Stop the presses, North American Cogal #2 is off and running. @Jeff in PetroMetro is organizing a ride deep in the heart-o-Texas on December 4, 2011 for the rider who wants a taste of drought, dust storm, truck nuts and fun. Lest we forget what a Cogal is, “… A meeting of like-minded misfits brought together by the promise of beer, preceded by a bike ride.” Commemorative V-Pints can be fabricated for such a thirst inducing event, please send orders through Velominati central ordering department. They may even be ready in time to wash that Texas dust down the neck hole.
Keep the rubber side down, Gianni
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Dang! We’re havin’ a Cogal in Austin! How ’bout that?
I guess I’ve been a Velominatus for a little over a year now. In that time, I’ve gotten to know many fellow Velominati online. And I feel like I know y’all. But I’ve never had the opportunity to meet any of you in person. And for that matter, I don’t know most of y’all by your given names.
But some of that is about to change. On the weekend of December 4th, in Austin, I get to meet, live and in Technicolor, Buck Rogers, Itburns, Bongo, and, rumor has it, Souleur. Buck’s coming up from San Antonio with Mrs. Buck and the Buckettes. Itburns is driving in from Houston (Yewstun), same as me and my relations. Bongo’s on his way from Waco (Way-Coe). And Souleur’s coming from I don’t know where. But I know it’s a long drive.
Why Austin? ‘Cause it’s not Houston.
Austin’s pretty. Austin’s cool. Austin’s where I lived as a student, a bike racer, and as a young college graduate with a good state gubment job. Austin’s got rolling hills, good barbeque, and cold beer. And, in case I forgot to mention it, Austin’s not Houston.
So, here’s the plan, set in sand in a windstorm: I’m driving up Friday night, December 2nd, and spending the weekend. I’m staying in a hotel near the Arboretum which is in northwest Austin. That’s near the north end of Highway 360 (Capital of Texas Highway) almost where it meets Highway 183. 360 is a great jumping off point for a rolling, hilly ride west of Austin. We’ll start in the parking lot of the Arboretum. I’ll let y’all know exactly where late next week.
We’ll head southwest and make a counter-clockwise loop. As we come back east, approaching Austin from the south, I’d like to go through Buda (Bew-duh). As we come up through Austin we’ll make our way up to 35thStreet, then west over Mt. Bonnell and back toward 360 for a ride north to our starting point.
Mind you, all of this is subject to change after next Tuesday, when I’m riding reconnaissance in Austin.
I’d like for all of us to get together on Saturday evening at the Shady Grove restaurant on Barton Springs Road. We’ll get some good food, some good beer and/or margaritas, and put some faces with some names. Time to be determined, but I’m guessing around 6pm so we can eat, drink, visit, and still get some decent sleep.
Sunday morning, we’ll get a big stack of gingerbread pancakes at Kerbey Lane Café. Then at either V before 10, or V after 10, we’ll head off into the wild blue yonder.
My intention is to keep the ride between 130km and 160km. There will be quite a bit of rolling hills and not much flat. This will be a Casually Deliberate ride. No one gets dropped by much or for too long, and there will be plenty of places to stop and load up on food and drinks.
I’ll post more details after my visit to Austin on Tuesday. Stay tuned.
If anyone else can join us in Austin, please do. I’m looking forward to seeing y’all.
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View Comments
@Buck Rogers
I'm still thinking V before 10. It's gonna be about 4.5 when we start and get up to a balmy 11 by the time we're done. AND it's probably gonna rain the whole time. I don't think starting an hour earlier is gonna lessen the enjoyment of Rule 9.
I want us to have a nice big breakfast at Kerbey Lane (starting at 0700) and still have the time to get back to our residences, pack and check out, apply copious amounts of embrocation, carefully dress in layers of kit, and give the mechanic our food, bidons, and wheels. Besides, if we start around 0900, we won't have enough time to chat with the press. "Yes, my mind is tranquilo. My sensations are good." See, I've been practicing my soundbytes.
I could benefit from starting a little earlier, as I will be violating rule #4 and working that evening, but I will appreciate any additional opportunity to have a nice long pep talk with the legs and make sure that they are up to the ride.
Also, only 40% chance of rain. I think we'll probably be okay, and if it does sprinkle on us a little, the showers haven't been lasting very long lately.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Sounds graet to mme. Working my press quotes at the moment, "Shut Up Legs" and "he's just a little shit-starter" (honour of the local COTHO).
Weather is now 50% chance of rain with highs arounf 10 degrees C. Rule Nine will be in full force, BABY!
Cannot wait!!!
JiPM: What time are we meeting up at Shady Grove on Saturday night?
@Buck Rogers
I'm thinking 6pm at Shady Grove. It sounds early, but if the kids are coming, and if we're going to drink a lot of beer and talk endlessly about bikes and VMHs and whatnot, I thought an early start would be in order. Also we'll start early on Sunday morning. We'll go to Kerbey Lane on Kerbey Lane at 7am. For all I know they'll already have a line out the door, so I wanted to give us a chance to eat a big breakfast and get back to the hotel with plenty of time to spare before the ride starts.
V before 10, btw, MrLowell. We want you there, so we'll just have to ride faster to get done in time for you to go to work.
Oh, Buck and itburns, I have your V-pints. Stay thirsty, my friends.
I'm waaaay happy to get out of Houston and ride my bike.
How do we know how to find each other at Shady Grove.....everyone wear their "V" T-shirts ?!
@El Diablo
This really is like a blind date. Hmmm. I have my Velominati t-shirt. I'll wear it. Oh. And I'm bald as a ping-pong ball. And thin. And pale. And homely.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Wait a second, I'm bald and thin and pale and homely as well ... damn, is this that Fight Club thread again?!?!?! I'll go for my best Millar impression with dress, though--I'll wear what my VMH calls my European gay man outfit--black t-shirt with dress pants and garmin cycling cap. See you there!!!
@Buck Rogers
Funny. I thought about wearing my worn out straw cowboy hat 'cause it's easy to spot. But then I'd also have on my kinda tight Velominati t-shirt, jeans, and boots. I'd have looked like a member of the Village People. I decided against the hat.
I'll be the "Illegal Alien" with the V Tee shirt on....