29 Drafters busted a move from Crossroads Coffeehouse across the humbling hills of the wild wild western reaches of Dane County. It would be worth opening this video link (typically not live if opened in email on your phone – best to go directly to the blog. Worth it. Promise).

The B for Biggest Team welcomed the 2024 debut of 4 Drafters (Mario, Pepe, Special K and Loose Screw) and 2 new bikes.

In accordance with the Drafter Code, the short pour participants waited for Pit Stop to arrive. Driving her new vehicle, she was unwilling to follow the route to Cross Plains as it included a stretch of recently pea graveled highway. The group patiently waited as Pit Stop made her first pit stop before heading west.

There were several more pit stops made by the B Team. Mario, Queenie and Duracell had left plenty early in order to conquer the full strength route, which was fortuitous because Duracell forgot to charge his battery (some Drafter handles are spot on). He lost power shortly after leaving the parking lot and had to gut out riding a single speed for the next 36 miles. The A Team passed him walking up Blue Mounds Trail. To Duracell’s credit, he had enough charge in his quads to grind up all the rest of the climbs except Reeve Road, which is tough with all gears accessible.

The A Team had its own set of issues. Octane hollered out to the group in desperation, “Anyone got any lube?” Nobody wanted to touch that one. Can you be more specific, Octane?

It is hard to describe the beauty of these climbs. 2800 feet over 36 miles are metrics that can be recorded, but pictures are worth a thousand watts. Photo credits to Skipper and Vilks.

The A Team subdivided after the fourth or fifth climb. Slim and Vilks‘ batteries were fully charged, and Keez, BrickO and Cannibal were happy to suck their wheels. Skipper pulled Knievel the last 6 miles home on KP. “I don’t even think I pedaled” ~Knievel. Speedy got separated from the short pour and ended up on Z Wreck’s wheel. Speedy held on for dear life as her paper map for the short pour was no longer valid.

The Drafters are so grateful to the folks at Crossroads Coffeehouse for hosting. Pizza and beer floats were the reward for the hardest ride of the season.

Never leaving Duracell behind, this father-son duo celebrated with a chocolate malt, extra waffle.

“Who ordered two cheery chocolate chip cows?”. A surprisingly delectable combination for a beer float.

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

The Wisconsin State Journal published this Drafter expo in the Sunday paper about the new cyclotron at UW. Driven by LuLu and Gopher, this cycling team puts out some watts!

The full strength (42 miles)and short pour (35 miles) routes for Monday July 8 are Rockin’ to Roxbury, and will be the longest of the season. NOTE: Woodland will likely be closed so TAKE THE BIKE PATH HOME. Missouri Tavern is an optional rest stop. The recon crew will be off for the July 4th holiday, so there is a possibility of other closures. Breunig on the short pour is the real unknown- if anyone has time to bike or drive it, please do! Be prepared to reroute. Departures at 4:45 and 5PM.

RidewithGPS link: Drafters | Rockin’ to Roxbury

Short pour option with bike path home:

RidewithGPS link: Drafters | Rockin’ to Roxbury Short Pour

Draft responsibly,

BrickO