2023 COG National "Coast, Craters & Curves" - June 12-16, 2023 - ( 5/11/23 updated )

[dgold]

I've been lucky to escort Udo our OTP guest during his stay.
Udo arrived in Los Angeles and was met with Russell Saunders. He had graciously loaned his 08 C14 for the duration and showed him some So Cal roads. After three days they arrived at my house where we had a short three hour tour of the hills of Santa Clarita before Russ had to return home to prepare for the Rally.. We spent two days going to the Tehachapi Loop, Santa Monica mountains, and Santa Barbara.
In June 7th we left for Solvang, Moro Bay, Elephant Seal Beach, and spent the night in Paso Robles. Then off to San Francisco and slept Sausalito. We eagerly joined the Hwy 1
up the California coast.
Charlie Gary met up with us in Fort Bragg. We all enjoyed Udo at the Rally. After the Rally Cliff Burnett joined us thru Bandon, Crescent City, Klamath Falls, Greagle, Lake Tahoe and Reno.
Sadly Charlie left us in Reno homebound.
Cliff, Udo and I passed through South Lake Tahoe, Placerville and spent two days on the 88, 4 and 108.
Spent the night in Lone Pine after going up to Whitney Portal.
The next day explored Death Valley and continued on to Vegas where we listened to Mark Owen perform for KA ( Circ de Soleil).
On my last day with Udo we met Russell Saunders in Victorville and the duo continues to parts south and I went home for a needed recovery.

 

[connie_rider]

Has Udo departed on the big bird for his flight home?

Ride safe, Ted

 

[fartymarty]

Anybody still wearing the green wrist ban?...besides me that is ? Doing an experiment to see how long it will last on my arm. I'll probably catch it on something and rip it, but maybe if I'm careful with it...??? any guesses on how long it will last with daily showering and work around the house?

 

[fartymarty]

...and it's Keith for the WIN!!!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7Tn8b27q2AVLqPJC6

 

[Motomaniac]

Has Udo departed on the big bird for his flight home?

Ride safe, Ted

He just took off at 7:15pm Pacific time Friday! We (Pam, my mom and I) had a nice dinner with him and saw him off at LAX! We really enjoyed spending time with him. He is a real gentleman and loved every minute he had here on the west coast! We look forward to seeing him again one day!

 

[Motomaniac]

...and it's Keith for the WIN!!!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7Tn8b27q2AVLqPJC6

Keith is badass! Very Cool video! I tried my best but it was not good enough!

 

[Motomaniac]

Anybody still wearing the green wrist ban?...besides me that is ? Doing an experiment to see how long it will last on my arm. I'll probably catch it on something and rip it, but maybe if I'm careful with it...??? any guesses on how long it will last with daily showering and work around the house?

I think you can make it to next year's National!

 

[Bud]

Anybody still wearing the green wrist ban?...besides me that is ? Doing an experiment to see how long it will last on my arm. I'll probably catch it on something and rip it, but maybe if I'm careful with it...??? any guesses on how long it will last with daily showering and work around the house?

I did for months and gave it up. That was the national in Alabama. My nephew is still wearing it. Not showing any signs of failure any time soon. Are you going to take it with you when you're gone? I'm guessing it may last longer than we do.

 

[Just Cliff]

It was a pleasure for me to be part of Udo's trip of a lifetime. I had met Udo in Germany when I was the OTP traveler, but only briefly. After spending time with him & getting to know he is a great guy, not to mention fun to be around. Also enjoyed riding with & getting to know David & Charlie who I had never met before. David knows the area & lead us on some very nice roads, all 3 are good riders.

I would happily go back anytime & repeat that ride with the 3 of them!

 

[swampcat]

Photos from the National are now posted at https://gallery.edpalmer.me/COG/COG-National-2023/. All photos are geotagged with the location where they were taken and include some photos of the places I visited during the week.

These do not include the group photo; that one takes me longer because it has to be composited together from several shots so I can show everyone's good side. I left the National immediately for another week of travel, this time for business, so I have had limited time to work on the photos since departing Canyonville.

COG members (plus Udo and the OtP team) are free to download these for your personal use. You can also link to my site or individual photos. However, if you post these to social media, please credit me in your post. Although I grant use of the photos to the COG community, the copyright remains with me. If you wish to use a photo for something other than personal or social media, contact me for permission.

Enjoy!

 

[connie_rider]

Anybody still wearing the green wrist ban?...besides me that is ? Doing an experiment to see how long it will last on my arm. I'll probably catch it on something and rip it, but maybe if I'm careful with it...??? any guesses on how long it will last with daily showering and work around the house?

Wish I'd seen this earlier. I removed mine when I got home.

Ride safe, Ted

 

[connie_rider]

He just took off at 7:15pm Pacific time Friday! We (Pam, my mom and I) had a nice dinner with him and saw him off at LAX! We really enjoyed spending time with him. He is a real gentleman and loved every minute he had here on the west coast! We look forward to seeing him again one day!

Woo hooooo!!!

Much thanks to Russ/Cliff/Charlie/David/????=and others that led and lodged Udo while he was here with us.
I'll throw in a special thanks to the OtP Team that did all the Arranging. Ya did good!
Lastly, I want to thank all of you that met him and shared the COG hospitality!
I know he had a great time and will be sharing the stories of his ride of a lifetime..

Ride safe, Ted

 

[connie_rider]

I called Doug Meister and checked on him yesterday.

For those that don't know; While at the National, Doug tripped while exploring in the Redwood Forest and seriously hurt his leg.

Doug reported that the surgery was done last week, (the muscle was repaired) and he's healing nicely.

That's GREAT news!! Yaaaaaa hoooooo!!!!!

Other news; Udo made it home to his wife in Germany.
He had a great time, was very impressed by the COGdom, and is now sharing his stories and reliving his adventures with others.
We will see a ride report from him in a future Concourier.

Ride safe, Ted

 

[fartymarty]

Anybody still wearing the green wrist ban?...besides me that is ? Doing an experiment to see how long it will last on my arm. I'll probably catch it on something and rip it, but maybe if I'm careful with it...??? any guesses on how long it will last with daily showering and work around the house?

I think you can make it to next year's National!

I did for months and gave it up. That was the national in Alabama. My nephew is still wearing it. Not showing any signs of failure any time soon. Are you going to take it with you when you're gone? I'm guessing it may last longer than we do.

When I started this I thought maybe it'll make it until Halloween or maybe only until COG's Devils Cut run...but now I've got doubts about making it until Labor Day. It's starting to separate near the joint and the number is totally gone. Now since we rarely know when are end is at hand, Bud's guess might still happen, but since I haven't left any notations in my will, no it will probably not be going with me into the crematory. Call me selfish and not willing to give my all for COGdom but I'm hoping for the demise of the wristband before my own.