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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@Chris
Miscreant- one of my favorite words. We can put that up on Sunday, the sacred day of Cogal reports.
@Gianni Excellent, I'll ping you an email when I've finished with it and sorted the photos.
I only know of one other individual in my area. But I thought it may be worth a shot. Anyone in New Mexico want to help plan out a cogal for 2014?
Hurrah for the long-awaited report. It was in danger of being lapped by the next cogal and being withdrawn by the commissaires...
Which brings me to ask, does anyone fancy a Christmas ride, probably between Christmas and New Year. A meet-up rather than a cogal perhaps and weather dependent. I suffered badly enough last time.
The days are short so nothing too ambitious and probably a circuit rather than point to point - maybe around Box Hill or past there to Polesden Lacey, or even just a few laps of Richmond Park.
Families can go for a dog-walk or deer-stalk as they prefer while we pootle around and convene for hot chocolate.
@ChrisO I'm up - if I am in the South but will be doing the usual tour of the North at some point so not sure whether I will be back. Later date the better for me.
@ChrisO I am also in, work permitting. Would be great to see you guys again.
To start firming up some mini-cogal plans...
Was thinking Sunday 29th ? The next days, Monday or Tuesday are fine for me too but it depends whether you guys are off work or not.
For a route, how about start Richmond Park, go down to Box Hill and then back up to finish at Bushy Park. About 66km, so a demi-cogal.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3786354
I copied it from one someone had uploaded. it doesn't look too complicated to follow without a navigating GPS, only a couple of key points and turns.
But if anyone has an alternative I'm happy to go with that.
The areas I know best are more east of Box Hill, from Croydon down to E Grinstead, Edenbridge, Hever, Ide Hill, Westerham and up to Crystal Palace. Traditional hunting grounds of Dulwich Paragon.
@ChrisO I'll most likely be coming home from the North on the 29th so Monday or Tuesday would be ok for me. I'm easy on route but if you wanted to do something more out in the country an alternative would be round my neck of the woods from Haslemere/Hindhead.
@ChrisO
I'm local and up for a mini-cogal then. I should be back from touring the north at some point on the 29th so the Monday or Tuesday would likely work better.
@Teocalli - aren't there some nasty hills round those parts?! Good for the legs though and I'll need some real #V by then.
The North... like it's Beyond The Wall in GOT.
I'll be racing on the 28th and 1st so it should be a light recovery day for me. Won't be powering up too many hills.
And I won't have the car so whatever I do will also include cycling there from Tooting - Dorking /Reigate / just beyond the SW M25 sort of area is probably my furthest range for a starting point.