Last Dance: Sept 24 Riley Tavern

In the words of the late and great Tom Petty...She grew up in a Midwestern townHad a good lookin' Colnago she road all aroundBut she road hard and she climbed alrightWith them Drafter boys on a Drafter Monday nightWell she started the Draft in two thousand thirteenShe didn’t blow the boys away, but it was more than they'd seenThe Draft was introduced and we all started groovin'She said, "I dig you Drafters, we got to keep movin'...on, keep movin' on"Last dance through the county of DaneOne more time to feel the painI feel summer creepin' past and I'msad this Draft is my laaaast.Well I don't know what I've been toldYou never slow down, you never grow oldI'm tired of changing flats, I'm tired of goin' down, but never grow tired of biking this townOh my my, oh hell yesHoney put on that Drafter dressBuy me a drink, sing me a song,Take me as I come 'cause I can't stay longLast dance through the county of DaneOne more time to feel the painI feel summer creepin' past and I'mgonna make this night laaaastThere's mosquitos down at Free House squareSully’s standin' in her Drafter wearLookin' down from a beer menuSpotted Cow will be comin' soonOh my my, oh hell yesYou've got to put on that Drafter dressLast dance the county of DaneOne more time to feel the painI feel summer creepin' past and I'mgonna make this night laaaastWe had an excellent turn out Monday. 17 Drafters  "Wauan"ted to Ride Easy Street.

That's a fairly complete list of excuses for why many of us had tired legs on Monday and didn't challenge Cannibal and Captain Joe for the town sign sprint.  None of us could challenge this new record set- 184mph by a woman on a bicycle.Link: She just rode 184mph on a bicycle. Really.I expect those of us doing the RIDE this Sunday to challenge that.  The Drafter force will be felt- I've got Bomber, Footer, Coach Arms, Sully, Wampus, Captain Joe, Caboose, Cookie Monster and Vilks on the roster along with special appearance by K2!  Congrats on your recent summit race.  She's got more miles on those legs running up mountains than most of us do biking!All 17 Drafters, with our without legs of lead, completed the Wanua Ride Easy Street before the sun set.  Waitress Amy was ready at the Free House with beers and an extra side of olives and buffalo sauce for BrickO.  Sandlot brought her son, Evan AND wrote a poem. Much appreciated.Last dance of the season will be the Riley Tavern Route, a poetic end as it was also our first ride of the season.  Short but sweet this is a 21mile oldie but goodie.Map download PDF: Riley Tavern 20Garmin link Riley TavernDraft responsibly,BrickO

Sept 17: Wauna Ride?

In the lyrical words of Queen,Bicycle bicycle bicycleI want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycleI want to ride my bicycleI want to ride my bikeI want to ride my bicycleI want to ride it where I likeBut, the earth is tilting away from the sun on its imaginary axis, gradually restricting our Monday night ride distance until there will be none.  All 10 Drafters were in before dark on the Cocktail ride, but only by cutting the ride down to 25miles and taking the bike path home.  I am hoping we can safely squeeze in 2 more short rides before calling it a helluva season.The Cocktail crew was missing a few usual suspects, possibly due to fatigue. Congrats to Dan-yelly, Tobacco City Boy and Booker J on their Door County Century.  Ironman WI indoctrinated two Drafters, Wandering Slow Cow and B2 Bomber.Well done, boys.  Billy Bob decided to get out of town for his endurance event, traveling to South West of Ireland to ride in the Cork Rebel Tour.  One one of these endurance competitions had the chutzpah to show up to the Draft Monday... and not to ride, but to drink and eat copious amounts of red meat.  Wandering Slow Cow credited Cookie Monster Wille with his strong finish.  Allegedly, Wandering Slow Cow was exhibiting the characteristics of his name sake when he stumbled upon CM.  Her strong encouragement and possible reprimand for demonstrating behavior unbecoming of a Drafter (not enough Rule V of the Velominati) was enough incentive to pick up his walk to a passing running pace (at least until out of sight).The route for next week will take us to Waunakee.  It's a 26 mile route, which is going to be a push against the darkness.  PLEASE be ready to ride at 5:30 sharp, and if you can leave earlier with a buddy, please do.  PLEASE PLEASE BRING FRONT AND READ BLINKIE LIGHTS. Download PDF map: Wauna Ride Down Easy Street?GPS link: Wauna Ride Easy StreetOur last ride will be Riley Tavern on Sept 24.  Be sure to submit your prize winning Drafter photo if you want to be considered for the competition.I believe registration for the Tyranena Oktoberfest ride is still open.  Barefooter, her dad, Skeeter Bait, Whamo, Sandlot, Z Rex and I will be there.Tyranena Oktoberfest Ride linkThere is also a big Drafter showing for The Ride.  This is super well organized and obviously supports a good cause.The Ride registration linkLastly, don't forget about scenic Shawano Bike the Barns on Sept 30!Shawano Bike the Barn Quilts ride linkDraft responsibly, and visibly especially these last two rides.BrickO