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
@DerHoggz
Sure am planning on it. Have to work out if the wife and kid will be attending as well. Either way, a carpool will be a stretch as 2 bikes won't quite fit in my Z (I can barely get mine in there).
Glad to hear it won't just be Steampunk and myself at the Ontario Cogal! Though that would have been just fine, of course!
@Tartan1749
Thats cool, I might be able to wrangle one of my family's cars to take up, it is just older and not so trustworthy. It should be fine though.
For all of you unfortunates like me that cannot be in Northern France this late March/early April, there is the once-every-two-years Paris Roubaix cyclo going off on June 10, 2012. This will not be anywhere near as much fun as riding and the watching the Ronde and P-R but it works well if you are going to be in France the first couple of weeks in June (like me).
Here is the link to the website in English. They just opened up on-line registration today and I am signed up.
http://www.vc-roubaix-cyclo.fr/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=132&Itemid=13
Obviously, if I could be there in March, that's where I'd be. But since I cannot, I'll be on the pave' in June instead.
If any other Velominati are going to the June one, please let me know. It will not be an official Cogal as I think that a Velominati has to organize it to qualify, but nothing says that we still cannot get togetehr and drink ourselves silly afterward!!!
It costs 22 Euro to enter the long version if you go without one of the official tour set up groups. You just have to show up at the start and ride the bloody thing. At least that's my plan!
Just a heads-up to anyone that might be interested.
dammit - I am going to miss the 1st PDX Cogal - on my way back from Japan! I'll have to organize a spring one instead!
@Gerard
Sorry to hear that! Yes, please schedule another one for later in the year!
@Mikel Pearce
I could also make the ontario cogal so you guys could see what a french canadian 21 year olds cyclist look like. Just need to make sure the marinoni will be ready before the 27th of may
@godsight
Awesome! And a Québecois on a Marinoni sounds appropriate. Of course, the owner of our starting point used to build Mariposa bikes. The Cogal will be a terrific ride!
@godsight
We may have to put you young fellers on the front for a while to tire you out ... What was that someone said about age and treachery ...?
@Mikel Pearce
My thoughts exactly!