
What we’re about
We are Team On Draft! Bikes and Beer to Cure Multiple Sclerosis!
Draft (verb) : 1. To follow another cyclist (or motor vehicle) so closely that the leading vehicle takes the brunt of the wind resistance, and acts as a windbreak for the drafting cyclist.
2. The process of dispensing beer from a bright tank, cask or, keg - by hand pump, pressure from an air pump or injected carbon dioxide inserted into the beer container prior to sealing.
Based in the Triangle Region of North Carolina - we ride for fun, camaraderie, and to raise money to combat Multiple Sclerosis in the weekend-long Bike MS event held in New Bern, NC each September.
We are a very inclusive and diverse group where you don't have to be a "hard core" road biker to join in a ride. We ride in several locations around the Triangle. We host regular 15+ mile training rides on weekday evenings in summer months. We host longer distance pick-up rides on weekends all year and our members participate in several organized charity rides around the Triangle throughout the year.
Anyone interested in road cycling with a group is welcome to join us for a ride. It helps if you like to have adult beverages after the ride, because we do!
***Short blurb for fundraising: ***Aside from our anti-MS fundraising, we also need money to fund team parties and rides. We have an annual fundraiser and also welcome contributions from fellow Drafters in lieu of regular dues. You may notice that the name of On Draft Captain Chris Bagley appears on the donation page, because he is a signer for the team bank account. Trust him.
Now for some safety and legal stuff:
1. Wear a helmet. We cannot allow any riders on our group rides without a helmet.
2. We adhere to a "no drop" policy on our weekday evening group rides. A designated ride "Sweep" will stop at turns to make sure slower riders stay on course and be sure that anyone having trouble gets assistance. This does not mean that someone will ride beside you the entire time. Please make sure you can average a pace of 13 MPH or greater when coming out to one of these rides. Please note our routes do include hills.
3. You are responsible for bringing an ID, bike tools, spare tubes that fit your bike, and any food and hydration you require. We try to schedule longer distance rides (25 miles and above) with a rest stop at a convenience store, but this is not always possible. Our weekday training rides do not have a rest stop (until the end when the pints are served!)
4. The following things are prohibited in a group ride: No ear buds or headphones, No riding in a pace line while using aero bars, No using a cell phone while on the bike, No touching another rider without their express permission.
5. It's a RIDE, not a RACE. This is a social, casual riding group and we expect you to watch out for one another. We’re going to go out in several pace groups. Please keep your groups together and try not to drop those in the back of your pace group. Stop at Lights and Stop Signs until you re-group.
6. Ride single file in small groups if the road is not wide enough or traffic is heavy.
7. We follow traffic laws. Stop at stop signs and stop lights. NC Law considers you to be a vehicle. We do not pass cars at stoplights. We PASS on the LEFT.
8. Braking - must call out SLOWING and STOPPING whenever you are doing either. ANY TIME YOUR HANDS TOUCH THE BRAKES, CALL OUT.
9. Passing - ONLY PASS OTHER CYCLISTS ON THE LEFT unless an emergency or the slowing rider is coming off the front in a paceline. Call out when passing another cyclist “PASSING ON LEFT”.
Same goes for vehicles, only pass on left, and We Do Not pass cars when stopped at a light, etc.
10. Wheel Overlap (aka half-wheeling)- Avoid riding so your front wheel overlaps another riders rear wheel. This is very dangerous and can take both riders down.
11. Point out Hazards & Turns - Point and call out your hazards and upcoming turns. Call out "CAR BACK" if there is a car behind the group.
12. Pacelines:
Communication in the pace line is key. Stay alert and aware, call out slowing, stopping Lines are about consistent EFFORT, not necessarily consistent SPEED.
Avoid Wheel Overlap. This creates a dangerous situation. If overlap occurs do not brake hard. Try to get out of the line and catch wind resistance to gradually slow yourself.
Rider on the front should always be pedaling. This does not mean they should be accelerating, only maintaining rotation of their feet while on the front. This prevents the YO-YO effect.
13. By signing up for messages regarding our rides, and coming to a ride with us, you acknowledge that road cycling is inherently dangerous, and that Team On Draft is not responsible for your safety on the road. We plan our routes to try to avoid traffic and road hazards; however there are no guarantees when you are riding. Team On Draft and our Ride Leaders cannot be held liable for your safety on a group ride.
That's it! Come join us and have FUN!
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Bike MS 2025 - Historic New Bern RideUnion Point Park, New Bern, NC
Bike MS is back in 2025! Put it on your calendar! While we don't know whether the weather will be perfect, soggy, or hot and muggy, we're gonna act like it'll be 80 degrees and sunny with a 90% chance of 202.2 miles of riding.
The ride begins at Union Point Park, 210 E Front St, at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 6. There will be routes of 30, 50, 75 and 100 miles on Saturday and again on Sunday.
We'll gather Friday evening at 6 p.m., either at our team tent in Union Point Park or at someone's Air BnB, for a team dinner and ride-strategy session.
Once you are prepared to throw yourselves into the awesomeness, you can join our team on our MS Society team page: https://events.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=81584. Registration is now $20. The amount will go up a couple of times in the spring and summer; committing now will save you some money and also help the MS folks plan the ride.
Requirements:
Fundraising Minimum: $300
Age Minimum: 12
Awesomeness Minimum: 8.5/10.If you have questions about logistics or fundraising, please contact Chris Bagley or post a comment below.
Please also use the comments section to organize groups for AirBnBs. The last couple of years, most of us have gotten together in groups to rent houses for the weekend. Camping in Union Point Park is free ... but also potentially wet.
- Haunted Hundred Weekend on Topsail Island103 Triton Ln, Surf City, NC
We will host a beach house weekend again with the 5th Annual Haunted Hundred as the main event! This keeps getting better every year! It's much more than riding and there’s plenty for our non-riding friends to enjoy.
You do not need to participate in the beach house or the weekend events in order to ride with us on Sunday's Haunted Hundred Ride. We have posted the Haunted Hundred Ride separately.
Friday Evening we may hit a bar or two for some dancing and playing pool. Break the ice and get acquainted with your housemates.
Saturday after Michael prepares his famous breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, we'll do some kayaking around Permuda Island then enjoy some well-deserved beach time.
Saturday Evening you can choose to go out to your favorite seafood restaurant or partake in the group feast at the beach house. The Salty Turtle has a Halloween Party.
On Sunday, the Drafters ride with the Turtles!! Everyone can regroup at the Post Ride Party at the Salty Turtle (be sure to purchase the tickets for Non-Riding Guests). Stay Sunday night and rest or, if you need to head back home, you’ll have the beach house to freshen up for the ride back home. Our check-out will not be until Monday morning.
Requirements:
1. Let us know that you are interested! Talk to us during one of the many Team On Draft group rides this spring and summer.2. Please sign up for the ride on your own. Details are at 5th Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride Event October 26, 2025-Salty Turtle Cycling Club
3. Let us know if you’d like to share the beach house. Margaret-Anne is looking for deals but needs to know how many rooms. It takes time to locate and secure accommodations that satisfy a group. Therefore, we ask for a deadline of July 27th to let us know if you are seriously interested and the number of people in your entourage.
Michael & Margaret-Anne
-----------------------------------------
Please see the official page for the 5th Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride Event October 26, 2025-Salty Turtle Cycling Club at raklet.com!
----------------------------------------- - 5th Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride103 Triton Ln, Surf City, NC
Register for this event at the official website here...
5th Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride Event October 26, 2025-Salty Turtle Cycling ClubHosted by the Salty Turtle Cycling Club with all proceeds benefitting the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
There are two route options: 100k and 50k
There is a post-ride party for celebrating and socializing at The Cove, next to Salty Turtle Beer Company with catered food, cash bar, auctions, and more fun surprises.REGISTRATION CLOSES October 5th. NO DAY-OF REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE.
-----------------------------------------
If you are interested in making it a whole weekend, see our post here
Haunted Hundred Weekend on Topsail Island, Fri, Oct 24, 2025, 4:00 PM | Meetup
-----------------------------------------