Despite my upbringing on a tobacco farm in rural Wisconsin, I failed to acquire a taste for country music… until yesterday.  The last Draft held our finest weather experience and brought out 13 riders (my lucky number) and a few surprises.  Kaiya pushed the pace in the lead group (mind you, this former collegiate basketball star JUST bought a bike, borrowed shoes 3 sizes too big and transcended from back of the pack to leader of the pack in short order), the Human Metronome allegedly got out of his saddle to climb Enchanted Valley (counselor Liz is reviewing the tape, wearing her driving gloves to avoid damaging the evidence), BrickO did not place her typical high maintenance ABLT order without avocado or bacon, add cheese please (ABCLT) and Christopher wore a men’s Drafters jersey. The biggest surprise was a coming out by Regina’s hockey star and contender for Best Legs in Drafter Magazine.  Jackie talked openly in an interview with Nurse Sully about her heart palpitations over Garth Brooks.  After listening to his recent re-release of “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places”,  I concede that country music is not all bad.  At least one song by Garth (she’s on a first name basis with him now, with complimentary concert tickets in the third row), will find its way onto my spin playlist this winter.

Watch Video of Garth Brooks and Jackie or sing along…

I’VE GOT FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES (DRAFTER REMAKE)

Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in Hicapie boots

Set the pace for the Drafter affair

The first one to ride, the last one inside

We were the cyclists the Free House bartender hoped to see there.

And I saw the surprise and the fear in her eyes

When I ordered a microbrew and toasted you

Said, “Drafters, we may be through, but you’d never hear me complain”

‘Cause I’ve got friends in Spin classes where the music drowns

And the beer chases my blues away and I’ll be okay

I’m not big on social graces, think I’ll slip on down to the Supreme Spin Studio oasis

End of song, end of an extraordi-rainy outdoor season.  I thank all 45 (!) of you who rode with the Drafters.  I hope to see some of you at Spin and if not, stay tuned for next season.  Same bat time, same bat channel.

BrickO

It has been one helluva summer.  Thanks to everybody who showed up, usually in the rain, to Draft.  A quick tally shows just over 40 official Drafters, including our newest inductee, Ironman Tim.

Most of you know what makes me tick.  It is pretty simple: biking, dark beer (or whiskey- medicinal, obviously), and good people with whom to share life, laughter (Sully and Liz take this to an extreme) and tears (I try to minimize the latter, but they do happen from time to time).  I am grateful to all of you for contributing to the “good people” portion of the equation, which contributes exponentially towards creating a rich life.  Dr. Corr, did you see how I used a function in that equation?  Your calculus tutoring has really paid off.

This will be the last call for a 2015 Monday night Draft. The theme is “Home Talent” as our route takes us by two baseball diamonds, Ashton Corners and Martinsville, a tradition which has been a highlight of Sunday afternoons for decades.  Home Talent is also a fitting theme, given that our vey own Coach Bannink just rocked the ITU World Championships.

Greatness has many forms.  Taking the podium in two events at the World Championship is certainly of of them.  Riding in the middle of the pack during a Drafter ride, not speaking a word about your achievements as a triathlete, but instead enjoying the company of others is another form of greatness.  An accomplished athlete I know once said “if you are really that good, you don’t need to talk about it.  People already know.” Congratulations to the truly great, and truly humble, Coach Bannink.

Garmin link to Home Talent Route

Air goes in to our lungs with roughly 20.9% oxygen.  Air comes out with less.  How much less depends on what you choose to do with it.  If you choose to talk the talk, little oxygen is consumed though copious volumes of air may be exhaled.  If you choose to swim, bike or/and run,  oxygen consumption is maximized.  Congratulations to many Drafters this weekend for their superb utilization of O2.

A big shout out to Feng shui Master Gary, who finished his first Ironman despite a blue card for drafting (forgetting it wasn’t a Monday night ride, obviously), a mechanical breakdown in Mt. Horeb, and nausea (which may have been attributed to the former two incidents, although he maintains it was electrolyte imbalance).  In a post-IM interview, Gary seemed to relay mixed emotions, “The run sucked. But it was a blast. Liz and Sully were all over the run. I did hear them well before I saw them!”  Apparently, it is a myth that only dogs are sensitive to high pitched frequency sounds.  Iron Jeanne also crossed the finish line- not her first rodeo.

Husband and Wife Team Tronnes ventured north for the Door County Century, along with Father and Son Team Carlson.  Apparently, Dan-yelly rode much of the event without her groom, as he took a wrong turn in Sturgeon Bay, leaving the Peninsula and headed toward the mainland.  He still wasn’t back for wheels up Monday night (hence lack of a century finish line photo), but made it in time to join us for a draft.  The Human Metronome rode with his father, age 75, to complete their fifth consecutive Door County Century.  Senior Carlson, sporting a jersey “This Guy Needs Beer”, declared it his last (century, not beer). 42 degree temperatures at the start may have played a role in his decision to retire, but Junior has plans to lure him back with a tandem next year.

Lastly, Drafter K2 successfully completed her cross country journey to Oregon… via Jackalope.  She is the only American to have attempted this mode of transportation and has declared it an official event.  Bumper stickers are available “Jackaloped 2K”

Due to the high volume of oxygen consumption these past few days, the route for next Monday will be a meek and mild 20 mile excursion past the Riley Tavern.

Garmin Link Riley Route

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

The Laborless Day Ride and post-festivities were remarkable.  You really can’t make this stuff up.

10 minutes after departure, the ever present Monday night rain appeared.  While we only got a slight sprinkle , there was a downpour to the north, keeping the roads to the Rock nice and juicy.  The faces of those  drafting behind Jim (conveniently, everybody) were speckled with cow manure.  Newbie Neil got a little taste of Drafter rides. Best of luck to Neil in his upcoming West Coast Grand Fondo.  May the smell of Wisconsin, now deeply embedded in your gear, keep you fondly thinking of home while cycling through wine country.

The air was humid, but we felt a little Frost. Two roads diverged into a yellow wood, and sorry we could not travel both… (read: sorry we could not read the soggy map) we chose the one which terminated at a bar on the Wisconsin River.  Many Drafters were enthusiastic about exploring this landmark.  I’m sure the intention was to ask  for directions and not a draft.  A very sweet little elderly woman made a solid attempt to lure us into the bar, but the Drafters took the high road, which was definitely the one less traveled.

The post-ride spread offered much variety.  There were seven kind of salsa, including 4 from Chipotle, compliments of UW Women’s Hockey.  Salmon was a favorite, although I thoughtfully declined the main course in lieu of a low calorie cucumber salad, with a modest portion of green beens and almonds. This disciplined decision allowed me to devour this (correction- devour these, plural- butterscotch rice crispy bars were gone before they could be photographed) :

Next week we will venture to the outskirts of the one and only Waunakee, and enjoy a ride down Easy Street (for real).  This is a 25mile route.  We are losing light by 7pm, so please plan to be wheels up promptly at 5:30 and bring a blinky.

Garmin Link to Wauna Ride

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Something in the cosmos was definitely out of balance at 5:30pm on Monday.  It was a gorgeous night to ride. Monday night gorgeous rides have not been copacetic. Perhaps it was the influence of newbie  Zach from my homeland, the Tobacco City.  We are now mandating that he rides weekly.  With that, I am increasing the mileage to 50, just to see how tough they are growing them in Edgerton these days.  I’m also posing this aerobic challenge as a type of Myth Busters. I’ve heard tell that women in their 30s reach the height of their aerobic endurance potential.  Allegedly, Counselor Liz is celebrating her milestone birthday this Thursday at Capitol Brewery from 5-7.  Please join the party!  Gifts are prohibited and  driving gloves are required.  We will see how this Tricenarian handles the  climb to The Rock.

Let’s take advantage of a Laborless Day to ride a half-century.  The plan is to meet at our house at 4pm and ride to the Rock of Gibraltar.  Map below- 3422 Glacier Ridge Rd.  If you are so inclined, please bring a little sometin sometin to share.  Perishables and beer can remain safely behind in the fridge.  Following the ride, you are invited to stay and enjoy some food  (provided by the group- I have no idea how to function in the kitchen) and beverages (I have complete command of how the beer fridge operates). If our appetite exceeds our food supply, I have Falbos Pizza on speed dial.  A hot tub is available for those who may be chilled from the ride (likely the Canadian).

There is parking in our driveway, on one side of the street, and nearby at Craftsman or at the Trail Head of Pheasant Branch Conservancy at the intersection of Pheasant Branch and Gaylord Nelson Dr.  Middleton Hills just received a fresh batch of tar and cinders on the streets, so we will use the sidewalk to get out of Dodge.

Garmin link to Rock of Gibraltar

Draft Responsibly this Labor Day weekend,

BrickO