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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@PedallingTom @ChrisO We didn't get back home till pretty late last night after a few days running around South Shields trying to find a new nursing home for Mrs T's Mum so when the alarm went off and hearing the weather outside I decided to trade on some of the #9 banked from the London Cogal (if such a thing is possible). Also as I didn't have time to get a winter jacket fit for today's weather while we were away it would have been pretty miserable in a summer lightweight jacket. Hope you had a good ride - if anyone turned up.
@ChrisO
Heard that one of my cycling buddies came down on some ice too and has torn knee ligaments. Not good.
@Teocalli and @ChrisO
I've never known there to be so few cyclists and in Richmond Park and not a single bike rider! It's a shame neither of you made it (or anyone else for that matter). You're probably expecting a tale of wind and rain. Well, I won't bore you with that as we've all seen plenty of it this winter. For me, a ride that promised to be gruesome turned into one of those near surreal cycling experiences which I ended up thoroughly enjoying. HNY gents. VLVV
@PedallingTom Chapeau!
@PedallingTom I thought that The North was everything above the M 4
OK UK based Velominati, heads up! Time for a big get together on quiet roads in majestic scenery.
I'm in the early stages of planning a 2 day Cogal in the Scottish Highlands, taking the in famed Bealach na Ba climb and round the Applecross Peninsula, which may appear flat on a map but is a succession of 17-20% short berg like climbs. Essentially the 2 days riding will be based around the routes of the Bealack Beag and Bealach Mor Sportive rides. As I had written elsewhere, the Bealach is an 11/10 'holy grail' climb as rated and described in 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs: A Road Cyclist's Guide to Britain's Hills. Mountain Higher also states that the Bealach na Ba 'can hold it's head high in the rarified company of Europe's toughest and most spectacular cycle climbs'
Provisionally looking at a weekend in August 9/10, 16/17 or 23/24 and have found 2 local bunkhouses attached to damn fine hotels where we can sleep and share a post ride recovery beverage or 3. Kinlochewe sleeps 12 in triple bunks, Ledagowan for 10 in twins. Only £15.50 pppn. There is always the more expensive hotel bed option for any princesses.
We need to book fast if it's a goer. Intention is to stay Friday, set off early for the big ride on Saturday, 'recover' (we cook or eat out), sleep then a shorter ride Sunday before heading home.
Thoughts and opinions on the most suitable weekend please, my preference is 16/17 then 23/24. Google the Bealach and the bunkhouses and report back here as soon as you can.
JB (spongebrain@btinternet.com)
23/24 likely best for me
As things stand right now I shall be home for both preferred dates, so no real preference, sorry to be Swiss about it. Unless offshore schedule gets mucked about I shall be there either or.
Glad to see this will happen @JohnB! I should be racing on the 10th in one of the rounds of the Scottish XCO series, but the other 2 weekends are good. If we can only do the 9/10th I might just skip the racing... Should be a cracking weekend.
I'd love to do it but I am 90% sure I won't be able to do those dates unfortunately.
It's slap bang in the gap between summer family holiday and then our 20th wedding anniversary in the first week of September so I'm unlikely to be back from Dubai.
There is a slim chance though - for reasons related to passports and immigration we had our honeymoon in Oban and believe it or not we went scuba diving, or more accurately I went scuba diving and my wife learned. After that the next 20 years seemed easy.
I will float the idea of a return to the Highlands and Islands as a fitting aniversary event (sans scuba diving) and if you do end up with the latest date in August I may be able to join you for a day. Are the hotels really nice ? Maybe I could even persuade her to stay there... and we could take the dog. Hmmm, that would be a coup. How many V points would I win for pulling that one off.
I have to add that the other idea which has been floated is a trip to Rome (where we got engaged) so there's stiff competition.