Sept 27: Riley Tavern
18 Drafters rode onto Easy Street and into the Equinox with a 30mph tailwind. There was nothing easy on the return trip! The Big and Tall Drafters were very popular, including Newbie T Bone. Pipes wasn't able to Draft, but showed up after the ride to make sure the big boy didn't steal her handle. "I'm Pipes. Obviously. Or at least at one point."
E$ and Dan-yelly made a debut after a long hiatus (orthopedic residency and 3 children under 5, respectively). To have E$ and Cookie Monster drafting together begged the question, "who is watching your daughter?" E$ reassured us that Millie had things under canine-trol. Dan-yelly, not wanting the night to end, conveniently locked her keys in the car. Unfortunately, her breast pump was also out of reach. Tobacco City Boy earned a gold star for putting the 3 little bears to bed. A huge thanks to Captain and Tennille for bringing Dan-yelly all the way home to Oregon (city, not state).
Second string waiting in anticipation for Cannibal's arrival. He sent out a clip of Aerosmith performing Pink live. A more appropriate clue would have been songs "Dream On", "Cryin'" or "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing". Showing up a tad late, Cannibal did miss one thing... his opportunity to hit the bathroom, which had him cryin'.
The northern route to Easy Street in Waunakee had us all feeling like rock stars with a southerly 30mph wind. Gopher and BrickO took their turns pulling early. They don't give PhDs to just anybody.
Cannibal showed up pretty in pink, but there is a reason Drafters wear green. Skipper took one for the team, dropping off the pace line to capture this action photo.
Just south of Dane, the second string came across a Drafter down. Speedy joined the Flat Tire Club. C-Monster followed the Drafter code, stopping to assist with the mechanical, and put her training as an engineer to good use. Footer, also being a well-educated engineer, looked back from the top of the hill heading into Dane and thought, "No f'in way am I going back down the hill to help." Point well taken: if you are going to flat, be sure your teammates are at the bottom of a hill, not at the top. Chances of following the drafter code go down the further up the hill.
Speedy and C-Monster, weighing in at 200 pounds (together), had a battle ahead with the head wind. The Drafters stopped to take a vote on whether to wait for the twosome. Booker J found an unmarked grassy area (Cannibal had not been here before) and a quorum assembled. It was a split vote until it was realized C-Monster had brought cookies. The vote turned unanimous: wait a short while for C-Monster and Speedy in order to have cookies sooner!
With new found enthusiasm for cookies and beer, Skipper pulled the crew home. There was a bright flash of green heading the opposite way. It was Queenie, setting out on a solo journey. He'd hoped to get further before meeting up with and circling back with the Drafters, but incentivized by cookies and beer, the pace was furious.
Watts were rewarded with more than cookies. E$ and C-Monster brought watermelon from their garden. Cannibal does look pretty in pink. There were gifts and special guest appearances (see above note on Pipes)
Captain and Tennille not only rescued Dan-yelly, but they saved BrickO and Z Wrecks from having to wash beer glasses for another night!
Pit Stop dropped by to share in the post-draft festivities. Several weeks out from her accident, she is back in the saddle! We can't wait to have her back in the Draft.
Pres is also recovering well. Walton brought his Drafter spirit to the Door County Century.
Pres was there in spirit, while Dan-yelly was there in the flesh. Her longest ride (maybe also her second ride?) of the season, this mother of 3 was not going to be denied her strawberry shortcake at the aid station.
It was a victorious weekend for Mothers of 3, as Squeak conquered the Wisconsin 70.3.
Several Drafters opted for a dirty weekend at the Chequamegon MTB Festival. Congrats to Ninja, LuLu and Vintage.
Back at home, the Dirty Drafters welcomed Newbie, Circus. He opted to ride his MTB, but rumor has it Circus commands a Unicycle. That would be an interesting ride down Howling Wolff.
The Draft next week is truly a Draft destination- Riley Tavern. Departure times will be 4:30 and 4:45.
The end of the year Drafter 50 will happen on Saturday Oct 9th at 9AM (rain date Sunday Oct 10th). Awards to follow. The Trek CX Cup will be held Oct 8-10. If anyone is interested in heading to Waterloo Sunday to watch, let me know.
Draft responsibly,
BrickO