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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@TBONE
And a killer ride it looks!
Between it and the Seattle Summer Cogal of 7/27-28, I suspect the Hurricane Ridge ride won't get a lot of attention, which is fine. I think our household priority is the SSC, with Hurricane Ridge on 8/4 at second place, just because it's local and we (I) would like to better our (my) time from last year. If we can get away later in August, I'd love to visit Vancouver.
Summer just flies by. And I had better get closer to peaking.
IMPORTANT NOTICE. Its not a Cogal, but it a potential get together so I'll post it here:
Any Velominati planning on heading to Louisville for the World Champs, please note that the racing has all been moved to Saturday as the Ohio River has been forecast to rise and potentially flood the course by Sunday. I'm still going down and will be there for the racing, but now won't be staying through the weekend. I know @Ron was planning on making the trip and I emailed him directly but wanted to make sure anyone else traveling was aware of the scheduling change.
@nate, et al - are we doing a SF Bay Area Cogal again this year? I have a couple of ideas for great rides, if a repeat of the Marin ride isn't on the books. One on the coast (Palo Alto -> La Honda -> San Gregorio -> Santa Cruz -> Los Gatos -> Palo Alto, for about 200km), and one in the hills (San Jose -> The Junction -> Livermore -> Sunol -> Calaveras Rd. -> San Jose, for about 160km). The coastal ride will be much cooler if held mid-summer. The hills ride will be Rule 9 for "Holy Shit It's So Hot I'm Gonna Dehydrate."
I really liked the Marin ride last year and would love to attempt it again. The difference for me between last year and this year as that I'll have had almost a full season adhering to Rule 47 and would hope that my climbing would be a bit faster...
FWIW, here's the routes I'd listed above:
Palo Alto - Santa Cruze (Almost) Double Metric: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2225993
Mt. Hamilton - Livermore - Calaveras Loop: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1838070
@Xyverz Yeah, let's do one. We can do Marin again or your routes look fun too, in the right season as you not.
Okay i can't wait any longer , Any New Zealanders want to put a Cogal together before summer slips away. I'm pretty sure there are a few around these parts in the Auckland Area Refer to video link.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Flt9K8vlJGE
@Russ I'm in ! Wanganui to Turoa car park . Descent optional. Ohakune to Wanganui the next day!
@Xyverz As I am moving to the Bay area in May/June, I would be totally up for it and would happy to help organize if needed.
OK, all the Calgary based V, I am thing of springing a short notice Cogal from the studio to an appropriate watering hole or backyard. For after P-R.
Would anybody be up to that?
@Xyverz Would love to see the NoCal Cogal this year. Will seriously consider it if the dates work out as last year I had to cancel last minute.