A Monday night Draft recap is typically where this blog begins. But not this week.

The youth Drafter team has a new addition. Congrats to Cannibal and Jen!

Moving up to the next age group, congrats to Minnow Monster and JD on their Little Loggers finish at Chequamegon.

And moving much, much further up in the age bracket, congrats to all the Drafters who competed in the Cheq40!

Congrats to Keez on her invitation to the Fount Talent Camp in KY. True grit, this one.

Following Pit Stop’s lead last week, Cujo joins the ranks of retirement. Surgeon General’s warning: retirement increases risk of cycling fever. Do not give in to the urge to ride on Mondays before the Draft due to increased flexibility in your schedule.

Now for the Drafter recap. Pit Stop was notably absent. A Strava investigation revealed Pit Stop ignored the Surgeon General’s warning (see above) and rode at 9AM to avoid the heat. 26 non-retired Drafters deemed it a glorious night for a ride, including two Newbies, Faberge and Lost Boy.

Lost Boy was found years ago by the Drafters at The Ride, known now as the Badger Challenge (still time to join or donate to Pit Stop’s team, the Hot Toddies). He has been tracking our activities since 2018, but just now joined the Draft. Recent recruit Le Fleur enlisted her husband, who might be a Faberge hair shampoo model rivaling Joe Namath. Or Vilks.

The short pour was short on riders. Grit found her way back after weeks of roaming around National Parks with her recently retired hubby (see Surgeon General’s report, again) and teamed up with Watson to deduce the best short pour route.

The B for Bad A** Drafters photo has two newbies and 3 new faces. It is the only documented photo since the club’s conception in 2013 of Dan-yelly in the line up (read: on time). Well done, Dan-yelly!

The Colonel showed up promptly at 5:30PM. The only caveat being that the A Team left promptly at 5PM. Military time can be so confusing.

Hit-the-Wall reported a mechanical that kept him from reaching the front line.

The team photographer, Skipper, captured the Formidable Festge route beautifully.

The Festge climb was the last BrickO was seen in the line up. Hammer Time led the charge, crediting the power of green and her new jersey for the extra watts. Fortunately, the turn onto Table Bluff Road (another “hillacious” climb) was missed by the peloton. BrickO seized the opportunity to capitalize on their confusion, moving into first position to slog up Table Bluff. Vilks was incensed that BrickO took advantage of his hospitality, claiming he had been “waiting” at the missed turn. As the two bickered, the group did a head count and came up short.

The birthday boy was amiss. Telecommunication confirmed that Twinkle Toes and his derailleur had been dropped on Timber Lane. An extraction team had successfully removed him and his derailleur and were in route to a birthday dinner. The group came together in perfect harmony for a chorus of Happy Birthday as they drafted responsibly on Otto Kerl.

The A and B teams came together on Enchanted Valley.

The final push on Schneider Road started as a finely oiled machine, with Vilks at the head of the paceline. As rested legs came to the front, the finely oiled machine started to crack. Hammer Time pulled up back together as we rolled into Middleton.

Back at base camp, The Colonel showed up for roll call.

Lots of Junior Drafters showed up to be counted as well.

Daylight is fading fast. Sunset for Monday Sept 23 is at 6:51PM . The routes will continue to shorten to avoid night riding. THERE IS ONLY ONE ROUTE since the full strength is so short. Groups will depart at 4:45 and 5PM. Bridge To Nowhere is a 28mile route that can be modified to come home via the bike path (and Missouri Tavern). Please opt for this if you find daylight to be outpacing you.

Link RidewithGPS Drafters | Bridge To Nowhere

Tour de Dane Awards will be presented after the Draft on Monday. Yellow, green and polka dot jersey winners will be crowned (thanks to our sponsor OCG), and all those who participated will receive some sweet swag, compliments of East of Eden Stained Glass. Congrats to Pit Stop, Hammer Time, Cujo, Sandlot, Shaq, Keez, Thing One, Speedy, BrickO and Cristalyne.

FINAL 55\42 Drafter Finale Saturday 9AM. The end of year Drafter Finale is not going to take place at the end of the season per tradition, but rather this Saturday at 9AM, departing from Middleton Hills. Choose a 55mile A-Mazo Finale Rox or 42 mile Rockin’ to Roxbury option. Those Drafters who completed 10 or more Monday rides will receive a 2024 headband from our friends at SweatVac at a later Monday Draft. Also breaking with tradition, no goofy awards and fanfare this year- just a ride! On the Rox (formerly Roxbury Tavern) is a great mid-point to refuel. Their pizza is amazing. And of course you can bring a lawn chair, beverage and food to enjoy post Draft in the backyard.

Link RidewithGPS Drafters | A-Mazo Finale Rox

Link RidewithGPS Drafters | Rockin’ to Roxbury

Draft responsibly,

BrickO