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 #5Rule #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 Cogals »

    @Eightzero

    The Cogals »

    @Nate

    The Cogals »
    @Steampunk, @Buck Rogers
    Bulleit Bourbon. Padawans fast asleep. Rain. Tomorrow, Rule #9.

    Bulleit makes a rye too. Try it for comparison.

    Is that the one with the lime green label? I think I've had it. If I recall it had more bite and had less volupte than the bourbon.

  • The Cogals »

    @buck anytime works for me. Seeing as I work nights and weekends, all I need is a heads up on a finalized date a month or two in advance to ask off the required time. So it doesn't matter to me (although the later it is the better fitness I should have, but even then a couple of weeks will only help so much)

  • The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers

    The Cogals »

    @Steampunk
    Chapeau. Tomorrow, we ride.
    (I have some 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle if you really like bourbon-I'll bring it to VT)

    Tomorrow, we ride. How simple, how inspiring, how elegant. Must read Work. Sad that the equivalent now has devolved to "Fuck it, Dude, let's go bowling." But I can get you a toe.

    I'll see your Pappy and raise you El Tesoro Paradiso.

  • The Cogals »

    @Steampunk

    The Cogals »

    @Nate
    No. Indubitably not. Having said that, I have a theory that Velominati paterfamiliae are 127% more endowed in The V (note the use of >100%, just to rankle Frank). I'll spare you all the virility angles to this, but:
    1. Our time is invariably limited, so we hammer harder.
    2. Our windows of opportunity are equally reduced, so Rule #9 become a fact of life.
    3. We have a built-in morale sucker (typically referred to as the VMH); if you can still stand upright after Mrs. Steampunk's withering tirade, you can eat cobblestones for breakfast.
    4. We are responsible for raising the next generation of Velominati. There's a Darwinian element to this.
    As a result of all this, Velominati paterfamiliae (love that, by the way) tend to fall more heavily into the Cognoscentus camp. I don't mind breaching Rule #11 from time to time, because to adhere to all rules all the time would tend towards Rule Holism, which isn't the Hardman way.

    So very true indeed. I slunk out of the house at a rather unnatural 5.30am this morning having arisen at 4.50am. No rain but thick fog and 5 degrees centigrade made for Rule 9 and the desire for some breakfast and a hot shower before taking the boys to rugby training meant that no slacking could be tolerated. An alarming list of chores meant that no ride would be possible in the afternoon. The guns are properly cooked and I'm now looking forward to a bottle of bordeaux that my brother in law gave me for my birthday and roast dinner with the family.

  • The Cogals »

    @King Clydesdale


    The Cogals »

    @buck anytime works for me. Seeing as I work nights and weekends, all I need is a heads up on a finalized date a month or two in advance to ask off the required time. So it doesn't matter to me (although the later it is the better fitness I should have, but even then a couple of weeks will only help so much)

    Still going for a mid-week ride as the traffic will be less. As for the weeknight. I imagine that you will not feel like working THAT night, even if we finish in time to get you to your work place!

    Good! All comers: I'll write this up ans send it into Fronk, but we're looking at the 100 on 200 V Cogal taking place on the 28th of June. Date is set. Let me work the logistics. The only thing that will change the date is if Steampunk's sidekick cannot make that date. I'll also try to figure out a way to get some support, at the least rides to the start at 0430-000 timeframe!

  • The Cogals »

    @Chris
    Very NICE! (Fronk, look the other way for a minute if you would) Love that ride posting ability, what is it from?

  • The Cogals »

    @itburns
    We'll have to share some of each in Austin. I have not heard of yours. Pappy VW bourbon is soooo hard to get ahold of, esp the 15 and 18 yr old stuff. But sooooo worth it if you have not had it!

  • The Cogals »

    @Buck Rogers

    There should be a post above that about the ride, agreeing with @Nate's Velominati paterfamiliae post. It's in the naughty box for some reason.

    The ride wasn't recorded on anything other than a very simple HRM. ridewithgps.com allows you to map from scratch using their Google maps based stuff. Much better than Strava from that point of view. You can also upload GPS stuff.

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