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- ToD Boxyard 42Boxyard RTP, morrisville, NC
This 42ish-mile route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47317312 launches from the Boxyard - RTP's indoor/outdoor food hall, working our way south to Cary then West to Jordan Lake. We'll roll past Jean's Neighborhood Market on our way to Jordan Lake, and then make an official rest stop there on the way back (~mile 26.8). For those wanting to shorten the route by about 7 miles, you can hang out at Jean's until the rest of the group returns from Jordan Lake. According to Ride with GPS, the terrain is rolling hills with about 1,800 feet of climbing. I plan on averaging about 16mph (+/- depending on the group). This is not a no-drop ride, but as long as you can maintain at least a 15mph average for the entire ride you won't ride alone.
Please arrive early so we can have our safety chat, introductions, and leave together promptly at 8:30. Bring plenty of water and whatever form of electrolytes work for you. As always, helmet, water bottle, spare tube and basic tools are required.
After the ride, we'll descend on the food and beverage facilities at the Boxyard for some post-ride camaraderie.
If you haven't done so in 2025, please sign the digital waiver: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ7Gz6Zi9mbhgyt4KFo2ZLCRYaYSBXijcRYa6laoh_3O8dEA/viewform
- THURSDAY Ride at the Glass JugThe Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP, Durham, NC
Thursdays ride is back! And it's a new route , taking advantage of Hopson Road being extended across Highway 55: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51410018.
As always, 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.
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. And now there is also a gas station with prepackaged sandwiches and burritos, if for some reason that would be your preference.
- 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.
