OrangevaleFJR
R.I.P. Our FJR Riding Friend
When my bike was parked at the summit of Mt. Evans, Ted was having his picture taken in front of an old car. Later he saw my bike and left his Concours riding club business card in my tank bag. I contacted him and sent him some pics of Mt Evans from that day and he sent me this:
Notice the FJR on the left with Sherri and my friend Dan in the pic>>>
emails changed hands and I notice his signature said:
"Over the Pond Slave Labor" and I asked what that was about...I got the following email back from him and I think perhaps the FJR forum should consider such a thing:
*******************************************
>that would have been fun to talk...I love meeting riders as there is always
>passion in 'em. I have to ask: What's the deal with "over the pond slave labor"?
>
>Andrew
Yep, that would have been enjoyable. I love to talk bikes..
NOW, youve done it. Asked a question about one of my favorite subjects..
"Over the Pond" is something that some of us COGgers dreamed up. When we say
Over the Pond, we're referring to the Atlantic.
Each year a Lucky COG member gets to Travel either to Europe from the USA, or to
the USA from Europe.
To accomplish this, each year 3 of us, take up a collection, select nominee's,
vote on a person to Travel (Over the Pond), and then send him. Once the Traveler
arrives at his/her destination, we arrange a bike, lodging, and guides to show
him around the country.
Hans Ove Gortz is the ringleader and is referred to as Boss, Spencer Farrow
handles the money (He's the financeeeeer)
I do the collecting, arranging, etc, letter writing, phone calls...
Therefore, (Since I do all the work) I'm the Slave Labor..
It has been a lot of fun and has been succesful for 4 years.
As far as I know, we're the only club that does something like this. Does the
FJR club do anything similar?
I attached a note that Marc Kleefsta (Netherlands) just sent to us. He was the
Traveler that came over this year. He just returned home. Needless to say, he's
still a bit wound up.
He arrived in Southern California, met his Host and then did a 4+ week ride.
They went as far North as Alaska, then went to our COG national in Washington
State, and finally rode to Colorado for his flight home.
I think his note sums up "Over the Pond" very well.
Have to go.
Ride safe, Ted
Marc Kleefstra <[email protected]> wrote:
What does OTP stand for?
Over The Pond
This year I was the lucky fellow, next year it is again the turn to your side of
the pond to find a good guy or girl within COG that will be the lucky one to go
to this side of the ocean on funds raised by people on and off this list.
Let me explain this a bit further:
A few years ago there was OTP-0; George "Boomer" Garratt wanted
desperately to go to the US, but as always for most of us at least, there is
this big thing with money, why was it that we ride the Connie instead of some
other make? Fellow listers made it happen that time.
Boomer met in the USA this other European from Sweden, Hans-Ove Görtz and a year
later Hans announced the first official OTP. It has nothing to do with COG or
GCE and yet it can't exist without those clubs. The clubs, correction the
members of these clubs, make it happen. Four years in a row already!!
OTP-1 Traveller was Guy Young
OTP-2 Travellers were Daan Zeydner en Hans Dresler
OTP-3 Travellers were Linda Swart en Rick Hall
OTP-4 Traveller was yours truly.
OTP-5 Traveller(s) ?????? to be decided by those that contribute to the whole
OTP, they raise money and are allowed to make a nomination.
If the nominees accept their nomination then there will be an election (if there
are more than one). Meanwhile the fundsraising goes on and on until there is no
time left to ship the money to the Traveller.
To be very honoust with y'all. Without the funds I could not have made this
great trip. Now it only costed me about $600 for 4 weeks of impressions, miles,
great scenery, even greater friends and more friends and more friends. Like I
said: Join COG for the bike, stay for the people! COG (and GCE) are GREAT.
Having been a Traveller I need to tell you all that as long as we can keep this
going, we should do so. It gives us all a chance to understand each other much
better. In a way we are working on something that our political leaders have
already trying to reach for decennia, global understanding, global peace.
COG/GCE can make it happen. Kind of like Guy Young said it a while back: Our
love for motorcycles unites us, makes us all brothers and sisters or relatives
if that is what you like better. By sharing our experiences with everyone else
we can try to achieve a global understanding and that might bring us to a global
peace.
OTP is GREAT, the people that made it happen are GREATER!!!!
Marc "The Duckman" Kleefstra
*OTP-Traveller 2005
*Hooked on the idea of going back and stay there
*Head over heels in "love" with the landscapes and the people
*Dedicated to OTP and willing to contribute again next year (Hans,
Ted, Spencer: Have you read this?? I pledge double of what I usual
donate. Let's keep this thing rolling!)
Notice the FJR on the left with Sherri and my friend Dan in the pic>>>
emails changed hands and I notice his signature said:
"Over the Pond Slave Labor" and I asked what that was about...I got the following email back from him and I think perhaps the FJR forum should consider such a thing:
*******************************************
>that would have been fun to talk...I love meeting riders as there is always
>passion in 'em. I have to ask: What's the deal with "over the pond slave labor"?
>
>Andrew
Yep, that would have been enjoyable. I love to talk bikes..
NOW, youve done it. Asked a question about one of my favorite subjects..
"Over the Pond" is something that some of us COGgers dreamed up. When we say
Over the Pond, we're referring to the Atlantic.
Each year a Lucky COG member gets to Travel either to Europe from the USA, or to
the USA from Europe.
To accomplish this, each year 3 of us, take up a collection, select nominee's,
vote on a person to Travel (Over the Pond), and then send him. Once the Traveler
arrives at his/her destination, we arrange a bike, lodging, and guides to show
him around the country.
Hans Ove Gortz is the ringleader and is referred to as Boss, Spencer Farrow
handles the money (He's the financeeeeer)
I do the collecting, arranging, etc, letter writing, phone calls...
Therefore, (Since I do all the work) I'm the Slave Labor..
It has been a lot of fun and has been succesful for 4 years.
As far as I know, we're the only club that does something like this. Does the
FJR club do anything similar?
I attached a note that Marc Kleefsta (Netherlands) just sent to us. He was the
Traveler that came over this year. He just returned home. Needless to say, he's
still a bit wound up.
He arrived in Southern California, met his Host and then did a 4+ week ride.
They went as far North as Alaska, then went to our COG national in Washington
State, and finally rode to Colorado for his flight home.
I think his note sums up "Over the Pond" very well.
Have to go.
Ride safe, Ted
Marc Kleefstra <[email protected]> wrote:
What does OTP stand for?
Over The Pond
This year I was the lucky fellow, next year it is again the turn to your side of
the pond to find a good guy or girl within COG that will be the lucky one to go
to this side of the ocean on funds raised by people on and off this list.
Let me explain this a bit further:
A few years ago there was OTP-0; George "Boomer" Garratt wanted
desperately to go to the US, but as always for most of us at least, there is
this big thing with money, why was it that we ride the Connie instead of some
other make? Fellow listers made it happen that time.
Boomer met in the USA this other European from Sweden, Hans-Ove Görtz and a year
later Hans announced the first official OTP. It has nothing to do with COG or
GCE and yet it can't exist without those clubs. The clubs, correction the
members of these clubs, make it happen. Four years in a row already!!
OTP-1 Traveller was Guy Young
OTP-2 Travellers were Daan Zeydner en Hans Dresler
OTP-3 Travellers were Linda Swart en Rick Hall
OTP-4 Traveller was yours truly.
OTP-5 Traveller(s) ?????? to be decided by those that contribute to the whole
OTP, they raise money and are allowed to make a nomination.
If the nominees accept their nomination then there will be an election (if there
are more than one). Meanwhile the fundsraising goes on and on until there is no
time left to ship the money to the Traveller.
To be very honoust with y'all. Without the funds I could not have made this
great trip. Now it only costed me about $600 for 4 weeks of impressions, miles,
great scenery, even greater friends and more friends and more friends. Like I
said: Join COG for the bike, stay for the people! COG (and GCE) are GREAT.
Having been a Traveller I need to tell you all that as long as we can keep this
going, we should do so. It gives us all a chance to understand each other much
better. In a way we are working on something that our political leaders have
already trying to reach for decennia, global understanding, global peace.
COG/GCE can make it happen. Kind of like Guy Young said it a while back: Our
love for motorcycles unites us, makes us all brothers and sisters or relatives
if that is what you like better. By sharing our experiences with everyone else
we can try to achieve a global understanding and that might bring us to a global
peace.
OTP is GREAT, the people that made it happen are GREATER!!!!
Marc "The Duckman" Kleefstra
*OTP-Traveller 2005
*Hooked on the idea of going back and stay there
*Head over heels in "love" with the landscapes and the people
*Dedicated to OTP and willing to contribute again next year (Hans,
Ted, Spencer: Have you read this?? I pledge double of what I usual
donate. Let's keep this thing rolling!)
