The inaugural draft. In March. With bare legs and arms. 16.6 Drafters, including 2.6 newbies. And if you count drafting from Switzerland, 18.6 were in attendance. Oh my. What a start to the 2024 season!
Technically, the inaugural draft occurred on March 4 when 3 of the indoor Drafter cohort braved the elements to test their strength. There were no bare arms or legs on that blustery day.
7 days and +30 degrees later….
2.6 newbies enlisted for the inaugural Draft. Welcome Rocky, Yabba Dabba and Thing 0.6 (making a full debut in mid-June). Rocky was recruited by Pipes, who recognized her cycling potential during a humble warrior pose during yoga class. Rocky agreed reluctantly to return to the cycling world after a hiatus of undisclosed duration, although a clever Drafter could estimate that time by calculating the half life of a cycling shoe velcro strap. Nothing a little duct tape couldn’t fix. All taped up, she went the full 12 rounds. On the way out of Middleton Hills, Pipes rode along side her friend to show support… in her car, beeping the horn! Footer stepped up and corralled Rocky into the F Team. What is the F Team, exactly? Depends who you ask. F as in behind the A-E teams. F as in Footer’s team. F as in, “If you don’t like the pace I ride, you can F off!”
In an exclusive interview post-ride, Rocky gasped, “Well, I’m still standing. I didn’t die. And I love to get my a** kicked at least once a day. And now I need to go home and stretch.”
Yabba Dubba was recruited by DJ Jazzy, who has yet to make an outdoor Draft appearance, but generously shared his fitness center space with the Indoor Drafters over the winter months.
As such, Yabba Dabba did not get the green memo. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with his visibility orange, mind you. It was the fashionable color of choice for Fred Flintstone.
Looking to go green? The Hincapie Drafter Store is open through Sat March 23rd. There is no obligation to buy a Drafter kit. Huge thanks to the design team: Skipper (In Quads We Trust), Pipes (chain link tree), Speedy (pony tail on the female jerseys), Z Wrecks, Cookie Monster, and Footer who hung in there for 15 versions of this incredible kit. Bibs, shorts (two inseam lengths), club cut AXIS or race cut Velocity jerseys, long sleeve jersey, MTB jersey and polar jackets are available.
The winds from the south were favorable for our route to Riley Tavern. It is well documented in the Farmer’s Almanac that all roads to taverns are favorable. Perhaps that is not the proper citation. BrickO’s Almanac may be the more accurate reference. Despite the promise of a tail wind home, Rimshot decided to leave his 50 pound rucksack behind. It’s a thing. Especially when the rucksack is filled with beer.
The roll out photo above is deceiving. BrickO most certainly did not pull the group in the headwind. Slim, Bomber, Yabba Dabba and Rimshot provided draft protection for the group. In accordance to the Drafter Code of Conduct, Slim pulled the group back to base camp before retreating to Lupe’s for a burrito. He has to keep his caloric balance in check. Oh, to be 25…. Or even 50.
Our medical team is very concerned with the impact of aging on the cyclist. Team Physician (minus the medical degree) Speedy gave a seminar on diagnosis a stroke. While there is no literature to support this sign, Speedy is confident in its validity. PT Footer and NP Ninja were not available for comment.
The stroke sign was tested during the Fat Tire Birkie event last Saturday. Nobody tested positive. Congrats to those Drafters who didn’t let lack of snow get in the way of a fun fat day.
In other chilly events, CONGRATS to Coach Arms, her assistant and the entire women’s Badger Hockey Team on another WCHA victory. Tune in to watch the Badgers this Saturday in the NCAA Regional Tournament, played at home! Tickets sold out in less than 2 minutes. Go Bucky!
Coach Arms and her assistant who refused to wear red. Pink is close enough.
In other strong, groundbreaking women news: CONGRATULATIONS to KickA**KK on her recent release, the Willkie Sprint: A Story of Friendship, Love, and Winning the First Women’s Little 500 Race. Pre-order on Amazon or Indiana University Press. We hope to have KickA**KK return to the Draft mid-summer to autograph you copy!
March is an unpredictable month. The route for Monday March 18 is Easy, but the weather may be anything but. Forecast is currently set for 32 degrees. Please check GroupMe for updates. There will be no drafting below 50 degrees. Maybe 40. Departure time for all groups A-F is 4:30PM.
RidewithGPS link: Drafters | Easy Street
Draft responsibly,
BrickO
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