COGNW Area Director s Winter 2010 Report and Riding Advice

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1 Winter 2010 Reports pp 2-6 Ride and Event Schedule Pp 9-11 NW Area Officers p 8 COGNW Area Director s Winter 2010 Report and Riding Advice Winter is definitely here, and as big as the Northwest area is weather can be diverse, and we all suffer winter s inconveniences. It s not unusual to find coastal and inland fog during the day and sometimes freezing fog, a phenomenon I ve only experienced in the Northwest; snow and extreme cold in the mountains and rain everywhere west of the Cascades. Winter riding can be slim to none, yet we ride. Most of you know I teach motorcycle safety as well as Driver Education. As a result I think I ve become a better rider/driver, yet even with my training I too have encountered situations where I wished I knew more, or had better skills. Winter riding can be more than just a challenge, it can be risky business. Please consider the following points and as a result I hope you will all be safer when you do ride in these typical northwest cold and wet conditions. 1. Dress for the worst. ATGATT should be a mantra. Especially in the cold and wet. And make sure you have lots of retro-reflective gear to increase your presence on the road. 2. Keep the bike in top condition. Again this should be a mantra but even more critical now. 3. Slow down. This allows you more reaction time. Just in case you need it, and you will. 4. Increase your following distance from the vehicle in front of you. Again reaction time. 5. Don t ride in temps under 34. (I know many eyes are rolling on this one.) On the west side of the Cascades you will, (yes will!) find ice frozen roads somewhere in temps hovering around 34. And riding at speed on frozen tundra ain t good for traction.. Now on the very dry east side of the Cascades there will be different conditions. But cold is cold, freezing is freezing, so. 6. Head and eyes up! Easy to forget when you are cold. 7. Limit riding/exposure time. You are not Superman and cold weather saps energy quickly. 8. Start warm, stay warm. If you have electrics, use them sooner not later. If you don t have any, buy some! An electric jacket liner or vest can be a lifesaver. Even heated grips or gloves can increase your blood flow, thus increasing your concentration on the road. 9. Do your best to avoid winter night riding. Everything is harder to see in winter darkness. 10. I don t have a number 10, so re-read 1 through 9! I find winter riding fun, however in these conditions risks can increase. So ride smarter and not harder. Northwest COG once again had a strong showing at the Qwest Expo Center Seattle International Motorcycle show. The Kawasaki booth was a large kiosk for the C14 and it seemed to attract more attention than anything else on display. Saturday s lunch at Sneakers was well attended and speaking for everyone in attendance, we all had a good time seeing the regulars and several of our new COGNW members. Thanks everyone! I ve also asked the AAD s to post 2010 rides and wrench sessions, so please check our calendar of events often for updates. I hope to see you at a ride or rally this winter, and certainly I ll be seeing you sometime this spring. Thanks again for your ongoing support of NWCOG, and as always Ride Safe and Have Fun! Bob Pappalardo NWAD, COG #5539

2 NWCOG 2009 Seattle International Motorcycle show Once again, NWCOG teamed up with the International Motorcycle show helping to staff the Club Connection Booth at the recent show in Seattle. This has been an annual trek for many of us to drool over the newest machines, gadgets and even more so enjoy the friendly and familiar company of the COG community. Around 20 new and old COGgers met for lunch at Sneakers across the street from the Expo center for a meal, and more so for good conversation. This year s show was a bit lighter in attendance, both in offerings and people, but I for one had a good time. In my mind three bikes really stood out, the newest Honda VFR, the BMW sport bike and the Concours 14. We have all read about it and a lucky few have actually ridden the new C-14 as it is a marvelous machine with a large number of changes and improvements that truly boggle this simple mind. A special thanks to Roland Vetter, Fred Dykins and Doug Horton for volunteering their time to staff the booth, your efforts are much appreciated. Thanks again and I hope we can do it again next year! Bob Pappalardo NWAD #5539 Here are a couple pictures of the event: The C-14 Marque. This was a very busy booth! 2

3 NWCOG 2009 Seattle International Motorcycle show (continued) Big Dan Paulsen and a gaggle of Coggers at Sneakers restaurant in Seattle Colin Prior and his newest Concours re-incarnation just outside the Expo Center 3

4 NWCOG 2009 Seattle International Motorcycle Show (continued) Colin Prior, Bob Rainey, Roland Vetter & Chris Pearsall at the Club Connection Booth 2009 NWCOG Volcano Ride 12 in God's Country The 12th running of the NWCOG Volcano Ride? Geez, this is becoming a good habit! Well attended with 12 riders in a variety of riding machines including C10's and C14's. This year the ride was only posted on Concours related forums. The past few years attendance of 25 was a bit much for this host to deal with. As always any rider on any bike brand was welcome. Meeting at the usual location with some of the usual suspects at the Randle WA, Mt Adams Family restaurant on Us Hwy 12. Some arrived early for brekie and 'truth telling from the bench'. (continued ) 4

5 Weather this year was much cooler than norm. Windy Ridge is the SW viewpoint of the Mt Ste Helens crater and was socked in with fog and 40 degrees? Cold. We did not dither there for long and swept back down the mountain curves for lower elevations. The route never gets old to me. The beauty, elevations, curves up, down, along rivers and streams through these densely wooded areas are a delight. Challenging, undulating roads with some pavement sinks and possibilities of deer and elk encounters. Spirited riding requires concentration and vigilance. I thank all for their safe riding skills. After riding FR 23, 90 and Curley Creek road the Wind River road takes us come down to Carson and to the Columbia Gorge. What a view! Always spectacular. Heading east along the south side of the Gorge on WA 14 near Hood River we see many wind surfers. This is one of the most popular spots in the world for this recreation as the wind is funneled as the gorge narrows a bit. 5 (continued)

6 Stopping in Bingen for lunch at the local Mexican restaurant. Good reviews on the food and prices. Deeeelightful! That is one description of hwy WA 142 up the Klickitat, then along the Glenwood road riding the canyon edges. Whoohoo! We pass near Mt Adams on FR 23 turning west on FR 90 that goes on and on... one sweeper after the next. Will this road ever straighten? Back to FR 23 which again has the beautiful forest and Mt. St. Helens views with many twisties leading us back to Randle again. (Get your magnifiers for the fine details on the map!!) It was a happy day riding with old and new pals. See ya on the August 7th if you dare! - Dan Paulsen 6

7 Roland mans the Club Connection booth at the International Motorcycle Show in Seattle Sean Matson, on a KLR 650, running along the east side of Banks Lake in Washington 7

8 Rob and Sean Matson take a break while traveling The Magruder Corridor on a beautiful August day. Magruder Corridor is a fabulous stretch of 100+ miles of Forest Service gravel road, separating two wilderness areas to the north and south, while crossing the Idaho-Montana border between Elk City, Idaho, and Darby, Montana. A great dual sport destination! NW Area Director Bob Pappalardo #5539 (541) bobpappalardo@q.com 152 Bree Dr. Winston, OR Assistant Area Directors Alaska Gary Benson (907) bensonga@gci.net 9843 Little Diomede Circle Eagle River, Alaska Idaho Mike Curtiss #4811 (208) concblue@msn.com 426 North A Street Grangeville, ID Montana Jack Salsbury #5368 (406) salsbury@bresnan.net 2924 Macona Ln Billings, MT Oregon Steve Mustoe #3805 (541) mustoe@4j.lane.edu 720 Foothill Drive Eugene, OR Saskatchewan Jim and Helen Tait #413 (306) TAIT@siast.sk.ca 2426 Arlington Ave. Saskatoon, SK S7J 2J1 NW Area Officers 8 Washington South Puget Sound Dan Paulsen #2877 Cell (253) danodemotoman@yahoo.com PO Box 735 Graham, WA Washington South Darrell Anderson (360) darrell_cog@yahoo.com 171 Sanjen Lane Stevenson, WA Wyoming Keith Collins #2097 (307) sunsetrim@hotmail.com 90 Sunset Rim Cody, WY NWCOG Support Staff Chief Engineer Rich Reed #7 (425) richreed@nwlink.com th Ave. NE Woodinville, WA Newsletter Editor Rob Matson #6362 (360) rob.matson@comcast.net th Ave SE Enumclaw, WA 98022

9 ~~ 2010 Event Calendar ~~ Western Washington Spring Wrench Session Saturday, April 3, 2010 Early spring wrench session at Colin and Nancy s pad in the north Seattle area. Bring your own supplies as necessary. Be prepared to learn the intricacies of valve adjustments, doing your own while you have experienced eyes to guide you! More details to follow, keep your eye on the NW calendar for updates at Contact: Colin Prior, , colinp@reaxion.com Location: th Ave NE, Lake Forest Park, WA Ride to the Museum Saturday, April 17, 2010 Vintage Motorcycle Museum, a great stop located in a small Washington town with lovely riding nearby! N. Market Blvd. Chehalis, WA (360) voice Meet at 10AM, admission is $5. Ride to lunch 12 noon. If you have any questions, drop me an danodemotoman@yahoo.com NW Seasonal Warmer Saturday, May 1, 2010 Join Colin Prior for ride in the northwest, route To Be Determined, but generally to the north of Seattle. Again, keep your eyes on the calendar at for updates. Contact: Colin Prior, , colinp@reaxion.com Location: th Ave NE, Lake Forest Park, WA The Bun Cooler May 21 23, 2010 The 19th Annual Bun Cooler is back! Be a part of the longest running COG rally in history and join us. Hosted by Mike Curtiss this is the premier kickoff event for all NWCOGGERS, and the unofficial "season opener" for the Northwest! We ll once again be at the Lewis & Clark Resort in Kamiah, Idaho on highway 12. Same great location as last year! The resort is nestled at the base of the famous motorcycle mecca, "Lolo Pass". You've seen the sign "Winding Road Next 77 Miles", now make the ride! There is no set ride schedule, and no rally fee. Saturday evening dinner buffet will include your choice of Prime Rib or Cornish Game hens, hors d'oeuvres (that's appetizers in French), veggies, salad, nonalcoholic beverages and dessert. A great meal for around $ Please Mike Curtiss 9

10 ~~ 2010 Event Calendar ~~ (continued) with your main course preference so he can get a head count to the restaurant. Reservations for rooms must be made early! Hit up or call them or Reservations are filling up fast!! Overflow motel is the Clearwater 12 motel in Kamiah: Clearwater 12 Motel Box 1168 Kamiah, ID Phone: (208) The Clearwater 12 is right in Kamiah. As always please identify yourself as a COG member for the better rate. Thanks again and see ya there! Questions? Host Mike Curtiss at concblue@msn.com Idaho AAD Or Bob Pappalardo, NWAD at nwad@cog-online.org More contact information in NW Area Officers section found elsewhere in the newsletter. Anchorage to Hope June 12, 2010 Join Alaska AAD Gary Benson for another of his day rides experiencing the incredible beauty Alaska has to offer! Meet in the Huffman Carrs parking lot. Depart at 10:30am. Contact: Gary Benson, (907) , bensonga@gci.net Eagle River to Sheep Mountain Lodge July 10, 2010 Join Alaska AAD Gary Benson for another of his day rides experiencing the incredible beauty Alaska has to offer! Meet in the Eagle River Carrs parking lot. Depart at 10:30am. Contact: Gary Benson, (907) , bensonga@gci.net Northwest Volcano Run Saturday, August 7, 2010 Join Dan Paulsen, and meet at the Adams Family Restaurant in Randle, WA (State Route 12) for the 8th annual NWCOG Volcano Run. Breakfast at 7:30 am and riding begins at 8:30 am. The trip will be an all day event up to Mt St. Helens Windy Ridge Observation point, then back down and around to the Columbia River Gorge and Bingen for lunch about 1PM. Then up to Trout Lake and back to Randle. Almost all on National Forest Service Roads (all paved though some a bit rough) so be prepared for some time in the saddle. This is a great day to see some of the best mountain scenery in the great Northwest. Hope to see you then! If you have any questions, drop me an danodemotoman@yahoo.com Need Updating? If you have any changes to your contact information, please take a moment and let our Membership Director, at membership@cog-online.org know. 10

11 ~~ 2010 Event Calendar ~~ (continued) Columbia Gorge Tour August 13-15, 2010 Join COG Membership Director Darrell Anderson for The Columbia River Gorge Tour! The Columbia River Gorge is without a doubt one of the most beautiful areas in the entire Northwest. Come out and explore everything! The Gorge has hundreds of miles of the very best roads in the state, amazing views and rich history. Plenty of scenic camping space is available. For additional information check out and for any questions please contact: Darrell Anderson COG Membership Director at Darrell_COG@yahoo.com Phone: Anchorage to Seward August 14, 2010 Join Alaska AAD Gary Benson for another of his day rides experiencing the incredible beauty Alaska has to offer! Meet in the Huffman Carrs parking lot. Depart at 10:30am. Contact: Gary Benson, (907) , bensonga@gci.net Eagle River to Sheep Mountain Lodge September 11, 2010 Join Alaska AAD Gary Benson for another of his day rides experiencing the incredible beauty Alaska has to offer! Meet in the Eagle River Carrs parking lot. Depart at 10:30am. Contact: Gary Benson, (907) , bensonga@gci.net NW Mountain Loop Ride September 18, 2010 Join Colin Prior for ride out highway 20, the beautiful North Cascades highway, and back via highway w, Stevens Pass. Again, keep your eyes on the calendar at and future newsletters for updates. Contact: Colin Prior, , colinp@reaxion.com Location: th Ave NE, Lake Forest Park, WA Western Washington Fall Wrench Session October 2, 2010 Fall wrench session at Colin and Nancy s pad in the north Seattle area. Bring your own supplies as necessary. Be prepared to learn the intricacies of valve adjustments, doing your own while you have experienced eyes to guide you! More details to follow, keep your eye on the NW calendar for updates at and look for more info in future newsletters as well. Contact: Colin Prior, , colinp@reaxion.com Location: th Ave NE, Lake Forest Park, WA