Astronomical spring begins at 5:24 p.m ET on Monday, March 20, 2023, in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service. According to the Executive Board of Drafters, spring begins at 5:30 p.m. CST, Monday, March 20, 2023 in the Northern Hemisphere of Middleton Hills. 19 Drafters enlisted in the inaugural ride, a record setting spring turn out.

Keez, Cujo, Vintage, Cannibal, Rimshot, Blurple, Booker J, Vilks, PitStop, Footer, Squeak, Skipper, JRad, Queenie, Captain Joe, Z Wrecks, Squirrel and Slim. Photo by BrickO.

There was certainly some spring ride shaming that went into to recruiting such a large crew. Here’s an early afternoon exchange between Queenie and BrickO.

With new cleats in place, Queenie proudly rolled in. And then rolled over in the grass, supine with his bike in proud quadruped position. Putting cleats on and securing them are two different things. No Drafters were injured in this demonstration.

There were plenty signs of Drafter green with individual fashion touches to welcome spring. Vintage achieved full man-bun status over winter and conquered the ponytail versus helmet battle. Squirrel opted for a full sail wind breaker, but saved a few grams on socks. Bare ankles to make up for the extra wind resistance on the top half? Seems like a fashionable trade. Squeak arrived with two left gloves. Admittedly, the hand surgeon relies on a sharpie to mark LEFT and RIGHT hands before operating and will consider this practice for her cycling gloves. Pit Stop may borrow that sharpie to mark her bikes, plural. N+1! Same for Cujo, who found a new gold bike at the end of the rainbow.

Several Drafters should be recognized for drafting remotely. Clearly, proper head wear is open for creative interpretation with upside down headbands (LuLu) and lopsided helmets (Cookie Monster’s lil’ Drafters). They got the green right!

Speedy and her lil’ Drafters were accounted for at La Bahn, helping Coach Arms and the Badger Women’s Hockey Team celebrate their 7th National Championship! Congrats on a new record.

Back to the Draft. Goin’ to the Chapel was 3 miles short of the advertised 20 mile route. Blurple figured out the mapping error, which included hill repeats on Woodland. Please see PVL to apply for a job as Assistant Drafter cartographer (Columbus creates flawless maps, which are seemingly used sparingly). BrickO has been fired, again. One climb on Woodland is plenty. No need to add repeats. Sheesh.

While BrickO received a vote of no confidence for her map making skills, Skipper was unanimously voted to remain Drafter Photographer.

And Vilker Drafter whiskey and wine connoisseur. The RAW boys were in fine form Monday night.

The first day of spring also marked the start of another lap around the sun for Slim. Keez was there to light the way, but was a bit confused on the numbers. Those 5’s are difficult directionally. Happy 2Z, Slim!

Z Wrecks broke out a heart sweat and bottle of wine for the occasion.

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The route for Monday, March 27 is down relatively short EASY STREET, promising to hit 20+ miles, without hill repeats on Woodland. Departure time 5:30 for all from Captain Joe’s house in Middleton Hills. See GroupMe for details. Tennille regrets to inform the Drafters that her famous risotto will not be served, but hospitality will be otherwise fabulous.

The forecast, however, is predicted to be less than fabulous. Please check GroupMe for updates and cancellations.

RidewithGPS link for Drafters | Easy Street with Captain Joe

Looking to enlist in some longer group rides on road, gravel, dirt or snow? Check these out:

Dairy Roubaix April 22nd

La Crosse Omnium Spring Classic, May 5-7th

The Bear 100 Sat May 6th (gravel race, 3 distances)

Trek 100 Sat June 10th (sign up with the Drafters)

Horribly Hilly Hundreds Sat June 17th

Planning way ahead….. Captain Joe is entertaining a team for the Iditarod Ultra Fat Bike Feb 26

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR DIRTY DRAFT UPDATES (separate GroupMe list) starting as soon as the ground is fully thawed and dried out. Rides will take place on Tuesday evenings from various COPR trail locations. Be sure to renew your membership to support the trails.

Wanna get dirty racing? Consider the Wisconsin Off-Road Series (WORS). Super Q and Vintage are great resources to tap into.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Not a lick of Irish courses through these veins, but March 17th is a favorite as the Drafter spirit flows through a sea of green. Spring is here so let’s see some green back on the road!

Spring isn’t the only season that brings green. Here are some of many hibernations highlights.

DRAFTER POND HOCKEY with curb side lace tying service by Cannibal and lessons by Speedy. Squirrel and Granny shed their full face masks for the photo.

BADGER HOCKEY with Coach Arms (paying in the Frozen Four today- Go Badgers!).

BIRKIE OR BIRKIE WANNA BE TRAINING

FAT TIRE BIRKIE

Fame strikes as Skipper becomes SINGLETRACKS COVER BOY

And just some good femme fun. More of these to come!

For those re-enlisted, welcome back! For those new to the Draft, we are excited to have you join our community. A few ground rules and expectations:

1. Above all, we are a cycling community. We welcome the fast and the not so fast, and even those who don’t adore and don green, so long as there is a strong passion for pedaling.
2. Departure times are strictly enforced, most of the time. Wheels up at 5:30PM , most often from Glacier Ridge Road in Middleton Hills, but there will be other hosts throughout the season. As the days and routes get longer, there will be a division of “A and B Teams“. The B for Bad Ass group will leave at 5PM to allow extra pedal time. Please self-seed so that you enjoy the Draft.
3. The blog will be the source of important information regarding weekly routes, and other organized cycling events. Each post (one per week) will auto generate an email, of which you can certainly opt out. Are you likely to show up Monday without a clue? Same. Downloading the wordpress app on your phone (you’ll need to create an account, but it is free) will allow quick and easy access to the route in GPS and PDF formats.
4. Please download the GroupMe app on your phone for last minute updates on route changes, draft cancellations, and important birthday notifications. Don’t want the interruption and distraction? Understood. Turn off the notifications but PLEASE check GroupMe before riding in case there are changes. Route updates will NOT be noted on the blog. Contact me if you aren’t on the GroupMe list.
5. Each Drafter has unique goals for the season, but all Drafters must share the following common goals: have fun, avoid injury, improve in some way- be it fitness on the bike or passion for cycling, and love your fellow Drafters, or at least don’t leave them with a flat.
6. Follow the rules of the road. Single file in town, stopping at stop signs. Once we are out of town, riding two wide is acceptable so long as there is not a vehicle back. Pacelines may form when and where appropriate, but ironically are not the mainstay of our Drafters. Always ride within your abilities. Call out potholes and traffic as you see and hear them coming, respectively. Gotta Strava? Do what you need to do, but please don’t interfere with the group ride dynamic.
7. All Drafters are invited to partake in post-draft drafts. BYO lawn chair, beverage, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, and sustenance as desired.

Weather permitting, the first draft will depart from the usual location on Glacier Ridge Road at 5:30PM on Monday March 20th. This is a VERY short route, a little warm up to make sure your bike, legs and cardiovascular system are in working order.

RidewithGPS Link: Drafters |Chapel Ride

Looking forward to our first spring fling.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO