Take me to church. The 17% climb to Vermont Church was breathtaking, literally. Equally breathtaking FOSHO was the most beautiful descent in Dane County (in my humble opinion) on Forshaug Road. It could easily be mistaken for somewhere in the south of France (minus the vineyards- but I’m a beer girl anyway). I regret not snapping a photo of 11 Drafters at this scenic location but it was too painful to stop ascending, and too beautiful to stop descending. I was hypoxic, gasping at any available molecule of oxygen on the ascent. The few extra ATPs required to fetch the iPhone from my jersey pocket would have resulted in rigor. I’m filing a formal complaint against all things Strava and this time B2 Bomber isn’t the guilty party. Vilks showed up with a 70s mustache and as much horsepower to crush several Strava segment leader boards. Side note: I apparently have a Strava account, but please don’t friend me or follow me, message me, or whatever the heck people do on Strava since I have accumulated zero miles- dang technology eludes me.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we all come with 70s mustaches next week in a quest for more horsepower. There seems to be a correlation.
Vilks hurt all of us, an equal opportunity suffering lender for quadriceps and egos alike. One Hip Wonder, who stayed in contention for the Strava victory with Vilks, seemed to escape the pain until leaving church. He whimpered, “do you have anything absorbent?” Sort of an odd question coming from a member of the XY chromosomal camp. And then I noticed his nose bleeding, and the impact of the altitude at church became apparent. Luckily, Z is not only a Bone Mender, but an expert in herbal medicine. A few purple clover plants inserted gently and precisely in the nasal cavity and One Hip Wonder was good to go. Best quote of the night, by far, came from One Hip Wonder after receiving his herbal remedy: “I was going to challenge Vilks up that climb, but I’m too hypoxic due to this nose bleed.”
There was much excitement beyond church. Rick earned his big boy Drafter handle, “Pres“, after entering this photo from his recent trip to Mount Rushmore.
Pres wasn’t the only Drafter rushing up the mountains last week. A shout out to K2 who continues to dominate the trail running leader board in Oregon. I also enjoyed a trail expedition, but on a bike with my daughter, who is rushing at Iowa State next week. I’m more concerned about dehydration due to substation loss of fluid through tears than I am hypoxia. I have red blood cells to spare, but am in need of Kleenex (preferably with lotion).
Speaking of altitude, the Drafter photo competition climbed to another level. CM Wille got inked! WKOW Channel 27’s Tobacco City Cousin lost the story of local glory to the Washburn County Register. Sales at SweatVac have reached as all time high as cyclists and triathletes alike are seeking to duplicate Cookie Monster’s fashionable Drafter head band, which contributed greatly to her success (as did Coach Cindi Bannink). It is essential to keep sweat out of your eyes. Read on further to learn what can happen to those who don’t heed the head band recommendation.
Loose Screw suffered more cerebral damage during the last yoga session in July. During a challenging triangle pose, Loose Screw experienced an unscripted free fall maneuver, reportedly due to a stray sweat bead that temporarily blurred his vision. Loose Screw denied that the crash was related to balance or flexibility impairments. Helmets and headbands will be required in forthcoming yoga sessions. Perhaps his free fall pose was part of his preparation for the upcoming Leadville 100 event. Good luck and Nama stay alive.
On that note: Yoga II will be coming soon to a VFW near you after Labor Day, not in Aug as previously, prematurely and erroneously announced by me. Sorry. My bad.
Warning: Read the label. Confusion. It is inevitable, but I would like to point out that some confusion is easily avoidable. Without sharing the details, I will simply put on display two essential cycling accessories and let you draw your own conclusions as to my displeasure with packaging.
This week, we are headed to Spring Valley (I’m trying to lure B2 Bomber into a Strava challenge up Enchanted Valley with One Hip Wonder and Vilks). There is a little northern twist from our usual route, roughly 36 miles. There is a splendid Short Pour route that cuts off on Pine, which is roughly 27 miles.
Download PDF map here: Spring Valley with a Northern Twist
Garmin link to Short Pour cut off on Pine
Draft responsibly,
BrickO
brickosdrafters 