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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Draft responsibly,

BrickO