Categories: Cogals

Asheville, North Carolina Mini-Cogal

Asheville, North Carolina holds the distinction of being the only town in the world wherein I came across an elderly gentleman who asked me where the “shindig” was. The shindig, I came to learn, was in reference to an impromptu bluegrass festival the town was having, and a while later we came upon the same gentleman busy ripping it up on the spoons. A pity he was occupied as such, since judging by his appearance, he may well have witnessed the Civil War and I have some nagging questions on the subject I would have liked to ask him.

They say the South will Rise again, and it may well start with the Asheville, North Carolina Cogal. @Anjin-san is hosting an impromptu one since @gaswepass will be traveling to Asheville the later part of March and the two thought they’d link up for a ride. For any Velominati within travelling distance of the Southeast, I can vouch first-hand that this is some seriously beautiful country, perfect for riding – if you don’t believe me, ask whoever organized the routes for the Tour de Trump and Tour DuPont back in the 90’s. Not to mention the weather will be heating up, and the Blue Ridge Mountains will be showing signs of Spring.

99 km, 1033 m climbing

Date: March 30, 2012

Start: REI- Asheville at precisely V past 10

Categorization: Casually Deliberate, Rule VV

This ride is going to be hilly, but we are avoiding the big mountains in favor of rolling terrain that is more conducive to building camaraderie among our fellow Velominati. There are numerous bail out points on this route, but if you aren’t familiar with the area your chances of getting lost or finding yourself on a killer climb are high.

Route and location details on the Cogal Event Page.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

View Comments

  • @Marko
    I expected no encouragement or reference to something being a "compact" here ?? I can only comprehend in terms of "double" -- 39/53 or 42/52 and 44/54. And I know I probably missed your point!

  • @Marko, @UNPULL
    Cogal is derived from "cog" not chainring, so a mini-Cogal is akin to an 11T sprocket on the back. But to your point, then, a mini Cogal is more badass and we should drop the casually deliberate designation!

    Seriously. Who's ready for spring?

  • @UNPULL

    @Anjin-san
    Oh, I was anticipating a 23 sprocket or 25 sprocket on the back of the cassette "” not tire width. My short-slang-speak mis-spoken comment.

    OK, once again I am proving how dense I am... If you are riding a 53/39 I'd go with the 25 tooth cog.

  • @gaswepass

    no espresso? awww bullshit!

    Espresso at the end of the ride... not during. We'll be out in the kountry where you are more likely to find a meth lab than a barrista ; )

  • @frank
    I will now always refer to "cogs" within a cassette stack. Sprockets have always reminded me of Mike Myers as Dieter anyway -- and that form of "dancing" did not sustain any work while climbing. 11/25 will work.

  • Awwww, this is the first cogal this year within a reasonable distance of me, living in dc, but I'm going to be on in Orlando! This is a tragedy.

  • @Red
    red, you're in dc? another velominatus also in the district! wishing i could go too, since i spent 2 summers in boone--beautiful ocuntry. & yes, much more likely to find a meth lab than a st*rb*cks.
    we'll have to get a dc cogal set up here...

Share
Published by
frank

Recent Posts

Anatomy of a Photo: Sock & Shoe Game

I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Men’s World Championship Road Race 2017

Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Women’s World Championship Road Race 2017

The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Vuelta a España 2017

Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian 2017

This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…

7 years ago

Route Finding

I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…

7 years ago