eloy said:

Registration is open. Be there:
https://www.bikereg.com/32606

Could I hitch a ride w/ someone for the Men's 4/5 on Saturday (or Sunday)?

hi Eloy, BiG Thanks!
signed-up right behind you in 45+ sat&sun @HPCX...&the ouch will commence! h;-)

nice 2c u &co today hope Dan had a good race?!

harry edmund bolick
hbolick@gmail.com
+1 718 640 8680 m

sent from iPhone

Who's going?  It's this weekend.

I'm currently thinking about doing the 35+ Saturday, but have to make sure it works out with other family plans.

I'll be there early for the 4/5 Open race on Saturday morning, ready to rock. 

I am signed up for the 11am race.

I've been battling a cold all week, so will depend on that.

Otherwise this is basically one of my favorite races, 45 min from Bklyn. In probably the most beautiful park we'll race this year.

Will be Halloween. Everyone should try and be there.

Registration closes today:
https://www.bikereg.com/hpcx-uci-c2

Here are photos I've taken at HPCX in the past:

still feeling a bit sick, so skipping tomorrow, with the hope of hitting the sandpits 100% sunday.

everyone else, go kick ass!

So bummed not to be racing. Have fun this weekend everyone.

Bad day for me.

My rear quick release decided it didn't want to hold anymore on the first lap of the race.  I first thought it was because it has been knocked during the chaos of the first real obstacle, the place with the planks and zero momentum uphill.  I rode it but got hit a couple of different ways.  

But when the wheel pulled out for the fourth time, I pulled out.  When the skewer won't hold the wheel in place when I'm in the 28, it's not working.

DNF

Wasn't feeling great, but I was excited to race.  Started last row.  Made up a few spots at the start, a few more on that uphill, one shortly thereafter, and was poised to pass three people on a fast section, when the wheel first pulled out.

I saw Max, Patrick, Jim Feehan at the race.  Hopefully, they'll fill in their details.

Ouch JP.

HPCX day 2 report.

Had not truly recovered from the cold. Took 15 minutes of racing to figure that out. Kept pedaling, but that was rough.

Otherwise, beautiful day in a beautiful park.

Took some photos of people on giant and liv bicycles destroying.


photos by eloy anzola, duh.

Such awesome shots Eloy. #pro

Patrick seems to have had a mishap:

too much heart rate!

Jeffrey White said:

Patrick seems to have had a mishap:

https://instagram.com/p/BMNjmodA7hl/embed/

First lap I felt an uuusal draft in my skin suit. Don't tell Vlad that my Champ Sys zipper failed! I should be upset (I am) but have sorta come to expect it.

 #wardrobemalfunction #zipperfail

still looks sharp! 

any good NYC dry cleaner should be able to fix it no prob.

(sidenote: new sponsors would look infinitely sharper)

Eloy, does that mean those of us not on Giant/Liv bikes were not destroying? Kidding, thanks for the photo.

Belated race report, HPCX Day 1:

My parents were on a rare visit to NYC, so naturally I asked them if they’d like to get up at 5am and drive on the NJ Turnpike to a small-town park to watch this niche bicycle racing I've gotten into. Luckily, they agreed. It was an autumnal setting, clear and about 40F with the last swabs of fog burning off by race time of the 4/5 Open field. Eighty-one starters took the line. I was called up near the back. The road for the starting sprint goes uphill, stretching the race out pretty quickly after the whistle. We made a right turn turn onto the grass and began a series of off-camber turns down to the bottom of the hill we’d just climbed, where a sharp S-curve just before a set of stair-like planks put everybody on the brakes. As much I’d have enjoyed riding the feature, I had decided during pre-ride that I’d be faster if I dismounted sooner than later, shouldered the bike and ran. So I did.

The backside of the course leveled out. It was fast and wide and good for passing, favoring those who can hold their speed through corners on mixed terrain: grass, dirt and even some cracked sidewalk pavement. The pace slowed near the tennis courts, where two off-camber bumps bookended a couple straightaways among the six turns that snaked us around the racqueteers. Then on to a power-sapping gravel road oriented back towards the hill, leading into a series of climbing turns. The centerpiece was a steep ramp that was rideable only because it was dry. The only set of barriers were located at the bottom of the hill after a 180-degree turn, followed by a short run-up and an equally short descent before the course slingshots you back to paved road. Sprint uphill and do it all again! Whew. 

I worked my way up to 29th place, 3:52 behind the winner. In all likelihood this will be the only cyclocross race my parents will ever see, so I was happy to show them a fine example of what it is we like about grassroots 'cross in the Northeast. 

HPCX '17 registration is open:
https://www.bikereg.com/36230

reg'd

Max is in.  Anyone else?

I can only race Saturday.  Will check times to figure out what works.

I'll be there both days. Not 100% how I am getting there yet.

I am likely for Sunday 45+. Will confirm by Wednesday. I will have room.

jim_nelson said:

I am likely for Sunday 45+. Will confirm by Wednesday. I will have room.

Jim,
If you can I would like to tag along.

any rides available?  any other men 4/5 going to race?  i would like to go to either the 4/5 or 3/4 race but don't feel like shelling out for a car to drive myself there

I plan on being there both days for the 45+ race at 11am. I was planning on getting there by 8am, but might be able do earlier if someone in 4/5 field needs a ride (looking at you @Brendan Rigby). 

HPCX is always a well run race with technical bits that challenge your bike handling skills and climbing that challenges your legs. Don't miss it!

@Brendan Rigby and @PatrickG I'm racing 4/5 at 9 a.m. both days and may be able to borrow a friend's Volvo hatchback, which would seat up to five if we can get a rack. Stand by. 

Planning on jumping in the last race of the day both Saturday and Sunday.  Any chance a fellow in the 3/4 wants to go?  I may do the NJT to New Brunswick and ride there.

Registered for the 35+ Saturday at noon.

This race was fun, just wish I had been able to take a few more pre-race laps.  My laps times were 11:14, 10:18, 10:20, 9:56, so apparently I got more warmed up and comfortable with the course as it went.  There was a good mix of mild off-camber and power/climbing, nothing too tricky. I started 2nd to last row and ended up 14/40 in the 3/4/5, which was 2nd for Cat 4s.  Feeling optimistic.

also had fun, crashed a zillion times!  impressive bell lap crash involved a stake between my wheel and fork (talk about tire clearance) that somehow destroyed neither.  i did a cool endo though (look sharp).  i also discovering exactly how much i could lean over into a rutty turn before sliding out.  patrick documented the process.  soiled my new skinsuit

i'm happy with the result, top 20 finish starting in last 2 rows in field of 85 or so.  i will say that one great thing about cx is that it's fun even when you're not really in contention for the podium.  you get to try to ride fast around a fun course and can always focus on picking off that one person in front of you.  falling off the back during a park race, on the other hand, no fun.

edit: wtf typos, also, my bike got its first war wound: massive paint chip on the rear seatstay exposing my bike's shiny aluminum dropouts.  i didn't know they went up that far...

for tomorrow it's MUD TIRES!!!!

max experienced sad mechanicals, i'll let him tell that story, but he should be good to go tomorrow