25 Drafters heeded the call for Beer Floats. Twas’ a wonderful thing to have so many on tap to ride the Driftless.
The B Team held nearly 50% of the roster. Go big or go home. They went big. Queenie reminded everyone (without boasting) that he and Car Wash were the only two Drafters to complete the route as scripted from Cross Plains last month when the bridge on KP was out. The dudes abided. Everyone else took a short cut.
There were rumblings of another detour as the bridge on JJ had been closed the day before. Plans for a work around were hatched in the corral before the horses were let to run wild, which included 3 extra miles of backtracking. Knievel was put in charge of keeping the B Team steeds on course.
Short in numbers, but not poor, these three set out to avoid the potential detour on the JJ bridge.
The A Team heard Queenie’s call for righteousness, but without an assigned leader, the renegades biked wild (read: took a short cut).
Tank and Herbie rolled out, and then rolled up to the Driftless Downs to shred.
The A team picked up Enrob and Dr. Dewey’s on KP. Their cups runneth over, with 10 extra miles to and from Cross Plains. Enron clarified…. 10.9 miles. Ahh, it is good to be young and energetic.
The big orange detour signs were hard to ignore. Seeing the backhoe in full swing at the bridge, the B Team dared not ask permission to cross, and backtracked 3 miles and one extra climb up Vermont Church to get back on course. Lost Boy didn’t make it to the holy water. His rear tire and tube were mangled, locking up his rear wheel, leaving a smoke signal for the A Team to find. He made the call of shame to his son to be rescued, and in the spirit of the draft, drove back to Creekside for the next best thing, a beer float.
The A team reached the bridge and delegated Spigot to negotiate. Fearless crosser of the KP bridge while under construction weeks earlier, he approached the man in the big back hoe to ask the question. The scene was reminiscent of this one by P.D. Eastman. Same answer… NO.
Dr. Dewey and Enrob decided to follow in the dedicated pedal strokes of the B Team, adding on 3 miles and the Vermont Church climb. The rest of the A Team followed Keez further along 78 into Black Earth, where they connected with the route. No extra miles or climbs. No question the better play if the game was to reach the beer float first.
The B Team definitely enjoyed a few more miles and climbs. What goes up, must come down. Photo credit to Skipper.
A gorgeous night to ride extra miles, or cut them short with more time to drink beer floats and eat birthday pie. There was no wrong choice. Except to sit down on a wasp. Not the birthday buzz Coach Arms was hoping for.
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS: Congrats to Sweeps and Knievel on completing the Dairyland Dare!
Next week the draft will head north to Indian Lake and home through Missouri. Missouri Tavern, that is. All are encouraged to enjoy the 28 mile route. For those not wanted to travel north, the short pour Bike Path Bonanza is 19 miles and visits the Missouri Tavern.
RidewithGPS link: Drafters | Indian Lake Missouri Tavern
RidewithGPS link: Drafters | Bike Path Bonanza
Draft Responsibly,
BrickO
