23 headed out for Black Widow. 24 made it home. How’s that, you ask? Dan-yelly departed after the B team, before the A team, and from a secret location. In other words, late and lost, but happy. Which is the point of drafting. Loose Screw was lucky to be counted amongst the two dozen to return. Black Widow claimed his battery. And his back up battery, as he pedaled home on his single speed.

It was good to see Velo back after 52 weeks MIA (otherwise known in academic circles as a sabbatical). The friendly Canadian, Speedy, tried to strike up a conversation, but once she realized Velo’s sabbatical involved the intricacies of nuclear engineering, she steered the conversation towards maple syrup.

The A Team stayed together for a hot minute. Skipper was the first to fall when he got separated from the peloton by a tractor leaving a tobacco field on Woodland Rd.

Next to get dusted were Twinkle Toes, BrickO and Car Wash. The peloton got held up at Lodi-Springfield Rd and 19 just long enough for the BrickO and Car Wash to catch up, but when they came to heavy traffic on Hwy P, it was lights out. Hammer Time was next to get dropped on Black Hill. The 3 gave up the ghost when they hit Dane and realized the peloton was taking no prisoners. By the looks of the QOMs and achievements, Keez and Unicorn Blood were flexing their young quads. Strong work, ladies!

Speaking of ladies doing strong work, congrats to the Tour de Dane Femmes participants and competitors. 10 Drafters took the challenge, with 6 competing all 10 stages. Pit Stop and Shaq shared the podium in the yellow jersey. Hammer Time claimed the green jersey, with Cujo in polka dot. Keez climbed Alp d’ Blue faster than anyone, earning polka dot socks. The Tour de Dane Femmes committee awarded the polka dot jersey to the fastest climber who completed all stages of the tour. Congrats to all of the drafters who participated (Sandlot, Speedy, Keez, Thing 1, and BrickO)! And a shout out to Online Cycling Gear for the custom podium jerseys and East of Eden Stained Glass for the finisher awards.

The Drafters are currently scouting for young strong females. Here is our latest recruit:

On the theme of ladies, if you find a circle of strong women, you are likely to find a Fuzzy Little Peach Man. Cannibal and Jen were wise to keep Baby Cannibella away from the dangers lurking outside around the fire pit.

Speedy, looking to redeem herself after little to say on the topic of nuclear engineering, seeks out Vilks to discuss the delicate nature of warming her buns by the fire while being commando. Fuzzy Little Peach Man was happy to share his experience.

The route for Monday Sept 30 will be a short 25.5 mile draft to Riley Tavern, departure times 4:45 and 5PM. If the weather cooperates, we will shoot for two more rides in October.

Link RidewithGPS Drafters | Riley Tavern

Draft responsibly,

BrickO