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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So, CX Cogal route planning:
Starting in Drymen, head out the road to Rowardennan, along the West Highland Way(forestry track, not the nigh on impossible lochside path) for roughly 9km, then turn right at the cottage(Cailness) and up over the insanely steep climb and into Gleann Gaoithe. Ride the full length of the Glen before dropping into Gleann Dubh just east of Comer. From there, we head down the forestry track, around the north side of Bad Dearg and into Milton then Aberfoyle. From Aberfoyle we have a couple of options for getting over the hill and down to Loch Venachar. The first is to follow NCN Route 7, which is probably the easiest and my preferred option at the moment, but I can also lead us through some nice singletrack climbs & descents but they may be too much for CX bikes. From there it's along to Brig' O Turk and up round the Glen Finglas loop, descending into Glen Finglas after climbing up the east side of the hill. After descending back to the road, we head around and climb back over the forest drive and NCN Route 7 to descend back into Aberfoyle. Then back to Drymen via the Rob Roy Way.
How does that sound to everyone?
We do have a few other options. When we get to the climb from Loch Lomond, I think we should try to ride the first few hundred meters together and see if it is rideable on CX bikes, if it isn't, we can always descend back down and follow the road from Inversnaid round to the head of Loch Chon before joining back up with the route near Bad Dearg & Loch Ard. Heading north from Aberfoyle, we could use the Rob Roy way over the Menteith Hills but I have heard mixed reviews on how rideable this route is up top(perhaps @ the Engine could shed some light on this one?).
Let me know your preferred options and I will try to come up with a final route, distance and rough climbing total! I'm looking forward to this one already!
Cheers,
Campbell.
Here is the MapMyRide of the route, it starts and finishes in the wrong place(at the start of the steepest climb) because it doesn't register that there is a path for about 10m so wont route across the tiny gap! Let me know what you think.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/266877731
@DNARD
Go for it, mate!
@campbellrae1
What the fuck country is this taking place in???
@Buck Rogers Scotland! Should maybe have either made that post @ the confirmed attendees or made that clear. My bad...
@Buck Rogers
Tea just spat all over my desk. Thanks @Buck Rogers.
@Buck Rogers
Ours
@the Engine dont you mean "England's"?
@Marcus
Next time I'm in Melbourne you're in serious bother...
@campbellrae1
NCN 7 around the Duke's Pass should be ok with CX bikes on the main trails (although I'll be puffing away on my MTB). It can be steep and muddy on the paths though.
The Rob Roy Way over the Menteith Hills is impassable on anything without tracks - I've tried a few times.
As I'm still some months away from peaking on the climbs I may take the odd short cut...