By Ed Frulla   Sun, Aug 07, 2011

Well we are late again.  This time we are latter than we have ever been before.  That is a product of being thrown out of our house for a week with no Internet access while the floors were refinished and a product of taking the time to create a new office for the magazine in the house.  Karen is much happier with the new floors and I have more space to work from as well.

In February during the scheduling meeting at the Boars Nest I asked Wack if I could sit in on the organizational meetings for his Make-A-Wish ride and he graciously said sure.  The article “The Making Wacks’ Ride” is the result of that.  I would like to thank Wack and his staff for putting up with me during their meetings.  As a reminder, Wacks’ Make-A-Wish Ride is scheduled for August 13, 2011.  It departs the Full Moon Bar and Grill at 11:00 AM.  Registration is from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and I promise you this event will be an exciting one.  The ride ends at the Adirondack Bar & Grill on Route 149 and there will be an all you can eat Spaghetti dinner, live entertainment, helicopter rides (additional cost) and sky divers among many other activities.  The ride route is not published until the day of the ride but the route promises to be varied and interesting.

Sometime this month our friends at Sportline Power Products are going to get a visit from me.  I finally have the cash to complete the customization of my Fury.  The plans have changed as I am going to set the Fury up for 2-up riding as I am getting tired of riding alone and want to bring Karen along.  I have not yet visited Sportline but I would like to be able to take some pictures and videos as they transform the Fury.

Our helmet cam is on order and hopefully the darn thing will arrive in time for us to use on Wacks’ ride.  I have wanted to do this for a long time and the opportunity has presented itself so I am going to take advantage of it.

I am somewhat disappointed in the Warren Country Sheriff’s Department.  I go on rides every weekend and I have noticed a pattern.  Very few rides go through Warren County.  As I attended Wacks’ organizational meetings I began to hear that the Warren County Sheriff’s Department is not very cooperative when contacted about traffic control for the charity motorcycle events.  Rumor has it that they committed to Alma’s ride for traffic control and then backed out 2 days before the event.  This is just a rumor and not a researched fact but it comes from someone that I trust.  The lack of support certainly cannot be budget because Washington, Essex and Fulton Counties seem to be able to support the events that occur in their areas of authority and I think those departments are smaller than the Warren County Department.  Most of the rides that I have been on this year originate in Washington County and there is always Officers on duty for traffic control  Those rides that do originate in Warren County make every effort to get into Washington County as rapidly as possible.  It is not because the riding is superior but when you take on the personal responsibility of keeping 200 bikes and 300 riders safe you want to go where you get the best support for traffic control.  I would like to suggest that those readers who live in Warren County contact your representative on the Warren County Board of Supervisors and let them know that this situation exists.  One function of the Sheriff’s Department is Public Safety and if their idea of Public Safety is to have hundreds of motorcycles attempt to pass through major intersections and the Village of Lake George without traffic control then something or someone needs to change.

Ride Well and Ride Safe

Ed Frulla
Publisher

By Ed Frulla   Tue, Aug 02, 2011

Ever since I started this magazine I have been intrigued by how much effort is must take to organize a ride and then execute it.  During the Schedule of Events Meeting February I asked Wack if I could sit in on the organizational meetings that are held for Wacks’ Make-A-Wish Ride and he graciously said sure.

In May I received a call from Wack inviting me to the first of several organizational meetings.  I went to the meeting not knowing what to expect.  What I discovered was the fact that if you have a great staff and you keep them intact from year to year it is somewhat easier than I would have expected to get the thing organized.

What impressed me during the first meeting was that as Wack walked down the checklist how many things were already done or well in progress.  The discussions of how many pigs to have for the pig roast and how much propane was needed were two among many that were held.

Plastic ware and plates - Done
Tents, chairs and tables - In progress and well under way
Entertainment - Committed to
Prizes for silent auction - In progress and well under way
Items for the live auction - In progress and well under way
Hot dogs and rolls for the first stop - Committed to

I was invited to the second meeting held in June and this was interesting.  It was proposed that instead of a pig roast the ride have an all you can eat Spaghetti dinner.  There are large amounts of benefit for this proposal.  For one thing, it takes time and money to roast a single pig, never mind to roast multiple pigs.  Then there is the problem of portion control so that you are sure there is enough pig left for those at the end of the line.  If the weather is bad there is a large investment in pig that will not be eaten.  A spaghetti dinner solves all of these problems.  It is relatively cheap to produce, it is an all you can eat affair so portion control is a non-issue and if the weather is bad you have not lost a large investment.  Based on these factors it was decided to give it a try.  During the second meeting some items that were in progress were announced as having been completed.  This list of things to do grows smaller.

In July we attended the third and final organizational meeting.  It was announced that the Leatherworks had kindly donated 300 gift cards worth $10.00 apiece to be used as part of the giveaway package.  The other items that are to be part of the giveaway package are in or will be in shortly.  Jake Thomas of 107.7 WGNA always acts as the host and master of ceremonies and was on hand to discuss how the various events are to be scheduled etc.  The remaining items on the checklist were marked as completed and with the planning done, meetings were set and assignments given out to complete the physical implementation of the ride.

What does it take to make a successful Make-A-Wish Ride?  It takes a dedicated staff that believes in the cause as much as they believe in their leader.  It takes a staff that know what needs to be done and how to get it done.  It takes a leader that is a people person and one who people are willing and eager to work with.   It seemed so effortless from the outside but I would imagine that getting this ride organized is like a duck.  Nice and calm on the surface and paddling like hell underneath.

I will see you at the Full Moon Bar and Grill on August 13^, 2011. 

It will be one heck of a good time.

By Ed Frulla   Sun, Aug 07, 2011

Last year I bumped into Jess at a ride being conducted by a member of Hooch Hogs.  Jess asked a simple and straight forward question.  Did I come to his ride that supports the Double-H Ranch?  It is kind of hard to tell someone that you just met that you blew off his ride to cover a different ride being held on the same day.  The easiest way out of that situation is promise that you will be at the next one and that is what I did.

So, on July 9, 2011 I climbed on the bike and headed to Humbuggs in South Glens Falls which is the starting point for all of Jess’s Double-H rides.  The weather was absolutely perfect and a morning departure in a T shirt was a welcome change from the rain the month before.  Having managed to miss last year’s ride I was not sure what to expect.  Much to my delight the parking lot was already full when I got there.  I was even more delighted when I bumped into “Rabbit” from Riders Group 574.  We chatted and I learned that “Rabbit’s” better half was seriously ill over the winter but she is on the road to recovery and doing well.  We wish her well and pray for a full recovery.  Some people are just meant to be on this earth and she is surely one of them.  Tim (The Tramp) was also there and we spent some time talking about the magazine and our mutual involvement in it.

This ride is well supported by the brotherhood clubs in the area.  The following clubs were in attendance.  American Guardian PS MC (featured in last month’s issue), Leathernecks MC, American Legion Riders Group 574, Fratters (Fort Edward),The Jury, True Order, Section Eight Riders, Iron Aces and American Cruisers.  If your club was in attendance and we missed you, please accept our apologies.  We did our best to capture the names of all the clubs in attendance.

The ride departed Humbuggs with 204 bikes and worked its way over to Hudson Falls and then onto Route 4.  The Washington County Sherriff’s Department was on hand to make sure that the ride made it safely thru Hudson Falls and onto Route 4.  The ride traveled Route 4 thru Fort Ann where once again the Washington County Sheriff’s department was on hand to handle traffic.  The ride proceeded to Comstock, from Comstock to West Granville and from West Granville to Hartford where we made a refreshment stop at the Hartford Tavern.  While there I met Randy Mosher and his better half.  Randy and I have been friends since High School and we always seem to run into each other on a run or two each year.  Meeting old friends and renewing friendships is just one aspect of riding, but it is one that I enjoy very much.

We departed Hartford and proceeded through Salem and Greenwich to Schuylerville where we stopped for a refreshment break at the American Legion Old Saratoga Post 278.  The Post was crowded but the service was fast and after downing a Pepsi,I decided to sit in the shade on the knoll that overlooks the Old Saratoga Post.  The Post has created a nice park at the top of the knoll with commemorative stones and benches.  Tim wandered up and we sat there talking bikes and people and watching the crowd of bikers around the post.  We were joined by several other riders and we swapped stories and told tales until the command to mount up was given.  Sometimes the things that you really need in life are the simplest things.  After the stress that I was under in the month of July, the simple act of sitting in the shade with friends and shooting the bull was what I needed.  I departed the Old Saratoga Post mentally refreshed and more fully aware of what I needed to do to move forward.

From the Old Saratoga Post, the ride proceeded back to Humbuggs where dinner awaited.  Unfortunately for me, there was another event that I wanted to cover on the way home so I blew off the dinner and after ride festivities.  Jess, I promise I will stay next year.

Did I have a good time?  No, I had one hell of a great time.
The ride route was interesting and the ride was professionally executed.  There was plenty of time at the refreshment stops to chat and renew friendships and the pace of the ride was such that you were able to enjoy the ride.

If you have never been on Jess’s Double-H ride I would like to suggest that you attend next year’s ride, you will not be sorry that you did. Jess is a great guy and one of the old guard riders in the area.  His experience shows in the planning and execution of the ride and of course the Double-H Camp is a very worthwhile charity.

By Ed Frulla   Sun, Aug 07, 2011

Almas' ride is forever etched into the history of North Country Rider Magazine and for that reason it is a ride that we will always make.  When we started the magazine our thoughts were that after several years of being on-line we would eventually earn the privilege of having McDermott’s Harley Davidson as an advertiser.  We went on Almas' ride last year and wrote an article in the August 2010 issue.  We sent McDermott’s an e-mail asking for someone on the staff to review the article and let us know if there were any factual errors.  The response that we got was, “Great Magazine”; “One Correction”; “How do we advertise with you”.  When you get a response like that from an account that you have not even called on, it lets you know that you are doing the right thing and for that reason Almas' ride is now an annual event for us. It was an instant gratification of the magazine, not only in our minds but in the minds of others as well.

For those of you have never experienced Almas' ride please let me assure you that this ride is well worth your participation.  If your idea of a run is to bar hop then you will be sadly disappointed as this run is hosted by McDermott’s Harley Davidson but is executed by the Adirondack Chapter of HOG and they have a no alcohol policy. Does that mean you should not go; hell no.  As a family, the McDermott’s are there for the Harley riders in the area and for that reason alone they deserve our support, especially when they are celebrating and honoring the life of one of their family members who is no longer with them.

This ride attempts to accomplish several goals and it always does it very well.  The first goal is to honor Alma McDermott who left the motorcycling family that she loved so much in June 2005.  The second  goal is to insure that everyone in attendance has a good morning breakfast before hitting the road, the third goal is to make sure that everyone has a good time and returns home safely and the fourth goal is to support a local charity with the proceeds of the event.

The funds from this year’s event are to be used to support the “Hugs for Heroes” program of the Salem United Methodist Church.  If you are a regular reader of this magazine you know that we covered the Hugs for Heroes Run and Blessing of the Bikes in the July issue.  It was a pleasant surprise to see that the funds from Alma’s ride were going to be used to support that program.  I also had the opportunity to meet Donna and Chuck Alexander again and to personally thank Pastor Debbie Earthrowl for her words of support in July.  The unplanned and unexpected opportunity to bump into old friends is one aspect of attending these events that I enjoy so much and this event was no exception.

Eventually you will need to register so get that out of the way first.  Fill out and sign the waiver, pay your entry fee, get your wristband and pins and move on.  Registration is efficiently managed by ADK HOG and the lines are never long and move quickly.  If registering the day of the event is something you would like to avoid, you can always pre-register for the ride. During registration we had an opportunity to meet Lisa Pritchard.  Lisa was instrumental in organizing the “Around the Lake for Charlie’s Sake” ride that supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (read the article).  Last year was the first annual ride and it was a wonderful ride.  As I had hoped, the second annual ride is in the planning stages and Lisa promised me that we would get the information for the schedule of events as soon as things are finalized.

Next on the agenda is breakfast.  McDermott’s has a large covered pavilion with plenty of picnic tables.  The grills are fired up and there are pancakes and sausage available as well as coffee and juice.  The food is always excellent and those items that should be hot are hot and those items that should be cold are cold.  Grab a plate, some breakfast and a seat at a picnic table with some friends or riders who are about to become friends and enjoy. It just seems like such a natural way to start the day, breakfast and friends.

Nadine Szewczyk is the Road Captain of ADK HOG and this was her baby to lead.  I will say that she and her staff always do an excellent job of planning and executing the rides.  After an orientation by Nadine and a blessing from Pastor Debbie Earthrowl we were off with 116 bikes total.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department had an officer at McDermott’s to handle the departure traffic and with the way clear the ride departed.  The first segment of this ride is always the same.  North on Route 4 to Fort Ann where another Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy had the traffic well in hand at the intersections of Route 4 and Route 149.  The ride then proceeds east on Route 149 until it intersects with Route 9L.  The ride the proceeds on route 9L along the east side of Lake George and then through the village of Lake George.  In the village of Lake George the ride intersects Route 9 and proceeds north on Route 9 until it intersects with the Diamond Point Road.  The ride turns right onto the Diamond Point Road until it intersects with the Truesdale Hill Road.  There is a small cemetery at this intersection which is the final resting place of Alma.  We all dismounted and paid our annual respects to Alma.  After a few words from Alise and Tom McDermott the ride continued.

I was totally unimpressed with the fact that the Warren County Sheriff’s Department rescinded their agreement to provide traffic control at the intersection of Route 149 and 9L just 2 days prior to the ride(this a rumor from a trusted source not a researched fact).  I was even less impressed with the fact that a ride of this magnitude was left to fend for themselves as they passed through the Village of Lake George.  It seems that there is a major problem in obtaining cooperation from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department to provide traffic control for these charity events.  Maybe that is why the vast majority of the rides bypass Warren County if it is possible.  For this ride it is not an option as the objective of the first segment is to visit the final resting place of Alma which is near exit 23.

The ride then headed east on the Diamond Point Road and then north on the East Schroon River Road.  We crossed the Schroon River using the County Home Bridge Road and then proceeded north on the Schroon River Road to our 1^st stop which was the Stewarts in Chestertown on Route 8.  After a short pause for the cause we continued west on Route 8 through Riparius, Wevertown, Johnsburg and Bakers Mills.  Route 8 eventually crosses a river and connects with Route 30.  This ride was different in that it took County Route 8 with connects with Route 8 just before the bridge.  I found this to be rather refreshing in that it was a piece of road that I had never travelled before and the views of the river were both pleasant and spectacular as we proceed to Wells NY.  In Wells we connected with Route 30 and proceeded south on Route 30 to our next stop which was the Robin gas station in Northville.

Now cramming 116 bikes into a small variety store was a challenge, but it was a challenge that we were able to meet as we were able to do it and still leave enough room for a line to form at the gas pumps as riders refueled.  The stop was pleasant and the local folks were both pleased and eager to see us arrive unlike the old fart in Warrensburg that was pissed off because he had to wait an extra 2 minutes for those damn bikers to get out of his way so he could get onto the Diamond Point Road.

The ride left Northville and proceeded on County Road 113 to the Northville Road in Edinburg where we crossed over the Sacandaga Lake and proceeded south on Route 7 and worked our way over to our final stop at the C&R Restaurant in West Galway NY.  Our meal was served buffet style.  The food was excellent, the portions were generous and the service was somewhat fast.  I was one of the last in line and I only waited about 6 minutes to be served.  After eating I headed home to join Karen at a chicken barbeque at a local church.

As you can tell, I love this ride because it is well planned, well executed, well-paced and provides many diverse riding conditions.  But mostly I love this ride because it provides me a chance to meet with my friends at McDermott’s and our growing list of friends in ADK HOG.

To McDermott’s and ADK HOG, well done and I am already looking forward to next year’s ride.

By Ed Frulla   Sun, Aug 07, 2011

On July 23, 2100 we had a decision to make.  There were two runs scheduled both with a veterans theme and to be honest, we really do not like to miss any of these runs.  The ADK/LG Leathernecks were holding their Third Annual Ride for Marine Sgt. Eddie Ryan and the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association were holding their Fourth Annual Ghost Ride to support veterans.

Last year we went on the Leathernecks ride and we had an awesome time and were considering going again.  But two things made us decide to go to the Combat Vets ride.  The first was that they asked us to cover the ride.  From a business perspective we have been somewhat ignoring the northern part of our coverage area and this would give us an opportunity to cover a ride in the northern area of our coverage area.  So the decision was made to cover the Combat Vets ride.  To our friends in the ADK/LG Leathernecks please accept our apologies.  There is only one of me and sometime I need to make decisions.  I would invite anyone from the ADK/LG Leathernecks who has the desire to write an article about the Sgt.  Eddie Ryan ride and submit it with pictures and I promise that it will get published.

I left home and headed up 9N through Bolton and Hague to Ticonderoga.  The starting point was the Treadway Sunoco Station in Ticonderoga.  As I have never attended this run before I was not quite sure what to expect.  The weather was absolutely perfect and a T-shirt departure was in order.  When I arrived I was immediately welcomed to the event and the parking lot at the Treadway Sunoco was filled to capacity.  The Veterans Administration was on hand with their mobile veteran’s outreach and support van and there were representatives of the New York State Police, Essex County Sherriff’s Department and Ticonderoga Police on hand for traffic control.

Registration was quick and painless and you had the option of paying just for the opportunity to ride or paying for the ride and a steak or chicken dinner.  After an orientation by Ron Dashna (RONBO) the ride captain and a prayer by Chaplain Doug Mauran we departed Ticonderoga with 182 bikes.

The purpose of this ride is to both honor the local veterans and to raise money to support them in their times of need.  To this end, Combat Vets clubs from around the area appear to descend on Ticonderoga with a vengeance to support this ride. 

The ride departed Ticonderoga and proceeded through Port Henry, Moriah and Mineville.  As the ride proceeded through Port Henry I realized that this was not a ride but rather a regional event.  The Port Henry Volunteer Fire Company was handling traffic control.  The residents were out in force with American flags and signs showing support for our troops and veterans.  The same thing happened in Moriah where the Moriah Volunteer Fire Department not only handled traffic control but placed an engine on Main Street to act as an honor guard. 

I was not aware of the fact that there was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor from the Mineville/Moriah area.  Our first stop was to be the Raymond Wright Park in Mineville.  The park is named after Raymond “Buzz” Wright who served gallantly in Vietnam and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions.  You can read his citation here.  When we arrived in Mineville the riders started doing the thing that comes natural which is to park at the side of the road.  We later discovered that the entire road was sealed off to the north by the New York State Police and to the south by the Mineveill – Witherbee Volunteer Fire Department and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.  It was a hot day and coolers of water magically appeared for the participants to drink.  The members of the ride mingled with the local residents as we listened to speeches, one of which was given by Congressman Bill Owen.  After the speeches, a wreath was laid in the park, taps were sounded and a 21 gun salute was presented.  The members of the local VFW provided an honor guard, a color guard and the firing squad.  They are to be commended for their time and effort in honoring the local veterans during this festivity. As with the villages of Port Henry and Moriah, the village of Mineville was also decorated with signs of support for our troops and veterans.  I was just simply amazed at this out pouring of support from these communities.  I am used to seeing such exhibitions of support during Memorial Day and Veterans Day but to see this in the end of July was inspiring.  Did I mention that this is a regional event and not just a ride?

With the ceremonies concluded, the ride departed Mineville and headed to our next stop which was Sporty’s Iron Duke Saloon in Minerva.  Sporty was hosting his annual Custom Car and Motorcycle Show and it was a refreshing divergence.  Many of us opted to pay the $3.00 donation to support the Essex County Toys for Tots Campaign and view the cars.  As is always the case, the service at Sporty’s was fast, the refreshments were cold and the environment just real friendly and conducive to a good time.

Eventually we mounted up and headed back to Ticonderoga where the ride terminated and the food was being prepared.  I decided to skip diner and head home.

This was a great event full of patriotic pride, a nicely selected riding route, well supported by the local community and well supported by the various Combat Vets groups in the area.  If I can find one thing to complain about it is the scheduling.  Guys, find a slot in the schedule where you are not competing with another Veterans group.  If the ride organizers did that they might find that they would be able to increase their bike count by about 50% and everybody wins.  They get a chance to ride south and support the Veterans groups in the Glens Falls\Lake George area and the members of the groups in that area would have to opportunity to ride north and experience this wonderful event.

A marvelous event that was well executed.  The Combat Vets Motorcycle Association should be proud of this event.

By Ed Frulla   Mon, Aug 08, 2011

By Ed Frulla   Sun, Aug 07, 2011

By Ed Frulla   Sun, Aug 07, 2011

New Events entered

Corinth EMS / Community Center Benefit - The Halftime Bar & Grill - South Glens Falls NY - August 14th

Fight For The Cure - American Legion Post 91 - Mechanicville NY - August 27th