… It’s just another Drafter Monday (Woah, woah)
I’m glad it’s not Sunday (Woah, woah)
‘Cause this is my fun day (Woah, woah, woah, woah)
My I don’t have to run day (Woah, woah)
It’s just another Drafter Monday

29 Drafters were present for the inaugural Crossroads Coffeehouse ride. Shout out to Katy and her fabulous staff for hosting the Draft. Pizza, beer and ice cream- the perfect post-draft trifecta for recovery.

There was a fairly even distribution of Drafters amongst the A, B for Bad Ass and D for Determined divisions. The D team had a dirty dozen until Duracell was drafted by the B team. It was great to see Cookie Monster back on the bike after completing her PhD marathon. Wampus quietly made her 2023 Drafter debut. She may have lost her voice, but her quads were not to be silenced. The Drafters welcomed a Newbie, Presley. Check out those blue suede shoes! It was only after the ceremonial Drafter handle dedication that Presley revealed her birth name, Lisa Marie. True dat’.

Inspired by seeing Elvis back in the building, Duracell danced his way into the B group to strike a pose. Good to have Captain Joe back from his 3 week junket in Alaska. Another 2023 Drafter debut was made by Mario. Congrats to Mario on admission to medical school at UW!

Octane and Queenie celebrated NEW BIKE DAY! Word on the B Street is that “YEE HAWs” reverberated off the climbs as Octane and Queenie left a trial of dust up each climb, taking command of their shiny new steeds. These bikes belonged to a good friend and wonderful man who left the planet too early. We will draft responsibly in his honor, savoring each pedal stroke. A new Cervelo for Queenie meant a new Trek for his son, Mario. Bikes are the gift that keeps giving.

11 members of the A Team gathered to discuss pre-draft strategy. Granny offered a preemptive mea culpa for not taking a turn at the front on the line. Coach Midas gave her sound advice to draft responsibly as she tapers for her upcoming 70.3. Keez extends a comforting hug as she calculates how many uncontested QOMs await.

The night and the route couldn’t have been more gorgeous. D4 was a good move for Footer, Pipes, Cookie Monster and Daisy as they advanced across the board.

Strava doesn’t tell the whole story, but it tells A story. This story is one filled with Drafter (and Momma) pride. 5 of the 7 women on the leaderboard are Drafters (Karen P and Brenna G are welcome to enlist). Draft responsibly. Kudos to Coach Midas for having Granny share top billing on her taper….. Nothing like a little competitive spirit to forget what the teacher said. BrickO’s response to being bumped, “I just want you to know that even though you tried to terminate me, revenge is not an idea we promote on my planet.”

The A team huddled around Squirrel as he suffered an identity crisis as he disobeyed the sign. Never leaving his wing man or crossing the center line, Squirrel empathized with the agile tree-dwelling bushy tail rodents but held fast to drafting responsibly.

LuLu and Vintage went nuts over Squirrel’s evolution. After climbing the freshly pea-graveled Moyer Rd, they decided to see what they had under the hood. Buzz Lightyear was on sight. Nothing like adding a short 25%ish grade challenge to the existing 2293 feet of climb.

In a hypoxic state, LuLu asked “WTF were we thinking? It was fun though.” The medical physicist deferred to his colleague, Vintage, to explain the theory.

Granny may need some tutoring from the Drafter scientific cohort. It appears her snot rocket velocity calculation is a bit off. Medical school as it applies to this crucial equation: “Years of Academy training wasted.”

Climbing to infinity and beyond works up an appetite. Crossroads Coffeehouse didn’t disappoint with pizza, beer and ice cream (not always in that order).

RACE REVIEW: Vintage competed in the WORS Battle of Camrock, placing top 10 (5th to be specific). In a post-race interview conducted by Skipper, Vintage gasped, “My eyeballs could have been sucked from their sockets!” But they weren’t.

To those souls who endured the mud bath affectionally knows as Unbound, may the force be with you. “My bike has crash landed here by mistake.”

The buzz for next week is this: back to Middleton Hills for 5, 5:15 and 5:30PM departures times, to infinity and Lodi.

RidewithGPS link Drafters | Rock of Ages Plus Lodi

There is a short pour option of 31 miles, riding just shy of Lodi and avoiding the hilly rock of ages section.

RidewithGPS link Drafters | Shy of Lodi Short Pour

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

The weather could not have been more favorable over the Memorial Day weekend for pedaling. Wonderful to see so many miles covered on road, gravel and dirt. 11 Drafters convened Monday for an A-Mazo ride.

Sarge led the charge. Apparently, kale and deadlifts are the key to successful climbing. Tick Tock was the only Drafter not to eat her dust as she powered up Enchanted Valley. At the short pour turn off off on Spring Valley and F, the couple announced their change in route in lieu of a last minute family cookout. BrickO, Z Wrecks and Knievel breathed a sigh of relieve (or maybe it was just a continuation of gasping for air). Squeak decided the 55 mile route would be easier than riding the short pour with Sarge in charge. Speedy and Duracell fell into line and were home before their babysitter knew they were gone.

Hit-the-Wall, a true rule follower, followed the rules of the road.

While Hit-the-Wall was dutifully minding the speed limit, Keez was breaking it in the Quad Cities. After a mere 3 criterium races, she advanced to Cat 3 status. Meow.

The Drafters are moving base camp next Monday, June 5 to the Crossroads Coffeehouse on 2020 Main St, Cross Plains. Start times are 5:00, 5:15 and 5:30PM. The full strength draft will consist of a 34 mile route, with a short pour option of 24 miles. Please park at The Creekside Scoop (same address- but different parking lot) or on Bourbon St. Following the draft, pizzas, beer and ice cream can be enjoyed. PLEASE TEXT ME IF YOU PLAN TO ORDER PIZZA so that the owners can be prepared.

RidewithGPS link Drafters: Crossroads Coffeehouse

Looking for a shorter pour? Try this 24 mile frothy mug.

RidewithGPS link Drafters | Crossroads Coffeehouse Short Pour

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Formidable Festge met it’s match with 20 Drafters who staked their claim at the summit. The D Team (D for Determined, skipping C as it’s so average) was born out of necessity (advancing age, young kids, lack of training- need D’ list to continue?) and established a start time of 5PM. Feel free to join if you are in D’ same boat.

The D Team started out as a pentagon but grew to a heptagon when they picked up Nemo and Thing 1 along the route.

D for determined, but apparently also stands for Dropped. Dan-yelly dropped a light at the beginning of the Draft, and dropped her ear buds at the post-Draft festivities. She keeps track of 3 kids and 2 dogs. Everything else is subject to being dropped. The D Team ended up hexed (6 pack) when Nemo was vexed with a cramp and dropped out. Coach Arms offered up Nuun, but no amount of electrolytes could keep Nemo spinning.

The Drafters enlisted another Newbie! Admittedly new to cycling, her greatest challenge proved to be the technological challenges of downloading a GPS file. “I knew I had to be a big person and figure out how to get the route on my phone.” Welcome to the Draft, Shaq.

The B Team hit the road at 5:15. Cujo was rejected from the D Team, despite feigned fatigue from the Heywood gravel race, and a legit knee effusion. It was the right call. Cujo broke away to catch the D Team on the final stretch down Schneider Rd.

The A Team wasn’t captured on camera, but reports have it that Blurple, Booker J, Busch Latte and Granny led the charge. Apparently the shutter speed wasn’t adequate for their lightening speed. Granny beamed herself into the backyard seconds after the D Team arrived.

Billy Boy also beamed himself up from Sanibel to escape the madness of battling with insurance companies in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Too bad he doesn’t know any good attorneys… Good to have you home, Billy Boy.

Drafter of the Week (yes, this is a thing) goes to Queenie. Recognizing a Newbie in the ranks, Queenie dutifully followed the Drafter Code of Conduct and assigned himself as Shaq’s wingman. While is is being honored for his actions on Monday, it would be remiss not to mention SuperTuesday. You can pay homage and catch his beat this Sunday at Brat Fest (showtime 11:50AM) and Friday night, June 2 at Capital Brewery.

An honorable mention goes out to Pepe. Not only did he sacrifice fortune and fame by selflessly volunteering to take the photo of the illustrious B Team, but he returned the gift of beer 4 fold to BrickO. Not a bad investment.

This week’s spotlight shines brightly on several Drafters (technically it shines brightly on all Drafters, but there is a word limit to the blog). CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Cookie Monster, PhD, who defended her dissertation last Thursday, giving a shout out to her Drafter family.

She is making up for lost time on the bike with E$, Minnow Monster and Mellow Monster.

CONGRATULATIONS to Squeak who crushed the Chatty 70.3!

In dirtier news, CONGRATULATIONS to Vintage at WORS Englewood Open, shredding his time from last year. And for giving Thing 1 no reason to practice her new surgical skills.

BIG shout out to the 10 Drafters (Cannibal, Gopher, LuLu, Thing 1, Z Wrecks, Daisy, Columbus, Speedy, Sandlot & BricKO) who donated a chunk of their time and quads on Saturday to help out with Horribly Hilly Hundreds pre-ride clinic. Supported by Wheel & Sprocket and the Friends of Blue Mound State Park, the Drafters wrangled nearly 40 HHH riders through some of the more horrible hills in Iowa County.

The highlight of the HHH clinic was the transformation of Gopher. No longer seeking to burrow, Gopher seeks the higher road.

If Saturday wasn’t enough, the Draft was tapped again on Sunday. Thanks to Slim of Ascend Performance for all his hard work to teach us how to Draft responsibly.

Cue in Billy Preston’s “Will It Go Round in Circles”. Keez, Z Wrecks, Granny, Squirrel, Knievel, Velo, Octane, Duracell and 2 Newbies (Drafter handles TBD) did just that for 30 miles. Velo literally burned the rubber off of his rear tire. Welcome to the Flat Tire Club.

Crossroads Coffehouse provided a fabulous lunch for the ravenous Drafters before they headed back out for a 30 mile ride to cement their skills. Octane added his high fuel brownies for a super charge.

The participants eyes were not bigger than their stomachs. Their legs, however, didn’t have a big appetite for hills. The route was adjusted from 50 miles to 40. To 30. Draft responsibly.

Since Monday is Memorial Day, normal programing will be ignored. The Draft will be moved to 10AM to allow for a slightly longer (55 mile) adventure to Mazomanie. For those who rode the final draft last October, the route will look familiar (hence the name A-Mazo Finale Rocks).

RidewithGPS link to Drafters: A-Mazo Finale Rocks

Looking for a short pour for Memorial Day? Consider the Spring Valley route, which will take Drafters out the same roads for the first 18 miles.

RidewithGPS link short pour Drafters | Spring Valley

A reminder that the Draft on Monday June 5 will commence at 5, 5:15 and 5:30PM from Crossroads Coffeehouse located at 2020 Main St. in Cross Plains. Details to follow.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

23 Drafters celebrated a gorgeous evening to cruise through the historic Viaduct. With two consecutive rainouts, the Drafters appeared to have fresh legs. More than fresh, a few Drafters were suspected of having plugged their quads into a 220 outlet, as they were pumping wattage out of their quadage at alarming rates. LuLu, Granny, Keez and Slim must submit to electrical testing next week to verify quadriceps battery implants. It’s a thing.

LuLu took a preliminary Viaduct lap with Gopher as a litmus test for his quadage wattage. All lights were green in their retro red and blue Drafter kits. The boys rolled back in just in time to greet our first Newbie of 2023, Velo. First impressions can say a lot. They can also be misleading. But I think Velo’s character was transparent when he asked, “How does this work? I brought a bike.” That’s all you need, Velo! Draft responsibly.

Both teams picked up strays along the way. The B team started with 7, quickly joined by Duracell who opted out of the group start. “I’m just not photogenic”. There are photos to suggest otherwise. Coach Arms, in her first Drafter appearance since helping her Badger Women’s Hockey team claim their 7th National NCAA title when they upset the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the NCAA National Championship, was a bit late to this game. Once out of the penalty box, she pedaled furiously on her Short Pour route to join her teammates. Missing the cut off, Coach Arms ultimately went the full distance. It’s a great day for Drafting.

The A Team also started with a smaller nucleus of 9 and grew to 13. Cannibal sprung a leak on his commute from the one and only Waunakee, requiring a bike swap. The team car was nowhere to be found on Monday, so Cannibal had to bike back to Waunakee to fetch his N+1, and caught up with the Draft as they headed out Pheasant Branch. It is unclear if this qualifies him for the Flat Tire Club, since technically the flat occurred before the Draft.

Vintage did a rather lengthy “warm up” before joining the Draft. Powering by us the opposite direction, a shout rang out, “HAS ANYONE SEEN MY WIFE?”. An odd inquiry for a Draft.

Slim and Keez were held up with construction on University Ave, coming in hot a few minutes after wheels up. The rabbits saw carrots ahead.

There was a short delay in the A Team departure as the official rule book of cycling etiquette was consulted. Zephyr arrived with legs unshaved AND his front tire tread facing the wrong direction. The right to bear hairy legs was unanimously voted as a Drafter constitutional freedom. However, rubbers on backwards earned a red flag.

Viaduct wasn’t the only thing historic about this Draft. While chasing carrots, Keez and Slim narrowly escaped the wrath of an ankle biter on Viaduct. Only one brand new CamelBak water bottle was lost in the battle. Catching the core of the A Team shortly after Viaduct, Keez was inspired to learn Granny and LuLu were in a breakaway. Wattage pounded from her quadage as she closed the gap.

Another gap was created when Rimshot tangled with some gravel, this one in the right rear compartment of his Drafter kit. If you don’t like the green shorts, just say so! No need shredding a perfectly good kit. As if things couldn’t get worse for Rimshot, Granny, the Drafter Dermatologist on retainer wasn’t sagging back to do wound debridement. Fortunately (?), Z Wrecks stepped up to take down the rubble left “behind”.

The most historic moments of the evening came when the A and B Teams merged. There is no greater feeling than having a unified front.

Viaduct proved to be a historic opening night for bugs. The Drafters got a mouthful of No-see-ums coming home on Pheasant Branch. Um…we see you. And taste you. Despite the additional protein and consumption of carrots, Slim and Keez drafted directly to Lupes, where burritos are king. Consuming burritos amidst hungry Drafters is a powerful marketing strategy. Granny bolted for Lupes 10 minutes before they closed. Several others are scheming to make Lupes a Monday night staple.

Vintage was reunited with Thing 1, and bequeathed her warmth of the Solo Stove. Much discussion was generated on the topic on bequeathing.

A far less academic discussion between medical physicist and engineer took place at a nearby location.

A shout out to many Drafters who competed last weekend in various events. Columbus finished at 50k at the oldest trail race in the world, or at least in North America, Ice Age Trail 50.

To the north, several Drafters narrowly escaped the Hungry Bear in a gravel adventure. Congrats to GFK, Ninja, Belle and Bomber.

Formidable Festge awaits us on Monday May 22. Departures from Middleton Hills will be at 5:15PM and 5:30PM.

RidewithGPS link Drafters | Formidable Festge

LOOKING AHEAD: There will be NO DRAFT on Memorial Day. Take advantage of the day off to go long. The Drafters will change it up a bit when we reunite on Monday June 5, starting and finishing at Crossroads Coffeehouse at 2020 Main St, Cross Plains. A shout out to Speedy’s friend, Kate, who is excited to host us at her recently remodeled establishment, which includes pizza ovens, outdoor seating around fire pits and ICE CREAM at Creekside Scoop. Please don’t BYO but please do bring an appetite and thirst!

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

The Drafters succumbed to two weeks of rainy Mondays. The first was valid. In the prophetic words of the late and great Gordon Lightfoot, “Rainy day people always seem to know when it’s time to call”. 40 degree temperatures made the rainy day call an easy one for Speedy and Duracell. They are in the running with Captain and Tennille for best rain out hosts! Last week was more of a light mist, but “Rainy day people all know how it hangs on a piece of mind” and BrickO’s mind was not in a frame to pedal in the drizzle. Apologies for those who rose above the mist and drafted responsibly.

And a shout out to those with tired legs from extraordinary feats over the past few weeks.

The gravel season is well underway for Belle as she tackled the Driftless 100.

Keez continues to supplement her graduate student income (zero) by sweeping the premier Midwest cycling classic, the LaCrosse Omnium with a second place podium.

Z Wrecks had the best century of his life while racing in Mallorca, disproving the physiological principle that nothing gets better with age.

And climbing her way back from the injured reserve list, kudos to Sandlot for her strength, perseverance and eternal positive attitude.

And with those bursts of inspiration, let’s ride!

There are been two iterations of the Viaduct Route. In order to create more chaos and uncertainly, here is the third and final route, leaving from Middleton Hills and exploring a historic Viaduct and 100 Mile Grove Road.

RidewithGPS link Drafters | Viaduct to 100 Mile Grove

Looking for some more adventures with the Drafters? Consider joining us for the TREK 100 on June 10 and the HORRIBLY HILLY HUNDREDS on June 17. Thanks to the 8 Drafters who courageously volunteered to help with the HHH pre-ride event on May 20th. See you at Blue Mound State Park shelter at 11AM. If you have not enlisted but would like to join the troops, shoot BrickO an email or text. The Skills and Thrills Clinic with Coach Slim of Ascend Performance on May 21st is FULL!! Looking forward to a morning of skills, lunch at Crossroads CoffeeHouse (included), an afternoon ride, followed by pizza at BrickO and Zs.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Too many good things came from the Draft last night not to be illuminated in a separate blog, despite the two-fer post last week (and the author found a few extra minutes that she didn’t think would be available to write them down for posterity).

LuLu has been industriously forming an Austrian Drafter Contingent. We are well represented in Northern Wisconsin, but clearly our wings are spreading to the far reaches of the planet.

Keez remained on home soil, earning her crown at the Battle on the Border. In her first criterium, Keez took first place in the Cat 3-4 division (check out the Drafter green mini Snap On tool box) and 6th in the Cat 1-4. She took home $25 in prize money, bumping her up a tax bracket. Her annual earnings are now $25. Minus the $20 race entry fee. Congrats to Keez and Coach Slim!

Blurple and Rimshot fought another battle against snow and sleet during their first gravel race, the Dairy Roubaix. Congrats on showing (and eating) true grit.

17 Drafters braved the shifting winds on Brains and Brawn. The B Team was small but mighty. Nemo joined the squad later on and did her bit with the other sexagenarians (curious term, no?) to battle the westerly wind on the way out to Cross Plains.

Keez and Slim came in hot (a bit late), but quickly made up for lost time by pulling the crew out Airport Rd. The weather was fickle, with temperatures dropping precipitously and the wind changing direction such that it was always working against the Draft (for real). The weather icons showed 70% chance of rain at 5PM, but Mother Nature graciously delayed that until the Drafters were warm and dry (or at least dry- some resorted to the sauna and sipping hot water to reach homeostasis). Cannibal questioned why our group doesn’t include more Mennonites (men in tights). The Drafters are working hard to increase diversity and inclusivity. Cannibal is a sensitive soul. He took it upon himself to clear Granny’s glasses of obscuring mascara, mistaking it for chain grease. Somehow Cannibal ended up with her wallet and keys during the chivalrous act. Draft responsibly.

The RAW team was back together. Back being the operative word. Skipper claimed to have dropped the boat anchor on the climb up Union Valley Road. But by the home stretch on Schneider Rd, he had traded an anchor for a sail and pulled us to shore. The promise of Midas Touch Butterscotch/ Chocolate/ Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats (GF) may have been the bait.

This is a very cultured group of cyclists. Speedy and Squirrel spent the evening conversing in the foreign tongues of Canadian and Minnesotan, with a hint of Norwegian and UPer thrown in for diversity. Granny contributed with her Iowegian lingo. All seemed to speak the common language of Rice Crispy Treats.

May Day ride will be through the historic Viaduct. Speedy and Duracell will be graciously hosting this epic ride. Departures from North Lake (see GroupMe for the address) will be at 5PM and 5:30PM sharp.

Ridewith GPS Link Drafters| Speedy and Duracell’s Viaduct Adventure

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Mother Nature was very thoughtful last Monday, swinging 50 degrees from the weekend high of 80, so that Speedy could get in one snowy ride on her new Trek Farly Fat Bike. And now we can be done with snow.

The snowed out Brains and Brawn ride will be recycled for Monday April 24th. The B for BadAss Team will head out at 5:00PM, with the A Team departing at 5:30PM from Middleton Hills.

RidewithGPS Drafters | Brains and Brawn link

PLEASE NOTE THIS BLOG IS A TWOFER with respect to routes. There will not be a blog next week (insert disappointing sigh). The following Draft on Monday, May 1 will depart from Speedy and Duracell’s abode in the North Lake neighborhood and head to the historic Viaduct. Please see GroupMe for the address. As per the new usual, departure times will be 5PM and 5:30PM. Please bring lawn chairs and beverages for post-draft festivities.

RidewithGPS Drafters| Speedy and Duracell’s Viaduct Adventure link

HHH Recon Ride with Sag Support May 20: thanks to all who have volunteered! If you are interested, there is room for everyone. Start at Blue Mounds shelter at 11AM, riding a 30 mile loop of the HHH course once or twice, your preference. Full sag support provided by W&S, who invited you to their GRAND REOPENING on May 5. You do not need to be signed up for the HHH to enjoy the hills out west.

SKILLS AND THRILLS CLINIC MAY 21: we have 5 spots left! This is a clinic that will benefit all cyclists below Cat 1 and Pro level. If you are anything but 100% confident on cornering, descending, and group ride tactics, this is for you. Not game to spend a whole day with Slim? No worries. Feel free to attend the clinic from 9-12 and bug out on the group ride. Email BrickO if interested.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

It is amazing what 30 degrees can do to turn things green. Last Monday, rain and 40 degrees spouted 5 Drafters. This week, sunny and 70 degrees multiplied that x 6= 30 (if you count LuLu and Gopher who rode before the dinner bell and Surly who rode before breakfast). The executive committee voted unanimously to allow those rides count in the official tally. Gopher’s babysitter had a hard 5PM deadline, and LuLu honored the code, “leave no Drafter behind”. LuLu and Gopher were spotted on the return route from Riley as the group left the big city, verification of their draft. Surly’s Strava post credited the Drafters for the route (although he doubled the fun… on a FAT bike).

Drafting responsibly with 27 cyclists through the streets of Middleton is not without its challenges: 1) what is the engineering principle behind leaving water and man hole covers an inch above or below instead of level the street? Perhaps an obstacle course for those looking to up their bike handling skills. Challenge accepted. 2) the stop lights sensors on Donna Drive and Parmenter are not sensitive to bikes, even 27 of them. After what seemed like an eternity of smelling butter burgers, it took incredible will power not to bag the ride and head directly to the strategically located Culver’s at that intersection. 3) while approaching said intersection red light, a silver car decided to part our green sea as Moses did the red one. Kudos to all the Drafters for accepting those challenges and conquering them with grace and respect. Thank you for drafting responsibly.

Butter burgers must have wet Cannibal’s appetite as he devoured the climb on Midtown Road. Someone in the group yelled out, “We have a gap. Let’s wait up for the rest of the pack.” Vilks, Keez, Granny and Squirrel may not have needed the breather, but BrickO had lactate escaping from her eyeballs. As every molecule of oxygen was being diverted from her brain and other body parts to fuel the legs, she heard Squirrel, fearlessly shouting and pointing out acorns, ensuring nobody cracked their nut.

Granny, also unfazed by the climb, humbly asked how to shift the front derailleur into the small chainring. Perhaps Granny was a handle too hastily given. Change is hard, but Granny takes this literally. One gear Granny.

The post-draft festivities commenced in the back yard. The world’s problems were likely solved by Z Wrecks, Skipper and Vilks around the solo stove.

Tennille may not have solved world hunger, but she brought gluten free pasta to solve our hunger. Forks out, dig in!

It was hard to miss the fashion show going on below the knees. Slim was sporting green kitty Christmas stockings, while Booker J pulled these off:

Sitting around the campfire/solo stove, Rimshot proposed photos be submitted for an official Drafter Calendar. Certainly, socks of the month will be highlighted, along with Baby Daddy centerfold. There is one submission thus far (warning: extreme cuteness and a little nudeness)

Babies are just too cute, so we can’t possibly choose (no offense, Gopher). Congrats to Han Solo on registering the newest Drafter. She’s dressed in green and ready to roll!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: the Horribly Hilly Hundreds folks have asked if the Drafters would be willing to work the packet pick up on Friday, June 16 from 3:30-6:30PM. If you are willing, please text me before Friday. You earn a guaranteed spot for 2024. THANKS! Also would really, really super really appreciate 2-3 women to ride some of the HHH course on Sat May 20th at 11AM. You do NOT need to ride fast or far- seriously. Please contact me if you would enjoy getting out to ride with some Drafters (and HHH clinic folks) that day (thanks to the guys who volunteered- much appreciated).

Looking to up your bike handling skills? Coach Slim has generously granted my request to host a clinic for up to 10 interested Drafters on Sunday May 21. Group riding/paceline tactics, cornering, descending, climbing, crash control will be practiced from 9AM-noon, followed by lunch. A no-drop group ride 1-4PM will give ample time to practice those skills, followed by pizza. All that fun for $50. Please contact BrickO to reserve your spot. You can opt for just the AM session and pizza if you prefer to skip the group ride.

Starting next week, the Draft will return to A and B team departures. The staging area will open at 4:45, with the B Team rolling out at 5PM. The A team will follow at 5:30. The route for Monday April 17 with require more “Braun” than brains. Remember to BYO lawn chair and beverages. Grass to sit on and water provided by your generous hosts.

RidewithGPS link Drafters | Brains and Brawn

Draft responsibly,
BrickO

According to weather folklore, life holds balance, so if March came in roaring like a lion, it should go out like a lamb. Bad spirits (or attitudes) are thought to affect weather adversely, so it is the charge of the Drafters to think positively about our first ride in April.

The route for Monday, April 3 will take a respectful bow to the lion and proceed past the house of spirits known as Riley Tavern. Sadly, they are closed on Monday or we could stop for a mid-route refreshment. Wheels up promptly at 5:30PM from Glacier Ridge Rd. Please feel free to arrive anytime after 5PM for primping, pumping, and pit stopping.

A friendly reminder that we will be riding no more 2 wide, and single file through town, up blind hills and on country roads with a vehicle back. Offenders risk losing their draft card. Road rage is on the rise, and bad cycling etiquette only fuels the fire.

The Riley Tavern route is a 25 mile jaunt south and west. Fingers crossed for a warm southernly breeze. In some years, we have skirted around the bend on J near Riley Tavern onto Klevenville-Riley Road to enjoy a little gem of a climb on North Station St. Given the gravel and grit on that side street, we will stick to J.

RidewithGPS link Drafters: Riley Tavern

Cancellations or last minute changes will be posted on GroupMe. Don’t want one more distraction? Roger that. Turn off Drafter GroupMe notifications and just check before the ride each Monday.

BARGAIN CORNER: Saris hardly used Hammer, seller asking $400. Contact BrickO if interested.

Draft resonsibly,

BrickO