Going The Distance

We have all been called upon to create social distance. The forecast for Monday March 23 is favorable for the Drafters to go the distance while respectfully keeping that distance. This is an excellent opportunity to get dropped and claim viral defense and social responsibility! There is a song by Cake that delivers the message beautfilly, with some liberties taken with lyrics (Cake The Distance)

Reluctantly crouched at the starting line
Muscles pumping and thumping in time
The green kit flashes, the Drafters start up
Churning and burning, they yearn for the beer cup
Bomber v Skipper deftly maneuver and muscle for rank
Hit-the-Wall’s fuel burning fast on an empty tank
Reckless and wild, Loose Screw pours through the turns
Belle’s prowess is potent and secretly stern

As the Italian Job and Z Rex speed through the finish, the flags go down
C-Monster and her belly are cheering at the edge of town
The parking lot is empty except for kick-butt woman
Pipes biking and striving to avoid deer as best she can
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up
And long ago Speedy left with the cup
But Footer and Dan-yelly are biking and striving and hugging the turns
And thinking of Arms for whom baby delivery date still looms
We’re going the distance
We’re going for speed
We’re not alone (not alone)
Not alone in this time of need

With the predicted temperature at 51 degrees and sunny until setty at 7:12pm, I think we can go the short Hyer Loop distance. As you will recall from years past, we depart prompty at 5:30PM from Parmenter St and Elmwood Ave. We convene for a post-draft draft at Free House or Longtable. However, in the short term, we will be socially responsible and drink alone at home until the the establishments reopen and the air is clear.

There are a few rules: 1) have fun which includes wearing green and may mean riding like a bat out of hell or a bat with a broken wing- it isn’t a competition, unless a competition is fun for you and then it is definitely a competition 2) you are responsible for your safety, don’t get injured if you can help it, 3) follow the rules of the road (Loose Screw has his own ideas of what the yellow line indicates), 4) don’t ride alone (but don’t ride too close while observing viral precautions) , 5) be sure your bike is in good repair (now is a GREAT time to get a tune up at Cronometro) 6) be prepared to fix a flat (the Italian Job is not our official team mechanic, although he has the quickest flat change time this side of the Mississippi), meaning you have the equipemnt and know how, or at least access to YouTube (Pipes), 7) text me if for some reason you don’t finish the ride so I don’t freak out or save you a beer that gets warm.

GPS: Garmin Link Hyer Loop

Download PDF map: Hyer Loop 25

For those of you chomping at the bit to sign up for events, here are links to a few:

The Bear 100 May 9

Lake Ripley Ride July 18

Dairyland Dare Aug 15

For those already signed up for Dairy Roubaix April 18 or the Horribly Hilly Hundreds June 20, Draft responsibly.

Let the photo competition games begin! There is one rule and one rule only: you must be in the photo with some type of Drafter swag (head band, water bottle, jersey, towel). The categories will be determined after the final submission to spur on creativity without boundaries (and giving me total latitude). In a similar fashion, awards will be at at the discretion of the Drafter Board. Last year’s yellow jersey winner was Bond, in part because he is a beast, but moreover because of his frequent pit stops.