These are great John, thank you.

Any one going out for this tomorrow?  

I'm in Toronto this week; so I'll leave you with this for motivation

I'd like to work on my wheelies if anyone is going out tomorrow.  I'll check again in the morning

Sorry folks; my bike is still in it's bag - didn't get home till late yesterday.  Next Monday it's on like Donkey Kong (thanks JP)

It's on folks.  6am.  

Redhead crying and mouthing the words to "All By Myself"?  Seems familiar.



(sorry Jules!)

Ok folks.  Please RSPV for this one.  11pm cutoff this (Sunday) night

I'll come out and play

(Rain cancels)

As does silence. Dale imma gonna sleep this one out. Peace

Anyone interested in a "race practice" skills & drills next week? If a good number of folks show up, we could practice lead outs and maneuvering in the field. No hard efforts or anything (gotta enjoy that Monday recovery!) just form and strategy.

Jules said:

(Remember folks, you have to actually PRACTICE these skills; just reading about them on the forum isn't enough :P)

bump!

for monday's class

Some lessons to be learned about bumping other riders, avoiding obstacles, and fueling on the bike.  And demonstrates the way I feel sometimes around those more skilled: http://youtu.be/EYTb06bDtMc

anybody want to practice CX skills this week in PP? I've got some barriers to work with.

Bump

Wednesday morning 6AM CX skills practice, in Prospect Park. Meet at GAP. I will bring barriers and cones. Bring your bad self and a CX bike.

Jules said:

I'm going to start running Monday morning skills (skillz?) clinics in Prospect.  Most of us are doing recovery/easy laps on Monday anyway, so it seems like the best time to practice some technique.

I'll be recruiting veterans to lead & teach things like:

• Bumping
• Bottle handoffs (feedzone)
• Bunnyhops
• Cornering
• Dressing & undressing on the bike (yes, it's a thing)
• Trackstands
• Group riding
• Skidding

All of these will be slow, easy/peasy sessions so they'll fit right in with a "post hard weekend of riding" scene.  Just 'cause the racing is done doesn't mean the fun is over...

It's back, with a new motivational gif

YAS!

Bah. Rain cancels skills sessions as we usually start on the grass. I may be out anyway because #comeback but I'll be riding in circles, hard enough to keep warm.

Cat 5's, those new to racing and not so new, there's a great series of IGN "how to" videos that British Cycling sponsored on Youtube. It's called the Racesmart initiative and they cover a lot of territory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odhcqGF-icc

Good Skillz come from practice - it's time to get your drillz on! 

This Monday at GAP (Grand Army Plaza) 6:15am

We'll start with the basics:

• Riding one-handed
• Touching shoulders
• Touching elbows 

NOBODY should be falling down or crashing in this session. It's a very slow ride, so don't expect meaningful TSS. It's intended to coincide with a recovery day after a weekend of hard racing/training.

*** if you've ever felt yourself get pushed into the pedestrian lane (or anywhere else you didn't want to go) this clinic is for you ***

For all of the lovers of Skillz & Drillz. Lets try again for next Monday.

Turnout was a little sparse this AM. Jules and I met up. We've done this enough times together, he decided to go home and fix the internet instead, and I rode around in circles while keeping my hands stuffed into my armpits to keep them warmer.

Dan Reiners said:

For all of the lovers of Skillz & Drillz. Lets try again for next Monday.

Turnout was a little sparse this AM. Jules and I met up. We've done this enough times together, he decided to go home and fix the internet instead, and I rode around in circles while keeping my hands stuffed into my armpits to keep them warmer.

I think both Jules and Dan are being too gentle here.

If you aren't comfortable with contacting another cyclist, pedestrian, bike, car, etc while you're riding, you should be doing these drills.  And doing them often enough so that they don't totally freak you out.  You want to be clear-headed when it happens so that you can deal without crashing, or at least respond in a way that minimizes that a crash will occur.

Bike riding is not supposed to be a contact sport. But contact happens.  Knowing what it feels like and how to deal will make you safer and will also make those around you safer.

Come out, play on the bike, get used to being elbowed, pushed, head-butted, leaned on.  It will save your skin someday.

Contrary to what JP suggests with his last paragraph, skills and drills does *not* look like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQcF6zSIrWs