Thanks, Norm!

Late notice FYI: since we've only got a few cat4s attending tonight, I have room for more. So, if some cat5's and cat2-3s would like to join, you're welcome to drop-in. I'll send an email to those I know in the area who may wish to join... if anyone else knows emails of Battenkill racers who may wish to join in, please forward them this invitation. Thanks -Norm

WHERE:
Norm's...
50 Montgomery Place (between 8th ave. & Prospect Park West --In Park Slope)
Basement apt

CONTACT:
normanswygert@mac.com
917-578-0381

note time: 7:30pm until around 9 or so.

I'm out in Jersey and can't make it in. Any chance meeting up Saturday in Cambridge or the surrounding area? I'm Cat5 U35.

Hey guys, I'm sorry that I didn't make it last night; I was swamped with work and Brooklyn's become a far way for me to go.
Norm et al, would you be willing to recap?

The feed zone is not neutral - so that means you have to carry everything you need or have someone hand it to you in the feed zones.

http://www.tourofthebattenkill.com/storage/pdfs/race_guide_2011.pdf

Sorry I didn't make it either!

Also, my travel plans have changed. If anyone has any extra room for the trip, I'll obviously chip in any way.

Thanks,
Jeff

Apologies for the delay on this... had to finish this up after work today, and it happened to be a really long day.

Joe Mueller, Jeff White and myself were there --and JP provided lots of good advice on the course and how to race it.

I'm attaching the summary. Note that some things are specific to Battenkill, and some things general advice and preparation for moderately long, moderately hilly races. It should be useful for any category racer, not just cat4s. I would organize this info a little better, but I'm pinched for time. Please continue the discussion here.

Big thanks to JP for sharing his knowledge --and for proofing and adding to the notes!


Cheers,
Norm

You guys are awesome! Many thanks

Hi gents. I'll be there on saturday but unfortunately have had a few curveballs recently thrown my way and structured training had to take a back seat. I'll work for any of you with good legs and a fondness for hills. Thanks for the summary PDF, Norm!

Cool Rich. I think I will be in similar form --eager for hills but best suited for protecting a leader until I blow-up.

I know Joe is in good form, who else among us is ready to angle for a win?

HOW TO: Does anyone know how to put together that little, handy stem-mounted guide to the dirt sections? I don't see a reference from which I can grab the relevant mileages/KMs. I'll delve into it more closely tonight, but any advice/references would be most appreciated.

*** Knowing the dirt (and bigger climbs) starts/ends will be key to knowing when to *absolutely* be in the top 10-20 riders. Getting behind a slow climber who's bogging down in the dirt --or just climbing really slow-- really sucks. Being up front give us the option to try and control the pace, as the cat4 Kissenas did in protecting Greg Donovan's solo escape in a prior Battenkill. ***

hey norm, you can probably cobble it together from the race info page, or more specifically the composite map which has an elevation profile @ the lower-left.

joe, jeff & I are going to try to get up there with enough time to pre-ride on saturday. it would be cool to meet up and recon the course as a team if timing works out.

Norm,
THe cue sheet for the race tells you when the sections start and end. I believe the dirt sections are in red.

Many just use simple tape with the numbers for the start and finish written on the tape. You can use two different color pens or a system of lines to know when they start and finish.

Ah yes... the cue sheet... right under my nose. I was looking on the map. I'll work from both to create the Stem-top guide.

I want revenge for last year, when I flatted and effectively ended my race.

I've thought about trying to sneak away early, but not attempt to go solo a la Greg last year (he is a much smarter racer and was in better shape than I am); this would involve rolling off the front, staying in the saddle and looking as nonthreatening as possible (not too hard in my case). The hope would be that a few would pursue while everyone else hang back to conserve their legs, like "nah, don't chase, don't chase - we'll catch them later" and that there would be the break.

The other (probably more realistic) option might be to attack on one of the later dirt climbs, around the 68 or 75km marks. I definitely don't plan on waiting until that final climb at 90km to make a move.

I'll be driving up with William and Mike, and their race starts earlier so I'll be around to discuss and warm up. Let's make it happen.

Tito - 718-812-1358

LOVING THIS!
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/08/what-were-you-thinking/

looking for ride to Battenkill. A ride fell through a few hours ago.

Hoping to go up Sunday morning as my race starts at 1:50pm.

write me offlist.

thanks.

Tito --excellent. Glad you're feeling good form and seeking a strong finish.

Anyone else feeling strong for this race?

NOTE: We have such a large group --and many of us don't know each other and/or haven't raced together much-- it's hard to figure a plan. Should we have half the guys cover the early race, protecting 1 or 2 of our stronger riders, and the other half covering the front (with another of our strongest riders, ready to launch) once the first group has someone in a break?

Whatever we plan we have, I figure it should probably be *dynamic*. That is, those who find themselves up front at the early critical parts of the race... endeavor to establish Kissena in an early break --knowing that we'll have guys a little farther (not to far) back in the pack who will come-up and cover with a strong rider among them, for countering (if and when the break comes back) OR following attacks by other teams.

The key part of this I would underscore is that it would be nice to keep close together once the race stretches out a little... keep close and keep talking with the Kissenas who are near you, encourage each other. Definitely be aware, as much as possible, of where other Kissenas are farther up so that we KNOW when we have guys going off the front. If our front-runners still in the big group need support, send someone back to grab another Kissena or two. Likewise, if you see only 1 or 2 Kissenas up front, move up to talk to them and monitor the situation. So, communicate. Don't assume that other Kissenas know what you know about what's happening in the race.

Goodness knows that I'm not the best person to set forth race strategies or advice, but I do think it is wise to have some plan that the majority of us agree upon --to help our focus during the race. Of course, the race may shatter the plan...

Anyone have any thoughts to share on this?

Oh here's some advice I do feel confident handing out:

Bring low-light lenses for your sunglasses. If it's overcast/raining, as forecast, lighter tint lenses will be nice-to-have.

Also bring your regular lenses, as forecasts are just that.

for those going up Saturday - what town is everyone staying in ? Anyone want to get dinner together Saturday night?

I have a hotel room about 45 min away (in Troy) - if anyone is in Albany\Latham\Troy\Clifton Park\Malba\etc, let me know, lets share a meal!

Good luck to everyone.

Joshua
646-235-2336
jcaesar.bike@gmail.com

My goal for this race is to survive as long as possible. I'll be suffering like a dog on the climbs. On the other hand, with such mediocre aspirations, I'd be completely willing to self-immolate for a teammate if the opportunity presents itself.

Our start time is 10:10 a.m. Maybe we can all meet by the Mavic tent (at the entrance to the parking lot) at 9:15 to talk strategy and then warm up. Does that sound reasonable?

Jeff
415-341-4470

That sounds great.

And in case my "plan" sounds presumptuous coming from a guy who has barely raced this season so far, it is. I just feel the need for a success and since I tend to do OK on hills I think that if I can make a move early I have a shot at doing well.

That said, I am ready to support whoever else is itching to own this race. I just want this to be Kissena's race.

Where is our secret weapon, David Gardiner?! I will be "in support", having woken up a little sick this morning.

Jeff has called a cat4 pre-race Meetup: 9:15am by the Mavic tent (entrance to the parking lot). Sounds good. Let's have everyone there.

Jeff O. --I wrote to David offline. He couldn't attend the meetup at my place this past Monday, but indicated via email that he's just getting back on the bike after a 3-week illness, so his goal is to finish. I say even a diminished David G. is still a mighty force. This is part of why I think the *dynamic* race plan is best... some strong guys have been hit by illness, and --speaking for myself-- I'm feeling very healthy, but haven't put a decent race performance in yet (6 races this spring). Joe is sure to be strong and he's had good feel for getting in the right moves (and so I think he's a definite leader). As for others who will rise during the race, I don't think we'll know til we're in it.

I'm hoping for a good showing. When I raced Bear Mtn last year, we set somewhat of a if you are feeling it save yourself, if you arnt feeling good be smart and do some work for your teammates. Rich, Jeff and I will do a little pre ride of the race tomorrow so we should be able to fill you guys in a little bit. With 14 Kissenas, Jeff and Tito both doing the race last year we should have a strong showing.

Josh my cell is 571.331.4037 I will be with Rich, and Jeff O'G

Meet up Saturday at registration around 5pm? Not in peak form - so I'm willing to work for the team. email me - joeldelagarza@gmail.com

Joel - I am not sure of my exact travel timing for today yet, so I am not sure if I can be in Cambridge at 5pm or not . What is your cell # - I'll call later when I am on the road

Joshua
646-235-2336