No Brains, All "Braun" March 15
Spring sprung early and wasn't the only green life to be appreciated on Monday. 11 Drafters found their way to the Riley Tavern on a gorgeous 60-degree day, the earliest in Drafter history for an inaugural ride.
The B Team departed at 4PM, with some interesting looking bicycles. Vintage brought a beast of the same name while Speedy wheeled up on her Grandmother's "grocery bike", having dismantled the basket earlier in the day. The warm weather caught us all off guard. Speedy, being of shorter stature, simply couldn't reach her LaMond hanging in the garage since November. Resourceful, although I do hope Grandma wasn't looking to go shopping Monday evening.
The A Team rode with a bit more vigor, discussing Strava segments and pace line strategies. It seems Cannibal gained more power and lost more mass over the winter (highly irritating for those of us who thought the pandemic could be mitigated with Netflix, pizza and Imperial Stouts), leading the small A team paceline without regard for rotation. Blurple commented, "Ya know. We could go a lot faster if you went a little slower on occasion." Rimshot had a strong start to the Drafter season, remembering to bring beer and even offered to pay one forward to the Newbie. Granted, it was a Miller Lite, so none were surprised when the Newbie declined. Turns out, the quality of the beer wasn't the issue. The guy simply wasn't thirsty. It came out that Miller Lite is actually a step up from his Busch Latte. Welcome to the Draft.
Back at home base, we enjoyed some caloric reinforcements, compliments of Cookie and her little Monster. The snow in the backyard kept us on the porch, and we tested the safety of our new industrial outdoor patio gas heater under the wooden ceiling. Since staring the lawn on fire last year with an uncooperative and unruly fire pit, we are fully stocked with fire extinguishers for 2021. Blurple suggested we turn the gas heater into a blow torch to melt the remainder of the snow before next Monday's ride. Looking at the forecast, we might need to order more gas heaters. Or blowtorches.
Super Tuesday seems to be a jammin' day to ride, if you can't make it on Monday.
Ignoring the forecast, let's pretend that 60 degrees is here to stay and that we will Draft on Monday. The route is No Brains, All Brawn (or Braun, as the road is otherwise known). Departures: B Team 4:30; A team 5PM.
Download map and cue sheet: Brains and Brawn
A reminder that we will be ordering Hincapie kits in the next week or two. If you would like to request a sample jersey, shorts, bibs, jacket or vest to try on for size, please let me know as I will be having those mailed soon. And for all other Hincapie Sportswear orders please enjoy 20% off with code SBRICKSON.
Draft responsibly,
BrickO