Date:         Thu, 3 Dec 1998 13:23:02 -0500
Reply-To:     "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanity Plates
Comments: To: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Being a family of avid bicyclists, our vehicle license plates read:


1984 Vanagon Westfalia       "SAGWAGN"
1990 Passat GL               "BRKAWAY"
1991 Jetta Eco Diesel        "PELOTON"


A "sagwagon" is a vehicle which follows a bicycle race or event and
assists or picks up stragglers who have succumbed to mechanical problems,
exhaustion, need medical attention, etc.  One of the first uses of my
newly purchased Westy was as a support vehicle or sagwagon during our
club's Cadillac Mountain Century, a 100 mile bicycle ride I organize the
first weekend of October in Acadia National Park along the coast of
Maine.  I parked the Westy at the summit parking lot of Cadillac Mountain
and from the "hospitality suite" I served up hot coffee, hot chocolate,
bagels, freshly picked Maine apples, and refilled the water bottles of
the tired riders.  The riders were greatly impressed with the versatility
and comforts available in the Westfalia package.  One gentleman from New
York even made an offer to buy the van.  I turned him down!

A "breakaway" refers to a group of cyclists in a competitive event who
have established a lead over the main group of cyclists.  This plate does
double duty in the Winter months when cycling activity is at a minimum as
our family is also rabid University of Maine hockey fans.  Go Black Bears!

A "peloton" is the main group of cyclists in a competitive event who ride
together in a group often taking turns at the front sharing the load of
breaking the wind for the group.

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA
1984 Vanagon Westfalia
1990 Passat GL (for sale)
1991 Jetta Eco Diesel