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
@campbellrae1
I'm up for that. Latest addition to my shed is a CX bike and the first month was spent riding everywhere local that I've taken my hardtail MTB. I'm now seriously considering selling the mtb as I had so much fun and the cx bike coped with ease, even over a couple of drops. It was all farm roads, gravel, hard packed singletrack, cliff paths and a bit through local woods. No punctures either. I've put road tyres on it for commuting now but the 32mm CX tyres will go back on later in the year. Fit the correct treads and don't inflate too hard (35 front, 40 psi rear?) and you can cope with shortish sections of tarmac.
Miles of trails in Drumtiochty/ Fetteresso / Durris area south west of Aberdeen. Worth a look on an OS map. Bring GPS, been 'lost' in there once before, don't fancy it again. Returned just as the rescue mororbikes were preparing to look for me!
@JohnB That's good to hear! I was thinking of something from the Drymen area as I know the trails well, something like this but in reverse:
http://app.strava.com/activities/18926981
With another loop around the Thee Lochs Forest drive and Loch Venachar to bring the distance up. Should then be up to 120km or so with around 2000m of climbing. It's a bit shorter than the minimum distance, but it is offroad...
But very happy to take suggestions of alternative routes! Only going with that as a starter because I have a real soft spot for the glen than runs at the northern most part of that loop, Gleann Gaoithe. It feels nice and remote as there is pretty much nothing else in it! Although the climb up to it from Loch Lomond is utterly brutal, it climbs something like 340m in 1.6km, had to stop while descending it last time as my rear brake's fluid started to boil! Still, Rule #5 and all that.
@campbellrae1
thats a perfect part of the country, much better than where I was thinking which is 90% fire road. I would get us lost, better to go where one of the group has a well established knowledge of the trails. I suspect @strathlubnaig, @upthetrossachs and @theengine may have some knowledge of this area too? Best make sure the first aid kit fits in the jersey pocket. It wouldn't do to fit it under the saddle epms style or wear a camelback on a Cogal.
I'm in if the date suits, off to France on the 14th for a week and of course two stages. CX bike check, enthusiasm check, amazing legs built for climbing - nope.
To assist any early planning, I'm in Gran Canaria honng my climing legs and cultivating my tan lÃnes for 10 days from 24 July.
@JohnB
Knowledge might be stretching it in my case but if we can fix a date some of the club are Rule compliant and know the territory off road well. I'm in the Pyrenees from the 11th to the 29th of this month - still no takers for the Tourmalet I note...
@the Engine
How far are the Alps form there? Come and join us as we take on Alp d'Huez.
@snoov
Can't be more that a day's drive...
@the Engine
What days are you thinking of doing Tourmalet? And how far west will you get? Maybe over to San Sebastian to do the Jaizkibel? I know some great roads in that area.
@Skip
Depending on Mrs Engine's and the elder Enginette's hormonal states somewhere around the 20th - 21st but being on holiday I'm fairly relaxed on scheduling. Spain's probably a country too far this year.