Bros can haz results?

Phil & I raced 4's. Field was about 30ish people, same as last week. Tried to get a break going about 2-3 laps in, got a gap, a few bridged up to me but only only 1 pulled through, caught soon after. I drifted to the back and over the next lap or two, two guys got away and stayed away. It looked like it started out as 4 or 5, then whittled down to 2. Phil was steadily towards the front of the field most of the race so might know better than me. A couple laps later, I tried to bridge up to them, hoping someone would join, made it halfway across the gap, started running out of steam, got caught by two guys, hoping they had something left to help - nope - and then we were caught. Recovered, worked my way back to front, sprinted for what I think was 5th in field sprint, 7th overall, which would make it the 2nd week in a row finishing 7th. I plan on being out there next week, if any other 4's want to join.

Congrats to Christopher - results aren't posted yet but I"m pretty sure he was 3rd in the 5's. 

Thanks for the congrats Brian. Unfortunately couldn't stick around to catch you and Phil finish -looked like hard work with a solid two man break out so early. Saw Craig, JP and Vlad out in 123's chasing down a single man break with a significant gap.... and then what happened?

It was my first Floyd race, first race out of Prospect park, in first season of racing in over 20 years. I road out to Floyd feeling strong -a lone Kissena among a group of guys that appeared to all be 10 or more years younger, fitter, each with a teammate or two. My goal: hang on and place within top 15..... I think the field was 13 or so -a solid goal.

Didn't know what to expect with such a small field; was just enough to work with positioning, ended up leading off the front a couple times, worked with 3 others to reel in a break of 3-4. Several Kissena have mentioned, "Floyd is a good place to learn how to race." and found that to ring true -course seems to force the field to be more organized with drafting and working together; break attempts were more frequent than the prospect races I've done. To my surprise my secret weapon was armed and ready by lap two. My wife managed to come out with my nearly 4 year old daughter, and have to say, hearing "Go daddy go!" once a lap should be considered doping.

Last lap from the start finish, one surge after another and a 1 man break from Fulton just before the first turn. I remained within 4th and 7th wheel for the rest of the course until the last turn. The Fulton guy was about 75 yards out front into the wind and I just bridged from wheel to wheel for the sprint. Hurt like hell but exhilarating to see others drop like flies out of my periphery. I'm not putting much stock in 3rd place within such a small field, but the placing is a validation of what felt like a new level of effort on my part and of a good race overall.

Hope to catch tuesdays at Floyd next season. Will make the best of the remaining Graveyard series. Scott, good to read you'll be out there next sunday. Would be great to see more cat 5s.

Two more races left for this series so get out there.

Every time I think of going out to Floyd, I hate it.  But when I get there, I usually love it.  There's never an easy race; it's really hard to sit in.  And I think no matter who you are, if you're going to do well, it's going to hurt.

First time at Floyd this year, I think.  As a result, I didn't have much in the way of expectations for myself--knowing what to expect on the course really helps here.  It as me and Vlad and Craig in a small field.  I think 30 starters for 16 laps on the 1.5mi "short" course.  Vlad and Craig were at the last one and sounded like they were riding well; happy to help them first.

Even though Vlad was the only pre-reg, there was no shortage of hammers.  Scott Savory, Adam Alexander seemed like the headliners, but the three Burrowes (Jermaine, Johann, Paul) had the family advantage, sleeping late and getting the race held up until they arrived.  A few others I recognized but didn't know. 

The attacks started from the gun.  Savory went out on his own.  His gap looked big, but when the field was ready, it was closed fast.  Breaks formed and fizzled as everyone fought the wind.  I was using up lots of energy chasing and countering.  I feared the break would come early.

At some point, a break got away, Craig got up to it, Vlad got into the second group, myself in the third.  But it all came together.  And blew apart.  And together again.

A bit after half distance, a break coalesced.  About 10 riders. Craig was in it.  Though he was the only kissena, and was outnumbered by United riders, and there were some big sprinters, we decided that we weren't going to chase unless we could do so in a few-rider split.  We did an ok job, we were following our way into moves, but the riders didn't seem to commit.  Then a few more got away.  Missed that.  Bad on us.

In the final laps, United's Paul Burrowes and Ricky Lowe finally came to life.  They wanted to chase down the move. I was uncomfortable with doing that, but happy to ride with them.

Going into the last corner, Ricky was giving me a  hard time about chasing.  I think we were off the front of the chase.  Around the corner, and he sat up.  I was surprised by this but hoped to steam ahead of the remainder.  They got on my wheel.  

Vlad took the "field" sprint.  14th.  Craig was 10th.  I was 20th.  

Leaving from GAP around 6:45 tomorrow for 8 am 5s race.  

ChristopherMeehan said:

Leaving from GAP around 6:45 tomorrow for 8 am 5s race.  

Good luck!

I'll be passing GAP around 8am.

Hoping to have some teammates in the 1/2/3.  (Nudge, Nudge)

ChristopherMeehan said:

Leaving from GAP around 6:45 tomorrow for 8 am 5s race.  

Have a great race, I'm pulling outta this one after a harder day than expected this morning. Will plan on next Sunday at graveyard. 

Really bummed to not be there this morning but good luck to everyone. I felt crappy on yesterdays ride, was hoping it was just a hangover and I'd feel better today but it seems that I'm sick. On vacation next weekend, so good luck next weekend too.

Results bros?

I think Christopher got 7th in the V's.

My field lined up with something like six Foundation riders and four Uniteds among 30 or so.  It was sure to be a first-lap smackdown, and so long as the field didn't regroup, the first lap would be the race.

I figured I had the legs to get into it.  I figured it was the only thing do to.

Sure enough, a Pennsylvania guy attacked from the line.  And Foundation and United chased.  I got to the front with a united and foundations on my wheel.  I pulled too long. got jumped, and the field started to claw some back.  

Four riders made it across.  I was not one of them.  Several guys were playing poker.  Foundation and United could, of course, but the rest of us couldn't really.  But they continued to do so.  

so I pulled some more.  No help.  Then I was jumped.  I scrabbled back on.  And then they mostly sat up.  Then a few foundations attacked.  I started chasing.  Was jumped again.

and that was it.  OTB.  I had a chase group of two other guys.  Neither of whom could figure out how and when to echelon.  (it was easy.  ride to the left of the leader between turns 1 and 2, then to the right of the leader between 2 and 3).  Even with the straight lines of pavement seams, these guys couldn't figure it out.  For several laps, I'd yell "echelon" and show them how to do it, and they wouldn't do it.

We eventually caught a fourth rider.  At least he knew to echelon.

With three to go we were getting lapped (six guys, being chased by four guys who wern't going to catch), and a bell was run for a prime.  I thought it was for them.

It was for us.  D'oh!

And I blew the four-up sprint by going about 10 meters too early into the tailwind.

21st.  

I feel stupid.  but then, the "field," of which there wasn't any, was sprinting for 10th.  I think the biggest group was that initial six-man move. It was windy, but didn't feel that windy.

le sigh

Was the pennsylvania guy wearing a cadence skinsuit? If so, how did he end up doing?

Stephen wentworth of tri state velo. He got second.

Results, bro.  

http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2015&id=2702

Christopher and I (Cat 5), Phillip and Vlad posted up at FBF today.

It was my second FBF and I felt pretty good.  Christopher caught me on Flatbush heading down to the crit.  To be honest, I thought it was going to be really light with it Labor Day, but actually a pretty good sized crowd showed up. 

Race start at 8am? Nah, ended up being about 8:30am.  Christopher got his number pinned by one of the Mangoseed guys, which should have been my cue to follow ... he became much more aerodynamic than me. 

17 Cat 5’s entered the field.  After a brief warm up around the track I caught the start just in time, riding up next to Christopher.  We briefly bumped fists, whistle blew and we were off, riding in the first 5 around the first corner.  Subsequently one guy immediately blew one or both of tubulars and quickly pulled to the side. 

Christopher was near the front of the pack for the entire race, pulling the group at one point, I moved up and gave the group a little pull as well, but certainly didn't want to burn too many matches and ended up, what I felt like, a Sunday ride in the park for some time. Even when I tried to peel off, they followed me like a snake's body.  There were a couple of good challenges from the other riders but nobody truly broke away.

As the 7th lap turned into the 8th and final, the group broke hard.  Christopher was up front with the group, I was in the middle of 8 or so, turned the first corner and went down the fast side where I blew up halfway and pulled a bit off.  And good thing I did  as unfortunately a handful of seconds later one guy hit a pothole, blew his rear tire and went down hard (aside from some road rash he was OK) ... I was previously right behind him.

Christopher ended up placing 2nd(!) and I pulled up 7th.  Had a blast, we both worked together on a couple of parts to stay up in the group’s front.  Watched Phillip and Vlad run their groups and grabbed some great Mangoseed food at the end of the races.

Speaking of 2nd place, see below Christopher's super wide smile as he sports his second place medal  .... I don't know if it was from the Mountain Dew I was drinking after the race, but I swear he said he'd wouldn’t remove until the season was completely over ?? 

Slightly bummed I just started racing late this summer and won't be back at FBF until next year but looking forward to Tour de Fort Lee next weekend.

You heard it right Scott.... but after weighing my metal I determined it won't bring the advantage I had hoped for in the next race.

FBF last week had more wind, more break attempts and a less cohesive field of 13 than this Sunday's course with it's 17 riders. With all the hard work and frustration I actually enjoyed last week's challenges despite not being able to defend my placing from the previous week and ultimately finishing 8th.

It was a  whole different world this morning, having a teammate in the race, especially like Scott who rode really solid up front, was responsive to the dynamics of the field, and helpful blocking and opening up a spot within 3-5 wheels when I finished my pulls.

That helped me settle in up front more comfortably this time, conserving energy and watching the movement of the series' race leaders. The overall leader, the only one who's been able to quickly and definitively gap the field, solo, in previous weeks made the only break attempt today after the second turn of the last lap. Those of us in the front during earlier laps made sure hold him in the pull position on the more windy stretches, hoping to wear him down. It paid off on the final stretch, I finished less than half a wheel short of 1st. Next order of business: learn to get off my ass during the final sprint ...maybe tomorrow at Basking Ridge.

Thanks for the pic and the great teamwork, Scott!

^I smell a Floyd addict in the making...

Best Floyd metaphor ever:



photo: Phil Penman

Results:

https://www.usacycling.org/results/?year=2015&id=2702&info_id=91478

Started the 4s feeling good after riding tempo from Astoria since I left late. Got to Flyd and watermelons were being cut. There was a good turn out as before, and there was a slight head wind on the finishing straight. I love that this year, people actually showed up to do the series. No combining of fields etc.

The field was going hard the first couple of laps from attacks and surges, then settled in. I helped pull back a break and took a flyer with 3 laps to go. I jumped after turn 1 and when I looked back and I was away (the beauty of being anonymous). No one came with me and was hung out to dry (the downside of being anonymous). After turn 3, someone came up and I slotted in but when I looked back, the field was roaring single file so I gave up. In hindsight, there were people I could've told of what I was doing, but this wasn't a planned move.

There was a crash on the last lap (two or three guys, all were up and about after).

Came in 13th, chatted with Christopher and Scott, had rice and chicken courtesy of Mangoseed, then rode home. Horace really knows how to engage people. Good times.