The day was absolutely spectacular for Drafting to the Riley Tavern, except for maybe a nippy homeward bound head wind.  Our double entendre Drafter handle has become a bit of a misnomer, since we are neither drafting behind our bigger bodied cyclists (hey, no judgement, delicate flowers appreciate help- thanks for the socks, Sully)…

Nor are we enjoying a post-ride draft at Longtable.   That doesn’t preculde us from enjoying a draft at home, 6 feet from our signficiant other, however.  LuLu has embodied the drafter spirit and found electrolyte balance, as displayed below.

The Drafter photos came fast and furious throughout the day.  Apart, we Drafted strong together.

Seems like we suffered a bout of forgetfulness:

Footer forgot where the Tavern was on the route.

Belle and Bomber forgot to take a photo at Riley.  So cute how they share post-ride snacks and Strava data.

Hit-The-Wall forgot the route entirely.  He has a penchant, it seems, for the bike path.  A+ for family time, B- for Drafter attire (allegedly there is a Drafter shirt under his jacket), and C for route.

Sandlot blended right in on the Woodland Trail at Gov Nelson, hiking in her Drafter green.  She forgot the idea was to bike.

Pipes, notorious for forgetting her front wheel, also forgot her bike and joined Sandlot in exercise on foot. 

Caboose found a silver lining to virtual Drafting:  he is no longer relegated to a last place finish. No chance of riding Riley Tavern route from MN, but how can you forget Drafter swag?

Following the rules of engagment and therefore eligible for the GRAND PRIZE are the following:

The clear winner(s) in round 1 are Speedy and Duracell. “Road Trip!  Didn’t burn too many calories but we sang a lot in the van.  Too bad it was closed, kids really wanted to have a beer with us.”

Here’s what is on tap for Round 2 next Monday, April 6: PINE LOOP. Same rules apply: text me a photo at the intersetion of PINE RD and SCHUMAN with DRAFTER SWAG.

Pine Loop PDF map download: Pine Loop

Link: Garmin Link Pine Loop

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Our Drafter Family has Drafted Responsibly since 2013.  We will continue to do so.

Our good friends at SweatVac have donated shapeshifters to physicians on the front lines, and will offer a dramatic discount to cyclists seeking to Draft Responsibly: Link to SweatVac

In an effort to ensure that we Draft responsibly, I tinkered around with the idea of providing these masks for the Monday Draft to Riley Tavern. This gives a new meaning to “going green”.   I entertained a non-Drafting time trial format,  releasing a rider every 3 minutes to maintain a safe distance (exemption for couples already sharing snot). Even if the risk of contamination was eliminated with these measures, we run the risk of being perceived by the community as drafting irresponsibly.

While stewing and brewing over this conundrum, I was epiphanized (I guess you could say I had an epiphany, but this word is so much cooler, although possibly not real).  The Drafter bond  is less about the miles ridden side by side, and more about the stories of those miles (mostly me poking fun at our ineptitudes).  My epiphany for a solution came from watching mini-Pipes conquer her first hairpin turn on concrete.  I wasn’t on the sidewalk at the time, but know it well.  Pipes shared the story and that gave me a sense of community, even without drafting behind mini-Pipes.

With that, here are the rules of engagement for the Riley Tavern Route:  

• We will Draft responsibly, not convening as we normally do at 5:30.
• Ride on your own; it must include a portion of the Riley Tavern route in order to be recorded for all prosperity on the offical spreadsheet , henceforth qualifying for a prize (TBD including but not limited to Photo Competition and MVP).
• You must send a selfie with Drafter swag and evidence of the Riley Tavern, date stamped Monday March 30. You do not have to be in Drafter attire, although strongly encouraged to earn photo competition points.
• In case of rain, you can ride indoors and send a selfie with Drafter swag.  No need to have a smart trainer with copious amounts of power data.  Old school Johnny G Spin Bikes work beautfiully. Please consider joining the Tobacco City Peloton (current Edgertonian members: 2).

Side bar: our Hincapie Drafter gear should be shipped April 21.  Keep an eye on your email for shipping confirmation from FedEx as you will need to sign for your package.

Octane has been practicing selfies with his Drafter water bottle. Water bottles, towels, socks, hats, shapeshifters and certainly Drafter kits qualify as swag.

“See” you Monday at Riley Tavern.

Draft repsonbily,

BrickO

Given the circumstances of social isolation and a gloomy March Monday, we made the best of the situation. One bright spot was the addition of Drafter Newbie,  LuLu.  I was worried about his abilities from the start, as he and Vintage nearly collided making the turn from Elmwood Ave over the curb (because we forgot there was a driveway?) into the parking lot. There are many reasons why this would have been bad: 1) failure to follow the no injury policy, 2) Cronometro’s Italian Job wasn’t present to do curbside bike repairs, 3) skin to skin contact is forbidden under the current viral attack.  Luckily, the boys got their signals straight and reluctantly crouched at the starting line, muscles pumping and thumping in time, they’re going the Distance, they’re going for speed.

The only thing I learned about our Newbie was his occupation, some sort of cyclotron jockey. In my mind, this translated into a tech geek working on peloton development. Cyclotron. Peloton.  You can see the connection? So, when he casually asked about my career, I utilized lots of air to drone on about the myriad of initials that have found their way to the end of my name.  I was feeling pretty darn good about myself and my tuition dollar to initial ratio, unitl I got home and googled him.   Yeah, so I should have used more big words and less air during our conversation.  Turns out this dude is a cyclotron jockey… the medical frickin’ physics kind with “experience in radionuclide production, accelerator targetry and radiochemistry, as an analytical and preparative radiochemist in clinical and pre-clinical positron emission tomography (PET) scanning environments, in the construction of automated radiochemistry modules for routine and novel syntheses, and bringing PET radiotracer production facilities from bare slab to routine production and research activities.”  Uh, yeah, so about my initials.  Nevermind.

Half way through the ride, his Drafter handle was decidedly “Einstein” as he clearly knows enough about physics and gravity not to get dropped. But then I noticed the Lululemon emblem on his cycling pants and his handle changed.  No matter that my half century +1 old eyes mistook Novara for Lulu. I can’t keep ’em separated.  LuLu had taken root.

Our “leave no Drafter behind” motto was mostly adhered to.  Booker J showed up on a single speed.  Although the 107 mile Dairy Roubaix has been cancelled, he is determined to continue his rigorous training regimen. With a perspiration rate like his,  the motto had to be modified:  “Leave no Drafter more than 10miles behind “.

Hit-the-Wall, living up to his name, went out hard and turned around at the bike path.  He sent a curious notification to the blog:

His follow up text, “I just couldn’t keep up, so the bike path looked inviting. No beer at the end really kills the motivation, too.”  Couldn’t agree more, Hit-the-Wall.

In this trying time, I thought a few motivational videos from Drafter off-spring might brighten your spirits. Coach Arms has almost gone the 9mo distance with Baby #2, and almost went the distance with another UW Badger Women’s Hockey title.  With the uninvited time off from the rink, she is focusing her coaching energies on muffin making.

Pipes uses teaching points from her bike-deer collision and subequent bonk tip-over scaphoid fracture to coach her off-spring’s first spring ride.

As of now, the forecast for next Monday is sunny and 58.  Lots can change, including  social isolation protocol.  I can’t predict if we will be riding apart together or not at all.  But, here’s to hoping for a Riley Tavern Draft next week.

Garmin link: Riley Tavern 22miles

Draft resonsibly,

BrickO

We have all been called upon to create social distance. The forecast for Monday March 23 is favorable for the Drafters to go the distance while respectfully keeping that distance.  This is an excellent opportunity to get dropped and claim viral defense and social responsibility!  There is a song by Cake that delivers the message beautfilly, with some liberties taken with lyrics (Cake The Distance)

Reluctantly crouched at the starting line
Muscles pumping and thumping in time
The green kit flashes, the Drafters start up
Churning and burning, they yearn for the beer cup
Bomber v Skipper deftly maneuver and muscle for rank
Hit-the-Wall’s fuel burning fast on an empty tank
Reckless and wild, Loose Screw pours through the turns
Belle’s prowess is potent and secretly stern

As the Italian Job and Z Rex speed through the finish, the flags go down
C-Monster and her belly are cheering at the edge of town
The parking lot is empty except for kick-butt woman
Pipes biking and striving to avoid deer as best she can
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up
And long ago Speedy left with the cup
But Footer and Dan-yelly are biking and striving and hugging the turns
And thinking of Arms for whom baby delivery date still looms
We’re going the distance
We’re going for speed
We’re not alone (not alone)
Not alone in this time of need

With the predicted temperature at 51 degrees and sunny until setty at 7:12pm, I think we can go the short Hyer Loop distance. As you will recall from years past, we depart prompty at 5:30PM from Parmenter St and Elmwood Ave.  We convene for a post-draft draft at Free House or Longtable.  However, in the short term, we will be socially responsible and drink alone at home until the the establishments reopen and the air is clear.

There are a few rules: 1) have fun which includes wearing green and may mean riding like a bat out of hell or a bat with a broken wing- it isn’t a competition, unless a competition is fun for you and then it is definitely a competition 2) you are responsible for your safety, don’t get injured if you can help it, 3) follow the rules of the road (Loose Screw has his own ideas of what the yellow line indicates), 4) don’t ride alone (but don’t ride too close while observing viral precautions) , 5) be sure your bike is in good repair (now is a GREAT time to get a tune up at Cronometro) 6) be prepared to fix a flat (the Italian Job is not our official team mechanic, although he has the quickest flat change time this side of the Mississippi),  meaning you have the equipemnt and know how, or at least access to YouTube (Pipes), 7) text me if for some reason you don’t finish the ride so I don’t freak out or save you a beer that gets warm.

GPS: Garmin Link Hyer Loop

Download PDF map: Hyer Loop 25

For those of you chomping at the bit to sign up for events, here are links to a few:

The Bear 100 May 9

Lake Ripley Ride July 18

Dairyland Dare Aug 15

For those already signed up for Dairy Roubaix April 18 or the Horribly Hilly Hundreds June 20, Draft responsibly.

Let the photo competition games begin! There is one rule and one rule only: you must be in the photo with some type of Drafter swag (head band, water bottle, jersey, towel).  The categories will be determined after the final submission to spur on creativity without boundaries (and giving me total latitude).  In a similar fashion, awards will be at at the discretion of the Drafter Board.  Last year’s yellow jersey winner was Bond, in part because he is a beast, but moreover because of his frequent pit stops.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Welcome to the 2020 Draft.  Amidst the chaos, I find solace in these words adapted from the Beatles. Let it Be.

When I find myself in times of trouble
outdoor cycling comes to me
March wind through my helmet, let it be.

And riding before darkness
There’s a freedom right in front of me
Endless roads of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.

Riding roads with Drafters, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be more cycling, let it be.

For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be. Yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.

And when Monday is cloudy,
I will bring a light that shines for me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.

I wake up to the first blog alert
BrickO’s Drafters come to me
Riding roads of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Riding roads of wisdom, let it be.

The forecast for Monday is 46 and cloudy.  I think there may be a better Monday to kick off the Draft. I will use the blog to post routes and updates, along with worthy news items such as the following:

The indoor CXC training season wrapped up last week.  A huge thanks to Yuriy for hosting our group, to Gordy Paulson for keeping everything running smoothly, and to John Okon at SweatVac for gallant attempts to make us look good in green.  Green is spring’s sign of growth, and this group saw lots of it.

We weren’t relegated exclusively to indoor cycling.  I think everyone set a PR at the Birkie and Korte in February.

And let’s not forget our Drafters who migrate south for the winter.

When I find myself in times of trouble, BrickO’s Drafters come to me.  Riding roads of wisdom.  Let it be. Soon.

The first Monday to reach 50 degrees, wind less than 20mph and there’s a light that shines on me, I will post the route. There will be such a Monday.  Let it be.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

What better time than the start of a new year to reflect on how time flies. Let thou count thy ways:

Footer reaches the half centruy milestone today. And you know what Drafters say on the road…. “what you can do once, you can do again”.

Coach Arms and C-Monster are on the home stretch of pregnancy.  Well, maybe rounding second base for C-Monster, but she’ll get there soon enough. Time flies.

Not turning 50 or pregnant, Skipper takes his own kind of flight.

BrickO see, BrickO do.  Or doesn’t.  Tom Petty seemed to be singing direclty to me as I flew through the air, off my bike, down a 30 foot (I might be exaggerating) bank at Pleasant View.

Interested in learning to fly?  Colin O’Brien (Drafter handle the Italian Job) can help.  Please drop into Cronometro on Wednesday, Jan 29 at 5PM to hear him speak on the topic of aerodynamics as it pertains to the bike.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Happy New Year,  Drafters.  Thank you all for a wonderful year of cycling,  flat tire changes, and cold beers together.  I couldn’t ask for a more genuine group of friends to ride and laugh with (and at, on occasion).

Here is a quick review of cycling (and skiing) December drafts.

If fat tire riding in the white stuff is your thing, check these events out:

Nicolet Frosty Bear registration link

Snow Bully Registration link

And if snow isn’t your idea of fun on a bike, registration for these two stellar events opened up TODAY.  Lake Ripley on July 18, 2020 isn’t just a ride… it’s a party at Barefooter’s cabin. Please note, our beloved Dairyland Dare is UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT.  A huge thanks to Race Day Events and Abbey V for resurecting the DLD.  Please join me in daring on Aug 15, 2020.

Lake Ripley Ride Registration link

Dairyland Dare Registration Link

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

I’m dreaming of a white bike ride
Just like a sleigh ride through the snow
Where the berms and turns glisten
And Drafters christen
A set of fat tracks in the snow

I’m dreaming of a white bike ride
With every trainer ride inside
May your days, may your days, may your days
Be merry and bright
And may all your fat tire rides be white

And a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COOKIE-MONSTER!

Draft responsibly this holiday season,

BrickO

The weather cooperated beautfilly for the Tyranena Oktoberfest ride on Saturday.  Drafters were out in full force.

Despite rain on Sunday and for the forseable future, Mother Nature did us a solid on Monday. We defintely finished the season strong, with a record high 26 Drafters in attendance and over 40 for a cold draft afterwards.   Some things never change- like Slow Cow arriving at 5:29:30 for 5:30 wheels up.  But there were also a few surprises, like a newbie, Lucky Ducharme and the resurfacing of Dr. Wampus. She picked the last ride to start the Drafter season, but don’t be fooled.  Her Peloton training had unsuspecting riders working hard to catch her Draft.  As the company goes public, no doubt Dr. Wampus will be their cover girl. Not just another pretty face- this chick can ride.

The Riley Tavern route is hard to screw up. There is really only one turn onto Maurer Road that you absolutely do not want to miss, as it means roaring down Timber Lane only to have to do an about face and climb back out of the valley.  And that’s exactly what Skipper did.

We had 21 miles to cover in 65 minutes of daylight.  Booker J wasted no time, setting a blistering pace.  He lost all sorts of body fluids- sweat pouring from under his helmet, mixing with snot streaming from his nose and saliva trickling from the corners of his mouth.  He looked like a St. Bernard at the finish. “I can’t tell what’s what in this mix of body fluids.”  Sparky finished with plenty of light to spare, unlike last week when she double flatted.  Unable to contain her surprise, she exclaimed,  “I can’t beleive it!  Nothing went wrong? Other than I had to fix another flat before I came.”  Lucky could have used some of the light Sparky left behind.  She weighed her options on  Midtown: turn around and drink beer at Riley Tavern or phone a friend? What’s one more Uber driver to join the festivites at Longtable?

Cannibal is included in the head count, as he phoned in from Paris during the Drafter party to recieve his award.

The season wrap up went something like this…

Link to Drone Master’s Drafters on Bikes Drinking Beer

Link to Drafter’s Season Highlights

First the stats (good thing MegaWatt wasn’t there to weigh in on p-values):  since conception in 2013, we have had 105 Drafters draft. We claimed 653.26 miles of asphalt this year.  Disclaimer: this does not include short cuts and misdiretions, which were frequent and unmonitored. Our longest and shorest rides were Back Door to Church 43.4 and Riley Tavern 21.96 miles, respectively.  20 Newbies joined the Draft, right up until the last ride (welcome, Lucky).

No doubt cycling is more fun when the machine is working well, the fit is perfect and the watering holes are plentiful.  A hug shout out and thanks to our our excellent support from Cronometro, Free House (huge shout out to Amy) and Longtable.  I strongly encourage you to frequent all locations.  Colin, Scott and Paul at Crono not only know bikes, they know how to ride and travel. Cyclesport Travel has 4 spots left for the Pyraenees Playground trip June 15-25, 2020.  Or the Alps in July, Tuscany in Sept.  Check it out here: Cyclesport Travel

The biggest thanks go to all of you for being part of the Drafter family.  We’ve shared many moments together- births, marriages, retirements, new homes, and the converse- deaths, divorce, and hardships that make life real and cycling a release.  Here are a shout outs that were given Monday night at our soiree.

FLAT TIRE CLUB INDUCTEES: we had 8 join the club, plus Booker J as an honorary member for breaking a cable. Nobody claimed gold( 3 flats or more), luckily.

That’s a wrap!  Stay tuned for info on the Dirty Draft this Wed at Pleasant View, 5PM.  Mother Nature is threatening to rain on that parade. Next year we will likely institute a regular Dirty Draft to compliment our road presence.

Here are a few more fall rides to consider:

Register here

Register here

Wherever you draft, Draft responsibly.  Fly the colors.  Be kind. Make the world a better place, even if only for a short time each day.

BrickO

Earth Wind and Fire supplied lyics for the 23rd Night In September…

Hey hey hey,
ba de ya – say do you remember
ba de ya – drafting in September
ba de ya – never was a cloudy day
Ba duda, ba duda, ba duda, badu
ba duda, badu, ba duda, badu
ba duda, badu, ba duda

17 Drafters convened to do some drafting in September.  C-Monster once again came to the rescue of several Drafters who suffered equpiment failure, as in failure to bring equipement.  Cannibal borrowed her water bottle and Hit-the-Wall borrowed her waterproof phone case (ok, so it was just a ziplock bag, but still).  I guess that makes sense. In giving away her water, the chances of sweating were minimized.  C-Monster is so smart. No wonder she will shortly have earned two doctorates.

5 of the 17 Drafters didn’t convene, exactly,  but did complete the route.  Drone Master was on course sending live footage to Bob Roll.  Belle and Bomber were caught on Wipperfurth- presumably they had a head start or drafting on e-Bikes.  We are awaiting official word from the pit crew technicians, who are inspecting for motors.  Tobacco City Boy arrived a few minutes late so thought to park at Pheasant Branch Conservancy.  The peloton zipped by so quickly that he missed them entirely.  By 6PM, he abandoned the chase and rode the course backwards to increase in chances of a Drafter encounter.  Sparky, too, arrived late and ventured out alone, only to flat twice.  Vintage was kind enough to leave his beer behind and rescue Sparky from the depths of Waunakee.  We are out of room on the Flat Tire Club plaque after this seasons’s voluminous debacles.  Speedy and Duracell completed the route in the early afternoon, on account of coaching their kids’ hockey.  This excellent parental Duracell put him just out of reach of the 10 and Over club, which earns extra Drafter swag. He is appealing the decision to the USDA (United States Drafter Assoc) and providing GPS and photographic evidence that he did ride the course on Drafter Monday. The Velominati rules clearly state BIKE COMES FIRST, but the Drafters may have to ammend that to say BIKE FIRST UNLESS FAMILY NEEDS YOU.

The ride down Easy Street was as promised… easy.  Except for Sparky who double flatted and Vintage who managed to have his saddle fail.  I suggested a new saddle, but he said the more likely long term solution was to lose 20 pounds.  Whatever.  I’d buy a new saddle.  Hell, I’d buy a new bike. Why skimp?

Two of our “regulars” were off frolicking in Yellowstone, unable to Draft, but still sporting green.

Beer at Longtable tasted extra good.  The selection is so wide that it is often hard to pick just one (if you are setting limits).  Tobacco City Boy opted for the Hawaiian Shirt Party.  When asked about his selection, he said his daughter would like the colorful flowery can,while his attention was drawn to the 9% alcohol content.

Next week will be our grand finale and shortest ride of the year to Riley Tavern.

Download PDF map: Riley Tavern 20

Garmin link: GPS Riley Tavern

Following the ride, Longtable will host our END OF THE YEAR DRAFTER PARTY at 7PM. In case of rain (read: in case Hit-the-Wall rides), we will still start the party at 7PM.  There is swag for everyone who has ridden at least once.  Double swag for those achieving the 10 and over club.  And special awards for faux pas throughout the season.

The DIRTY DRAFT season is still in season.  We will meet at 5PM (NOTE: not 5:30 as initially advertised) at Pleasant View on Wed Oct 2.  There is a small possiblity of also meeting this Wed, Sept 25 at 5PM at PV.  I will send a GroupMe message to confirm.  Text me if you are interested.

It was a bummer The RIDE was cancelled, but we still have a few events to entertain:

Tyranena is this Sat, Sept 28.  Link: Tyranena sign up

The Hibernator gravel event is Sat, Oct 5.  Link: Hibernator sign up

Draft responsibly,

BrickO