Another one in the bag

Whew, needed a few days to recover from that. Once again it was amazing to see how many people will jump at the chance to give up a night of sleep for a bike ride.

When the train left the capitol at midnight about 30 riders were on board but a lot more jumped in as we negotiated around gaggles of students getting their labor day weekend started.  When the hammer dropped at PD roughly 60 headlights streamed past. The group was rather diverse, from full kits on carbon wunder bikes, to panniered tourers, a couple tandems, and everything in between except there were no representatives of the recumbent sect.

A veteran from last year (sorry, I'm terrible with names and details like that weren't sticking to my brain after sunrise. So winner dude, give me your name and I'll insert it here) took the win and led us on a speedy trip back to the tunnel. The miscreants from BLM camped out in the tunnel all night long and greeted the rest of us with a volley of fireworks and metal when we retured for the awards ceremony.

A smoking fast couple on a tandem reached the border in the lead pack and took home a trophy on their bicycle built for two. Another award for "#1 Civic Duty" went to the group that stopped to buy their state trail passes at 2am.  Thanks to djonnymac for bringing an additional trophy which went to my wife (yea, it was rigged) who stepped way outside of her comfort zone to do her first ride over 50 miles (clocking in over 75 for the night), first night ride, first time drafting, first time falling asleep while riding which lead to her first flat, and still had the energy to push the pace and taunt other riders on the way home. 

Thanks to Chad, Leslie, Jin, Margaret and Rex for volunteering to help put this thing on, it couldn't happen without your time.

Thanks to the Ale Asylum for more than fully stocking the trailer.

Thanks for all of your donations; I'll be cutting a check to The Friends of the Badger State Trail for $200.

And thanks again everyone for making it a great night, we'll be doing this again...

The event photographer is MIA so more snapshots will show up later this week, but check out what others are putting up:

A gallery from djonnymac 

Words and pics from a member of the "#1 Civic Duty" crew

Trophy Teaser

The categories are still up in the air, but the trophies are almost finished.  Yes, they do light up if you spin the base fast enough. Thanks to the folks at Revolution Cycles for letting me rummage through their basement.

Stock up on sleep

The border ride is a week away, there isn't much to say but I figure that it's comforting for riders to see fresh words show up here so here's some rehashing of stuff you need to know.

First and foremost, this ride is unsupported, there is no sag wagon, and no one is keeping track of you so be prepared to take care of yourself.  It would be wise to let someone who cares about your wellbeing know what you are up to. We'll all be watching out for each other (I'm looking at you, everyone), so you'll be in good company, but when it comes to support you get what you pay for and there is no official entry fee.

Dangers include small and large animals on the trail (last year included multiple bat and raccoon strikes), many gopher holes, and road crossings. Anyone who gets hit by a car is disqualified. Anyone who fails to warn other riders of an approaching vehicle is subject to a mandatory group beating. Seriously folks, be careful at the crossings, some of them are blind and even though traffic will be light a few cars are bound to cross the pack.

I assume everyone will have headlights but please also put a tail light on your bike.  Obnoxious accessory lighting is encouraged.

There will be a tip jar passed around at the start, a small bit will be skimmed off to cover costs but the rest goes directly to the Friends of the Badger State Trail who look after the stretch of the path that accounts for most of the route.

Queue Sheet:

Start at intersection of S Carroll st and West Washington Ave

Head SouthWest on West Washington Ave

SW Commuter bike path - Right - 0.6

Badger State Trail - Straight - 5.8

Illinois Border - Turn around - 45.7

Back the way you came 

Map:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/49406514

There will be a nice easy parade pace forced for the first 6 miles to keep people from darting through intersections in town, when the trail crosses highway PD the pace bike will step out of the way and the hammering can begin. 

Only the first half mile is on road, the rest is on bike path and crushed gravel rail trail. Pretty much any bike is appropriate; roadies, fatties and tandems will be in attendance.

There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.  The ride goes on under any sky.

TL;DR

Notify a loved one, bring a tail light, don't get hurt.

Take 2

After much deliberation, consideration, consternation, and a bit of inebriation we'll be making the following changes for the second running of the pick-me-up... not a thing. Well, the trailer won't have a flat tire this year if you want to consider that a change.

Mark you calendar for midnight of Aug 31 (for the pedantic, yes technically that's the morning of Sept 1), the moon will be full and the trailer waiting at the border.

For the uninitiated:

The ride starts on Friday Aug 31, at midnight, on the WI state capital at the end of West Washington ave.

Riders parade down to the SW commuter and continue to the Badger State Trail.

At PD the parade ends and you pick your own pace, blazing or blase.

First person to the IL border wins the privilege of towing the well stocked trailer back to the capital.

Everyone else turns around when they meet the returning trailer. It's only polite to help lighten the trailer at this point.

Coffee and pastries will be provided back at the capital (if the entry pool allows it).

The round trip is roughly 95 miles if you make it to the border.

There is no support of any kind for this ride, no sweeper, no rescue vehicle, and no checkoff sheet for those returning to town. It's advisable to let someone who cares for your wellbeing know what you're up to that night in case you don't make it home.

There is no official signup but a quick RSVP to brassnipples@gmail.com would be appreciated to get a rough idea of how many riders will be there.

Entry fee is optional, paid at the start, and the amount is at the riders discretion.

After the meager event costs are covered the remainder of the entry pool goes to the "Friends of the Badger State Trail"