Garden Drinks, May 17
A season high number of Drafters showed up to face the Beast of Barlow; 23 in total including 3 Short Pour riders (well done, Badger, Columbus and Daisy).
The executive decision was made to abandon the split departure times in favor of one unified group at 5PM. And you know how that story ended....
Riddle: What is always first and last?
The First Team (formerly the B team, but who can classify these 3 beasts as B unless is stands for Badass?) objected to the executive order. Footer pleaded the case: " If we leave at 5PM, everyone will be done drinking beer and gone by the time we are back." Objection stands.
Let's take a closer look at the line up.
Fortunately for Vintage, Thing 1 starts Medical School at the UW this fall and will provide at home care. For a fee. After the gravel event Saturday, she was found at Ringle reviewing her anatomy.
Tick Tock made his 2021 debut. "I picked the worst effin' ride of the year to show up!" Don't let the Beast get you down. Keez didn't. Coming from the plaines of Iowa, with her 53-39 chainrings and 11-25 cassette spread, she debated avoiding the Beast and riding the short pour. Her mother didn't exactly point out the short pour turn off, nor did she introduce the Beast.
Miles past Barlow and the climb on Mineral Point, BrickO warned her cub of the upcoming climb on Braun. "So when are we going to meet the Beast?", the cub asked innocently. "Oh, we did that already, Keez." So much of what we dread is in our head. As evidenced by Keez then dismounting Ruby, her 15-year-old hand me down Kestrel, to walk the crest of Braun. Brains and Brawn, you CAN have both.
Vilks would argue the Beast isn't so much in his head: "It isn't a Drafter ride unless I set a new FTP and throw up twice in my mouth." Busch Latte, still left wondering what happened to the motto "we are all riding together" as he got spit out the back on Airport Road, dropped his chain on the two ghastly climbs. Romeo claimed second fastest all time male to challenge the Beast. In true Drafter spirit, he didn't know it was a segment and soft pedaled between peaks to wait for his fellow Drafters. Such a nice boy. The Beast got its claws into Z Wrecks, causing TWO flat tires. The Beast affects us all differently. Vintage made an excellent point, "Keep your friends close and your Drafters closer. Never know when you'll need a pull." Or help changing a flat...
6 Drafters were well prepared for the Beast as they had faced the Bear on Saturday, a 100k gravel race in Laona, WI.
LuLu's banana chocolate chip pancakes and an assortment of home baked cookies by Gopher ensured no one left in caloric deficit. My internal organs were sorer than my quads from the jostling around on the gravel, the endo I took on the 2 mile unmanicured section of the trail, and the copious calories I stuffed in after the race. On Sunday, the Bear participants stopped to MTB at Ringle to make sure the load of laundry was worth doing.
Columbus led us out.... on foot. That Drafter can run! Columbus discovered most of Chippewa Falls, or at least 50k of it the week prior. Finishing top 10 in her first ultra distance race, in a time of 5:09:01, despite rain and hail. Hail to Columbus.
The Draft on Monday May 17 will depart from Cannibal's house (Verona- see GroupMe for address). There is promise of garden drinks. And if Cannibal wears his apron, be sure the Drafter Team Photographer is on site. Drone Master, check your schedule for availability.
RidewithGPS link: Cannibal Ride
Download map and cue sheet:
DIRTY DRAFT: we will convene again at Blackhawk this Wed from 5-7PM. We can discuss moving to other MTB trails. It seems like most dirty drafters are coming from Middleton and on tight schedules, so I'm inclined to keep it at BH and PV until school is out and Drafters are a bit freer to roam.
Draft responsibly,
BrickO
The Beast Awaits, May 10
Mother Nature may have saved us from the Beast on Monday, but the Beast is patient and eagerly awaits our arrival next Monday, May 10. For those looking for a bit more beauty, you can bypass the Beast (see map below). Team departure at 5PM, drinks to follow. Romeo and Keez will be home from ISU and ready to draft, so plan to carbo load accordingly.
RidewithGPS link: Beast of Barlow
Z Wrecks, Vilks and BrickO faced a different Beast over the weekend. Looking Glass covered a wee bit over 8000 feet of climb, perfect 70 degree temperatures, not a wisp of wind, and without so much as a pot hole or angry driver. A huge thanks to Blue Ridge Adventures for hosting such a wonderful event. And to our RAW Crew Chief, Lynnie Lou, for supporting us all day.
Before and after photos. No mechanicals, body or bike.
I'm listening to a TED talk by Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, about confident humility. That is, surrounding yourself with people who challenge you. The strength I have gained from being around this crew of strong people extends beyond the bike (and the bar). Like most Drafters, I'm not very good at talking about myself. It is, in fact, prohibited as outlined in Drafter bylaw 3.1A.3VC. However, Vilks insisted that I post this post-race excerpt. I do believe allowing others to do something nice for you is, once in awhile, a sign of strength, too. And so, here I go....
To be added to this week’s blog- you’ve earned it!!
The rhododendrons were Red
The Ridges were Blue
BrickO kicked my ass in the Looking Glass Tour
and she smoked a Columbian Chica too!
I requested a guest spot on this week’s Drafters’ blog on account of we all know just how humble our fearless leader is, somebody has to brag on her behalf. Z and Vilks got a front row seat to what was one helluva historic performance. From mile 1 to mile 101, BrickO was’a dazzling and’a dancing all over her pedals. There would be no denying what was rightfully hers, neither the steep, long climbs nor the whizzing and winding descents would stop her. She pulled away early and often as the road grades turned from 0 to 16% (first long climb was equivalent to 4 trips up blue mounds- bottom to top), and she did more than her fair share of pulling for those less capable on the flats. It was an absolute joy to witness (when I was close enough to do so that is). Hard work pays, you proved that in spades BrickO. Good on ya kid, good on ya! ~ Vilks
Confident humility also states that you are secure enough in your strengths to acknowledge your weaknesses. I did not smoke the young woman from Columbia. The only reason I took first on the podium is that there was a mix up with her registration (ie. she wasn't registered). We both knew, however, who brought the stronger game on game day.
Speaking of game day... we had 13 Dirty Drafters show up at Blackhawk last Wednesday. Let's keep it going this week, pending the dirt drying up. Speedy and kiddos, Footer, BrickO, Captain Joe, Tick Tock, Kubi, Squeak and her entire family.
Draft responsibly,
BrickO