Apr 26, 2019 at 05:16 PM
@RobertPeras might have jumped the gun on this. Might get pulled into work on Sunday but I’m hoping to make a comeback if my schedule allows
Verge Series (was Castelli Series)
Apr 26, 2019 at 07:54 PM
Thank you Rich, Andrew, Phil, and Rob who have signed up to volunteer.
Others: please please consider showing up a bit earlier to volunteer for reg or marshal for the Castelli race this weekend. We need outstanding citizens like YOU. Free racing? Best deal you'll get all week, guaranteed.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h68kb_QnO2NSAaAd2gradwBk12Q3uw__kjm2yTAv8Zg/edit
Others: please please consider showing up a bit earlier to volunteer for reg or marshal for the Castelli race this weekend. We need outstanding citizens like YOU. Free racing? Best deal you'll get all week, guaranteed.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h68kb_QnO2NSAaAd2gradwBk12Q3uw__kjm2yTAv8Zg/edit
Apr 26, 2019 at 08:00 PM
Eloy, Sean, Andrew, Chaim, Phil, and I are registered for the old man's race.
four spots left at the moment.
four spots left at the moment.
Apr 27, 2019 at 06:08 PM
I might need some help getting pinned up while I work registration.
Apr 27, 2019 at 08:21 PM
I’ll pin you with a smile 😀
Apr 27, 2019 at 10:35 PM
@RobertPeras I'm up to date with my tetanus shot 
.
.
Apr 28, 2019 at 04:02 PM
Missed my my alarm, ugh 😑
Apr 29, 2019 at 01:53 PM
Cat 5 field was super dumb this weekend. There was a horrific crash on the 5th lap towards the bottom of the hill and a stupid crash on the final climb. @James Neu was part of the stupid crash, but seemed to be towards the end of it so he came away with a few scratches. The last hill crash happened about 50 feet in front of me and destroyed my momentum attacking up the hill as I had to do an S move to avoid it. Once I cleared it most of the front pack disappeared so I ended up placing 16th.
Apr 29, 2019 at 04:02 PM
Apr 29, 2019 at 06:06 PM
TL/DR
Andrew 47th, JP 50th, Eloy 61st, Chaim DNS, Phil DNF
@Sean Hourigan 15th? Were you in a Kissena jersey? Don't think I saw you in the race, but certainly the results show me wrong.
The racing was pretty negative. Basically, Brands and Weather Channel were dueling for Stephen Dioslaki (in yellow) and John Loehner (in KoM) respectively. Deno's was on hand to try to keep Jerry Kapko (in green) rested and in position for the sprints.
Mineola had the numbers to make a difference, but not the will, or, I suppose the legs and brains. Jordan also had numbers, but they, too, didn't do much until the finale.
I've been trying to figure out a way to take advantage of this situation, but it's difficult. One of the better possibilities is to get a gap and then hope that Loehner and Dioslaki will either counter up to it, or that they'll spend time looking at each other, letting a gap grow. But any successful break will depend on not only good legs, but the right mix of teams. If WC and Brands are in it, it can romp. If one isn't represented, it will likely get brought back.
Of course, we need legs for that. Mine were shaky yesterday. 80 hilly miles Saturday might have had something to do with it.
I was doing fine on positioning, but had zero in the way of explosive strength. Got away a few times, but not for long. going into the first KoM, I got myself into great position--following Weather Channel's Molloy, then letting Dioslaki get in front of me and behind Loehner. I didn't know if these guys would keep attacking through the KoM or not, but I was poised to do either. Then the sprint started and I couldn't go any harder than I was going. I didn't have the legs for the finale, though I probably should have tried harder.
BTW, the stupid award yesterday might go to Kapko, who, in an effort to get more aero, I suppose, took his right hand off his bars and put it behind his back on the final curve of the descent at least once.
Andrew 47th, JP 50th, Eloy 61st, Chaim DNS, Phil DNF
@Sean Hourigan 15th? Were you in a Kissena jersey? Don't think I saw you in the race, but certainly the results show me wrong.
The racing was pretty negative. Basically, Brands and Weather Channel were dueling for Stephen Dioslaki (in yellow) and John Loehner (in KoM) respectively. Deno's was on hand to try to keep Jerry Kapko (in green) rested and in position for the sprints.
Mineola had the numbers to make a difference, but not the will, or, I suppose the legs and brains. Jordan also had numbers, but they, too, didn't do much until the finale.
I've been trying to figure out a way to take advantage of this situation, but it's difficult. One of the better possibilities is to get a gap and then hope that Loehner and Dioslaki will either counter up to it, or that they'll spend time looking at each other, letting a gap grow. But any successful break will depend on not only good legs, but the right mix of teams. If WC and Brands are in it, it can romp. If one isn't represented, it will likely get brought back.
Of course, we need legs for that. Mine were shaky yesterday. 80 hilly miles Saturday might have had something to do with it.
I was doing fine on positioning, but had zero in the way of explosive strength. Got away a few times, but not for long. going into the first KoM, I got myself into great position--following Weather Channel's Molloy, then letting Dioslaki get in front of me and behind Loehner. I didn't know if these guys would keep attacking through the KoM or not, but I was poised to do either. Then the sprint started and I couldn't go any harder than I was going. I didn't have the legs for the finale, though I probably should have tried harder. BTW, the stupid award yesterday might go to Kapko, who, in an effort to get more aero, I suppose, took his right hand off his bars and put it behind his back on the final curve of the descent at least once.
Apr 29, 2019 at 07:49 PM
Same.
Nothing much to add:
Nothing much to add:
- Digging deep hoping for some fitness for Bear Mountain
- Knew that at best, this would be very definition of a training race for me.
- After riding the Fleche Buffon Saturday, expected legs to be super beat, and completely 120% toast. They were.
- It's been a few years since I struggled this much to just hang at the back.
- Fun to be out with the team, tho.
- JP definitely looking sharp at the front.
- Was glad they cut one lap from our race -- which turned out to be the right choice, as the 2/3 could have caught us in their and our last lap.
- 400 TSS just for the weekend.
- wonder if I'm overcooking, and perhaps making the mistake of "too easy when we are supposed to go hard, and too hard when we are supposed to go easy"
- But here we go anyway, 'cause: bikes, yay!
- Hoping I'll be able to contribute more to these races soon
Jun 06, 2019 at 03:15 PM
regarding the Castelli series this Saturday.
Can't make it. Have to chaperone some kids at an overnight at the beach in Seaside Heights.
Pity, my legs are starting to feel pretty decent.
Hope we have a good turnout, and make a difference in the races.
Can't make it. Have to chaperone some kids at an overnight at the beach in Seaside Heights.
Pity, my legs are starting to feel pretty decent.
Hope we have a good turnout, and make a difference in the races.
Jun 06, 2019 at 03:50 PM
Darn, JP, I was looking forward to racing with you (doesn’t happen often).
I’m in for the masters field at Castelli Saturday. Anyone else?
I’m in for the masters field at Castelli Saturday. Anyone else?
Jun 06, 2019 at 04:00 PM
I'll be there!
Jun 06, 2019 at 04:32 PM
I’m away this weekend so no racing for me👎🏻
Jun 06, 2019 at 05:25 PM
Sign up to help with registration for Saturday’s Castelli race and race in the Park for free:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h68kb_QnO2NSAaAd2gradwBk12Q3uw__kjm2yTAv8Zg
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h68kb_QnO2NSAaAd2gradwBk12Q3uw__kjm2yTAv8Zg
Jun 06, 2019 at 06:42 PM
Sorry guys, I ended up paying for an extra reg for weekend series at the track, and thus using it Sunday. Saturday I have some stuff going on so I can't get out to race. Be safe, and good luck!
Jun 06, 2019 at 06:53 PM
Signed up to volunteer and Ill be racing some Cat5
Jun 06, 2019 at 08:08 PM
I'm making my return to racing post surgery. We'll sre
Jun 06, 2019 at 08:19 PM
I’ll be there @cpulvidente
Jun 06, 2019 at 08:32 PM
We have a super cool team for Saturday
- Niall Smart
- Patrick Grehan
- James Reeder
- John Powell
- Jeff Condon
- Joe Matunis
- Eloy Anzola
Jun 06, 2019 at 10:22 PM
ooh man, totally jelly.eloy said:We have a super cool team for SaturdayAs other Castelli 2019 races, I'll be there to help Powell win. Will be fun! Specially when he does win.
- Niall Smart
- Patrick Grehan
- James Reeder
- John Powell
- Jeff Condon
- Joe Matunis
- Eloy Anzola
Everyone should promise themselves they'll put their nose in the wind at least once.
Jun 06, 2019 at 11:04 PM
I want to channel my inner JP and counterattack whenever possible
Jun 07, 2019 at 02:05 AM
How about we line up all the noses in the wind in the last km?
Jun 07, 2019 at 03:17 AM
Someone should attack from the gun. Just rip out the first lap, see what it does.PatrickGrehan said:I want to channel my inner JP and counterattack whenever possible
And someone should shadow the battle for the intermediate races, and counter the moment those are over.
And, yes, you need to start getting into position as you get the bell, and in the top 20 by the time you pass the temple.
Make it the good kind of hurty fun.
Jun 07, 2019 at 03:48 AM
I’m as likely to win a bike race as I am the lottery.eloy said:
As other Castelli 2019 races, I'll be there to help Powell win. Will be fun! Specially when he does win.
Jun 07, 2019 at 12:37 PM
@JohnPowell "Hey, you never know".
Jun 07, 2019 at 02:42 PM
@mugwump I have some comments! Unless we have a time trialer who can ride 26mph for 70km, the other teams will just eat our breakfast [edit: with from blocks attack]. Stephan Dioslaki gets a reaction, but we both know it's 99% a warmup for him.mugwump said:Someone should attack from the gun. Just rip out the first lap, see what it does.PatrickGrehan said:I want to channel my inner JP and counterattack whenever possible
And someone should shadow the battle for the intermediate races, and counter the moment those are over.
And, yes, you need to start getting into position as you get the bell, and in the top 20 by the time you pass the temple.
Make it the good kind of hurty fun.
We have a fairly stacked field, so I'd say we chill our jets until the last third of the race. Getting on the final-KOM/Green counter attacks is our best bet to get in the money. So, instead of counter-counter-counter, maybe we really get someone properly positioned to join that one big attack.
Lastly, getting to top 20 from the bell is hard, we'd also need to commit to finding each other 2 laps to go if there's a goal of leading someone out (we should at least try to get Patrick up a bit further so he doesn't have to shop it).
Jun 07, 2019 at 02:54 PM
Jun 07, 2019 at 08:16 PM
At the risk of getting into an extended polemica, I disagree.JohnMalcolmson said:@mugwump I have some comments! Unless we have a time trialer who can ride 26mph for 70km, the other teams will just eat our breakfast [edit: with from blocks attack]. Stephan Dioslaki gets a reaction, but we both know it's 99% a warmup for him.mugwump said:PatrickGrehan said:
We have a fairly stacked field, so I'd say we chill our jets until the last third of the race. Getting on the final-KOM/Green counter attacks is our best bet to get in the money. So, instead of counter-counter-counter, maybe we really get someone properly positioned to join that one big attack.
Lastly, getting to top 20 from the bell is hard, we'd also need to commit to finding each other 2 laps to go if there's a goal of leading someone out (we should at least try to get Patrick up a bit further so he doesn't have to shop it).
It has been my experience that the more likely one outcome is expected, the greater the opening for another outcome. Namely, that if everyone is expecting a sprint to decide the win, then that expectation plays into the hands of those who want to attack.
And that predicted outcome screams FIELD SPRINT!!!
As such, it opens the door for attacks, because everyone is assuming that Brands will just chase everything down.
Further, as your predicted results show, we do not have someone ready to challenge Sanchez, Dioslaki, Murray for the win. Because of that, we should see ourselves as free not to follow the script.
So, attacking. Yes, the first move will almost certainly be caught. However, hang out there for a while, and a small group might come up to you, and you can do a lap or two with the group, putting pressure on the other teams while our guys get a free ride--and teeing them up for the next move.
It will be on Brands to chase down the move. And the more efforts they have to make early in the race will then start to add up and cost them later. It's the kind of thing that makes it easier for a break to succeed.
OR, Brands puts a rider in the move. Now the other teams are going to be burning matches to chase it down and we've got a major ally in the field.
You make a good point about conserving for the final third of the race. However, the KoM and Sprint points are at something like three and two laps remaining, making it harder, in my opinion, to get away. In my experience, the only way a break can work with two to go or less happens if at least a few conditions are met--the field is already riding a bit ragged from a fast pace, the field is strung out by the sprint/KoM and people are letting gaps open, the field forces a single team to chase down a move, a strong team has at least one rider in the break. Brands did close 30 seconds in about a lap once this year, but there was only one guy out front.
I think we'd be better served by being out in front and having Dioslaki bridge across than saving up everything to follow him when he's attacking up the hill.
Think of it this way. The easier the race is for Brands, the less effort they expend. If the race is quiet until three to go, it's much easier for them to chase down the remaining moves. but if they have to defend for the whole distance, the final laps aren't so easy.
Besides, we have seven riders in an eleven lap race. Spreading out the efforts, we can cover the race. Another way to think of it is we might be able to improve our odds by making a flurry of early attacks, cooling our jets after the first two or three laps and then revving up again with four or three to go.
I find moving up the final lap an interesting conundrum. I usually have an easier time moving up when the field is moving faster, as the field isn't so wide. A slow final lap and too many people are jockeying for position. A fast one, and I can move up because there's plenty of room. Still, the squad should pick a side and try to stick to it.
But...I won't be there, nor you.
I'll leave it up to those there to decide how to play it.
You make a good point about conserving for the final third of the race. However, the KoM and Sprint points are at something like three and two laps remaining, making it harder, in my opinion, to get away. In my experience, the only way a break can work with two to go or less happens if at least a few conditions are met--the field is already riding a bit ragged from a fast pace, the field is strung out by the sprint/KoM and people are letting gaps open, the field forces a single team to chase down a move, a strong team has at least one rider in the break. Brands did close 30 seconds in about a lap once this year, but there was only one guy out front.
I think we'd be better served by being out in front and having Dioslaki bridge across than saving up everything to follow him when he's attacking up the hill.
Think of it this way. The easier the race is for Brands, the less effort they expend. If the race is quiet until three to go, it's much easier for them to chase down the remaining moves. but if they have to defend for the whole distance, the final laps aren't so easy.
Besides, we have seven riders in an eleven lap race. Spreading out the efforts, we can cover the race. Another way to think of it is we might be able to improve our odds by making a flurry of early attacks, cooling our jets after the first two or three laps and then revving up again with four or three to go.
I find moving up the final lap an interesting conundrum. I usually have an easier time moving up when the field is moving faster, as the field isn't so wide. A slow final lap and too many people are jockeying for position. A fast one, and I can move up because there's plenty of room. Still, the squad should pick a side and try to stick to it.
But...I won't be there, nor you.
I'll leave it up to those there to decide how to play it.