The wind was knot for everyone. A baker’s dozen of Drafters who did dare the stiff breeze were rewarded with a sweet southerly tail wind on the way home from Riley Tavern.

The roster is growing, as Drafter #184 enlisted Monday night. There is no simmer setting for this spicy red head. As she battled to keep in step with her commanding officer, The Colonel, one could overhear her chanting, “get better, get better.” Roger that, Red Leader. One of the many Drafter mottos, which she could not have known, is to “get better or stay the same. The choice is yours.” We are very happy to have Ruby join the ranks.

Hats off (but helmets firmly secured) to Twinkle Toes for powering through this ride, giving all of us a sense of reassurance after the crash last week that we can and will continue this Drafter community.

The wind split us into two groups. Keez and Hammer Time were the Femme Force, showing the world what can be done on 45mm gravel tires. Hammer Time was glowing, between her new golden yellow Checkpoint and her ring bling. Congrats to The Colonel on moving up the ranks!

Vilks and Gopher followed the code, leaving no Drafter behind. With a much appreciated circling back maneuver, they picked up BrickO and Twinkle Toes, who had fallen out of line. Or created a new line, perhaps. Two is still considered a chase group, no?

Post-ride fueling never looked or tasted so delicious. Octane made sure there was no need for rationing of brownies. Which was fortunate, as Badger stopped by with a very hungry little Drafter.

Slim skipped the Draft to make sure the fires were burning on the back porch for the wind blown Drafters. He earned Octane’s brownies, too, playing soccer with the new Drafter mascot, Lozi. There is no live footage of Lozi v. Slim in the backyard, but here is a family photo.

The forecast for next Monday, March 24th, is calling for snow. Most Drafters have retired their fat bikes for the season, and the weather is too unpredictable to retrieve our studded steeds from storage quite yet. Check GroupMe on Monday by 3PM for an update on riding conditions.

Barring snow, the Pine Loop route will be a 27 mile enchanted hill adventure, leaving Middleton Hills in a slightly different manner. Instead of braving Century Ave, crossing under Hwy 12 onto the bike path, the route will weave through the neighborhood behind Northside Elementary School into the Industrial Park, onto Schneider Rd. This reroute is to avoid the traffic and sh*t road conditions of Century Ave, which also lacks a shoulder (or bike lane). For those who have routes loaded into their Garmin/Wahoo devices from previous years, please note this new exit strategy is marked with an asterisk*. Departure times 4:30 and 4:45PM.

Link to RidewithGPS Drafters | *Pine Loop

Draft responsibly,

BrickO