Our inaugural ride was full of “firsts”- this is the first time 1) our season kicked off so late into April, 2) with such force, 3) so many newbies, and 4) a remote rider.  We had 15 cyclists show up to Draft. True that.  Welcome newbies Two Fist Bock, who couldn’t decide between wine and beer, so why not use both hands?  Her friend Teri has yet to receive a Drafter handle, but it’s coming.  WhamO StramO will be a nice addition to our growing medical staff.  Now we can count on a full anesthesia cocktail rather than the brown ale supplied by the Free House.  K2 rode remotely, and sent a timely photo just as we were finishing our gorgeous ride to Riley Tavern.

A few quotes of the night are worth repeating:

“This ain’t Florida.  The Riley Tavern route has more elevation than my last 20 rides in Sanibel put together”- Billy Boy McC.

Clearly, it is not lack of training that caused Billy Boy distress,  but lack of a bike that likes to climb.  The boys at Cronometro took it upon themselves to set Billy Boy up with a machine that will climb anything, or at least look darn good attempting it.  Every bike needs a name, right? How about The Stallion?

The Stallion

“What exactly is being measured in these 11″ Hincapie shorts?” – Hit-the-Wall making sure the Drafter Team shorts will fit appropriately.  For those unsure and feeling insecure, 11″ refers to the inseam measurement.

You too can order Hincapie shorts, bibs, jerseys, etc.  If you want something and don’t see it (jacket, vest), contact Seth.  Here is the info:

Below are the instructions to select your items and pay for their order at the same time. The store will close on May 6^th at 11:59PM ET.

1. Follow the link provided here: https://order.hincapiecustom.com/Brickos2018
2. If this is your first time ordering with Hincapie Sportswear, click on “Create Your Account Now.”
3. If you have ordered with us before, click the “Log On” icon in the top right corner of your screen.
4. Shop and add any items to your cart that you would like to order.
5. Once you have selected everything you would like to order, click on your cart then click “Continue.”
6. Double check to make sure that your billing address and shipping address is correct. Please note that Hincapie CANNOT ship to a PO Box and a signature WILL be required upon delivery.
7. Click “Continue” to proceed through the checkout process.

Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you!

SETH WITHERS

Custom Sales Rep at Hincapie

DIRECT 864-400-3051  EMAIL swithers@hincapiesports.com

OFFICE 864-400-3040

The weather for Monday looks delightful, so let’s plan to ride the historic Viaduct Route.  This is a 35mile jaunt, with an option to ride 30 or 20 (out and back to Dane).

PDF map for download: Viaduct Cue Sheet

Garmin link: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/15144791

I am hopeful that the 6PM Short Pour will start to attract some riders.  There is a GroupMe app for those interested in the Short Pour to communicate- let me know if you want to be added.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Sing along to our spring kick off song (provided by the Beatles)…

Here comes the sun (doo doo doo doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say
Let’s all ride

Little Drafter, it’s been a long cold lonely April
Little Drafter, it feels like years since we’ve biked here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
Let’s all ride

Little Drafter, the smiles returning to the faces
Little Drafter, it seems like years since we’ve drunk beer
Here comes the fun
Here comes the fun, and I say
It’s all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Fun, fun, fun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Fun, fun, fun, here it comes
Sun, sun,…

Let’s roll along the Sugar River en route to Riley Tavern.  This is a nice short 20 mile route to shake the cobwebs loose.  Wheels up at 5:30 sharp. The short pour, departing at 6:00, has a cut off which involves staying on Timber Lane.

JERSEY ORDER OPENS UP MONDAY.  If you want to try on a sample jersey or shorts, let me know.  I can bring them to Free House, and will be sending them back on Tuesday.

Remember, in order to be considered for the Drafter photo competition, you must submit a photo with some Drafter gear- headband, t-shirt, towel (hopefully not wearing it) or jersey.  But, I do appreciate photos capturing the Drafter spirit even without official gear.  Dr. Wampus has a spitfire on her hands.  This girl will ride in all conditions.

Click here for PDF of map for download: Riley Tavern 20

Or click here GPS link: Riley Tavern GPS link

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Well into my 2 hour ride on the trainer, I received a bit of inspiration (which is fortunate as I had already dropped my FTP twice out of boredom).  This junior Drafter is not deterred by a little snow.  Seize the day.  It is yours only once, and then it is gone.

Draft with snow tires if you must,

BrickO

The weather outside is frightful.  Hopefully you’ll find the blog delightful.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Climate change is requiring an attitude adjustment to stave off the threat of depression  as we delay commencement of the Draft.  I’m going to dig deep to see the sparkle in the snow.  Literally, I had to dig deep Friday when the winter storm dumped 14″ at the cabin.  Trying to get out of the driveway, I found the snow had the chassis of my Jeep elevated higher than the wheel base.  I don’t recall shoveling my way out in April, ever. We regrettably cut our cabin get away short and drove home Saturday afternoon, for fear that the eye of the storm on Sunday would leave us stranded up north, unable to meet the rigors of work on Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day.  Sipping coffee this AM, watching the snow fall, I am grateful we made the choice to drive home yesterday.  That’s sparkle number one.  Here are a few more:

Niger Seed Gone!

Slow is my speed

• After sitting in the feeder untouched for months, the birds were desperate enough to decide Niger Seed is edible.
• I was able to test my snowshoes out for the first time this spring.
• I already started base training for the Birkie 2019.
• My legs will be soooooo fresh come first Drafter ride, and I’m well tapered for the myriad of events this summer.  This is in stark contrast to Billy Boy McC, Dan-yelly and Tobacco City Boy, who will clearly be exhausted and overtrained, due to their Vitamin D seeking Sanibel junket.

• 

• I can put off shaving my legs for another week.  I’m not confessing how long it has been since my last shave…
• In my three rides outdoors this spring, I managed a flat tire, thanks to a tack.  I’m officially the first Drafter to join the Flat Tire club in 2018 and according to the Drafter Book of Records, hold the highest Flat:Mile ratio in the history of Drafter cycling. My flat tire changing skills are sharp and honed in.  We will no longer rely on the mechanical prowess of 5 orthopedic surgeons to do this simple procedure.
• Z’s new Colnago, “T Rex“, is white so he can ride camouflaged for another few weeks.
• My blinky lights are charged.  In fact, they’ve been on the charger in the garage so long, I think they’ve melted into the outlet.  If we have to move the Draft onto trainers in my garage, they will serve as mini disco lights. Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’. And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.
• The chances of repeating the same ride twice this summer are dwindling.
• The temptation for Coach Arms to eat an entire plate of sweet potato fries at Free House, a craving that has stood the test of 2.5 trimesters, has been eliminated again this week.  Rumor has it that last Monday, after learning of the Executive Committee ruling on cancelling the Draft, she was forced to make her own.

  

• We had the snowblower tuned up in March.  This will be an excellent chance to see how it runs before next winter.
• My son is hoping for a snow day tomorrow.  Let the joy ring out.
• The 2018 Drafter Jersey design is complete and orders will open up next week!
  

  

   

On that note, we welcome you to try on the samples of Hincapie jerseys at our home MONDAY APRIL 16 from 5:30-7PM.  Feel free to stop by for a beverage even if you don’t want to place an order.  Even if you have purchased Axis (club cut) or Velocity (race cut) in the past, please note the style has changed somewhat.  I also have bibs and shorts so that you know which of the two lengths work best for you.  If you can’t make it Monday, please contact me to arrange a fitting.  I can keep the samples for one week, and then the order will go live for one more week.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

An executive committee was appointed this AM to determine the fate of this evening’s ride.   The attendees of Drafter Yoga were appointed to serve on the Ex Co.  This is a one day appointment, due to the high stress and demands of the task.   Yoga Master and Chairperson, Pipes, opened up the floor (along with our hamstrings and other various tight muscles) for discussion.  Vice-chair Sully, recently returned from her Arizona junket, was opposed to exposing her bronzed skin and sun kissed blonde hair to the harsh winter environment.  Secretary Loose Screw is looking into the next flight to Sanibel, where Billy Boy McC is currently lounging, and cast his ballet as “no ride”.  Treasurer BrickO (who in their right might would leave me in charge of anything financially related???) conceded that a ride in the snow, unless on a fat tire, would not be in the best interest of the group. Namaste inside tonight.

Until next week.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

The words sung so poetically in 1966 by the Mamas & the Papas reconfigured to announce the Monday Night Drafter Ride delay of season:

Circa the Mamas & Papas is my trusty rusty Spin bike, equipped to see me through another indoor workout while positioned perfectly to appreciate (?) the 8″ of snow that fell up north on Sat.

Budding Drafter (circa 2017) was not deterred by the set back in cycling weather.  Her first bike, gratis of Tobacco City Cousin, provides versatility for indoor and outdoor terrain with a wide rear tread that conquers carpet and concrete. Notice the Nuk to keep bugs out at high speeds, patent pending, and the extra chamois to prevent chaffing.  Obviously, a cycling prodigy.

Nuk to keep the bugs out at high speeds

Serious cycling chamois

The Hincapie design crew has come up with a helluva jersey for 2018.  Details for ordering will be forthcoming.  Let me know if you are interested, and if you want to try on a sample size so that I can get the appropriate ones to demo.

Let’s regroup (can you re-group if you haven’t grouped?) next Monday, April 9.

Draft responsibly (and with a Nuk prn),

BrickO