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
@Teocalli That is the French Revolution (June) or French Resistance (September) rides put on by Wiggle/UK Cycling...brilliant day out too!
@Teocalli
Count me in! That would be an excellent trip!
Re the London Cogal - has there been a write-up, or is that still in the works?
Cheers,
David
@davidlhill
There is a draft cogal report but I'm waiting on the input from one of the cogalists but your post has prompted me to send him a reminder.
@Chris
Mate if they can't keep the wheel they get dropped...
@ChrisO It's a good point but it wasn't one of your World Tour Events, it was a no drop Cogal and as the guy who would have been left behind grovelling in the gutter, I'm going to give him a few more days.
@Chris
Those days have been given...........
David
@davidlhill
Let me get this straight, having used your fear of the wife as an excuse not to climb out of bed that day and join us in the rain that morning, you're giving me hard time over a few extra days?
Where's the l'Eroica guest article, did I miss it?
@Tripod
Yes it was entering the French Resistance that put me in the thought of arranging something on a smaller scale with a longer distance. Last time I did a weekend in France we were coming back from Montreuil and we kept passing farms with notices for Coffee and Crepe. Initially we were too close to our start (and breakfast) to stop. So we then got to the point "Right, we'll stop at the next one" - there was not a next one between that point and when we got to Calais! So I was thinking of doing our 2 day loop in 1 day and then would definitely need multiple coffee and crepe on the inland leg.
@Chris I now have the miscreant's contribution. A quick final edit of the report and it'll be on it's way to @gianni for publication.
Looking forward to it Chris, thanks.