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.

@scaler911 I thought a Nene was a Hawaiian Wasp… »

post-quant. love it… »

@mcsqueak or his perineum… i mean cranium… #SeattleSummerCogal »

@frank And if you weigh your Park hex wrenches on either scale, they’ll still be rounded off or bent… »

On 10/13/12, we return to the scene of the crime – the site of the very first Seattle Cogal in 2011. The Anniversary ride starts at V-past 9am, so plan ahead to be sure to get on the correct Mukilteo/Clinton ferry so as to arrive at the starting point in Langley with ample time for the obligatory pre-ride espressi. The route is planned to be the same as last year’s, and Merckx Willing, I will make it around the entire course now that my Jan sized ass has gotten a few more miles in 2011 that it did in 2012. We plan (as usual) a Casually Deliberate pace, but this really only serves to mean we will be regrouping for the people that don’t bring maps or that decide to drop @eightzero, their Garmin 705 armed buddy (I’m looking at you, @frank.) Pre-ride revelry on Friday will be discussed in the comments, as well as post ride amenities to be researched by @eightzero and Mrs/Dr Eightzero.

We ride. VLVV.

On 10/13/12, we return to the scene of the crime – the site of the very first Seattle Cogal in 2011. The Anniversary ride starts at V-past 9am, so plan ahead to be sure to get on the correct Mukilteo/Clinton ferry so as to arrive at the starting point in Langley with ample time for the obligatory pre-ride espressi. The route is planned to be the same as last year’s, and Merckx Willing, I will make it around the entire course now that my Jan sized ass has gotten a few more miles in 2011 that it did in 2012. We plan (as usual) a Casually Deliberate pace, but this really only serves to mean we will be regrouping for the people that don’t bring maps or that decide to drop @eightzero, their Garmin 705 armed buddy (I’m looking at you, @frank.) Pre-ride revelry on Friday will be discussed in the comments, as well as post ride amenities to be researched by @eightzero and Mrs/Dr Eightzero.

We ride. VLVV.

@Nate boy, I tried to like them… they were certainly better than clips for the most part, they were light, and they offered rotational float – something unusual at the time… props to the Onza crew for innovating for sure i cut material off of my sho… »

clipless it is… i think the counter-intuitive term is actually kinda useful – it gives an indication of how long someone’s been in the game, or at least if they’re paying attention… my first pair were on my hardtail MTB, and were those elastomer Onz… »

@Steampunk you’re doing it wrong… try a good gin (i recommend Cap Rock) and a non-fructose tonic (get from Whole Foods or some such)…  and limes – fresh limes…  sub-lime…. »

@frank funny – i have a similar recollection… though, to be fair, we had just wrapped up 7 days of racing sailboats, so your guns had *better* be smoother…! »

@frank Huffing gasoline fumes straight from the pump directly after that effort might have had something to do with it… »

The ride starts and finishes at the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville WA. This is an easy location for visitors to Seattle. Plan is a V past VV departure, giving ample time for a tour of the beautiful Snoqualmie river valley after the obligatory pre ride espressi. There are a few semi-urban areas to traverse, but the return to the brewery should provide a pleasant post-ride food and fresh malted beverage experience. The ride is mostly gentle country roads, but includes both the Tolt River Climb and the Ames Lake Climb after some flat touring to soften the guns. Be advised that experienced riders will mark the heads of state on 12% Tolt, then after the technical descent are sure to launch the selection attack at the base of the longer, yet less steep Ames Lake climb. A regroup is likely on the long descent back to a short section of bike path to the brewery –  a sprint finish is likely, but experienced riders of the route will know that presence of YJAs and Hairy Hippie Douchbags may require vigilance in the lead out (especially on a Saturday.)

Plan is for a Casually Deliberate pace – regroups as needed or desired, but as you can see from the profile, the peloton is likely to enjoy a quiet day of touring. Except of course we all expect the blistering initial attack from @cyclops at the drop of the gun after the neutral pull out from the brewery. There are nice locally owned places for refuel in both Duvall and Carnation.

As is the tradition, a Friday night pre ride revelry event will be planned and discussed in the comments.

VLVV

The ride starts and finishes at the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville WA. This is an easy location for visitors to Seattle. Plan is a V past VV departure, giving ample time for a tour of the beautiful Snoqualmie river valley after the obligatory pre ride espressi. There are a few semi-urban areas to traverse, but the return to the brewery should provide a pleasant post-ride food and fresh malted beverage experience. The ride is mostly gentle country roads, but includes both the Tolt River Climb and the Ames Lake Climb after some flat touring to soften the guns. Be advised that experienced riders will mark the heads of state on 12% Tolt, then after the technical descent are sure to launch the selection attack at the base of the longer, yet less steep Ames Lake climb. A regroup is likely on the long descent back to a short section of bike path to the brewery –  a sprint finish is likely, but experienced riders of the route will know that presence of YJAs and Hairy Hippie Douchbags may require vigilance in the lead out (especially on a Saturday.)

Plan is for a Casually Deliberate pace – regroups as needed or desired, but as you can see from the profile, the peloton is likely to enjoy a quiet day of touring. Except of course we all expect the blistering initial attack from @cyclops at the drop of the gun after the neutral pull out from the brewery. There are nice locally owned places for refuel in both Duvall and Carnation.

As is the tradition, a Friday night pre ride revelry event will be planned and discussed in the comments.

VLVV

The ride starts and finishes at the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville WA. This is an easy location for visitors to Seattle. Plan is a V past VV departure, giving ample time for a tour of the beautiful Snoqualmie river valley after the obligatory pre ride espressi. There are a few semi-urban areas to traverse, but the return to the brewery should provide a pleasant post-ride food and fresh malted beverage experience. The ride is mostly gentle country roads, but includes both the Tolt River Climb and the Ames Lake Climb after some flat touring to soften the guns. Be advised that experienced riders will mark the heads of state on 12% Tolt, then after the technical descent are sure to launch the selection attack at the base of the longer, yet less steep Ames Lake climb. A regroup is likely on the long descent back to a short section of bike path to the brewery –  a sprint finish is likely, but experienced riders of the route will know that presence of YJAs and Hairy Hippie Douchbags may require vigilance in the lead out (especially on a Saturday.)

Plan is for a Casually Deliberate pace – regroups as needed or desired, but as you can see from the profile, the peloton is likely to enjoy a quiet day of touring. Except of course we all expect the blistering initial attack from @cyclops at the drop of the gun after the neutral pull out from the brewery. There are nice locally owned places for refuel in both Duvall and Carnation.

As is the tradition, a Friday night pre ride revelry event will be planned and discussed in the comments.

VLVV

The ride starts and finishes at the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville WA. This is an easy location for visitors to Seattle. Plan is a V past VV departure, giving ample time for a tour of the beautiful Snoqualmie river valley after the obligatory pre ride espressi. There are a few semi-urban areas to traverse, but the return to the brewery should provide a pleasant post-ride food and fresh malted beverage experience. The ride is mostly gentle country roads, but includes both the Tolt River Climb and the Ames Lake Climb after some flat touring to soften the guns. Be advised that experienced riders will mark the heads of state on 12% Tolt, then after the technical descent are sure to launch the selection attack at the base of the longer, yet less steep Ames Lake climb. A regroup is likely on the long descent back to a short section of bike path to the brewery –  a sprint finish is likely, but experienced riders of the route will know that presence of YJAs and Hairy Hippie Douchbags may require vigilance in the lead out (especially on a Saturday.)

Plan is for a Casually Deliberate pace – regroups as needed or desired, but as you can see from the profile, the peloton is likely to enjoy a quiet day of touring. Except of course we all expect the blistering initial attack from @cyclops at the drop of the gun after the neutral pull out from the brewery. There are nice locally owned places for refuel in both Duvall and Carnation.

As is the tradition, a Friday night pre ride revelry event will be planned and discussed in the comments.

VLVV

The ride starts and finishes at the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville WA. This is an easy location for visitors to Seattle. Plan is a V past VV departure, giving ample time for a tour of the beautiful Snoqualmie river valley after the obligatory pre ride espressi. There are a few semi-urban areas to traverse, but the return to the brewery should provide a pleasant post-ride food and fresh malted beverage experience. The ride is mostly gentle country roads, but includes both the Tolt River Climb and the Ames Lake Climb after some flat touring to soften the guns. Be advised that experienced riders will mark the heads of state on 12% Tolt, then after the technical descent are sure to launch the selection attack at the base of the longer, yet less steep Ames Lake climb. A regroup is likely on the long descent back to a short section of bike path to the brewery –  a sprint finish is likely, but experienced riders of the route will know that presence of YJAs and Hairy Hippie Douchbags may require vigilance in the lead out (especially on a Saturday.)

Plan is for a Casually Deliberate pace – regroups as needed or desired, but as you can see from the profile, the peloton is likely to enjoy a quiet day of touring. Except of course we all expect the blistering initial attack from @cyclops at the drop of the gun after the neutral pull out from the brewery. There are nice locally owned places for refuel in both Duvall and Carnation.

As is the tradition, a Friday night pre ride revelry event will be planned and discussed in the comments.

VLVV

The ride starts and finishes at the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville WA. This is an easy location for visitors to Seattle. Plan is a V past VV departure, giving ample time for a tour of the beautiful Snoqualmie river valley after the obligatory pre ride espressi. There are a few semi-urban areas to traverse, but the return to the brewery should provide a pleasant post-ride food and fresh malted beverage experience. The ride is mostly gentle country roads, but includes both the Tolt River Climb and the Ames Lake Climb after some flat touring to soften the guns. Be advised that experienced riders will mark the heads of state on 12% Tolt, then after the technical descent are sure to launch the selection attack at the base of the longer, yet less steep Ames Lake climb. A regroup is likely on the long descent back to a short section of bike path to the brewery –  a sprint finish is likely, but experienced riders of the route will know that presence of YJAs and Hairy Hippie Douchbags may require vigilance in the lead out (especially on a Saturday.)

Plan is for a Casually Deliberate pace – regroups as needed or desired, but as you can see from the profile, the peloton is likely to enjoy a quiet day of touring. Except of course we all expect the blistering initial attack from @cyclops at the drop of the gun after the neutral pull out from the brewery. There are nice locally owned places for refuel in both Duvall and Carnation.

As is the tradition, a Friday night pre ride revelry event will be planned and discussed in the comments.

VLVV

Whidbey Cogal V-Team – do yourselves a massive favor, and stop in at Mosquito Fleet Chili in Coupeville for some coffee and a piece of pie or a pecan roll… These folks (husband & wife team) bring The V to their cooking and community. Top Notch. I canno… »

@fasthair i’ll chime in, having some winter/snow/ice commuting experience: you want a mountain frame. it’s about the geometry – when the traction gets squirrely, you’ll appreciate the more nimble mountain geometry… also, careful of getting tires that… »