Apr 12, 2014 at 08:30 AM
Ok things worked out, I'm coming out to assist. Sorry for being so coy about it .
NYC Spring Series
Apr 12, 2014 at 01:36 PM
Sorry I couldn't make it fellas, I just really needed to sleep after this week and need to make some final adjustments on my bike today so it's good for tomorrow. How did it go?!
Apr 12, 2014 at 01:39 PM
Quick update on Aaron. He crashed and broke his helmet. Since this was his second helmet busting crash in about a month, and this time he had a nice looking patch of road rash on his head, I took him over to my hospital and got him set up in a stretcher. Now he will have to suffer through boredom and wait and wait and wait. Because this is life in the ER. But better safe than sorry. He's going to be totally fine though. The attending who assessed him briefly, doesn't think he needs a CT scan.
In other news. The Pro 1/2/3 race was FAST. JP looked good at the bottom of Cat's Paw. 5th wheel or so on the final sprint. Not sure where he or anyone else finished up. There was a last lap crash/split that a lot of us got caught up in at the top of the descent past the Marionette theater. Vlad did a smoking pull to get us back to the group. And coming into Horseshit Alley, I swung wide right over the ridge to move up, but a jamoke pulled right in front of me and I had to break-check and that was that for me.
I think as a team we rode as well as we could have. Everyone was good but there was no denying that this week was a harder race to control than last week's race. It was just so fast, with fewer "slow-downs." Nothing was getting away. We tried though.
Anyway, looking forward to the reports from the trenches. I didn't get to debrief as much as usual with the fellas.
Apr 12, 2014 at 01:50 PM
@Marc Bertucco Actually, weren't we largely the reason that nothing was getting away? I followed JPs pre race instructions and followed more moves than I can count but did not work in them. After the race Dio remarked "you guys were so good, you just covered everything."
The only time I wasn't following was when I was letting gaps open as JP followed attacks.
The only time I wasn't following was when I was letting gaps open as JP followed attacks.
Apr 12, 2014 at 02:03 PM
Lot of fun today. Best moment: Garrigan rides himself to the front during the final lead out. He ends up riding alongside the United train eating wind. He's content there, but they bitch that he's trying to move into their train. He says "I don't want in, I'm just riding alongside you. You guys are going too slow."
Apr 12, 2014 at 02:13 PM
I've done that before. Its fun...
Lot of fun today. Best moment: Garrigan rides himself to the front during the final lead out. He ends up riding alongside the United train eating wind. He's content there, but they bitch that he's trying to move into their train. He says "I don't want in, I'm just riding alongside you. You guys are going too slow."
Apr 12, 2014 at 02:17 PM
Aaron, hope you ok buddy!! Take it easy!
Good times today, Kissena looked really good today for sure. JP always seemed to be in the right spot at the right time.
I enjoyed munching on some wind today and more importantly those cookies afterward. What was the name of that spot? Maybe next year I can wear full kissena kit.
My quote of the day is from @JohnMalcolmson - who is that German guy?!! Haha!
Apr 12, 2014 at 02:24 PM
This was a fast one. The SS Central Park races have gotten gradually faster over the past weeks, going from 22 to 23 to a 26mph average today. Things are harder to pull off in a faster race. The field was also considerably bigger, so moving up at those speeds is tougher, especially because it tends to be strung out.
We looked good, especially Ryan, Johnny, and JP. We did the best we could in that race and I think we're one of the reasons that it stayed together to the end. Stronger guys from different teams showed up. It made a difference.
I would put in work and then drift back. Moving back up was tough. I need to work on that. As soon as I got back up there though, it was party time. This one hurt a little more than last week, but I'm grateful to be doing it with this group. It's a pleasure.
Also, Garrigan is one fit fucking dude. Thanks for the cookies dude. He finished 4th. JP 12th-ish.
Go team.
Apr 12, 2014 at 02:32 PM
@Aaron Blum glad to hear you're more or less okay.
Apr 12, 2014 at 02:34 PM
You were definitely on fire, ripping shit up at the front all day long. Usually, whenever I'm really hurting in a race (true story), I look up and see an orange helmet at the front of affairs. It's good that others are noticing the power of team Kissena. Looking forward to continuing the trend.Ryan J said:@Marc Bertucco Actually, weren't we largely the reason that nothing was getting away? I followed JPs pre race instructions and followed more moves than I can count but did not work in them. After the race Dio remarked "you guys were so good, you just covered everything." The only time I wasn't following was when I was letting gaps open as JP followed attacks.
Big shout out to the Master's guys who sacrificed probable money spots by racing in the 1/2/3 field today. I really appreciated having Jeff C, John M and David S doing their thing. Don't hesitate to ask me to ride for you in a 40+ race anytime you want some support.
...you could have done it today too... ;-) winky-face-good-natured-jab-kittenseragot said:I've done that before. Its fun...Lot of fun today. Best moment: Garrigan rides himself to the front during the final lead out. He ends up riding alongside the United train eating wind. He's content there, but they bitch that he's trying to move into their train. He says "I don't want in, I'm just riding alongside you. You guys are going too slow."
Apr 12, 2014 at 02:46 PM
@aaron, you were looking ok and walking when I talked to you earlier but i'm glad to know you're officially going to be ok after all.
On a less dramatic note:
Cat 5 was a learning process for me (stating the obvious) -- I raced with Chi, it was both our first time in CP.
For me, today was a bit of a triumph finishing with the pack -- my legs were a little heavy coming in.
Two ugly-ish crashes in our field - both cases sounded like multiple wheels went down.
After those two debacles, I changed my strategy and just rode on the outside and into the wind most of the time to stay the hell out of trouble, almost treating it like a heavy workout. So many close calls, a lot of lateral careless moves, panicky brakes, etc... I guess that's just part of it when you toss a bunch of people in a pack learning the ropes.
One thing i'd like to really work on is my timing on the last lap -- I feel like I keep having plenty of legs approaching the last stretch but I keep using my strength too early and have trouble finishing strong.
Pleasure racing with you again, @Chi - Well done out there!
Apr 12, 2014 at 03:41 PM
Hey Marc, Yeah when I saw Aaron after the race wrapped up I was like uh oh. Then he said he wanted to go to woodhull... That's when called you over. Glad he got to the ER and ok.
As for the race. Learning a bit each week. Slightly more successful staying in the wheels and moving up but still a lot of learning to do. Had some good race radio direction in my ear from Marc the times I did manage to get to the front.
Everybody looked real good. Especially Ryan and JP.
After the race both my patriotism and ability to experience joy were questioned by some "connected guys" from either providence or north jersey when I said " I don't really like cookies".
Good times.
As for the race. Learning a bit each week. Slightly more successful staying in the wheels and moving up but still a lot of learning to do. Had some good race radio direction in my ear from Marc the times I did manage to get to the front.
Everybody looked real good. Especially Ryan and JP.
After the race both my patriotism and ability to experience joy were questioned by some "connected guys" from either providence or north jersey when I said " I don't really like cookies".
Good times.
Apr 12, 2014 at 05:06 PM
Aaron rest up and a quick recovery. Anyone racing FBF tomorrow?
I heard from AVD that it's a 8:30 start
I heard from AVD that it's a 8:30 start
Apr 12, 2014 at 05:14 PM
Hope all is well with you Aaron, you looked pretty banged up mate — busting a helmet is no joke! Big thanks to Bertucco for erring on side of caution/doing a solid.
Dropped from break last week, chasing my own "German" teammate this week: priceless.
Levain (ler-vah) is the name of the bakery of doughy love.
Apr 12, 2014 at 05:17 PM
@Mark — 8:30 start for?
Apr 12, 2014 at 05:21 PM
OH EM GEE Levain bakery is the TRUTH. Those cookie are amazing.
Apr 12, 2014 at 05:50 PM
This seems like current info for the race: http://www.newyorkbikeracing.com/mugwump said:Andy DS,You asked about parking. I haven't parked by the race for years and years. At one time, it was common to park on the sidestreets between 79th and 72nd between 5th and Madison. I don't know what the parking situation is these days to state whether or not there is ample legal on-steet parking there.The bikereg page says 6:30 start.I've been trying to ascertain which start it is and what course he's using. I'm thinking he's got a shorter loop planned. If it starts at 6:30 and will be an hour or so long, I'll probably go.Love the help in the 1//2/3's. Dioslaki and Mike Margarite are registered. I'm sure htey'll be looking for the break. John Durso is there as well, I'd expect him to prefer that, though I don't know where his fitness is.
P123-15 laps of a 3-Mile Triangle @ 7:00 am.
Can somebody confirm this, I rather not miss the start again...
Apr 12, 2014 at 06:09 PM
Great riding by Kissena today.
Andy DS, Condon, John, Marc, Ryan, Stokes, Vlad, and the "belgian shadow" (Canadian Mike). Hope I'm not missing anyone.
Looking around, I started to get the feeling this race was going to be different. Halfway through the first lap, I knew it was. It was like a switch was turned; people were not afraid to go hard.
We did make the race harder and faster. When we don't have a sprinter who can match Scott Savory, it's our best play. All our guys were covering stuff really well, getting in some moves, and keeping things moving when I/we weren't there.
It was going to be one of those days when a break needed to be committed and the field needed to get tired of chasing.
I felt like I had at least two shadows, Ryan and Canadian Mike were nearby most of the race.
For all the moves we covered or were in, there were only a few that had a decent chance of succeeding. One of the best happened at about 1.5 to go. A group was dangling, Mike started moving up on the left at W90th. I followed. He went, Ryan started to come on the right, but I was already there on the left. Looking at the gap we had rather quickly, I can only surmise that Ryan helped get the gap open. We drilled it, but it was clear that less than half the guys were either committed or had the legs to finish it off. I feel that if we had kept pounding to Cat's Paw, that might have been enough to break the field. Vlad was watching this, said the race had actually broken into two chases at this point and the furious effort of the second chase to catch the first might have helped given momentum for the catch.
However, several teams were working against the break. Lupus was, but they had only one guy capable of chasing or messing up breaks. Mengoni, bizarrely, was riding to keep it together. Eugene in particular was doing these dumb attacks and looking back. Once people were near, he'd sit up--probably trying to waste others. United didn't really have the legs, but they were getting into moves, riding so-so, and then they focused on the sprint. Brand's was sort of in-between, active, but missing moves and keeping things together. Chad Butts was a one-man attack machine, but seemed to be picking odd spot. Dioslaki, btw, seemed to be churning through molasses today, possibly sick.
As we got the bell, John Durso of High Gear turns to me and asks, "did we miss a lap?" Yes, the race went by that quickly. I knew what he meant. I felt like we were just getting going.
As we went past tavern, I followed Ryan towards the front, and Mike was there. Malcolmson rolled past the United train, which was the perfect move. Mike rolled up to them, which was just right as well. Both moves threw United off, and also put Mengoni into disarray--they were going to try to drill it with 1k to go.
Thanks to Mike, I was in good position going into the final curve. I was following him, and about fourth or fifth wheel. I just didn't have the power to maintain that position. I think I faded to 11th or 12th. Another day another dick spot. Sorry guys.
I think Savory won, Mengoni's Everhard was behind Mike, and Durso was 10th. Dioslaki was nowhere. I also think the guy in second place, Willie Payton was nowhere. Not sure how the points are shaking out.
FWIW, while I haven't uploaded the race file, I'm pretty sure I came close to matching my normalized power at Grant's Tomb.
Apr 12, 2014 at 06:09 PM
That's his nutty Floyd course! Note the two 180° turns. You never complete the triangle. You're basically tracing a giant letter C. 7am is right Dale. Try not to head on crash into the Masters field. I can't wait to hear about this one tomorrow.
Apr 12, 2014 at 06:11 PM
Unless my work is canceled tomorrow,I don't think I can make the race at FBF.
7am start. 15 laps of a 3 mile course.
info is finally up on the Spring Series website.
Thanks again, fellas. Next week, I'm out to FBF. Hoping to get points totals before then.
Apr 12, 2014 at 06:29 PM
@Dale this shorter course is criterium like — expect lots of attacking and accelerations and little time to rest. Ride a bullet proof, fatter tire.
I might do masters and the 3/4!
Start Times:
7:00 AM Pro,1,2,3 — 15 Laps
7:00 AM Masters 45+ — 11 Laps
8:30 AM Cat 5 — 8 Laps
8:30 AM 3/4 — 11 Laps
Apr 12, 2014 at 06:49 PM
Apr 12, 2014 at 07:04 PM
@Mark — 8:30 start for?Floyd bennett field. Bike reg is saying 6:30. AVD email me and said it's a 8:30 start
Apr 12, 2014 at 08:03 PM
Glad you're OK Aaron.
Apr 12, 2014 at 11:01 PM
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Apr 13, 2014 at 01:42 AM
Glad you're ok Aaron. Feel grateful, could have been much worse.
Apr 13, 2014 at 03:42 PM
In what turned out to be an hour and half race... Flatted 1 mile to go -- break of 6, a lap up on field. Carbonara takes it. Frustrating!!!
Apr 13, 2014 at 03:55 PM
Consolation: a righteous Fondo guy gave me his wheel and finished 6th... one out of the money :B
Gorilla coffee and caught the end of Roubaix (holy moly!) with Jules, Lisa and the gang. Most awesome.
Gorilla coffee and caught the end of Roubaix (holy moly!) with Jules, Lisa and the gang. Most awesome.
Apr 13, 2014 at 04:30 PM
excellent all around...flatting in a break with a mile to go would make me want to step on a box of kittens! Just read the play by play of Roubaix on cycling news...can't wait to watch it this week. Nothing against Sagan/Boonen/Cancellera but I enjoy seeing others win the monuments. The pro bike racing has been really entertaining so far this season. Boarding a flight now back east....it has been good to get a forced break from the bike....finished my 10 days of amoxicillin, both eyes are functioning and I can almost breathe through my nose again...can't wait to train and do the next Castaldi cup race on Sat.
Apr 13, 2014 at 06:20 PM
Get some 4 Seasons Wrongway. 25's.