The weather outside is frightful.  Hopefully you’ll find the blog delightful.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Climate change is requiring an attitude adjustment to stave off the threat of depression  as we delay commencement of the Draft.  I’m going to dig deep to see the sparkle in the snow.  Literally, I had to dig deep Friday when the winter storm dumped 14″ at the cabin.  Trying to get out of the driveway, I found the snow had the chassis of my Jeep elevated higher than the wheel base.  I don’t recall shoveling my way out in April, ever. We regrettably cut our cabin get away short and drove home Saturday afternoon, for fear that the eye of the storm on Sunday would leave us stranded up north, unable to meet the rigors of work on Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day.  Sipping coffee this AM, watching the snow fall, I am grateful we made the choice to drive home yesterday.  That’s sparkle number one.  Here are a few more:

Niger Seed Gone!

Slow is my speed

• After sitting in the feeder untouched for months, the birds were desperate enough to decide Niger Seed is edible.
• I was able to test my snowshoes out for the first time this spring.
• I already started base training for the Birkie 2019.
• My legs will be soooooo fresh come first Drafter ride, and I’m well tapered for the myriad of events this summer.  This is in stark contrast to Billy Boy McC, Dan-yelly and Tobacco City Boy, who will clearly be exhausted and overtrained, due to their Vitamin D seeking Sanibel junket.

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• I can put off shaving my legs for another week.  I’m not confessing how long it has been since my last shave…
• In my three rides outdoors this spring, I managed a flat tire, thanks to a tack.  I’m officially the first Drafter to join the Flat Tire club in 2018 and according to the Drafter Book of Records, hold the highest Flat:Mile ratio in the history of Drafter cycling. My flat tire changing skills are sharp and honed in.  We will no longer rely on the mechanical prowess of 5 orthopedic surgeons to do this simple procedure.
• Z’s new Colnago, “T Rex“, is white so he can ride camouflaged for another few weeks.
• My blinky lights are charged.  In fact, they’ve been on the charger in the garage so long, I think they’ve melted into the outlet.  If we have to move the Draft onto trainers in my garage, they will serve as mini disco lights. Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’. And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.
• The chances of repeating the same ride twice this summer are dwindling.
• The temptation for Coach Arms to eat an entire plate of sweet potato fries at Free House, a craving that has stood the test of 2.5 trimesters, has been eliminated again this week.  Rumor has it that last Monday, after learning of the Executive Committee ruling on cancelling the Draft, she was forced to make her own.

  

• We had the snowblower tuned up in March.  This will be an excellent chance to see how it runs before next winter.
• My son is hoping for a snow day tomorrow.  Let the joy ring out.
• The 2018 Drafter Jersey design is complete and orders will open up next week!
  

  

   

On that note, we welcome you to try on the samples of Hincapie jerseys at our home MONDAY APRIL 16 from 5:30-7PM.  Feel free to stop by for a beverage even if you don’t want to place an order.  Even if you have purchased Axis (club cut) or Velocity (race cut) in the past, please note the style has changed somewhat.  I also have bibs and shorts so that you know which of the two lengths work best for you.  If you can’t make it Monday, please contact me to arrange a fitting.  I can keep the samples for one week, and then the order will go live for one more week.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

An executive committee was appointed this AM to determine the fate of this evening’s ride.   The attendees of Drafter Yoga were appointed to serve on the Ex Co.  This is a one day appointment, due to the high stress and demands of the task.   Yoga Master and Chairperson, Pipes, opened up the floor (along with our hamstrings and other various tight muscles) for discussion.  Vice-chair Sully, recently returned from her Arizona junket, was opposed to exposing her bronzed skin and sun kissed blonde hair to the harsh winter environment.  Secretary Loose Screw is looking into the next flight to Sanibel, where Billy Boy McC is currently lounging, and cast his ballet as “no ride”.  Treasurer BrickO (who in their right might would leave me in charge of anything financially related???) conceded that a ride in the snow, unless on a fat tire, would not be in the best interest of the group. Namaste inside tonight.

Until next week.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

The words sung so poetically in 1966 by the Mamas & the Papas reconfigured to announce the Monday Night Drafter Ride delay of season:

Circa the Mamas & Papas is my trusty rusty Spin bike, equipped to see me through another indoor workout while positioned perfectly to appreciate (?) the 8″ of snow that fell up north on Sat.

Budding Drafter (circa 2017) was not deterred by the set back in cycling weather.  Her first bike, gratis of Tobacco City Cousin, provides versatility for indoor and outdoor terrain with a wide rear tread that conquers carpet and concrete. Notice the Nuk to keep bugs out at high speeds, patent pending, and the extra chamois to prevent chaffing.  Obviously, a cycling prodigy.

Nuk to keep the bugs out at high speeds

Serious cycling chamois

The Hincapie design crew has come up with a helluva jersey for 2018.  Details for ordering will be forthcoming.  Let me know if you are interested, and if you want to try on a sample size so that I can get the appropriate ones to demo.

Let’s regroup (can you re-group if you haven’t grouped?) next Monday, April 9.

Draft responsibly (and with a Nuk prn),

BrickO

The Spring Equinox seems an appropriate occasion to officially welcome the start of another cycling season.  I am excited to see equal day and nox (Latin for night), knowing that the light that shines after the work day will offer opportunity to turn the cranks with the Drafters.

A quick review of the articles of organization to keep us all on the same road:

1. Be safe, follow the rules of the road. Always ride with somebody, preferably a friend who won’t make you feel bad for not keeping up.  Ride at your own risk. BrickO and the Drafters are not liable for anything that may occur on the road or at the bar.
2. Have fun.  Crabbiness and bad attitudes will be extricated by being asked to pull the group alongside B2 Bomber and Captain Joe, who will force you to smile while singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow.  This will serve to eradicate all demons, along with all other sources of energy.
3. Be prepared to change your own flat.  This means having a CO2 cartridge and trigger (yes, I mention this as some imagine the CO2 magically filling the tube without a mechanism), spare tube with appropriate stem length.  Don’t be caught with your stem too short (Bomber, I’m referring to your flat tire experience).  Fortunately, we have a full service orthopedic group who is often eager to repair the damage, but please allow 45min for this operation.
4. Be on time or be prepared to ride with Dan-yelly.  We are wheels up at 5:30PM from the BMO parking lot on Parmenter on Mondays, starting April 2, weather pending.  Rides cancelled due to rain, sleet, snow or just plain inhospitable conditions will be posted on the blog no later than 4:30PM.  Mother Nature has agreed to make her decision clear before 5:25PM, which was her modus operandi last season.
5. Know the route or have Dora the Explorer on speed dial (Hit-the-Woll has the number committed to memory). She has the map. I will post my own map and Garmin GPS coordinates on the blog.  The former has been known to lead people astray.  Billy Boy got lost all the way down in Sanibel and may never find his way home.  The Garmin coordinates are more reliable.
6. Worried about keeping up? The 5:30PM group has been known to pound it, on occasion, and there are certainly some cyclists who effortlessly (and unintentionally) keep my needle buried in the red zone.  There are an equal number of rides where the atmosphere is more casual (and I can actually breathe it in).  It just depends on the mood, and who raced hard over the weekend. The Drafters range in level of experience and fitness, but the expectation is that you can hold your own on a bike for 40 miles (with plenty o’ hills).  If you aren’t sure if you can keep up, take comfort in knowing that you don’t have to.  Ride at your own pace- just be sure to ride WITH somebody.  We have had a 6PM Short Pour group for those who want a shorter distance to cover before settling down for a Draft at the Free House, or perhaps a less vigorous pace.  This is a good place to start if you feel uncertain of which group to join.

I think that covers the basics.

We will have Hincapie 2018 Drafter jerseys/kits available soon.  The design team has been busy creating something special for this year.  I will unveil the art once it is completed and wait to see if the response is favorable- if so, taking all the credit. If not, I will throw Cookie Monster, Tobacco City Cousin, Coach Arms and Z under the bus.  Thanks in advance for your creative efforts.

Need a tune up? We all strive to be sagittally sound on the bike.  But, spending so much time in one plane can wreak havoc on your body.  Join us for  45min of Cycling Yoga with 2-time Olympian Karen Rigsby Mondays at 6AM this summer in Middleton.  Contact Karen at karenkraftrigsby@gmail.com  Karen also practices at Inner Fire, where you can take a cycling yoga workshop.

Back by popular demand, we will kick the season off by inviting everyone to join the Draft Pic competition.  Ok, actually, nobody demanded or even requested the tradition continue.  That aside, I’m excited to see where the Drafters team colors pop up on the globe and live vicariously through your travels, trials and tribulations.  Recall that last year’s Draft Pic award went to Coach Arms and Legs, who planted the Drafter flag on Kilimanjaro and solicited cooperation from an elephant while on safari to sit for a photo.  Let the games begin. Send me your photos.

I will post the route for April 2 later next week, and also give details about the 6PM Short Pour ride.  I am looking for 2 volunteers to lead those rides.  Email me if interested.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

It seems right to wrap up the Drafter season with a tribute to the late Tom Petty.

“The Drafters Last Dance”

Last dance with the Drafters, one more hill to bring the pain

I feel winter creeping’ in and I’m excited for spin again

Oh, my my, oh, hell yes

Honey put on that party jersey

Buy me a drink, sing me a song

Take me as I come ’cause I can’t stay long

A huge thanks to 36 Drafters who took time out of their routine to eat pizza and drink beer with us on.  I am notoriously inept at cooking, baking, and all other kitchen related activities involving heat (I’ve started a kitchen fire with only a toaster).  I am, however, incredibly proficient at ordering from Falbos (love speed dial) and have convinced Z that a beer cellar has more utility than a wine cellar. So, thank you for letting me show off a bit in that department.  Salads, apples with caramel dip, jams, cake, pie, Monster Cookies, beer (kudos to IronMD for finding one I hadn’t yet tried)  and 2 bottles of WHISKEY magically appeared and were much appreciated.

I had every intention of delivering a clever, polished but seemingly natural flowing  awards ceremony to express my gratitude for your contribution to our successful 2017 Drafting season. I did not foresee Z introducing me with a generous accolade, and as such, I got flustered and retreated to my comfort zone, which is deeply rooted in redneck lingo and much less articulate and reflective of my college education.  If you will allow me a mulligan, this is what I meant to say….

The 2017 season welcomed 41 Drafters, including 11 Newbies.  There aren’t too many criteria for being a Drafter- the major one requires being a genuine soul.  At the party, I not-so-eloquently described this as “not being a dink”.  I’d like to rectify that.  I’m not very political or religious, but I do believe that world peace hinges on treating those around us with respect and compassion (I am unsure if helping changing a flat tire is an act of compassion, but I think so), to be humble with your gifts and to share them generously.  This is what I mean by being a genuine soul. Given that we are all connected, if we treat those within elbow distance (to put it in draft line perspective) with respect, compassion, humbleness and generosity, and they in turn do the same,  my plan for peace should reach the furthest corners of the world, regardless of political or religious views.

41 Drafters, 41 genuine souls.  We have shared the highs of surprise 30th and 60th birthday parties, retirement, pregnancies and births (including Too Hip and Steph’s fourth child who attended the party at age 10 days with Mom and Dad), engagements, weddings, surgeries, and divorces.  Highlights and low points are certainly events that are best shared, but I would maintain that the mundane is where we really need camaraderie.  One of the things I appreciate most about the Draft is that we come as we are- no airs, no attitude, no pretense, or angling for affluence or position.  At 5:30 every Monday night, we are simply genuine souls who want to share the freedom provided by two wheels.  Some crush the Strava segments, some crush the Stout- we all get what we need from the bike and from each other, while giving what we can- which might be 3 tubes with long stems,  a spare cliff bar to ward off a bonk, or just the wrapper to fix a flat, or clover to stop a bloody nose.  The gifts aren’t always traditional, but they are always genuine.  I truly feel as though the Drafters are a gift.  I am quite sure that I gain from you more than I give (and not because what I give is maps frequently containing errors).  Thank you.  That’s really what I wanted to say Monday night.  I love being part of a group that has my back, and know that I have theirs.

There were some awards given.  Here is a quick recap:

Winner of the photo contest: ARMS.  In fairness, she submitted more photos than anyone else.  Runner up: LEGS. Technically, Arms won as she sent the photos, but I know that Legs was part of the creative mind crafting the various scenes. These were the finalists:

Footer

Mt Draftmore

K2

Start em’ early

Go big or go home

Shoeing Billy Boy

Draft-OR

The elephant in the room

Mt Kilimanjaro

FAT TIRE CLUB:  We had 246 total events (21 rides with an average of 12 Drafters per ride) and only 7 flat tires.  Inductees were rated as gold, silver or bronze member. Gold member B2 Bomber, for longest stem and deepest rim. I am not going to explain that in any further detail.  Sometimes less is more.  Silver member: Tobacco City Cousin, for being a two time offender. Bronze members: Neubie Schubie for shortest ride (she flatted at Kromery middle school and called it good), Rainbow Maker – it took him longer to change a flat than a total joint, and Arms, who flatted while sitting on her bike in the parking lot.  Pfffttt… “was that me?”  Like passing gas in church, or so I hear.  The Flat Tire Club appointed Cookie Monster Wille as their CEO, for her ingenuity in patchwork in the field.  An official Drafter Tire Repair kit was issued to the CEO, complete with super glue, Cliff Bar wrappers, bandaids, and duct tape.  Something has to stick.

Greenest Drafter: Loose Screw was sporting Drafter green during the Leadville 100, but that wasn’t the most green thing about him.  Loose Screw took home a 6 pack of high altitude sick bags.

Leader of the Pack: the Short Pour is a great opportunity for riders who need to start later, or want to ride a shorter distance.  Lady Digs was one of the fearless leaders of this group. She earned a bell for her bike with the word “Eject”, in case she ever encounters a newbie who lacks a genuine soul.  She also came away from the party with a series of beer and bicycle stickers, cuz’ all leaders need to have stickers for their lesson plans!

Safe Yoga: Krafty took on the biggest challenge the season;  hosting Drafter yoga.  Loose Screw had one tip over, and is now required to wear a helmet for all future warrior poses.  She earned a mug, which could be used for coffee before 6AM yoga, but theoretically could also be used for whiskey.

Highest attendance:  The greatest attendance on any given night was 20 Drafters, and the person with the greatest attendance was CM Wille who made 16 out of 21!  She also brought Monster Cookies on several occasions, and therefore her Drafter mug will be used for milk.

Or, possibly for a post-Boston Marathon celebration beverage as she celebrates with her Ma Wille.

Genuine Support

Boston Qualified

Although we have no more rides this season, I should let you know about this one:

Ride with Trek Travel Oct 14

I will see many of you at Spin, starting Mon Oct 30 6:30PM at Supreme and/or Tue Oct 31 10AM at CXC.  There’s been a request for costumes to be worn in celebration of Halloween.  I have no objection.  The BatWoman is me is dying to come out.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

In the words of Supertramp, “Give a Little Bit”.   And if this cause feels right,  maybe win a bike!

The Central Cross Country Ski Organization training center has expanded to include an indoor cycling training facility.  Please email me if you are interested in joining a class.  Some of Madison’s most predominant cycling coaches (Gordy Paulson, Jackie Hering, Casey Lamers) are offering classes, along with myself, one of Madison’s non-predominant coaches.  If not for donations coming from community members, the center would not exist. Most of the participants in this bike drawing event are cyclists, but very few are from the Madison cycling community.

CXC Bike Drawing Link

Speaking of cycling community support, Z and I rode the Shawano Bike the Barn Quilts last Saturday.  The event included a variety of distances; we opted for the 70mile route.  The money raised supports the trail system, for which we were happy to contribute.  I was absolutely stunned at the beauty of the route, the absence of traffic, the pristine condition of the roads (almost as though they had repaved for the event) and actually enjoyed sighting so many Barn Quilts!  I would strongly recommend this ride to anyone looking to get out of Dane for a bit.  Leave your competitive juices at home- it isn’t that kind of ride.

Rest stop

Sweet and simple

The rest stops had all the essentials: porto, cooler with bottled water, a basket of bananas and granola bars, a map for the disoriented, and a tripod of PVC tubing to hang garbage bags.  It was refreshing to participate in such a down to earth event.  Simple.

The theme for the week: give a little.  Giving back to your community doesn’t have to be in the form of financial donations, although that is certainly one way to go about it.  Give your time,  respect, energy, and positive attitude.  I often feel overwhelmed by all the bad stuff in the world right now-  hurricanes and mass shootings, and helpless to make a difference.  But, that’s crap.  If we give back on the smallest level- show kindness, compassion, be humble and generous with your heart and mind, the world will ultimately be a better place.  Cookie Monster Wille gave a bit today.  Unable to compete in the marathon she’s trained for all summer, she supported her Mom, who qualified for Boston.  That’s the Drafter spirit.  Both gave more than a little bit.  Congrats.

If you have not RSVPd for the Drafter party this coming Monday, please do so.  There will be prizes, pizza and beer.  I might even talk Z into raiding the wine cellar (only because I don’t drink the stuff and would be happy to clear out the cellar to make room for more beer as winter is coming).

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

A Musical Tribute to BrickO’s Drafters

(borrowed from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons)

Oh, what a ride
Late September back in seventeen
What a very special time for me
As I remember what a night.

Oh, what a night
You know them all by their Drafter names
But I was never gonna be the same
What a ride, what a night.

Oh I, I got a funny feelin’ when our bikes went vrooom
Yeah my, as I recall the season ended much too soon.

Oh, what a night
Hypnotizin’, mesmerizing me
Drafters were ev’rything I dreamed they’d be
Sweet surrender, what a night.

The final ride of the season was enjoyed by a dozen Drafters and one Drone Master.  Stay tuned for video footage.  Hell must have frozen over, or at least the Rock River, as Bare-footer Stokes put her feet in some bike shoes for her maiden Drafter voyage to the Riley Tavern.

We resisted the temptation to stop off at the Riley Tavern, knowing the staff at Free House had a cold one waiting for us.  Fortunately, there were no mechanicals to delay the imbibing.  Bomber came equipped with long stems for his deep rim, and did his best to blow another tire challenging Captain Joe on the Strava segments.  Boys will be boys.

The Drafter who most needed a drink was not there on Monday night.  MegaWatt completed the Vermont 50 Ultra run (that’s miles, not kilometers) on Sunday.

Family bonding took place in Northern WI as well, although in less time than 10:43.

Reminders:

1. There are still spots for Monday night Spin.  The 24 power meter Kaiser bikes are spoken for (assuming you send a check), but there are still Johnny G Spin bikes available.  8 week session, 6:30PM at Supreme Health and Fitness, starting Oct 30.  Talk to me if you want to register.
2. Indoor cycling on Saris Magnus smart trainers at CXC on Tue at 10AM starting Oct 31.  Plenty o’ spots.
3. End of the year Drafter party Monday Oct 9th 6PM.  RSVP if you haven’t already and are planning to come.  Your pizza and beer depend on it.

Announcement:

The owners of BrassV are opening a new establishment in Middleton called Longtable Beer Cafe. They are eager to have the Drafters frequent their watering hole, which will open in Oct but won’t have Monday night service until deeper into the winter. My thought is to alternate Free House and Longtable venues.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Oh my.  So, I’ve embarked on a Transcendental Meditation course in an effort to quiet my mind.  The good news is that it’s WAY quiet in there.

1. I had posted the map with a new route around construction, but gave two wrong turns (I can hear the “no shite” comment from our Irish Billy Boy McC).
2. Z asked me to give him a haircut today, just AFTER I had meditated.  I forgot to snap the #2 onto the clipper, so he got a Zero.  As in, zero hair left. No big deal that his long time friend’s daughter is getting married in 3 hours. Stellar move, BrickO. Ummmm.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

A little recon mission today proved fruitful, as the connection between Terrace Ave and Deming Way is under construction.  We will have to reroute.  Please see new cue sheet below.  Wheels up at 5:15.  Caution: there is glass in the bike lane on Blackhawk just after the intersection with Pleasant View, at the top of the hill near the new apartments. There is gravel on the right turn onto Mauer.  It’s far left of center, so if you take the corner in control, you should be fine. That’s all I got.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO

Eleven Drafters exchanged bedtime stories as we fell into the envelope of darkness riding home from Easy Street.  There was nothing easy about changing B2 Bomber’s flat tire on Wipperfurth.  He may have conquered the Chequamegon Fat Tire race in less time than it took to change his flat (oh yes, we welcomed yet another member into the Flat Tire club).  After several tubes failed, we were out of long stem tube options.  There’s nothing more entertaining than listening to a bunch of guys weigh in on the importance of length.  Deep dish wheels constitute a time when length of the stem definitely matters!  CM Wille came up with a patch solution.  Z quickly deflated that idea- until it worked!  CM Wille is now offering consults for dural tears and all other things needing patches.  Rumor has it that she has a patent pending on the utility of Cliff Bar wrappers as a tire patch remedy. Leave it to an engineer.

CM Wille may be brilliant, but I think the successful patch job was due in part to the optimism inspired by Coach Arms.  She was asked to give a luncheon talk to the Lodi Optimist Club.  I would say the optimism in Lodi definitely peaked to an all time high after Arms gave her talk in red pants and stilettos.  Optimism flowed through the Drafters as we were measuring stem lengths.

It’s never too late to welcome a Newbie.  Hitch Hitcher Corey obtained official Drafter status after a close vote.  Her namesake is derived from her solution to a flat tire- just throw out a thumb.

In other news, we have a new First Lady.  Congrats to Pres on his recent wedding!

A free drink to anyone who can solve this mystery photo:

Summer is officially over, as is the Drafter outdoor season.  We will finish with a short ride to Riley Tavern, wheels up 5:15.  There is a short cut (stay on Timber), but no official Short Pour ride at 6PM due to limited daylight.

Reminders:

• Spin Monday 6:30 at Supreme starting the end of Oct
• Indoor cycling Tue 10AM at CXC on smart trainers with your own bike, also end of Oct
• Both are 8 week sessions, then holiday break, then another 8 week session covering Jan-Feb.  Email me for details. 
• Drafter party Oct 9 6PM.  RSVP if you have not already.  Thanks.

Draft responsibly,

BrickO