Oh this was a hard one.  Five of us set out for 110 miles of hills on Easter Sunday.  Two finished the whole route while others opted for some part of the ride. (60 and 80 miles) This ride leader struggled to keep up with Thatcher and Tobin but managed to complete the ride with Thatcher. 

We warmed up to Alki then climbed over White Center.  Renton,  May Valley, Issaquah, Sammamish and back to 520.  Then....The toughest part of the ride is near the end, hitting Juanita Drive, Holmes Point, Simonds, Norway and Perkins all in the last 30 miles.    Thankfully a tailwind from Shoreline pushed my blown up legs to the finish.   Thanks to the hearty souls who were up to the challenge of (so far) the hardest COGS ride of 2026.

What a fantastic way to welcome SPRING.   Nine of us met at Petit Pierre french bakery for espresso and amazing treats.   A few new faces and some others not seen over the cold winter.  We took a lap through Magnolia for amazing views including a majestic bald eagle.  Our journey traversed the new waterfront trail out to Alki for more views of the Olympics and downtown.  

Nine riders, 65+ miles, Two "Mechanicals" and Four Flats.   I think we picked up all the glass on this route.    Sadly, we lost Heather on mile one to a bent derailleur hanger.  Her two gravel racer and cyclocross teammates, new to COGS, were more than up to the ride without her.  Thatcher, Noriko with Michael, Brant and Gus were all left behind (with permission) due to flats or some problem or another.  However, an extended stop at Coulon allowed most of them to work together and catch back on.  Good teamwork.  Brant wins the ingenuity prize for getting home via light rail and by strapping his broken down steed onto a Lime bike.  Crazy day.  In spite of threatening weather, it was actually mostly dry and fantastic for riding.  Four of us finished together and everyone else made it home safe.

20 miles of Christmas lights along Magnolia Bluff, Seattle Center, Lake Union and Olympic Manor.   Was a fun group but too much of the ride was crowded with people and cars.  Far more than expected.  We rode conservatively and everyone rode safely.  But a different route will be chosen next year. 

Looking forward to Wayne's Christmas Lights ride later this month.  

We met afterwards for snacks and to watch the Christmas movie, "Klaus" so it ended up being a good time. 

Wednesday night rides are always fun. Last night was another beautiful evening ride with low traffic, high comradery, invigorating hills and stunning views. 

Six of us met up on a day with threatening weather.  It actually turned out quite good.  November is a good time to rest the legs a bit and enjoy a short ride.  

This route is designed to be mostly on trails and quiet roads, making it safe for dark wet days.   

UW, Leschi, I-90 bike tunnel and trail to the south end of downtown.  Proceed onto the new waterfront trail and have coffee near Fisherman's Terminal.  

A change in the weather dampened our turnout this morning but Frank and I were inspired by A.I. to believe we wouldn't get all that wet.  Day Glo full fenders and some Gore Tex made it a pretty nice day.  Took the Duamish and Lake to Sound trail to Renton.  After a brief, unsuccessful hunt for Mama Row's Carmels we settled on a quick stop for mediocre coffee served with a poor attitude at Boom Boona's.  Undeterred, we set a good pace up a deserted Lake Washington Blvd with an inspiring philosophical conversation all the way back to Fremont.   50 miles.

Ten registrants set out from Fremont to what now HAS to be known as the official taco shop of COGS, El Kiosko in Renton.    We reversed the route due to protests on the waterfront.  Southbound through Leschi is a bit more stressful than Northbound, but everyone rode safely and there were no issues. 

It was an eclectic group and everyone kept the pace as advertised.    After a well orchestrated lead out, Sabine pipped Thatcher for line honors at the "official Renton Airport sprint finish".  (if you know, you know) Thatcher "claimed" lack of knowledge of the sprint finish.  He knows now.  :)   

Newcomers to the Taco Ride agreed...Best traditional Fish Tacos in town.

COGS has a ZWIFT CLUB.   Search "COGS Seattle" on ZWIFT.   

Paul H and myself were the only participants in this 60 minute inaugural ride on a route called "Sugar Cookie".   Presumably the name originates from Navy Seals training on the beach.   The ride covers a lot of beach front in Watopia.    

If you have ZWIFT, Watch for more frequent rides starting mid November.  

Six COGS members adorned with lights rode from UW to Redmond along 520 to see the 50th anniversary races at Marymoor Park's, Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome.   This was the first time most of the group had seen live track racing and a good time was had by all.  

Riding home along the Samm River and Burke Gilman trails in the dark was a fun experience.  Everyone had Outbound lights except me and spoke highly of this US made system.   I upgraded to the Outbound Club a couple weeks later.