Wild Wild West
We've weathered some rough stretched dolled out by Mother Nature this spring and summer, but Saturday could have single handedly counterbalanced all complaints uttered this cycling season. The Circus in Baraboo was absolutely delightful (except for the aid stations, which didn't materialize until mile 80) and well represented by the Drafters. Congrats to Slow Cow, Whamo, Sandlot, Booker J, Vilks and Z Rex on their finishes. Vilks was in the winner's circle for Circus 2017, but in 2018, he took home the gold for Best Cycling Samaritan. With a flat at the start, unnoticed by his teammates, who assumed he was already a mile ahead, Vilks rode like a bat out of Baraboo to catch Z and BrickO at mile 65. Despite a 20 minute delay of game due to flat repair and a missed turn which cost him 2 miles, he maintained a positive attitude and pulling force which got us home in record time. Setting aside the slight irritation at watching him loop back to get us after climbing several hills, we were grateful for the pull AND the cooler of Nitro Left Hand Milk Stout he had waiting at the finish line.
Barefooter brought a friend, "Ripper". The name came with the man so I can't tell you the etiology. I know that he designs mountain bike and downhill ski courses, but that would make me think his name should be Shredder? I can tell you that his true Drafter purpose is "Skeeter Bait". He lured all the mosquitos at dinner to feast on him so the rest of us could eat in peace. More impressively, he provided a feast for Tick Tock and B2 Bomber, who ate up the challenge Skeeter Bait posed at every climb. It was clear by the time we reached Dane that there was to be an A team and B team. B for BrickO. The B team was led by the Pyrenees returnees, Billy Boy McC and Loose Screw, who charged up Crystal Lake Road as if it were the Tourmalet. I could hear Billy Boy "neighing" on his Stallion bike as though in a Budweiser commercial.
Hit-the-Wall may have had a tear in his eye as the lakes came into view, "I've never made it this far", he uttered. And he wouldn't have made it further had his cat like reflexes not saved him from colliding with a deer who bolted across Fish Lake. The A team experienced a similar 4 -legged endeavor as a baby cow escapee meandered down Brererton, providing a slalom course for Skeeter Bait.Pres pulled out his AAA card and called for roadside assistance on his inaugural ride of the summer. "What is your roadside emergency?" - "I'm out of gas", Pres replied. Turns out, AAA doesn't lend roadside assistance to cyclists who run out of gas. Nor do they fix flats. Welcome to the FLAT TIRE club, Booker J!The B team stayed together until the climb out of the valley on Hornung, at which time the C team was born. C for Cheaters- BrickO, Z Rex and Loose Screw. Turns out this was the only subset of Drafters who opted to take the short cut home on the bike path, cutting off 3 miles and 2 hills. I solicited each Drafter as they crossed the finish line, hoping for at least one other cheater. There were none. Shame on the C team.Cheaters aren't suppose to prosper, but I sure did. Two big surprises were waiting at the finish line. My uncle John Boy and aunt Steph had ridden to the Free House (on a Harley, but we don't discriminate. A cyclist is a cyclist), and I was thrilled to see them 3 miles earlier than if I had ridden the whole route. Coach Arms brought Baby Riley and I got first baby smells and rocking privileges. The rest of the night is a blur, as I was lost in the magic of new life. I do recall hearing Hit-the-Wall say, "What happened to all my money?" when it came time to pay the bill, and Cookie Monster finding a stash of $1s to help him cover dinner. There's more there than I want to tackle in this blog. I remember Tick Tock scolding Sully, "You wrecked the Tour de France" after she gave up the crash highlights. Mostly, I remember feeling like the luckiest person in the world to be surrounded by my Drafter family. It took dueling cameras at both ends of the table to capture the crew.
Next week we will head to the wild wild west for a 35 mile jaunt. Don't be deceived by the simplicity of the route- I promise hills, including Vermont Church and Moen Valley.
Download PDF map for wild Wild West: West HHH 35Garmin link to wild Wild West: Wild Wild WestDraft responsibly,BrickO
Hit-the-Wall may have had a tear in his eye as the lakes came into view, "I've never made it this far", he uttered. And he wouldn't have made it further had his cat like reflexes not saved him from colliding with a deer who bolted across Fish Lake. The A team experienced a similar 4 -legged endeavor as a baby cow escapee meandered down Brererton, providing a slalom course for Skeeter Bait.Pres pulled out his AAA card and called for roadside assistance on his inaugural ride of the summer. "What is your roadside emergency?" - "I'm out of gas", Pres replied. Turns out, AAA doesn't lend roadside assistance to cyclists who run out of gas. Nor do they fix flats. Welcome to the FLAT TIRE club, Booker J!The B team stayed together until the climb out of the valley on Hornung, at which time the C team was born. C for Cheaters- BrickO, Z Rex and Loose Screw. Turns out this was the only subset of Drafters who opted to take the short cut home on the bike path, cutting off 3 miles and 2 hills. I solicited each Drafter as they crossed the finish line, hoping for at least one other cheater. There were none. Shame on the C team.Cheaters aren't suppose to prosper, but I sure did. Two big surprises were waiting at the finish line. My uncle John Boy and aunt Steph had ridden to the Free House (on a Harley, but we don't discriminate. A cyclist is a cyclist), and I was thrilled to see them 3 miles earlier than if I had ridden the whole route. Coach Arms brought Baby Riley and I got first baby smells and rocking privileges. The rest of the night is a blur, as I was lost in the magic of new life. I do recall hearing Hit-the-Wall say, "What happened to all my money?" when it came time to pay the bill, and Cookie Monster finding a stash of $1s to help him cover dinner. There's more there than I want to tackle in this blog. I remember Tick Tock scolding Sully, "You wrecked the Tour de France" after she gave up the crash highlights. Mostly, I remember feeling like the luckiest person in the world to be surrounded by my Drafter family. It took dueling cameras at both ends of the table to capture the crew.Next week we will head to the wild wild west for a 35 mile jaunt. Don't be deceived by the simplicity of the route- I promise hills, including Vermont Church and Moen Valley.Download PDF map for wild Wild West: West HHH 35Garmin link to wild Wild West: Wild Wild WestDraft responsibly,BrickO