Backwards Brawn, No Brains
27 Drafters tackled a ferocious head wind on the way out of town. Dobie Grey had something to sing about as Z Wrecks and Slim pulled the B and A teams out Schneider Rd:
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock 'n' watt and draft away
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock 'n' watt and draft away
Bond has been riding out west on a secret mission this season, but a new, older Bond joined the Draft. Welcome Sean Connery!
The A Team was treated to a cameo appearance by Sandlot, who has been battling her way back from a nasty knee injury sustained skiing. Despite missing breakfast and lunch, Sandlot found an ounce of extra body fat in her big toe for fuel. With Draft protection offered by Vintage and Cujo, she exceeded her goal of an out and back 10 miler and rode full strength with her drafter family.
Booker J held up the Draft as he needed a hot minute to apply at least three different sprays, lotions and creams. He is currently seeking start up funds for development of the Booker J Spray- a product that combines sunscreen, chamois cream and preparation H all into one easy body application.
Slim's legs (not slim legs) provide safe passage into the head wind, as many of the other Drafters were spent from weekend shenanigans. Credit to LuLu for the following Drafter photos. Not included in the photo session is Super Q, who was drafting serendipitously and joined the Draft for a good chunk on KP and Otto Kerl. Always great to have those quads take a pull.
Slim wasn't the only power in the house. It was good to have B2 Bomber back in Drafter flight.
The climbs up Enchanted Valley and Schuman always leave us breathless, both due to the elevation and the beauty. This time, Schuman also provided an unanticipated cheering section!
Kilo Watt has been absent from the Draft, but she took time out from mowing the lawn to cheer on the Drafters as they crested the hill.
IN WEEKEND NEWS: Congrats to Vintage on his WORS race. Vintage also deserves a letter of apology from the editor. Apparently, the mechanical debacle with T1's bike last week was not entirely his fault. Noted.
Keez's quad low battery light was also on as she had raced her heart out at the Maple Grove Triathlon on Saturday, representing UW-Madison Triathlon Club at Collegiate Club Championship. The Badgers took 1st overall team and Keez took second in the female division. Go Badgers!
Special mention (because there are no photos) to Loose Screw for competing and competing in the Core4 Gravel race in Iowa. In the other direction, Dan-yelly and Tobacco City Boy are representing the Drafters in the UP while LuLu was learning just how steep climbs can get in British Columbia. He might not be KOM, but he is on top of the world.
IMPORTANT DRAFTER NEWS: Hincapie kits are en route. Please check your email for tracking information from FedEx. If you do not anticipate being at home on the date of delivery to sign for your package, you can opt for indirect signature. It works about 50% of the time, sort of like marriage and weather forecasting.
There is no formal Draft on Labor Day.
The Final 50 and End of The Season Drafter party (although the season never ends, it just morphs into MTB and then fat biking) will be on Sunday, Oct 2 at 10AM. Awards to follow.
Sunset is going to make rides over 30 miles dangerous. WHEELS UP AT 4:45 AND 5:00PM, SHORT POUR and FULL STRENGTH, respectively. If work prohibits a 5PM start time, please consider riding the alternative (short pour) route at 5:30. It is only 2 miles, but (a little) less demanding.
Both routes include Braun Rd. The full strength route tackles the backside, which includes a 20% section, and extends the route home to include a few more climbs. The short pour tackles Braun the "normal" way, which is a bit less steep, and retraces the route home on Airport Rd (one of our earliest routes in the season).
Full strength RidewithGPS Link Backwards Brawn No Brains 30 miles
PDF Map and Cue sheet download for Backwards Brawn No Brains
Short Pour RidewithGPS Brains and Brawn 28 miles
Map and Cue sheet download for Brains and Brawn
Draft responsibly,
BrickO