Portland Oregon Cogal
Ah, the Pacific NW in winter, who can beat it? To ride in the foothills of some of the most majestic snow-capped volcanoes on the planet, with views of the Pacific Ocean or Puget Sound (which is almost the same as a view of the ocean).
Anyway, take my word for it that all that is out there somewhere, because those who join us February 4th for the Portland Cogal will be be wrapped in clouds and drenched in a cold, drizzly rain. But a little bit of Rule #9 riding never hurt anyone.
Yours in Cycling,
Frank
—
Portland Oregon in Fabruary: Highs 7.5C, Lows 2.6C average. Near 16cm of liquid sunshine. This is not Palm Springs. I do have respect for those of us that ride in high temps, I actually prefer it hot most of the time. Perhaps I misunderstand Rule #9 as it addresses both ends of the mercury scale, but we Velominati seem to gravitate towards the spring classics, and the images of hardmen; cold, wet and reveling in the moment.
McSqueak and I, under direct pressure from Fronk, planned on doing this in December. As we talked, December is a hard month for folk to get out of town. There’s a lot of meditating on Airing of Grievances. Family obligations. Made more sense to have it in the year of the Mayan Apocalypse.
On February 4th at precisely V past VV, we roll out from Carter Park at the corner of W 33rd Street and Columbia Street in Vancouver, WA for 127K ride. It rolls out flat with a couple little bumps along the Columbia River. Then up part of the Historic Columbia River Highway along the Sandy River. A bit of Sur La Plaque climbing, then a quick decent back down to the Sandy. A few pretty big climbs and descents, a stroll through some wine country, back along the Columbia River and back to my house for beer and food (in that order). Fantastic views of green fields, evergreens, the mighty Columbia, Mt. Hood, wine country and great, lightly traveled roads most of the way. Except it’s fucking February in the PNW. Probably won’t see the mountains.
Couple of details; I’ll emphasize again that it is February. Probably won’t be any snow but I can almost guarantee cold rain. After about 30K, there is NO bailout point, except turning around and backtracking. The MapMyRide climb profile while accurate, understates the climbing. This is a hard route on a sunny day in July. I’m also suggesting a Casually Deliberate pace, but years of riding have taught me one indisputable fact: two or more cyclists going the same way will get competitive and drive up the pace. That, combined with the climbing, will almost certainly see separate groups forming. If the group splits, we’ll regroup at the top of the major climbs and at intersections where we need to make a turn.
Make an honest assessment of your ability to finish the ride (no sag support); we will be riding the rolling sections of the ride in the neighborhood of 25-30kmph and the climbs will be ridden at whatever climbing speed works for you. Let us know if you’re planning on attending so we have a head count for food, bring some hoppy beverages, and come bathe in the glory of a full Rule #9 day. We look forward to seeing you.
Route and planning details can be found on the Portland Cogal Page
[separator break=”true”/][productphoto thumbnail=”http://velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/frank/2011.11.15.00.46.49/cogal_v-cog.png”/][product buttonid=”Y5JK65MQFHRA2″ name=”Cogal V-Pint” price=”30.00″ optionslabel=”Cogal” options=”Portland, Oregon 2012″ /]Attendees of Cogals may order Cogal V-Pints, emblazoned with the name of their Cogal. These are intended only for Cogal attendees and are shipped to the organizer for pick-up at the event.
The V-Pint will be shipped to the Cogal organizer. Shipping charges are $8.00 USD for US domestic orders, $12.00 USD international.[separator break=”true”/]
If you live in the US Pacific Northwest and like cyclocross, you need to check out Cascade Cross in Bellingham next season.
Ridiculously well designed courses with crazy features. They actually built a pro-style flyover in a public park for this one. Unlike other leagues, the lowest ranks ride about 45 minutes instead of the standard 30.
In the start after my race, someone spilled in the first 50 meters and took down two other riders. I’ve never seen spokes shredded quite like that. It was as if someone revved a chainsaw and sliced a line right through 1/4 of the spokes in the front wheel. Fortunately no one was hurt (someone caught the whole thing in video on a smartphone and replayed it on the spot!).
We had mud, rain, and a bit of snow. I felt really strong and finished 4th out of 13 in my division. A great end to my first year of racing cross!
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@G’rilla
Your a badass. Congrats.
@G’rilla
Is the picture of the brown tears from your knee after taking a day of punishment from those guns?
Joking aside, glad no one was hurt.
I’m in the front yard, washing mud and grass off my bike. I should have done it last night right after the race. I hear a voice.
“Hey, is that a Van Dessel with disc brakes?”
A man crosses the street, carrying a small baby.
“Yeah, do you race cross?” I ask.
“I used to, but I stopped riding bikes altogether when I had kids. I’ve recently started running to get some exercise.”
“Dude, I have two kids age 2 and 4. That’s no reason to stop riding.”
His eyes brightened up. I saw a glint of gears turning, memories of that frame still in the garage, that box of spare parts that might just be enough to build something.
“It’s good to see someone using a cross bike to ride cross,” he said as he slowly walked away.
Rule #11, delivered.
@G’rilla
Congrats on the placing, and congrats on the Rule #11 Senseing!! Exceptionally strong work. Waiting for the crash video.
@G’rilla
We have a 3 n 6 yr old. The other dads, when they realize I’m gettin out to do cross, start asking a lotta questions. I like to describe cross as “fight club” for “normal” people. Or, reliving playing in the mud like a child to bring me closer to identifying with them (the kids) again(insert wifely eye roll here!). Either way, now that the breed n bloat is completed, thank god for bike racing- squash just was destroying my knees. Now scaler is trying to turn me into a roadie (makin him grayer by the day!).
NIce job at the cross race, btw! haven’t had a chance to ride in such a small group, sounds awesome! Most of the pdx races have >100 (and occasionally more than 200…) in my class.
@G’rilla @gaswepass
Hah, awesome stories. The last place I lived across town before I moved in with the VMH, there was a guy who I’d always see walking his kid up and down the sidewalk. I finally met one him one day as I was getting ready to leave for a ride, as he started asking me questions about my Felt. Turns out he raced at PIR all the time and had broken his collar bone the past season. Sort of sad I moved shortly thereafter and didn’t get to know him better.
@G’rilla
Very cool- well done. I was a recreational mountain biker until a friend of mine convinced me to race cross a couple of years ago… After one race I was hooked and the rest, as they say, is history. Now I am pretty regularly riding 800-1000k/ month and race on my aforementioned friends team (Road, CX, and Mountain). Rule #11 at work!
@G’rilla
@mcsqueak
@gaswepass
Nicely done G’rilla. Looking forward to following you and Frank up the climbs in a few weeks.
As to @gaswepass: I gotta convert him to the road. I love me some ‘cross (watching form the sidelines), but RR is PRO. He’s coming along nicely I might add. Just need to start working on McSqueek now. Just more to add to the fact that I’m the development team director for the team I ride for. Tho I feel like I’m turning into whoever it was that was yelling at Frank whilst smoking a cig, during his march up Haleakala. Going slowly from racer to coach.
@scaler911
That was Gianni
The time is drawing close folk. To the few of you that have emailed me to let me know you’re coming, thank you. For those of you that are coming, but haven’t let me know yet; Please do soon. I need to go purchase chow and BEER. The VMH is getting restless, and wanting a head count.
It’s going to be a EPIC Rule #9 day to be sure!! Drop me a line, and look forward to suffering;
skbugco@yahoo.com (I’ll respond to let you know I’ve received it) Prost!
I’m trying to harden myself to the fact that it’ll probably be pissing rain the whole time and I’m going to be soaking wet and eating road spray for 6 hours. We’ve had a good winter mostly but its really gone to shit in the last few weeks.
We may get a view of the mountains yet:
Any input from a professional, @KingClydesdale?
May Merckx smile upon us with decent weather…
ALSO:
Is anyone up for drinks/food the night before the ride?
I’m still thinking the Hopworks bike bar over on NE Williams. Maybe something like 7 pm, so those coming down from Seattle (or elsewhere) can get into town and settled wherever they are staying?
I can go there after work a little early and get us on the seating list if I have an idea of who all would be interested in joining for a drink.
COGAL COGAL COGAL
The time has come folk. Those that have responded, thank you! Those that are coming and haven’t; please let me know by tomorrow evening. Otherwise; NO SOUP FOR YOU! (Kidding, but the VMH is going shopping and we don’t want to buy too much, or too little). Gonna be awesome!
Updated forecast: sun starting Thursday! Might be a day for non-rain bike, fender free and everything! Mebbe even goretex free ride in February- that never happens!
@gaswepass
When we were prepping for the Whidbey island cogal, I remember some sort of vague threats from Frank towards anyone who was thinking about showing up with fenders…
Rain, shine, count me in. Do not, however, expect me to show up with fenders.
Eat my spray, fucktards.
@frank
Nipple lube!
On a sidenote (and the reason @gaswepass brought this up I assume), is we had a hugh flame war on our teams site about using fenders. I maintain; we live in the PNW, and no matter what you do, you’re going to get wet, so quit being pussies. Apparently myself and one of the other directors are alone in that attitude.
I am getting so excited for this ride! Especially now that the weather is looking pretty solid.
We should plan for a lunch stop in Sandy, perhaps? I imagine they have a choice of coffee shops and whatnot. On the Whidbey cogal it was nice to stop and recharge for a bit with a snack, and it’ll be after all the major climbing is done.
PS Scaler, did you spot me bonking on Saturday? I went downhill pretty fast after we turned around. Nothing to eat for four hours except a granola bar doesn’t exactly cut it for my caloric needs. I was dragging serious ass by the time I got back to my side of town. I will be loading my pockets up with goodies for this ride…
@mcsqueak
I’m guessing I’m going to be hurting at the end myself. What you need is the ol’ Eddie B Atom Bottle for the end of the ride. Bonus points to anyone but Oli that can tell me what was in it.
@scaler911
I already call dibs as “lead” for the slow poke grupetto.
K folks, the time is drawing near.
I’m going to have a few maps printed out, but as McSqueek just pointed out, there are around 150 turns on this ride (not as complicated as it sounds tho). As such any of you using Garmins or have Mapmyride loaded on your smartphone should head over here: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/55543862 , and export the map to your device. We’ll do our best to meet up, but “just in case”. I’ll also provide folk at the start with my phone number in case of anything horrible. I won’t, however, come and get you if “The Man With the Hammer” gets you. Be prepared! At least bring some cash for 7-11 fuel ups.
Gonna be fucking awesome weather (disappointed there a bit, but at least the scenery will be great!).
That is all!
@scaler911
Here’s the plan: You and I will sit on the front all day, controlling the pace and quoting the Shit Cyclists Say video. I’ve got all the “*blank* makes such a difference” and “is that carbon?” lines. That will keep people either way behind us, or they’ll attack us. No way will someone just sit there at tollerate it.
@frank
Just remember to bring your lightest bell.
@frank
the commentary aside, just the gas alone will force the issue…
@frank
Good option,
My thought is this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjLikEwfEwQ
We talk like these guys the whole ride.
One last thing:
Last call for anyone else joining us for beers/food at the NE Williams Ave. Hopworks Bike Bar tomorrow at 7 pm?
I’m going down there early to score us some seats but I can’t save you room if I don’t know your coming.
So far I think it’s going to be Scaler, Frank, G’rilla, and myself. I’ll save six seats just in case some extras show up. Feel free to show up without warning, but you could wind up having to stand!
you’re, even. Stupid grammar.
The Official King Clydesdale Cogal Forecast (Thanks for the reminder mcsqueak):
Overall it looks like a good day considering it’s February!
10AM:
4.5C (40F)
East winds around 10 kph (5 knots)
Abundant Sunshine
Note: When you cross the river and more so when you head away from town expect the winds to pick up quickly out of the east, to closer to 15 kph.
4PM:
8.3C (47F)
East winds around 18 kph (10 knots)
Abundant Sunshine
Note: Probably the driest and gustiest time of the day.
6PM:
5C (41F)
East winds east and down to around 10 kph (5 knots)
Clear Skies
Note: Sunset is officially 5:21 PM
General Notes:
The high pressure that will be bringing rather nice weather for the season will be however creating enough pressure gradient to give some breezy conditions tomorrow, especially around midday. Winds were rather gusty today, and while tomorrow does not look as bad, heading east will most likely be met with resistance. Skies should be clear, maybe some high clouds but in general clear. Also note dewpoints will be in the 20s, so things will feel quite dry by midday. Lastly, note that unless I state otherwise winds are sustained, not gusts. That means a few gusts above those numbers are possible, and seeing how gusty today was, expect a few tomorrow. Enjoy the Ride!
@King Clydesdale
Hat tip to you!
I was reminded to ask because I work out near the entrance of the gorge (in fact we’ll be riding right behind my office at one point), and I noticed the strong winds.
@King Clydesdale
Nicely done! We’ll report back tomorrow on your accuracy.
Report from the fat old man grupetto:
Thanks frank and mcsqueak for pulling me across the I-205 bridge. I made it to Sandy in time for a late lunch. Also added some extra miles when I somehow got off-course near Corbet. All-in-all a great route, with savage headwind.
@co-mo
Thanks for the update. I wanted to e-mail you last night, but had cleared out my inbox, trash and sent folders. Glad you made it, I can’t imagine riding in that wind alone. I’ll post up a follow up article real soon with all (some) of the details and all (a few I do have some leverage on G’rilla and Fränk now) of the photos. Thanks for coming out!!
@King Clydesdale
Oof, I think you may have mis-underestimated the wind speed by 20kph or so. Much time was spent leaning into the wind in order to not be flung sideways into the person riding next to you. Having to brace against the wind while stopped is also a good time.
@scaler911
“Leverage” like G’rilla’s urine-soaked pants? The trick for the group is to guess who’s urine it was. (Hint: not his, not mine, and not Scaler’s.)
@mcsqueak
Indeed. Scaler reported the wind at 55kmph.
Hope you guys had a great time, sorry I missed it. Last weeks training program included travelling to Germany and Japan and drinking Weissbeer, Suntory, saki, Suntory whiskey and white Russians – and racing starts in 3 weeks! Yikes!
I have some ideas for another cogal later in the year – maybe even a 2 day affair…
@frank
Naw. I was thinking about the photos I have of you on the leather recliner at 0030, and of G’rilla out by the fire going all “Middle Eastern”.
Seems the weather at cogals is starting to develop a baseline of Rule #9
@frank
You can’t dust for urine…
Sounds like y’all had a hell of a ride, pics and ride report please!