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

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Submit Your Own Cogal:

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843 Replies to “The Cogals”

  1. @PedallingTom @ChrisO   We didn’t get back home till pretty late last night after a few days running around South Shields trying to find a new nursing home for Mrs T’s Mum so when the alarm went off and hearing the weather outside I decided to trade on some of the #9 banked from the London Cogal (if such a thing is possible). Also as I didn’t have time to get a winter jacket fit for today’s weather while we were away it would have been pretty miserable in a summer lightweight jacket.  Hope you had a good ride – if anyone turned up.

  2. @ChrisO

    ……… the roads outside London were very icy and a couple of our guys came down on the club ride, even though we stuck to A roads.

    Heard that one of my cycling buddies came down on some ice too and has torn knee ligaments.  Not good.

  3. @Teocalli and @ChrisO

    I’ve never known there to be so few cyclists and in Richmond Park and not a single bike rider! It’s a shame neither of you made it (or anyone else for that matter). You’re probably expecting a tale of wind and rain. Well, I won’t bore you with that as we’ve all seen plenty of it this winter. For me, a ride that promised to be gruesome turned into one of those near surreal cycling experiences which I ended up thoroughly enjoying. HNY gents. VLVV

  4. OK UK based Velominati, heads up! Time for a big get together on quiet roads in majestic scenery.

    I’m in the early stages of planning a 2 day Cogal in the Scottish Highlands, taking the in famed Bealach na Ba climb and round the Applecross Peninsula, which may appear flat on a map but is a succession of 17-20% short berg like climbs. Essentially the 2 days riding will be based around the routes of the Bealack Beag and Bealach Mor Sportive rides. As I had written elsewhere, the Bealach is an 11/10 ‘holy grail’ climb as rated and described in 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs: A Road Cyclist’s Guide to Britain’s Hills. Mountain Higher also states that the Bealach na Ba ‘can hold it’s head high in the rarified company of Europe’s toughest and most spectacular cycle climbs’

    Provisionally looking at a weekend in August 9/10, 16/17 or 23/24 and have found 2 local bunkhouses attached to damn fine hotels where we can sleep and share a post ride recovery beverage or 3. Kinlochewe sleeps 12 in triple bunks, Ledagowan for 10 in twins. Only £15.50 pppn. There is always the more expensive hotel bed option for any princesses.

    We need to book fast if it’s a goer. Intention is to stay Friday, set off early for the big ride on Saturday, ‘recover’ (we cook or eat out), sleep then a shorter ride Sunday before heading home. 

    Thoughts and opinions on the most suitable weekend please, my preference is 16/17 then 23/24. Google the Bealach and the bunkhouses and report back here as soon as you can.

    JB ([email protected])

  5. As things stand right now I shall be home for both preferred dates, so no real preference, sorry to be Swiss about it. Unless offshore schedule gets mucked about I shall be there either or.

  6. Glad to see this will happen @JohnB! I should be racing on the 10th in one of the rounds of the Scottish XCO series, but the other 2 weekends are good. If we can only do the 9/10th I might just skip the racing… Should be a cracking weekend.

  7. I’d love to do it but I am 90% sure I won’t be able to do those dates unfortunately.

    It’s slap bang in the gap between summer family holiday and then our 20th wedding anniversary in the first week of September so I’m unlikely to be back from Dubai.

    There is a slim chance though – for reasons related to passports and immigration we had our honeymoon in Oban and believe it or not we went scuba diving, or more accurately I went scuba diving and my wife learned. After that the next 20 years seemed easy.

    I will float the idea of a return to the Highlands and Islands as a fitting aniversary event (sans scuba diving) and if you do end up with the latest date in August I may be able to join you for a day. Are the hotels really nice ? Maybe I could even persuade her to stay there… and we could take the dog. Hmmm, that would be a coup. How many V points would I win for pulling that one off.

    I have to add that the other idea which has been floated is a trip to Rome (where we got engaged) so there’s stiff competition.

  8. Personally I would prefer the 9/10 option, but if the others are favourites then I will play it by ear. From the middle of August on I would only be there if the weather at home is pish!

  9. @ChrisO It’s Scotland in summer. You may need your scuba gear on the ride if as @the-farmer says….

    I’ll leave the thread running for a week or so then make a decision.

  10. @JohnB

    @ChrisO It’s Scotland in summer. You may need your scuba gear on the ride if as @the-farmer says….

    I’ll leave the thread running for a week or so then make a decision.

    Well a dry suit at 10 metres below is probably the best (only?) protection against those bloody midges.

    I have the bit between my teeth now.

    The Kinlochewe hotel is dog friendly and I’ve already made enquiries about availability – it may well be the clincher for Mrs ChrisO.

    Even if you go for an earlier date and I can’t join you I have been inspired.  I like the idea of going back to Scotland for our anniversary anyway and it looks like a beautiful area. I could take the bike and do Bealach Na Ba and some other rides, as long as I make adequate time for the Velomissus and Velodoggie.

  11. @JohnB

    @ChrisO It’s Scotland in summer. You may need your scuba gear on the ride if as @the-farmer says….

    I’ll leave the thread running for a week or so then make a decision.

    The thing is sometimes the weather in perthshire can be pish but in the west it’s gorgeous! June and July 2012 were like that. at home it was the worst summer for what felt like ever and in the north west the reservoirs were empty.

  12. The great thing about cycling in the North West in Summer is that the midges have a hard time keeping up.

  13. @strathlubnaig +1 and as long as we climb over 11kph they’ll no get us on the slopes of the  Bealach either. Late August hopefully getting near the end of their season and Avon Skin So Soft woodland does the trick repelling them and making the guns look slick!

  14. @JohnB

    @ChrisO It’s Scotland in summer. You may need your scuba gear on the ride if as @the-farmer says….

    or the return of @ChrisO’s granny tights. the horror, the horror.

    I’d love to do this, it has the potential to be an epic weekend but the dates don’t look good. I’m likely to be in France the for the last two weeks in August and the first weekend will most likely be spent panicking  trying to sort out the camping gear and clear the decks for two weeks off work.

    How about a more Rule #9 compliant version in October? We could all ride very slowly, look very serious and sell the film to Rapha for a small fortune.

  15. I’d love to too but a family wedding in Ireland makes August pretty unlikely for me.

  16. @JohnB

    @strathlubnaig +1 and as long as we climb over 11kph they’ll no get us on the slopes of the Bealach either. Late August hopefully getting near the end of their season and Avon Skin So Soft woodland does the trick repelling them and making the guns look slick!

    That’s me bitten then!

  17. @Chris

    @JohnB

    @ChrisO It’s Scotland in summer. You may need your scuba gear on the ride if as @the-farmer says….

    or the return of @ChrisO’s granny tights. the horror, the horror.

    I’d love to do this, it has the potential to be an epic weekend but the dates don’t look good. I’m likely to be in France the for the last two weeks in August and the first weekend will most likely be spent panicking trying to sort out the camping gear and clear the decks for two weeks off work.

    How about a more Rule #9 compliant version in October? We could all ride very slowly, look very serious and sell the film to Rapha for a small fortune.

    How about we just all do it again in the Fall then ?

  18. Decision time folks. On call rota checked and its my turn over the weekend 15/16 so proposing Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August for Caledonian Cogal V. A plus is that it’s nearer the end of midge season. I’ll email details to the keepers as soon as. If you are staying (Friday and/or Saturday) then you’ll need to get yourself booked into the Kinlochewe Hotel bunkhouse (or the hotel itself) in double quick time as there are only 12 bunks. They will do early espresso for us. Post ride recovery ales are a given.

    Speak to Andrew or Gail at the hotel (no online booking facility yet) on 01445 760253 or email [email protected] for a provisional booking, confirmed when you phone to pay.

  19. Get in…

    Hail me Velominati. I have persuaded my wife to stay at the Kinlochewe hotel on the weekend of the 23-24th for our 20th wedding anniversary.

    This was also after the full disclosure that I would take my bike and ride (only one day). The decider was that they allow dogs so while I ride she and the dog can go walkies.

    Fuck I amaze myself sometimes.

    Chapeau to Mrs ChrisO too for being jolly tolerant. Although I wasn’t going to risk just booking it, bringing the bike and then being amazed to find a bunch of Velominati at the same hotel. What a coincidence that would have beem.

  20. Unfortunately that could be summertime! So probably working hard (or hardly working).

    If the weather at home is poo I will be there, if there is no accomodation available by then I’ll try and score a tent from someone!

  21. @JohnB Good work! Will speak to my VMH tonight and see if she fancies a weekend out of the city. If not, I will try and book myself into the bunkhouse. Looking forward to this one already!

  22. Good news gentlemen, its taking shape nicely already. I’ll have at least one new face there with me. Rule #3.

  23. Thats me booked a bunk in bonnie Kinlochewe.  Careful though, it is in the middle of haggis hunting season then so the place might get busy.

  24. Booked me a bunk for Fri/Sat in sunny Kinlochewe (is that wishful thinking?) I will be travelling alone as the VMH refers to all locations in the highlands/west coast as “midgie hell holes.”

  25. That should be me booked in as well. I was up there at the end of July last year and it was fantastic, lets hope the weather is similar this year!

  26. Just got the confirmation email, booked in for the Friday and Saturday nights. Not sure if anyone has plans for the Sunday(assuming Saturday is the Cogal) but a recovery ride to Gairloch for some lunch and back could be nice? It’s pretty flat along Loch Maree with just the climb up & over to Gairloch to negotiate. Need to make the most of the weekends riding time after all!

  27. @campbellrae1

    Just got the confirmation email, booked in for the Friday and Saturday nights. Not sure if anyone has plans for the Sunday(assuming Saturday is the Cogal) but a recovery ride to Gairloch for some lunch and back could be nice? It’s pretty flat along Loch Maree with just the climb up & over to Gairloch to negotiate. Need to make the most of the weekends riding time after all!

    Good man, this is shaping up to be a Classic. Sunday we will ride. I may take a look at the map to see options.

  28. I may have mentioned this before but the Kinlochewe hotel was the setting for my mum and dad’s first date post a “chance” meeting on their bikes by Loch Maree.

    Karma huh?

  29. @the Engine

    Have booked a room because a) I’m very old and b) that’s how I roll – the VMH is thinking about it

    Not slumming it with the plebs then ?

  30. @JohnB Have you got a route map? I was guessing this was the plan, but we always have the option of the 30 odd km extension along the stupidly steep & hard road to the west of Torridon to Lower Diabaig and back. Correct me if that route is wrong!

    http://www.strava.com/routes/98589

  31. @frank Full and formal Cogal details inc route will be emailed this week. @campbellrae1. You’ve got the Saturday route spot on. Sunday recovery route can be flexible.

  32. @strathlubnaig

    @Chris

    @JohnB

    @ChrisO It’s Scotland in summer. You may need your scuba gear on the ride if as @the-farmer says….

    or the return of @ChrisO’s granny tights. the horror, the horror.

    I’d love to do this, it has the potential to be an epic weekend but the dates don’t look good. I’m likely to be in France the for the last two weeks in August and the first weekend will most likely be spent panicking trying to sort out the camping gear and clear the decks for two weeks off work.

    How about a more Rule #9 compliant version in October? We could all ride very slowly, look very serious and sell the film to Rapha for a small fortune.

    How about we just all do it again in the Fall then ?

    Yes. Apart from being on holiday for the August edition, @Mrs Chris has given Approval in Principle.*

    *Possibly not what you might term explicit approval but inferred from the fact that she didn’t say no at any point in the conversation.

  33. @the Engine

    I may have mentioned this before but the Kinlochewe hotel was the setting for my mum and dad’s first date post a “chance” meeting on their bikes by Loch Maree.

    Karma huh?

    Maybe you could write a poem about it ?

  34. @JohnB

    @frank Full and formal Cogal details inc route will be emailed this week. @campbellrae1. You’ve got the Saturday route spot on. Sunday recovery route can be flexible.

    Thats handy, Applecross Inn at the halfway point !

  35. @frank

    Chuck something over to the cogals email laddy and we’ll get this on formally.

    Emailed over last night. Keep further posts on Caledonian Cogal V for when it’s up in the calendar. In the meantime check out this months Cyclist mag. 9 pages on The Big One –  yep, The Bealach.

  36. RIGHT!!!  I am crashing at Roger’s place near Boston the last weekend in April for a conference and we have decided to have a Cogal that Saturday.  The Cogal will take place in Lexington, MA on Saturday the 26th of April starting at Roger’s cycling shop (Ride Studio Cafe–not actually “his” but he works there so close enough–1720 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420) at V after 0900.

    It is a gravel/dirt Cogal.  Route attached.  This route was used last September for another ride and is supposedly AWESOME!!!

    You will need 28mm at a minimum, maybe 32 mm tires on gravel/CX bikes per the description.

    Here’s a link to the route/description/etc from the September ride but this one is by us, not the cycling shop, but all are welcome of course!  The write up mentions registering/meals/etc.  None of that applies to us.  Details on pre-ride espresso/pre-night drinking in Boston/post ride recovery drinking is forthcoming.

    http://velocb.blogspot.com/2013/09/honey-one-hundred.html?m=1

    This is just what we call a WARNO in the Army to put it on your radars!

    See you then and we owe you the rest of the details ASAP!  I will be riding my steel 2006 LeMan poprad (weighs around 26 pounds) so I will NOT be fast.  It will be a Casually Deliberate ride so leave the ego’s at home but bring the fun!

  37. IF (IF) i’m not completely broke (I’ll need to hotel it) from all the other gravel rides going on, I might be able to make it down. The weekend before is the Rasputitsa.

  38. @Weldertron indeed it is. you’re more than welcome to just come down after that weekend with me to boston!

    and dont worry about hotel man…we’ll sort you out

  39. @Weldertron

    I’ll check the logistics. I’ll be coming from Montreal.

    Come on down and bring a few friends!  It’ll be  a BLAST!!!

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