Okay, so forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, but I’m looking for advice on my carbon frame (Look 595). It’s been creaking for a while, albeit intermittently, so this weekend I decided to remove the seat and clean the spacers etc from the integr… »

Hear hear! Weirdly, I spent nine months living and drinking in Brussels and never once tried Malteni. Two of my favorite beer anecdotes from that time: a comment by a Belgian friend that Stella Artois was farmers’ beer, something that appears to be lost o… »

Me too! What a beauty. »

After much debate and consideration (read: we got piss drunk after a ride, and started thinking about the next ride) and in full cooperation with the Keepers, we announce the first Stage Cogal, July 27 and 28, 2013 in Packwood, WA.

We adhere strictly to the guiding principles of The Cogal: free to all, open to all. These events are about community, and our love of the Bike. And of suffering. To those ends, even the casual observer will see what we have planned for routes is, in a word, a motherfucker.

Cogals shall be long. And they are all about the bike. It is what you are doing that day. Well, we have extrapolated that to The V-to-V concept on this one, mates. V-to-V: volcano to volcano. These rides are not only long, but we tossed in some vertical. I, for one, am not a climber. But when it is What I Am Doing That Day, it will get it done (I roll a 180mm 50×34 compact connected to a 11×28 for just such emergencies.) As a 2 day stage Cogal, it is what you are doing that weekend.

Day V1 is Packwood to Windy Ridge overlooking (and in) the blast zone of Mt. St. Helens. This route is generally used by a local bike club as a “High Pass Challenge” but we may modify their course a bit. In accordance with Rule #55, we will first ride UP the volcano, then we will ride DOWN the volcano. Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1331324

Day V2 is Packwood to Paradise on Ti’Swak (or Mt. Rainier to you non-natives) via Stevens Canyon road. I defy anoyone anywhere to find a more beautiful climb, starting at the Grove of the Founders on the east side of the national park. Only exceptions might be the Monuments, like Alpe d’Huez, or the Stelvio, but only because of their associated cycling lore. Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1331326

Once at the top, you have the option of a Rule #55 descent to Packwood. However, even the most casual observers of these routes will note a significant departure from any other Cogal:

They are out in the middle of fucking nowhere.

Thus, some support will be provided. On Day V1, some neutral, on the road support will be available, soley for transport of fuel and water. There simply are no cafes or shops, so to do these rides, the Keepers’ (or most likely the Keeper’s agent, @eightzero) will have arranged means to refuel for the participants. It may be van support, some caching of supplies, or a combination. On Day V2, there will be neutral fuel/water support on the climb, and an offer of transport of bags to the lodge at paradise the day of the ride. Some of us will be staying at the lodge to Get Shitfaced(tm) with a special keg, in full compliance with the rule of the Cogal requiring post-ride recovery malted beverage consumption. You may ride down, then drive up to join us if you wish, and/or then depart on your own schedule.

Note (and this is very important) the summer schedule for these places fills up quickly and early. Summers are short and spectacular in the PacNW, and people line up to take advantage. The Lodge at Paradise has limited availability, so sign up early. Make early plans for staying in Packwood. For out of towners, SeaTac and Portland International (PDX) offer easy access, but there is an entry fee to the National Park. There are several lodging options in Packwood. We plan an early start both days; and the ride starts on time.

Then prepare to meet The Man With The Hammer.

We ride. VLVV.

@DerHoggz I just bought some Giro 100 proof gloves and I love them. They come with a light-weight pair of gloves, which I’ve already used a couple of times by themselves in mid-40 degree weather, and you can obviously also just wear the lobster outer. Eve… »

Frank, truly inspirational. I have to admit, I was quite looking forward to your write-up of this and got really excited when I saw you had posted it! My favorite moments of the film: Michelle calling you a twat and saying anyone can do that, followed by … »

Here’s me this year in the Cascades (between Rainy and Washington Passes) »

@G’rilla I’m not sure what version I have – it’s definitely not the 6700, so could be 6600 or 6500 (it’s 10 speed). So I’m guessing my ‘trim’ has come about from having to throw the lever quite far to shift up to the big ring. When cross chaining on the s… »

Question: I needed a replacement right hand Ultegra shifter but got a good deal on a lightly used pair. I’ve fitted the right hand one but am now wondering whether I should just go ahead and change the left while I’m at it, or wait until the old left shif… »

I’ve found the North Face Recon perfect for my commuting needs. Remarkably waterproof and if it’s really wet I put ‘sensitive’ items in a plastic bag and everything stays dry. Mind you, fenders help, especially with the bottom of the pack. Yesterday I wro… »

Slightly off topic, but I saw the photo and initially thought the article was going to be about the Hutchinson Intensive clincher, which is one of my favorite tires. Not the lightest, not the smoothest (although not bad either), these tires in my experien… »

@Ken Ho Soapy water wasn’t something I tried, although the sweat from my brow may have provided some lubrication! To be honest, struggling to mount a tire at home bothers me much less than the thought of getting a flat out on the road and spending half an… »

@Deakus Nice! My parents live in the New Forest (near Fordingbridge) and for a while I lived in Salisbury so that neck of the woods is very close to my heart (especially as I now live in Seattle). Although riding here is great, sometimes I really miss the… »

It’s not until March, and the date is still tentative, but would anyone in the Seattle area be interested in the Ephrate Gran Fondo? http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/gran-fondo-ephrata/ I’ve not done it before, but it seems like a perfect Spring Classic… »

@brett Great piece and gorgeous bike! This Spring I bought my #1 some Veloflex Masters, my eye having been caught by tan walls some time earlier. Like Ron, I think the classic look of the tire really complements a modern bike. The feel of the Veloflex was… »

Yes! I love the rain and am delighted about its return to Seattle. Gives me the opportunity to try out my new Lake CX 140 winter boots. Are they are rule violation? So far I’ve been quite pleased by how much warmer than ordinary shoes they are, and today … »

@DerHoggz As someone who likes to get the maximum possible use out of my equipment, I would see how the boot holds up. I remember once getting a really nasty gash in a brand new tire and taking it to the LBS where they gave me a canvas boot. The tire was … »

@roadslave Great article, glad you’re okay. @ErikdR Yes, embarrassment. The last time I fell I had hired a mountain bike from a rental place near where my parents live so a buddy and I could go out on a freezing late December day. As I left the shop … »

…but you don’t need pretty scenery when you’re focusing on The V! »

@The Oracle I totally agree. Earlier this year I was doing a lot of longer rides (4+ hours) as well as my 45 min. commute, but since completing the event I was training for I’ve had less time and have done a lot of 60 minute thrashes. Personally I actuall… »

For me it has to be Carrera. I know others have objected to the faux denim look, but I love it. Early 1990s Carrera was the first pro-kit I owned so it’ll always be close to my heart. »

So jealous right now, that bike looks sweet. Seriously, well done to all involved. A CX bike is definitely next on my list but just maintaining my current two is stretching the budget enough. For some reason my argument that having more bikes doesn’t cost… »

The topic of unlawful cycling reminds me of a recent New York Times piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/opinion/sunday/if-kant-were-a-new-york-cyclist.html  In my Seattle riding, I tend to treat stop signs as roundabouts or yield signs: if there are … »

@frank Thanks again for your assistance on the Seattle Cogal. For what it’s worth, I recently bought some Pedros tire levers and find them to be highly effective at removing stubborn tires. Curiously, though, they do less well when it comes to helping put… »

@TommyTubolare I tried your front derailer setup and I can now downshift from any position on the cassette, so thanks a lot! The only weird thing that did happen out on my first ride since the tune-up was one downshift that saw the chain almost dropped of… »