NYC Spring Series - Forum Archive

vlad

Feb 18, 2014 at 07:30 PM

https://www.bikereg.com/NET/Events/?pid=1086

mugwump

Feb 18, 2014 at 11:23 PM

waiting to see how the L&C Cup/NYCSS conflict gets ironed out. But expect to be in for the whole nine yards.

mugwump

Mar 01, 2014 at 06:58 PM

Bump!

I'll be there cold and early.

Anyone joining me?

Marc Bertucco

Mar 01, 2014 at 08:49 PM

FYI, the road conditions in CP are good now and will likely remain so for tomorrow morning's race. It's going to be 31 degrees at the start tomorrow. Heat wave!

I've done this, the first race of the year, when it's been wet and cold and feels super sketch. Tomorrow everyone should feel confident and grippy. And if you are worried about OTHER PEOPLE, then consider the fact that the CRCA had a bunch of folks out there today racing getting out their "first race" jitters.

I'm keep'n my powder dry until Grant's Tomb next week, but those who want to learn good racing technique and tactics, you can do a lot worse than following around JP who is very good at keeping himself glued to the front of a field on a course which causes rider position to ebb and flow like crazy.

Also JP tends to ride the early season very strongly and is often in the mix for the overall...be with him in the beginning to get your full share of that mad, mad, mad AVD bitcoin.

(and afterwords, come spin with me at the Grant's Tomb clinic!)

JohnMalcolmson

Mar 02, 2014 at 03:09 PM

A fairly hard race in the P123 this am, I believe some ox guy solo'd from a break of 12 — watched JP not far behind get swallowed by the second break @150m. I rode the Masters which was a messy but safe race of attrition. Sprinted a tad early for second, bested by Scott of WW's. I can really relate to Van Avermaet: http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/files/2014/03/SPTDW548-660x440.jpg

Lance Sniadowski won 3/4, he looked health farm strong. Sorry I didn't make it to the Tomb session Marc.

mperlberg

Mar 02, 2014 at 04:49 PM

awesome work dudes! 2 podiums on the weekend.

The pressure is on. Who will get KCC's first win of 2014????

Jules

Mar 02, 2014 at 05:34 PM

PHOTOS? Wrongway Johnny hasn't lost a beat. How does the new whip race?

Marc Bertucco

Mar 02, 2014 at 05:43 PM

Spoke with JP about his race. Sounds like he had the legs, but a fractured chase effort complete with the usual punks pulling through like beginners, hampered his chances.

Congrats to Malcolmson, looking forward to racing with you at Grant's Tomb!

JohnMalcolmson

Mar 02, 2014 at 10:39 PM

Thanks Marc et al. @Marc looking forward to Tomb although Race Predictor tells me I should ride 3/4 where I'm ranked 11. There's serious firepower in the Masters 1-4 and P123 is just plain demoralizing.

And now on to the photos of me sucking wheel like a Dyson...

P123 breakaway ox...

Edit: JP Give us the lowdown! ...

Serious swagger kid...

Courtesy NYVelocity

Jeffrey White

Mar 03, 2014 at 12:12 AM

Who's the Setanta ox?

mugwump

Mar 03, 2014 at 04:24 AM

first, I want to point out the guy to my left at the start line. He lives in Rhode Island (high school teammate of Condon's I believe). I try to keep him in mind when I grumble about early wake-ups.

It felt like a small turnout, but that could have just as easily been because few really seemed interested in racing. I kind of expected that and also expected an early break.

But not on the first lap. One guy from Setanta got away. And there was a flurry of action not quite chasing him down. THen another got up to him. They were about 10s ahead. by the south end of the park.

Shortly after we started the second lap, another two guys bridge up, I think it was Kevin Molloy of Weather Channel and Juan-Carlos of Mengoni. I'm concerned, but not too much, as they're pretty close, like 5s, Setanta doesn't have much support in the field, never seen their guys do much in a 1/2/3 race before, and United and Lupus and Jordan are all getting antsy at the front. I figure there will be a few accelerations on 110berg and they'll be within easy catch by around 97th street. Being w/o team, I have to be pretty choosy.

The accelerations happen before 110berg, the field lets folks go, and now there's a big group starting to roll off at 97th. I don't think I can bridge without bringing along folks, so I help keep the pace high. But I got little help. The teams mentioned have little in the way of horses. I keep coming to the front to make sure the pace stays high, hoping that will be enough to motivate the field.

It's not enough. The gap is growing. After 110berg the next time, there are some moves. I wait until three guys get a 5s gap or so, and I jump across and through them. One, Karl Rahn of Weather Channel comes with, I think the other guys get dropped, then Neil Bezdek (foundation) rides by.

We get Scott Savory (Lupus), Zach Koop (Blue Ribbon), A Comedy Central, and two guys in black kits--one sometimes pulls through, the other never. We go. And it's a pretty ragged paceline. Koop is surging for no apparent reason, the guys won't pull through evenly. Neil is asking them to ride smoothly, it's not working and he's frustrated. Savory is asking them to come through. One guy tells Savory that he won't pull because of his presence--there are twelve guys up the road and he's thinking about the sprint. Savory is pulling more than I've ever seen him pull in a race.

I set up by Neil, either on his wheel or he ends up on mine. Figure he's strong, has his eyes open, knows how to ride a paceline. Koop's surges are bad for everybody. At one point, I tell Neil loudly not to go after him when he surges. Zach possibly heard and backed off a bit.

Coming to Cat's Paw at the bell, Rahn attacks. Don't know why. I briefly get dropped, but since everyone was pretty tired, they sit up, and I get back on. On 110berg, I'm second wheel, and me and the first guy are pulling away. I spin as low a gear as possible on the fear that we'll be attacked. Doesn't happen.

On the west side, gaps are opening. I'm hoping I can get a gap with a few while the others are conserving and ride that. Doesnt' happen. As we start north, Karl and Neil work a gap; I figure I have no reason to close it with Savory and Koop (NJ crit champ) around, so I softpedal and they chase.

I know I can't sprint with these guys. So I sit back and attack at around 69th street. Even with the black jersey wheelsucker screaming that I'm going, nobody moves. I get the gap. last curve, it still looks good. Until I start dropping anchor. With 150 or less, I'm passed by Karl, who is leading the charge and then cracks. Don't know what he was thinking--he wasn't going to beat those guys in a sprint. Everyone else gets by.

clothes: wool socks, shoes, shoe covers, fleece leg warmers, fleece shorts, sleeveless base layer, long sleeve base layer, vest, jersey, 30-40 gloves, ear band. I was over-dressed. Next time, I'd skip the vest.

JohnMalcolmson

Mar 03, 2014 at 03:24 PM

Great report JP. Surprised Bezdek didn't have enough to really attack the chase group. When I think about it, you were on the last hill when caught, so definitely not 150m, more like 60-70m. That horse poo alley attack is a really hard one to pull off, especially if you've already put in a few efforts. How do you think you could pull it off? Seems like you'd need huge 3-5min power... or a teammate there to launch you maybe?

Jules

Mar 03, 2014 at 03:56 PM

I don't understand why Koop was riding weird. Does he always do that? Is there some different strategy band he's playing to? Is he so doped he can't think straight?

mugwump

Mar 03, 2014 at 04:08 PM

@wrongwayjohnny,

Yes, it's really hard to pull off. I figure there are three parts. First, the getaway. Second, if clear, back off a bit after crossing 72nd, trying to carry as much momentum as possible for as long as possible, and third, ramp up the power once across the final curve. The hope is taht the guys behind decide they're not going to lead out a sprinter--so they should be looking at Savory and Koop and soft pedaling, telling those two they're going to need to lead themselves out for a really long sprint if they want to win the gallop. If I were stuck back there, that's what I would have done.

@jules,

Don't know what he was thinking. He also swung off the front at the foot of 110berg because he didn't want to lead up the hill. While he did have a teammate up the road, he definitely was riding to get across. Maybe he couldn't gauge his own strength, maybe he was afraid that the others were much stronger.

Mark Inaba

Mar 07, 2014 at 06:54 PM

Hi all,

Plan on doing a double header this weekend. Anyone racing the 3/4's in CP?

vlad

Mar 09, 2014 at 12:46 AM

Ugh. Time to go to sleep already.

mperlberg

Mar 09, 2014 at 01:48 AM

Ugh - I want to do this but no way I can get up that early given the time change.

vlad

Mar 09, 2014 at 01:55 PM

I'm like JP's dick spot good luck charm. The race felt fast today. Stephan Hoffman wins from the break. Same way he did at Grant's yesterday (2/3?). He's on his way to Bethel today for the trifecta. Lupus yo.

Marc Bertucco

Mar 09, 2014 at 02:16 PM

vlad said:

I'm like JP's dick spot good luck charm. The race felt fast today. Stephan Hoffman wins from the break. Same way he did at Grant's yesterday (2/3?). He's on his way to Bethel today for the trifecta. Lupus yo.

Does that mean you or he got 11th?

vlad

Mar 09, 2014 at 02:22 PM

He may have gotten it.

Mark Inaba

Mar 09, 2014 at 03:21 PM

Another tough day in the saddle with the 3/4's in CP. Great to see JP this morning and congratulations on finishing with the top 10.

Nice size field and good conditions. I'm on my own for this race. First lap no problem maintaining position in the front. Second lap the attacks begin and the pace pickups considerably. 3rd lap, uh oh, I'm drifting to the back and starting to fight to hang on. Bell lap, breakaway forms and pace slows a bit. Going into Harlem hill a big attack from a DJ rider and and the field chases, SNAP, argh, off the back... Ok I can stomach losing I can't stomach not finishing. Calm down pick up another rider off the back and finish.

A humbling weekend of racing. Put it in the books get back to training and on to Branchbrook : )

Marc Bertucco

Mar 09, 2014 at 03:44 PM

A good trick, if you are feeling a little toasty and worried about getting dropped on Harlem Hill, is starting at the front of the field climbing at a quick but manageable pace and letting the hammer heads pass you. But, hopefully, one minute later, as you crest the climb, you are still in contact with the rear portion (or better) of the pack.

For more hot tips on racing in Central Park, everyone is welcome to my clinic on Saturday the 15th at 7:30 am where we'll break it down a bit!

And if you are in Brooklyn one the 14th from 5-7pm Mike Perlberg will be teaching all comers how to CRUSH the Prospect Park course.

mugwump

Mar 09, 2014 at 07:45 PM

Vlad,

Tenth was I. 7th in the field sprint. I accidentally shifted two cogs and that probably cost me two places. Alas. I'll take it. So, no bad luck charm are you. Welcome back. Good way to start.

I don't know how big the field was, never drifted back much. Lupus' Stefan Hoffman attacks off the line. Foundation's Evan Murphy brings him back, before 90th, swings off, says "that's the winning move," and soft-pedals. Not sure to make of him sitting up, nor of his comment. I was close enough to bridge, but chose not to, figuring I wasn't warmed up and guys would be smarting from last week. My guess was we'd catch him on the west side rollers.

To 110berg, CCB's Alex Cox attacks. As I didn't think he knew the park, I was expecting him to blow up going over. Then again, I brought him to 110berg yesterday. And he didn't.

We get closer to the now twosome. I mistakenly help set tempo. Foundation's Neil and Dan attack. D'oh! I should have been farther back. That was the spot to be. I'm not ready for the effort, and figure United and Jordan will chase. Yes,but not hard enough.

I make some efforts to ramp up the field for the rest of the lap. The foursome is just hanging out there. 10-15 seconds. I make an effort over Cat's Paw. Three to go. Fails. Vlad rushes out to see if he can make the gap. Fails.

Brian Breach? Oy, Lupus, not Mengoni. He makes a token appearance at the front and drifts back. Mengoni has one, Everhard Paredes. He's not going to make any efforts.

But Jordan has at least five. United has six or more, and Brands has four or so, I think. United goes to the front to ride tempo. They're not getting much help, so they're asking around. Jordan, amazingly, is trying to help. I've rarely seen them chase, so this is perhaps a new day for them.

Two to go, and the odd alliance between United and Jordan is creaky, but chipping off time.

We get to horseshit alley and they're at the edge of our view. When we get to 72nd, we can clearly see them. I'm sitting on Jermaine Burrowes' wheel. He first waves his arm for his team and then gives me the signal. He's going for it when we hit cat's paw.

We get there, he goes. The giant from Kelly Benefit Strategies goes as well. I let Jermaine start it, and come through after about 100m. I pass the KBS guy, too. I lead over the line at the bell. WE've got a gap.

only Jermaine isn't strong enough to meaningfully contribute to the chase. KBS and I take turns until two guys from the field latch on. But they're not strong enough to drive, either. We're caught by East 100th.

Over 110berg for the last time, down the hill, and Chabanov is caught. Three left up front. Neither Jordan nor United together can dent the remaining gap

The lead-in to the sprint felt oddly placid to me. I started about ninth or tenth in the group, stood up at 200 and started moving up. I shifted, and mistakenly moved two gears, not one, and that slowed my momentum. But still finished it out with 10th. Last paying place.

Jeff Condon

Mar 14, 2014 at 01:17 PM

Anyone planning on doing the Prospect race on Sunday? Not sure if that's wise after doubling up at Branchbrook on Saturday but wondering who else may be doing this.

mperlberg

Mar 14, 2014 at 01:21 PM

I'll be there Sunday.

Jules

Mar 14, 2014 at 01:38 PM

I'm planning on it

mugwump

Mar 14, 2014 at 01:51 PM

I'll be there. It will be exciting to see Jersey Mike. I don't think I've seen him ride since January.