Beast of Barlow
The theme song for Return of the Drafters brought to you by the Turtles:Imagine me and you, I doI think about you Monday night, it's only rightTo think about the Drafters you love and draft them tightSo happy togetherIf I should call you up, or use FaceTimeAnd you say you would ride with me and ease my mindImagine how the world could be, so very fineSo happy togetherI can't see me ridin' with nobody but youFor all my lifeWhen you're with me, baby the skies'll be blueFor all my lifeMe and you and you and meNo matter how they toss the dice, it had to beThe only one for me is you, and you for meSo happy togetherBlue skies with southerly winds blew a sea of green jerseys north to Lodi. The time trial start intervals were a bit shorter than advertised. The race director has been fired, without severence pay.
Captain Joe lines up for a TT start while Z Rex, Kermit, Thing 1 and Octane complete their gear check.
Skipper arrived at Pheasant Branch at 5:05PM, and assumed the lanterne rouge position, never catching a glimpse of the 14 time trialists.
Leaving at 5:05, Skipper assumed the Latern Rouge position
Four Drafters took the time trial interval to another level, leaving 30 min before the event began. Duracell, Speedy, Footer and Pipes know how to roll. Early.[gallery columns="2" ids="6336,6335" size="full"]Two Drafters were at work (you remember... the place we used to go in clothes other than jammies?), having dutifully completed their Lodi Canning Co assigment earlier in the week. Longing to be part of the Draft (and earning their Monday night beverage), Duchess and Sandlot jumped on Zwift to virtually ride Lodi Canning Co before joining in person for refreshments. Sandlot, always concientious, dressed her Zwift Avatar in Drafter green and accounted for the head wind. Admitedlly, Duchess neglected to factor in the wind, but did not neglect to fill the beer cooler. We all find strength to do honest work.[gallery ids="6337,6338,6339" size="full"]Surly (freuqnelty misspelled Surley due to poor editorial staff) opted for the early bird option, paying his dues on a fat tire. Cause' who doesn't need the added rolling resistance on a 38 mile ride?
Go Big or Go to Lodi
Belle had no issue skipping Zwift and coming directly for the beverage portion of the program. Granted, she had ridden a century the day before, so it wasn't as though she hadn't earned her place at the bar. Belle baked cookies as a peace offering. We were all at peace after the cookies circulated 3 times. Best damn cookie criterium, ever. Or at least a close second to the cookie trifecta the day before, celebrating Cookie Monster's baby, who will be joining us any day now.
Cookie Monster approved cookie trifecta 
Speedy, BrickO, Abi, Slinger, Dark Knight, Drone Master, Footer, Octane, Tick Tock, Z Rex, Bomber and Belle.
Sandlot, Duchess, Kermit, Thing 1 and Skipper join circle time.
Next Monday, we will visit the Beast of Barlow, a 34 mile ride with a fun little climb early on. Departure 5PM from Glacier Ridge Road in Middleton Hills. Feel free to leave early, or ride the route on another day and text me your evidence (sign at the top of Barlow). Use the GroupMe app to hatch a plan. The only rules: 1) no injuries, 2) have fun, 3) do not ride alone. The BrickO & Z backyard will be open for drafting. Bring a lawn chair and beverage. Pizza will be provided. Please email the food coordinator with dietary restrictions or allergies.
GPS data: Garmin link Beast of BarlowDownload map and cue sheet: Beast of BarlowShort pour option (which still requires taming the beast): stay on Garfoot, do not turn on Braun (follow red arrow) and reconnect on KP.
Stay on Garfoot back to KP
Draft responsibly,BrickO