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- Big Woods 39M1309 New Hill Olive Chapel Rd, Apex, NC
This is a no-drop ride as long as you can keep a 18ish-mph pace. Its a 39 mile ride with about 1000' elevation. Ride starts at American Tobacco Trail Access New Hill Rd (1309 New Hill Olive Chapel Rd, Apex, NC 27502). You can view ride at Big Woods · Ride with GPS (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34799298)
Not sure what breweries are nearby but we can discuss possible options during the ride. (We need something to talk about!)
You must bring a bicycle helmet, water, spare tube, and patch kit. Glasses are recommended for eye protection.
Please sign the waiver here if you have not done so in 2024: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ7Gz6Zi9mbhgyt4KFo2ZLCRYaYSBXijcRYa6laoh_3O8dEA/viewform. If you like paper more than electrons and trees, you can print and sign this one and return it to the ride leader:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AW-B2yoKg0Npc6lfHO0D5Qq4RBl5dlBt - Monday RTP: WINTER HOURS 2:30PMThe Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP, Durham, NC
Please note the changed time.
As you know, this is a no-drop ride with at least one sweep who will hang back with you as long as you can keep a 14-mph pace. This 19- mile route goes through a mix of country roads, city streets, and residential neighborhood streets. You can view it at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38778224.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 on one side of TGJ or the Thai, Indian, and empanadas restaurants on the other side.
You must bring a bicycle helmet, water, spare tube, and patch kit. Glasses are recommended for eye protection.
Please sign the waiver here if you have not done so in 2024: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ7Gz6Zi9mbhgyt4KFo2ZLCRYaYSBXijcRYa6laoh_3O8dEA/viewform. If you like paper more than electrons and trees, you can print and sign this one and return it to the ride leader:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AW-B2yoKg0Npc6lfHO0D5Qq4RBl5dlBtCOVID-19 safety measures
We want to reduce infection risk for all of our riders and particularly for the immunocompromised. Whether or not you are vaccinated, if you have symptoms please to not attend this ride.
- Thursday Ride: WINTER HOURS 2:30 PMThe Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP, Durham, NC
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 18.5-mile route goes through a mix of country roads, city streets, and residential neighborhood streets. You can view it at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38704596.
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.
