In the words of the late and great Tom Petty…

She grew up in a Midwestern town
Had a good lookin’ Colnago she road all around
But she road hard and she climbed alright
With them Drafter boys on a Drafter Monday night

Well she started the Draft in two thousand thirteen
She didn’t blow the boys away, but it was more than they’d seen
The Draft was introduced and we all started groovin’
She said, “I dig you Drafters, we got to keep movin’…on, keep movin’ on”

Last dance through the county of Dane
One more time to feel the pain
I feel summer creepin’ past and I’m
sad this Draft is my laaaast.

Well I don’t know what I’ve been told
You never slow down, you never grow old
I’m tired of changing flats, I’m tired of goin’ down,
but never grow tired of biking this town

Oh my my, oh hell yes
Honey put on that Drafter dress
Buy me a drink, sing me a song,
Take me as I come ’cause I can’t stay long

Last dance through the county of Dane
One more time to feel the pain
I feel summer creepin’ past and I’m
gonna make this night laaaast

There’s mosquitos down at Free House square
Sully’s standin’ in her Drafter wear
Lookin’ down from a beer menu
Spotted Cow will be comin’ soon

Oh my my, oh hell yes
You’ve got to put on that Drafter dress

Last dance the county of Dane
One more time to feel the pain
I feel summer creepin’ past and I’m
gonna make this night laaaast

We had an excellent turn out Monday. 17 Drafters  “Wauan”ted to Ride Easy Street.

Z Rex riding into the sunset

Skeeter Bait and Z Rex

Green Sea

That isn’t to say we all wanted to ride Easy. We had an abundance of lead-legged Drafters.  Bomber was still licking his Ironman wounds, leaving Cannibal and Captain Joe to sprint for the town sign.  Booker J may have to change his name to Booker BS, as he taunted Cannibal to take the sign from nearly a mile back.  “How far is the town sign?”  “Oh, just over the hill (unsaid: and up the next one, and then another half mile past that).

Captain Joe sat back in Cannibal’s exhaust, until the thigh endowed man had no fuel to burn, and then claimed the sign.  Tick Tock declined the invitation to sprint as he had just finished the most challenging race of his life- the Chequamegon, with mud so thick racers were literally stopped dead in their tracks, being catapulted over their handlebars.

Billy Bob was also feeling a bit sluggish after his “Ironland” event.  Stunning photos from across the pond.  You know where he draws his strength?  From the Velominati Rule V.  And I thought V was on his license plate because he was Billy Bob McC the V.

Cork Rebel Tour link

Searching for leprechauns

Billy Bob full of V

Several fierce Drafters found their legs despite being plied with 11% porters compliments of the Tyranena Oktoberfest post-ride party.  Footer and her Dad, Electro, Skeeter Bait, BrickO, Z Rex, Whamo and Sandlot enjoyed what could have been the most epic cycling day ever; no rain, wind or humidity and ample beer, food and music post-ride. The weather was so perfect that Electro, who currently resides in Texas, decided to get off his bike and walk for awhile, just to enjoy the cool weather, and then grabbed a beer at the rest stop at mile 30, conveniently the Hubbleton microbrewery.

Rest stop Hubbleton Brewery

Footer and Electro

Whamo apparently forgot that one still needs to hydrate, and ended up with road side assistance.  Good thing Sandlot is a nurse-  “For better and for worse”, right?

Sandlot drafting at work

Whamo seeking aid from a volunteer, a UW nurse and his wife Sandlot, also a RN. Go big of go home on the medical coverage.

Better than the medical tent was the service at the food and beer tent.  I strongly recommend you consider Tyranena on your list of events next year.

Footer and Z Rex

Skeeter, BrickO and Electro

Whamo and 2 RNs

That’s a fairly complete list of excuses for why many of us had tired legs on Monday and didn’t challenge Cannibal and Captain Joe for the town sign sprint.  None of us could challenge this new record set- 184mph by a woman on a bicycle.

Link: She just rode 184mph on a bicycle. Really.

I expect those of us doing the RIDE this Sunday to challenge that.  The Drafter force will be felt- I’ve got Bomber, Footer, Coach Arms, Sully, Wampus, Captain Joe, Caboose, Cookie Monster and Vilks on the roster along with special appearance by K2!  Congrats on your recent summit race.  She’s got more miles on those legs running up mountains than most of us do biking!

All 17 Drafters, with our without legs of lead, completed the Wanua Ride Easy Street before the sun set.  Waitress Amy was ready at the Free House with beers and an extra side of olives and buffalo sauce for BrickO.  Sandlot brought her son, Evan AND wrote a poem. Much appreciated.

Last dance of the season will be the Riley Tavern Route, a poetic end as it was also our first ride of the season.  Short but sweet this is a 21mile oldie but goodie.

Map download PDF: Riley Tavern 20

Garmin link Riley Tavern

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

In the lyrical words of Queen,

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like

But, the earth is tilting away from the sun on its imaginary axis, gradually restricting our Monday night ride distance until there will be none.  All 10 Drafters were in before dark on the Cocktail ride, but only by cutting the ride down to 25miles and taking the bike path home.  I am hoping we can safely squeeze in 2 more short rides before calling it a helluva season.

The Cocktail crew was missing a few usual suspects, possibly due to fatigue. Congrats to Dan-yelly, Tobacco City Boy and Booker J on their Door County Century.  Ironman WI indoctrinated two Drafters, Wandering Slow Cow and B2 Bomber.

Well done, boys.  Billy Bob decided to get out of town for his endurance event, traveling to South West of Ireland to ride in the Cork Rebel Tour.  One one of these endurance competitions had the chutzpah to show up to the Draft Monday… and not to ride, but to drink and eat copious amounts of red meat.  Wandering Slow Cow credited Cookie Monster Wille with his strong finish.  Allegedly, Wandering Slow Cow was exhibiting the characteristics of his name sake when he stumbled upon CM.  Her strong encouragement and possible reprimand for demonstrating behavior unbecoming of a Drafter (not enough Rule V of the Velominati) was enough incentive to pick up his walk to a passing running pace (at least until out of sight).

The route for next week will take us to Waunakee.  It’s a 26 mile route, which is going to be a push against the darkness.  PLEASE be ready to ride at 5:30 sharp, and if you can leave earlier with a buddy, please do.  PLEASE PLEASE BRING FRONT AND READ BLINKIE LIGHTS. 

Download PDF map: Wauna Ride Down Easy Street?

GPS link: Wauna Ride Easy Street

Our last ride will be Riley Tavern on Sept 24.  Be sure to submit your prize winning Drafter photo if you want to be considered for the competition.

I believe registration for the Tyranena Oktoberfest ride is still open.  Barefooter, her dad, Skeeter Bait, Whamo, Sandlot, Z Rex and I will be there.

Tyranena Oktoberfest Ride link

There is also a big Drafter showing for The Ride.  This is super well organized and obviously supports a good cause.

The Ride registration link

Lastly, don’t forget about scenic Shawano Bike the Barns on Sept 30!

Shawano Bike the Barn Quilts ride link

Draft responsibly, and visibly especially these last two rides.
BrickO