September 23: Wauana Take A Ride Down Easy Street?
It was a record setting night for the Drafters:
- We achieved an all time high attendance record of 24 riders! This included one Newbie, Outlaw, bro-in-law of Hit-the-Wall. The probability of a rain out being implicitly linked to Hit-the-Wall has been called into question.
- Cronometro's Italian Job made an appearance. The Black Widowette route had been shorted due to the daunting challenge of averaging 20mph to get in before sunset. I had intended that to mean that most would ride UNDER 20mph. The Italian Job had an entirely different interpretation. He and Cannibal battled to Dane averaging over 25mph (possibly prompted by endless chiding by BrickO who hung on for dear life and the two bowls of cereal unwisely scarfed down late afternoon until she couldn't- that is, couldn't keep up. The cereal stayed down). Tick Tock and Captain Joe took over the pursuit in Dane. Compliments and backhanded slams were exchanged simultaneously. Tick Tock's recollection is that the Italian Job complimented him on sustaining a high power output. Coming from the former U.S. National one hour time trial record holder, Tick Tock figured he'd reached the peak of his career and retired later that evening, after a celebratory beer. The Italian Job had a slightly different take. His recollection was that Tick Tock said, "You ride great for an old guy. Especially with an Italian screw in your hip." I suspect there is some truth to both interpretations. Regardless, it spawned a record highest average speed. Why am I not sure of the the exact mph? Well....
- BrickO joined the flat tire club. She claims to have been "just riding along" (JRA) when a pot hole inexplicably jumped in front of her. That brings the Flat Tire Club membership to a record high 8, up from 3 inductees last year. Many Drafters abided by the code and stopped to offer assistance. Muddled in the incomprehensible thought of her new bike being marred on its first Drafter voyage, BrickO sent them away one by one (in between curses at her own stupidity at hitting the pothole- and this farm girl is not short on curse words). Until... until... she was standing on the shoulder with her precious bike in one hand, unwilling to let the Green Machine lay down, and the rear wheel in the other, tire lever in her mouth, and surrendered. Vintage and Loose Screw wrangled off the stiff new tire and pumped up the new one. Z Rex came back with the sag wagon, but BrickO was already on the road, emptied tool bag clenched in her teeth (no time to waste putting it back on the seat post). She suffered TMJ damage, but it was worth saving 30 seconds after a 20min tire change.
- Bomber and Belle were riding along so sweetly, the bees couldn't resist. Belle sustained the first bee sting on a Drafter ride. Luckily, beer is a known anti-histamine. Well, not exactly, but when mixed with Benadryl can intensify the side effects.
- We've had plenty of equipment failures (Loose Screw loosing his Garmin on a pot hole, Booker J breaking a cable, 8 Flat Tire Club inductees) and failure to bring equipment, including socks (Cannibal), water bottles and a front tire (Pipes). But never have we had a cell phone catapult from a jersey pocket and survive being run over by a tractor. Sparky is now the national spokesperson for otter cases, and promises to back up her data daily.
- The Drafter end of the year party is coming up, and the announcement was made that swag would be given to those riders completing 10 rides. Drone Master is just shy at 8 and thus decided to ride no less than 3 rides in order to ensure his swag. Drone Master sightings were reported at numerous unchartered roads on the Black Widowette route. He definitely set a record for most Drafter rides in a single night. If you can't ride 10 times, being seen 3 times more often is a creative way to earn swag .
- Duracell and Speedy set a record for earliest departure. Not only did they start 20min before the Draft, but they shaved off the first 2 miles by riding from home. They definitely took the 7:05PM sunset warning seriously. BrickO got several texts from the impatient Speed: "thought the Drafters would have caught us by now", "what establishment did we choose for imbibing this eve?" Clearly, she's got her eye on the prize.
This is a relatively easy 27 mile ride down Easy Street (might be up, given my predilection for hills). If you want to extend it just a wee bit, skip the Right on North Madison St and take the next one, Schumacher to Easy St. It is a hill you won't want to miss, if you like that sort of thing.
Download PDF map: Wauna Ride Down Easy Street?Garmin link: Easy Street Garmin LinkREMINDERS: Dirty Draft is this Wednesday, 5:30 at CamRock. Bring lights, trail pass, swimsuit and beers for after-ride festivities at Footer's cottage on Lake Ripley. Drafter party is Sept 30 at Longtable. Please RSVP to Evite. If I missed you, let me know.Draft responsibly,BrickO
3rd Time is a Charm. Riding Black Widowette Backwards
A little inspiration from John Denver as the weather is looking favorable for riding the Black Widowette tonight.Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happySunshine in my eyes can make me crySunshine on Monday nights looks so lovelySunshine almost always makes me rideThird time is a charm for this route, and also the third time it has been modified/shortened due to daylight restrictions. The map shows the full Black Widow route in red- we will be taking the short cut in blue. Sadly, this cuts off two beautiful roads (Fellows and Lee), but safety first. Sunset is at 7:05PM. This is roughly a 30mile route, which means you will need to average ~20mph. I think that's a tall order for most of us (me, anyway). How about we ride it backwards or counter clockwise? That way, we can knock off 2 miles and finish one the bike path. Sound reasonable? This is the third and final rendition before we move on to another route.
PDF map to download: Black Widowette Backwards 30Note: Garmin link is from Middleton Hills riding clockwise (original direction). Sorry for lack of recon this weekend to update the Garmin in the backwards direction. I was detained in Ames for College Game Day, which ironically was also met with rain delays: Garmin Link Black Widowette
It is human nature to assign blame. Who can we blame for the series of rainouts? Hit-the-Wall volunteered. He has dutifully loaded his bike in the car on 7 occasions, riding only 4. The probability of it raining when Hit-the-Wall plans to Draft is really good. His new handle might be Rainmaker. Despite the disappointment last week, not all was lost with the rainout.A few of us frequented the Longtable, including Nurse Sully, Captain and Tineal, BrickO, Z Rex. Duracell and Speedy get credit for spinning before imbibing. Duracell was overheard confessing that sweating in his Drafter kit amongst the "commoners" made him feel sexy. Perhaps the most brilliant Drafter at the Longtable was a Newbie- not afraid to show up for her first Draft without a bike and beer in hand.
A few other Drafters broke a sweat this weekend. Congrats to those who Biked the Barns.
And to those who sought another type of Barnyard activity.
And they weren't the only Drafters to get dirty.
Better late than never- a shout out to a few more Drafters who finished the Door Country Century last week. Tobacco City Boy, having peaked his training mileage at 40 this summer, banked on BrickO's Principal of Physiology: what you can do once, you can do again. That got him to mile 80. The last 20 were a blur. Congrats, TCB. There is nothing like a toddler and an infant to keep your biking miles at a minimum.
Dr. Wampus prepares her daughter for winter and the indoor cycling season. On that note, we are full for Monday night indoor cycling at CXC starting in Nov, but look for a second class to be added in Jan.
One Drafter said "I do".
That's a wrap on the happenings that have happened. Here's the happenings about to happen:
- Dirty Draft this Wednesday night at CamRock, east end (park right in Cambridge) with Skipper. Proper attire required (please refrain from looking at photo above): LIGHTS on bike and helmet, trail pass, beer to share afterwards at Footer's cottage.
- Drafter end of the year party Sept 30 at 7PM at Longtable. Please RSVP so I can give Longtable a headcount. If you rode at least once, you have earned Drafter swag. If you have ridden 10 times, you earn an extra swag item. Flat tire inductees will be recognized, along with the photo competition winners and multiple faux pas will be highlighted.
Draft responsibly,BrickO