And what better way to celebrate Herbie’s birthday with some 2434 feet if climbing and beer floats?

16 Drafters came out to play. The short pour was a popular choice for the Bad *ss Squad. Knievel and Cujo were full strength. Happy to see Drafters pick and choose their own adventures! The promise of beer floats and pizza lured Pit Stop, Presley, Grit and Slinger out for their inaugural ride for 2025.

While Presley, Shaq and Grit were dancing in their blue suede shoes, Cujo needed a little help from Watson putting hers on.

The A Team collectively had some tired legs (see below), but the sounds of any complaining was drown out by the singing of Happy Birthday to Herbie!

Here are a few action shots from our wild, wild west adventure.

Sometimes you gotta get down….

To look up.

A hill by any other name is still a hill. Forshaug. Fo’Sure. Forshit. ForUg.

A huge thanks to Katy and Abby from Crossroads Coffeehouse and Creekside Scoop for opening up the pizza oven, ice cream cooler and kegs just for the Draft! Speedy was in rare form after the ride. The Exhausted Parent (espresso and bourbon) ice cream coupled with a shot of Spotted Cow had our favorite Canasian on fire, energized by the shot of caffeine and uninhibited by the ounce of bourbon. She was eager to return home to spread 8 yards of mulch. But not until she shared a very elaborate and graphic review of the Bob Ross art with cow manure medium she had enjoyed driving to the Draft on Airport Road. The audience was captivated.

Shaq, honoring Speedy’s heritage, made Rice Krispy bars with sesame seeds. Very PC.

Montagas pizzas were devoured by the crew. Spigot made a tremendous, ensuring no pizza slice was left behind. He did, however, leave every A Team drafter behind, sprinting to be first to the Creekside Scoop.

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Keez brought some tired legs, hardware and cash prize to the Draft. Crowed queen of the La Crosse Omnium, she claimed first place in the Time Trial, first place in the Road Race (also serving as the WISCO State Championship)and third place in the criterium. Congrats, Keez!

Hammer Time did just that at the Bear100 in Laona on Saturday, powering through 115 miles of mud to claim second place overall female.

The Colonel owned up to having a Man Cold (this is a real thing), opting out of the race but opted in for full support of his bride to be.

Congrats to all those who pawed their way through the mud.

Car Wash and his daughter completed a marathon together. Car Wash brought home Father of the Year award for his valor. At mile 6, his daughter begged to slow the pace to avoid vomiting. “Go ahead. You’ll feel better”, Car Wash advised.

Sometimes the greatest rides don’t come with a time chip. Thanks to Slim for building and raking MTB trails for miles of smiles.

On tap for next week… we will stick with 4:45 and 5PM departure times from Middleton Hills, with short pour and full strength options. The * indicates a slight change from leaving and returning to Middleton Hills. Due to pot holes and now the recent activity at the end of Pheasant Branch, leaving mud and muck across the road, we will be using the bike path.

Short pour. A 30 mile route skipping Viaduct.

Link to RidewithGPS Drafters | *Viaductless Short Pour

Full strength. A 39 mile route through the historic Viaduct district.

Link to RidewithGPS Drafters | *Viaduct to 100 Mile Grove

Note on Hincapie Drafter gear: the shipment landed. If you have an item that is too large or small, let BrickO know. It is typically pretty easy to find another Drafter who is looking for gear. The store can be reopened if there is enough interest in placing another order.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO