Stop the presses, North American Cogal #2 is off and running. @Jeff in PetroMetro is organizing a ride deep in the heart-o-Texas on December 4, 2011 for the rider who wants a taste of drought, dust storm, truck nuts and fun. Lest we forget what a Cogal is, “… A meeting of like-minded misfits brought together by the promise of beer, preceded by a bike ride.” Commemorative V-Pints can be fabricated for such a thirst inducing event, please send orders through Velominati central ordering department. They may even be ready in time to wash that Texas dust down the neck hole.
Keep the rubber side down, Gianni
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Dang! We’re havin’ a Cogal in Austin! How ’bout that?
I guess I’ve been a Velominatus for a little over a year now. In that time, I’ve gotten to know many fellow Velominati online. And I feel like I know y’all. But I’ve never had the opportunity to meet any of you in person. And for that matter, I don’t know most of y’all by your given names.
But some of that is about to change. On the weekend of December 4th, in Austin, I get to meet, live and in Technicolor, Buck Rogers, Itburns, Bongo, and, rumor has it, Souleur. Buck’s coming up from San Antonio with Mrs. Buck and the Buckettes. Itburns is driving in from Houston (Yewstun), same as me and my relations. Bongo’s on his way from Waco (Way-Coe). And Souleur’s coming from I don’t know where. But I know it’s a long drive.
Why Austin? ‘Cause it’s not Houston.
Austin’s pretty. Austin’s cool. Austin’s where I lived as a student, a bike racer, and as a young college graduate with a good state gubment job. Austin’s got rolling hills, good barbeque, and cold beer. And, in case I forgot to mention it, Austin’s not Houston.
So, here’s the plan, set in sand in a windstorm: I’m driving up Friday night, December 2nd, and spending the weekend. I’m staying in a hotel near the Arboretum which is in northwest Austin. That’s near the north end of Highway 360 (Capital of Texas Highway) almost where it meets Highway 183. 360 is a great jumping off point for a rolling, hilly ride west of Austin. We’ll start in the parking lot of the Arboretum. I’ll let y’all know exactly where late next week.
We’ll head southwest and make a counter-clockwise loop. As we come back east, approaching Austin from the south, I’d like to go through Buda (Bew-duh). As we come up through Austin we’ll make our way up to 35thStreet, then west over Mt. Bonnell and back toward 360 for a ride north to our starting point.
Mind you, all of this is subject to change after next Tuesday, when I’m riding reconnaissance in Austin.
I’d like for all of us to get together on Saturday evening at the Shady Grove restaurant on Barton Springs Road. We’ll get some good food, some good beer and/or margaritas, and put some faces with some names. Time to be determined, but I’m guessing around 6pm so we can eat, drink, visit, and still get some decent sleep.
Sunday morning, we’ll get a big stack of gingerbread pancakes at Kerbey Lane Café. Then at either V before 10, or V after 10, we’ll head off into the wild blue yonder.
My intention is to keep the ride between 130km and 160km. There will be quite a bit of rolling hills and not much flat. This will be a Casually Deliberate ride. No one gets dropped by much or for too long, and there will be plenty of places to stop and load up on food and drinks.
I’ll post more details after my visit to Austin on Tuesday. Stay tuned.
If anyone else can join us in Austin, please do. I’m looking forward to seeing y’all.
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View Comments
@Buck Rogers
Well played. Get your Cogal V-Pints here. Order soon to make sure it makes it to Jeff in time for the Cogal.
@all
For those of you attending the Cogal - order your V-Pints by November 23rd to have them arrive in time for Jeff in PetroMetro to deliver them to you. Orders placed after the 23rd will be shipped direct to your house.
http://www.velominati.com/cogals/#cogal-v-pint
@il ciclista medio
Cool, your bike will be too small but I'm sure I can rustle one up. We really should get this going... Sydney will work for me, RNP sounds good. Melbournites should try and join too, I can almost guarantee 3 or 4 Newcastle riders.
@Austin Cogalites
Arriving Saturday. Have a room at Embassy Suites.
@JiPM
Let me know if you need me to update the MapMyRide route.
Cogal Route
@itburns
Too much downhill, not enough uphill.
@mcsqueak
A to A usually means equal. Are you forecasting a major subsidence of the Balcones Fault as we are returning north?
@itburns
Well done! I gave some kryptic description of the route and you almost nailed it. Here are a couple of edits: Take Trautwein Road to 290. Make a quick left. Then turn right onto County Rd 164 (Sawyer Ranch Rd). Go south on Sawyer Ranch Rd. to Darden Hill Rd (Co Rd 162). Turn left onto Darden Hill, going East/Southeast. Go to FM 1826, turn right. Go SW on FM 1826 to FM 967, turn left. Take FM 967 into Buda. Turn left onto Main. Take Main to Old San Antonio Rd. Go north to FM 1626. Turn left, then quick right onto South 1st. From there, we can either take South 1st all the way in, or hop over to South Congress to ride up to the Capitol. Then head west to get through Downtown and up to MLK. Go west on MLK to San Antonio. Go north on San Antonio to 24th. Turn left and go west. 24th turns into Windsor. From there, I think you've got it spot on. Nice work!
I ordered my V-pints today. Is everybody else all ordered up?
@frank--Do you have my shipping address for everyone's V-pints?
So who's coming to the Austin Cogal?
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Hey Brother! Welcome back! Was about to send a posse out to look for you. Had not seen you around the last few days.
Yes, I ordered my V pint already and cannot wait to go! I need to book a room ASAP!
@Jeff in PetroMetro
As of your monster order, yes! They are being willed from the essence of the V as we speak...
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Route updated - Austin Cogal Route