The '96 procedure will be repeated this year. For those crews entering the Mass. Pike via Connecticut's Route 84 (about 80% of all trailers) at Sturbridge tolls: KEEP TO THE RIGHT. Pick up your ticket, pull through the toll area about 2 trailer-lengths (keeping to the right as much as possible). There SHOULD be a kiosk or some sort of shelter there where a Mass. Pike employeewill be stationed. STAY IN YOUR TRUCK. The "Piker" will come to you. Have a $10. bill and the following info. ready-to-go and you'll be able to pay for the permit you need to get TO Boston, and the permit you need to get OUT of Boston in one fell swoop: NEEDED: name & address of organization you represent, driver's name and license (I think they ask for that), truck model and truck registration, trailer registration, overall length of entire truck-trailer combo, your destination (Cambridge, Mass. HOTC, Exit 18), and a smile from you to the swell, ever-so-friendly Mass. Pike employee who earns WAY into the 5-figure territory. You should be so lucky...... Same procedure for those entering via the extreme western border....Exit #1. We're fortunate this year in that the gentleman who helped us out LAST year at Sturbridge (Ron Ravenelle) is now stationed at Exit 1, the nicest location on the Pike, IMHO. I have asked Ron to tip-off the rest area managers to give a special welcome and "heads-up" to the throngs of rowers who are likely to make a pit-stop or two at the Lee, Mass. rest area (the first one when you drive in from Exit 1) and the Sturbridge, Mass. rest area (the first one after entering at Sturbridge tolls). We'll see what they come up with. Regardless of what the Pike staff does or does not do, welcome to Massachusetts and kick some butt at the Chuck. Pull hard! Bill McGowan EMPACHERUSA Sales & Service 5 Gerrish Street Brighton, MA 02135-1704 USA Office Phone & FAX: 001.617.787.1177 Home Phone 001.617.254-3233
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