Team Iowa for the Stage Win!

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This stage of the Draft was full of surprises. When Phil and Bob announced Cannibal and Hit-the-Wall as contenders in this year’s tour, the crowd went wild to have the boys back in the line up. Perhaps a little disappointment seeped in with the realization that Cannibal would not finish the Champs-Middleton Hills bearing garden drinks and wearing an apron.

BrickO, Keez, Vilks, Rimshot, Ruby, Presley, Queenie, Duracell, Pepe, Speedy, Hit-the-Wall, Cannibal, Z, Skipper, Gopher (von Diesel and Hawkeye on the way). Team mascot: Lozi

The heat is a great equalizer. 18 Drafters started and finished, mostly together.

von Diesel, Cujo, Pepe, BrickO and Queenie draft responsibly
Keez, Gopher, Z, Cannibal, Hawkeye, Vilks, Queenie and Cujo descend on Latham Rd
Vilks, Keez, Gopher, von Diesel, Cannibal, Hawkeye, Cujo, Z, BrickO, Queenie and Duracell limp up Bitney Rd

There is a brief pause in the Tour coverage when the photographer gets dropped.

Skipper captures the situation artistically

While we await his return, please enjoy some of his footage from the Riley Tavern route last week: YouTube Link to Skipper’s Drafting by Riley Highlights – July 25.

Coverage resumes as Skipper digs deep and overtakes the peloton with a brilliant break away maneuver up Buethin Rd.

Skipper gaps the peloton: Hawkeye, Queenie, Cujo, Gopher and Keez.

Skipper was able to maintain the lead until Pheasant Branch, when Gopher sprinted for the town sign. Iowa was in it to win it, as Hawkeye gave chase. Gopher and Hawkeye were wheel to wheel at the finish. Phil and Bob are awaiting the judges decision.

Iowa for the stage win: Hawkeye and Gopher go head to head

Octane had to drop out of the tour after crashing in the MTB stage, but dropped by to single handedly enjoy a cold beverage.

Octane, Queenie, Z, Speedy and Cujo

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:

Drafters in the wild. Please feed the animals.

Billy Boy and Vilks out in the wild, drafting responsibly

A bit further north, things really got wild at Wausau24. Skipper is nothing shy of a celebrity in the area, recently being hired to build miles and miles of MTB trail. Build it and they will come. And they did…. the largest MTB race in the Midwest sold out! Skipper took time out of his 12 hour race to grant an interview and announce the 6 hour winners. Despite several social engagements during the race, this beast managed to place top 10.

Skipper was one of only a few riders who cleared the ho Chi Minh Trail rock garden

The rho Chi Minh Trail isn’t the only thing Skipper cleared. The race director cleared an entire camping area just for Skipper. BrickO couldn’t clear the rock garden, but she was happy to help fill the camp site space.

Start your engines

Before and after photos tell the story.

BrickO and Skipper before
Skipper after a few laps
BrickO’s legs after

The Tour de France Femmes is underway. And starting August 1st, so is the Tour de Dane Femmes! Let’s make this the best tour yet.

Tour de Dane Femmes 2025Download

On tap for Monday August 4: DEPARTURE FROM CROSSROADS COFFEHOUSE in Cross Plains. Two routes: short pour 23 miles and full strength 31miles. One departure time: 4:45PM. Given that this is a bit further of a drive from our usual launching pad, give a shout out on GroupMe if you are seeing other folks to leave at a later time.

RidewithGPS link: Drafters | CP Beast of Barlow Short Pour

Drafters | CP Beast of Barlow Short PourDownload

RidewithGPS Link: Drafters | CP Beast of Barlow

Drafters | CP Beast of BarlowDownload

PIZZA ORDERS: Please text BrickO by Monday noon if you’d like to pre-order a pizza: cheese, pepperoni, deluxe or veggie.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO