The Cogals
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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CONTENTS
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Submit Your Own Cogal:
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@Buck Rogers
Damn! And you’ll be back to hammer 200 on 100 at the end of the month! You, sir, are a hardman.
@Steampunk
Ha! Yeah, if the pave’ and Route 100 don’t kill me, my VMH probably will!!! Should be an awesome month in June, though. Definitely inspires me to get the k’s in and the calories out!
What ever happened to the write up for the Texas cogal, BTW?
@mcsqueak
Not sure where the official one ended up. JiPM wrote it. I gave him a bunch of photos, and I thought he had submitted it weeks ago. Maybe it is stuck in the hopper? Not sure.
I think some Tritard trolls kidnapped JiPM.
@itburns
Yeah, no kidding. He has seriously gone MIA. I have not seen or heard from him for a couple of weeks now. He lives right near you, correct? Any recent sightings?
I saw his daughter and ex at a Festivus party. He was supposed to show later but didn’t. It was a shame, too. I was surprised with my Rule #5 custom wool jersey gift at that same party and was looking forward to his reaction. I’ll have to revert to stalking him at the LBS.
@Buck Rogers
Yeah I was looking forward to reading it! I can’t get too upset about its tardiness however, as I emailed Gianni about an article I had an idea for last month, and I have yet to follow through with writing and submitting it.
I swear, the moment I leave work all ambition for projects or writing turns off…
What’s worse, I have an article announcing the CA Cogal sitting in Frank’s queue getting pre-empted by a paean to a freakin’ gilet, fercrapssakes!
I get no respect, I tell ya, no respect…
@sgt
I think that article was targeted at me, as I placed an order for the V-Kit a few weeks back and it did not include a gilet, just bibs and jersey. Clearly Frank is trying to rope me into an additional kit investment in a subtle, yet public manner.
@sgt
@mcsqueak
Ive had one in the queue for almost 5 months so don’t feel to bad.
granted it could be total rubbish as writing is not my thing. In that case I thank them for not humiliating me.
@mcsqueak
I think it was working, until right now.
@RedRanger
As a manger, I find public humiliation to be a remarkably effective motivational tool. Go figure.
@sgt
huh. When I deal with my “team” I find humor and respect gets me what I want.
@sgt
Yes, it was. But now I’m going to go out and buy the most ill-fitting, bright yellow safety vest I can find. Probably from REI or Dick’s Sports.
@RedRanger
You should try it my way. Just to mix things up.
@sgt
Ill give it a go. keep them on their toes. plus there are a few I could live without anyway.
@RedRanger
Hawthorne Effect
Who knew that fucking with people’s heads would make them work harder?
@RedRanger
I’m aging it like a fine wine. It will see the light of day.
@godsight
Oh snap, now I’m gonna need to up my game if someone from the same age group is coming.
@sgt
Wasn’t that what u wore when we rode a scaler?
Crap, that was supposed to be @mcsqueak. That’s no fun.
@gaswepass
I wasn’t wearing anything, I got lost trying to find the Portland Naked Bike Ride and ran into @Scaler911 randomly.
@Gianni
no worries. I’m a bit scared to have it public for it to ripped apart do to poor gramer and spelling.
@sgt
this supervisor role is still new since I took the promotion 2 weeks before school started. Im just glad its a part time gig, merckx Im adding even more grey hairs to my head.
@mcsqueak
gosh, scaler didnt ever bring that up. I was talking about the summer, but the moment passed anyhow. won’t rat you out for owning yja after all if I can’t even correctly identify who I’m flaming with these posts….
@gaswepass
Holy Merckx. Just won’t let my inability to identify gender go will y’all? That’s alright, the Cogal is drawing near………….
@gaswepass
I was certainly not wearing a YJA during the summer, of all things!
@mcsqueak
just starting trouble for no good reason…
Any of you see this?
http://travel.cervelo.com/race-events/paris-roubaix/
Paris-Roubaix
Apr 5-9, 2012
US$3,495 (single supplement $1,000)
What a bargain!
@sgt
Dude, your Cogal piece will go up about a month before the cogal…otherwise we’ll all just forget the fuckin’ thing is happening…we have short memories around here!
@frank
I’ll have to disagree with you on this. The Ontario cogal is 5 months away and I need every bit of it to prepare coming out of Winter. Similarly it keeps me psyched about riding (indoor/outdoor). With a family and such it allows me to plan and convince the VMH on why it is such a good idea as well. At least add the CA cogal to the calendar for those that may be interested (I just checked above and it is not listed) and save the detailed article for a month beforehand.
For those of you doing the Roubaix Cogal, here’s a perspective on the cobbles from Fyxomatosis to get you in the mood. As if you need it.
@Tartan1749
+1, as a vel. paterfamilias considering traveling to one or more of these I need real lead time to make the trip happen. A short article announcing scheduling would be great. Then something with a bit more detail can go up closer to the date, or maybe the original article can simply be reposted/bumped to the front page closer to the date. Otherwise if the date is just mentioned in comments or appears with no fanfare fools like me are likely to miss it.
@sgt
Is there a date yet?
@Oli
All right, it’s a new year. Cheers to u on that one! Cool write up, thx for the link! (complete w pic of super cool old school helmet!) jealous of those who can make it to the tour, long way away from hitting that event.(kids etc)
@Tartan1749
@Nate
I have to agree with both of these fine gentlemen, albeit for different reasons. I have to look towards getting my finances in order, as well as a worthy bike (hopefully). There is also the matter of obtaining a passport, and who knows how long that may take.
Cheers, @gaswepass – the good will is both appreciated and reciprocated.
@Keepers:
It appears that a gentlemen’s challenge has been set for the Flanders Sportif by the resident AusCanuckle whippet locomotive at Cycling Tips Blog;
et viola;
Better get serious about peaking in 3.5 months!
I am sorry to see that Pavé is shutting down the blog. Any effect on the upcoming Keepers Tour?
@xyxax
Are they not two different entities? This one appears to be shutting down and this one is the Tour company. They both link to different twitter accounts and refer top different people.
@Chris
Hmmmm. I alternate between stating the obvious and the confused. Time to run for president?
@xyxax
You have my vote. Of course, I’m not allowed to vote in the US.
@Nate, @Tartan1749, @sgt
Alright, we’ll try it your way. I’ll get one of the Cogal articles up today then.
And then stopyerbitchin.
@mouse
That’s great. I just proposed an ITT up the Kapelmuur.
@Chris, @xyxax
Yes, Chris is right – no connection whatsoever between the two. Pavé´Cycling Classics is our guide and they are alive and well.
What about a two up TT through Arenberg?
@frank
Better f’king be the 200 on 100 one!!!
(Said with all due respect, of course). :)
@936adl
Nice. Or a 260km P-R TTT.
@frank
Google streetmap shows a gate at the entrance to the Arenberg that might make it a bit tricky to hit the cobbles at full gas (anything less would seem inappropriate) will Pavé´Cycling Classics be able to get it open for us on the day?
@frank
Hell, just rapid fire all of them up today and people can go to which ever one they will be involved with. That way all the info will be out for planning purposes. Of course, I am sure that my suggestions count for f’k all, but still, there it is!
@Buck Rogers
Actually, I’ll be doing @Sgt’s first as its March 24. But I’ll get yours up soon as well.
@Chris
Not sure, I’ll check. That said, we were planning to first stop at the gate anyway to pay our respects to this most sacred of spots. Then back up and plow into it á bloc.
@frank
Quite proper, too.
If it can’t be open, we’ll have to work on our CX hopping skills.