A record setting evening: 40 miles covered, 20 mph averaged, 19 Drafters drafted.

3 new riders were largely responsible for the blistering pace. Welcome Floridan phenom, Luci.  When I think of Florida, blue hairs come to mind.  The tortoise doesn’t stand a chance against this Blue Hare.  Welcome Badger sports nutritionist, Rachel.  I’m not sure that changing my diet would decrease the gap, but I am requesting the recipe for her 3 Squares.  Lastly, accomplished Birkie skier, Brandan B, serendipitously intercepted us on the route and committed to the Draft.  The B2 Bomber definitely gave Blue Hare and 3 Square a target to chase down.

Shakespeare once said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.  Two roses are up for a name change.  Quinoa has transformed into Chrissy Kilowatt.  Her soccer legs (which scare the crap out of me) have made the transition from kicking a ball to kicking butt on the bike.  Freezin’ for a Reason will formally change her name in Aug when wedding bells ring, so it seems a fitting time to upgrade her Drafter handle.  Several of the newbies referred to Coach Freezin’ as “the one with arms”.  While all of the Drafters have 2 arms, only Coach has biceps , triceps and deltoids chiseled out of stone. Kilowatt and Arms are officially registered in the Draft log.

I struggle with numbers.  Just ask my banker. But I thought it would be fun to look back over the season and give you a numeric review.  These data were not collected via survey, but are based on my personal communication and therefore are subject to misinterpretation and underestimation.  I’m quite sure I missed a few things, but for sure, I am not exaggerating.

There have been 15 rides from mid-March thru July, with only 1 cancellation due to 40 degree temperatures and howling wind. 42 have joined the 2016 Draft,  18 women and 24 men. Slightly over half are return Drafters from 2015.  The range of riders per night has been 6-19 , 12.3 on average (the 0.3 must include Slow Cow since he usually takes a short cut and therefore doesn’t count as a full rider). I don’t know the average age, but the youngest are college students (early 20s) and the oldest are in their 60s, including 2 retirees (or at least semi-retired). The dominating profession is health care: 7 PTs,  5 orthopedic surgeons,  2 sports medicine physicians,  2 nurses, 1 cardiologist, 1 RD, 1 chiropractor and 1 pharmacist.  We have 4 engineers, 3 attorneys, and 3 pilots (if you include a Drone pilot).  Nearly a dozen Drafters are former collegiate athletes from soccer, tennis, rowing, ice hockey, cross country and basketball (including a NBA recruit) teams  along with elite speed skaters and Jr Olympic X-country ski racers.    We have 6 Ironman finishers (majority multiple IMs), with 3 more to be added to that list in Sept, and 6 multiple Birkie finishers (probably more than I am not aware of), including elite and 2nd wave guys.  We have 3 folks who are committed commuters, choosing to pedal instead of guzzle gas.  Most impressively, we have a group committed to getting better instead of staying the same, pushing their envelopes rather than sealing them.

When I finish a Monday night Draft, I have a feeling of pride, happiness, fulfillment, connection and exhaustion.  I want to thank all of you for sharing your energy for cycling and passion for life. In this grim state of humanity throughout the world, I am thankful for the time we spend together, pedaling, gasping for air, drinking beer and laughing (listed in chronological order, not necessarily order of importance).  Thank you for taking care of each other on the road and in many cases, in life.

In this spirit, I propose a ride taking us back to a simpler time. We will travel under Dane’s historic viaduct, built with two distinctly different types of stone, limestone and sandstone. According to Bridgehunter.com, “It was built in 1881 by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad and modified in 1896. The datestone on the west side reads, 1896 while the datestone on the east side reads, 1881.”  I’m getting a bit fluffy with this blog (blame it on the whiskey), but I do find riding under this bridge to be a magical experience as I think about the amazing people who have done so before me for the past 135 years.  I hope that I can leave a mark on the world as positive and structurally sound for those who pass through after me.

Download PDF with shortcuts: Viaduct Cue Sheet

Garmin link to Viaduct

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Two of our Drafters are currently enjoying trip with Cyclesport Travel in the  Alps and were inspired to comment on my previous post in French: “Bonjour Mme. Stacey! Mauvaises directions? Toi? Jamais!!!”

Link to see more from Cyclesport Travel

With a little help from Google translate, I’ve come to appreciate that Billy Boy might have made a valid point:  “Hello Mrs . Stacey ! Bad directions ? You? Never!!!”

True that. On further inspection, it seems that I forgot a key turn right turn onto V, erroneously directing you to proceed straight onto Loper, which would have been impossible and likely resulted in poison ivy.  Please see correction on PDF map below.  And, there is a much more straightforward option to come home early.  When on Breunig and attempting to cross 12, you could, should the spirit move you, just head home on the bike path.

If you are not in France, download this PDF for directions to the ride Monday: Enchanted to Church

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Here are three opportunities to tour some beautiful WI terrain in July, Aug and Sept.  Not excited about riding a full century? No problem.  All have shorter (and longer for the DLD) options.

Registration Link to the Wright Stuff Century

Registration Link to the DLD

Registration Link to The Ride

Draft responsibly,
BrickO

Despite the confusing “take 3” updates on the last route, 11 Drafters found their way through the gorgeous peaks and valleys.  The UW Physical Therapy program was well represented, and well dressed, for the ride out west.

It occurred to me on our ride out west that road names which include “valley” (Union Valley Rd, Moen Valley Rd) are a bit misleading, as a valley also implies a peak. But who would chose to ride Union Peak Rd or Moen Peak Rd?  It must be some sort of Jedi mind trick intended to lure cyclists into thinking these are all downhill ventures.  Vermont Church was a helluva climb, and this week, we are headed back to church, this time in Ashton. I haven’t ridden this route since last year, so I don’t have GPS coordinates or the exact mileage, but I’m estimating just shy of 40 with a shorter option noted below.

PDF for download: Enchanted to Church

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

A fellow Drafter has heard tell of cyclists getting ticketed on P between Bourbon Street and Stagecoach for ignoring the “No Thru Traffic” signs.  I called the Cross Plaines non-emergency number to inquire, and was told that “technically” citations can be awarded, although the nice police man I spoke with was not aware of any that had been issued.

With the recent cycling tragedy in Cross Plaines, I am inclined to play by the rules.  The alternate route home is, as you might guess, hilly.  From KP, please consider turning left on Scherbel Rd.  Be CAREFUL crossing highway 14 and immediately get in your granny gear to climb up to Festge Park.  From the park, things should look familiar as this is essentially the home coming from the Spring Valley Route.  Turn right on Table Bluff, R onto KP, left onto Otto Kerl, right onto Enchanted Valley, left onto Schneider and home on the bike path.

Sorry that I don’t have a map or GPS coordinates.  This is the best I can do on short notice.

This is a good time to remind one another to ride safely, smartly and politely.  Be sure to ride with somebody, and with a charged cell phone.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Hey Drafters,

I was able to do a recon mission on Sunday.  The route has a few imperfections to note.   When you enter Cross Plaines and cross 14, Hwy P to Stagecoach is closed.  No matter.  The road is ridable and actually, having it closed to traffic makes it a bit quieter to ride.  The second obstacle is construction on Blackhawk Road just before the intersection with Pleasant View, as you cross and turn left onto Deming Way.  Again, you can get through , but it is down to one lane so ride with caution.
I would suggest one deviation from the original posted route (see Garmin link below): when coming home on Old Sauk, please consider turning left onto Twin Valley, and then right on Blackhawk.  This is more direct than the scenic tour through the Blackhawk subdivision, and offers a few more opportunities to climb hills.  Yeah.

Garmin Link to Sluggin’ It Out West

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

A dozen Drafters felt like Rockstars on the way to Fish and Crystal Lakes.  Like most Rockstars, living the good life caught up to us.  When we rounded the northern most bend and felt the 25 knots of wind in our face, the party was over.  Our “Most Determined Drafter” award this week goes to Dan-yelly, whose car was rear ended on the way to the ride.  Her loyal Tobacco City husband waited patiently for her dinged up chariot to arrive, while the rest of us departed at 5:30.  The couple finished the ride just before nightfall (along with Slow Cow, who appeared somewhere along the way), and were greeted by our competent Drafter staff of orthopedic surgeons and attorneys, who tended to all of Dan-yelly’s immediate and foreseeable needs.

I’m unable to do a recon mission for the route on Monday as I am in Louisville, KY watching my son and his basketball team slug it out at Hoopfest. Go Triple Threat!

A big thanks to the Human Metronome’s friend who lives in KY and supplied me with bike routes to keep me sane between basketball games (and counteract the Bourbon that is so plentiful here).  I’ve ridden along the Ohio River on both the KY and IN sides, and have come to appreciate just how lucky we are to be cyclists in Madison.  The folks are very respectful of cyclists, but cycling lanes and shoulders really don’t exist- or worse (see photo).

Here is the 35 mile route for Monday.  There is an easy shortcut by passing up the turn onto Bourbon St (I can’t pass up a Bourbon anything) and staying on P straight through Cross Plaines. If you ride the full figure 8, we start out counter clock wise and the smaller inner loop is clockwise.

Download PDF: West HHH 35

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Irrefutably the most scenic ride of the year, we will be riding  to Fish and Crystal Lakes.  It is time to change the ride up a bit, so we will be touring the lakes in a clockwise fashion.

I rode a recon mission today and am happy to report that the route is in great shape and full of wildlife surprises.  I spotted a creature from the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves, Order Pelecaniformes, Family Pelecanidae, Genus Pelicanus and was told by local ornithology experts that Fish Lake is a common stop en route to Green Bay.  Who knew?

The ride will take ~2.5h so don’t be shy about using the shortcut on Mussen (Slow Cow, this is for you).  Due to the high incidence of presbyopia amongst the Drafters, I’ve included a link to the map in PDF.  This should allow enlargement without distortion, and along with the Garmin coordinates for those who get confused between clockwise and counterclockwise (you’re welcome, Billy Boy), all “issues” should be accommodated.

There is NO official 6pm departure due to lack of numbers.  

Fish and Crystal Clockwise 42mile

Garmin to Fish and Crystal Lakes clockwise

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Rockin’ to Roxbury  proved to be the most challenging ride of the season with respect to distance, elevation and pace (thanks to Turbo JT).  The route will henceforth be dubbed “Hit Rock Bottom and Rox-Buried”.  We welcomed two Newbies, MDott and Turbo JT, who join our orthopedic and cardiology service: the Disjointed Arrhythmias, call 1-800-HRT-BR8K for a consult.

The Human Metronome kept up with Turbo JT, but he wasn’t keeping up with the idea of the drone filming the Drafters.  WhoYaKnow accelerated past the peloton in the support vehicle several times seeking position to launch the drone. The first time he raced by, the Human Metro cussed the inconsiderate driver under his breath.  The second pass, a few expletives were released.  The blog is rated PG so I won’t share. On the third pass, the idea caught up with Metro as he muttered, “Oh, that jerk is WhoYaKnow. And he is flying a drone over the peloton!”  Enjoy the footage.

Drone Video

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. See you on July 11.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO