Spring Valley
Apologies to Annie Lenox and the Eurythmics.
here comes the rain again
falling on my helmet on a Mon-day
falling on my head like a new emotion
i want to ride in the open wind
i want to talk like Drafters do
want to dive into your paceline
is it raining with you?
The weather turned just as the clock struck Drafter hour, scaring away all of the D Team and shrinking the A & B teams to 16. The A Team held fast, and rode even faster. While Mother Nature only spit a few drops, her roar created some serious head wind as the Drafters headed north.
The B Team started as 6 before deciding to challenge the notion of strength in numbers. And then there were 3. Spoiler: there IS strength in numbers. Knievel was awarded the Drafter Green Heart, a medal reserved for those who go above and beyond the call of duty, as he accompanied Shaq on the Lodi tour. Shaq had the route locked and loaded, but when the D Team failed to show, she put on her big person pants and set out with the B Team. Z Wrecks doubled back to help patrol the wind, while BrickO, Captain Joe and Squeak battled on.
The B team made their about face turn in Lodi, getting the exact coordinates of the A Team as they rapidly made their way to the front line. Knowing they had the Rock of Ages "Gunter Glieben Glauten Globen" ahead, better known in the cycling world as "Bitney, Buethin, Brererton", the B team made one last charge up Bitney Rd before being overtaken.
BrickO saw Squeak falling behind. Adhering to the Drafter Code, she went back for her teammate. After pulling her back up to the rest of the B Team, BrickO discovered that she had failed miserably. Mistaking Cujo for Squeak, BrickO had only hastened the advancement of the A Team. Deception was Cujo's super power, starting early with a text noting that she was going to be late due to heavy traffic in downtown Middleton. That's what happens when your Google Map is set on bike mode.
The A Team, led by Vintage, rocked on and up Bluethin. Missing from the band was front man, Cannibal. He joined Knievel in earning the Drafter Green Heart, helping Velo keep the beat. Cannibal faced a conundrum when he came upon Squeak, who had played her heart out early in the Draft and was facing the music. The Clash of the Drafter Code: Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble. And if I stay there will be double. Come on and let me know. Should I stay or should I go?
To give the reader some idea of how fast the A Team was traveling with the tail wind, Keez outpaced a "Baltimore Oreo". You know, "the rare orange bird." Keez also outpaced her chain, dropping it before the climb on Lodi-Springfield. Seizing the opportunity to make up some time on the 15min gap, BrickO mercilessly (not proudly) left her offspring to tend to the mechanical as she prodded LuLu and Vintage to pull her home. There are strength in numbers, but it is definitely limited.
Both teams were reunited back at base camp, where they enjoyed a roaring fire and frosty beverages. Octane brought a limited supply of his famous brownies, which were evenly distributed once enough Drafters went home. Cannibal and Velo regaled us with stories of the 12 rounds they went in the ring, drafting against the wind.
The Drafters were joined by celebrities Thing 1 and Granny, who earned their place around the back yard fire pit with tremendous cycling feats. Thing 1, unable to participate in the Horribly Hilly Hundreds this coming Saturday, set out to conquer the 200k (plus) earlier in the day, fully unsupported. Granny destroyed the Des Moines 70.3 on Sunday, earning herself a spot at the World Championship in Finland alongside Drafter teammate Squeak. Imagine what she would have done on a TT bike??? Once she figured out how to change out of the granny gear, it was game over for the other competitors. Congrats to Coach Midas on another golden touch.
In other celebrity news, Coach Arms was interviewed on the front lawn. Of the WHITE HOUSE!!! Wisconsin now holds the most national titles (7) in all of NCAA women's ice hockey. Humbled by the honor, the Canadian gave an exclusive interview to our Drafter Blog reporter. "I'm geeking out and I'm not even American!" Apparently, the Wisconsin State Journal was granted a separate (second) interview.
Nearly as prestigious as being honored on the front lawn of the White House, a handful of Drafters raised money for the MACC Fund by participating in the Trek 100. A fun day was had by all (Nemo, Booker J, Z Wrecks, Vilks, Pit Stop, BrickO, Pepe, Duracell & Speedy Family).
The route for Monday, June 19th will be Spring Valley, as a nice reminder to those who just suffered through the Horribly Hilly Hundreds. There is a short pour option to take the Pine Rd cut off. Choose wisely. Departures will be at 5, 5:15 and 5:30PM from Middleton Hills.
RidewithGPS link Drafters | Spring Valley
SHORT POUR: RidewithGPS link Drafters | Pine Loop
IN DIRTY NEWS: the Dirty Draft will begin Tue, June 20 at 5PM at the East Chalet at Blackhawk. There is a separate GroupMe for dirty announcements. Contact BrickO if you would like to be added.
Draft responsibly,
BrickO