The Mamas & The Papas and at least half of the two dozen drafters who came for the Final Draft broke into song at Missouri Tavern.

Actually, it was the Happy Birthday song to Vilks, but it could have been these lyrics:

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And our kit is green (and our kit is green)
I’ve been for a ride (I’ve been for a ride)
On an October’s day (on an October’s day)
I’d be safe and warm (I’d be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)

Drafter, drafter dreamin’ (Drafter, drafter dreamin’)
On such an October’s day

Stopped into a bar
I passed along the way
Well, I got down off my bike (got down off my bike)
And I decide to stay (I decide to stay)
You know the drafters like a beer (drafters like a beer)
He knows I’m gonna stay (knows I’m gonna stay)

Drafter, drafter dreamin’ (Drafter, drafter dreamin’)
On such an October’s day

15min later and the low sun has already cast the A Team into shadow.

The rode is sometimes a lonely one. Sort of the anti-draft for our team photographer, Skipper. As a tribute (and apology), a homage to some of his work Monday night.

STAGE 1: Denial

STAGE 2: Anger. Mostly with Vilks, who had made a pact (in addition to all Drafters who swore to uphold the code, “No Drafter left alone”) to never leave his wingman.

STAGE 3: Bargaining

STAGE 4: Depression

STAGE 5: Acceptance

Twinkle Toes was also riding solo due to a technical issue. He’s had a few this season: forgetting his cycling shoes, throwing his derailleur into his spokes, innumerable flats (20?). This one, however, was a cruel twist of fate. Better late than never, Twinkle Toes figured out how to load the course onto his Garmin. The course did not follow the bike path to Missouri Tavern.. that was an optional route deviation.

Twinkle Toes did ultimately find his way to a cold beer and warm fire. The conversation around the fire pit somehow turned to wood ticks. Skipper and Z Wrecks showed their tick shedding moves to the Brazen Ballerinas.

Catching the Tik Tok fever, Rimshot showed his gangsta moves, sporting his new headwear. Thanks to our friends at SweatVac for creating this small tribute (no reference to the size of the brain in the headwear) to those 21 Drafters completing 10 or more rides: Hammer, Midas, Twinkle Toes, BrickO, Pit Stop, Speedy, Duracell, Rimshot, Octane, Presley, Knievel, Slim, Shaq, McGritty, Cujo, Queenie, Skipper, Vilks, Keez, Z Wrecks and Car Wash.

Not making 10 rides, but making something pretty special….. congrats Squirrel and Granny! And no Vilks, you had nothing to do with this.

It has been a wonderful season. Heartfelt thanks to every single Drafter who drafted responsibly, building quads and community. The season saw the births of two new Drafters (congrats again to Cannibal & Jen and Vintage & Thing1), with two more on the way (congrats Granny & Squirrel and Hawkeye), marriage of Bomber and Belle, retirement of Pit Stop and Cujo and new knee for Z Wrecks (and he only missed 4 rides!). And some Drafters lost loved ones. We stand as one through it all.

Here’s a look at the books.

Treasurer’s report: rich beyond compare with community. Special thanks to our friends at Hincapie Sportswear, Online Cycling Gear (Funtathalon and Tour de Dane), Sweat Vac (headbands), and the local bike shops who keep us rolling.

Secretary’s report:

24 rides covering 771.9 miles.

69 Drafters on the roster, with 19 newbies enlisting (Tinker, Hammer, Twinkle Toes, Rocky, Unicorn Blood, Car Wash, 9 Volt, Spigot, Marko, LaFleur, Fab, McGritty, Colonel, Slimmer, DJ Jazzy, Grit, Hawkeye, Herbie, Lost Boy).

30% of roster made 10+ rides, and 16% made 15+ rides

Slim made all but 1 Draft! Special mention to Vilks (because he begged) who was up from 9 rides in 2023 to 16 rides in 2024.

Average draft size 21, max 29

Flat Tire Club Induction: Coach Arms (Twinkle Toes, despite 20 flats, avoided an episode on a Monday night so technically was not eligible, although losing a derailleur has merit).

That’s a wrap!

Dirty Drift MTBing, Drift Draft fat biking, UW Women’s Hockey games and other shenanigans will be posted on the blog and/or GroupMe. Look for our outdoor road season to resume in March. Until then…. thank you for sharing your Mondays with the Drafters.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO