The cumulative fatigue in Drafter legs from the Horribly Hilly Hundreds on Saturday didn’t slow the pace much on the Pine Loop. 18 Drafters drafted, almost 1/3 of them fresh off the 10k climb over 200k event affectionately known as the HHH.
Congratulations to all Drafters who completed what many believe to be the hardest single day event in North America. Thing 1, Ninja, Eden, Octane, Vintage, LuLu, Footer and Booker J went green to represent the Draft. Might as well…. everybody turns green at some point on the HHH.
Our B for Bass Ass team could be supermodels for the Hincapie kits over the past 3 years.
Footer, Speedy, Coach Arms and Cookie Monster. Can you find 4 stronger women???BrickO, Vintage, Gopher, LuLu, Cannibal, Skipper, Thing 1, Rimshot, Blurple and Booker J
As the Drafters set out for Pine Loop, some of the green race arrows from HHH were still visible on a few choice hills. Counselors were on hand for those still traumatized by the 10k feet of climb. For those who needed comfort food, Gopher stepped up with a dozen home made chocolate chip cookies.
LuLu, Booker J, Blurple, Tick Tock, BrickO, Vintage, Gopher and Rimshot on Otto Kerl Road
Blurple was on a mission to capture some Strava KOMs, but each acceleration resulted in a cleat-pedal interface failure. “You pulled out too early” seemed to be the theme. Drafting and Planned Parenthood agree there are safety concerns with this method. Tick Tock bided his time while the rest were Strava hunting, and left all in the dust on every climb. The human metronome strikes again.
Blurple, Booker J, Tick Tock, Vintage, BrickO, Rimshot and Gopher (wide angle lens photo by LuLu)Skipper gives the thumbs up for a freshly paved KP. Columbus drafted responsibly with Badger
September 13 the Drafters will show Brains and Braun, headed out west to Cross Plains. If daylight is limited, we will discuss a shorter route.
A huge thanks to Cannnibal for hosting the Draft and giving Drone Master a wonderful send off.
The line up: Octane, Coach Arms, Speedy, Queenie and Drone Master
They crew rolled together, with an eye on the prize (garden drinks).
Booker J, Octane, Coach Arms, Rimshot, Drone Master, Queenie and Cannibal
Queenie captured a classic Wisco “moo”ment just as the sun was setting. Octane, Coach Arms and Speedy celebrated a left turn, avoiding the hill ahead. Quite sure there were others on the route as to conform with the Drafter motto: when in doubt, climb.
Drone Master is one of the original Drafters, so it is only fitting that he reach the pinnacle of his career, joining the flat tire club before moving to sunny California.
Speedy comes to the rescue as Drone Master joins the Flat Tire club.
Good luck to all the Drafters who are bravely setting out to conquer the Horribly Hilly Hundreds tomorrow. Footer and Ninja are newbies to the HHH, so there should be good war stories to share on Monday!
In other Drafter news, congratulations to Keez for a second place podium finish at Collegiate Conference Championships in MN. A Hawkeye took first, but this Cyclone blew away the Badgers and Gophers.
Keez earns second place at Collegiate Conference Championships
Not exactly a feat, but BrickO managed not to lose life or limb encountering an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, the most venomous snake in North America.
BrickO gets rattled.
As we reach the last Monday in August, the sun is setting earlier and we will start to shorten our rides. Pine Loop is 27 miles and includes the freshly repaved segment on KP. For anyone looking to go longer, feel free to skip the left on Pine an continue along Spring Valley to Turkey Road.
As Joe Cocker predicted, the Drafters Came Together
Here come old Cannibal, he come grooving up slowly He got gin-gin garden drink, he one holy Drafter He got quads down to his knee Got to be a Drafter he just aimin’ to please
He wear no green shine, he got purple road ride He got ruby red bike shoes, he shoot watt-wattola He say “I know you, you know me” One thing I can tell you is you got to drink free Come together right now over me
He bag fresh produce, he got arugula He got red solocup, he one cocktail master He got quads down below his knee Hold you in his slip stream you can feel his back breeze Come together right now over me
He roller-crusher, he got every Strava He got muddy water, he one cocktail maker He say “One and one and one is three” Got to be good-looking cos he’s so hard to see Come together right now over me
Oh Come together Yeah come together Yeah come together Yeah come together Yeah come together Yeah come together Yeah come together Yeah oh Come together Yeah come together
23 Drafters turned out in fairly equal distributions for an Epic Ride. Or maybe it was for the long awaited Garden Party, with Cannibal’s famous arugula and gin drinks? We even had a Newbie all the way from Green Bay show up for the Garden Party. Welcome to our Garden, Eden.
Eden, Ninja, Duracell, Pipes, Loose Screw, Special K, Footer and SpeedyBusch Latte (front wheel), Booker J, Captain Joe, Rimshot, BrickO, Z Wrecks (bike), LuLu, SuperQ, Columbus, Badger, Gopher, Vintage (Skipper and Cannibal late to the party)
Vintage suffered some flat tire issues over the weekend. His spirit a bit wounded, he rode with a very not-aerodynamic bag on his handlebars, assumed to hold spare tires. When questioned, he admitted it was full of Charmin. Not sure if that’s to wipe tears or other? It would have been more practical to fill it with tubes and a tire, as he double flatted before we were out of town.
Not so safety pin= Flat One. Flat Two soon to come.
The Drafter Code required waiting for Vintage. The code does not specify helping, just waiting. LuLu dutifully took on that role for flat #1. Flat #2 ended any grandiose thoughts of a Garden Drink finish.
Captain Joe, Cannibal, Z Wrecks, SuperQ, Skipper, Rimshot and Busch Latte wait.
The Epic Loop was a bit confusing for some. Granted, we all were a bit uneasy riding by castles, dinosaurs, Hogwarts, and what appeared to be a dining facility in a prehistoric cave. But Eden was sure that it was a trick to keep Newbies circling about, endlessly. No trick. Just a little on going struggle with RidewithGPS, the program that notes “Turn left” and leaves you guessing where. Along with BrickO doing recon and making several wrong turns for our cartographer, Columbus, to reconcile.
The Epic Loop
Once the Drafters escaped the Epic Loop, the A Team continued to hang together. Busch Latte tensed up when he heard his Strava segment alert. Cannibal’s alarm didn’t sound for some reason, so there was no need to bust a move. Sometimes the win is remaining a cohesive whole.
Skipper, LuLu (catching flies?), BrickO & SuperQCaptain Joe, Super Q, Cannibal Draft home
Cannibal needed to save his energy on the ride in order to make enough drinks for all 23 Drafters. It might be the first time in history that EVERY Drafter stayed for beverages.
“I didn’t think we would run out of gin”
Tennille rode over (on flat tires) to share a garden drink with Captain. Dan-yelly rode for the first time this season (and first time post baby #3). Garden drinks bring out the green in all of us.
Garden Party: Gopher, Badger, Columbus, Booker J, Z Wrecks, Rimshot, Cannibal, Busch Latte, SuperQ, Speedy, Duracell, Loose Screw, Captain and Tennille, Footer, Eden, Dan-yelly, Special K, Pipes, Ninja, BrickO, LuLu (photo by Skipper)
In Drafter news, we are sad to say goodbye to Drone Master, who will be moving to California over Labor Day weekend. He plans to Draft responsibly in the sunny state, and hopefully one or two more times with us on Monday night.
Happy Birthday to our Tobacco City Boy (Friday Aug 20)! Happy New House to LuLu and Columbus. We expect a lawn warming party this fall.
Congratulations to Belle on her Steamboat Gravel race. She crushed it. As did Bomber, who supported Belle through the race. Sometimes, racing is the easier role.
Drafter Yoga was a huge success. Thanks to Pipes for keeping it real. Look for more of the same in September. Contact BrickO or Pipes for more details if you are someone you love needs to be more flexible.
Not to be identified in Savasana, but Drafter yogies included Sully, BrickO, Footer, Flash, Cookie Monster, Billy Boy, Queen Bee, Rocky, Queenie and Z Wrecks
The Draft next week will depart from Cannibal’s house. See GroupMe for address, or text me.
Looking ahead, we will Draft on Aug 30 but not the following Monday as it is Labor Day. If you are looking for a group ride that weekend, check out the Wright Stuff Century on Sunday Sept 5.
Lastly, there were a few stragglers who missed the Hincapie Store deadline for Drafter gear. It is open until Aug 22. Link to Hincapie Store here.
It’s just another magic Monday (Woah, woah) Glad it’s not Sunday (Woah, woah) ‘Cause Monday’s my fun day (Woah, woah, woah, woah) My I get to Draft day (Woah, woah) It’s just another magic Monday
15 Drafters were Crystal Clear on how they wanted to spend their magic Monday. And nearly all got the memo on wearing the Hincapie Beer and Sprocket jersey!
Vilks, Z Wrecks, GrannyZilla, Squirrel, Han Solo, Queenie, Keez, Octane, Pipes and Cookie Monster
The A team was small but mighty. Tick Tock arrived to find no one home, and not trusting that more members of the A team would show up at 5PM, set out solo. Have faith, my friend.
A team: Rimshot, KickA**KK, Skipper and Tick Tock (not pictured)
Crystal Lake wasn’t exactly crystal clear but beautiful nonetheless.
Rimshot pulled KickA**KK, as she begins the long descent into bonk land. She’s advocating for a name change to BonKK. Keez and BrickO made the turn onto Mussen Rd in Lodi, where they begin their feline rescue mission, with a little Uber help from Squirrel. If orthopedic surgery doesn’t work out for Squirrel, the Human Society will definitely scoop him up.
The post-draft Draft was livelier than usual. No attempt will be made to weave a common thread through these various conversation snippets, or even give them context. GrannyZilla forgot lube. Squirrel tamed a puss. Vilks and GrannyZilla compared the effect of nightly sauna use (not together) on heat shock protein synthesis. GrannyZilla and Sully reviewed 18 holes. “When did Drafter conversations include GOLF???”, rebelled Tick Tock.
Sully, Squirrel, GrannyZilla, BonKK, Vilks, Han Solo, Octane, Z Wrecks, Chief, Skipper, Tick Tock, Rimshot and Keez
The Ride Across the West reunion started with frolicking in the yard (Sully, Vilks and Chief) and ended with wine tasting, well past bedtime.
Here is your weekend recap: A few Drafters had tired legs thanks to Race Day Events bringing back the Dairyland Dare. Congrats to RDE for resurrecting a beautiful and challenging 200k!
The Dairyland Dare crew: Vilks, Z Wrecks and BrickO
Skipper did a different kind of Dare, standing in a rain soaked mosh pit at Utica Fest to hear Queenie’s SuperTuesday band, followed by a tractor pull competition. Little unknown fact for most Drafters: Allice -Chalmers and Farmall tractors are in different divisions. Would’t it be great if cyclists could compete in a division with matched power to mass ratios???? Brilliant.
Keez was double fisted this weekend, racing Age Group Nationals in Milwaukee on Saturday (Olympic) and Sunday (sprint). BrickO,Romeo, Pipes and Pipette were there to cheer her on.
Ninja represented the Drafters in Green Bay. They have a different flare when it comes to fueling stations.
Ninja is ensuring there is no caloric deficit in her cycling event!
Sandlot and LuLu have been Drafter friends on Strava, but finally drafted together during the Sunday roll. Wow. My heart be still.
LuLu and Sandlot kindle their Drafter relationship beyond Strava!
Vintage and Thing One have been logging some altitude training days in CO before T1 starts medical school later this month. She’ll go to some very high places in her career!
Thing One and Vintage getting high in CO
Belle and Bomber are also habitating in Colorado. Sending lots of hemoglobin love to Belle as she prepares for the Steamboat Gravel 150k on Sunday!
Speedy, BrickO and Footer can only imagine getting dirty in Steamboat. GO BELLE!!!
Please allow a retraction from the blog last week. 29 Drafters did not draft. 19 did. The secretary appears to need remedial Excel training, as she counted one Drafter 11 times.
Looking ahead to next week, Cannibal PROMISES not to bail on Garden Drinks. We will draft the Epic Loop, which is basically the Riley Tavern route (short pour) with a little extension through Epic.
A RECORD HIGH 29 cyclists found a way to be a Drafter. Paul Simon would be proud. Or mortified…
The problem is all inside your head, BrickO said to me The answer is easy if you take it logically I’d like to help you in your struggle to be green There must be fifty ways to be a Drafter
She said, it’s really not my habit to intrude Furthermore, I hope my meaning won’t be lost or misconstrued But I’ll repeat myself at the risk of being crude There must be fifty ways to be a Drafter
Fifty ways to be a Drafter
You just slip to the back, Yoda Make a shorter plan, Columbus You don’t need to be coy, Billy Boy Just get yourself green
Hop on the bus, Rimshot You don’t need to discuss much Just drop off cookies, C Monster And get yourself green
She said it grieves me so to see you in such pain I wish there was something I could do to make you Draft again I said I appreciate that and would you please explain About the fifty ways
She said, why don’t we both just ride the route tonight? And I believe in the morning you’ll begin to see the light And then she pulled me and I realized she probably was right There must be fifty ways to be a Drafter Fifty ways to be a Drafter
You just slip to the back, Booker J Make a shorter plan, Drone Master You don’t need criterium hell, Belle Just get yourself green
Hop on the bus, Tick Tock You don’t need to drink much Just stop off to pee, Pit Stop And get yourself free
The 4:30 line up was impressive. Duracell and Speedy were well rested after a MTB trip in Michigan, and Squirrel and GrannyZilla found more fitness than beer at RAGBRAI. Coach Arms showed up to Draft one last time in this age bracket. HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Thursday)! Squeak gave up on her solo 4:45 departure and drafted responsibly with the 4:30 group. Pres made his first public appearance in the Drafter office since the 2021 election, and brought along a guy he met at Walmart. Welcome to our newbie, Walton.
Coach Arms, Duracell, Speedy, Walton, Pres, Squirrel, GrannyZilla and Squeak
The 5PM Drafting squad felt the force, as Yoda joined the other Jedi’s on their quest to Viaduct. Cannibal looked more reptilian than human with his road rash scales, but he was too strong to be overtaken by the dark side.
LuLu, Z Wrecks, Yoda, Booker J, Tick Tock, Vilks, Skipper, Rimshot and Cannibal
There was some disturbance in the force early on in the ride. Cannibal apparently got caught up in a galactic storm, “I saw metal flying”. His lightsaber glowed a little less brightly when he realized only two dedicated Drafter Knights, Rimshot and Booker J, stayed by his side.
They used the force to catch the rest of the Jedi Drafters , gaining speed for the climb up Viaduct.
Cannibal, Rimshot, LuLu, VIlks, BrickO, Tick Tock, Z Wrecks and Booker J head up Viaduct (photo by Skipper)
Not everyone gained a head of steam for the climb. Pres and Walton stopped to appreciate the Viaduct, currently operated by the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad. Built in 1881, the stone arch sees roughly two trains per day, and on this day, 29 Drafters.
Walton and Pres taking in the historic Viaduct
Captain Joe Drafted early in the day, hoping to catch one of the trains to Oregon for a visit with Tobacco City Boy, Dan-yelly and their trio.
Captain JoeCaptain and Tennille with TCB, Dan-yelly and the trio
What goes up, must come down. And down Bonetti Rd we flew. The G forces must have been great enough to spin LuLu’s chain right off the chainring. “There goes my F’in average” cursed Vilks, as he obeyed the Drafter code, stopping to help LuLu.
And back up Meek Rd, not for the meek Drafter.
Skipper, Booker J, Cannibal, Rimshot & Tick Tock with the more meek trailing behindThe force was strong with Yoda for 20 miles, and then… well, even Luke Skywalker had off days
Back on Glacier Ridge, the Drafter Masters celebrated a successful Viaduct Route with nectar of the Gods. Skipper brought a Rocky Road smoothie-style wheat ale from WeldWerks Brewing Co. Works for me!
Walton, Pres, Speedy, Duracell, Yoda, Rimshot, Booker J, Cannibal, BrickO, Z Wrecks, GrannyZilla, Squirrel, Vilks and Tick Tock
There is much to celebrate!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Coach Arms (Aug 4), Billy Boy (Aug 6) and Loose Screw (Aug 9).
Congratulations to K2 for reaching the summit of her PhD defense this morning!
Dr. K2 reaches the summit
Special K crushed her 100 mile race on Sat in just under 30 hours. And this time, without kidney failure.
Special K drafting responsibly at Dot’s Tavern along her 100 mile race
Finally, the Lake Ripley Ride for JDRF on Saturday has an extraordinary Drafter turnout. 13 “regular” Drafters plus BrickO’s aunt and cousin. Cookie Monster and Lil’ Monster joined up with the crew afterwards to enjoy Footer’s cottage and hospitality.
The Sunday Roll is gaining traction. A heartfelt thanks to all the Drafters who came out to help build momentum.
BrickO, Z Wrecks, Footer, Hit-the-Wall, Pip and Paul. Duchess, Sandlot, Queen Bee and Rocky also rolled.
Next Monday, we will celebrate with a few of the RAW SpokeN’Four crew who are making a Drafter debut to enjoy Cannibal’s famous garden drinks. Draft responsibly.
The drinks are the same color as Crystal Lake. Drafter green. But the ride is still pretty.
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