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
@mcsqueak
Excellent! Now we just need to browbeat @frank into it. I didn't ride it last year. It snowed.
@Nate
Thx. Actually asking about weekend of march 24th or, gasp, the 30th for those of us not hittin the keepers tour. I thought I read somehow a Madison ride the 30th.
@gaswepass
Josh and Steampunk will be attending a conference in Madison (Wisconsin) during the last week of March. Wiscot and I are planning to meet them for an afternoon ride on the 30th.
@gaswepass & @Kyle:
Yes. We need to get some kind of route sorted out so we can post this one as time is flying. Friday, March 30. Starting around 13:0V. Somewhere on the outskirts of Madison. Starting, finishing points TBD, along with route. I've rented a van for the trip from Hamilton to Madison, ostensibly to haul down a horde of my grad students, but the ulterior motive is to bring my bike (students will go on the roof before the bike). Hopefully @Kyle or @wiscot can propose a suitable route so we can slap it up there.
Comon, man...where's the pics of the Portland cogal? Give!
My VMH has been away this weekend and I've spent some time working on the route for the upcoming English Cogal on April 14th. I'm going to need to get some hills in beforehand!
It should be a cracker!
@Steampunk
So, firmed my travel plans, lookin to be ridin in madison 3/24-3/27. Asheville 3/29-3/31. Sorry won't be able to make that madison ride. I know Anjin-san is up for some asheville riding, others?
Asheville? Count me in! I'm in central NC but should be able to make it over there, either sharing a ride, a train, or my touring bike with my road bike strapped to my back! I do have this annoying engagement party that weekend, but I hope I can work around that.
@steampunk and @kyle
still haven't heard anything for madison riding come 3/24. Takers?
Looks like the dates on the California Cogal are a bit off. btw what does the roster look like for that event?