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
@frank
@brett
Who is posting up Cogal details these days for me to send info?
Planning for a SE England Cogal Saturday Sept 16th. Start at Hemmingway's in Haslemere (direct train from Waterloo). Start TBC based on train time for anyone coming out of London. Provisional route here. A couple of decent climbs oh plus the final one over the Punchbowl. Home made soup at the end.
It's pencilled in my diary. There's a guy at my work who's interested and he's definitley a grimpeur......
@davidlhill
Excellent. Though we could do with some Rouleurs for the return leg. If it's windy it's pretty much due S/W so Rule #67 will apply.
@Teocalli
ha ha - I've always attempted to do my time in the wind but you guys are so damn quick it's hard for me to get to the front!
Having said that, I do recall during my 'lost and found' period (due to being between groups) in the first Surrey Cogal I asked Chris)'s permission to wheelsuck him back to you lot. Since he's a monster on the bike I don't think he minded too much......
BTW I was out riding a few weeks ago one Sunday morning and bumped into Ephraim coming the other way - I'm sure he'll join us in Surrey.
That was supposed to read "Chris0's permission" - but you knew that!
2nd Annual Surrey Soup Cogal
All - do we have a Quorum for the 2nd Annual Surrey Soup Cogal Saturday 16th September? Ran out this route at the w/e and it run pretty well I think. Pretty traffic free for the most part. Good for the Rouleur with just a couple of hills in the first third. Tanhurst Lane up Leith Hill is a bitch. Cruise up Box Hill then a nice rolling route till the final climbs up to the Punchbowl. Start time TBA based on train times for anyone coming out of London. I can arrange for travel clothing to be picked up. Start from Hemingway's in Haslemere.
Hey @Frank @Brett - Who is loading Cogal details these days?
@Teocalli
Nope, I'm not going to be down that way for this.
Some other time.
@RobSandy
OK - we wat to get over to the Gower sometime so will let you know if we manage to fit that in this year.
@Teocalli
Anyone? Anyone? Buhler?
DS possibly for rent for the Cogal of the Falling Leaves on VVhidbey if anyone is going to set it up.