The inaugural Dirty Draft at CamRock was a huge success. What constitutes success? 10 riders got dirty, did not require emergency care, ate pizza and drank beer on a school night. Thanks to Skipper for leading the Draft and Footer for sweeping. There was lots of mess, but everyone went home with all their parts in tact.
Cannibal, Slinger, Tick Tock, Skipper, Captain Joe, C-Monster, Vintage and Footer make it this far unscathed. Mostly because the first mile is a gravel path.
A little blood, not enough to require stitches.
Vintage looks good in red- especially his lower lip.
A little goose egg, not one on the noggin.
C-Monster finds a goose egg.
Cannibal connects with Mother Nature, losing a bar end plug and half a pedal. Who plants those trees so close together, anyway? He blamed his routine tree confrontations on Skipper, who loaned him the MTB. Apparently the brakes weren’t up to Cannibal’s standards.
“My wife is going to be so mad. She told me to be careful.”
Slinger lived up to his Drafter handle. Coming hot into a corner, dirt was a slingin’. And then Slinger was slung into the powdery earth he just created.
Slinger was definitely the most dirty Drafter.C-Monster, BrickO, Footer and Thing 1 are pretty clean for a Dirty Draft.
I only wish I had a photo of Tick Tock launching into flight. I can’t do it justice with words.
But I can perpetuate the fun with round two of the Dirty Draft. We will meet in the parking lot near the clubhouse at Pleasant View golf course on Wed, Oct 2 at 5:30PM. Shenanigans to follow at Longtable.
We achieved an all time high attendance record of 24 riders! This included one Newbie, Outlaw, bro-in-law of Hit-the-Wall. The probability of a rain out being implicitly linked to Hit-the-Wall has been called into question.
Italian Job, Loose Screw, BrickO, Hit-the-Wall, Outlaw, Footer, Sandlot, Tick Tock, Slinger, Duchess, Billy Boy
Footer, Loose Screw, BrickO, Cannibal, Sandlot, Cannibal, Outlaw, Duchess, Slinger, Pres, Billy Boy, Italian Job, Tick Tock, Skipper, Captain Joe
Cronometro’s Italian Job made an appearance. The Black Widowette route had been shorted due to the daunting challenge of averaging 20mph to get in before sunset. I had intended that to mean that most would ride UNDER 20mph. The Italian Job had an entirely different interpretation. He and Cannibal battled to Dane averaging over 25mph (possibly prompted by endless chiding by BrickO who hung on for dear life and the two bowls of cereal unwisely scarfed down late afternoon until she couldn’t- that is, couldn’t keep up. The cereal stayed down). Tick Tock and Captain Joe took over the pursuit in Dane. Compliments and backhanded slams were exchanged simultaneously. Tick Tock’s recollection is that the Italian Job complimented him on sustaining a high power output. Coming from the former U.S. National one hour time trial record holder, Tick Tock figured he’d reached the peak of his career and retired later that evening, after a celebratory beer. The Italian Job had a slightly different take. His recollection was that Tick Tock said, “You ride great for an old guy. Especially with an Italian screw in your hip.” I suspect there is some truth to both interpretations. Regardless, it spawned a record highest average speed. Why am I not sure of the the exact mph? Well….
BrickO joined the flat tire club. She claims to have been “just riding along” (JRA) when a pot hole inexplicably jumped in front of her. That brings the Flat Tire Club membership to a record high 8, up from 3 inductees last year. Many Drafters abided by the code and stopped to offer assistance. Muddled in the incomprehensible thought of her new bike being marred on its first Drafter voyage, BrickO sent them away one by one (in between curses at her own stupidity at hitting the pothole- and this farm girl is not short on curse words). Until… until… she was standing on the shoulder with her precious bike in one hand, unwilling to let the Green Machine lay down, and the rear wheel in the other, tire lever in her mouth, and surrendered. Vintage and Loose Screw wrangled off the stiff new tire and pumped up the new one. Z Rex came back with the sag wagon, but BrickO was already on the road, emptied tool bag clenched in her teeth (no time to waste putting it back on the seat post). She suffered TMJ damage, but it was worth saving 30 seconds after a 20min tire change.
I was just riding along…
Bomber and Belle were riding along so sweetly, the bees couldn’t resist. Belle sustained the first bee sting on a Drafter ride. Luckily, beer is a known anti-histamine. Well, not exactly, but when mixed with Benadryl can intensify the side effects.
We’ve had plenty of equipment failures (Loose Screw loosing his Garmin on a pot hole, Booker J breaking a cable, 8 Flat Tire Club inductees) and failure to bring equipment, including socks (Cannibal), water bottles and a front tire (Pipes). But never have we had a cell phone catapult from a jersey pocket and survive being run over by a tractor. Sparky is now the national spokesperson for otter cases, and promises to back up her data daily.
The Drafter end of the year party is coming up, and the announcement was made that swag would be given to those riders completing 10 rides. Drone Master is just shy at 8 and thus decided to ride no less than 3 rides in order to ensure his swag. Drone Master sightings were reported at numerous unchartered roads on the Black Widowette route. He definitely set a record for most Drafter rides in a single night. If you can’t ride 10 times, being seen 3 times more often is a creative way to earn swag .
Belle, Z Rex, Loose Screw, Slinger and Bomber brave the Black Widow in search of a Drone Master sighting.
Duracell and Speedy set a record for earliest departure. Not only did they start 20min before the Draft, but they shaved off the first 2 miles by riding from home. They definitely took the 7:05PM sunset warning seriously. BrickO got several texts from the impatient Speed: “thought the Drafters would have caught us by now”, “what establishment did we choose for imbibing this eve?” Clearly, she’s got her eye on the prize.
I thought the Drafters would be here by now…
Left: Outlaw, Hit-the-Wall, Tick Tock, Slinger, Footer, Z Rex, Drone Master. Right: Skipper, Loose Screw, Italian Job, VintageLeft: Billy Boy, Duchess, Belle. Right: Sandlot, Bomber, Captain Joe.
This is a relatively easy 27 mile ride down Easy Street (might be up, given my predilection for hills). If you want to extend it just a wee bit, skip the Right on North Madison St and take the next one, Schumacher to Easy St. It is a hill you won’t want to miss, if you like that sort of thing.
REMINDERS: Dirty Draft is this Wednesday, 5:30 at CamRock. Bring lights, trail pass, swimsuit and beers for after-ride festivities at Footer’s cottage on Lake Ripley. Drafter party is Sept 30 at Longtable. Please RSVP to Evite. If I missed you, let me know.
A little inspiration from John Denver as the weather is looking favorable for riding the Black Widowette tonight.
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on Monday nights looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me ride
Third time is a charm for this route, and also the third time it has been modified/shortened due to daylight restrictions. The map shows the full Black Widow route in red- we will be taking the short cut in blue. Sadly, this cuts off two beautiful roads (Fellows and Lee), but safety first. Sunset is at 7:05PM. This is roughly a 30mile route, which means you will need to average ~20mph. I think that’s a tall order for most of us (me, anyway). How about we ride it backwards or counter clockwise? That way, we can knock off 2 miles and finish one the bike path. Sound reasonable? This is the third and final rendition before we move on to another route.
Note: Garmin link is from Middleton Hills riding clockwise (original direction). Sorry for lack of recon this weekend to update the Garmin in the backwards direction. I was detained in Ames for College Game Day, which ironically was also met with rain delays: Garmin Link Black Widowette
Rain followed us to Ames for College Game Day
It is human nature to assign blame. Who can we blame for the series of rainouts? Hit-the-Wall volunteered. He has dutifully loaded his bike in the car on 7 occasions, riding only 4. The probability of it raining when Hit-the-Wall plans to Draft is really good. His new handle might be Rainmaker. Despite the disappointment last week, not all was lost with the rainout.
A few of us frequented the Longtable, including Nurse Sully, Captain and Tineal, BrickO, Z Rex. Duracell and Speedy get credit for spinning before imbibing. Duracell was overheard confessing that sweating in his Drafter kit amongst the “commoners” made him feel sexy. Perhaps the most brilliant Drafter at the Longtable was a Newbie– not afraid to show up for her first Draft without a bike and beer in hand.
Speedy and Duracell work up a sweat before rehydrating at Longtable.
A few other Drafters broke a sweat this weekend. Congrats to those who Biked the Barns.
Go Green! Sandlot represents the Draft at Bike the Barns.
And to those who sought another type of Barnyard activity.
Cotton Tail and Skipper are drafty Drafters in the Barnyard Classic.
And they weren’t the only Drafters to get dirty.
Vintage and Thing 1 get dirty at DuPont in NC.Thing 1 takes her bike for a swim
Better late than never- a shout out to a few more Drafters who finished the Door Country Century last week. Tobacco City Boy, having peaked his training mileage at 40 this summer, banked on BrickO’s Principal of Physiology: what you can do once, you can do again. That got him to mile 80. The last 20 were a blur. Congrats, TCB. There is nothing like a toddler and an infant to keep your biking miles at a minimum.
Knievel caffeinates after the Door County Century waiting for Hundo, who is most likely in the beer line.Spotted Cow Alert: Vilks heads to New Glarus. No wait for beer at 10AM.
Dr. Wampus prepares her daughter for winter and the indoor cycling season. On that note, we are full for Monday night indoor cycling at CXC starting in Nov, but look for a second class to be added in Jan.
Getting ready to Draft indoors on a green mini-peloton bike
One Drafter said “I do”.
Han is no longer Solo.
That’s a wrap on the happenings that have happened. Here’s the happenings about to happen:
Dirty Draft this Wednesday night at CamRock, east end (park right in Cambridge) with Skipper. Proper attire required (please refrain from looking at photo above): LIGHTS on bike and helmet, trail pass, beer to share afterwards at Footer’s cottage.
Drafter end of the year party Sept 30 at 7PM at Longtable. Please RSVP so I can give Longtable a headcount. If you rode at least once, you have earned Drafter swag. If you have ridden 10 times, you earn an extra swag item. Flat tire inductees will be recognized, along with the photo competition winners and multiple faux pas will be highlighted.
This could be a record with 3 weeks without a Drafter ride. We can only wag a finger at Mother Nature for 2 of those, with Labor Day making this a long stretch. Or, we can wag a finger at Sandlot for not doing the right dance on the sun dial.
We will regroup next week for the Black Widowetter Ride, and hopefully 2 rides after that. County Hwy P is being repaved near Martinsville, so we will have to skip the Cocktail Ride and finish with Easy Street and Riley Tavern.
Put Sept 30 on your calendar for the END OF SEASON party. Details still in the works, but hopefully this will occur after the last ride at Longtable.
Not everyone was as eager to ride tonight as C-Monster and BrickO, who wanted to show off her new bike from Cronometro.
All Draftered up and nowhere to go.The Green Machine will have to wait to make her Drafter debut.
Sandlot, Duchess, Knievel and Hundo (and maybe others) are happy to rest their legs after the Door County Century.
Sandlot at DCC. Duchess was not in green and therefore not pictured.
Several Drafters got down and Dirty.
Dirty Drafters Z Rex and Skipper at CamRock
Footer and BrickO get dirty.Cannibal goes to Whistler to get dirty.
Remember the Dirty Draft at CamRock next Wed, Sept 18 at 5:30. Enter CamRock on the east end (from downtown Cambridge). Bring a bike light and a head lamp for your helmet if you have one. You will need to buy a trail pass for $5, or annual $16. A CORP membership is highly encouraged. Beer is also a good idea should you want to hang out afterwards at Footer’s cottage in Cambridge.
If you don’t want to get dirty, get flexible at yoga with Pipes this Wednesday, Sept 11 at Quarry Arts at 2:30. Cost is $10. Please RSVP to Pipes. Following yoga, you can rehydrate at Capital Brewery for CORP movie night.
If it is more road biking you seek, think about The Ride Sept 22 or Tyranena Sept 28. And if gravel is your thing, the 63 mile Railroad Robioux out of Fond du Lac on Oct 12. Link: Railway Robioux
Between the rain delay and Labor Day, it’s been awhile since the Drafters have been in the saddle together. In the saddles, plural. We are a close group, but we have our limits.
I trust that most Drafters have been riding during our hiatus. Bond conquered Alpe d’huez and earned the yellow jersey, again.
Earning the Yellow Jersey at altitudeNobody can hold 007. Although Bond can’t hold it (hence the yellow jersey).
Some female Drafters decided to take their Johnson left in the woods of Wisconsin.
Footer, C-Monster and BrickO with their Johnson in the woods of WI.
And one Drafter learned the perils of biking and bonking. Even a tip over can be dastardly on a scaphoid. Pipes has had a rough inaugural season with the Drafters. Making friends with Bambi on Turkey Rd, forgetting her front wheel, advancing from the bronze to silver flat tire club, and now pulling up short on the opportunity for gold status with a purple cast.
Pipes picks purple
With the cool September weather also comes limited light. We will amend the Black Widow route to be a little shorter, the Black Widowette, if you will. Both Garmin links are posted, but I strongly suggest the shorter in case of a mechanical (or a bonk and tip over). The Garmin links are from Middleton Hills, clocked at 27miles and 31miles, respectively. Add 3~ miles from Free House.
CAUTION: there is gravel at the bottom of Black Hill, as you turn LEFT onto V. Stay on V as it merges with P (left) and 113 (right) into Dane. Hwy 113 isn’t ideal, but there is a wide shoulder and hopefully not much traffic.
DIRTY DRAFT: our first ride is Sept 18, at Cam Rock at 5:30. Start at the EAST END. Skipper will be your fearless leader. Newbies (like myself) are welcome. So far we have 9 enlisted. Please consider joining Capital Off Road Pathfinders. Link: CORP membership
A trail pass is required ($5 or $16 annual) for CamRock. Link to directions and park map: CamRock
If you want to to join CORP for movie night at Cap Brewery on Sept 11, I will see you there. Purchase tickets here: Movie Night Cap Brew tickets
SEASON WRAP UP: the tentative plan is to ride the remaining 4 Mondays in Sept- Black Widowette, Tom Collins Cocktail Ride, Wauna Ride Easy St and finishing with Riley Tavern. We will enjoy libations at Longtable for the remaining rides as Amy has been moved to working days at Free House and I doubt any other waiter or waitress would want to tackle the Draft. The end of season PARTY will likely be held at Longtable after the last ride on Sept 30. Stay tuned for updates. You must be present to win.
The forecast does not look conducive to riding the Black Widow route. I am rarely quick to pull the cancellation trigger, but I am making an exception on this rainy day. Mother Nature has rain in store for the entire day and I fear this would be the scenario:
Incy Wincy Drafter went up the Black Hill route
Down came the rain and washed the Drafter out
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
So, Incy Wincy Drafter went out Black Hill again
I take comfort knowing that many Drafter younglings were out this weekend.
Dr. Wampus demonstrates Drafting and encourages education before fashion. Note anatomically correct jersey and Drafter shorts. Offspring had to name all the bones before riding.If the shoe fits…. Dan-yelly has taught her offspring well about proper shoe attire. Right and left need a bit of work.Bomber makes sure his boy looks sharp during the Colorado Classic (an all pro-women’s race).
A few important announcements:
The RIDE is coming up on Sept 22. Sign up if you are interested. Link
Capital Off Road Pathfinders (CORP) is hosting movie night at Capital Brewery on Wednesday Sept 11 from 6-9PM. If you ride trails in southwest WI, please come join me to support this group. Link COPR Movie night
And if you like riding trails, please join us for the inaugural DIRTY DRAFT at Cam Rock park on Wednesday Sept 18, hosted by your Skipper. Details to follow, but dirty drafting will include beer afterwards. All you need is a mountain bike and a sense of adventure. No skill required (I will lead by example on that front).
Drafters get dirty at Cam Rock with Skipper
Getting dirty not your thing? Namaste. Yoga Master Pipes is leading an 8 week yoga session on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 starting Sept 11 at Quarry Arts on Hill St. Cost is $10 per class. Benefits are priceless. See Pipes for details. She is easy to find- big muscles, friends with Bambi, rides a unicycle.
There will be NO Labor Day Draft. As we start to lose daylight, our Monday night rides will become progressively shorter. The following week (Sept 9) we will re-visit the Black Widow but I will likely shorten the route. Historically, we have Drafted through the end of September. The annual post-season party date is TBD. There is still time to send in your Drafter photos for the competition. In-door season to start late Oct or early Nov. Joy.
The Beasts: Sandlot, Duchess, Billy Boy, Loose Screw, Vintage, Z Rex, Thing 1, Skipper, Footer, Pipes, Booker J, Cannibal, C-Monster, Tick Tock, PDQ. Bond is on the run.
17 Drafters dared to face the Beast of Barlow, including one Newbie. PDQ was drafted over a year ago. His idea of taking immediate action isn’t exactly Pretty Damn Quick. Neither was the pace set by the 4 post-RAW finishers (Bond, Booker J, Z Rex and BrickO) who faced the Beast with a few less ATPs in their pedal stroke. The Beast had more climb in 33.6 miles than RAW did in 225!
Bond sightings were reported by many Drafters for the first time this season. The stealth rider was overhead saying, “I think I will find a new group (read: not lead with Tick Tock, Vintage, Cannibal and Thing 1) to hang with today.” Despite fatigue from claiming the Titletown road sign at mile 220 on Saturday, Bond did not relinquish the yellow jersey. He made a signature pit stop at the bottom of Barlow, as if to taunt the Beast.
Cannibal’s strategy for taking on the Beast was to look less like one. Legs were meticulously shaven for maximal aerodynamic capacity. His plans were foiled, however, when he joined the Equipment Failure Club (otherwise known as the failure to bring equipment club). C-Monster offered up her no-show dress socks, but after calling his fashion consultant, Cannibal decided upon knee-high cashmere socks compliments of Billy Boy. Lawyers apparently spare no expense on footwear.
Cannibal’s plans to challenge the Beast with smooth legs were foiled when equipment failure required cashmere knee-high socks.
Sandlot joined the antithesis of the Equipment Failure Club. She humbly packed her cleat covers in preparation for Barlow “de-feet”, but victory was hers. Barlow and Duchess were merely specks in her rearview mirror.
Sandlot has beaten the Beast… and Duchess
It came out during post-Barlow banter at Longtable that several Drafters were Barlow Virgins. Sandlot, Vintage and Thing 1 have been fully deflowered by the Beast. I lost something arguably more valuable on Barlow… my damn chain. There is nothing flowery about starting on a 19% grade at 0mph.
Beast of BarlowSkipper looks back on the Beast, Bond, Booker J, BrickO and PDQMineral Point isn’t tame either
Thanks to Longtable for hosting our post-ride libations. We said goodbye to Bond as he heads to France to face another Beast, the Alpe d’Huez. Please note: winners of the yellow and other jerseys must be present at the Drafter banquet to claim their award. This late in the season, I doubt anyone can make enough pit stops to steal the yellow jersey away from Bond.
Cannibal and Bond share a beastly hug while the rest of the Drafters share stories of beating the Beast.
Our last route to close out August will be the Black Widow. Why not? We survived the Beast. This is a 34 mile ride and despite the name, is nothing compared to the Beast. If daylight is an issue, please consider the short cut on V, immediately after Black Hill.
The day looks favorable to negotiate with the Beast of Barlow. I did do recon last Monday and have a few updates on the route:
Left turn from Garfoot onto Observatory: note the Loose Gravel sign. There is some.
Barlow is a beast. The dirt previously reported has been swept, but there is a 3 foot wide swatch of gravel. This poses no big danger as you will be climbing a 19% grade.
Descent on Garfoot is TECHNICAL. Control your speed early and often.
HARD LEFT TURN FROM DESCENT ON GARFOOT ONTO BRAUN IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AT SPEED AND THERE IS GRAVEL. I REPEAT- DANGEROUS HARD LEFT TURN OFF THE DESCENT WITH GRAVEL AT THE INTERSECTION AT BRAUN.
Previously reported sections of gravel on Garfoot off of Mineral Point and on Union Valley have been paved. Nice.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE TOBACCO CITY BOY! He ages up tomorrow, so if he rides tonight, beer is on the house (the Brick House).
C-Monster and Footer made their debut in the Birch Scroll, representing winter Draft activities. Sweet green Drafter beanies are thanks to our friends at SweatVac.
Congratulations to the 5 Drafters who participated in the Ride Across Wisconsin (RAW). Bond finished a wee bit earlier than the rest of us, and was gracious not to drink all the “good” beer at the post-ride party.
The choice is yours
Bond may not have been the first rider across the line, but he did sprint to claim the Titletown sign! I think Paul McCartney was spot on with these lyrics, which I have taken the liberty of modifying slightly to honor Bond’s accomplishment.
Stuck inside Wisconsin Ride across forever Two hundred twenty-five miles Crazy again like you
Drafter you, Drafter you
If I ever finish this ride
Thought of giving it all away To a registered charity All I need is a pint a day
If I ever get outta here If we ever get outta of here
Well, the ride exploded with a mighty crash As we rode into the sun And the first one said to the second one there I hope you’re having fun
Bond on the RAW, Bond on the RAW And Booker J, Slinger and Drafter Z Were searching every one For the Bond on the RAW Bond on the RAW Bond on the RAW Bond on the RAW
I signed up for RAW but ended up completing a new ride I like to call RAAW… Ride Almost Across Wisconsin. Nothing like a broken spoke to put a wobble in the day. Thanks to Cronometro on call, the fine mechanic from Wheel and Sprocket, and my wing man Z who didn’t leave me behind. The breakage was limited to the spoke and not my spirit. Thanks for the help, guys.
We earned our beer in RAAW.
I’d like to put in a plug for every Drafter (and cyclist) to join Bike Fed. They are advocates for us on the road. I can’t require membership, but I strongly encourage all of you to join. Link to Bike Fed:https://wisconsinbikefed.org/join/individual-members/
And if you want to bike in green to support the Draft, reorders for Hincapie Drafter gear are available now.
Call 888-826-7870
Cycling is good on so many levels: fitness, green transportation, camaraderie, post-ride beer. Here’s one that Duchess discovered that was news to me that might pique your interest: https://apple.news/AcCMvzGp-R3CEV4tjLpV5HQ
Draft responsibly, and remember the two danger intersections in bullet points 1 and 4 above.
I sent Duchess and Sandlot to negotiate with Mother Nature. They put up a great fight (with M.N., not each other) but ultimately lost the argument for a dry Draft.
Duchess and Sandlot put on their best pouty faces, but you can’t argue with Mother Nature.
I really don’t want to cancel given that the current precipitation is nothing more than an irritating drizzle, but given the treacherous descent on Garfoot and looming cells on the radar that could potentially become more threatening, I think it would be unwise to ride. That was a really long sentence, so I ended it before finishing my thought: I also am sad not to say goodbye to KickA$$K (and enjoy watching her beat the beast of Barlow).
I found some solace in these lyrics by the Rolling Stones.
I want to ride the beast of Barlow
My back is broad my butt will be hurting
All I want is for you to climb that hill with me
I want to ride the beast of Barlow
I’ve ridden for miles my feet are hurting
All I want is for you to climb that hill with me
Ain’t I fast enough
Ain’t I strong enough
Ain’t I smart enough
I’m not too blind to see…. It’s frickin’ raining
I want to ride the beast of Barlow
But let’s stay home and draw the curtains
Put some music on the radio
Come on Drafters, climb Barlow next week with me
For those of you riding across Wisconsin on Sat (and Sun), have a blast. If RAW isn’t challenging enough, consider Penny Farthing racing:
Mother Nature made good on her promise to hold off on the thunder, lightening and downpour until all 19 Drafters were safely back. Thank you, M N.
C Monster, Vintage, Thing 1, Duchess, Booker J, Sandlot, Loose Screw, Z Rex, Pipes, Hit the Wall, Pres, Billy Bob, T Wall, Footer and Arms. Bond is in stealth mode.
Pipes upgraded her Flat Tire club membership from Bronze to Silver (sort of like her Olympic medals). There’s no better place to flat than the parking lot, where Drafters have no choice but to comply with the code and lend a helping hand.
Pumping 100 psi is no problem with Pipes like these. I have triceps envy.
The only thing requiring more air than Pipes’ flat tire was blowing out the candles on Billy Bob and Loose Screw’s birthday cakes. That’s a big number.
The Lodi Canning Co. route was epic, without any closed roads or pea gravel to interfere with our adventure. Duchess took a long strong 2 mile pull out of town. Technically, riders must be Drafting to qualify as a pull. I’m not sure if the slip stream extends back 1/4 mile. When he isn’t bonking, Duchess has the juice! We caught up with Drone Master just south of Dane. This week our Domestique was equipped with video equipment and conducted live interviews on the road. Rumor has it that Bob Roll and Phil Liggett are interviewing him for Steve Porino’s job at the Tour de France in 2020. Outside of Dane, despite my clear directions to take a right on Johnson (to be clear on the clarity, it took 3 renditions of the map, but I got there eventually), birthday Billy Boy decided to take his Johnson left.
Birthday Billy Boy turns left on Johnson in the hills of Wisconsin.
The darkening sky and threat of rain had the lead group discussing the practicality of taking the bike path home. Tick Tock is always an advocate for the bike path, and in his absence, we were inclined to shave off a few miles and feet of elevation to honor his spirit, which is vacationing in Glacier. Willing to lead but not take charge of the decision to take the short cut made for a ridiculous sight as Bond and Vintage were held motionless in track stands at the top of Lodi-Springfield and Woodland. BrickO was riding in circles around Thing 1 as a track stand was not a viable option. This maneuver was attempted days earlier, only to have left foot come in contact with front tire, which ended badly. Z Rex saw her distress and came to the rescue, following the Drafter code by always choosing the longer and uphill route. And so we rode up Woodland, waving goodbye to the bike path and quicker route to beer.
The looming storm was not the only dark excitement. Booker J came within inches of becoming Body Bag J. As we rode past Kromrey Middle School towards the Middleton Police Station, 3 oncoming vehicles approached, traveling the appropriate speed limit. The middle vehicle decided that 25mph and double yellow lines were a mere suggestion, and darted out into our lane to pass the vehicle ahead. Booker J’s cat like reflexes saved him. This is a reminder to all who take to the road on two wheels to stay alert at all times. We do an excellent job of being visible with lights and green Drafter gear, calling out “car back” and “car up”, pointing out pot holes and riding with respect for the rules of the road. Not everything is in our control, but be sure to control what you can to Draft responsibly and minimize risk of injury .
Next week we will grant KickA$$K her wish for hills by introducing a new route, Beast of Barlow. This is a 32 mile killer route, with a short cut home on Garfoot that will not allow you to escape the beast.
A few other cautionary notes: 1) Barlow has some dirt that has been swept, but it is easy to lose traction when standing (which you will most likely need to do when the grade hits close to 20%); 2) there is GRAVEL on a section of Garfoot headed home due to road work as well as on 3) Union Valley. As always, ride in control.
Last note of warning: while congregated to help Pipes change her flat tire in the parking lot, we were reprimanded by an employee leaving the BMO building for impeding her departure. She was exceedingly grumpy, but we were guilty as charged. Let’s be mindful of not parking in the reserved spots, even though it is after 5PM (I had to throw in a little snark), and giving drivers a wide berth to get out of the parking lot.
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