ice cream is very good and the riding up to Newport is great. We’ll meet at Cliff’s Café in Townsend MA for breakfast then head up to Newport. Ride leaves from Cliff’s at 8:30 AM. Fabulous 50's Car Hop Drive In, 308 Sunapee St. Newport, NH. KEVIN MARTIN, 978.459.6275H, cog145@verizon.net
(NY) Sat 10 August 11 AM Newburgh Meet & Greet (see 11 May info) (ON) Tue 13 August 6:30 PM South Central Ont. Meet (see 14 May info) (VA) Sun 18 August 9 AM Sport Touring Camaraderie Ride 2 Meet for Breakfast at 9 AM at the Iron Skillet, at the Petro truck stop in Carlisle, 1201 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA, All makes and brands of motorcycles welcome. There will be 9 self-guided rides to choose from 150 to 240 miles long. All rides end back at the Middlesex Diner in Carlisle, PA. See the COG online calendar for full ride details. RUSSEL FLEMING, 410.374.9687H, fleming@qis.net
(ID) Mon-Fri 26-30 August COG NATIONAL RALLY 2013 Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, Idaho Falls, ID Details at www.cog-online.org
(WV) Thurs-Sun 22-25 August Dog Days Ride Weekend Another great escape to the cool Mountain State for the Dog Days Ride weekend. No fee, no banquet, no door prizes; this is an un-rally event for riding, relaxing, and COG camaraderie. Inn at Snowshoe in Snowshoe, WV. PATRICK SPRAGUE, 540.743.4874H, 540.743.5132W, pesprague@comcast.net
(WV) Fri-Mon 27-30 September COG in Canaan Save the date – we will be holding our annual COG in Canaan weekend again at the Canaan Valley Resort, Davis, WV. Full details online, in the email blast and future newsletters. JOE CYPRYCH, 724-796-1401, cyprych@windstream.net
Join us for a Meet and Greet at Famous
7
CT, RI Norm Walton #7011 860-836-5162 ctaad@live.com
PA (North Central) Duane Shaffer #9189 570-726-4676 dkshaff@kcnet.org
VA/WV Pat Sprague #1887 540-743-5132 psprague@shentel.net
Web Editor Wayne Geiser #4627 978-851-2710
Metro NY/NJ Terry Faherty #792 718-227-2099 tmcefah@aol.com
PA (South East) & NJ South Jim Ansbro #8443 215-805-0909 bluecon06@gmail.com
ON (Greater Toronto Area) Dave Clancy #5452 905-389-7681 dnclancy747@gmail.com
NY (Hudson Valley NW) Bob Barbanti #7134 845-895-1130 ny.neaad@yahoo.com PA (Western) Joe Cyprych #4665 724-796-1401 cyprych@windstream.net NY (Central) Rob Romano #10584 607-227-3899
DE, East MD Bob Chappell #1283 302-791-0582 cog1283@comcast.net
ON (Eastern) Ken Fader #8534 613-865-7995 kensc14@gmail.com
MD John Hamilton #9279 301.733.5387
QC (Montréal)
wayne@mypowercouple.com
Newsletter Editor Tim Anderson #9470 860-444-7544 NECOGEditor@gmail.com Assistant Area Directors: (AADs) VT, NH, ME, MA Greg & Tracey Habel #7010
508-444-2235 COG7010@verizon.net
john.hamilton@myactv.net
Christian Dupuis #10098
450-427-0182 d1user@mac.com
NE AREA STAFF
Area Director (AD) Steve Smith #3184 203-720-7575 nead@cog-online.org
ensoniqdude@yahoo.com
photo courtesy Kevin Martin #145
COG NE Spring Fling May 16-19 in Bedford PA!! Join us in Bedford, PA for the 2013 Northeast Area Spring Fling. Bedford is ideally situated for our membership; sitting in south central Pennsylvania, just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 99. The town and our motel make for a great base to explore the region. Our motel, Clara’s Place, will surely please our group. Our room rate is $76 and includes a FULL breakfast buffet, with down home cooking! There is a lounge on site and most rooms open to the parking lot making it convenient for all. The riding is great in all directions with little traffic and many scenic routes to enjoy. To the north are Central Pennsylvania’s vast valleys, including Happy Valley for those Penn State Fans. You’re only an hour away from historic Altoona, PA and its railroad history. Heading south you’ll enjoy some of Bedford County’s best two lane byways! We know this area and will have some great routes laid out for you. You’re only an hour from Cumberland, MD and parts of West Virginia. Heading east you are less than 100 miles from Gettysburg, PA. The Lincoln Highway (Route 30) is a great piece of Americana with many interesting things to see along the way. Heading west you are less than an hour from the home to many Flood City COG rallies, Johnstown, PA, and the many historic sites involving its three floods and its rebirth. The Flight 93 National Memorial is only 25 miles from our motel and we will have a special tour arranged for our group on Saturday. Details to follow. So start making your plans now to attend the 2013 Spring Fling. Consult the website for more details and watch the forum for updates and factoids as they become available.