2020 - Issue # 2
COGnitions: Ramblings from the Northeast Area Director These are some crazy times, huh? I hope everyone is staying well and using recommended precautions to remain healthy. My employer is considered “essential,” but our group is asked to work remote whenever possible to reduce the risk of introducing the virus onto the production floor. I spend most days in a makeshift home office space in an upstairs spare bedroom, while the SO has commandeered the dining room. I feel the separation is good, so we do not get on each other’s nerves. The pandemic and stay at home orders came just as the riding season was kicking in, and I have not been riding much at all. Cabin fever was Steve Smith #3184 beginning to set in, and the only prescription is more cowbell… riding. Social Distancing M-F The weather was fantastic this past Saturday, and along with another local COG member we got out for a much needed 250-mile, tri-state, social distancing cycletherapy ride in CT, MA, and NY. This was a good opportunity to give Ivan’s ECU programming a solid test run, and I am very satisfied with the improvements. COVID-19 is taking a toll on club activities across the USA and Canada since restaurants are closed, stay at home orders are in place, and social distancing is being practiced. The 2020 national rally in Vancouver, WA has been canceled. There is an effort underway to see if the same event can be salvaged and spun up again for next year, however they will need to find a new rally master. The impact here in the Northeast Area is that most activities during March, all during April, and some early May activities have been canceled. Many thanks to the COG NE Staff for keeping up on marking rides and activities “CANCELED,” as needed. I am sorry to report that the NE Spring Fling Rally is a casualty of these cancellations. An email notification was sent April 12 to all preregistered participants, plus it was posted on the calendar, the club’s web forum and Facebook. Our treasurer did a fantastic job issuing refunds rapidly, even though being backed up with processing refunds from several canceled events. Checks were mailed last week and should have been received by now. NOTE: you are responsible to cancel your room reservation at the venue where you booked. Your reservations will not be automatically canceled. If you booked online, there is be a 10% cancellation fee.
photo courtesy Bob Barbanti #7134
Keep watch on the online calendar for more cancellations through May and possibly June. The staff and ride hosts are being prudent by continuing to monitor and assess the COVID-19 restrictions in their locales to determine when it makes sense to resume normal activities. Stay tuned. There are still many activities remaining on the schedule. As some of you may have heard that the directors have been dealing with a letter of complaint and charges filed against a few officers and moderators, including me. This was the only topic covered for the
Steve Smith #3184 Social Distancing Sat, Sun
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Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
New Members
Thomas Puopolo
First things first, a warm David Williamson welcome to our Tom Newlun Newest NE Area COG members! Eric Nelson Neil Bryan Matt Garrison Dick Hambridge Brett Price Bill Bassett Dennis Boivin, Jr. William Walter
13108 13109 13110 13111 13113 13114 13115 13118 13120 13130 pending
North Easton, MA Plymouth, MA Marshall, VA Westbrook, CT South Hadley, MA Richmond, VA Amherst, NY West Point, VA Wyoming, RI Stark, NH Clinton, CT
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February and March meetings. Related topics have been recurring discussions at many past meetings. At the March meeting the executive board discussed and unanimously voted to dismiss the charges. Minutes of board meetings are found here: https://cog.memberize.net/clubportal/clubdocs.cfm?clubId=1328&topicID=5114 Feel free to contact me if you have questions. In other notable COG news… As some of you may experience, the current membership system is getting a bit unstable. The ongoing COG web migration project has had several stalls, but is now making steady, slow progress. Moving to a new web membership management service and new forum software has its challenges. A new IT Officer is in place, and Fred Harmon joined the web migration team providing much needed additional technical support. The team recently had a significant success with the forum integration and database migration. The plan is to accelerate roll out of the new COG web services as much as possible. The core features will be in place, but more work will be needed. It will be ready for introductory launch when: 1) the new forum integration code is fully tested and working; 2) a few successful dry runs of member data migration into the new membership service is complete; 3) able to successfully migrate forum post data; 4) correct forum permissions can be established and documented; 5) members have been given ample notification of pending changes. After the new web service go live, the hope is to circle back and perform additional clean up and tweaks. Lastly, Bob Dombrowe (COG #1904) reached out to me the other day. He has a near full collection of Iron Butt magazines that he would like to give away to a COG member. The magazine was published between January 2010 and sometime near the end of 2015. Anyone interested should reach out to Bob. His contact information is: 434-806-7620 / DombroweRJ@aol.com That is all for now. Stay healthy and ride safe.
Concours Owners Groupsm
NORTHEAST AREA NEWS Published 5 times a year for the Concours Owners Group and distributed to Northeast Area members. Past newsletters are archived in the club’s online member library at www.cog-online.org Also available at: issuu.com/cognortheast Written (most formats except Works) & photo (most formats) submissions are welcomed and members are encouraged to share their COG experiences. Please send to: Email: NECOGEditor@gmail.com Snail Mail: COG NE Newsletter c/o Maryann Geiser 139 Kennedy Rd Tewksbury MA 01876 © 1989-2020 Concours Owners Groupsm
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Editor’s Corner This is not how I imagined 2020. By this time in the year we would have been out on a few rides, have started packing for the Spring Fling, and had routes planned for a long summer trip. But … I guess it takes a pandemic to keep me from riding. Everybody gets to decide what is best for them. My decision is to stay off the bike for a while. While nobody plans on bad things happening (that’s why they’re called accidents), the last place I want to be is in a potentially over-burdened ER. So, I can amuse myself with reading about riding, and remembering all the beautiful places I’ve gone. Although, I must admit that I nearly Maryann Geiser #4627A run to the window every time I hear a bike go by. Now I know how dogs feel. Putting together this newsletter was a bit of a challenge. How do I fill up the pages with news and events to look forward to when who knows if those events will happen? I asked folks to send me some social-isolation photos and stories, and I think they did a great job. We’re all doing our best to stay up-to-date on current guidelines and closings. The best place for the latest COG information is on the web site. I hope you are all staying well and I’m keeping my fingers crossed to be able to see many of you at the fall rally. Maryann
2020 - Issue # 2
Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
Around the NORTHEAST
MA, ME, NH, VT
How quickly things have changed with the COVID-19 virus. Certainly News from your Assistant Area Directors a whole new (complete list of AADs on back page) ball game for us. I’m still Metro NY, NJ working at the Greg & Tracey Habel school bus So, what a #7010/7010A company part difference a few time but months can make! instead of driving I am part of a team delivering As I write this it is breakfasts and lunches to school children in the Easter Sunday and Marlborough, MA school system. I like that I am the official doing something to help out in this challenging cancellation email time and it gives me some semblance of a just came in for the schedule. Tracey was furloughed from her Spring Fling. To say receptionist position at the massage therapy I was bummed is an office down the street and hopes to return when understatement, possible. We are enjoying the time together; but I totally making plans for home projects, motorcycling, Terry Faherty #792 understand the and other travel with optimism. On my decision. The uncertainty of the conditions and services made bookshelf I discovered a book that I didn’t finish over 10 years ago - “Zen and the Art of it impossible to continue as planned. I think Motorcycle Maintenance.” Last time I tried that when I saw the National postponed it was pretty much a done deal. Thank you Steve and reading it, I stopped short because the riding season was more of a draw and I wasn’t really Sue Cerutti for putting this together and we ready for the philosophical part. But, alas, this understand it was a tough call after all your time I have more free time AND I’m finding efforts but we all get it. This outbreak has myself being more drawn to the philosophical changed how we live drastically so we need to teachings of the book; likely because I myself adjust. I've been working 12 hour shifts since March 16 at the hospital and only last week did have changed over time. To maintain our sanity the administration reduce our shifts from 5 days we have been out on a few short rides together a week to 4 (probably to save OT more than give and plan to do more. Those open bathrooms are harder to find now! us a break but who knows?). Like many of you out there my wife was officially "temporarily The scheduled rides in our area are cancelled unemployed" from her physical therapy office for the time being but there will come a day after being told before this she was an where we will work with the ride leaders to "essential" employee. It was good news/bad reschedule. As for now, all the rides are news since she was probably going to ask for a cancelled until June. It’s a great opportunity for leave of absence anyway due to her having MS you to send us your ride suggestions, ideas, etc. and being at increased risk. So she's now on Shall we do an overnighter or weekend unemployment but on the bright side I don't getaway? How about attractions? Your have to cook four days a week! On a brighter note the numbers in NYC are looking better now, favorite areas less travelled? Rides you want to but we still have to be careful to avoid an uptick host? Maybe a Meet and Greet at your favorite restaurant? Co-host with New England Riders? in new cases. Hold a learning session at your home? Send them our way please! So where does that leave us as a club? Well, things are pretty much on hold for at least We are hoping to see everyone at the upcoming another month till more info is available and Fall Rally in Stowe ,VT this September! things hopefully open up a bit. Even day rides As for all the COG events, please help us out to will be an iffy prospect with food service up in estimate attendance by signing up on www.cogthe air. Just stay tuned to the forum and keep online.org , the Concours Owners Group an eye out for email blasts. I'm still waiting for Facebook page, or drop us an email word on Americade but no matter what I'll be (cog7010@verizon.net) , phone-call (508-444heading up to Scotty's, I'm gonna need some nice roads by then and my vacation is already in. 2235), text (508-444-2235) etc. Hope to see I hope this finds you and yours all healthy. Stay you there! strong folks! This too shall pass. Stay safe and stay healthy, Terry Greg & Tracey
2020 - Issue # 2
Eastern Ontario “I’d like to do a return please”…. “I am not at all happy with the year 2020!” 2020 Started out fine, my fiancée and I took a cruise in late January to break up the winter. While cruising the Caribbean I remember Derek Pugh #11636 seeing some news about something called a Coronavirus… which I though was a funny name as were drinking Corona by the ship’s pool. Once home things got back to normal… I spent time reading installation instructions for the spring farkles and counting the days till spring! This year’s winter has been milder than last years and an early spring had me already dreaming of spring riding. Unfortunately the Coronavirus (now medically named COVID-19) had other plans. Ontario (as many place in the rest of the world) went into various states of lock down and we were all advised to social distance or better yet stay home to prevent the spread. Many suggested motorcycle riding is perfect for social distancing while others played the “what if something happens and you end up at the ER” theory. I see both sides and am torn which side to be on… I will admit I did go out for a test ride a few weeks ago during a warm spell but stayed close to home. Mother Nature has kept the bike parked ever since. Next week when warmer weather is forecast I’ll have to re-think it all again! Sadly many COG chapters have had numerous events cancelled due to COVID-19 including the NE spring rally in the Northern Catskills NY which I was looking forward to. On the bright side it saved me at home… It was scheduled on our Canadian long weekend and I was in trouble for planning a solo trip! Currently I am not sure if I will be hosting a ride from Ottawa to Trenton where Eastern Ontario COG meets GTA COG at their annual tech day as it may not happen. Please watch the COG calendar for details. If anyone in Eastern Ontario would like to suggest a ride or get together once things get back closer to normal please let me know and I will happy to work with you to get it set up! Happy riding, please stay healthy and safe, Derek (Continued on page 4)
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Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS (Around the Northeast - Continued from page 3)
I'm looking forward to better days and riding with you in the near future.
Atlantic Canada
Claude
Well spring has finally sprung, well sort of. Ice pellets are currently pelting off the windows. 2020 so far will be remembered for many reasons, most of them bad. For me it started on February 16 while on a family visit in New Brunswick. I was a Claude Doucet #9011 passenger on a snowmobile, we hit a bad dip in the trail which resulted in the snowmobile's suspension bottoming out. This bottoming out sent a jolt up my spine so I got my first ambulance ride to the hospital. The result, compression fracture of my L-1 vertebrae and 2 months off work. On a plus side, no surgery required with full recovery expected and so far it's going well. I am able to ride for limited duration until I strengthen my muscles but a least I can.
US Capital Region Good day from the U.S. Capital Region! COVID19 has indeed had a pretty noticeable effect on our region, as it forced us to cancel our Crab Cake Ride and a couple of gatherings. Other large gatherings have also been rescheduled or postponed. However, Tim Traylor #12811 we are eyeing a couple of events for later in the year, such as the WPGC Bike Fest at Maryland International Raceway at the end of July. For those in the region planning to attend the MotoAmerica race at New Jersey Motorsports Park, we still plan to ride up and camp out (subject to the race not being rescheduled). Stay tuned as we sort everything out.
Obviously, everyone is also dealing with Covid19 which has affected all aspects of our lives. Hopefully we can salvage some of the riding season but I think everyone would agree that our health is more important at this point.
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Stay safe, and hopefully, I'll see you on 2s! Tim "Bamm Bamm" Traylor
Greater Toronto I had hoped to submit a picture of my wife giving me the social distance but the ten foot pole she normally uses was in the shop! Ahem. As for motorcycling, things will return to normal in due course but the when may vary by Dave Perkins #5932 your geography. Be patient. We can re-plan and re-group and appreciate the pastime we all love all the more.
Like they say, things happen in threes. The mass shooting here April 18-19 has shook us off our foundations. 22 innocent lives were lost in a 12 hour massacre which included an RCMP officer. We will take a long time to heal from this. Sorry for being such a downer, but this is what I've been living lately. Getting on my motorbike still seems to wash all my troubles away so I'm grateful that I'm still able to ride. One of my friends organized a virtual ride to show our support for the victims , their family, RCMP and the first responders. He made up a logo which we put on our bikes and we rode around our respective neighbourhoods to show our support.
both arenas on YouTube).
Also note that though the region is subject to stay-at-home measures, several members have ventured out to gather their essential items aboard their Connies. I am one such rider. I simply carry my county-mandated mask in my vest and mount my top case to head out to the grocery store. I'll encourage everyone to learn the rules and restrictions of their particular jurisdiction and react accordingly. I have been on several rides where we maintained social distancing, and I hope that we will resume something that resembles "normalcy" soon. The quickest way to do it is to abide by the applicable regulations and to continue to communicate with your family and friends for the sake of your own selfcare. In the meantime, I'll be outside knocking out some maintenance on my C14, "Mayonaka," such as an oil change and adding some pinstripes. The downtime is a great time to tidy up on the knowledge of your motorcycle, whether it be maintenance or riding techniques (there are several treats in
Simple math and the rules of six degrees of separation dictate that we all know someone affected by covid-19, or know somebody who knows somebody, etc. I do. Whether these rules apply to you or not, those affected need our support. To paraphrase the late Warren Zevon, keep them in your hearts for a while or forever, whichever is appropriate. E-gards! Dave
2020- Issue # 2
Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
RIDES & EVENTS Time listed is START time. Visit www.cog-online.org for updates and more details. (ON) Tue, June 9, 6:00 PM South Central Ont. Meet & Greet 2nd Tuesday each month at Red Harp Pub, 137 Mill St E ,Acton ,ON L7J 1H9. All welcome. Many hungry people arrive earlier to get their dinner. A mainly social function to meet other riders, shoot the breeze, plan rides. DAVE PERKINS 416.691.2191 (H) 416.606.1683 (M) perkins43@rogers.com (MA) Sat, June 13, 9AM Rhode Island Romp Meet at 8 am for breakfast at the King Street Cafe (390 King St, Franklin, MA). Kick Stands Up at 9 am. Coop will lead you through beautiful MA/RI backroads and eventually stop at Twisted Throttle in Coventry RI for motorcycle gear shopping and oogiling. Lunch will be a traditional RI treat like Clam Cakes and Chowder in Galilee, RI. LYLE COOPER 508.361.3451 (H) (ON) Mon, June 15, 6:30 PM GTA East - Meet & Greet 3rd Monday EVERY MONTH at Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd East, Oshawa, ON. All welcome. Arrive early to kick tires and tell lies in the parking lot (weather permitting). A social function to meet other riders, discuss tech issues, shoot the breeze, and plan rides. DAVE PERKINS 416.691.2191 (H) 416.606.1683 (M) perkins43@rogers.com (PA) Thu - Sun, July 2 - 5 4th of July Weekend Thrill Ride Join your COG friends for an Independence Day weekend getaway in Marietta, OH Stay at Baymont by Wyndham, 701 Pike St., Marietta OH 740.374.9660 JASON KAPLITZ 814 615.9138 (H) 814.615.9138 (M) (MD) Sun, July 26 Southern MD Meet & Greet Ride Meet at Texas Roadhouse, ride to Maryland International Raceway. TIM TRAYLOR 240.416.9250 (H) (WV) Thu - Sun, Aug 13 - 16 Dog Days Weekend Marlinton Motor Inn. Marlinton WV JASON KAPLITZ 814 615.9138 (H) 814.615.9138 (M) (VT) Thurs - Sun, Sep 17 - 20 NE Fall Rally See back page for details.
2020 - Issue # 2
Things are changing so quickly, the calendar is out of date as soon as it is published. Please check the on-line calendar for more up-to-date event listings.
2020 Spring Fling Update After much careful consideration and in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, we have sadly decided to cancel the NE Regional Spring Fling Rally in the Catskills - which had been scheduled for Mar 14 - 17. We want to ensure the safety of our members and the public at large. We toyed around with the idea of moving the rally into June, but there are still too many unknowns, and we realize that people plan many months in advance for time off, and may not be able to be so flexible in rescheduling. Additionally, we still do not know if by June that any travel restrictions or social distancing requirements would be lifted, or that food service establishments would be up and running again. We have refund the registration fee to all registered attendees. We worked with the COG treasurer to make this as easy and expedient as possible. If you have not received your refund by the beginning of summer, please let us know. As an essential business, The Hotel Vienna will be opened as planned, and they have decided to allow guest to cancel their reservations as late as May 1, 2020. If anybody has a reservation at any alternate hotel/motel, you should inquire directly with them about their specific cancellation policy. The May 1st date only applies to the Hotel Vienna. Since the Hotel Vienna will be open, formerly registered attendees can still choose to visit the area and stay as independent tourists. There would be no COG events (banquet, door prizes, and no registration required) – “Come as you are” they say. The scenery and riding is still great despite the absence of a COG sanctioned event. We expect that anyone who decides to go will act responsibly and abide by whatever “social distancing” mandates are in effect. We cannot guarantee that local food establishments will be up and running or if they have takeout or curbside service. If you are booked at an alternate hotel/motel and still plan on visiting please confirm directly with them what service might be suspended or available. At the time of this writing, The Hotel Vienna is not serving continental breakfast and has closed the swimming pool. This is all subject to change, but we have no way of making any informed predictions. Steve & Sue Cerruti Hotel Vienna 107 NY-296 Windham, NY 12496 518.734.5300 info@thehotelvienna.com
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Concours Owners Group NORTHEAST AREA NEWS
Vermont Fall Rally Update Kevin Martin COG 145 The Coronavirus Pandemic has undoubtedly impacted each and every one of us in some way. I personally wish each and every COG Member, their Families and their Friends, a safe and healthy 2020, as we progress through this difficult time. There is however some good news that I’d like to communicate to the membership. I’m very hopeful that here in the U.S. we will be well past the current pandemic shutdown by the time September rolls around. With that in mind, I’m happy to announce that I’ve been working with our AD Steve Smith and we have gone live with the online registration for our COG Fall Rally in September. I’m also happy to announce that while the Commodores Inn in Stowe, VT is currently closed for business, like most other non-essential businesses across America, they are open to accept reservations for our Rally. Reservations can be made by phone at the number listed below and on the registration page on-line. They have assured me that they have people available to take reservations over the phone 7 days a week, however if someone has difficulty reaching them, reservations can also be initiated by email at the following email address: reservations@commodoresinn.com. When making reservations via email, they will follow up with a phone call to verify a credit card number to confirm your reservation. Please review the detailed information about this Rally on the COG calendar. Rooms are limited, so booking early is encouraged. I am also working with the Commodores Inn to identify overflow lodging, if required, and will be monitoring booking requests at the Commodores to see is we need to exercise that overflow option. Looking forward to seeing everyone in September, please stay safe and healthy. Regards Kevin Commodores Inn 823 South Main Street (Route 100) Stowe, VT 800.447.8693 / 802.253.7131 photo courtesy Kevin Martin #145
Area Director
Naugatuck CT
203-720-7575
nead@cog-online.org
Greg/Tracey Habel #7010 OPEN—please inquire Bob Chappell #1283 Steven Rutter #9715 George Griffith #6377 OPEN—please inquire Tim Traylor #12811 Jim Ansbro #8443 OPEN—please inquire Steve Cerutti #6763 OPEN—please inquire Stephen Strock #10396 Terry Faherty #792 OPEN—please inquire Dave Perkins #5932 Derek Pugh #11636 Christian Dupuis #10098 Claude Doucet #9011
AAD MA/VT/NH/ME AAD CT/RI AAD DelMarVa AAD S. Central PA/MD AAD Northeast PA AAD VA/WV AAD US Capital Region AAD Southeast PA/Philly AAD W Hudson Valley NY AAD E Hudson Valley NY AAD Long Island NY AAD Central NY AAD Metro NY/NJ AAD Central NJ AAD Greater Toronto AAD Eastern Ontario AAD Greater Montreal AAD Atlantic Canada
Hopedale MA
508-444-2235
COG7010@verizon.net
Claymont DE Elizabethtown PA Benton PA
302-791-0582 717-361-1189 r 570-925-5010
cog1283@comcast.net ruttersm@comcast.net gbgriff@epix.net
Waldorf, MD Newtown PA
301-535-6193 215-805-0909
ebonyzg1400@gmail.com bluecon06@gmail.com
Copake Falls NY
914-953-4154
Steveonlineusa@gmail.com
Syracuse NY Staten Island NY
315-492-6032 718-227-2099
cogcny@gmail.com tmcefah@aol.com
Toronto ON Ottawa ON Sainte-Martine PQ Middle Sackville NS
416-691-2191 613-222-9554 450-427-0182 902-401-6821
perkins43@rogers.com concoursderek@gmail.com d1user@mac.com motorcycleclaude@gmail.com
OPEN—please inquire Maryann Geiser #4627A
NE Webmaster NE Newsletter Editor
Tewksbury MA
978-851-2710
maryanngeiser@gmail.com
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NE AREA STAFF
Steven Smith #3184
2020 - Issue # 2