The Austin, Texas Cogal; December 4, 2011

"I wanna go home with the armadillo..." Gary P. Nunn, London Homesick Blues

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

—

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 4^th, 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 2^nd, 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 35^thStreet, 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.

Jeff in Big D

Just another middle-aged cycling twatwaffle. Raced road, track, and a little cyclo-cross from 1985-1990. Currently ride 250km+ per week (in my mind). The older I get, the better I was.

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View Comments

Buck Rogers says:

Nov 6 2011 at 8:28 am

@xyxax

@Buck RogersGreat job BR. Checked out the profile the other day and your kph is laudable. How'd the lone guy in the 70+ category do?I like that they have a "merckx" non-aero division and a steel frame "retro" division.

I think I saw that he ave'd 14.4 kph.

The top three aero guys ave'd mid-40's kph. Dudes were smoking.
frank says:

Nov 6 2011 at 9:29 am

@Buck Rogers

@xyxax

@Buck RogersGreat job BR. Checked out the profile the other day and your kph is laudable. How'd the lone guy in the 70+ category do?I like that they have a "merckx" non-aero division and a steel frame "retro" division.

I think I saw that he ave'd 14.4 kph.
The top three aero guys ave'd mid-40"²s kph. Dudes were smoking.

Have you received your new Merckx yet? Which bike did you ride? Surely rocking the DT's would have been the most true to the "Merckx" category?

@ChrisO

We've been under armed escort in Abu Dhabi for the last few months.

Not by choice but we have a diplomatic VVIP riding with us so there are two large black cars that accompany him with several men who look they would be able to use tyre levers as a lethal weapon if called upon.

It's actually quite handy because they also act as a rolling road block at roundabouts but I assume their main mission is to make sure no terrorists kidnap him.

Chapeau to the guy for going out. I think if every time I wanted to go for a ride I had to notify my security detachment I would end up spending a lot of time on rollers.

Woah.

@Oli

@Frank
Hijackings and robberies are commonplace around Johannesburg, I gather.

Yes. It was a joke. Its actually a really scary place; the VMH spends time there for work and its always unnerving; her security escorts are ratcheted up considerably - less than in some of the more war-torn areas in Africa, but much more than in most large cities.
Oli says:

Nov 6 2011 at 11:31 am

@frank
Just clarifying for those perhaps less savvy than yourself.
eightzero says:

Nov 6 2011 at 11:37 am

@frank

@Oli

@Frank
Hijackings and robberies are commonplace around Johannesburg, I gather.

Yes. It was a joke. Its actually a really scary place; the VMH spends time there for work and its always unnerving; her security escorts are ratcheted up considerably - less than in some of the more war-torn areas in Africa, but much more than in most large cities.

Well, there are parts of Texas I'd recommend staying away from too. Like the saying goes "It's like a whole 'nother country."
Buck Rogers says:

Nov 6 2011 at 11:56 am

@frank
No, unfortunately the frame is hung up in customs. Not sure why. I did receive the cranks, handlebars, wheels and some of the other pieces in one box, but the frame was shipped separately and I am STILL waiting for it. Painful!!!

I rode my 2007 Merckx, the only Merckx I saw all day, and I was looking at everyone's bike. Surprised not to see at least one other one.

But there were some SERIOUS money bikes there. 10,000+ dollar bikes being ridden by tri guys in tight skin suits who were at least two months from peaking, if you get my meaning. But, at least they were out there riding and giving it their all.
jen says:

Nov 6 2011 at 1:17 pm

@il ciclista medio

Sounds like it's going to be along the lines of fun, fun, beer, BBQ, fun, fun, Cogal, fun, fun, more beer and BBQ and more fun! Enjoy!!
@brett
Still up for something whilst in Oz? Happy to co-ordinate something for Shidoney if we can get some takers? @harminator? plus some locals to make up the numbers if not enough Velominati?

Do something Sydney-side so I can cheer you guys on!
Marcus says:

Nov 6 2011 at 2:07 pm

@mcsqueak
@ChrisO

We've been under armed escort in Abu Dhabi for the last few months.
Not by choice but we have a diplomatic VVIP riding with us so there are two large black cars that accompany him with several men who look they would be able to use tyre levers as a lethal weapon if called upon.
It's actually quite handy because they also act as a rolling road block at roundabouts but I assume their main mission is to make sure no terrorists kidnap him.
Chapeau to the guy for going out. I think if every time I wanted to go for a ride I had to notify my security detachment I would end up spending a lot of time on rollers.

How cool!. You should get them to carry your spares. Then you can ride tubs all the time. And if the security guys are any good at their jobs (ie. don't want to stay still too long and be a sitting target), they would probably give you awesomely fast wheel changes.

@Cyclops
You bought a gun? Weird. Presuming you have every piece of bike equipment known to man ("should I go the Zipps or the handgun?" The Zipps win every time, so presume you have them already.) you know you could have bought some PEDs with that money?

Or maybe you bought the piece to hold up a drugstore (we call them chemists) to steal PEDs? If so, chapeau!
Markp says:

Nov 6 2011 at 2:28 pm

When's the invitation going out to Austin's #1 son. Perhaps the ride should start and finish out front of the Pharmahacienda.
il ciclista medio says:

Nov 6 2011 at 2:30 pm

@jen
You could join in? The more the V merrier!
@brett

@il ciclista medioYeah, I'll be keen... won't have my own bike though, so will have to rustle something up.

Depending on your size, you'd be welcome to one of mine? I'm around 178cm, i.e. depending on who I'm talking to ;). Well if we can get harminator and a few others, let's pick a tentative date, suggest a route or two (Royal National Park and surrounds spring to mind). Any Melbournites up for it or even in Syd over the New Year?
Looks like we might at least have a cheer person @Jen as well.
rufio says:

Nov 6 2011 at 4:51 pm

i'm supposed to be moving apartments that weekend, but i might have to rearrange my schedule so i can attend. if you are riding mt. bonnell, might i also suggest a trip up mesa? it's not long (nothing in austin is), but it is a category 4 ranked climb.