NE2022 - Issue 5

COGnitions:

Ramblings from the Northeast Area Director

Greetings COG Northeast

I hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving and was able to celebrate with family and friends. We had a packed house with 8 adults and 5 children. The day consisted of cooking, snacking, conversation, and lastly our Thanksgiving feast. The food hit the table and dinner was over in a little over an hour. I suppose it doesn’t get much better than that. We are looking forward to other family holiday gatherings coming up this month. I hope you all have terrific family moments as well.

This is our final newsletter of 2022. Recent issues are available in the COG Library. An archive going back to 2001 is available at: issuu.com/cognortheast

I feel we have a terrific newsletter. Many thanks go to our editor Maryann Geiser and our staff for their efforts and contributions. We would love to see some member submitted items… photos or write up from your attendance at a recent COG activity. If you have suggestions on how we can improve the newsletter (or any other COG related things), email your thoughts to me.

Inside this issue is the announcement for our 2023 Spring Fling Rally. It looks to be a nice in-town location, with good riding around the region. Book your rooms ASAP; we have a limited number of rooms in our block at the special price.

The COG Northeast staff gained a new AAD early November. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Greg “mitch” Mitchell COG#8852 as NE AAD CT/RI. Mitch has been a COG member since 2009, and has attended many rallies and activities, hosted several activities, and helped plan and create routes for past rallies and activities. I plan to work with Greg get some 2023 winter social activities planned. Any members within these states interested in setting up an activity should reach out to Greg for planning assistance. In a previous newsletter I mentioned that Mark Wallace COG#13537 was appointed as AAD Greater Philly region and has already gained some traction getting folks together. Thanks guys!

As we and roll through the final weeks of the year, I typically look in the mirrors at the previous COG year. Let’s begin by remembering several friends we lost recently (that I know about), Grant & Dee Beauchamp, Richard De Jong, and Brian Felice.

Reviewing membership numbers, year to date there have been 44 new members and 25 lapsed members in the NE Area, so we end up on the plus side there. The current Northeast Area member breakdown is: 301 members, 35 associate members, and 26 trial

photo courtesy Bob Barbanti #7134

Steve Smith #3184

New Members

First things first, a warm welcome to our Newest NE Area COG members!

J.R. Cuartas Levittown, NY 13767

Danny Martin Moncton, NB 13774

Joshua Brewer Binghamton, NY 13781

Rodney Gardner Monmouth Beach, NJ 13784

Jason Henske Brattleboro, VT 13786

Eric remont Ford City, PA 13789

Dean Zywicki Aldie, VA 13792

Gregory Vanderpoel Milford, MA 13795

members. The NE membership accounts for a bit under 30% of the club total membership which is: 1127 members, 96 associate members, 118 trial members. There are some obvious factors affecting motorcycling and motorcycling clubs, including COG. Motorcycle sales are down. Current riders are aging out of the sport, and fewer younger people are getting involved in riding. To complicate matters for COG, Kawasaki has dropped the C14 from the 2023 model lineup. If no new Concours models are introduced, what does that mean for COG?

The club’s officers realize this is a difficult question with much uncertainty – Kawasaki is quite tight-lipped about new models. Our goal is for COG to continue to serve the membership, but we need to consider ways to attract new members into the club. To do so the club may need to evolve and change with the times. Sometime early 2023, the club is planning to send out a short survey to members. The goal is to gather member demographic data, learn what is working, what can be improved. Your responses are important to help make decisions for the direction of your club.

The NE Area had a good mix and number of events on the calendar during 2022. There is always room on the schedule for more sprinkled in throughout the year. As we move into 2023, all I can say is… Plan it, and they will come. Getting more events on the calendar begins with YOU. COG is a grass roots organization and requires member support to make our activities happen.

Planning an activity is easy. If you’re not sure where to begin, consider watching the “How to Host COG Events: Webinar” video that is in the COG Library, Ride/Rally Hosting section. Basically… 1) Select a day and location. 2) Submit the quick, easy web form which makes it simple to get the information to the events gang. Then COG will get it posted to the official calendar, and members can begin registering and chatting about it on the club’s social media spaces. If you need a bit of assistance planning and promoting your event, contact me or your local ADD.

That’s all for now. Wishing each of you a very happy holiday season and a healthy new year.

Steven Smith #3184 AD Area Director Naugatuck, CT 203-720-7575 nead@cog-online.org

Maryann Geiser #4627A Newsletter Editor Tewksbury, MA 978-851-2710 maryanngeiser@gmail.com

Steve & Sue Cerutti #6763 AAD E Hudson Valley NY Copake Falls, NY 914-953-4154 Steveonlineusa@gmail.com

Terry Faherty #792 AAD Metro NY/NJ Staten Island, NY 718-227-2099 tmcefah@aol.com

Steven Rutter #9715 AAD S. Central PA/MD Elizabethtown, PA 717-361-1189 ruttersm@comcast.net

Mark Wallace #13537 AAD Greater Philly New Hope, PA 267-897-7424 Starrider2014@outlook.com

George Griffith #6377 AAD Northeast PA Benton, PA 570-925-5010 gbgriff.gg@gmail.com

Greg Mitchell #8852 AAD CT/RI Norfolk, CT 860-542-5596 gmitchell04@snet.net

Tim Traylor #12811 AAD US Capital Region Waldorf, MD 240-416-9250 ebonyzg1400@gmail.com

Dave Perkins #5932 AAD Greater Toronto Toronto, ON 416-691-2191 perkins43@rogers.com

Derek Pugh #11636 AAD Eastern Ontario Ottawa, ON 613-222-9554 concoursderek@gmail.com

Christian Dupuis #10098 AAD Greater Montreal Sainte-Martine, PQ 450-427-0182 d1user@mac.com

Claude Doucet #9011 AAD Atlantic Canada Middle Sackville, NS 902-252-5062 motorcycleclaude@gmail.com OPEN

Around the NORTHEAST

News from your Assistant Area Directors Metro NY, NJ

Greetings fellow COGgers! Another year has come and gone and I hope we all took advantage of it, I know I did! I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. I found myself thinking back to past years at the bike show today. I know some folks weren't all that into it, but I really miss the chance to see the latest additions to the bike fold. More importantly for me it was a chance for us members to get together and enjoy one last hurrah before a long winter break. We had some really great turn outs back in the day with a couple of years seeing over 20 folks join us for our traditional COG gathering. Things got a tad thinner as the years went by and interest waned but I still enjoyed every one. Here's hoping that the manufacturers will bring it back in the future.

Next season is coming together nicely with a Spring Fling already in the works. Unfortunately the national isn't in the cards for me but I'm sure it will be a great time. Scott and I are mulling another Lake George rally, I think we're due for more hijinks in the Adirondacks after a nice break.

Hope to see you all out on the road next season!

Terry Atlantic Canada

Well it's hard to believe that winter and Christmas are almost here.

The fall weather here in Atlantic Canada has been quite good if you don't count Hurricane Fiona that made landfall as category 2 on September 24. The area near me was spared from major damage but the Eastern part of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island weren’t so lucky.

I organized a “Last Blast” ride on October 30

which was attended by Andy Belliveau and Derek Cormier. It was a cool start, especially for Andy, since he rode 250km early in the morning just to get to the ride. We rode through some beautiful backroads and stopped for lunch at the Turkey Burger in Cookville. The day turned into a glorious one for end of October. Derek brought his drone along so he took some cool shots near Mahone Bay, see the pictures on this page.

Overall I managed to have a good motorcycle season, there's never enough riding but no breakdowns or incidents is a good season in my book. I officially stored my bike for the winter on November 13th, which is typically the same time every year since the days are shorter and weather gets quite unpredictable.

Happy Holidays to all!

Claude aka MotorcycleClaude

CT/RI

Hi, I’m Greg Mitchell, a.k.a. Mitch. I’ve been in COG about a dozen years and now have some time to give back to the club that has provided so much camaraderie and enjoyment over the years.

I inhabit the NW corner of CT in the Litchfield Hills, tucked up near the borders of MA and NY. Actually, probably ride in the Hudson Valley and the Berkshires as much, if not more, than in the Nutmeg state. But still have CT themed rides. An Indian Summer run to Hammonasset Beach for seafood and a stroll. Also, a ride over to Gillette castle, taking the ferry across the Thames. How about a trip across state to the popular biker Vanilla Bean Cafe? Then, longer day rides,

Terry Faherty #792

Greg Mitchell #8852

Claude Doucet #9011

maybe to the ‘Cats of NY or the Greens of VT. Lots of excellent riding in the area, no lack of possibilities.

As the riding season is unfortunately nearing (or reached) its close, now is the time to start planning next season’s adventures. Let’s think about a social gathering after the snow flies and starts piling up. Looking at the center of gravity for the CT/RI members (and geography) puts us in the vicinity of East Hartford/ Manchester or thereabouts. Any ideas, please shoot me a pm.

Hope to catch new faces, as well as familiar ones for a ride, a meal, or kicking tires in the parking lot after an excellent riding day at one of our Rallies!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Finally, and sadly, Richard de Jong, COG # 2672 and long-time member of COG and the COG GTA group, passed away from prostate cancer on November 1st. He was diagnosed over eight years ago and initially given three to five years by his original oncologist. (When the five year mark was surpassed I suggested we should go see the oncologist and beat the living be-jeebers out of him but Richard demurred!)

He was treated as an out-patient at Princess Margaret Hospital here in Toronto. PMH is a world renown cancer treatment and research centre, dealing with all forms of cancer. He was put on medication to reduce his PSA level; it did drop but it was still way above normal. His own efforts to improve his chances included naturopathic and holistic medicines and

improving an already healthy diet. He went through chemo and radiation therapies at PMH and signed up for as many clinical studies for which he could qualify. He did the latter for himself, of course, but also for altruistic reasons; research is at the core of finding cures. He wanted to a part of the solution if he could. And he had a good and hopeful attitude about his condition which certainly helped. But the cancer had spread to his bones which affected his mobility and to his lungs. It was from consequences of the latter that he passed from this life on November 1. He was 67 years old.

I joined COG in the summer of 2003 and Richard was one of the first COGgers I met at the monthly COG Southern Ontario (as it was then known) meet and greets. He was a prime mover in setting up a booth for COG at the

Seasons greetings to the Northeast riders and readers from the soon to be Great White North.

Our monthly meetings have been well attended through the autumn months. A few even rode out to the November meeting in temps getting down to freezing. We are a hearty bunch, we Canadians!

After a two year hiatus the North American International Motorcycle Super Show, aka the bike show is back on in January, 2023. If you want some details, please see the January calendar for a link to the shows' web page. Other than the past two years we have had a booth in the show since at least 2004. We will have a members' bike on display in the booth as in past years. Weather is a big factor in loading and transporting a bike. I know from experience just how much fun it is doing both in the cold and/or slush. Nonetheless, we'll have our large COG banner on display. This year Canadian Kawasaki gave us one of their green and black Big K banners which we'll hang below the COG banner. Our thanks to Kawasaki for this donation. Steve Smith sent me, via fellow AAD Derek Pugh in Ottawa, a smaller banner which we will hang from the front of our table. We will have literature and a sign-up sheet for postshow follow up. Every year we have Connie owners come to the booth ignorant of our existence. So much for the internet providing access to information or peoples curiosity!! Nonetheless, the show is a lot of fun allowing us meeting new people and spread the word about COG.

Mitch Greater Toronto

Dave Perkins #5932

January 2004 motorcycle show. He had been working a booth for Americade at the show for a few years and it was he or one of the other original members who suggested COG have a booth in the show as well. Nonetheless, he stepped up and ordered a 10'X4' banner with the COG logo and motto, built a knock-down support stand for same, and we were in business. The general booth layout I described above has stayed the same since that first show. I worked that show and save for one year when a winter vacation caused a conflict and the past two years thanks to Covid, I've worked every show since. We have kept the same format for the booth through the years. I took over the planning of the booth about 8 years ago. I now have the banner and support stand in my possession for future years. Our thanks to Richard for all of his good work on behalf of COG and COG GTA.

Aside from COG, Richard was an active motorcyclist and enjoyed sport touring with his wife, Bev, whether on his Gold Wing or "at its finest" on his '98 Connie. Both bikes had trailer hitches as he and Bev preferred to pull a trailer and camp when traveling. In 2008 or 2009 he got involved with the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. He and his friend Steve Henry, also a Connie owner, set up their bikes to carry videographers who were facing backwards to

cover the race with their cameras. They attached cross bars and foot boards to the hitches for the passenger's. comfort. They had power taps for the camera and communications gear used by the passenger. Clever fellows, those two. Another aspect of covering the Marathon is that you are driving very slowly, usually in the 10-12 mph range, rarely getting out of first gear. A set of Steve "Shoodaben" Sefsick's torque cams helped with lots of low end grunt! The Toronto marathon is in the autumn so overheating is not a concern but he also did marathons, triathlons and Ironman/ Ironwoman competitions during the summer throughout eastern Canada and the US northeast. He set up an override switch for the fan switch to keep the engine, and therefore himself, as cool as possible. As I said, a clever fellow. Richard was very "open source" about the changes he made to his Connie, particularly lighting; he was an early prophet of conspicuity. If you saw something you liked on his Connie he would pass on the information and offer to assist if asked. This is very much in the COG tradition.

His beloved Connie is going to a good home. His nephew in Alberta will be collecting the bike in the spring. I'll contact him at that time to put him in touch with any local COG members. I wish him many years of comfort and trouble free riding on the C10.

Richard leaves Bev, his wife of 41 years, and all of his friends both in and out of COG. He was a good man, a good husband and a good friend I will miss him. Though he was not a religious man, I say without irony, Godspeed to him.

I've included a picture of Richard in better days on his beloved 1998 C10.

And on a personal note, I'm going to briefly preach. To all of you guys out there over 40, get your PSA tested every year. It is not a fool proof method to detect prostate cancer but it is all we have at present. If your family doctor balks at getting you tested, I suggest you insist as it is your health. If he persists then find a new MD! I have been tested annually since my mid 40s and it was a spike in the PSA in April of 2018 just after my 69th birthday, that drove a biopsy and that proved I had prostate cancer. Fortunately, it was discovered fairly early and has responded to drug, chemo and radiation therapies. I consider myself very fortunate indeed. I am by no means cured but at present my prostate is essentially an inert lump. That I can live with.

E-gards! Dave

COG NE (MA.ME/NH/VT) END-OF-YEAR SOCIAL

Appropriately, the weather was a bit cold and blustery for our “End-Of-The Season Social”. Even so, on December 10th we had 17 members gather at the Horseshoe Pub & Restaurant in Hudson, MA for a tasty lunch and get together. The attendees were Kevin Martin, David Fazzuoli, Lyle Cooper, John McQuade, Gary Zullig, Wayne & Maryann Geiser, Steve & Rita Renaut, Paul & Loretta Medeiros, Bruce Gilman, Michael Benjamin, James & Kris Gavin and Christian DuPuis (our Canadian contingent!). There were numerous tall tales and riding stories (actually one and the same!) swapped and info on upcoming events was discussed. All-in-all it was an enjoyable get together of both old and new members.

- Coop

Brian Felice - In Memoriam

By Steve Smith

We lost Brian on November 11, 2022. His health hadbeendeteriorating the last years due to Pulmonary Fibrosis. Here is the link to Brian’s qui6te detailed obituary. www.charltonandgroomefuneralhome.com/obituary/Brian-Felice … and the photo slideshow put together by one of the family members. https://drive.google.com/file/d/19SbzeuYEJUMuRlgGAtnNxA-gz4GwnbtI/view? ts=6378fe3b&fbclid=IwAR26K4mDf8odMeVJCEQWoj45O-C5NrfLg8m2ZNFJ_2vlQvp-N2LGy2ijXYY

Brian joined COG in April 2010. However, he began hanging around the club a year or so earlier on the forum. Several of us first met him December 2009 at the Connecticut End of Season Bash. Linda and I sat at a table with him and his wife Andrea, along with Bob & Cindy Barbanti. Bob and Brian had had a prior connection, and was interesting to observe the banter and mild ribbing. It may have been that evening of frivolity that got him to join the club – maybe Bob remembers better than I do. After joining the club, Brian and Andrea became very involved in the club first by hosting the 2012 NE Area Spring Fling Rally in Westerly RI. After that they became AADs 2013-2015 and organized many meet & greets. For many years Brian was a member of the MA Tech Crew too.

Brian contributed a considerable amount of C14 technical knowledge to the club. He documented his installation of a Rostra cruise control, and these instructions became the de facto standard for other members who installed them. He also developed a Fuel Warning eliminator harness.

He was able to articulate how KiPASS worked and had a strong fondness of it and on several occasions he demonstrated the robustness of the KiPASS fob. At our first meeting he immersed his fob into a glass of water, and then left it there as he proceeded outside to his bike to demonstrate that the bike started. At fu-

ture

Brian had a very outgoing personality… funny, smart, pragmatic. Both of us being engineers and a few common interests, we seemed to click. I totally enjoyed our lengthy and engaging phone conversations. Seeing him at club events was always entertaining. No one I know is a better storyteller than Brian. His detailed telling of his experience completing an IBA CC50 was riveting and humorous. He had the ability to make the simplest joke hilarious. If you ask those who knew Brian what they remember most, I will bet his telling of the “Cat Joke” would be near the top the list.

gatherings he repeated the same demonstration, once using a pint of beer and another time a glass of whiskey.

If you have never witnessed the telling of the “Cat Joke”, now you can. Many thanks to Wayne Geiser for providing this video: https://youtu.be/Blz8dO9wvRk

Terry Faherty stated… “You knew if Brian was at a rally it was going to be a good time. His self deprecating sense of humor was infectious and the dreaded "cat joke" was legendary (just ask Andrea). He gave so much to this club over the years thanks to his technical skills. At the Mount Snow national he spent hours out in the heat working on other peoples' bikes at tech sessions, taking the time to explain exactly what he was doing at each step so others could understand. Each year at the "Hableloys" tech sessions he'd dutifully be changing batteries on tps monitors for anyone who needed it. As an AAD he hosted rides and assisted with countless rallies. I was lucky enough to visit Brian and Andrea in August while at the Dog Days Rally with Steve Smith and Marc Hering and even though he was not 100% he was still keeping us laughing. He will be missed. Fair winds and following seas my friend.”

Marc Hering wrote… “There have been many memories of Brian, he was always willing to give his knowledge and experience to help out anyone. At the COG national, in Vermont, he dedicated hours of his time showing people how to adjust head bearings on the C14 or lubing drive splines. He was always willing to help. If you had a question he was always willing to answer. Probably my favorite memory, was from a regional rally we had in Rhode Island (That Brian and Andrea hosted). We were all at the hotel at night in the parking lot drinking as we always did, and if you know Brian, you know he loves his box wine (Cardbordaux ) well we were drinking, and Brian had everyone belly laughing, between his delivery of jokes, (and the famous cat joke) he could make anyone laugh. But as the night went on, Brian was shall we say feeling no pain LOL. At some point Andrea decides to go to bed and quietly takes the box with her, Brian didn’t realize she had done that, and he finishes his joke, then starts looking around, kind of like an owl, and then he was like (in that deadpan way he delivered every joke ) “There was a box here, now there isn’t, this is interesting” and spent 5 minutes trying to puzzle out what had happened. We all will miss him greatly”

Pat Mulloy posted in the forum… “He was a great friend, had a wealth of knowledge on many things including the C14 and will be sadly missed. Our tech days wouldn't have been the same without his knowledge and helping prevent me from letting members try to do too much to a C14 during a single day event, Thank You Brian! I also got to meet Kirby [the KiPASS mascot] and Mr. Elkhoof several times over the years and will miss them and the stories that went along with them. Thinking about this in the moment, I will miss the "Cat Joke" and the priceless reaction people would get during a telling of said joke as they watched Andrea and I go through our laughing fits, feeding off one another. Ahh, Good times!”

Steve Rutter… “I’m deeply saddened as well. I first met Brian in person at the NE Spring Fling in Bedford Pa over 10 years ago. I was well aware of his persona and humor on the forum prior to meeting him, and in person he was amazing. He contributed mightily to the entire COG community. His fuel warning eliminator for the C-14 was a great idea. He was the foremost expert on KIPASS also providing a product to solve the early stuck spring issue. I was always impressed with his deep knowledge on so many subjects, not just motorcycles. Everything from stacking wood, to well you name it. I called him the professor since he could explain things so well with examples. Over the years he and I exchanged many personal messages discussing a variety of subjects. I was always impressed by how much effort he put into these conversations. Who can forget him shaving Chuck’s beard with a straight razor at the JC national? He left a strong mark on COG and will be deeply missed”

Spring Fling!

Spring Fling in the Queen City

May 18-21, 2023

With a desire for new adventures, I’m glad to announce that this year’s Spring Fling will be in Cumberland, MD.

Full event details and & online registration: https://concours.org/event-5065658

Located in western Maryland, Cumberland is away from all the traffic and congestion of the east side that some of you may be familiar with. You’ll be able to ride all the great roads north of Cumberland heading into Bedford, PA (home to past Flings). The Appalachian Alps of West Virginia are just a short ride south. If you must look at the map now, find Seneca Rocks, WV and then look for routes 250 or 33. Both run east to west and are by far two of the best in the region! Oh, don’t forget Historic Route 40. Don't worry, we'll have some nice example routes available for download as the event gets closer.

For those looking for a little history while at the Fling be sure to visit the Western MD. Railroad and the Allegany Museum. You might even want to book a train ride from Cumberland to Frostburg, MD or take the Potomac Eagle in Romney, WV.

As done in the past, we’re forgoing a Banquet giving folks the opportunity to eat where and when they want. Some suggestions would be, The Crabby Pig, Oscars, Ottaviani’s, and don’t forget Ice Cream at the Queen City Creamery! Here is a link to the regional tourism website.

We’ve secured lodging in the heart of town so that when you’re not riding you can easily explore the town.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Cumberland 21 Wineow St, Cumberland, MD 21502; phone: 301-722-0340

Special group rate: 139 USD per night (king or double queen) Book your room early as there are a limited number of rooms in our block. The last day to book a room at the group rate is Tuesday, April 18, 2023

If calling the hotel to book your room, mention Concours Owners Group to get rooms in our block at the discounted rate.

To make your reservations online, use the link below:

Fairfield Inn and Suites Cumberland COG Group

If you need help making reservations, contact the hotel directly.

Jason, COG #32

RIDES & EVENTS

Time listed is START time. Visit www.cog-online.org for updates and more details.

(ON) Fri Sun, Jan 6-8

North American International Motorcycle Supershow

COG GTA has had a booth in the show since the late ‘90’s (except during COVID) and will return in 2023. South Sound Mall, 711 Sleater Kinney Rd, SE, Lacey, WA 98503. See more details at https://motorcyclesupershow.ca/

(ON) Tues, Jan 10, 6:30PM

COG GTA Meet & Greet

COG GTA Monthly Meet & Greet second Tuesday. We'll meet at The Red Harp Pub 137 Mill St. E, Acton, ON from 6:30 - 8:30 for a casual gettogether of COG members and like minded riders. All are welcome.

DAVE PERKINS 416.691.2191 perkins43@rogers.com

(ON) Wed, Jan 11, 6:30PM

COG GTA East Meet & Greet

(CT)

Sat, Jan 7, 12:30PM Meet, Eat, Ride

It’s all in the title! W-wheels are not required to attned. Meet at HooDoo Brown BBQ, 967 Ethan Allen Hwy., Ridgefield, CT 06877. There are ni registration fees, but please sign up online so we have an idea of how many people to expect.

JOHN PURDY jnyrocket@yahoo.com

COG GTA East Monthly Meet & Greet second Wednesday. We'll meet at Royal Oak Pub, 617 Victoria St. W., Whitby, ON from 6:30 - 8:30 for a casual get-together of COG members and like minded riders. All are welcome.

DAVE PERKINS 416.691.2191 perkins43@rogers.com

Hidden in the lush green southwest coastal mountains of Oregon, Canyonville is a quaint little town surrounded by amazing roads, stunning scenery, and bucket-list attractions. The mild June climate, an average high of 78° with low humidity, is perfect for all the fun outdoor activities like motorcycle riding. With both lodging and camping options near each other, and a free shuttle to move between them, it's easy to gather up your friends and riding buddies for food, riding, and adventures.

You can register for the rally and book your rooms now. Visit the rally web pages for complete details: www.concours.org/national/2023-Rally

Concours Owners Groupsm NORTHEAST AREA NEWS

Published 5 times a year for the Concours

photo courtesy Kevin Martin #145