Back In Black: June 14
Full Circle. That was the theme at the Monday night Draft, which enlisted 2 Newbies, Squirrel and Thor, for a respectable line up of 22 Drafters.
Drafter beginnings weren't intentional. In fact, it is fair to say that BrickO had the brakes on when it came to biking. Every Saturday during their weekly racquetball duel, Sully kept planting, cultivating and watering the seed. When she switched from water to beer, the seed grew and BrickO decided to give biking a roll. Complaints were loud and plentiful on their first road trip, but Sully was not deterred or discouraged in her recruitment efforts. Epic success. Quickly indoctrinated into the college of n+1, BrickO's college commuter bike gained a sibling. A motorcycle was sold in order to buy a gently used Kestrel from Herkert (Drafter handle Thor), a fellow racquetball player and bike racer (amongst other athletic successes). The circle was complete on Monday night when both Thor enlisted in the Draft and Sully watered the seeds.
The B for Badass Team was in full strength... after a short recess to allow time for Special K to arrive. Don't judge. The Garanimals trend set by Pipes last week seems to have taken hold. Mix and match your Drafter kits responsibly.
Cookie Monster was off to a slow start, which she attributed to 2 months of battling a bug and chasing after a very spirited and recently mobile daughter. Waiting until the busiest road to pull over and head back, she realized her rear brake had been on (with her second doctorate near complete, you'd think....). Squeak continued to experience brake issues (hence her Drafter handle), which served her better than Cookie Monster. A deer crossing the road had ample warning when Squeak hit the brakes. She is currently seeking a patent for her deer horn device.
Our two Newbies demonstrated slightly different riding styles. Why did the Squirrel cross the road? No idea. But this Squirrel is no ordinary rodent. He and Z Wrecks diverted from the main course to climb Cleveland Rd, and with a powerful combination of rodent and dinosaur teamwork, caught back up to the the rest of the Badasses.
Why did Thor put the hammer down? To bring the thunder. Holy crap. Cleveland Road tested mortal strength, but clearly Norse Gods are immune. The lead group could hear the thunder as Thor dropped the hammer and sped away, leaving us to ponder our mortal dust. Gopher and LuLu somehow managed to avoid Cleveland Hill until now, as noted in the Strava title "What??? A New Hill??!!"
Turns out that hammers and gavels were issued along with diplomas in the 80s at Middleton High School.
Thor may have dropped the hammer on Cleveland Road, but Badger with her short legs designed for digging and fearless attitude charged the hill. But first... she circled the ground contemplating the challenge. Badgers are known for attacking competitors with far greater size and strength, and so she went for it (attacking the hill from a dead stand still), taking Columbus and Daisy with her!
Two Drafters weren't in the starting line up, but get credit for riding the course. Tick Tock noted for the record that he opted out of climbing Cleveland Rd & Deer Run Rd not because he doesn't like a challenge, but because it is a dead end. If not diplomatic, forever pragmatic, "I'm not climbing a f'in hill to nowhere."
Skipper road the route backwards due to a late start (guess the Drafters only wait for Special K), but came through with a spectacular Wisco photo.
Backyard drafting was at its finest, featuring drinking beer grasped between two toes. Dr. Wampus wasn't there to assess the foot and ankle mechanics required for such a feat, but we hope she makes a debut soon.
Ninja couldn't join the Draft, but sent dirty bike porn from an undisclosed location.
The route for Monday, June 14 will include the infamous Black Hill, hence the route name Back In Black. But you should Draft in green. Last call for Hincapie Drafter gear, including "guns" jerseys. Store closes June 12. Smoke em' if ya got em'. https://order.hincapiecustom.com/BRICKOS2021
RidewithGPS link Back in Black
Reminder: Drafter Yoga with Pipes begins Tuesday, June 29, 7AM at Indoorance. Garanimals encouraged but not required. Let the record reflect that some participants may barter with Pipes, Special K is paying the full $100 for 12 sessions.
Draft responsibly,
BrickO
When In Doubt, Climb
A quick note on the route for Monday, Formidable Festge. There is an optional "thumb" (#9 in the photo below) in the route, a right turn off Timber lane onto Cleveland Road and up Deer Run Road, and then a U-turn back to the beginning (Timber becomes Old Sauk Pass). This little thumb will add 2 considerable climbs.
CAUTION: As of yesterday, the stretch of KP headed east along the new Scenic Valley development had been repaved. The stretch heading west (our direction) was down to one lane, with enough room for a car or a bike but not both. If anyone happens to ride along KP this weekend and finds it unfit for Drafting, please give a shout out in GroupMe and I will post a new route.
Baby, it's hot. Hincapie will be adding sleeveless Drafter jerseys to the store, hopefully Monday. The store is already open for reorders until June 13, so feel free to order a "cool" jersey.
Hincapie Link to 2021 Cool Jersey
The Dirty Draft had the Usual Suspects. BrickO, Columbus, Footer, Stout, LuLu, and the Squeaky 5 had some fun at Blackhawk, and acted as first responders to a crash. Draft responsibly. Speedy and her spirited kiddos were there shredding, and Speedy even got Coach Arms off the ice and onto the dirt!
This photo of the original Draft in 2013 resurfaced. A humble beginning and a solid foundation from which to build a family of 129 Drafters.
The strength of a multi-generation Drafter family is summed up in these photos, celebrating Footer's new kitchen (a 6 month endeavor) and Baby Monster's first Draft.
Tobacco City Boy, one of our founding fathers in the picture above, has 3 kiddos under 5, which prevents him from Drafting on Monday nights. But he still proudly wears the ORIGINAL Drafter jersey and rides roads near and dear to my heart.
It looks like the Drafters are going to be well represented at the Hincapie Gran Fondo in Greenville on Oct 23. Register with code SBRICKSON for 20% off and get this cool jersey:
Lot's of road rides on the calendar- but has anybody heard of the Tour de Chequamegon?
Check it out: http://www.ridefyxation.com/the-ride
Draft responsibly,
BrickO