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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@the Engine I had heard the same thing about the track over the top, so will give that one a miss! I think NCN Route 7 is probably the best option on the way out, and if we fancy a bit more of a challenge on the way back there are a few singletrack descents that we can use!
I'll be on the MTB too, it's the closest thing I have to a cross bike without resorting to my franken-bike touring bike!
Ok chaps need to know what this route requires tyre wise? What I really mean is, I only have the rubbish tyres that came with the bike and want advice on how knobbly the new ones should be.
@snoov Most of the ride is on fire/forestry road, so you don't need to go very knobbly. I will be on my mountain bike but running some tyres with pretty small knobs. It is quite rough in places, so as big a volume you can get on the bike could be a nice helping hand. The only sections that are liable to be really bad are on the return leg(descending into Aberfoyle) & can be avoided by sticking to fire roads instead of taking the singletrack descents.
Looking forward to this ride. The route sounds awesome and I look forward to going off track at some point. Can I seek some dispensation to wear a day pack with some off road essentials like plenty of tubes, small first aid kit, more than a small multi tool without being beaten with pumps please? Beer ordered and will be boxed in the boot. Bring your own tripel.
@snoov Provisionally get you about 0630 / 0640 at yours. Have wheels off and bagged. Both bikes and kit will fit in the back of the small car like that. I'm not looking at any special rubber for the day. I've done a fair bit of forest road, land rover tracks, hard pack mud, gravel with what came on the bike. 40psi rear, 35psi front worked buy may be a little vulnerable on new trails.
Just a heads up that I sent off the Cogal write up for West Point Cogal, Part Deux. It will be on Sunday, the 20th of October starting at my house at V past IX. The route will be very similar to last year with a few solicted changes from last years' group.
I will be sucking major wasps on this as I went for my third ride this YEAR today so don't let the fear of being too slow or not fast enough on the ascents stop you from joining. While I am still in pretty decent shape it goes without saying that I do not have my climbing legs quite yet.
Should be an awesomely fun time if it is anything like last year.
But, one caveat, if you come, you HAVE to have a photo ID as some of the riding is on a military post and they are getting VERY strict around here of late.
Hope to see you all here!
$hit!!! Make that V past X! Damn!
@Buck Rogers
Aha! Found it! Canadian drivers' license sufficient, or is that just going to put me in a whole whack of trouble? I'd really love to come down for this, but I'm looking down the barrel of a very busy teaching semester, and I doubt I'll be able to get away. We still need to get you up this way, too, mate (I'm running out of Canadian cycling icons to drag out on rides...)!
In case youre wondering, it is THAT west point. I failed to make the connection until after the 4th joke that bombed on the MP at the gate...
@roger
Surely: West Point, no? But that suggests a great VSP game: 10 points to get him to laugh; -10 for getting denied entry...
Buck, I am gutted that I won't make it - well honestly, not so much because I will be swimming and riding down in Miami! My very best to you and Mrs. Buck and of course all the Bucketts!