The next Draft on Monday June 1 is out of Crossroads Coffeehouse/ Creekside Scoop in Cross Plains. The bridge on KP between Garfoot and Union Valley is scheduled for construction, so the route will need to be modified in order to avoid that obstacle. The updates routes are 24 and 31 miles, respectively. B team departs 4:45, A team and short pour 5PM.
Lots of big rides logged over the Memorial Day weekend. Well done, Drafters.
Shout out to Cujo and Momma Monster on their gravel adventures, including Heywood. While in the porto line, they spotted one another in Drafter gear!
Cujo and Momma Monster at Heywood (well, actually, in the port line)
The Northern Drafter cohort has been working hard on junior development.
Cookie Monster, Momma Monster, E$ and the Junior Team
Looking for a bike to add to your quiver? Could be an upgrade, could be a downgrade , bike relegated to the trainer, or maybe just a back up. She (Annie) was the queen of her era (2015) and still has lots of life in her (8413 miles). Colnago CX Zero, RED SRAM 11 speed, Chris King hubs, HED Belgium alloy rims 28 spoke. $1000 OBO for a Drafter who will give her the love she deserves. Frame 52s, which is like a 56 in most other brands. Text BrickO if interested.
The Rocky Mountains are far from Wisco, but we have Black Hill (aka Black Widow) to give us that high, and a song by John Denver that speaks to it. Sort of.
And the Black Widow Hill Drafter Monday high I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky I know he’d be a poorer man if he never caught a wheel and fly Black Widow high
13 Drafters set out to be the widowers of Black Hill, not the widowed. A bold Newbie move picking this route to make his debut. Welcome, Denver! Thanks to Gopher and Badger for hosting the Draft.
Presley, Pit Stop, Queenie, Shaq and Barkley
A member of the junior Draft was able to hang with the A Team. At least until the curb. Strong work!
Hawkeye, Denver, Rimshot, Skipper, Cujo, Octane, Twinkle Toes and a junior Drafter
Team photographer, Skipper, sacrificed his position in the lead group to capture the threesome breaking away on Black Hill.
Hawkeye, Rimshot and Cujo charge up Black Hill
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS: BrickO and Z went off to play bikes in Portugal. Originally slated for May of 2025, this trip was cancelled 14 months ago due to Z’s bike crash. The physical strength to overcome the injuries, and the resolve to bike without fear are commendable and inspirational. Way to go, Z. We are so proud of you.
6 days from Porto to LisbonCongrats on your comeback tour, Z!
Anyone looking for a highly organized outfit to provide an unparalleled cycling experience should check out Will Levy at Two Wheel Tours. Will and his team of transporters, massage therapists and mechanics provide top notch support for events like Ride Across Portugal Cycling Challenges or Haute Route Alps, or can craft a private tour in the Dolomites, Slovenia or just about anywhere on the globe where there is land to ride. Bonus: TWT’s team color is green, so you are already well equipped.
Will Levy (green, second from left) and the Two Wheel Tours group at RAP
BrickO’s beloved green machine, Hopper, is getting on in years. One of the TWT riders compared her to a flip phone (the Colnago, not the rider). BrickO isn’t sure if she’s ready for an iPhone, but Pedro and Antonio might have a strong opinion after spending many, many hours keeping her ready for battle. Her old bones didn’t take kindly to the cobbles (this reference is to BrickO AND Hopper).
Pedro spent half of a day getting Hopper road readyAntonio patiently diagnosing and fixing a recurrent rear flat
Next Monday is Memorial Day, so there will be no Draft on May 25. Moving into summer, the Drafters will enjoy the hospitality of Crossroads Coffeehouse/ Creekside Scoop in Cross Plains the FIRST MONDAY of June, July and August. Note: pizza is no longer available, but ice cream and beer floats are still on the menu.
The roll out format will stay the same: B Team 4:45, short pour and A Team 5PM. Please park behind Crossroads Coffeehouse/ Creekside Scoop or along Bourbon Road if the lot is full. Roll out will be from the parking lot. Full strength is 32 miles, short pour 26 miles.
It was Ground Hog Day for Drafters riding out of Fitchburg. Thanks to Vilks for hosting round two in the same season. His sacred Strava rides are no longer a secret. 14 Drafters enlisted in the fun.
Our Flat Tire club has expanded to include a Broken Chain chapter. The first member was initiated Monday night. Congrats to Rimshot on his induction. May he be alone, forever, in this unfortunate chapter. Shout out to Chief for leaving her Verona Area Community Theater meeting to rescue Rimshot. Apologies to all the budding actors and actresses for stealing the show.
Skipper suggested Rimshot take the Cock and Buggy home.
No drafter was left behind, and no cocks were harmed in this ride.
Octane, Vilks, Keez, Twinkle Toes, Spigot and Goose
When in doubt, climb. That part is clear. Drafting responsibly after a John Deere tractor is questionable.
Goose, Vilks and Keez climb after John DeereGoose and Hawkeye having a moment, Keez, Octane Spigot, Twinkle Toes (photo credits to Skipper)
We go from Ground Hog Day to Gopher’s Great Adventure next Monday. Same schedule: B team 4:45, A Team and Short Pour 5PM. Route will appear on Group Me. Meet in Middleton Hills, a block north of the usual location.
REMINDER: No Draft on Memorial Day, May 25. The first Monday of June, July and August will be hosted by Crossroads Coffeehouse / Creekside Scoop in Cross Plains. There will be LIMITED staff and no pizza. Please be patient and gratuitous when ordering ice cream and beer floats.
Given the cancellation last week for rain that never came, it was a relief to have the radar unequivocally clear. For the first time in a long time, the forecast was 100% sunshine and temperatures perfect for drafting. The winds did not play nice, swirling and switching direction to seemingly never be a tail. Nothing is perfect. The night was darn close.
22 Drafters came out to play. There were three teams to choose from, but Ruby couldn’t decide which one was just right so made her own team.
Full Strength B Team: Knievel, Z, Car Wash, Queenie, Von Diesel, Cujo and Spigot (and Ruby to follow)
The short pour turned into a shot for two riders. Shaq and Barkley decided to go big and go home. Welcome to the FLAT TIRE club!
Short Pour: Speedy, Pepe, Coach Arms, Shaq, Barkley, Presley, and WatsonShaq’s big flatBarkley drafted to the flat tire team with Shaq
The full strength A team welcomed Tank to his first Drafter ride. A well accomplished Dirty Drafter and Drift Drafter, and Tank earned his stripes on the road.
Herbie, Tank, Keez, Octane, Rimshot and Twinkle Toes
Octane was the only one with gas, and happily pulled the rest of the A team to Riley Tavern. He even picked up a stray rider on Old Sauk Rd, who was overjoyed to have a free ride. The group also picked up Ruby, who was stranded between groups, battling the wind without draft protection. “What are you doing out here alone?”, BrickO inquired. “Waiting for you”, Ruby replied. Duh.
Rimshot whined his way out of climbing Blackhawk, directing the group to a short cut. Octane looked at Rimshot’s jersey and read, “When in Doubt, CLIMB!”, and backtracked to make up the missed elevation. In his second good Samaritan act of the night, Octane picked up Twinkle Toes, who had not taken the short cut and was surprised to see his teammate back tracking to the bottom of Blackhawk Rd. Octane received the “Leave no drafter behind” metal of valor, even though he was totally unaware of his selfless act.
During the procession through Green Way Station, the A Team came upon Queenie waiting patiently for a green light that never came. Pro move by Herbie to hit the crosswalk button. This is the sort of wisdom that only comes on the eve of a BIRTHDAY!!!!! Had the group not come upon him, Queenie may still be at the intersection drumming his fingers. Next drafter discovered in the land of the lost was Watson. Following the Garmin is apparently not elementary. With every drafter accounted for, Cujo provided fuel in the form of delicious brownies back at base camp.
WEEKEND x 2 HIGHLIGHTS: Congrats to the fleet of Drafters who completed the Escape the Badger gravel event at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant on April 25. Who knew Badger colors included so much green? Shout out to Tank for providing hospitality and a route from his house to the event.
Spigot, Sweeps and Pit StopSweeps, Pit Stop and GritPresley and PIt Stop (with unknown Mick Jagger fan)Tank and Spigot
Congrats to all the Drafters who poked The Bear 100 last Saturday. In her first gravel race debut, Sweeps took 4th in her age group! Comet proved he is more than just a 2 x Funtathalon champion.
Comet orbiting the single trackBrickO playing bikes on her monster truck tires
Good luck to all those grinding gravel at the Hungry Bear this coming Sat!
CHAOS. IN A GOOD WAY. PLEASE NOTE:
WE HAVE GUEST HOSTS FOR THE NEXT TWO DRAFTS. Huge thanks to Vilks and Gopher for hosting the drafts on May 11 and 18, respectively. Please check GroupMe for route information. Expect a departure from Fitchburg on May 11, and Middleton Hills on May 18 (just one block further north on Glacier Ridge Rd) at 5PM. That rolls the calendar to May 25, with no Draft on Memorial Day weekend. Next blog post will be in June!
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