I'm skipping.  Always fun racing with Eloy, Dan et al, but with Harriman Sunday, me fighting something off and the early start, I think I'm going to have to sleep this one out.

I'm signed this will be road race No. 1 for me. 

Sorry to hear you're out JP but I understand. Best of luck with Bear Mt.

we'll miss you JP.

BTW This means I am riding full on 100% full block for Reiners!!

When did Bear Mtn become a bigger race than Masters at Prospect?

twoyacks said:

When did Bear Mtn become a bigger race than Masters at Prospect?

If I have to bet, in all seriousness, 2016 is the last year Bear will actually be bigger. At least for a few years.

Dan Reiners said:

@Yacks

I don't think it's hidden if you put it on your BikeReg profile.


I and my Enve wheels are registered for this race, just to taunt you with their lack of flats on the smooth new pavement. 

I plan on being there with a day of reg.

Looks like rain in the AM = aluminum clinchers

Dammit, I just put on my carbon wheels and pads this AM.

You know Dan...those Enve wheels have Alchemy hubs...which are sublime.  I have set built up as aluminum clinchers.  I took the cheese you paid me and gave some to Mark Taylor for some Neugent carbon clinchers...and rode them all through the winter.   The Enve rims are narrow...how narrow?  They'll make your skinny jeans look fat.  The Neugents are wide.  How wide?  They'll make your hipster glasses look rimless.  You can check out my wheels as I pass you on the hill in the morning
Love,
Yacks

It rained...quite a bit today.  I saw Eloy, Mark, Jeff, Dan, Jim and Eric in the Masters.  Not much action off the front save the guy in the polka dots who was rolling off the front whenever he wanted.  At one point I made a half ass attempt to bridge but sat up half way across.  Watts are returning to last years levels.  The secret apparently is having a balanced week before a race (rest, Epsom salt baths, low stress, intervals, active recovery and weight work).  A lot of shit to manage for 1:37 minutes of racing on the weekend. Still, it's whats required to enjoy a race and not suffer through it.  The finale was a slow drudge up the hill followed by the usual gap at the top and sprint.  Jeff beat me on his "rain bike"...bastard.  I was playing 2 man race with a large fella on Litespeed who I had words with during the race...sitting on him and waiting to sprint around him cost me some spots...but I beat him. (He was much bigger off the bike than he appeared on it and I promptly apologized for calling him things that would make Andrew Dice Clay blush.)  After the race it was decided that if we could line up a train for Jeff heading into the hill, that at least we could make some impact on the finale and help Jeff.  So it is known...next time there will be a lead out attempt. Dan, Eloy, Jim and whoever else wants to join the coalition of the willing.  Thank you to Eloy who calmed me down on the last lap as I....now say it with a Michael Cain accent, "Began to lose my shit...Tally-Ho !!!"  I think I was going hypothermic as I was losing my mental mojo fast.
Anyway....a power file and smutty pic
https://www.strava.com/activities/568319426

A morning of firsts for me – racing, in the rain, in prospect park.

Had no idea how to prepare for such an early and local start so treated it the same as a running race - no breakfast as such, just an energy bar. Seemed to work pretty well and maybe it's the consensus? Arrived at 0530 to a very damp registration area where @Scott Kuhlke greeted me with a smile. Next up @Dan Reiners pinned on my number. So great being in a team. 

With Bear tomorrow it was Just @RileyHoonan and myself in the fives, plan was to take it easy and get a feel for it. Pace felt comfortable, I stayed towards the front after the first two laps. Several breaks were attempted. At one point a pair was 50m off the front. Eventually an effort was made to bridge. I thought everyone was still together at this point, I looked round to see no-one so though I better get on a wheel and join everyone else which was the end of the break (probably 10-15 people). With 1.5 laps to go Riley popped up beside me. Turns out he was in the second group and put in a big effort to get across.

We chatted about the last climb and I said I was happy to take Riley to the front for good position but when it came to it I think I went a bit too hard. Riley wasn't on my wheel so I just decided to go for it (knowing that I'd run of gas up the hill). Half way up the hill I could feel it was over as I knew that no-one else would be feeling as bad as me at that point. 3/4 up a bunch of 5 passed by and I don't think I had enough to latch on. Looked back and there was a hefty gap though so 6th was all to play for. Unfortunately another guy got round me towards the end so I took 7th. I think Riley took 9th.

Ended the race caked in park road debris and very wet but oh my it was good. Super excited for Bear tomorrow. Hopefully the legs will be OK and the weather will be better.

So cool to see Kissenas before and after. Apologies for not hanging around for too long. It would have been great to grab a coffee but I was wet and getting cold.

Until next time.

 

quick report:

• was supah rainy and supah wet
• Condon looked awesome, always top 10
• I kept it kinda of mellow, until 3 or so to go, when I hit the front a few times, mostly so Condon could see that I was actually there
• Yacks is the most funny jumpy person on the pack
• So stupid amazing fun to ride with Jim, Mark, Dan, and today's amazing appearance by the legend, the man, the lion of Brooklyn, the one and only the Eric Robertson
• there were some moves that had potential, specially with the polka dude, but he would usually kill them, race eventually came to a sprint
• wet, slippy, but generally safe, fun race
• the parts where the speed was 47Km/h plus, were the most fun

Photo by Joaquin

JamesShaw said:

Unfortunately another guy got round me towards the end so I took 7th. I think Riley took 9th. 

First race ever, and you get 7th? That's amazing. Nicely done!

Robertson is back? That's double awesome.

DNF , two weeks off the bike and a week of tacos and tequila took its toll

Pretty great set of photos by Phil Penman from Saturday:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1273795385983705.1073741837.333835533313033&type=3

@eloy they're sweet.  I'm glad you knew where to find them. I did mean to ask his name. 

Just registered.  See you guys this Saturday morning!

@BenFinoRadin I hope,  if available,  you've signed up for this to make your debut. 

will be there.

Registered. Going to need a 5 am wake up call...... 

I plan to be lining up for the DOPER Geezer race to get my hopes and dreams crushed.

Also registered. Might try and hop on that Scott / Eddie leadout train

In too! 

Oh man - the 5s are riding deep!!

hi crew, 
c u sat am...
-h

Harry "the architect of destruction" is racing?? I'm in!

I was just going to post a "Harry spotted in Kit" report...!

Sorry guys.  I'm out.  Been fighting off some virus this week and also planning on doing Riverton Sunday.  Keep it interesting. don't let the dopers geezers get away.   Show 'em who doesn't need Geritol.