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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View Comments
@eightzero
Thats some nice laundry you're doing back there, mate.
@sgt et all
Obvs April is out for me, but I'd try to join one in May, or July/August. If we did it late enough (August) I'd be able to make the case for a drive down the PCH to Santa Barbara. We did it from NorCal to San Francisco and are really dying to do the rest.
@frank
That's all the miscellaneous kittes, bibs, and jerseys I use to make me look like a douche. There's a Tyler Hamilton jersey, a complete Smith/Wesson Landis kitte, a few Discovery and USPS jerseys, a CSC Hamilton kitte, another AToC Landis jersey. You get the idea....
@frank
Hey, easy there fella.
The Welli-Roubaix will be held while I'm in Belgium, which served as a cogal last year (although lazy asses like @minion couldn't even be bothered to drag himself along, even living in this city). So next year I've arranged for a 2-time attendee to run the ride. Either that or we run one before or after Belgium.
And... who was trying to organise the Sydney on for xmas/new year? Get in touch, we can make it happen...
@brett
Awesome! You know I love you. We'll also be doing the Ronde van Seattle, but i have to figure out if we'll do it before/after or if someone will lead it in my stead. I'm thinking 130km with the last 50 over the steep cobble climbs in Seattle. ROCK!
@Eightzero
Well, at least the beer looks right...
New Cogal added (more detail to follow): 202km around Ontario, Canada.
http://www.velominati.com/cogals/event/ontario-canada-cogal/
@sgt
Maybe we should look at May. Unless one is making a Pilgrimage to Belgium, it's probably best not to schedule a Cogal to conflict with a monument, and there are so many of those in April.
@brett
Hi Brett, Yeah I thought the Welli-Roubaix would be a goodie, but I'll be over in Belgium the same time you guys are, different tour party though, when I see the V-kit I will come and say hi.
Before would be good.
How many South Island Velominati represent? I am happy to run one, what do I need to do?
@Mr Haven
Figure a route and a day, and then let us know (best to email us or post here) with the day, route (on MapMyRide or some such mapping utility) and starting point (cafe or park address), and we'll get it in the calendar. From there, we'll work out the details, including an official article detailing the plan. We like to get the article announcing the Cogal up about a month prior to the ride to allow for people to plan around it.
At least, this is the model we used for the Austin Cogal and in the absence of evidence that it didn't work, we're planning to continue with it.
@Frank.
Consider it done. Build it and they will come.