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

Nate says:

Nov 4 2011 at 8:44 pm

@sgt
That would be rad. A Cali Cogal should get on the calendar.
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Nov 4 2011 at 8:46 pm

@Buck Rogers

Well set up, JiPM. We'll be there with our chaps on!
Thanks for setting all of this up.
What hotel are you using, if you do not mind me asking? Of course, we'll get a room far away from you as we are usually a bit noisy in hotels with the five young kiddos et al.

I'll know the hotel by Tuesday. I've stayed at it a few times. But I can't remember the name. There are bunches of hotels around there. Got to be something budget friendly.
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Nov 4 2011 at 9:07 pm

@wiscot
If you're packing, you can't have your weapon in view, but you can carry a concealed handgun if you have a Concealed Handgun License. That means your Glock 23 has to go in a jersey pocket.
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Nov 4 2011 at 9:10 pm

@Souleur
If you can make it, that'd be great. The more the merrier!
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Nov 4 2011 at 9:16 pm

@eightzero

You'll recognize the song:
Come and listen to a story about a man named JeffA poor cy-cle-ist, barely knew his Cogal left,Then one day he was gunnin at up a climb,And up from behind came a crew a makin' time....
Sur le plaque that is, big ring, dishin' V...
Well the first thing you know ol' Jeffs suffirin' long and hardKinfolk said Jeff toughen up yer gunsSaid peleton-e-a is the place you ought to beSo they loaded up the guns and started stompin out The V....
Five, that is.Velomohotties...Belgian Style...
Well now its time to say good-bye to Jeff and all his kin.And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin in.You're all invited back again to this co-gal-i-tyTo have a heapin helpin of their VelominatilyMerckx that is. Pull a spell. Put your shoes on. Y'all HTFU now, y'hear?

NIPPLE.LUBE.+1
"Y'all HTFU now, y'hear?"--That's gotta go on a t-shirt, a bumber sticker, a coffee mug, a gimme cap, and a koozie.
scaler911 says:

Nov 4 2011 at 10:09 pm

@Jeff in PetroMetro

@wiscot
If you're packing, you can't have your weapon in view, but you can carry a concealed handgun if you have a Concealed Handgun License. That means your Glock 23 has to go in a jersey pocket.

So I'm scrolling thru the sidebar and seeing what's up since I've been busy all day and I see this: "If you're packing, you can't have your weapon in view, but you can carry a concealed handgun". Fuckin' a Merckx on a stick. Is this the Texas Cogal or High Noon? LOVE you crazy ass Lone Star folk!
scaler911 says:

Nov 4 2011 at 10:15 pm

@Dino

@ JiPM
"So, here's the plan, set in sand in a windstorm:"
Any mention of sand in a windstorm reminds me of my years living and riding in Lubbock, TX. Not a lot of hills but truly the land of the daily peleton breaking wind! Enjoy, and know that I am jealous of your weather as I have already had to hit the trainer on several occasions. However, I never seem to miss those 100+ days in July or August.
@wiscot
"I'll be happy to be the point man for a WI Cogal next spring. I'm within 90 mins of all major metro areas. Oregon is a serious beer=producing state. Fantastic riding country too. Anyone else interested?"
I will second your motion for you to Ochowicz this WI Cogal. I am looking forward to it! I am sure there are several Velominalurkers in and around the Beer City (Portland)and the Peoples Republic that will have some interest. I would be happy to be a domestique for you if needed on the setup.

Fixed your post!
G'rilla says:

Nov 4 2011 at 10:32 pm

Slight post hijack here...

I'm riding Cross Crusade in Barton Park outside of Portland, OR this Sunday morning at 10:30. I'll be wearing the V-kit.

Or, I'm around Saturday night if anyone wants to get together for beers? @mcsqueak, @scaler911? Email boss@topfunky.com
il ciclista medio says:

Nov 5 2011 at 12:44 am

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?
harminator says:

Nov 5 2011 at 1:39 am

@il ciclista medio
I'll go if dingoes.