Mar 21, 2016 at 01:36 PM
Who is planning on racing on Saturday in CP?
Kissena Women's Team
Mar 21, 2016 at 01:57 PM
I am racing!!!!
Mar 22, 2016 at 05:30 PM
Okay, I reg'd. Don't forget!
Mar 24, 2016 at 04:37 PM
Anyone want to do this? https://www.bikereg.com/wwcgp
Mar 24, 2016 at 08:49 PM
Just a heads up, as a member of Kissena you cannot be a member of CRCA. It's definitely confusing because it seems like you could just join and get a better deal on their races, but you can't be on both.
I've had more than one question about this since they charge us $35 for their open races and $5 to the members. If you join CRCA, you cannot be on Kissena and you have to act as a marshall in their races.
I've had more than one question about this since they charge us $35 for their open races and $5 to the members. If you join CRCA, you cannot be on Kissena and you have to act as a marshall in their races.
Mar 24, 2016 at 09:20 PM
Plus...we are waaaaaay better and so much cooler
Mar 25, 2016 at 04:09 PM
Just another thing to remember about KCC. We are the club committed to keeping open racing available in NYC, *ALL* our races are open to all riders regardless to club affiliation with the exception of our one club championship every year.
This has been part of our club DNA since the beginning (which cannot be said for CRCA), so by being a member of Kissena you're not only being awesome, you're continuing to make an open and inclusive bike racing culture in NYC possible.
Mar 25, 2016 at 04:46 PM
Unfortunately, even though all the races are open, there are no longer ANY women's races being held in prospect park as of this year. The Women's R&A races, now Castelli, have been replaced by a Men's 3 field. This is understandable as the numbers have been up and down in the past few years, but definitely a disappointment to the women's racing community in NYC.
Mar 25, 2016 at 04:53 PM
A huge disappointment. And if numbers were up and down in the past, now
they will be nil.
__
Kasia Nikhamina
REDBEARD BIKES
69 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-858-2453
*Weekdays except Wednesday: *12 - 8 pm
*Saturday: *11am-6pm
*Sunday* 1-6pm
*Closed **Wednesdays*
Facebook , Instagram
, Twitter
they will be nil.
__
Kasia Nikhamina
REDBEARD BIKES
69 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-858-2453
*Weekdays except Wednesday: *12 - 8 pm
*Saturday: *11am-6pm
*Sunday* 1-6pm
*Closed **Wednesdays*
Facebook , Instagram
Mar 25, 2016 at 10:27 PM
What a bummer, the R&A races for women was great and exciting to watch as a marshall/reg volunteer.
I know it's not the same, but women should feel welcomed to race in the general category races.
I know it's not the same, but women should feel welcomed to race in the general category races.
Mar 26, 2016 at 11:54 AM
I am truly bummed by this.
Mar 26, 2016 at 12:17 PM
Cat 4 women can sign up for Cat 4 or Cat 5 races. In the L&C race, I see Mim G of Dave Jordan (a cat 3) signed up for the Cat 4 race, and Amy Cutler in the 123s.
I'm disappointed they changed the R&A race, and curious that R&A is not sponsoring it again this year. Numbers were down last year, in part, because of the terrible roads in the park. And racing is run by economics.
We've got a large Women's squad this year. Working together in a cat 5 race could be a lot of fun, give the squad great practice racing together in what would be a B or C race, meaning no pressure and no need to change your training schedule, and remind Race Directors there are women who want to race. And it could inspire Cat 4 Women on other teams to join you. What a sight that would be, to have the Cat 5 races taken over by the Women's squads from other teams.
I'm disappointed they changed the R&A race, and curious that R&A is not sponsoring it again this year. Numbers were down last year, in part, because of the terrible roads in the park. And racing is run by economics.
We've got a large Women's squad this year. Working together in a cat 5 race could be a lot of fun, give the squad great practice racing together in what would be a B or C race, meaning no pressure and no need to change your training schedule, and remind Race Directors there are women who want to race. And it could inspire Cat 4 Women on other teams to join you. What a sight that would be, to have the Cat 5 races taken over by the Women's squads from other teams.
Mar 26, 2016 at 05:45 PM
Race Report W Dev Series #2:
Another cold morning in CP. The race started out fast, single file for the first half lap or so. A Houlihan Lokey girl tried to make a break up the 2nd Harlem Hill, we let her go, and she wore herself out for a half lap and then joined us around the Tavern. The race was very slow after that.
I was talking with Chanel from Radical and a few of us agreed to make a break after the top of Harlem Hill on the 3rd lap. I got to the top and went for it, about a minute in I was saddened to find that no one came with me, so I regrouped. Maybe I went out too hard? But isn't that the point?
From the Tavern to the finish at Cat's Paw, I was on Alice's wheel on the right and Julie was alone on the left. The pace didn't get too tough. Alice dropped off halfway up the climb. I got a little trapped, but sprinted and managed to pass a few to end up 5th.
I'm feeling like things are starting to come together and I'm starting to get a small amount of comprehension of racing strategy. Still learning a ton each race. Looking forward to the next.
April 9th, who's with me? Either Cherry Blossom or Trooper Brinkhoff.
Another cold morning in CP. The race started out fast, single file for the first half lap or so. A Houlihan Lokey girl tried to make a break up the 2nd Harlem Hill, we let her go, and she wore herself out for a half lap and then joined us around the Tavern. The race was very slow after that.
I was talking with Chanel from Radical and a few of us agreed to make a break after the top of Harlem Hill on the 3rd lap. I got to the top and went for it, about a minute in I was saddened to find that no one came with me, so I regrouped. Maybe I went out too hard? But isn't that the point?
From the Tavern to the finish at Cat's Paw, I was on Alice's wheel on the right and Julie was alone on the left. The pace didn't get too tough. Alice dropped off halfway up the climb. I got a little trapped, but sprinted and managed to pass a few to end up 5th.
I'm feeling like things are starting to come together and I'm starting to get a small amount of comprehension of racing strategy. Still learning a ton each race. Looking forward to the next.
April 9th, who's with me? Either Cherry Blossom or Trooper Brinkhoff.
Mar 26, 2016 at 07:54 PM
Good times in the peloton today! A nice group of solid riders. We dropped a few in the first lap. I had a major breakthrough and spent some quality time at the front of the race today (probably too much). That's been something I've struggled with in past years. One Hoolihan Lokey girl made an attack on the West side rollers in the second lap and stayed away for a good bit. She was basically like dangling in front of us for about a quarter of a lap but we caught her.
Jill made an attack on the 3rd lap at Harlem Hill and got a little gap but she was soon caught. Good effort Jill! Chanel from Radical was actually supposed to go with her but got stuck mid pack (she was right by me). The race was pretty tame from that point on.
I was so adamant about getting to the front before the sprint that I got ON the front right before horseshit alley. I was pretty much in the wind the entire time and totally dying by the time I got to the finish. Big mistake. It was a mad dash to the finish and I was pretty taxed. Not sure what the final results are but I finished just behind my friend Maryanne from Montclair Bikery. Definetly not top 10.
Chanel who ended up winning was like pretty much hiding out most of the race which was really smart. I definetly need to find that line between being ON THE FRONT and actually in the front (first 10 riders). Very tricky. I won't make that mistake again. I feel like I've learned so much in just two races, looking forward to the next and hopefully getting some placings!
By the way my two favorite parts of today were Jill's snot rocket skills (and 5th place finish haha) and an unattached rider leaning on Alice and her handling her bike like a BOSS! My teammates rock! Proud to be a Kissena today!
Mar 26, 2016 at 08:06 PM
Great result Jill!
Nice work plotting an attack with someone from another team. The key to a successful attack is to do it when the rest of the group is tired - almost always this is right after an attack.
So - if you have teammates with you, your new obligation is to counter your teammates attacks. This is how it would work in theory:
This is super, super important. If a teammate attacks, you have to counter.
In Cat 4 & 5 races this is really hard to do as the pack will chase everything - but sooner or later they'll figure out that Kissena wants to put someone in a break and that it's easier to join us than constantly chase.
#ymmv
Nice work plotting an attack with someone from another team. The key to a successful attack is to do it when the rest of the group is tired - almost always this is right after an attack.
So - if you have teammates with you, your new obligation is to counter your teammates attacks. This is how it would work in theory:
- Jill finds someone from another team who agrees to attack with her. Jill checks that her breakmate is ready and boom! Off they go.
- Ok, everyone else in Kissena kit you are now ON DECK. Look around, and fast - find someone else from antoher team who is ready to counter with you - you don't need to actually chat them up (although some encouragement is always good) just look for the people getting into position and gearing up... when Jill is about ten bike lengths away it's YOUR TURN!
- Now Kissena rider two is up the road and Jill has been swallowed up. Everyone except Jill should be getting ready to counter if/when rider two gets caught...
- And so on...
This is super, super important. If a teammate attacks, you have to counter.
In Cat 4 & 5 races this is really hard to do as the pack will chase everything - but sooner or later they'll figure out that Kissena wants to put someone in a break and that it's easier to join us than constantly chase.
#ymmv
Mar 28, 2016 at 07:38 PM
Mar 28, 2016 at 10:07 PM
If I may add to Jules' solid advice:
- 95% of the time you want to save the attacking for the last third of the race. Attacking in the first two thirds is saying one of two things: 1) "I am a watt monster who drives her enemies before her, so you'd better bridge to my attack or watch me disappear into the distance." 2) I am inexperienced and I'm showing you that. Whats more, the wily competing teams will let you dangle out there until you burn all your matches.
– When your teammate goes off the front mask the attack by milling around the front of the pack to make it wider at the pointy end. This effectively blocks the view of the majority of the pack and gives the breakaway person more time to do their thing. Some on the club are of the mind that you should also set a false tempo on the front (slow enough to allow the gap to open, but fast enough to deter passing).
– If attacks aren't getting any takers, you might try a last lap two-up attack at the top of the 1st of the Three Sisters. To succeed you need to have conserved the entire race, practiced it as a team and have the watts to be able to hold off a hard charging pack.
- 95% of the time you want to save the attacking for the last third of the race. Attacking in the first two thirds is saying one of two things: 1) "I am a watt monster who drives her enemies before her, so you'd better bridge to my attack or watch me disappear into the distance." 2) I am inexperienced and I'm showing you that. Whats more, the wily competing teams will let you dangle out there until you burn all your matches.
– When your teammate goes off the front mask the attack by milling around the front of the pack to make it wider at the pointy end. This effectively blocks the view of the majority of the pack and gives the breakaway person more time to do their thing. Some on the club are of the mind that you should also set a false tempo on the front (slow enough to allow the gap to open, but fast enough to deter passing).
– If attacks aren't getting any takers, you might try a last lap two-up attack at the top of the 1st of the Three Sisters. To succeed you need to have conserved the entire race, practiced it as a team and have the watts to be able to hold off a hard charging pack.
Apr 05, 2016 at 07:12 PM
Anyone racing Saturday at Cherry Blossom that needs a ride, I live at 102 and Central Park West so hit me up, cell is 9736414004. However I can only realistically fit one other bike :-(
Also I told Jill that my parents live like the next town over from where the race is. Since the race is only 15 miles, theres about a 36 mile loop we can do from my parents house (it can be shortened) if you want some extra miles. Just throwing it out there....
Also I told Jill that my parents live like the next town over from where the race is. Since the race is only 15 miles, theres about a 36 mile loop we can do from my parents house (it can be shortened) if you want some extra miles. Just throwing it out there....
Apr 11, 2016 at 07:40 PM
Cherry Blossom, Cat 4 Women, 4/9/16
Another cold morning start (34 degrees!). I spent the first half in the pack drafting off of Kaley and the Radical Media ladies who I knew. Rosael and Chanel from Radical took a few turns trying to attack, but they never really stuck to their attacks and instead sat up right away when they saw that no one was going with them. Finally, with 2.25 laps to go, a girl from Princeton attacked from the back and no one chased and she got away. With 1.5 to go, I decided to try to bridge the gap and had two followers (Chanel from Radical and Shara from DJ). I went as hard as I could until I couldn't anymore and then they passed me, but a little too fast as I couldn't jump on their wheel. I chased and chased, finally got back on, but then the pack caught back up to us.
On the final lap, last turn of the race, a few girls decided to push their way inside me on the turn and caused a crash that took down 5 or 6. I skidded and stayed up, but came to a complete stop. The rest of the group was gone and so I rode tempo to the finish.
Another cold morning start (34 degrees!). I spent the first half in the pack drafting off of Kaley and the Radical Media ladies who I knew. Rosael and Chanel from Radical took a few turns trying to attack, but they never really stuck to their attacks and instead sat up right away when they saw that no one was going with them. Finally, with 2.25 laps to go, a girl from Princeton attacked from the back and no one chased and she got away. With 1.5 to go, I decided to try to bridge the gap and had two followers (Chanel from Radical and Shara from DJ). I went as hard as I could until I couldn't anymore and then they passed me, but a little too fast as I couldn't jump on their wheel. I chased and chased, finally got back on, but then the pack caught back up to us.
On the final lap, last turn of the race, a few girls decided to push their way inside me on the turn and caused a crash that took down 5 or 6. I skidded and stayed up, but came to a complete stop. The rest of the group was gone and so I rode tempo to the finish.
Apr 11, 2016 at 07:56 PM
Great job getting out and representing in the freezery Jill.
JP had some great advice years ago that I'll share - if you decide to bridge, or attack, you have to make a decision about how "all-in" you want to go.
If you go 100% you'll be unable to latch onto a group that passes you, or survive a move you've joined.
Then again, if you're in a winning move that is going warp speed it's probably worth going 100% to stay, because they won't be going warp speed forever.
Long winded way of saying, if you're bridging and you see a chase group coming up on you, save enough so you can join them.
JP had some great advice years ago that I'll share - if you decide to bridge, or attack, you have to make a decision about how "all-in" you want to go.
If you go 100% you'll be unable to latch onto a group that passes you, or survive a move you've joined.
Then again, if you're in a winning move that is going warp speed it's probably worth going 100% to stay, because they won't be going warp speed forever.
Long winded way of saying, if you're bridging and you see a chase group coming up on you, save enough so you can join them.
Apr 11, 2016 at 08:20 PM
To all the Kissena Women, King Kog are paying all women's race fees this weekend coming at the velodrome in 6 Days of Kissena Lady's Day round 3. Bring a fancy hat.
Apr 11, 2016 at 10:34 PM
Cherry Blossom race
Yet another cold race day for the Kissena women. About 20+ gals lined up at the start with their game faces on ready to rock on this twisty circuit with one soft turn. Overall the field was a little sketchy as I think this was a lot of girls first races both this season and ever. Nervousness permeated the entire field and there was lots of brake slamming and just general sketchy riding. A few attacks went off but nothing stuck. The field was so overly reactive to any attacking that people were calling out "attack" when girls were just trying to move up.
With about 2 laps to go I see this girl from Princeton tag a swig from her water bottle then the next second she is flying up the side of the pack and gets off the front. If you want to talk about committing to an attack that was definetly the way to do. Pretty gangster move if you ask me. She solo-ed away by herself and ended up winning.
On the last lap some girl tried to advance her position in the turn and ended up taking a couple girls out. I'm pretty grateful I didn't go down as I was right behind them and was able to slam my brakes skid and stay upright. Actually kind of miraculous. I caught up to Kaley's wheel and we made it to the finish line together. I think I was like 12th. I had plans of nailing this sprint but honestly for this race I was happy to make it to the finish line in one piece.
Best things about Saturday...hitting up my favorite NJ diner with my awesome teammates and Kaley's orange POC waterproof booties, which were so PRO! By the way, I'm totally picking up a pair tomorrow!
Good times! Next up...CRCA Women's Dev Series Race Part Three!
Apr 26, 2016 at 12:55 AM
I'm all reg'd for:
may 1 limerock
may 7 woodstock
may 8 bear
may 14 orchard beach both 3/4 and 4
who else?
may 1 limerock
may 7 woodstock
may 8 bear
may 14 orchard beach both 3/4 and 4
who else?
Apr 26, 2016 at 02:10 PM
Im in for Lime Rock, Woodstock, and Orchard Beach. No Bear for me..pretty sure my family has plans for Mothers Day...
Hopefully I can get my allergies under control...they are pretty bad right now...
Hopefully I can get my allergies under control...they are pretty bad right now...
Apr 26, 2016 at 02:20 PM
Hi girls,
I'm really keen to get back into racing after a month or so off the bike.
Suspect I need a few more rides to get the fitness up again, going to try and get out over the next week or so.
At this stage I'm a maybe for Woodstock, fitness dependant.
Def aiming to start for Orchard Beach!
x
Apr 26, 2016 at 02:37 PM
Hi all,
I'm doing Orchard Beach! Can't wait!
Sent from my iPhone
I'm doing Orchard Beach! Can't wait!
Sent from my iPhone
May 09, 2016 at 05:08 PM
I posted a short Bear Mountain report on the Bear Mountain thread, but here is my Woodstock report:
Women's Woodstock Cycling Grand Prix
Cat 4 race
There were 38 in our field on Saturday. The weather was rainy and about 50 degrees. The race is through rollers in the beginning 26 miles and then a killer 2 mile climb with an average grade of 11% (no joke!). The pack stayed together pretty much throughout the first 20 miles, at that point about 10 of us got a little gap on the rest of the group as we went over a steep roller. At the climb everyone went at their own pace and the group of 10 that I was in completely broke apart. There were 4 superstar climbers that went up more quickly. I started the climb in about 8th, passed 3 on the way up, got passed by 3 on the super bumpy, fast, wet descent. I fought my way back during the final 3 miles, latched on to one girl and we caught up with 2 others so that it was a train of 4 of us going into the finish. I decided to finally be patient and waited to the last minute and won the sprint around all three to place 5th!
This race was pretty much all about the climb. I think I'll go up there a few weeks before GMSR to prepare for App Gap. Woodstock is a great town and the event was so well organized. If you enjoy a good climb, put this race on your list for next year!
Women's Woodstock Cycling Grand Prix
Cat 4 race
There were 38 in our field on Saturday. The weather was rainy and about 50 degrees. The race is through rollers in the beginning 26 miles and then a killer 2 mile climb with an average grade of 11% (no joke!). The pack stayed together pretty much throughout the first 20 miles, at that point about 10 of us got a little gap on the rest of the group as we went over a steep roller. At the climb everyone went at their own pace and the group of 10 that I was in completely broke apart. There were 4 superstar climbers that went up more quickly. I started the climb in about 8th, passed 3 on the way up, got passed by 3 on the super bumpy, fast, wet descent. I fought my way back during the final 3 miles, latched on to one girl and we caught up with 2 others so that it was a train of 4 of us going into the finish. I decided to finally be patient and waited to the last minute and won the sprint around all three to place 5th!
This race was pretty much all about the climb. I think I'll go up there a few weeks before GMSR to prepare for App Gap. Woodstock is a great town and the event was so well organized. If you enjoy a good climb, put this race on your list for next year!
May 10, 2016 at 02:14 PM
Don't forget to reg for orchard beach: https://www.bikereg.com/crcaorchardbeachcrit
May 19, 2016 at 02:00 PM
I'm hoping we have enough people to do a criterium clinic both this Sunday, May 22, and Saturday June 11.
Details can be found here: http://kissenacycling.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/85788/#Comment_85788
Click on "awesome" if you're thinking of coming.
Details can be found here: http://kissenacycling.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/85788/#Comment_85788
Click on "awesome" if you're thinking of coming.
May 19, 2016 at 02:27 PM
I'm out of town unfortunately! I'd rather be there with you guys!