WHATCHU GOT- BRAINS OR BRAWN?
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