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
@xyxax
Man, we all burning a serious amount of kitchen passes on this 200-on-100 ride, eh? I told my wife that all I wanted for Christmas was a guilt-free, completely full day of riding on the 28th of June!
@xyxax; @Buck Rogers:
I hear you. I've stamped my pass for Vermont. Haven't actually raised the Ontario Cogal yet. But here's the genius of it. It's in my own backyard, and I have to organize it, right? Right?? Which means I have to ride it. The rationale is sound in my head. Pretty sure Mrs. Steampunk will bash a six-foot hole through that, though. It means, however, that I'll be riding for my life on May 27 (Cogal riders might look out for erratically driven Saabs on the road"”might be the Missus come to run me down...).
@xyxax
Definitely. Maybe we could look to try something between here and there. Finger Lakes? Catskills?
Thrilled, though, that you'll be in Vermont. That Gunnar looks like it could provide a lot of wind shelter...
@Steampunk
Any rides in the finger lakes or Catskill (but more finger lakes) would work for me as its a straight shot north. Also a Lancaster ride would also not be to far for me either.
@Buck Rogers @Steampunk
The pitter-pater of little familias doesn't make it easy for any of us, eh? My long-term strategy is unfolding: just contributed $ for a nice new first road bike for Mme. xyxax, contracted a babysitter for twice a month to get in 4-5 hour rides together starting January, she'll get the bug and give up running and...voila, she'll be going in my place come June....hey, wait a minute. But you get the idea.
@Steampunk
I've been told that I break wind well. Always wondered if it was a compliment.
Besides you'll all be well ale-ed and fast asleep by the time I come rolling through in the bed of the Dumptruck of Awesome.
+1 on Finger Lakes.
@Steampunk
I'm psyching myself out right now about possibly doing the Ontario Cogal, I'm scheming away right now. I think I could do a little touring up and back. I have some friends that live in Buffalo, and possibly Erie. It would be like 500km or so one way, but I think I could break it up crashing at people's places. I could also drink up north for the post-ride recovery!
This will happen.
@Steampunk
Um, hmm... Not quite sure how to answer that one on the interwebs without inadvertantly slandering someone.
What I remember was a cast of charactors; Dennis running the shop with his brother/other family relation (I think, Martin). Dennis was great. Wonderful enthusiasm for racing. He also had a lot to teach about colourful polish phrases and put downs to hassle your cohorts.
There was Radek, the strongest MOFO Cat 3 (sandbagger extraordinaire, never would upgrade to Cat 2 despite always having the points to do so). Amazing bike handler, my guess was schooled in the hardcore eastern bloc racing scene.
And a guy we called Zvishek (his real name escapes me) who was acting as our de-facto coach. He would set us intervals and other aspects of our training structure (not much of a structure in those days, just ride lots, race lots, and try doing some intensity).
Zvishek apparently was a rider of some repute newly landed from the eastern bloc. He came equipped with stories of the semi-pro scene there where the doctor would visit you to inject you with "vitamins" and it wasn't as though you had much of a choice about it.
This was around the time as well that pro riders were mysteriously dropping dead in their sleep from strangely high red blood cell counts.
It's interesting to think back on it now in the context of where we are now vis-a-vis doping.
@Steampunk
Oh, and sadly I wouldn't be able to make it back to Canadia in May, despite it being around the time of my mum's birthday. Just a biiiit to far from Melbourne at this stage in my life. Too bad too, it would have been good to visit the old stomping grounds. Make it a good one. See if you can get them weeping like little girls.
@Tartan1749
SO, word is you may be going to the Cogal from Pittsburgh... any possibility of maybe carpooling? A little mini-tour would be cool, but if that doesn't work out, would you mind? This is all extremely tentative and possibly a pie in the sky.
I know someone who grew up in Hamilton I think, he said within 15 minutes of Dundas. He is aboot 30 years old, last name Farrell. Any of you guys familiar?
@xyxax
This is either the most brilliant plan or a total disaster. Best of luck!
@mouse
Colorful times! Nice recounting. It's a shame you won't be able to join us in May, but I guess "being on the other side of the world" constitutes a passable excuse.
@DerHoggz
Hamilton is a city of half a million people. There are a lot of people here I don't know.