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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Personally I would prefer the 9/10 option, but if the others are favourites then I will play it by ear. From the middle of August on I would only be there if the weather at home is pish!
@ChrisO It's Scotland in summer. You may need your scuba gear on the ride if as @the-farmer says....
I'll leave the thread running for a week or so then make a decision.
@JohnB
Well a dry suit at 10 metres below is probably the best (only?) protection against those bloody midges.
I have the bit between my teeth now.
The Kinlochewe hotel is dog friendly and I've already made enquiries about availability - it may well be the clincher for Mrs ChrisO.
Even if you go for an earlier date and I can't join you I have been inspired. I like the idea of going back to Scotland for our anniversary anyway and it looks like a beautiful area. I could take the bike and do Bealach Na Ba and some other rides, as long as I make adequate time for the Velomissus and Velodoggie.
@JohnB
The thing is sometimes the weather in perthshire can be pish but in the west it's gorgeous! June and July 2012 were like that. at home it was the worst summer for what felt like ever and in the north west the reservoirs were empty.
The great thing about cycling in the North West in Summer is that the midges have a hard time keeping up.
@strathlubnaig +1 and as long as we climb over 11kph they'll no get us on the slopes of the Bealach either. Late August hopefully getting near the end of their season and Avon Skin So Soft woodland does the trick repelling them and making the guns look slick!
@JohnB
or the return of @ChrisO's granny tights. the horror, the horror.
I'd love to do this, it has the potential to be an epic weekend but the dates don't look good. I'm likely to be in France the for the last two weeks in August and the first weekend will most likely be spent panicking trying to sort out the camping gear and clear the decks for two weeks off work.
How about a more Rule 9 compliant version in October? We could all ride very slowly, look very serious and sell the film to Rapha for a small fortune.
I'd love to too but a family wedding in Ireland makes August pretty unlikely for me.
@JohnB
That's me bitten then!
@Chris
How about we just all do it again in the Fall then ?