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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@Teocalli
#Happy70Eddy
Cogal of the Falling Leaves – I humbly suggest Saturday, October 17 for a proper chance at some fuckedness and so as to not interfere with Canadian turkey weekend the week before.
@DeKerr
Seconded.
A reminder if any near-London Velominati want to do the Dulwich Ride of the Falling Leaves sportive on Oct 4. Entries are now open on Rider HQ and they go quickly as it is a limited number.
If you’re not really into sportives this is a good one. A Clayton’s sportive (which will only make sense to Aussies). More like a great big club ride in groups than a mass sportive.
It starts at Herne Hill Velodrome, does 115kms with some nice lumps in the Surrey/Kent hills and finishes just down the road at Dulwich Sports Club.
Speaking of near London Velominati, @blackpooltower and I are meeting up on the evening of 14 January for some velo centric banter and possible London (or there abouts) Cogal planning.
Venue is tbd so keep an eye on the Cogals page or email me on [email protected] and I’ll let you know where and when it’s going to be.
@chris
email sent!
David
@chris
I think I’ll be away on the white stuff
@Teocalli
Ha ha, just saw this, I’m hoping you either meant snow or the strade bianche
@Barracuda
Ha Ha. Pun not intended but I did mean snow. Though there are probably some who think I’m away with the fairies most of the time. Plus Crested Butte does have a bit of a reputation as the last Hippy outpost in Colorado.
New to the site and was curious to know if there were any members in the Southwest U.S. I found a fabulous route starting in Talihina, OK that is about 85 miles with 7k feet of climbing. I live about 3+ hours away (in North Texas), but am thinking about doing this ride sometime in the fall. It would be great to make a bit of an event with it.
Who is within jumping distance of Colorado, more specifically Gunnison and precisely Crested Butte?
Making some early plans to be back here in the late Summer / Fall to try out some of the Gravel around here such as……
and to put my bike here (this is not mine)…….
More details when I have firmer plans but initially wondered if there many be any interest in a long weekend Colorado Cogal.
@Teocalli
I’m in Boulder — put me down as intrigued!
Here’s a shot from the Old Man Winter Rally in February. This was at the relief station where we started our descent down Sunshine Canyon into Boulder…
@LawnCzar
Relief station looks right – roads are better up here now, though hardly surprising Feb vs April.
This would be HQ – depending on numbers.
@Teocalli
Nice — you in Colorado, too?
@LawnCzar
Only on holiday, normally UK. That is our place up in CB. Heading home on Sunday.
Drove up one of the routes I have in mind today, that is, as far as the current snow levels would allow. Stunning views – 30 Km steady climb along the Taylor River till it turns to gravel and continues upwards!
@Teocalli
Jaw drop, that is spectacular … scrolls through airline prices from Australia.
@Barracuda
*Google searches “selling kids in to indentured servitude”*
@Mikael Liddy
Ha Ha.
Though at the moment the VMW seems to want to have a series of long weekends in the Uk and Europe vs an autumn trip back to Colorado. So it’s a tough call between working a trip back to the condo or a trip to the Dolomites and riding round the Sella Ronda and surrounding area. Decision, decisions.
Well the 2016 Hurricane Ridge Cogal is in the bag. There were two of us who went myself and a good friend of mine who is a very strong rider. It was misty and fog from the marina parking lot until the top then it began to rain ever so slightly, oh and there was freshly laid pavement which would have been wonderful it it was dry. In other words we were soaking wet, cold, and having fun. We stopped for espressos and warmed up then it was one of those great feelings were you are cold, wet, tired but the mind says what the hell dig deep and leave all out on the course. We tore it up from Port Angeles over our last climb drilled it on the flats and died in the parking lot totally spent and enjoyed a tasty Belgium recovery beverage. Oh I did take a camera meaning to take pictures but believe me stopping to take a picture was the least thing on my mind.
So I am looking forward to Fallen Leaves Cogal next, and I hope to see more folks next year.
John
@John903
Chapeau.
Midwestern, and Appalachin state Velominati, who among you would don your Flandrian Best for a March cogal?
Holy SMOKES!!! I’m just back from a week’s vacation in Montechiaro, Italy which is about 25 k from the Stelvio Pass.
So unbelievably amazing!
We were there for a Nordic skiing holiday and not riding but I really need to set up a Cogal to ride the Stelvio within the next two years. So much AMAZING macchiato and grappa and wine–just blew me away. I could EASILY live there. So gorgeous!
Anyone game???
@Buck Rogers
Colleague of mine did the Stelvio a while ago, some kind of open participation cycle event. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stelvio_Pass#Stelvio_Bike_Day
Still working on my own power to weight ratio first. And also thinking more about the Dutch Eroica.
@Buck Rogers
DID YOU SEE THIS? On top of Stelvio apparently…
https://housublime.com/gallery/transformed-bicycle-cafe-pops-in-the-heart-of-the-italian-alps-10878/img/6
I just learnt about its existence from @Frank‘s Packfiller podcast..
@KogaLover
I had not heard of that but that sounds like the day to ride it! Very narrow road with all those hairpins. I would not like to ride it with much car traffic!
@Buck Rogers
count me in the planning. Though i too will qork on my power to wight ratio……
@chris
@Teocalli
@davidlhill
@ChrisO
Welsh Cogal planning post – What dates would folk prefer?
I can limit my availability to a Saturday in May or June, but not the 13th of May or the 17th of June.
Lets try and get a firm date and then I’ll start taking votes on routes and that.
@Buck Rogers
Game here.
Pretty flexible bu NOT 20/21 May, 17/18 June, 1/7 July
That should have been a reply to @RobSandy
@Teocalli
This is the sort of answer I needed.
I’m going to make a spreadsheet!
Hi all,
The snow is slow melting and evaporating here in Alberta. It is now two wheel, outside, season! Anyone interested in doing Highwood pass again this year? Looks like the road opens to cars on the 15th, so Saturday the 10 or Sunday the 11th works.
Takers?
Cheers,
Mike
@Teocalli
Looks like just you and me then!
All,
I will be doing the Highwood pass on June 11th, a Sunday. I will hopefully be bringing a few riders from Edmonton along.
I will post later when I have a time but for now mid morning.
Hope the weather is better than last year.
Take care all,
Mike
OK all,
Highwood Pass ride will start for us at 1100 at the gates on June 11th.
Later,
Mike
Fucking a-merckx. Where is the Seattle Summer Cogal? DS for rent. Too fat to climb.
Talking of which anyone for a Sept Surrey/Sussex/Hampshire Cogal again this year?
@Teocalli
i certainly could be (unless I’m the only non-grimpeur and in which case……)
@DavidlHill
@Teocalli
I didn’t get many responses to the Wales Cogal plan so assumed enthusiasm had waned…
If the time and location was ideal I might be able to make a Hampshire Cogal. I.e striking distance from Southampton.
@RobSandy
Start point is only about 45 mins from Southampton…….
@Teocalli
It’s possible then. Has to coincide with visiting the in laws. Assume it’d be a Saturday?
@RobSandy
Day can be flexible
@Teocalli
Awesome. I’ll keep it in mind. However, don’t make plans around my attendance. Sort out a convenient day for everyone and I’ll see if I can join.
Tentative route for September SE UK Cogal………taking in Leith Hill and Box Hill.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/23118305/edit
If there is interest we can look at a date.
I’m up for it.
Middle to second half of September would be best for me – I’m away for two weeks at the end of August, beginning of September and have a vague plan to do a two-up TT on September 10.
Although I suspect my partner is going to blow me out so if anyone fancies it, keep the date free.
@ChrisO @RobSandy @DavidHill
How about 16th Sept as a tentative date. @DavidHill it’s more of a Rouleur route for this year. Kinda rode it this morning bar a few wrong turns – and I need to remove the bit that is a mountain bike trail over Leith Hill.
@Teocalli
Date’s in the diary – can’t give more than a tentative expression of interest at this stage.
I’m still up for hosting a S wales Cogal some time later in the summer, too.
@RobSandy
I’d be up for coming over for a S Wales one but dates in what is left of Summer may be a bit of a challenge.
@Teocalli
True nuff.