Final Draft
A few days past the Harvest Moon, Neil Young was spot on for our Drafter theme as 19 rolled down Easy Street.
Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin'
We could draft this night away
But there's a full moon risin'
Let's go draftin' in the light
We know where the music's playin'
Let's go out and feel the night
Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you draft again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon
The plan was to stay together. That lasted for 30 seconds, as Octane dropped Scarlet Begonias chain (doesn't everyone name their bike?) 100 yards from the start. BrickO and Midas circled back, and thanks to the Midas touch, Octane and Scarlet Begonias were back up and rolling quickly. The chase group had the peloton in sight when Octane dropped his light. Can you say hot mess? All was forgiven as Octane procured a delicious batch of brownies for the Drafters. His priorities are in check.
Things got a bit dicey in Dane as Mario drove his kart off-road, expertly navigating his way through gravel and narrowly escaping a field of freshly spreed manure. Whatever inspires you to be better....
Queenie certainly found inspiration to write, produce and release is new EP, RISING. Listen here on Spotify. You can almost hear him belting out the lyrics in the action photo below.
The Drafters paused briefly before rolling down Easy Street to appreciate the sun hanging low in the western sky and reflect on our time together in 2023. There is only enough daylight for one final Monday night draft.
Back at base camp, laughter flowed freely although many agreed admission could have been charged for MLN (Monday Night Live, a subsidiary of SNL) guest appearance by comedian Tennille.
The greatest pedaling feat of the evening was far from Easy Street. Keez took her first pedal stroke only 5 days after surgery. Not all super power is measured in watts.
On that note, a big shout out to the 500+ riders who showed up at Brittingham Park on Sunday for Ride for Your Life to create a safer future for cyclists.
Quick shout out to Cujo on her recent 2023 World Triathlon Championship Finals finish in Pontevedra, Spain. In an inclusive Drafter interview, Cujo credited her lightening fast bike split to Slim's Skills Clinic. Draft responsibly.
The final Monday night Draft on Monday Oct 9 at 5PM will be a slightly modified 19 mile Chapel Ride, to include the bike path home through Pheasant Branch Conservancy in order to provide a safe route with the setting sun (Bike Path Bonanza).
RidewithGPS link to Drafters | Bike Path Bonanza
NOTE ABOUT BIKE PATH ENTRY: RidewithGPS directs you to cross Airport Rd in order to gain access to North Fork Trail. If traffic is too heavy to accomplish this safely, please turn RIGHT onto Pleasant View Road, and then left into the Fireman's Park parking lot, where it is easy to connect to the North Fork Trail (see map below).
Mark your calendars for the END OF THE YEAR DRAFTER 50 on Sunday Oct 15 at 10AM. Following the ride, please bring a lunch and beverage to enjoy at base camp. There will be a brief (toned down significantly from past years) awards ceremony, including a podium presentation for the winners of the Tour de Dane Femmes.
Draft responsibly,
BrickO