LAST CALL for Drafter jersey orders!  The Hincapie Team Center link will close on June 4th.  At that time, anyone who has placed an order will be asked to provide credit card information and jerseys will go to press.  As a reminder, the jersey cost is $75 plus $10 shipping to your abode.  I will have men’s and women’s Med, Large and XL sizes available on Monday night to try on after our Fish and Crystal Lake Ride. Donna has requested a 2XL and Dr. Corr a 4XL. These sizes will not be on site Monday but can be ordered through Isthmus Sailboards.  Please see previous blog post for order information.  The jersey image on the Hincapie website is generic, but you can click on links below to view the Drafter jersey.  They will also have Cronometro, Crono PT and Free House logos on the sleeves. These are cool jerseys.  Did I say that already?

Jersey Front

Jersey Back

See you Monday.

BrickO

I hope you all enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend.  A long overdue shout out to the 3 Amigos, Matt T, Gary J and David C. These “Wind Warriors” were the only three to conquer Indian Lake in the gale force winds the preceding Monday.  Apparently, there is a weight and height requirement for wind toughness as these guys tip the scale just north of 200 and stand well over 6 feet tall.  Jackie might be all  tough on the Badger ice, but decided the wind was too much for her (she meets the height but not weight requirement).

We have a treat next week with one of my favorite routes to Fish and Crystal Lake.  The distance is roughy 40miles and change.  To knock off 15 miles, cut over on V or Y and loop back home.  Please note that the cheat sheet old school map and the Garmin link are slightly different with respect to the last few miles home.  I get bored going out and back the same way, so Garmin comes home Hyer while the map comes home Lodi-Springfield.  Same distance.  Your call.

Fish and Crystal Lake Garmin link

I’m flying home Monday from a course in Oregon, hoping to be wheels down at 3:30 and wheels up again at 5:30.  If I’m late, leave without me.  I will either catch you on the route or at the Free House.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

The new Drafter Jersey design is AWESOME and will be processed through Hincapie Sportswear.  I can say, hands down, this is the highest  quality jersey I own.  The cost will be $75 plus $10 shipping (unless we order a huge quantity… which is possible since the race official at the Assault on Mt. Mitchell may order a dozen for his team).  This price is a mega discount, as we are getting the Velocity (high end) jersey for the Axis (medium line) jersey price.  I’m not making a profit- this is as low as we can go.

Bricko’s Drafters Jersey Final (click to see image)

Directions:  NEW TEAM MEMBERS WITH EXISTING HINCAPIE TEAM CENTER ACCOUNT:
Click the link below to go to the Hincapie Team Center home page. Log in to your account, and then use the drop-down menu at the top right-hand corner of the screen to select Account. Scroll down to My Teams and enter the access code provided below. This will link your account to our team order.

After you have done this, click Home at the top of the screen and click New Order begin your product selection.

Please click on this link:  Hincapie Jersey Order link

Access Code: BrickOsDrafters

WE HAVE TWO WEEKS TO PLACE JERSEY ORDERS.  After that time, you will be asked to provide payment and your address for FedEx delivery.  A signature is required, so you may want to use your work address.  Delivery is likely late August (bummer… but worth the wait).

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Cycling shouldn’t be painful, except on those occasions when you are pushing your physiological limits.  As I like to say, “The choice is yours.  Get better or stay the same.”  While the body must be stressed in order to adapt, that is not to say that pain should be a routine part of your ride.

We have teamed up with local cycling legend and bike fitting expert, Colin O’Brien of Cronometro, to offer you the whole package: Fit your body.  Fit your bike.  Fit both under the same roof.  For details, please see our website:

Crono PT

Congrats to the fearsome 6 pack who attacked the gnarly wind Monday en route to Indian Lake and to our 2 faithful bike path patrollers.  It was not a night fit for man nor beast (name that Holiday Classic), and yet two newbies, Laurie and Kevin made their debut with the Drafters (as my son would say, definitely Beast).  Despite his brand new fancy Trek Tri-bike, Gary refused to pull….. Bad Gary.  Although enjoying a leisurely draft, he apparently expended enough energy to warrant a bacon cheese burger, with extra bacon (generously donated from my BLT).

As the winds convinced us to shortcut Indian Lake (not sure how to name that route – perhaps Indian Lake Sans Indian Lake), the route for next Monday will be the same.  I will not be there to oversee operations, however, as I am doing the Assault on Mt. Mitchell on Monday.  Please feel free to join me if you would like an alternative to Indian Lake.

Assault on Mt Mitchell Link  or

There is no class the following week, as May 25th is Memorial Day.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

The route for this week will take us to beautiful Indian Lake.  Enjoy the breathtaking view, as shortly thereafter we will climb Whippoorwill Road.  The only dicey part of this ride is the downhill on K just before it intersects with P.  THERE ARE THREE RUMBLE STRIPS.  They aren’t dangerous, but unpleasant if you hit them at high speeds.  Be prepared to have your fillings rattled.

The Garmin link takes us out of town from my house, but we will actually be leaving from Free House.  The attached old school map is more accurate.  There is a cue sheet, too, for those who are directionally challenged (me).

A SHORTER VERSION simply skips the loop around Indian Lake.  See the cue sheet for instructions.

Sully will be on site at 6pm, dressed in her fluorescent crossing guard safety vest, to lead any interested party for a ride on the bike path.  Be warned: last week, she attracted the eye of a man with a megaphone, who expressed his appreciating for beauty and style.  Sully maintains that he was more interested in her “Grandchildren” (Liz and K2) who were also riding.  Sully had a birthday recently, but remains ageless.

Indian Lake Route Link

Indian Lake Cue Sheet

Regrettably, a Drafter was left behind on Monday night.  Fish was still changing into his cycling clothes in the privacy of his car when a dozen Drafters cycled out of town.  Not deterred by being left behind, Fish persevered and rode on his own.  In a demonstration of superior survival skills, Fish cleverly cut the ride short so as to be the first Drafter served a cold beverage.  Fish agreed to an interview with Nurse Sully and Counselor Liz, who welcomed the disoriented rider to their table. “I was more scared that the group would see me changing in my car than I was being left behind”.

PRE-RIDE POLICY  In order to avoid future incidents, please note: DRAFTERS WILL LEAVE FROM THE BMO HARRIS BANK parking lot at the corner of Parmenter and Elmwood promplty at 5:30.  Should you find yourself half naked in your vehicle, please text BrickO at 628.0428.  I will be sure to check my messages immediately before departure.  If the price is right (read: Young’s Double Chocolate Stout), we will allow a slight delay.  Others who have found themselves running late (Gary Johnson, I’m calling you out) have opted to park along the route and shave off a few miles before joining the group.

POST-RIDE PROCEDURE  Our group reached 15 Drafters last evening, which overwhelmed the waitress.  The bar manager, Marcus, has asked that the first rider to reach the Free House identify him or herself  as an Official Drafter.  A group of tables will be reserved for us on the side patio, facing Parmenter, and a waitress who can handle our demands will be assigned.  In the case of inclemate  weather, we will most likely occupy the lower level of the Free House.  Wearing your Drafters jersey or t-shirt is not required, but strongly recommended.

DRAFTER BOARD Next week we will elect a president to head the Jersey Design committee. So far,  Liz is running unopposed.  Her design proposal was overwhelmingly popular, at least with the men.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT While comparing the 10 fold difference in weight between his vintage Zurich LeMond steel road bike to Donna’s Pinarello Prince, David declared, “real men ride steel”.

For those who are looking to ride a shorter distance, or a pace more commensurate with hybrid/mountain bikes, Sully has agreed to lead the charge.  She and Liz will be leaving the Free House at 6pm and heading north towards the Missouri Tavern.  It is telling that the route runs between two watering holes.

Please exercise your right to use the “comment” option on the blog.  This will help us make sure everyone is accounted for at the start and end of the ride, and hopefully paired up with an equally matched cyclist during the ride. While I take zero responsibility for your safety, I do feel responsible for you having an enjoyable experience.

If you feel the need to do a rain dance, please wait until after 8pm this evening.  Thanks.

Ride on,

BrickO