@Cyclops has taken it upon himself to organize North America’s first official Cogal right in the backyard of where it all started: Seattle, Wa. @Scaler911 and @McSqueak have confirmed that they will be driving up from Portland, OR to attend and we hereby invite any and all Velominati to attend.
We’ll be doing a no-drop ride on Whidbey Island, following a route that is not terribly hilly and easily accommodates varying distances, though I myself will be planning on a 100k or more. We’ll leave the Coffeehouse Bookstore in Langley at V minutes past 10 to give everyone plenty of time to find their way up to the island and into Langley. Route details will be published in the posts below when it is confirmed. (I have to do some research as I’ve not done the ride in it’s entirety myself.) Hope to see you there.
UPDATE: The route has been posted on MapMyRide. It is a 160km ride with the option to cut section off for those who are getting tired.
UPDATE: Those who are interested are invited to dinner Friday Evening at Quinn’s Pub on Capital Hill in Seattle. Please arrive as close to 6:30 as possible; late-comers will not be guaranteed a seat at the table if the place is full.
Yours in Cycling,
Frank
—
Though there are two 2011 U.S. National Champions about 30 minutes down the interstate from me – southeast Idaho isn’t exactly a road bike Mecca. And I wear the V-Shirt whenever I’m traveling in the area to races (whether to participate or spectate) but I’ve only had one person recognize the Sign of the “V”. So the chances of running into or riding with a fellow Velominati are pretty slim. Let alone the demented brainchild of all this nonsense – Darth Strack. What’s a boy to do? Take the bull by the horns and make it happen my own self, that’s what. I figure that anywhere that I can drive to in a day is not too far to go for a ride so I’m off to Seattle to see whether this “Frank” character is indeed worthy to be praised or if he’s just some guy behind a curtain pulling levers and turning dials.
The plan is for a meet and greet (and eat and drink) Friday night Oct. 14 and a ride on Saturday the 15th. A few blokes from Portland way are planning on coming up as well so it looks like it is going to turn into a little Gran Fronkdo. Anyone that can make it is invited. We haven’t sorted out the details of the route or meeting place or time or anything important like that but we should have all that set in cobbles by early this week, so stay tuned.
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@fasthair
My pleasure. I'll contact you via email to arrange the particulars.
@eightzero
Or Brouwers?
Regarding the Coffee House - it's been renamed to Coffeehouse Bookstore, I guess. Try this link (also updated article.)
http://southwhidbeycommons.org/mission/coffeehouse-bookstore/
@mcsqueak
yes I will be there, friend of mine wanted company - I did Cycle Oregon as my first organized ride which was interesting.... wil be on a black Cervelo R3, Kask helmet/ adidas white framed eyewear with orange lenses likley... and larger logo castelli bibs for my sins :O)
@eightzero, @mcsqueak
If we feel it might be too unreliable/stressful/costly to do the Ferry, we can also do a nice route out in Skaggit valley, which would eliminate the need for a Ferry ride but is a slightly farther drive. Probably the same amount of total time for transport.
There is also a good pub at the end of the Skaggit ride and a solid parking lot for parking.
@frank
Thanks a ton! You're on my Christmas card list! I'm out of town with only my phone but I can get emails.
@frank
Eh, I think it'll be fine, if you give yourself enough time.
Wow! I'm soooooo jealous. The first North American Cogal. To make it on time, I'd have to start driving tomorrow. Sucks. *kicks dirt, hands in pockets, pouts*
Y'all have fun. No, no, it's okay. I'll just ride around and around and around the Fruit Loop in Memorial Park. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Really. *sniffles*
Have always wanted to do the Whidbey ride, but your call - not trying to second guess or complain. I see the Mukelteo/Clinton run is on the hour and half hour. I think the 9am sailing from Mukelteo gets us there in time to ride to the Langley coffee shop (that I have now found on google maps) in time for pre-ride espressi. Best to ditch the car - why bring it over?
@mcsqueak I've never seen anyone given a hard time by WSDOT about cleats or covers, but Washingtonians are notoriously compliants about everything. I just take my shoes off.
Brouwers fuck yeah! What time?
Enjoy yourselves. On a little island myself right now - but mine is on the Coral Sea. Only ball bearings I will be hearing are those located in my fishing reel!
@mcsqueak
oh, one other thing - buying a ticket in advance isn't an advantage. The only line issue is the car wait line. Always lots of room for bikes/walk ons. There is parking near the ferry terminal, but it is generally a pay lot, even on weekends.