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
@JohnB Not sure why it isn't loading, can always cut and paste the link into your browser ;)
@campbellrae1 Tried that too. It just opens up your profile page. No matter, I'll tackle any route blind.
@JohnB That is odd. The route is pretty simple though, the reverse of the Strava route, but cutting off to Aberfoyle, then through the Queens Forest and up & round the Glen Finglas loop, which is roughly a 500m climb, and back to Drymen.
Only problem I can see with the route is the provision of malted recovery beverages, nowhere to clean up before the pub...
The Map My Ride should be visible now, I had set the privacy to just friends, oops!
Sorted. Spot on. Thinking back I've done a fair bit of mtbing in the Queen Elizabeth Forest park north and south of Aberfoyle back in the day, Nothing I can't tackle on a cx bike on 34 x 27, although I was 15 years younger then.
30%!!!!! Did you say 30%? Will we need climbing gear?
Friends don't ask friends to climb slab.
I may have solved my bike problem for your little outing, I have a, ahem, 17 year old alloy MTB, no suspension, 21 speed, rim brakes. It's done less miles than the Domane so today I dusted it off, slapped the saddle from the BSO on it and went to the forest. I have forgotten how awesome offroading is. Had a blast so this may be the way forward, fits well, just need SPDs and shoes, unless I stick my spare set of looks on but it wouldn't be easy walking if murphys law intervened.
what sort of % Tarmac are we talking about? I may invest in less chunky set of tyres so there is less resistance on the road,
Phantom aero bars ahoy, me hearties!
just need to get the date sorted now, have you had any more thoughts?
It will be quite a low percentage of tarmac, should be less than 30% depending on which way we came back over the Dukes Pass from the north. I would go with non-chunky tyres, as most of the ride will be on fire roads so you don't want too much rolling resistance.
Still unsure over a date, I was thinking either the weekend of the 24-25th of August or the 31-01st of August/September. Does anyone have any preferences?
Also hoping to hear from someone regarding the Glen Finglas climb, I know a few people have done it on an MTB but I'm not sure if it will be ride-able on a CX bike?
Dammit,
you could probably have picked a time of year when I would be busier at work, but it would be hard! I'll see nearer the time, if its rule9 weather ill be there.