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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@eightzero
More like Ride of the Tumbleweeds.
@Teocalli
All - we are a go for Saturday if there are any late callers. Rollout will be 9:0V but from Caracoli's in Haslemere as Hemingways is not open early on Saturday. This is the route. @itburns looks like he will send us a greeting card somewhere along the way but we should be starting in the dry.
Too bad my flippers are a bit too large
https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/fietsen-en-brommers/fietsaccessoires-kleding/m1203668434-nos-detto-pietro-wielrenschoenen-maat-41.html?c=c8f4e03ae2528df01038ea9fdce70644&previousPage=lr&pos=1&lr_snippet=horizontalRichSnippet
The Second Annual Surrey Soup Cogal.
OK so at the moment this seems to be the only way of keeping things rolling so....
Chris O’s Take
I'll just say y'all missed a very nice ride through some lush bits of Sussex and Surrey. (Remember what grass looks like Chris?)
Although there were dark clouds to be seen all day Dave had managed to plot a route which seemed to magically move between them. We had nothing more than a short attempt at drizzle which didn't even require stopping to put on rain jackets. And yet again managed to time our finish about 5 minutes ahead of the rain, by which time we were downing hot mulligatawny and tea with cake to come.
It was just Dave, his mate Simon and me. A steady pace with some tasty climbs; we averaged nearly 27km/h and the second half was a bit slower as Simon tired. I was up for giving it some beans on Box Hill and thought I might have cracked a new PB but I was a frustrating few seconds over - should have dumped my rain jacket and second bottle at the bottom.
Pictures attached, including the very appropriate Hammer Lane. We also did Lickfold and Balls Cross but no Cocking this time. The cap and socks are all that remains of my V-kit these days. If the weather is good we should do something around Christmas/New Year (as long as there's no ice !).
Teocalli’s Take
Well it’s the UK so we have to talk weather. On the run in to the weekend the forecast flipped between sunny and dry to downpours with thunder and lightening. As it turned out @itburns smiled on us and after a chilly start to be expected at this time of the year, it was a jolly decent day with just a small shower late on. Participants gradually dwindled during the week with David having to fetch a boat from France (hope you had good enough weather to get it back) and E-Diggs having an offer he could not turn down. So in the end it was Chris O, my main cycling buddy Simon and myself that headed out from Caracoli on time at 9:0V.
The route was good one for the Rouleur rolling out to the base of Leith Hill with a net loss in altitude from the start that made for a good warm up for the first hour or so. Tanhurst Lane up Leith Hill delivered the expected burn and Chris O duly disappeared up the road to wait for Simon and me at the top. A high speed descent delivered us to Dorking and Box Hill where Chris O disappeared again leaving the two of us in the smoke haze of his wake. Refuel number 1 at the top with Tea and Cake. From there it was back to Rouleur terrain to the next water stop at Kirdford. Somewhere along the way Simon’s fuel gauge hit zero and The Man with the Hammer joined the ride. It was a bit surprising as the previous weekend we had done a decent ride and on his new Giant Defy Simon had been pushing me worryingly hard. Happen that being towed by Chris O a bit faster than our usual cruise speed a gasket blew but the water stop at Kirdford turned into a Coffee and Meat Pie refuel stop for Simon. The Man lurked with us until the final two climbs up Lynchmere and Sandy Lane delivered us to the aptly named Hammer Lane and the final mile up to the finish and some fabulous Goulash Soup prepared by Mrs T with home made bread (just a touch overcooked by me the previous evening!) and home made cake also by Mrs T. If that doesn’t send out the call for the next Surrey Soup Cogal nothing will.
@Teocalli
Nice little report. If the stars had aligned I might have made it.
Some other time I'm sure - is there still any interest in a South Wales cogal?
I'm up for hosting more or less any time.
@Teocalli
Nice report - shame I couldn't make it this time but I will next.
No, sadly the weather Gods refused to play ball, and Kyanna is still in Calais. Insurance firm insists on F4 or under forecast. Looking like Monday is the earliest - if you fancy a delivery trip we are a body short......... over to Calais Sunday night, bit of a slap up, up at first light and first stop probably Margate. Only going on Sunday if the forecast is good.
Kyanna...
@davidlhill
A wee bit busy at work at the moment unfortunately
@RobSandy
Definitely up for a S Wales one next year.