The Cogals

Cogals (pronounce it correctly: kog-al) are meetings of like-minded misfits brought together by the promise of beer, preceded by a bike ride. Cogals are free, open to all, organized by our fellow Velominati and are always followed by consumption of post-ride recovery ales and merriment. These are gatherings of unbridled observance of Rule #4.

Cogals differ themselves from other group rides by the meeting the following criteria:

  • First, Cogals are free, organized and supported through Velominati, though not necessarily a Keeper. Anyone is welcome to join a Cogal. Legally speaking, however, we have no involvement, so if you crash or die, it’s your own problem. Please be careful to study the route previously and take precautionary measures to stay safe.
  • Second, a Cogal is a day-long undertaking that focuses 100% on the bike. The rides are categorized (Casually Deliberate,  Rule #5 Rule #10, for example) but are long. This is what you’re doing today, nothing else; see  Rule #4. Rides can be any length, but a minimum distance of 130km should be expected.
  • Third, Cogals always include a session of Malted Recovery Beverage Consumption after the ride. Whenever possible, it should also include a pre-ride espresso.

Not all the events in The Cogals are actual Cogals. We also post rides and events that are of interest to the community, as well as Keepers Tours, which are Velominati-hosted, paid cycling Tours tailored to the tastes of a velominatus.

Any member of the community is welcomed to organize a Cogal. If interested, either post your interest below or email us with the following information:

  • Date of Cogal
  • Starting Address (ideally somewhere neutral, like a café or park)
  • Route (MapMyRide, Bikely, or Strava)
  • Ride Classification (Casually Deliberate, Rule V, Rule VV, or suggest another)
  • A paragraph describing the Cogal

Upcoming Cogals

[events_list limit=”5″]

CONTENTS

[separator break=”true”/]

Submit Your Own Cogal:

[event_form]

[separator break=”true”/]

843 Replies to “The Cogals”

  1. The Cogals »

    STRONG work, Fronk, STRONG work!!! Just ordered my Austin Cogal pint. Cannot wait, only a few more weeks!!!

  2. The Cogals »

    Get it filled! You and Scaler were talking a lot of tough talk about a Portland ride in December!

  3. The Cogals »

    As for the 100 on 200 ride in June. I have been checking it out and there is an actual organization that runs this exact event yearly in June. They have been doing it since something like the early ’80’s with a few years missed here and there. They invite all comers and do not ask for any money. They have full SAG and support set up and seem like really good people. Their website is 100-200.org. They have tentively set the date for June 23rd next year. Check out their website and let me know what you think.

    It would solve a TON of logistics and also allow many sub groups to form as it kind of has to be a Rule V ride with the possibility of being a Rule IX ride as well with the overall distance being so long.

    Please chime in when you can so that, at least for me, I can change my trip to France to the first part of June as opposed to the end of the month and we can all plan accordingly.

    Thanks, Buck

  4. The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers
    If you’re interested in just doing the ride – go for the 100-200.org ride, but it won’t be a Cogal. No big deal obviously; just pointing it out.

  5. The Cogals »

    @frank

    The Cogals »

    @Buck RogersIf you’re interested in just doing the ride – go for the 100-200.org ride, but it won’t be a Cogal. No big deal obviously; just pointing it out.

    Excellent to know. Then we will obviosuly have to do a separate ride for the Velominati and not do the 100-on-200 ride! Cogal of brotherhood, BABY!!!

  6. The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers
    I have a former student and filmmaker who would be interested in driving in support and filming a documentary of our suffering. More logistics to work out””it seems to me that we would need to think about navigating around breaking into at least two groups on the road so that the pace isn’t too high or too low. That might even mean a second vehicle. But definitely count me in for Vermont. June 19 is out for me, but the earlier period you mentioned awhile back definitely works for me.

  7. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk

    The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers
    I have a former student and filmmaker who would be interested in driving in support and filming a documentary of our suffering. More logistics to work out””it seems to me that we would need to think about navigating around breaking into at least two groups on the road so that the pace isn’t too high or too low. That might even mean a second vehicle. But definitely count me in for Vermont. June 19 is out for me, but the earlier period you mentioned awhile back definitely works for me.

    Fuckin’ spot on! Awesome!

    Is there any chance you can go later in the month at all? I have a wedding on the 16th in VT and the VMH now wants to hit France prior to the wedding and then spend the rest of the summer in VT from the 14th of june on.

    It’s okay if you can’t. Just trying to sort out all kinds of plans.

  8. The Cogals »

    @frank

    The Cogals »

    Get it filled! You and Scaler were talking a lot of tough talk about a Portland ride in December!

    Alright McSqueek. The gloves have been thrown down. Candy asses pedaling around the desert south in winter does not a hardman make. The weather is just going to get shittier, and it’s holiday beer time here in the land that has more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the world. We should hookup next week and get it done! I’m going out for 4.5 hours in this shit tomorrow, it’d be a pretty great write up here on the site, and bragging rights for a year (plus I love me a challenge).

  9. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk

    Your post has Rule #11 all ass backwards. As a fellow velominatus paterfamilias who recently set his form back to the Stone Age by shamelessly violating Rule #11 and taking time off the bike for a family weekend trip, I feel obliged to correct your post as indicated below.

    The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers
    I expect so. I will have to miss the ride and infringe Rule #11 as June 19 is daughter’s birthday. Later in the month gives me more time to get within two months of peaking…

  10. The Cogals »

    @Nate
    Sorry. I’m confused: are you chastising me for begging off June 19, or are you encouraging me? Ah: I think I see now. My original post was actually me asserting that June 19 would involve my breaching Rule #11.

    @Buck Rogers
    If you’re to be in VT through the summer, July could be even better. Kids are in school through the end of June; getting away in July might be easier.

  11. The Cogals »

    @scaler911, @mcsqueak
    Do it with some proper lead time and I’ll try to unshackle myself from chronic Rule #11 noncompliance and make the trip up from NorCal.

  12. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk
    To miss the ride for your daughter’s birthday would violate the letter of Rule #11. Which I suspect was not written by a velominatus paterfamilias.

  13. The Cogals »

    @Nate
    Where in the State of Jefferson you from? I grew up in as NorCal as it gets. Yreka. Cool if you can make it I might add.

  14. The Cogals »

    @scaler911
    Peoples’ Republic of Berkeley. Which probably isn’t NorCal in the Jeffersonian sense, not to open a can of worms.

  15. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk

    The Cogals »

    @Buck RogersIf you’re to be in VT through the summer, July could be even better. Kids are in school through the end of June; getting away in July might be easier.

    I’m actually there only for two-and-a-half weeks as I have to head back to work starting the day after 4 of July weekend. My wife and kiddos will be there for the whole summer.

    We have a family place in North Ferrisburgh where a bunch of Velominati can crash on the floors, etc (3 season, three bedroom camp on the lake–pretty decent but not large but definitnely open to anyone that is doing the Cogal).

    But, you can all plan it for anytime that works for you. I’d love to be there but my travel plans are in flux and I do not want to screw up everyone else just b/c I am gone until the 16th of June. I should be in VT from the 15th (day before the wedding) until the 4th of July. At least that is the latest. Originally we were suppossed to go to VT from 2 June until the 16th and then head to France for two weeks. Dates are currently switching but it should not stop what ever is best for everyone.

    If it is all the same, I’d prefer the very last week in June, sometime mid-week (27th or 28th) but, like I say, whatever works best for the majority is fine by me.

  16. The Cogals »

    @Nate
    No. Indubitably not. Having said that, I have a theory that Velominati paterfamiliae are 127% more endowed in the V (note the use of >100%, just to rankle Frank). I’ll spare you all the virility angles to this, but:

    1. Our time is invariably limited, so we hammer harder.
    2. Our windows of opportunity are equally reduced, so Rule #9 become a fact of life.
    3. We have a built-in morale sucker (typically referred to as the VMH); if you can still stand upright after Mrs. Steampunk’s withering tirade, you can eat cobblestones for breakfast.
    4. We are responsible for raising the next generation of Velominati. There’s a Darwinian element to this.

    As a result of all this, Velominati paterfamiliae (love that, by the way) tend to fall more heavily into the cognoscentus camp. I don’t mind breaching Rule #11 from time to time, because to adhere to all rules all the time would tend towards Rule Holism, which isn’t the Hardman way.

  17. The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers
    Okay by me. My calendar is much more open, so anytime that works is fine. We have the luxury of a bit of time here to work out who else might participate and whether there is a date that accommodates the greatest number of riders.

  18. The Cogals »

    With the proper lead out time I could convince the VMH that the Portland cogal would be an STP recon mission.

  19. The Cogals »

    So I’m very very keen to do the Ronde sportive on March 31, and stay to watch the race the next day, potentially linking up with those on the Keepers’ Tour.

    (Which BTW Frank, needs an apostrophe, sorry, but it’s in the interests of my dental health).

    Anyway as it is a sportive I assume it isn’t a pure cogal but should be entered here.

    I’d like to make bookings in the next couple of weeks but have a choice of either going with a group from my club, or if there is interest from fellow Velominati I’m happy to make a group with you guys/gals.
    I’m even working on Mrs ChrisO to ditch the kids for the weekend with the prospect of having a day to herself in Bruges while I ride.

    The plan is to stay in Bruges, arriving daytime on Friday 30th so we can pick up entry packs.

    There’s lots of B&B accommodation in Bruges but obviously it would be useful if we were in the same place or at least area. http://www.booking.com for an idea of prices etc – generally 80-100 euros per night.

    Sportive is on 31st, starting in Bruge, finishing in Oudenaarde, which is about an hour away by local train.

    Sunday 1st, watch the sign-on and start from Bruge then watch the race in an establishment providing malted recovery beverages, preferably in odd-shaped glasses.

    Depart Monday morning. I gather if you come by Eurostar then the train from Brussels to Bruge is included in the price.

    So, for those who can’t do the main tour but want to take in some classic action… let me know if there is interest. As I said, I’ll probably do it anyway, it’s just a case of which jersey I wear.

  20. The Cogals »

    @ChrisO

    I could be very interested in this. I had planed on something slightly later on in April but an undertaking of this nature is best carried out as a raiding party rather than a solo mission.

    @frank

    The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers
    If you’re interested in just doing the ride – go for the 100-200.org ride, but it won’t be a Cogal. No big deal obviously; just pointing it out.

    If a big enough group of Velominati ride a sportive, can that be considered as a Cogal?

  21. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk

    The Cogals »

    @NateNo. Indubitably not. Having said that, I have a theory that Velominati paterfamiliae are 127% more endowed in The V (note the use of >100%, just to rankle Frank). I’ll spare you all the virility angles to this, but:
    1. Our time is invariably limited, so we hammer harder.2. Our windows of opportunity are equally reduced, so Rule #9 become a fact of life.3. We have a built-in morale sucker (typically referred to as the VMH); if you can still stand upright after Mrs. Steampunk’s withering tirade, you can eat cobblestones for breakfast.4. We are responsible for raising the next generation of Velominati. There’s a Darwinian element to this.
    As a result of all this, Velominati paterfamiliae (love that, by the way) tend to fall more heavily into the Cognoscentus camp. I don’t mind breaching Rule #11 from time to time, because to adhere to all rules all the time would tend towards Rule Holism, which isn’t the Hardman way.

    Obviously biased here, but I have to COMPLETELY agree with you on this one. More than half of my total effort in riding is getting the time to ride between the VMH and the five kids all giving me crap about “TFB” and my riding time.

    byt he way, Velominati paterfamiliae is brilliant in my opinion and seems very worthy of the lexicon. For those of you without kids or a non-supportive VMH, it’s a whole other world of riding out there!

  22. The Cogals »

    @ChrisO

    The Cogals »

    So I’m very very keen to do the Ronde sportive on March 31, and stay to watch the race the next day, potentially linking up with those on the Keepers’ Tour.
    (Which BTW Frank, needs an apostrophe, sorry, but it’s in the interests of my dental health).
    Anyway as it is a sportive I assume it isn’t a pure cogal but should be entered here.
    I’d like to make bookings in the next couple of weeks but have a choice of either going with a group from my club, or if there is interest from fellow Velominati I’m happy to make a group with you guys/gals.
    I’m even working on Mrs ChrisO to ditch the kids for the weekend with the prospect of having a day to herself in Bruges while I ride.
    The plan is to stay in Bruges, arriving daytime on Friday 30th so we can pick up entry packs.
    There’s lots of B&B accommodation in Bruges but obviously it would be useful if we were in the same place or at least area. http://www.booking.com for an idea of prices etc – generally 80-100 euros per night.
    Sportive is on 31st, starting in Bruge, finishing in Oudenaarde, which is about an hour away by local train.
    Sunday 1st, watch the sign-on and start from Bruge then watch the race in an establishment providing malted recovery beverages, preferably in odd-shaped glasses.
    Depart Monday morning. I gather if you come by Eurostar then the train from Brussels to Bruge is included in the price.
    So, for those who can’t do the main tour but want to take in some classic action… let me know if there is interest. As I said, I’ll probably do it anyway, it’s just a case of which jersey I wear.

    Sounds great – email our cogal address at the top and we’ll get this set up with you as the organizer. One thing of note, by the way, is that we’ll be announcing weekend and daily rates with or without accommodations on Monday. Get an early start on the sportive; you’ll be sharing the road with 18000 people, no fun waiting in line to walk up the bergs.

  23. The Cogals »

    @Chris

    If a big enough group of Velominati ride a sportive, can that be considered as a Cogal?

    Afraid not – not that it matters. A Cogal is just a name, if a bunch of you want to do the Sportive that totally kicks ass and we’d be proud to know about it, put it in the calendar, and expect race reports and loads of photos.

    But as a matter of definitions, I’ll quote from the top of the page what a Cogal is:

    Cogals differ themselves from other group rides by the meeting the following criteria:

    • First, Cogals are free, organized and supported through Velominati, though not necessarily a Keeper (legally speaking, however, we have no involvement, so if you crash or die, it’s your own problem. Anyone is welcome to join a Cogal.
    • Second, a Cogal is a day-long undertaking that focuses 100% on the bike. The rides are categorized (Casually Deliberate, Rule #5, Rule #10, for example) but are long. This is what you’re doing today, nothing else; see Rule #4.
    • Third, Cogals always include a session of Malted Recovery Beverage Consumption after the ride. Whenever possible, it should also include a pre-ride espresso.
  24. The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers @Nate
    A couple of Father’s Days ago, my wife and kids gave me a t-shirt reading “Pater Familias.” This after I kept quoting O Brother Where Art Thou: “I’m the pater familias, godammit!” I suspect the Rodney Dangerfield t-shirt comes next…

  25. The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers
    I agree as well. In that vein, what about a Toronto/Southern Ontario Cogal? There is some great riding just west of TO, and I would be happy to help host.

  26. The Cogals »

    Chapeua to the Keeps, this is fine work. Want to really hurt yourselves? Wonder if there is any WP plugin software out there that allows registered, logged in users to drop a pin on a map where they are located. Velominati everywhere can see their proximity to other Members of the Order, thus promoting cogals.

    WordPress experts out there?

  27. The Cogals »

    @Mikel Pearce

    The Cogals »

    @Buck RogersI agree as well. In that vein, what about a Toronto/Southern Ontario Cogal? There is some great riding just west of TO, and I would be happy to help host.

    Which thing do you agree with Mike? I blather about so much stuff around here and to actually have someone acknowledge that they think something I said is agreeable is a new prospect for me!

  28. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk

    The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers @NateA couple of Father’s Days ago, my wife and kids gave me a t-shirt reading “Pater Familias.” This after I kept quoting O Brother Where Art Thou: “I’m the pater familias, godammit!” I suspect the Rodney Dangerfield t-shirt comes next…

    I think that we may be related in some way, shape or form. At least if coming from the Northern New Enlgand area, loving to ride but having to work around the VMH and kids, and quoting O Brother counts as anything. To cement the blood relation just acknowledge that you love The Big Lebowski and I’ll see you at the next reunion!

  29. The Cogals »

    @frank

    There was talk of part of the Keeper’s tour being open to non participating velominati as a Cogal, is there any more details on that? (Sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere, I’m temporarily limited to Blackberry access).

  30. The Cogals »

    @buck I still want to do the ride in vt as well, I’m just worried my fitness won’t be up to the task, and due to the length of the ride I don’t want to hold you guys up. Obviously I still have a lot of time to get my fitness level to that point, so don’t count me out yet. Seeing as I was one of the original instigators for the ride I really want to be there. I’m using it as motivation to ride frequently this winter, and to hit the gym to help with the power to weight ratio. As I said, don’t count me out, I’ll have a better idea in may.

  31. The Cogals »

    @King Clydesdale

    The Cogals »

    @buck I still want to do the ride in vt as well, I’m just worried my fitness won’t be up to the task, and due to the length of the ride I don’t want to hold you guys up. Obviously I still have a lot of time to get my fitness level to that point, so don’t count me out yet. Seeing as I was one of the original instigators for the ride I really want to be there. I’m using it as motivation to ride frequently this winter, and to hit the gym to help with the power to weight ratio. As I said, don’t count me out, I’ll have a better idea in may.

    Brother, this ride will be EPIC! Hell, I do not know if I will finish (or remember finishing if I do) but I am going to be there at the start if at all possible and it is totally motivating me to get on the rollers while the kids are alseep and the VMH is out or asleep as well!

    Just keep your eyes on the prize and commit to it. The task is half over once you fully commit yourself to it, even if it is climbing Everest! Worst case scenario is that we have two sub-groups riding with one finishing under 12 hours and one closer to 14 or 15 hours. It will be by nature of the length a Rule V ride, not b/c we push the pace but b/c of the distance and hours of daylight. But no reason that we cannot have two groups and see where everyone ends up either.

    On another note, are you okay with the last week in June as opposed to earlier in the month? You and Steampunk were two of the main people I wanted to make sure that it worked for before commiting to setting it up at the end of June.

  32. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk

    The Cogals »

    @Nate
    No. Indubitably not. Having said that, I have a theory that Velominati paterfamiliae are 127% more endowed in The V (note the use of >100%, just to rankle Frank). I’ll spare you all the virility angles to this, but:
    1. Our time is invariably limited, so we hammer harder.
    2. Our windows of opportunity are equally reduced, so Rule #9 become a fact of life.
    3. We have a built-in morale sucker (typically referred to as the VMH); if you can still stand upright after Mrs. Steampunk’s withering tirade, you can eat cobblestones for breakfast.
    4. We are responsible for raising the next generation of Velominati. There’s a Darwinian element to this.
    As a result of all this, Velominati paterfamiliae (love that, by the way) tend to fall more heavily into the Cognoscentus camp. I don’t mind breaching Rule #11 from time to time, because to adhere to all rules all the time would tend towards Rule Holism, which isn’t the Hardman way.

    Agree 136%. I haven’t gotten my ride in yet today, as I was engaged in Category IV velominatus paterfamilias activities. Today’s lesson was inspired by Mr. Paris-Roubaix, Roger de Vlaeminck:

  33. The Cogals »

    @Mikel Pearce
    Let’s make this happen. I’m in Hamilton. I love the riding around Belfountain, and Rattlesnake Point (which tops out at 22%) is almost begging for some kind of Cogal sufferfest. To up the ante, what about a Terra Cotta to Collingwood or some such? Our window is dwindling this year, but I’ll be riding until the snow shuts me down.

  34. The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers
    Sadly, no New England blood here (born on Canadian west coast). But other than that, we’re onto something. Under the circumstances, maybe I shouldn’t comment on The Big Lebowski, for fear of weirding out other folks here. Having V kids, though: I won’t be going there. Good on you. We stopped at three, but there’s an eleven-year span between the eldest and the youngest; definitely could have fit a good number more in.

  35. The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers @King Clydesdale
    This is going to be a real test for anyone (and a big dumptruck of awesome for everyone). And it’s why I thought having at least two support cars was important. Given the size of the group, we might be able to split into two groups on the road””Casually Deliberate and Rule #10 (they’ll both, by definition, be Rule #5). 330 kilometers is going to be a tall order, but that’s the appeal. The preparation, the suffering, then the test (and more suffering). Depending on where Buck’s home base is, we could also talk about a slower group splitting the ride over two days, although I’d personally like to try to do the whole run in one go.

  36. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk
    I had mentioned possibly breaking it into two days here on the site and was PROMPTLY shot down in a blaze of rule violations and spent the next week on hill repeats in penance for my sins!

    But, two groups might really work. My place, where evryone is welcome, although it might get a bit crowded (if we’re lucky) is on Lake Champlain about 30 miloes south of Burlington and 40 miles north of Middlebury (jsut guesstimates on my part). But a good place to break off to if one had to.

  37. The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers

    The Cogals »

    @Steampunk

    The Cogals »

    @NateNo. Indubitably not. Having said that, I have a theory that Velominati paterfamiliae are 127% more endowed in The V (note the use of >100%, just to rankle Frank). I’ll spare you all the virility angles to this, but:
    1. Our time is invariably limited, so we hammer harder.2. Our windows of opportunity are equally reduced, so Rule #9 become a fact of life.3. We have a built-in morale sucker (typically referred to as the VMH); if you can still stand upright after Mrs. Steampunk’s withering tirade, you can eat cobblestones for breakfast.4. We are responsible for raising the next generation of Velominati. There’s a Darwinian element to this.
    As a result of all this, Velominati paterfamiliae (love that, by the way) tend to fall more heavily into the Cognoscentus camp. I don’t mind breaching Rule #11 from time to time, because to adhere to all rules all the time would tend towards Rule Holism, which isn’t the Hardman way.

    Obviously biased here, but I have to COMPLETELY agree with you on this one. More than half of my total effort in riding is getting the time to ride between the VMH and the five kids all giving me crap about “TFB” and my riding time.
    byt he way, Velominati paterfamiliae is brilliant in my opinion and seems very worthy of the lexicon. For those of you without kids or a non-supportive VMH, it’s a whole other world of riding out there!

    Yeah, the riding part is the easy part. But you are in a whole other league, brother, with what? Five? Strong work, obviously.

  38. The Cogals »

    @Mikel Pearce
    Nice! What kind of route do you have in mind? I’d make a strong pitch for starting at Café Domestique (current home, incidentally, of a certain green & black Cervelo ridden by a certain God of Thunder, during a certain successful TdF green jersey campaign), but that would put us on roads I ride all the time, and I’d be open for a change. Sadly, the Shed in Belfountain is closing its doors in a couple of weeks and won’t be around next spring. Count me in””and maybe we can hook some Canadian lurkers and even tempt some folks from south of the border…

  39. The Cogals »

    Still can’t believe there are no other Velominati in AZ.

  40. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk
    Well, I definitely think that Rattlesnake should be included, and there are 5 other climbs within 10k of the Snake that are almost as hard … We should certainly do the Forks of the Credit! I’m sure we can come up with a great route. If we wanted to ride to the Beaver Valley we could stay overnight at my chalet (assuming mid to late May) and ride back the next day …

  41. The Cogals »

    @Mikel Pearce
    Wow! I see a series of Ontario Cogals developing here. We could start with a route that climbs the five roads up Rattlesnake Point (starting or finishing with Appleby). That needn’t be a long ride, but it would hurt something bad. Another could do Forks of the Credit (new to the area, I went up the Grange Side Rd off McLaughlin””steep and muddy””a couple of weeks ago: insane stuff!), but a ride along the Credit would be terrific. Beaver Valley, I don’t know: up Flesherton way?

  42. The Cogals »

    @Steampunk
    God DAMN! You guys are killing me! I’m already in a bit of a dog house with the Austin Cogal and the VT one with a possible rid ein France in early June and now you’re tempting me with another BEAUTIFULLY planned ride in the Spring! Get thee behind me, Satan! :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.