Aug 22: Let It Be Union Valley

What a week to celebrate.  In cycling news, B2 Bomber averaged 26.0 mph for the 90mile race around Lake Winnebago on Sunday.  There was no evidence of fatigue during the Monday night Draft, however, causing some to speculate that he is part alien.  Despite a wet start, several Drafters braved the Dairyland Dare on Saturday.  Congrats to Dan-yelly, Tobacco City Boy, Z and the Human Metronome on a spectacular finish.  And ON WISCONSIN in Rio, as Gwen Jorgensen took gold in the Olympic triathlon.  A shout out to Cindi Bannink, a world champion, drop-in Drafter and coach for the gold medalist in her formative years.Shifting focus to the social scene, Arms and Legs are tying the knot on Sunday.  We are anticipating a jump in the national height average for the next generation.  Another Drafter aging event to celebrate: Happy 30+ to Tobacco City Boy (TCB). Cycling is an forgiving sport with respect to age, as we saw in the Olympics with Kristin Armstrong taking gold a day before her 43rd birthday.  Billy Boy just celebrated his 60th, and despite being 2x the age of TCB, motored up Matz as if age didn't matter, and notably faster than last year. The term "Golden Years" is taking on a new meaning.This week we will head west to tackle Union Valley.  Please put on your head phones and "Let it Be"When I find myself on Union ValleyJackie and Tim won't be there with meSpeaking vows of wedding, let them be.And in my hour of climbingB2 Bomber is miles in front of meSpeaking words of cycling wisdom, let him be.And when the rain soaked cyclistsRiding the Dairyland Dare agree,There will be sunshine eventually, let it be.And though we may be aging there isStill a chance that we will seeThere will be a finish line, let it beLet it be, let it be.PDF  Union Valley 30Garmin link to Union Valley 30Draft responsibly,BrickO

Aug 15: Right On

Kristin Armstrong's 3rd consecutive gold medal in the Olympic Time Trial at age 42 and 364 days old is inspiring, and a reminder that our body only adapts when we make demands on it do do so.  Hurting and being hurt aren't synonymous.  If you want to be better, it's gonna hurt.  Coach Jim Bruskewitz, who provided workouts for the Olympian, offers this insight, "The body, with mental assistance, will launch itself well beyond what it has come accustomed to."  No matter what level you hope to achieve, shoot high.  You won't know your full potential until you fall short.With that, good luck to our competitors this weekend at the Dairyland Dare and Race the Lake events.The route for Monday is one of the more tame rides, both in terms of distance (30 and 25mile options) and terrain.  The last time I posted this route, I may have inadvertently directed riders the wrong way on Lodi Springfield, creating a third longer option.  Right on. The routes will get shorter commensurate with the length of the days. Hopefully, we will lose a bit of heat along with the daylight.  If you are feeling a bit of hyperthermia, I suggest you strategically position yourself close to Loose Screw, who  is two for two on spilling a pitcher of water on Drafters sitting in his vicinity at Free House. Must be a function of becoming a sexagenarian.  Happy 60th Birthday to Loose Screw and Billy Boy McC.PDF Tom Collins 30 25 mile optionsGarmin link to 25mile routeDownload this PDF for info on Coach Jim Bruskewitz  EP Coaching  He's not just a coach for elite athletes.  He's effective for all level of cyclists and triathletes. I can vouch for that.Draft responsibly,BrickO