Drafter Finale

There is nothing quite like the Driftless to leave you breathless. Between the gorgeous views and relentless climbs, you are bound to be out of breath.

Sunday was an epic day for a finale. 17 Drafters ventured out to Ridgeway to climb some of Iowa County’s finest hills. Never too late to enlist… welcome to the Draft, Tank. He can motor on the flats and descends like a beast, but ask him how he feels about climbing. Tank wasn’t sure he wanted to enlist after learning the Drafter motto….

Vilks, Colonel, Hammer, McGritty, GQ, Car Wash, Knievel, Z, Keez, Herbie, Tank and Hawkeye

When in doubt, climb. And we did, no doubt. 45 miles with over 3500′ of elevation on roads with names like North Clay Hill, Far Look Road, Hill Side School Road, High Point Road, Coon Rock Road, Amacher Hollow, Blue Ridge Road, Ridgevue Road. You get the idea.

Tank settling in on the climb up Wyoming

Vilks pulls Knievel and Z through Talliesin

The most scenic, perhaps, is the historic 1850 Hyde Mill on Mill Creek Road.

Thank you to Speedy and Skipper for the brilliant design and team t-shirts. The topography of the rides are shown on the front in 50 shades of green, with the names (in order, no less) of every ride this season on the back.

Skipper, Car Wash, Hawkeye, Colonel, Hammer, Z, BrickO, Knievel, Herbie, Tank, Speedy, Vilks, Keez and Lozi

There is much to be thankful for this drafting season. We welcomed 8 newbies: Sherlock, Ruby, Sweeps, Air Bourne, GQ, Maverick, Goose and Tank. 60 Drafters enlisted this season, with an average of 18 and max of 27 drafting responsibly on Monday nights. 25 rides in total, starting on March 23.

The first ride, as many will recall, involved a horrific crash involving 3 Drafters. It was a devastating event that we all wish could be undone. Since none of us have a time turner, we can be grateful for the strong community that supported Z, Hawkeye and Twinkle Toes through their recoveries. Their return to the Draft is the gift we treasure most, though the t-shirts are pretty darn cool.

The Drafters covered 789.25 miles. Shout out to those with 10 or more Drafts: Hammer Time, Twinkle Toes, Ruby, Spigot, Cujo, Queenie, Skipper, Presley, Hawkeye and Duracell.

8 Drafters were 15+ repeat offenders were awarded swag to cover their car seats, cause with that much riding, one can only imagine the smell emanating from their vehicles on Monday night. Shout out to John and SweatVac for making those possible.

Congrats to BrickO, Shaq, Speedy, Rimshot, Knievel, Vilks, Keez and Z. On the podium according to volume: Keez, Z and Vilks!

Shaq missed the podium, but did not miss the bourbon bike tour in KY this weekend. Sporting her Tour de Dane Femmes jersey, she did the Drafters proud.