Sound of Silence

This is the second difficult blog I’ve posted in our 14 years of Drafting, the first being last March when the pot holes on Pheasant Branch Road caused a crash that injured 3 of our own. The sound of silence rung out Sat as the news of a bright light in the Stonefield Wheelmen’s tribe went out after hitting a poorly maintained stretch (which includes nearly every stretch) of Pheasant Branch Road. On behalf of our Drafter tribe, our hearts go out to the family and our cycling community.

We cannot reverse the fatality. We can be active in promoting change to prevent further loss.

There is a City Council meeting tonight, Tue July 21 at 7PM at City Hall (or via Zoom). There will be an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for citizens to voice their concerns. Mark Opitz, representing District 6, is in full support of elevating Pheasant Branch Road (PBR) and has been championing this effort since his election in April. Please see his webpage for updates: Mark Opitz Pheasant Branch Road Safety.

Mark has shared some insights into the complicated nature of Pheasant Branch Road. Beyond the intersection at Whittlesey Road, continuing north past K, PBR is not maintained by the City of Middleton but by the Town of Springfield. The tricky part is that the land north of the city limits along PBR, including the Redtail subdivision, has been annexed by the City of Middleton. So, it appears we have a road servicing Middleton residents that is not serviced by Middleton. The Town of Springfield has been made aware, again, of the conditions causing the crash (I called them last year after Z’s accident as well). The City of Middleton, as a good-neighbor response, offered to assist the town in repairing the stretch of road where the accident took place.

Apparently, a similar conundrum occurred to the west when Pheasant Crossing subdivision was erected off of High Road (runs parallel to PBR). The current Mayor, Lisa Janairo, was at that time the District 6 representative (position now held by Mark Opitz) and pushed the City very hard to repair High Road, citing that it posed dangers to the residents occupying land annexed by the City.

I am sharing these facts as I understand them following a conversation with Mark Opitz last evening, after the Draft. Mark is encouraging our cycling community to voice our concerns. He wants to be sure they are being heard by the people who can make change. The IT department is currently constructing a single email address that will include all city council members and they mayor. I will share that as soon as I have it.

The rest of the blog seems insignificant, and almost unholy to share the joys of riding in the face of this tragedy. And yet, the greatest tribute we can pay to those we’ve lost is to live fully. So here we go….

17 Drafters checked the AQI and radar and gave two thumbs up to drafting responsibly. The forecast promised the rain would stay west, a small cell dissipating rapidly towards us with nothing more sinister than a few drops. Octane was excited by the rain, as he wouldn’t be relegated to the end of the paceline. Twinkle Toes did the rain dance (fully outfitted in cycling shoes and helmet, a big step from his wardrobe last week) by leaving the roof for his Bronco at home. Vilks tapped into his inner-MacGyver and jury-rigged a cover using a tarp and two bungee cords. The rain abided.

Twinkle Toes invited the rain by leaving his roof at home. Vilks paid homage to the weather gods. We stayed dry.

Coach Arms looks suspiciously tan for being a hockey coach. Apparently, the wildfires are driving young hockey stars from Canada to beaches in the south?

Short Pour: Coach Arms, Shaq, and Speedy

Octane’s excitement over the rain drops quickly evaporated as his derailleur malfunctioned. Frustrated but not deterred, Octane turned on the gas and rode a modified (less hilly) route. His motivation to draft may have been fueled by the pan of brownies he baked earlier in the day. Calories count for more when shared.

Keez, Herbie, Hawkeye, Rimshot, Vilks, Octane, Tank & KickA*KK

Coach Digz made a guest appearance, leaving his bike behind but being on time for brownies. A reminder that he is offering a free virtual clinic on Tuesday July 28 at noon. Email him for details at corey@digmanfitness.com

Goose has been ducking the Draft. Hawkeye might know where he has been hiding…. CONGRATS to Goose and Mavrick on their recent addition!

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS:

Congrats to Grit on conquering the 5-day Oregon Gravel Grinder! A woman of few words, this is what she had to say, “MF of an event. Never again.” We look forward to seeing so many more never again events from Grit!

Cookie Monster has been running a very successful Junior Drafter camp in the north.

COMING SOON

Did you miss the Horribly Hilly Hundreds? Not to worry. The Dairyland Dare is nearly has horrible/fun. There is still time to sign up for the Aug 1 event. Cujo is the poster child!