July 15: Back Door To Church

A perfect evening for a Draft.  21 riders including one newbie, Sparky.  Like the Fourth of July fireworks, she lit up the Draft!  She might be green, but it won't be long before she is wearing the green jersey, assuming she can figure out where the finish line is.  The Spring Valley to Springfield route was complicated, and we had many deviations from the intended route, some intentional and others not.  Sparky got lost early in the ride, but made it back to base and was able to do a set of planks, push ups and a yoga session to earn her beer at Longtable with the Drafters. Knievel described his ride as "free lancing".  Our front line included the 6'5" and over trio of Slow Cow, Billy Bob and Aquaman. It was like riding in a vortex down Schneider Rd.  It was a force so strong that it pulled Loose Screw's Garmin right off his mount! Bond was reluctant to leave behind such Draft protection to chase down the lead group: Bomber, Tick Tock, Vintage and Cannibal.  He almost had himself talked into chilling with the peloton... and then I noticed the twitching. It started in his fingers and rapidly spread to his quads.  That's the last I saw of Bond.  I rode much of the first half on my own, behind the break away and just ahead of the peloton, until what to my wondering eyes did appear, Thing 1 on her new Cervelo bike gear.  We took turns pulling until we caught the lead group.  And by taking turns I mean Thing 1 pulled and I held on to her wheel, until I couldn't.  Alone again. And then I had my yellow jersey glorious victory dance on Lodi-Springfield.  The lead pack, or at least the ones still in my view, missed the hard right onto Rauls, plummeting down the hill they had to then turn around and climb. Victory was mine, briefly, and the Beatles song rattled in my brain.Let me take you down'Cause I'm going to Lodi-SpringfieldCold beer is realAnd nothing to get hung aboutLodi-Springfield foreverDrafting is easy with eyes closedGreen Drafter jerseys all you seeIt's getting hard to catch Tick TockBut it all works out.It doesn't matter much to meLet me take you down'Cause I'm going to Lodi-SpringfieldCold beer is realAnd nothing to get hung aboutLodi-Springfield forever

  We will head west next week and take the back door to church.PDF map to download: Back Door To ChurchGarmin Link to Back Door to ChurchDraft responsibly,BrickO

July 8: Spring Valley to Springfield (attempt 2)

Ten little Drafters went out to climb; Sandlot took a wrong turn and then there were nine.Nine little Drafters pedaled at a very fast rate; Klutch rode home early and then there were eight.Eight little Drafters thought Crystal Lake was heaven; Bond turned up the watts and then there were seven.Seven little Drafters sprinted for kicks; Vintage went ahead and then there were six.Six little Drafters went into overdrive; Thing 1 caught Vintage and then there were five.Five little Drafters wanting to push the ride more; Booker J broke a cable and then there were four.Four little Drafters included Rex Z; until a hill swallowed him up and then there were three.Three little Drafters with a rogue map didn’t know what to do; Tick Tock took a right and then there were two.Two little Drafter girls having such fun; until Footer rode straight home to Waunakee and then there was one.

One little Drafter thought she was the last to be done; BrickO set out late to join Pipes so that none would be none.We will make a second attempt to ride the 42 mile Spring Valley to Springfield route, which was rained out two weeks ago.PDF map to download: Spring Valley to SpringfieldGarmin Link: FH Spring Valley to Springfield via bike pathPost-ride libations will be at Longtable.  We will delay the Vintage Velo ride until the following week when we are back at the Free House.There is one new entry for the photo competition, submitted by E$.  It may have wrangled itself into first place. Looking for another fun event?  Check out this link: Lake Ripley Ride Sat July 27Draft responsibly and enjoy a safe July 4th.BrickO