AZ COGers get together, MEET AND GREET POST

[Bullheadbert]

Brian suggested that we do "some nominal rides for meet & greet purposes".  Sounds like a great idea.  I'd like your input.  Brian's in Prescott Valley.  That general area is easily doable for about 61% of the AZ riders - yes, I can count on my fingers and toes, as well as, add, subtract, divide and multiply by one.

As a suggestion we could meet in Prescott... say at Sue Ann's Apple Pan for a meet & greet.  Brian's offered to scout out a ride for us. Thank you Sir.  If your interested please reply or if your shy send a PM.  We can work out the date and time.

Tucson, you're invited to hitch up the Connie and head north or we can also do something in your area... it's your call.  I am at your service.

Bert

 

[KE6IRJ]

There is a great little place called Blue Hills in Dewey.

As for rides, how long do we want?  Schedules are tough for some, so I wondered how long folks are thinking?

 

[Bullheadbert]

There is a great little place called Blue Hills in Dewey.

As for rides, how long do we want?  Schedules are tough for some, so I wondered how long folks are thinking?

Hard to say, good point, let's see what our AZ brethren think.

Bert

 

[jbinaz]

Yes, There has not been much activity in AZ for quite a while,  Have been a memeber of COG for over 13 years now. Back around 1999-2002 we had some good activity / group rides, had  3-5 members in the Phoenix area and we would get together with the Tucson members. we would try to get about 3-4 group rides in a year.  We seemed to kick off the year with a breakfast meet in March and would meet in Glode, seemed to be middle ground between Phoenix-Tucson. We would throw out ideas for the year. Some of the rides I have been on with the group were;

1. The breakfast meeting in Globe
2. Weekend to Silver City, NM
3. Meet in Tucson, did a day trip loop of Southern AZ.
4. PHX, Wickenberg, Jerome, Cottonwood back to Phoenix.
5. Weekend trip from Phoenix-Ruidso,NM meet in Lordburg with the Tucson group and head for Ruidso.
6. Prescott, Watson Lake, Sedona, back to Phoenix.

  I have planned a few group rides in the past, One ride was in April for AZ Bike Week.  Started out in PHX, went to Globe, Roosevelt Lake, back down 87 and finished at Westworld to take in bike week if you wanted to.  had a pretty good turn out for this.

Yes, I agree we need to get some activity going.  A meet and greet would be a good start.

Ride Safe!  Jeff

 

[jfsims]

I have belonged to COG since 2000 and attended the National in Fresco, CO, and escorted Wolfram Tege with Harry Vanderlaan through AZ, UT and part of CO on his
cross country OTP ride in 2008.  I also participated in the Phoenix, Wickenburg, Prescott, Jerome, Cottonwood ride mentioned above with approx 20 other COGers.  That winter, the AAD
(out of Tucson) asked for ride suggestions and volunteers to lead those rides.  I did both but the AAD then disappeared and I have not seen or heard anything since. Oh well!  So I'm
glad to hear of renewed activity.  The Southwest region has the best roads, the best weather, and the most motorcycles in the country (world).  So the lack of COG activity in the Southwest
is disappointing to say the least.  If at all possible, I'll be at the meet and greet to see if we can all get organized.

 

[OMoaC]

Rock It. :great: :great: :great: :motonoises: :motonoises: :motonoises: :beerchug: :beerchug: :beerchug: Regional Rally in Utah in June. Berts Burros and Tall Tales ride. Great Job folks. Get it going, Keep it going.

 

[davemuir]

I like reading about activity out that-a-ways! :beerchug:
Love seeing some longtime members and some newer members talking about getting together!  :You_Rock_Emoticon:

 

[Bullheadbert]

To Jeff and Jim

I'm very glad that you choose to respond to this post.  You guys are the sages as you've both been there and done it.  We, the AZ members, could really use your help as you form the knowledge base of how it has been done.  A wise man once told me, "son don't try to reinvent the wheel it's already been done.  Learn from others."  Admittedly, I'm new at this, but I am trainable.

In reviewing the AZ COG membership 75% of the members, 50% in Phoenix & 25% in Tucson, live in these 2 areas.  As such they represent the hub of the wheel.  The remaining 25% are all in outlier areas, think of them as the rim of the wheel.  Thus it's difficult for me located on the rim to fully understand and appreciate your preferences and riding areas.

I would very much like to talk with both of you in regards to setting up meet & greets in an area that works for the Phoenix & Tucson members.  Would you gentlemen be interested in making it happen?  I will sent you PMs (private mail) through this forum in that regard.

Bert

 

[jbinaz]

Here are a few photos from the 2004 Jerome Ride,  Photo taken at Watson Lake during a break.

 

[KE6IRJ]

I know where that is.  Nice!

 

[jephwoyo]

Count me in. I'm a new Connie owner (about a week) but I would love to get out there and meet some fellow riders!!! I live in the east valley of Phoenix. Day trips are best for my schedule right now, but I'm not opposed to long rides as long as I have time to plan.

Jeff

 

[Bullheadbert]

Count me in. I'm a new Connie owner (about a week) but I would love to get out there and meet some fellow riders!!! I live in the east valley of Phoenix. Day trips are best for my schedule right now, but I'm not opposed to long rides as long as I have time to plan.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff.  Send me a PM with your email address and I've add you to a mailing list I developed for the AZ's.

The "meet & greet's" will happen with the help of some members that have been down that road.  I will be sending out an intro email with some general locations for the "meet and greet" then asking members to vote as to which places would work best for them.  Once we pick a location or locations we can set the specific place & time.  I will be posting in this forum and sending emails as things progress to keep everyone abreast of the particulars.

Thanks again,

Bert

 

[jfsims]

Jeff, Jeff, and Bert,
I am open to a meet and greet most days.  Lunch in Globe at Judy's Cook House, or Jerry's, or Guayos, or anywhere else works for me.  Mondays probably works best but Sat or Sun is also OK.  I am located in North Phoenix at Desert Ridge and am convenient to the east side (actually anywhere in the Phoenix Metro area) to meet up with east valley Jeff to ride to Globe together.
Jim in Phoenix.

 

[dianer22]

Hi all... I'm also in Phx (right near Tempe Marketplace) and think I ran into (not literally, thank goodness) Jeff? and David yesterday at Space Age Cafe in Gila Bend?!?!  (Sorry that the gentleman I chatted most with's name has escaped me.  I remembered David as it is also my sig. other's name but I'm horrible w/ names typically until I meet you a couple times and I was so excited about running into you guys that it just didn't stick.  ???  :-[ )

I would be interested in rides pretty much anywhere in the state (as time allows, of course) but am almost always up for a breakfast/lunch run!  As soon as it warms up just a bit more in the high country, I was going to suggest a meet up at the 260 Cafe in Payson.  Those of us from the Phx. area could meet some place locally and head up together, and others could just meet us there and then we could check out some twisties in the area (up the rim or just further north on 87?) 

Bert, I'll send you a PM w/ my email (if I haven't already as part of the Burros and Tall Tales Ride) so I can get on your list... And, anyone else, feel free to pm me your email and I'll respond w/ mine and maybe we can get some riding done w/ fellow COG'rs..

Little background...  I was down at Space Age Cafe w/ a group of Triumph riders (AZ RATPack).  They are cool and super active and actually RIDE!  I'm kinda tired of pretty much nothing but runs for charity from bar to bar to bar and no real riding unless I go by myself or w/ my sig. other...  Last week I went to a bike agnostic ride/dinner sponsored by GoAZ in Scottsdale and turns out most are also members of the AZ RATpack and they were kind enough to invite me along on their monthly breakfast ride when I lamented about the lack of groups to ride w/ that don't automatically involve multiple stops and never leave the metro area.  As I'm always looking for an excuse to get out on the road, I jumped at their invite.  We had a lovely run down Old Route 80 from the far west Valley (Buckeye) down to Gila Bend and then after breakfast, we took 238 east for a bit before splitting into two groups.  Those heading for the East Valley continued on 238 to the 347 and took that north, back at the I-10 at Queen Creek Road.    It was great to get out and ride but I LOVED seeing other COGers out and about and would have loved to have ridden w/ them!  The Triumph guys were great but it would be nice to "talk shop" about the Connies.  :motonoises:

 

[jbinaz]

LadyDi;  Yes that was Jeff you were talking to, Was nice to meet you.  David & myself and Ken on the BMW GTL 1600 were out for a day ride, we headed down I-8 to Dateland, and headed back to PHX thru Gila Bend, on 238, 347 , & I10 back home. 

Since I added my C14 to the fleet in December, I am trying to get out each month with David and friends.  I believe we will get rides in AZ going again,  It is just getting together and meeting fellow COG members,  The meet and greet will get this started.

Jeff

 

[dianer22]

Awesome, Jeff!!  Glad to have met you and David and Ken.  :beerchug:

I'll PM you my email and phone.  Feel free to email or text/call next time you guys are heading out.  Would love to ride w/you all, if you don't mind me tagging along.    :motonoises:  And I have a friend w/ a 2000 BMW K1200RS.  He's only in-country 1 out of 3 months but maybe when he's back in April he'd be able to join us so Ken didn't feel so out-numbered.  )

You guys ever do any of the Bike Nights?  I do Bikes on Main in Mesa sometimes.  And have been thinking about the one at Westgate when it starts back up. 

 

[Bullheadbert]

AZ - COG'ERS  by now you should have received an email regarding the MEET & GREET which is set for April 13th in the Prescott area.  We are working on locating a place that will accommodate our needs....that being lunch and a meeting area where we can discuss future rides and events...ride suggestions, events and thoughts on making COG work better for you are invited.

If you are an AZ - COGer and have not received the email please PM me with your name and email address so that I can update the data base and send you the present, as well as, future updates.

Your presence is requested,

Bert

 

[KE6IRJ]

I got your email and replied but never heard back, did you get it?

 

[Bullheadbert]

I got your email and replied but never heard back, did you get it?

Got your rely but at this point nothing's changed.  Reta and I are riding up to Prescott Saturday to look over some possible venues.  With respect to the time frame it will probably be sometime around lunch.  I prefer not to hold the M&G too late in the day as some folks will have a long pull home.

Will sent out an email and also post as soon as we have the venue locked down.

Sorry I didn't get back with you but things are hopping on the project as I need to get it ready for tenancy.

Bert

 

[KE6IRJ]

let me know if you plan to be here after 2. I will meet up after work. Like I said via email, the Blue Hills Cafe and Backburner are great little spots.

 

[Bullheadbert]

let me know if you plan to be here after 2. I will meet up after work. Like I said via email, the Blue Hills Cafe and Backburner are great little spots.

Reta & I are going check out some venues tomorrow.  I checked my COG contacts and I don't have an email address for you. Could you PM it to me.

Thanks,

Bert

 

[Bullheadbert]

FINALLY, IT'S  finalized :-[.  Be advised that the M&G date has been changed to April 27th, 2013.

THE DATE:      April 27, 2013
THE TIME:      1:00 to 3:00 PM
THE PLACE:    Wyndham Hotel & Conference Center, the "Plateau Room"
                      4499 E. State Route 69
                      Prescott, AZ 86301
                      (928) 777-0064
THE LUNCH:    The Plateau Room is adjacent to the Black Canyon Grill we can order off the menu, lunch is optional.  Prices are reasonable.
THE AGENDA:  Meet & Greet, schmooze & eat, plan local rides and events, concept planning (overview & input) for the 2nd quarter 2014,
                      South West Regional Rally to be held in Arizona's backyard playground.
ARIZONA COGer's
by the time you read this post you should have received a detailed email regarding this event.  IF YOU DID NOT please send me a PM with your name, address, contact number and email address so that I my add you to the contact list.  If you've already sent me that info and didn't receive the email it means I have "fat thumbs  :-[" resulting in an input error....let me know so that I can correct it.  This goes for all AZ members and forum subscribers that would like email updates.

Thanks,
Bert, SWAAD-AZ

 

[OMoaC]

Really looking forward to meeting everyone in the AZ area and getting your suggestions and feed back. Bert, great job putting this together with the AZ Coggers. You folks are filling up my schedule and I dig it!  :great: :beerchug:

 

[Bullheadbert]

FINALLY, IT'S  finalized :-[.  Be advised that the M&G date has been changed to April 27th, 2013.

THE DATE:      April 27, 2013
THE TIME:      1:00 to 3:00 PM
THE PLACE:    Wyndham Hotel & Conference Center, the "Plateau Room"
                      4499 E. State Route 69
                      Prescott, AZ 86301
                      (928) 777-0064
THE LUNCH:    The Plateau Room is adjacent to the Black Canyon Grill we can order off the menu, lunch is optional.  Prices are reasonable.
THE AGENDA:  Meet & Greet, schmooze & eat, plan local rides and events, concept planning (overview & input) for the 2nd quarter 2014,
                      South West Regional Rally to be held in Arizona's backyard playground.
ARIZONA COGer's
by the time you read this post you should have received a detailed email regarding this event.  IF YOU DID NOT please send me a PM with your name, address, contact number and email address so that I my add you to the contact list.  If you've already sent me that info and didn't receive the email it means I have "fat thumbs  :-[" resulting in an input error....let me know so that I can correct it.  This goes for all AZ members and forum subscribers that would like email updates.

Thanks,
Bert, SWAAD-AZ

Just a reminder of the April 27th Meet & Greet

 

[KE6IRJ]

I am off at 2 in Prescott Valley, so I will be getting there as you guys wrap up, but plan to at least say hello.  :great:

 

[Bullheadbert]

I am off at 2 in Prescott Valley, so I will be getting there as you guys wrap up, but plan to at least say hello.  :great:

No worries, Mark & Christy, Reta & I are staying at the hotel as I suspect some others COGers will be there as well. Later on we may be going out for steak as Tom T. says there's a nice steakhouse nearby.  Next day, Sun, Mark & company, as well as some COGers are going to take a little ride up Mingus Mountain to Jerome, Sedona, Oak Creek then up to Flagstaff before going back to the barn.  Join us if you can. :motonoises:

 

[KE6IRJ]

I may.

 

[Bullheadbert]

AZ COGer's you should have received an email update, some house keeping, regarding the April 27th M&G.  If you have not please send me a PM in that regard.

Bert

 

[jfsims]

I am planning on attending the Prescott meet and greet on the 27th.  I will be leaving the Chevron station at
Carefree Highway and I-17 at 7:30  for breakfast at the Twin Wheels Cafe in Wickenburg.  If anyone is  interested
in taking the scenic route to Prescott with me, please send a PM and I will see if the Twin Wheels will hold their larger table. 
That should give us plenty of time to get to Prescott for the meet and greet at 1:00. 

 

[Easy13]

I'm planning to be at the M&G as well, though I'm brand new to COG (haven't even picked up the bike yet).  I'm a Prescott local and looking forward to meeting everyone and learning all I can about this new colt in my stable.  I won't be able to ride out on Sunday, as I'm loading up my Triumph and heading to a rally in NC early Sunday morning.
 
See y'all there!  :great:

 

[KE6IRJ]

Schedule changed and I hope to be there for lunch. Still optiinal for the ride Sunday.

Fyi- if garage or shop space is need for any unforseen reasons mine is available.

 

[OMoaC]

For all that are attending, Please take the time to register for the event. It helps us track participation and with planning. This event is open to the public so all can register. Great Job AZ group! :great: :beerchug:

 

[KE6IRJ]

I combed the thread hit missed where to register... link?

 

[dianer22]

I combed the thread hit missed where to register... link?

Yeah, it's not in this thread...  You have to actually go to the COG main area... From menu bar above, go to COG (between Help and Search) and then select Event Calendar from drop-down.  From there you can locate the M&G and click on it and register.

I think this only works if one is an actual member, not just a forum subscriber... but I am not positive about that...    If that is the case (about the forum subscribers), I would guess that they could either post here or send a PM to BertL should get them counted... 

 

[OMoaC]

Man, That one snuck right past me. Good catch. Try this.
http://www.cog-online.org/clubportal/EventDisplayNew.cfm?clubID=1328&EventID=184143&mo=4&tDate=%7Bd%20%272013%2D04%2D24%27%7D
And as Di said a PM or email to Bert will get it done too.

 

[Bullheadbert]

Man, That one snuck right past me. Good catch. Try this.
http://www.cog-online.org/clubportal/EventDisplayNew.cfm?clubID=1328&EventID=184143&mo=4&tDate=%7Bd%20%272013%2D04%2D24%27%7D
And as Di said a PM or email to Bert will get it done too.

Thanks Mark and Di for picking up the slack for me    It's been crazy busy around here for the last week and half      :'( ... can't even remember if I registered for the event  :-[  ...think I did.  Hope to see you all at the Meet and Greet.

Bert

 

[jbinaz]

I was wondering for awhile on how to register,  Thanks for info on how to register. Completed the registration and ready to go Saturday morning.



Thanks Jeff

 

[Bullheadbert]

JUST A REMINDER  :singing: Meet & Greet on schedule for tomorrow, 1-3 PM, at the Wyndham Gardens Hotel in Prescott.

Agenda as follows:  Meet, greet, lunch and schmooze.  Talk about doing some AZ rides this year.  Talk about organizing the Regional Rally hosted by the AZer's in the 2nd quarter of 2014.

Look forward to seeing you at the schmooze-fest tomorrow.

Bert

 

[OMoaC]

Hasta Manyana. Everyone ride safe. The weather looks awesome :beerchug: :motonoises:

 

[KE6IRJ]

It was great meeting everyone today!  Have fun on tomorrow's ride.

 

[jbinaz]

Enjoyed meeting everyone, We had a Great Turn out,  and great discussion for future events.

:great:

 

[KE6IRJ]

Got my pictures uploaded...

 

[Bullheadbert]

Thanks everyone for attending the M&G.  We had 12 bikes, 19 attendees at our little AZ soiree.  Overall a very good turn out.  One of our attendees was a walk-in who was just curious as to who we where and stayed for lunch and camaraderie.  Seems she is a Duc owner and rider but has no riding buddies in the Prescott area.  Lady Di has consented to be her "riding angle" as Di knows another gal in the area that also rides....thanks Dianne.

I will be out of town for a week and on the road.  Upon my return I'll begin contacting members and solidifying some of the suggestions and plans so that we can develop a calendar of events for the remainder of the year, as well as, begin culling locations and rides for the 2014 SW Regional Rally.

Special thanks to Mark Hartman the SW AD, also my ONBF, for attending.  Tom T. of Tucson for his suggestion and interest in hosting a Tombstone/Bisbee overnight ride in the fall...when you catch one of those 3 legged chickens let me know I'm up for some hot wings.

Thanks everyone,  :great:

Bert

 

[dianer22]

Thanks Bert for putting this together and super big Thank YOU to all who showed up!  It was great to see so many folks interested in getting together and riding! 

The ride on Sunday was lovely.  Some great twisties to Jerome and great weather.  We even detoured a bit and I took the group (4 bikes) down 179 a bit just so Mark and Christy (sp?) were able to see the southern section of Sedona too.  They seemed enamored and interested in returning.  :great:

The ride up Oak Creek Canyon was not the most exciting (why do slow drivers not think they are slow drivers and pull over?!?) but still a lovely ride thru the trees and the smell of pine in the higher elevations was great!  Brief stop at the overlook and then we headed on and basically split up at the 17/40 junction...  Those heading to Lakeside headed east, those heading to Henderson, NV, took off west and I started my southerly journey down Lake Mary Road.  What a great ride that portion was!  Didn't really even see any vehicles heading my direction until just outside of Payson! 

274 miles from the hotel to my house!  A good day's ride! 

Looking forward to riding with you guys!  Get those suggestions to Bert!! 

And Bert, I'm not sure I'll be her "ride angle" but I might be able to manage "ride angel"  )  I'll touch base w/ her shortly and hook up the two Prescott gals!  Ride safe and looking forward to hearing of your road adventures. 

 

[OMoaC]

I'm still decompressing and catching up. I want to say again that I am very proud of the enthusiasm and participation in the SW AZ area. I broke out the crystal ball and I see great things happening in this area with your involvement. Everyone had great ideas and great suggestions. Nobody was shy with questions or input and that's the way it should be. Every event just get's bigger with more participation. The AZ area has thrown down the gauntlet, faces have been slapped and the challenge is on. The Sunday ride was awesome and inspiring. Thanks Di for leading. A truly enjoyable weekend with good people. I'll be posting my pics soon. Keep up the great work. C U in CC
Mark Hartman
COG/SWAD

 

[OMoaC]

:great: :beerchug:

 

[Motomaniac]

Nice pictures and that group picture....very cool! I am sorry we could not make it. We were making a day of it in Laughlin. Hopefully next time. Mark was your bike ok?  :motonoises:

 

[OMoaC]

Nice pictures and that group picture....very cool! I am sorry we could not make it. We were making a day of it in Laughlin. Hopefully next time. Mark was your bike ok?  :motonoises:

Thx for the call Russ. Just scratches and a very angry OMoaC. Really wanted some revenge but the good angel won. Fill you in in CC.