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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View Comments
@itburns
I'll go all in with a 100y/o bottle of Jameson?
@Steampunk
When we got home it was time for a course in The Right Way to Wash Your Bike, including lessons in How Not To Spray Water At High Pressure Into Bearings (prerequisite: What Are Bearings And How Do They Work), and Introduction To Brushes: Frame and Drivetrain.
@all:
Ride with GPS is a good alternative to mapmyride. Contrary to the name, you can plot routes with it like you do with map my ride.
@scaler911
100 year? Angels leave more than a dram worth after a century of shares? That wouldn't be whiskey anymore, that would be the distilled essence of god.
@itburns
It was very nice. I actually considered killing my best friend when he asked for some ice with it one night. Chlorinated water with the elixir of the gods? That request probably caused Ireland's finical crisis.
@scaler911
So you ARE coming to our Austin, Cogal, right?
@scaler911
Would have loved to have tried that. Still trying out different Irish whiskey. I homemade beer and have tried a lot of wine, but now I'm trying whiskies. Any suggestions of good stuff that won't break the bank? Only have had bushmills and Jameson so far
@King Clydesdale
Early Times! Whiskeius Budgetatus Maximus. A 750 ml bottle is like $12. I drank an entire bottle on a camping trip this past summer, mostly straight out of the bottle.
As for a serious suggestion, try Isle of Jura - it's good, and has a spice to it so it's not quite as sweet as Jameson.
Been busy planning the route for the English Cogal......
Perhaps the weekend after the keepers tour, or is that too soon?
I can't make the whole of the tour, but would love to hook up for a ride over the cobbles at some point.
Bless my Velomissus, she has embraced the tour idea to the extent that she is thinking of coming along too.
And it appears that it coincides with half term week, which means even if I come on my own for the weekend I don't cop too much grief about coming back from Abu Dhabi and then buggering off to ride.
A possibility is emerging that the family (Velomissus and three Velomites aged 15, 12 and 9) may come over, stay somewhere in Ghent, I'll do the ride on the Saturday and they'll also come and watch the Ronde.
Then we may stay in the area for a couple of days, visit Bruges and maybe tour some of the WW1 battlefields, which may mean I am also in the vicinity if the cogal happens during the week.
Plus if they come they will drive over and bring my bike. Result.