Here are a few lessons learned while in New York City.
The Rapha store is an excellent place to begin a ride. It’s a killer bike shop with no bikes for sale. Once in the door there are ample places to rack a bike. Behold beautiful espressos, fresh croissants, bike racing projected on a whole wall, seats, tables, a WC, and evidently some nice kit for sale too. They are welcoming to riders who just want to hang out for a coffee and watch a race. Did I mention it has two Belgian-style beers on tap? It is a beautiful place.
Saturday dawned sunny and warm. The Rapha Club-Velominati Saturday ride was on. Riders assembled, the place filled with carbon wheeled beauties, Rapha clad youth and us. The V-kit stood out in contrast to the understated Rapha colors. I outfitted Frank with the oldest and heaviest bicycle there. It was a thirty year old steel bike with heavy but aero aluminum wheels. The best part was it was geared for Roubaix when we were riding Flanders; it had a 44 tooth inner ring and a mostly inaccessible 23 tooth inner cog on the back. I was hoping it might slow him down but it didn’t, nothing does.
The ride was awesome. Some of us represented the kit better than others, let us leave it at that. Our Rapha Club leader, Rob, did a beautiful job getting thirty-plus riders out of Manhattan and eventually back, safely. He is a stud.
The book signing was heart warming; people buying The Rules and us writing something obnoxious in it, for them. Riders were coming into the store and whipping out their copies for us to sign. The New Jersey boys drove two hours to join us on the ride and buy a pile of books. It is simply amazing to me: this Velominati community which has grown across the world, all people who love to ride the bike. To meet some of them at a Keepers Tour, or Cogal or in the Rapha store, it makes this whole endeavor worthwhile.
The San Francisco Event is happening this weekend and I encourage all nearby to venture into the city for the riding and signing.
Mr T was bold enough to shoot photos while riding. Grazie for sharing.
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@Barracuda
Respectfully, blistering high summer heat in SA is not the best way to experience cycling in Australia. Autumn is a much nicer time and the east coast has many more folk who might be interested. The roads of the Mt Warning caldera are the perfect place for a cogal, and if you want to coincide with a major event, the THe Battle of the Border in April is the one to aim for. The weather is stunning, there is a major national/international airport on the doorstep, there is tons of stuff for accompanying families to do and lots of wonderful places to stay. There are lots of cafes and restaurants as well as art galleries, village markets and amazing coffee and food. There is probably even beer, and there is certainly lots of pretty girls. We even have OPera on the Beach this week, and the surf is good enough to host the Roxy/Quiksilver Pro. Byron Bay is a comfortable round trip by velominocycle from the border.
Sure, I'm biased, and probably sound like bad ad copy, but it's all true. Just ask me.
If I may be so bold, I would propose an inaugural Captain Ken's Caldera Cogal in 2015. All the Velominati are invited. I might even do some training and get fit enough to keep up. There are about a dozen memorable rides to choose from. One day would not do it justice. At least 3 days would be needed.
@Ken Ho. At the risk of turning this into an interstate bidding war for a book signing, might I remind you, respectfully, that we have an outstandingly well run UCI world turn event HERE ! Also the keepers love the heat ! So to your suggestion I offer this :- http://youtu.be/cbeR6uYxU50
@Ken Ho bad brochure copy?
@Barracuda
Absolutely, indeed you do have the TDU, and my comments in no way impugned that fine event.
But, your description of your cogal this year was of a small handful of diehards turning out to contend with greater than 40 degree heat, which while it makes for a good story, obviously deterred a lot of people.
I'm sure that the Keepers would find their way around most of the major centres if they made the trek to our bonny shores, so a bidding war is not really what I was after.
I was merely suggesting an pleasant autumn alternative to the blistering summer heat which we have both experienced. The Battle of the Border is also a very well run event, attracting a lot of folk, so an ideal opportunity to
Not a lot of organisation actually required around here. Basically, you get on your bike and ride, and there are any number of loops you can pick and choose from as you go, with roads that run inland and intersect with the Pacific Highway between Coolie and Byron. Lots of coffee stops, just need 2 large bidons on a warm day depending on the route.
Come up sometime, and I'll put you up and show you some of my favourite rides.
@Ken Ho Its a pity there isn't font, as @Mikael Liddy had mentioned somewhere previously, that adequately portrays sarcasm, my post could've used such a font.
I agree with your comments, surely Rapha could sponsor a "Conference of the Velominati" in a location central to all. All expenses and kit paid for of course.
Seriously though, I will keep your invite in mind when near.
Sounds like a cracker part of our great land.
@Ken Ho yeah that was this year, last year's cogal that took place the weekend the TDU started was run in mid to high 20's & near perfect conditions, so as with any outdoor event, you take your chances with the weather.
The main reason we look to run one around TDU week is that there tends to be a butt load of cyclists from all over the country descending on Adelaide for that week, it seems silly not to take advantage of it.
@Mikael Liddy
I reckon 20 starters from our small country town was a good effort this year, given the impending weather doom.
Look forward to the Jan one and expect the need for rolling road closures through the Adelaide Hills @Mikael Liddy. One things for sure, I wont be attempting your herculean effort in riding down (up) the night before hand. @Little Liddy a starter on that new aero rocket of his ?
@Barracuda there is a front wheel pedal powered steed in the queue for him but I'm not sure he'll be tearing around on it by then...
120k & 2,700m, what do we think? http://app.strava.com/routes/325555
@Mikael Liddy
We think we very much approve of this ! Great roads and scenery. Excellent
@Barracuda
One day, I will get to your cogal, might even check out that other bike ride that's on at the same time...