Mercury was red lining and Garmin alerts blaring, but 18 Drafters were up for the dehydration challenge, including one newbie. 19 if you count Z Wrecks drafting responsibly 4 weeks post-op.

It didn’t take long for our newbie to acquire her Drafter handle. While admiring her beautiful Trek Emonda with a paint color called Unicorn Blood, it became clear that this strong rider is indeed a Unicorn. Dainty and soft spoken, she has magic under the horn. The young bucks and Unicorn had fun in front.

The only thing hotter than the sun is the smile by this quartet.

Remember when you were a kid and played in the sprinkler? This is sort of the adult post-draft in ungodly heat and humidity version of that. Stay cool, Pepe.

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:

The Endofondo, an annual event held in New Glarus, was fun had by Hammer, The Colonel, Unicorn Blood, Vilks and BrickO. Definitely a young person’s event, BrickO was the only ARP card holding member. Vilks’ card is in the mail. A huge shout out to the organizers of this event, meant to bridge the gap between Cat 1 and non-category cyclists to enjoy time together in the saddle. Not in the same saddle, obviously. That’s a different kind of fondo.

Tour de Dane Week 4 Standings: It was a huge comeback for Cujo on the Tour! She conquered mountains and beer delivery to take yellow. She and Pit Stop showed excellent sportsmanship, trading jerseys as they completed Stage 5: Gravel Grinder, congratulating one another with pizza and beer at Riley Tavern.

Pit Stop found a vintage Voler Drafter jersey on Monday to take the yellow jersey back at the start of week 5! She also painted her finger and toe nails green to show team spirit. Surely there are bonus points for that?

Shaq is also on track to complete the Tour de France, climbing Alp d’ Blue and delivering beer (two very important skills to be a competent Drafter).

Thing 1 is right on Target, completing the pre-stage, running errands while Aug Dog is home busy smiling. Disclaimer: the photos below are not occurring at the same time.

Hammer Time has been in green for 4 weeks straight, and the polka dot is currently worn by Cujo. Perhaps the most surprising twist in the Tour has been the outcome of Stage 7: Capital Off Road Pathfinders. After completing the mountain stage on her gravel bike, Sandlot declared it new bike day!

With 5 days left in the tour, it will be exciting to see who else comes forward to swap jerseys.

BAREFOOT NATIONALS: We have a winner! Congrats to Footer on a silver sweep for Tricks (more details, please), Slalom and Overall.

NO RIDE LABOR DAY. The next Draft will be Monday, September 9th. As the days grow shorter, so will the routes. Hopefully, we can draft through September and possibly into early October. There is a full strength 31 mile route and a very short short pour (including bike path) 21 mile route. Departure times 4:45 and 5PM from Middleton Hills. SUGGESTION: short pour might consider leaving at 5PM since this route is only 21 miles. Those full strength riders wanting more time to complete the course depart at 4:45PM. That will bring most riders home around the same time. Discuss amongst yourselves.

RidewithGPS Drafters | Latham Loop

RidewithGPS Drafters | Northbound Shortpour

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

It is quite a thing to have 18 Drafters gather on a gorgeous Monday night in August and wonder, “where is everyone?”. Only 11 years ago, 13 Drafters were a full house. The abundance of quad crushing weekend festivities left many with their feet up. So let’s start with a recap of the weekend highlights, shall we?

Week 3 Tour de Dane Femmes Update

Pit Stop is back in yellow, just a few points ahead of Sandlot, after conquering her second greatest amount of elevation ever on Stage 8 Alp d’Blue. And that was before hiking up the Observation Tower twice, after forgetting her water bottle up at the top. Sandlot and Thing 1 gave it there all on the TT, but Hammer Time is still in the green jersey. The polka dot jersey is still up for grabs! Rumor has it that Cujo is firing up the quads this week.

Ride Across Wisconsin: Congratulations to all of those who did RAW : Knievel, Shaq, Spigot, Hammer and the Colonel. A special shout out to Hammer and Colonel for completing the 240 mile single day option that wasn’t listed as an official option. Sometimes the best things aren’t on the menu!

Race The Lake: Congrats to Blurple, who zipped around Lake Winnebago for his 3rd fastest 100k ever, according to Strava, AI that doesn’t lie.

Steamboat Gravel: somebody got dirty. Congrats, JRAD!

Core4 Gravel in Iowa City: Congrats, Nemo. Hope you heal quickly from your crash. At least you didn’t ruin a Drafter jersey….

The Super Blue Moon happened. Which took second in spectacularness to Bomber and Belle’s wedding. But first, the Pedaling Prelude.

Congratulations to this inspiring couple. The upside to having them move to Spooner is that we will have plenty of opportunities to visit them for the Chequamegon Fat Tire, Birkie Ski and Fat Tire, and all other great north adventures. Book your room now!

So that’s why so “few” showed up for the Draft! Who DID show up was Pres. Must be an election year.

Dan-yelly showed up (but not for the start) and is the first competitor to earn 2 bonus points on Stage 6 of Tour de Dane, sporting a vintage Voler Drafter jersey, circa 2013. A gun show, no less.

Martinsville was a new route. Speedy, armed with her new Garmin Edge Solar 840 led out the B Team…. in the wrong direction. Nothing a little U-turn couldn’t fix.

The A team was ready to roll promptly at 5PM. But dutifully waited as Keez when back home to get her “cleats” (?). She rolled in at 5:04PM, and negotiations began. The group agreed to delay as she aired up her tires so long as she agreed to pull. At least until Slim joined the Draft as his station on Airport Rd.

Keez, Slim and Slimmer set the pace up Church, with the rest of the group praying for redemption.

Skipper thought about jumping on the pony express to catch the group. They were in need of a rider, and Skipper was ready to trade his chamois for breeches.

Octane dropped back to take care of some business. His butt was busy dialing randomly… 15 texts and 21 phone calls.

It is possible that Octane dialed Duracell and the Jets and booked an evening show.

Say, Dan-yelly and Speedy, have you seen them yet
Oh, but they’re so spaced out,
Duracell and the Jets
Oh, but they’re weird and they’re wonderful
Oh, Duracell, he’s really keen
He’s got electric boots, a mohair suit
You know I read it in a magazine, oh, yeah
Duracell and the Jets

Octane’s brownies are guaranteed gluten free. Gee Whiz, wouldn’t it be great if everything was void of ingredients as advertised?

The route for Monday, Aug 26 will be the backdoor entrance to Riley Tavern. Full strength 30 miles with a short pour option of 25ish miles, departure times from Middleton Hills 4:45 and 5PM. **For those competing in the Funtathalon in Sept, this route is the second road segment, so you can get a sneak preview.

RidewithGPS Drafters | Backdoor Riley

RidewithGPS Drafters | Backdoor Riley Short Pour

THERE WILL NOT BE A DRAFT THE FOLLOWING MONDAY . ENJOY YOUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

The second largest troop of the summer! 27 Drafters enlisted in the Tavern Tribute. Never in the history of the draft have all riders finished together. For those who grew up in the 70-80s, it was the cycling equivalent to “all skate”.

A field of green rolled out for the short pour, with one new flower blossoming in the group: welcome Newbie LaFleur. Thing 1 rejoined the group for the first time since becoming a MOTHER! Her little thing flashed his first smile just before Mom left for the Draft. It’s the little things that bring us so much joy.

The A team had one Drafter out of uniform. Slim was sporting a cuff off t-shirt, which was permitted because 1) it is official apparel from a famous cycling event, and 2) he’s the strongest cyclist and can do as he pleases.

It was a short 10 miles to pay the first tavern tribute. During that time, Coach Arms fell out of line to change a flat (compliments of the absolute shi*t conditions on Pheasant Branch Rd). She joins a very long FLAT TIRE CLUB roster, but is the first of 2024. Twinkle Toes has suffered over 20 flat tires this season, but has dutifully reserved them all for rides other than the Draft.

The patrons at Ranch Saloon were happy to have the Drafters pay it forward. And then immediately paid it back. “That’s how we do it here”, one woman cheered.

From the Ranch Saloon, the Drafters enjoyed the long descent down (for once) Viaduct Road.

Hawkeye was enjoying new bike day until his computer mount broke and his Garmin went flying. While the Drafters dutifully waited, leaving no Hawkeye behind, Twinkle Toes requested a photo as proof that he wasn’t DFL.

And onto the next tavern tribute to the Missouri Tavern. The bikers and bartender were most welcoming!

Speedy learns that Owen’s bike runs a little hotter than her new Trek. Worse than chain grease on the drivetrain side, these bikes have hot mufflers.

Thanks to Twinkle Toes for buying a round for all of the Drafters.

And to Midas for taking this incredible team photo and video.

The Drafters enjoyed an “all skate” back to home base. Pipes needed a little help from a friend after feeling deflated missing a can crushing opportunity. Midas does have the touch.

Some celebrated the mere fact that they could steal away a couple hours from busy lives and little kids to draft responsibly.

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:

Congrats to Keez for her podium finish at the New Glarus Road Race. The 2023 State Criterium Champ, she now adds 2024 State Road Race Champ to her portfolio. That’s quite the Tour de Dane Exit Stage!

Another profound way to complete the Tour de Dane Exit Stage is to complete a Sadistic Century with 30 climbs and 8819 feet of climb. Congrats, Cujo. Ouch. Look for in the Tour de Dane Femmes as a contender for the polka dot jersey.

Tour de Dane Femmes Standings Week 2: the yellow jersey shifted backs this week as Sandlot racked up some serious points after completing Stage 1 Lake Loop, earning bonus points for dropping off 6-packs at all 3 LBSs, Stage 2 Tavern Tribute and the Exit Stage at Ride the Drive.

Pit Stop is in second place, adding a few points last week for completing the Roll and Stroll for Pancreas Cancer.

Thing 1 made her Tour debut by getting dirty on Stage 7.

Speedy racked up some MTB stage points as well, introducing her sister to the sport, and checked off the Commuter Salute pre-stage.

Hammer put it down to take the green jersey on Stage 3 Cross Plains time trial.

Lots of opportunities remain for the Tour de Dane Femmes. It isn’t too late to start! Participants have the entire month of August to complete the pre-stage, 8 tour stages, and exit stage to earn points towards the yellow jersey. The green and polka dot jerseys are up for grabs in the time trail (stage 3) and Alp d’Blue (stage 8). Can’t win if you don’t play.

The route for Monday August 19 will be to Martinsville. The short pour ~27 miles and full strength ~30 miles will leave at 4:45 and 5PM.

RidewithGPS Drafters | Martinsville

RidewithGPS Drafters | Martinsville Short Pour

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

With apologies to Cream and Clapton.

I went down to the crossroads
Climbin’ hills beggin’ please
Down to the crossroads
Climbin’ hills beggin’ please
Asked the Lord above for mercy
Take me, if you please

The short pour was small but mighty. Squeak requested permission to ride her tri-bike after discovering her road bike Di2 shifting wouldn’t charge. Less than half a mile into the route, she returned her in her aero bike in search of a air (for her tire, not her lungs- she is a beast). Nemo pleaded no contest to the climbs ahead as she had just deplaned a flight from CO after hiking a 14er. Presley and Pepe held up team as they set off from Crossroads.

The full strength route out of Crossroads had a bigger showing, and even bigger excuses for performance. Vilks had too much fun over the weekend. BrickO clung to her master’s status. Aging is real. Keez had hammered nearly a 100 miles the day before. Spigot just came off of the Hotdish 100 gravel race. Hawkeye parked at the wrong lot and missed the start. Mario and Queenie were late for the short pour and unsure if they could gulp a full strength tap. And, the course didn’t load properly in Queenie’s Garmin. The list goes on…

A highlight to the evening was the addition of a newbie. We now have Slim and Slimmer pulling at the front for our drafting entertainment.

Also entertaining was BrickO’s vintage Voler jersey from 2013. There are only a handful of these in existence. eBay has a vintage Nike Beatles Revolution t-shirt for sale for $50,000. Hmmm…. What is this vintage jersey worth for 2 extra bonus points for those “completing” in the Tour de Dane Femmes? Let the biding begin!

The Drafters set out together from Crossroads to climb 2411 feet in 34 miles. There is only one photo to suggest they actually were together (credit to Skipper).

Slim and Slimmer rode dumb and dumber watts. Only Vilks had the chutzpah to hang with them until the very end. Which is unfortunate, because the Drafter Commission was entertaining a handicap for youth in order to keep the group together until they learned his (advanced) age. Ya can’t handicap an old guy who can still bring the heat. Blurple held in their the longest, pulling BrickO and others back to safety until he had to cut the cord. Hawkeye and Car Wash landed next. The rest of the Drafters staggered in one by one. Skipper let things simmer down before posting on Strava, allowing Vilks to comp him with pizza and beer to make up for breaking the Drafter code. Octane wins the best sportsmanship award for following the Drafter Code and leaving no father (Queenie) and son (Mario) duo without a map behind… even though all three were left behind by the peloton.

Thanks to our wonderful hosts at Creekside Scoop for keeping us well hydrated and refueled.

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT:

Super Tuesday will be performing live at the Cobb Corn Roast Celebration. Where is Cobb? According to the lead drummer, Queenie, “that way”. Super easy to find. Shocker that he didn’t have the course loaded for Crossroads.

Tour de Dane Femmes Standings. It has been an exhilarating week one of the Tour. Pit Stop is currently defending the yellow jersey, after printing the manifesto and highlighting her strategy for each stage.

Speedy has Stage 1: Lake Loop locked up, including all the bonus points for distributing 6-packs of beer (unopened) to LBSs Cronometro, Slow Roll and Machinery Row.

Hammer is currently leading Stage 2: Tavern Tribute. Bravely entering the Ranch Saloon in Dane and paying it forward with a bloody mary, she then finished her tribute at Missouri Tavern.

At another tavern, Sandlot has the current fastest time for ordering pizza and beer at Riley Tavern after completing Stage 5: Gravel Grinder. A photo finish for the pre-stage salute to commute will be required to determine the winner (see Pit Stop’s pre-stage photo above).

Shaq has already completed the pre- and exit stages of the tour, finishing back to back 75 mile days at the Bike MS ride in Baraboo. Look for her to be a contender in stages 1-8.

There is plenty of time left to join the Tour de Dane Femmes to raise excitement for women’s cycling. With Kristen Faulkner from Alaska winning GOLD (the last American, Connie Carpenter won 40 years ago, is from Madison), there is promise! What? No Drafter jersey for the photo? LAST CALL for Hincapie Drafter gear. The store will close on August 7th.

The next generation of Drafters is coming in hot. Coach Arms’ little one just advanced from the training wheels division and is ready to take a pull next week for gold.

The Draft on Monday Aug 12 will be back on base camp with departures at 4:45 and 5PM. The full strength will be a 27 mile short pour and 33 mile route that can count towards the Tour de Dane Stage 2 Tavern Tribute. Drafters are encouraged to stop at the in Ranch Saloon in Dane to pay it forward, and at Missouri Tavern near the end to pay it back.

RidewithGPS link Drafters | Short Pour Tavern Tribute

RidewithGPS link Drafters | Tavern Tribute

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Let the Tour begin! A few minor, but important updates and amendments are noted below for several stages.

PRE-STAGE: if you work from home, or commuting to work isn’t safe, you can commute to run errands (grocery store, bank, post office, etc). Send a photo at your errand destination.

STAGE 3: Cross Plains Time Trial. 12-mile time trial to support a local coffee shop.  for safety reasons, you will no longer cross highway 78. For fun, a climb has been added just before the finish.

STAGE 6: Viva la Cycling Clubs: there are 2 bonus points (not 1) for wearing the original Voler jersey. You may borrow one from an original member.

EXIT STAGE: please note that the Badger Challenge, formerly listed, does NOT qualify for the Tour de Dane as it takes place in September. Here are some options: Dairyland Dare, Bike MS Best Dam Bike Tour, New Glarus Road Race, Ride Across Wisconsin, WORS, Coon Fork 40. This is not an exhaustive list. Any other organized events for road, gravel or MTB can qualify so long as they take place in the month of August.

Draft repsonsibly,

BrickO

Due to financial cut backs, the Drafter Blog editor in chief was been let go several posts ago. The very enthusiastic associate editor is anything but junior. Sadly, her senior title applies only to her advancing age. When drafting the blog, her first draft is often her final draft. With that lame excuse, it is with our deepest apologies that we retract an egregious error.

“Renounced Coach Midas identified lack of cycling as the reason for his inability to turn over the pedals. Everything she touches turns to gold.”

RENOWNED. NOT RENOUNCED. Or denounced or otherwise bounced.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO