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- Thursday Ride at the Glass Jug FALL HOURS: 5:00 pmThe Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP, Durham, NC
This will be the last ride at 5:00. We're going to move this back next week, probably to 3 p.m., where it will stay until spring. Keep your eyes peeled.
As you know, this is a no-drop ride with a sweep who will hang back with you as long as you can keep a 14-mph average pace. The 16-mile route goes through a mix of country roads, city streets, and residential neighborhood streets. You can view it a version of it at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38704596. We will cut off the section on Wake Road and Grandale Road.
You must bring a bicycle helmet, water, spare tube, and patch kit. Glasses are recommended for eye protection.
Sign the digital waiver if you haven't done so this year:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ7Gz6Zi9mbhgyt4KFo2ZLCRYaYSBXijcRYa6laoh_3O8dEA/viewform
Join us after the ride at the Jug for a wide and fun assortment of brews! You can get take-out from the Chinese restaurant, the Indian restaurant, the Thai restaurant, or the empanada shop.
- Haunted Hundred Weekend on Topsail Island103 Triton Ln, Surf City, NC
We will host a beach house weekend again with the 4th 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.
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. Out 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 4th Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride Event October 27, 2024-Salty Turtle Cycling Club (raklet.com)
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 31st to let us know if you are seriously interested and the number of people in your entourage.
Michael & Margaret-Anne
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Please see the official page for the 4th Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride Event October 27, 2024-Salty Turtle Cycling Club (raklet.com)!
----------------------------------------- - Beer & Biking Adventure: Team On Draft Saturday Ride Wake ForestFreddy's Bottle Shop, Wake Forest, NC
Join Team On Draft for a 39M Beer & Biking Adventure this Saturday! We will be starting our ride at 9:00 am from Freddys Bottle Shop in Wake Forest, and embark on a scenic road ride. Open to pace but looking to do 17+. After our ride, we'll gather at Freddys Bottle Shop to relax and enjoy some well-deserved beers together. Park on E Jones Ave next to the Norse brewery or in front of Freddy at Brooks St/Wait Ave. We will depart from Freddys.
Route: Freddys Bottle Shop 39M · Ride with GPS
You must bring a bicycle helmet, water, spare tube, and patch kit. Glasses are recommended for eye protection.
Please sign the digital waiver if you haven't done so this calendar year:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ7Gz6Zi9mbhgyt4KFo2ZLCRYaYSBXijcRYa6laoh_3O8dEA/viewform - 4th Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride103 Triton Ln, Surf City, NC
Register for this event at the official website here...
4th Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride Event October 27, 2024-Salty Turtle Cycling Club (raklet.com)
The following is copied from that website...
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Join us for the 4th Annual Haunted Hundred cycling event! Hosted by the Salty Turtle Cycling Club with all proceeds benefitting the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
There are two routes. (Routes pending NCDOT approval - final routes and cue sheets will be published about a week prior to the ride.)- 100k (62 mile) Route Cue Sheet
- 50k (31 mile) Route Cue Sheet, .TCX GPS Import File, Ride with GPS Route Page
Both routes start at the Salty Turtle Beer Company and end with a pass over the Surf City bridge after a trek on Topsail Island and return back to the Salty Turtle Beer Company for a celebratory post-ride event at The Cove located next door.
Fully stocked aid stations and SAG support along the route.
Start time:- 100k 8:30am
- 50k 9:30am
Post-Ride Party:
From whenever you finish until 3pm we'll be celebrating and socializing at The Cove, next to Salty Turtle Beer Company with catered food, cash bar, 50/50 drawing, and more fun surprises.
Presentations and 50/50 drawings at 2:00pm at The Cove.
Registration:
PLEASE - only submit ONE rider registration per application. An application can include ONE rider and up to four Post-Ride Party guests.
REGISTRATIONS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. RIDE WILL TAKE PLACE RAIN OR SHINE.
REGISTRATION CLOSES October 1st. NO DAY-OF REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE.- $65 MEMBERS ONLY
- $80 Non-MEMBER
- $25 Non-Rider Post-Ride party guests
You can become a member of the Salty Turtle Cycling Club here: Join Salty Turtle Cycling Club . Membership is only $20/year and includes discounts for Haunted Hundred Registrations along with discounts from several local food establishments and merchandise discounts at Salty Turtle Beer Company!
Registration includes event ride insurance, full aid stations and SAG support, entry into the post-ride party, weekend entry to Turtle Hospital for rider and registered guest and one finisher beer (in your event-exclusive finisher beer glass!).
Waiver: All riders will be required to sign the Ride Waiver at event check-in. Click to view Ride Waiver
HELMETS ARE REQUIRED for all riders. Lights are highly recommended for visibility.
A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors--without you we couldn't make the impact we do. Save the turtles!
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