18 cyclists came out to play,

20mph winds couldn’t keep them way.

Riders 6 feet and over were on the front line for a reason:

Felt good to draft behind Tall IM Tim and his betrothed, Coach Freezin’.

Another wave of 6+ footers allegedly rode the Tour de Dane faster.

Somebody better check the odometer for the Tobacco City Boys and Feng Shui Master.

The Drafter Manual was consulted for rulings on suspected motorized doping and hematocrit >50% immense.

Please see Exhibit A, entered into evidence.

Shiny bikes and their riders with new clipless pedals were out in full force,

With saddlebags stocked with Band-Aids, bacitracin, and medicinal whiskey to remedy the road rash, of course.

A warm welcome to a few newbies who volunteered for the Draft:

Speed Skater Susan, MadPower McKaylah, Ryan from Supreme, Laura from the lab and the Road Rash Twins, Quinoa and Ivy League are now official members of the Riff-Raff.

The 20 mile route for next week is much more sane than Dane, with far fewer miles, hills and corresponding opportunities to complain.   The Human Metronome will be leading the Draft. Wheels up at 6PM,  not a moment aft. I will be goofing off in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina, a destination almost as cool as our Canadian Drafter’s homeland of Regina.

Draft Responsibly,

BrickO

There are many reasons not to ride.  This one, however, I found novel and worthy of press: “I have to do my taxes.”

CRIME REPORT: 13 riders were definitely taxed around Indian Lake, due in large part to the Human Metronome’s improved speed on his new Colnago.  An investigation is currently underway to determine if an electric motor was part of the package price. Also under investigation are allegations of cheating.  Our resident Feng shui Master started the ride well after 5:30, and yet appeared at the Free House fresh as a daisy. Timing chips secured to ankles will be required if this seedy behavior continues.

ENTERTAINMENT: Back by popular demand, the comedy portion of the Draft was provided by Counselor Queen Bee, who regaled us with dinner time stories of her friend Steve. The flavor will be lost in translation, but suffice to say, you should order the burger.  In other Drafter news, the Wahoo KICKR is now available to all 50 Shades of Cycling customers. Nobody has admitted to owning this fitness device.

SPORTS: #1 Drafter from UW-Madison PT class of 2017 and #1863 in the Men’s Olympic Distance USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships will be competing this Saturday in Clemson, SC. Live coverage at teamusa.org

WANTED: elbow and knee pads.  Check with Coach Friesen for slightly used hockey gear if you are new to clipless pedals and tired of Band-Aids.

SCIENCE AND FASHION: University of Oregon PhD student, K2, may have transitioned from Badger to Duck, but her intelligence is not to be questioned.  Check out this recent action photo from her “work in the lab”. Who knew you could study to become of Bike Doctor?

On a fashion note, jerseys identical to the one on the model above are available through MAY 3, along with long sleeve, vests and jackets.

1. Go to the Hincapie Team Center website https://teamcenter.hincapie.com
2. If you are a Returning User, please login using your email and password you previously created. Skip ahead to “Step 2.”
3. If you are a New User follow these steps to create your account:
   1. The Access Code for is: BrickOsDrafters
   2. Provide your first and last name.
   3. Provide your email address, phone number and create a password.
   4. Click the “Create Account” button.

WEATHER: the forecast for Monday is calling for rain. They were wrong most of this week, so let’s hope the trend continues for our ride.  We will be riding the Tour de Dane, a 32mile route.  There is a shorter option on the map below.

**6pm ALTERNATIVE RIDE   There are several riders who need a later start time.  I’m proposing a shorter route, due to daylight restrictions.  The Hyer Loop is ~20miles, with an option to take the bike path home (shorter yet).  If you are game for this, maybe leave a comment so riders can look for one another at 6pm in the BMO Harris parking lot.

Draft Responsibly,

BrickO

Quote of the night: “We didn’t fall behind.  We hung back in order to watch the sunset.”  Billy Boy McC’s recap surprised Dan-yelly, who didn’t realize until their safe return to Free House that they had lost the pack.  There is a down side to wearing a winter parka with the hood up while riding behind someone nearly 7 feet tall…. limited visibility.

20mph winds gave good cause to share and enjoy the Draft.  However, one of our Edgerton natives (one of several in the group who have left the tobacco farm to join the ranks of beer drinking bicyclist) struck out alone.  He was either wanting to earn a plate of sweet potato fries without the guilt of having saved calories drafting, or was late getting out of work.  Regardless, kudos to Zack for the strong solo riding effort in that wind.

The next ride will take us to Indian Lake, roughly a 30 mile venture.  For a shortened version, simply do the loop without the “figure 8”, by staying on Martinsville Rd. CAUTION: the full route has a descent on Indian Trail that is pot-holey and gravely.  State Rd 19 has modest traffic and a narrow shoulder.  This segment ends with a fun climb up Whippoorwill, a true b..b…bear.  If you are apprehensive about any of those three things, the shorter loop is a safer bet.

Anyone interested in ordering Drafter jersey, vest or jacket from Hincapie Sportswear should shoot me an email this week.  The design (beer theme) and colors (blue and red) will remain the same as last year.  Also, we will order 1/4 zip dri Smart long sleeve shirts ($35) from Sweat Vac (see http://www.sweatvac.com) with the Drafter logo if we have 15 or more (currently 8 people have expressed interest).  Let me know if you are wanting to purchase garb. 

Indian Lake Garmin

Draft Responsibly,

BrickO

We’ve got sunshine and temperatures above 40 degrees, so the ride is on.  What isn’t on, apparently, is my BS detector.  It appears as though I have been duped, taken for a ride not on a bike, but by the color of a bike. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause, but there is no pink bike in the Drafter fleet. Good one, Counselor.  I only hope that your new black Colnago has pedals that can fly like the wind, which will be gusting tonight.

The route is posted below.  If you are hoping to ride a few less than 25 miles, I’d suggest jumping on the bike path at the end of Woodland Rd and doubling back.  We will be leaving promptly at 5:30 from the BMO Harris parking lot, weaving our way out of town on Parmenter St, right on Donna Dr, into Middleton Hills, and shooting down to Pheasant Branch.  The pot holes on the Pheasant Branch descent are plentiful, so mind your neighbor and your wheel and draft responsibly. Just a reminder to have a light in case darkness reigns while you are still on the road.

The Free House would like our cooperation in preparing for the onslaught of hungry and thirsty Drafters post-ride.  If you plan to stay for dinner, perhaps you could shoot me a text so that I can call in a head count?  Or add a comment here on the blog, whichever is easier. Thanks much.

It’s too frickin’ cold to wauna ride.  Let’s regroup next week.

BrickO