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
@paolo
Small world eh. We were in the White Hart last night re hydrating after our regular Tuesday night ride. It still serves some of the best beer you'll ever taste.
Weather can be a little shonky though....
@Steampunk
Our regular riding night is a Tuesday, but if you're about on the 26/4 I'm sure we could sort something out.
Oh man, looking forward to the Ontario Cogal! Doing some route research has turned up the following 2 photos courtesy of Google Earth/Panoramio. Fuck yeah! Apparently the Cogal goes down the 2nd hairpin and then back up a few kms later.
@Tartan1749
And the first one is Rattlesnake Point - nastiest little climb in Southern Ontario! 22% at its steepest.
@Tartan1749; @Mikel Pearce:
Second one (on Forks of the Credit Scenic Road) is beautiful, but not nearly as bad as it looks. The first one could be beautiful, but I wouldn't know; it's much worse than it looks and I don't have the form to admire the scenery on the way up. The second kilometer of the ride involves taking on Sydenham Hill: 10% over 1.3km (the first pic is the lone semblance of peace on that climb, and it feels a lot worse than this pic seems to indicate). Which will get the bodies warm and the heart rate up.
This is going to be one excellent ride.
@Tartan1749
Does that mean you're thinking of coming up for this? That would be terrific! Steel Town to Steel Town (Pittsburgh to Hamilton) is less than five hours by car. If there's enough out-of-town interest, I can look into trying to organize some kind of B&B discount or something for parties looking for somewhere to stay.
@Mikel Pearce
If I'm not mistaken, that's the 22% right in the picture, right? The next road over, Bell School Line makes a less severe step ladder like climb"”at 15% and 17% respectively. But it doesn't require the kind of sustained effort that the climb above sets. If I'm not mistaken, Rattlesnake averages above 14% for well over half a kilometer.
@Steampunk
I do plan on attending. Have to get the VMH approval first, but maybe we can make it a mini vacation for the holiday weekend. Regardless, in order to have a respectable showing, I'll need to be in fine shape by then.
You guys are making my legs hurt looking at those pictures.
@Steampunk
Yes, I'm pretty sure it is, although it took me a while to recognize it for the same reason you give above - ie that I'm usually communing with butterflies at about that point ...
Bell School is nasty as well, but it's nowhere near as hard as Rattlesnake, and the pain of Bell School is over much more quickly, whereas Rattlesnake just seems to go on forever.
@mcsqueak
The climbing around the Niagara Escarpment area is just amazing. There are six climbs within 10km of Rattlesnake that are all just amazingly nasty.