READY FOR IT? Starting tomorrow, Thursday August 1st, you can ride the Tour de Dane stage race. Please note a few changes from the previous post, namely Stage 3 Time Trial course to avoid crossing Highway 78 (and add some elevation, because “when in doubt, climb”).
This is an exciting opportunity for the Drafters to support women’s professional cycling, encourage riders of all levels to enjoy the thrill of racing this magnificent sport, and give back (a little) to our cycling community. The format of this Tour de Dane Femmes is a bit different from past years, shifting the focus to be more inclusive (men are invited to participate and extending the tour over the entire month to allow more opportunities to complete the challenge) and recognizing small businesses who are invested in our cycling community.
The Tour de France Femmes will take place Aug 12-18, and consists of 8 stages. Our riders will have the entire month of August to complete the Tour de Dane Femmes challenge. Modest prizes are at the race director’s discretion, and could be liquid in form.
Rules of engagement:
- Everyone is encouraged to participate, but only those Drafters identifying as female are eligible for the green, polka dot and yellow jersey awards.
- Not able to ride due to injury or illness? You can still take part in the tour! Submit the photos required to show community support to the race director (instead of Strava).
- Please join BrickO’s Drafters group on Strava, and sign up for the Tour de Dane Challenge starting Aug 1. This is how and where you will record your rides and photo evidence to support your claim. PLEASE LABEL YOUR RIDES (ie. Stage 1 Lake Monona Loop). It would also be helpful if you text me that you are participating (much appreciated).
- Completion of the route accompanied by photo documentation in your Hincapie Drafter jersey (order here until Aug 7)is required to earn points. Don’t have a drafter jersey? Green will do.
- There are only two stages where time matters– Stage 3 sprint/time trial for the green jersey, and the climb for the polka dot jersey at the end of Stage 8.
- The yellow jersey will be awarded to the participant with the most points (100 total), regardless of time. In case of a tie, there will be a face off to see who can change a flat tubed tire the fastest. Or we will simply have multiple winners.
- You have the entire month of August to complete 8 stages of the tour.
- You may complete the stages in ANY order, however, to best simulate the Tour de France experience, you are encouraged to follow them in order.
PRE-STAGE: Commuter Salute. Bike to work day! 5 points for saving gas and going green. Photo of you in front of your workplace. Total points: 5
STAGE 1: Lake Monona Loop. 12-mile flat stage to support LBS (local bike shops). No need to follow this route exactly, so long as you make it around the lake. Points will be awarded for exploring local bike shops on this loop. 5 points for each of the following: drop off an unopened beer at 1) Slow Roll, and take a photo of one of the Trek prototype bikes 2) Machinery Row, snap a photo with Slim and 3) Cronometro, take a photo of Colin’s one-hour record certificate. A 6-pack donation to the shop owner/employee and included in the photo will result in an extra bonus point. Total points: 15 (3 bonus)
STAGE 2: Tavern Tribute. 24-mile flat stage to support local watering holes. There are two taverns on this route that have shown support for the Drafters in past years, Missouri Tavern along the bike path in Waunakee and the Ranch Saloon in Dane. 5 points for paying it forward: stop in the Ranch Saloon to buy a drink for someone on behalf of the Drafters (when we stopped there one Drafter Monday, a female former cyclist and patron bought a round for all of us). Please don’t ask for water unless you make a purchase. 5 points for finishing with a drink (NA or alcoholic) at Missouri Tavern. Total points: 10
STAGE 3: Cross Plains Time Trial. 12-mile time trial to support a local coffee shop. Crossroads Coffeehouse has been a huge supporter of the Draft. Let’s give back! Coffee should give you an extra boost for this speedy stage. Start at the coffee shop and ease your way over to Bourbon Road to warm up your legs. The TT starts at Bourbon and KP, racing into Black Earth. Just before 78, you will ride a counter clockwise box: right on Easy St, left on Hubbell, left on Center, left back onto KP. Just before you reach Bourbon, you will need to complete the hilly lollypop, turning right onto Gils Way, and exiting on Tilda Trail back onto KP. 5 points for enjoying a coffee, espresso or pastry and 5 points for ordering an ice cream (beer floats count) at Crossroads Coffeehouse. The FASTEST TT (please be sure to collect lap data for ONLY the route ON KP) will be awarded the green jersey. Total points: 10
STAGE 4: Horribly Hilly. 46-mile hilly route to support the Horribly Hilly Hundreds. This flagship event has been a staple in our community for over 20 years. It relies heavily on the support of volunteers. 10 points will be awarded for committing to volunteer for the 2025 event. You can opt to help with the pre-ride (sometime in late May), packet pick up (Thur June 12) or post-race. Volunteering will earn you a free entry to ride the event on Sat June 14. Since volunteer sign up does not take place until next year, your blood is your bond, and if you post your commitment on Strava, it will forever be on record. Alternative: join the Friends of Blue Mound Total points: 10
STAGE 5: Military Ridge Gravel Grinder. 19-mile flat stage to support gravel. Gravel stages are included on the Tour de France, and gravel events in their own right are rapidly gaining popularity. This stage is meant to introduce riders to gravel and support Rails to Trails, whose mission is to “build a nation connected by trails, reimaging public spaces to create safe ways to be active outdoors.” 5 points will be awarded for joining or donating any amount to Rails to Trails OR holding a State Trail Pass, and 5 points for ordering and enjoying food or beverage at Riley Tavern. They supported the Funtathalon last year, and have always welcomed the cycling community. The Strava post should include a photo of Riley Tavern, and a note that you proudly support Rails to Trails or hold a State Trail Pass. Total points: 10
STAGE 6: Viva la Cycling Clubs. Stage to support local bike clubs. Find a local bike club and show your support by joining them: 5 points for Drafting responsibly on a Mon in August with BrickO’s Drafters (extra point if you wear the original Voler drafter jersey!) and 5 points for riding with any other club including but not limited to Slow Roll Tue Night Rides, Stonefield Wheelmen, Bombay Bicycle Club, Madison Women’s Cycling Club, Wednesday Night Bike Rides, Femme 40 Racing, Brazen Dropouts, and Capital Brewery Bike Club. The more cycling clubs in the community, the more opportunities for people to cycle! Title your Strava post so that it is easily recognized as Stage 6, like “Viva la _____ (name of bike club)”. Total Points: 10 (2 bonus)
STAGE 7: Capital Off Road Pathfinders. Stage to support your local trail system. What better way to honor a mountain stage than to ride a mountain bike! This stage is an opportunity to explore and enjoy different terrain. If you are new to MTBing, draft responsibly on the easier green trails in our local CORP trails (the green loop at Quarry Ridge and most of Seminole could be done on a gravel or fat bike). If you are up for a bit of travel, enjoy other trail systems in WI like CAMBA, CWOCC or PASTA. Earn 5 points for dirty drafting and 5 points if you bring someone along who is relatively new to MTBing (as defined by you needing to convince them to get off their road bike) OR are a member of CORP. Total points: 10
STAGE 8: Alp d’Blue. 30-mile mountain stage to appreciate that we don’t have mountains in WI. Start and end at the top of Blue Mound State Park. Stop in at Blue Mounds Bicycle Works and make the acquaintance of the owner, Zach. Pick up a Blue Mounds Bicycle Works sticker and take a photo of where it sticks for 5 points. The polka dot jersey will be awarded to the FASTEST climb (please be sure to collect lap data for just the climb portion, starting at the right hand turn on Blue Mound Park Road to the top where the lollipop loop begins) AFTER completing the entire stage. 5 additional points for riding up Blue Mounds twice. Total points: 10
EXIT STAGE: 10 points if you volunteer for or ride in an official cycling event in the month of August. Here are some options for road, MTB and gravel: Dairyland Dare, Bike MS Best Dam Bike Tour, Badger Challenge, Ride Across Wisconsin, WORS, Coon Fork 40. Total points: 10
Draft responsibly,
BrickO
brickosdrafters 