On Saturday I rolled out solo in my Flandrian Best to meditate upon the V. I’d been troubled of late by turmoil among the Velominati…What color socks? Warmers or tights? Helmet or no? Not to mention the lingering melancholy brought on by the realization that the Keeper’s Classic would roll out without me, chained as I am to the yoke of wage slavery. So it was with a heavy heart that I hit the bottom of the driveway and began turning the pedals.  As I toiled up the first climb from my house, the clouds of despair began to lift and the natural rhythms of the ride began to lift my spirits. How lucky I am to ride roads like this right from my door, miles and miles of twisty, two-lane, lightly trafficked tarmac, with my choice of routes! Rolling? Climbs? Flats?  Got ’em all.

The day was brisk, just 10 degrees, and my newest acquisitions, the silver and orange Carnac Helios shoes I’ve now dubbed “Orange Sunshine” for their psychedelic splendor and mood elevating qualities flashed beneath my knees in a peppery cadence, perfectly accenting the new Witte Bibs and V-Gilet.  As I sped along, pondering various epic combos to present to you all as a Cogal, considering all the possibilities, I came to a comforting realization:  We can ride the roads I’m privileged to ride every day! No need to worry about impressing anyone!  So that’s what we’re going to do. Ride my favorite roads.  With that, I’m pleased to present for your consideration the first California Cogal.

Day One: 114 km, 1663 m climbing

Date: March 3, 2012

Categorization: VV

This is the best of Santa Barbara roads, including an ascent of legendary Gibraltar Road, then across the top of the mountains, descending the equally famous Old San Marcos Pass. Ride starts and ends at  Handlebar Coffee Roasters. Rollout at 9-0-V.  Lunch / dinner and beverages after.

Route and location details on the Cogal Event Page.

Day 2: 111 km, 952 m climbing

Date: March 4, 2012

Categorization: Casually Deliberate

We head over the hills we climbed yesterday for 111 rolling km’s through Santa Barbara’s incomparable wine country, including the last few km of the ToC Solvang TT (sadly not in the parcours for 2012).  Rollout is 9-0-V again, from the Bulldog Cafe in Solvang. Lunch and beverages after at Trattoria Grappolo in Santa Ynez.

Route and location details on the Cogal Event Page.

While I hope many of you will be able to do both days, please feel free to do one or the other should time be a limiting factor.  Temps can be anything from 5-25 this time of year, so come prepared. See you all in March!

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[separator break=”true”/][productphoto thumbnail=”http://velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/frank/2011.11.15.00.46.49/cogal_v-cog.png”/][product buttonid=”Y5JK65MQFHRA2″ name=”Cogal V-Pint” price=”30.00″ optionslabel=”Cogal” options=”Santa Barbara, California 2012″ /]Attendees of Cogals may order Cogal V-Pints, emblazoned with the name of their Cogal. These are intended only for Cogal attendees and are shipped to the organizer for pick-up at the event.
The V-Pint will be shipped to the Cogal organizer. Shipping charges are $8.00 USD for US domestic orders, $12.00 USD international.[separator break=”true”/]