Drafter Finale

13 Drafters celebrated the last day of summer, or close to it, with a 55 mile A-Mazo ride.

JRad, Colonel, Hammer, Squeak, Octane, Cujo, Griz, Gopher, Skipper, Z Wrecks, Keez and Vilks

The group drafted responsibly to Mazomanie, enjoying blue skies that would later turn dark and dump several inches of rain. What would a finale be without one last climb up Enchanted Valley, Schuman, Dunlap Hollow and Lueth Roads? When in doubt, climb.

JRad, Cujo, Squeak, Keez, Vilks and Hammer conquer Schuman and Vilks gives a fist bump to Spring Valley Rd

On the climb out of Dunlap Hollow, Keez spied a juvenile barred owl in distress. All were concerned, but only Skipper stopped to offer aid. Examination reveled a broken wing (or a dislocated shoulder- nobody was really sure of the anatomy).

The crew pulled over at On the Rox in Roxbury to enjoy a PBR while Skipper phoned the animal rescue folks. Actually, only Vilks proved to be an all American sipping a PRB. The rest of the Drafters sucked down electrolytes and gels. At this point, the Drafters decided to divide and conquer. Keez, Cujo, Squeak and Gopher headed back to home base while the members of the team waited on Skipper to make safely deliver the owl to animal rescue.

Willie Nelson saw us off after a 30 min delay.

On the road again
I just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is riding bikes with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again
And I can’t wait to get on the road again
Everybody sing

On the road again
Like a band o’ gypsies, we go down the highway
We’re the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way
And our way

Vilks, BrickO, Colonel, Hammer (photo credit Skipper) on the road again, climbing Lueth

Back yard beverages were cut short by the violent storms that swept Dane County, and ultimately caused the Sunday Badger Challenge to be cancelled. Pit Stop and the Hot Toddies raised over $10,000! Congrats to all those who rose to the challenge, even if they were unable to ride the ride. Good news is that there will be many with fresh legs for the Draft on Monday! Hopefully we can sneak in a few more rides.

CONGRATS to Shaq on completing the Ride the Ridges century, her 7th endurance ride of the summer. It takes some big quads and aerobic fitness to conquer the Trek 100, Horribly Hilly Hundreds, MS 150, Ride Across Wisconsin, Door County Century, North Shore Century and Ride the Ridges all in one season!

Tour de Dane Awards: reminder that awards will follow the Draft on Monday. Departure times are 4:45 and 5PM for Drafters | Black Widow.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO