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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Blimey and I worry about a few drips of water coming in through the window!
@ChrisO
Anyone know of any car parking around there?
Yes there's a car park right at the cafe - plenty of space and it's free.
@ChrisO Excellent , thanks,
@PedallingTom You won't miss @ChrisO - just look for a 7 foot, shivering bean pole! (I'm pretty much the opposite so for me look for a vertically challenged old git - nice bike (Pinarello) shame about the old fart riding it!)
All did I miss a meeting time?
@Teocali
10am meet at the cafe / car park for a V-past departure.
the aim being to finish around lunchtime so as to allow the possibility of a pub lunch if desired, or at least a beer - venue still TBA though.
For a possible malted-beverage recovery point after the London winter Demi-cogal I was thinking of this place.
http://www.boaterskingston.com/#home
its not far from Richmond Park for those needing to return to cars - or we can just go straight back to RP and have some lunch and hot chocolate at the cafe.
I can't make Monday as I've got to take a family member for an outpatients appt. Next time for me. Keep a close eye on the environment agency website as you plan the route. Much of Surrey is flooded at the moment and there's more rain on the way.
So, demi-cogal call... the weather looks shit. Not biblical like before Christmas but cold, and very wet in the morning, clearing a little in the afternoon.
The only advantage is that while today has been a glorious winter's day the roads outside London were very icy and a couple of our guys came down on the club ride, even though we stuck to A roads.
To be perfectly honest I'm not fussed. It would be nice to see people but if there are only two or three planning on coming then I vote to give it a miss or reschedule.
At last count it was Teocalli, Tom and me... anyone else ? And what are your thoughts ?
@ChrisO , @Teocali,
Today's ride must have been beautiful. Managed a ride yesterday that was special. In the spirit of rule #9 I'm going to be there at 10 and may just do a few laps of the park. Maybe see you there.
@PedallingTom
Chapeau to you Tom. If I wake up and it doesn't look awful then I might head over to RP and do some laps too, but that doesn't seem likely. Last time I was at RP just before Christmas I had 10 minutes of hail so I feel I'm up to date with Rule #9.
Today was indeed glorious, and it was a lovely clear morning, if a little icy. It was noticeable how the temperature dropped as we got outside London. About halfway through the ride I made the mistake of changing down on the front ring up a hill between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge and as we got to the top I was literally unable to muster the finger control to change back up.
Serves me right for using the small ring I suppose.