Drafter Finale 2023
Draft Away by Dobie Gray
Beginnin' to think that it’s pedalin' time
I don't understand other things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
Now I'm countin' on you to carry me through
Oh, give me the quads, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your watts 'n' roll and draft away
Oh, give me the quads, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your watts 'n' roll and draft away
And when my quads are free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The peloton’s comin' through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
And rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You've helped me along, makin' me strong
Oh, give me the quads, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your watts 'n' roll and draft away
Oh, give me the quads, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your watts 'n' roll and draft away
Draft Away album cover by Skipper
A rainy week gave way to a glorious day for the final draft. Temperatures were a wee bit nip for the 10AM full pour. Conversations surrounding arm warmers, full fingered gloves and ear wraps were more vivacious than middle school girls deciding on outfits for a dance. LuLu selected a lovely furry ear wrap, Gopher doubled up on gaiters and Cannibal doubled down on green jerseys. Say what??? Yup. Cannibal went green.
Squirrel crossed athletic discipline boundaries, wearing a XC ski wardrobe and Lululemon pants. For real, not the Novara look-alike logo brand that earned LuLu his handle. Innocent mistake, for those non-fashion conscious (aware) cyclists.
At the other end of the thermoregulatory spectrum, Rimshot and Sandals opted to show some leg, hoping to solidify their tan lines before winter sets in.
BrickO, Gopher, LuLu, Bomber, Knievel, Sandals, Z Wrecks, Squirrel, Cannibal and Rimshot
Mercury didn't rise much for the 11AM short pour, but they rose to the occasion.
Skipper, Footer, Pepe, Cookie Monster and Animal
In order to generate a bit more heat, LuLu drafted responsibly with his 650B 2" tires, reaping, threshing, gathering, and winnowing through the corn fields. The rest of the A Team was plenty warm just trying to keep up to the harvester.
Children of the Corn
An unanticipated bridge out on County Highway Y gave the A Team a bit of a pause, long enough for BrickO and Z Wrecks to catch up. Fortunately, Racek Rd provided a scenic bypass, with gorgeous views of the Ferry Bluffs.
BrickO takes advantage of her position as caboose to capture the A team riding towards the bluffs
Skipper's artistic eye and camera captured the B Team's adventures beautifully.
Pepe gets lost in his watts 'n' roll and drafts away
Animal and Cookie Monster ride in rhythm and rhyme and harmony
Anybody know a good Physical Therapist? Take your pick out of this trio!
PTs Animal, Cookie Monster and Footer
Many who couldn't make the final draft were on deck for the awards ceremony. Slim, Keez, Badger, Sandlot, Speedy, Vilks, Granny, Pipes and Hit-the-Wall filled the stands in anticipation of this year's recipients.
Keez, Pipes, Granny, Gopher, Badger, Aida, Cujo, Squirrel, LuLu, Cannibal, Rimshot, Slim and Knievel
Uni-Force
This season we enjoyed 23 rides covering 741.28 miles (when quads are tired, 0.28 miles are significant). Our cycling family has enlisted 164 Drafters, including 9 newbies this year: Velo, Animal, Griz. Bieber, Shaq, Watson, Presley, Cotton Tail, and Boreo. Several Drafters committed to at least 10 tours: BrickO, PitStop, Speedy, Duracell, Rimshot, Pepe, LuLu, Octane, Knievel, Cannibal, Shaq, Cujo, Queenie, Footer, Squirrel, Granny, Keez and Z Wrecks. Thanks to our friends at SweatVac for providing a sweat barrier.
10+ rides
Historically, the MVP award goes to the Drafter with the highest attendance (Cannibal and Cujo). Breaking tradition, the MVP award this year goes to... (Queenie with the drum roll, which you can listen to on Spotify) Shaq. New to cycling, Shaq conquered the Horribly Hilly Hundreds, RAGBRAI and Garmin technology in the span of a summer. This sense of adventure embodies the Drafter spirit.
The Tour de Dane Femmes took place in July, concurrent with the Tour de France Femmes, in an effort to generate support for women's cycling. The event spanned 7 days and consisted of 3 challenges/stages: 1) yellow jersey for the most miles ridden, 2) green jersey for the time trial, and 3) polka dot jersey for the hillier than hell series of climbs. Congratulations to all of the participants: Cujo, Keez, Flash, Belle, BrickO, Animal, Granny, Shaq, Sandlot, Coach Arms, Nemo and Thing One. Thanks to Online Cycling Gear for providing the jerseys!
Animal, Cujo and Keez
Four members were inducted into the Flat Tire Club: Octane, Footer, T1 and Velo (twice). They now have an option to cap off their stems with a choice of emotion.
How do you feel about changing a flat tire?
Slim, our Drafter mechanic who "tirelessly" assisted with the flat tire changes was gifted his very own bike tire changing station.
Slim's Flat Tire Changing Station
There were more parts than tires needing to be fixed. Keez required a new ACL after being hit by a car, and Rimshot lost a pair of Hincapie Drafter shorts and some skin. And all they got was these stinkin' t-shirts.
There is a saying, "You have to be really good to know you aren't very good." Meaning, if you are exceptionally gifted at something, say cycling, for example, you can appreciate the chasm that exists between you and a professional. Or Vintage and LuLu. On one particularly challenging draft, the group politely waited at the top of a climb. While waiting, these two yardbirds decided to throw in an extra off-road climb for funsies. They earned the "stupid climb" award, a clever topo map of the terrain they conquered.
Stupid Climb Award (artist's rendition, not the actual topo)
Caution: sentiment ahead. The Drafters are not BrickO's. They Drafters are a family operation, who support and encourage one another on and off the bike. While I am (BrickO speaking in the first person is rare, as the Drafters are a unit not owned by one person) beyond grateful for the gifts received on Sunday, the true gift is the community we have built together.
That said, these beers, whiskey, pumpkin spice bars and grapefruit pie will be gratefully consumed and the incredible art will hang proudly on my wall (once I reinforce a stud). Thank you. So much.
The Drafting season isn't over- it has only morphed. The Dirty Draft has commenced. Join the crew on Monday at 4:30 leaving from the CXC parking lot. Once the snow flies, drop your tire pressure and join the Drift Draft! Details will be posted on the DirtyDraft GroupMe app. Let me know if you would like to be added.
We will likely be gathering for special events, like the UW Badger Women's Hockey game on Sat Feb 3 with Coach Arms and pond hockey with Speedy, so keep your Drafter GroupMe app alive through the winter.
Draft responsibly,
BrickO