Norm,
Not sure I follow. We're not talking about taking a lap out. Just if I puncture, a teammate could give me a wheel so we could chase back on. I've ridden in races without wheel support before where it's been an acceptable practice.

I wasn't sure myself... just wondering what the rule is.

McKay, Thank you for vouching for me / overstating my abilities.
John, I use brakes, but I'll try not to on Sunday!

Fellas. Doh! Sunday's race is in Central Park NOT Prospect Park. Ping me here so I know we're all on the same page. Jef, because I don't want you to get a red light ticket, you may put the brakes back on your bike.

OMG. Thank you John! You just gave me an extra 30 minutes of sleep!

Yes, CP. See you there. I'll be one of the guys in a Kissena jersey.

Yes CP. - 30 min of sleep.
See you guys at around 6..

Cool.

Brian/Graham? Did you get the word this race is at CENTRAL PARK? 6.30am start.

I'td suck if you guys went to PP and missed race.

F!

Fuckity fuck fuck shit fuck goddamn asshole motherfucker, my fucking alarm didn't go off AGAIN this morning, I just got up now at 6:30. The worst thing is I spent yesterday hydrating, eating well, and went to bed at a reasonable hour last night (as opposed to my usual regimen of getting shit-housed and working off the hangover by racing). My legs were feeling strong, finally, after a much-needed rest week, and I swore last night I was gonna stay up front the entire race and give John a big pull into the sprint. And yes, I knew it was Central Park too. Jesus. Sorry guys, I'm gonna institute a completely new regimen of alarms, so this doesn't happen again. Hope everyone has a good race.

-Brian

Brian,
Go punish yourself by riding over the GWB and finding all the hills you can.
Bad bad bad...
It happens,
Sorry man,
Eric Ragot

Who won?

Brian. Bummer, that's such an empty feeling. Two alarms is the way to go.

3rd today. Getting closer to a win though as gap from 1st to 3rd was under a bike length. Adam, one of your fellow countrymen 1st. Stephane the big guy from last week who flatted, second. Most importantly the 2nd on points guy, Aaron, didn't place.

Me Jorge, Jef lined up (Graham?). Crash in first mile @ 30mph (ye olde sudden swing technique). Fast: Caught masters; Caught cat 4 who weren't cool... Sat on us and wanted to repass on our final half lap even though Cat 5 were the only ones at front. Jorge made a huge attack after hill, there was a furious chase from the bunch to pull him back... unfortunately he got a bit too much wind to mix it in the sprint—just out of points. Jef did a great job in his first race, attacking off the front for a while. Not too shabby!

Live Battenkill! I see a Kissena rider on screen!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/battenkill3

Come in Battenkill krrrk.

CP Cat 5 had fastest lap time for the day.

With 90% of USA Cycling's membership racing in Upstate New York, the 1-2 field in Central Park was smaller than usual. And unlike most of our races this year, this one would come down to a field sprint. But not for lack of trying. Jan and I lined up for Kissena and we each went with moves, or on our own off the front 5 of the 6 laps of our race. In the end, it looked like Jan was 11th and I was 12th.

Brian Breech and Tall Mengoni dude, plus various Die Hard riders and Jan and I were the only riders interested in a breakaway.

Well, it was nice to race 6 laps in Central Park, although 7 or 8 would be better!

Quick note to thank you guys for making my first race a great experience – I can't believe how completely and totally non-nervous I felt. I didn't have an ounce of nerves. Being there just felt perfect. Hey, John, thank you for noticing that I wasn't in my big chainring at the starting line!! About the race itself from my POV... That crash happened right under my nose – I still cannot believe I didn't get taken out by it – what a crazy thing to see so close-up! Marc, I took your advice and tried to breakaway early... but I tried it waaaay too early – immediately after the descent from Harlem Hill. I only succeeded in pulling up to the front of the group, ran out of steam and then immediately blew up without helping John as I'd hoped. I absolutely hated hated hated getting dropped, but I guess you were right – it was fun giving a breakaway a try first time out of the gate. Jorge, it was so cool watching you breakaway and make it stick – You looked amazing!!! And because I DNF, I had a front row seat watching John power across the finish line – Congratulations on keeping your jersey, John!!
Even though I DNF'd, I achieved my biggest goal: Showing up and feeling great. Thanks John and Jorge for making my first race a terrific experience. Most importantly, a Huge Thank You to my friend, McKay, for all of those crazy early morning rides year after year. Speaking of which, are you riding this morning??

[warning profanity ahead] Overheard observed after the race:










5 smokers, ashes hanging low and to the left. Waiting for marshal payout (I assume). One woman, droopy right eye lid, scolding her small dog...

"...hey, you a boy dog, you like pussy."

At the last Prospect Park race, there was the thick scent of cannabis wafting around the registration tables. I assume it wasn't a racer.

For starters...have to say...I felt great to have finished this course under race conditions. It was a real challenge, and for me, finishing (not just finishing, but finishing strongly and pedaling hard over the line) was a primary goal - so mission accomplished there.

My brief race report: about 50 starters (I did a head count), and I was the lone Kissena in my race. I rolled out in the back of the pack, but remembered my coaching (and the Cat 4 Pink strat session before 2 hours earlier) and so I moved up quickly to get near the front. I was sitting 4th wheel, tucked in real nicely, not working too hard at all. I was feeling very good, in fact. I sat there, right on the 4th or 5th wheel, through the first dirt section.

At that point, I was in a selection of about 20 guys who had drifted off the front, with maybe a 50m gap on a second chasing group. I was still sitting 4th wheel. And here is where my hopes of a better finish took a hard turn. At around the 15km mark, the leader of our group made a wrong turn, leading all 20 of us off the course. There was a lot of "you've got to be fucking kidding me!" comments......but in fairness, I guess the rest of us weren't paying much attention either or we wouldn't have followed Mr. Magoo on his wayward path. I was just so focused on my form and keeping my position....anyway, lesson learned. Pay attention.

We didn't go far, but by the time we realized it, the second group had passed us while we stopped, turned around and got back on the right road. This turned out to be my undoing. I burned a ton of matches trying to catch back on, matches I knew I'd need later. Maybe if I had had more time on the bike I could have survived it....will never know!

Anyway, I chased back within striking distance of the field, but at that point we hit the first big stair step climb and I was feeling pretty gassed from my chase. I struggled to do the hill as a result (I def rode it stronger when I did the pre-ride last month) and I lost contact again by the time I finished the climb.

I rode most of the rest of the way in solo and generally suffering. Cramps started to him me hard around 60K, which I battled till the end. Lost my gel flask, so had to survive on a few chews and one gel pack - not enough food. And I went through all 3 bottles really quickly. So, I was feeling bonk-y at around 75K. But I was still passing people from other fields up until the end, and working as hard as my legs would allow.

Out of about 50 starters, 36 finished and I came 34th. I'm going to compare my time to other Cat 5 35+ fields later to see how I did more broadly across all of the fields. Tired and sore now, but looking forward to getting back out there again. Next year - thinking - less time in Spring Series races and more Alpine hill repeats!

Good race David! Keeping training the hills and you'll steadily climb up in the finishing on the tough hill races...

And thanks again for the ride-up and the accommodation!

John, Jorge, Jef, Adam, etc....great job for going hard and holding on to that fugly jersey (aka the maglia porpora) for another week! your passing of the 4's has sparked some talk on the NYVelocity boards too.

hope to see the brooklynites training out in PP some evenings this week...

Ummmm, I wouldn't assume that.

Mellow Jef, thanks much, glad you gave it a shot out there. I was actually surprised you got dropped, you had good speed and stayed near the front. You can take heart in the fact that it was the fastest race to date with no letup. I failed to mention number pinning technique to you, so here's the cheat sheet: http://cyclingskills.blogspot.com/2008/07/race-numbers-pinning-and-placement.html

David et al, excellent job finishing the hell of the Batten. Looked like one tough race. Seems like a definite "must", I'll be sure to ride it next year.
Hope to see you guys out mañana at PP.

Hey guys, I' m a friend of Jorge's and I just joined the club. I think I met some of you at the PP races a couple of weeks ago (first one I crashed, second one was in the bunch sprint behind the breakaway). I'm bummed I missed the CP race on Sunday, sounds like a good one. It was booked up by the time I decided to race. Was wondering if anyone was doing the Floyd Bennett race on Saturday or the time trial on Sunday. I'm trying to decide which to do.

welcome, jeff! dan, jim, dave, rich, eric, great to meet you all this AM. john, great to see you again & thank you for the link on 'how-to' number pin! i clicked thru, read up, and i'll do much better next time... (8 safety pins. do not use the supplied holes. i think i got it now!) unfortunately, i'm out of town both this weekend & next. but i'll be in PP during the weekdays –- more sprint intervals, please!!

Jef K. you're welcome! David, cheers, which nights you at PP?

Jeff C, glad to have you back in the team. How were your injuries/bike?

Schedule permitting, I'll ride FB and probably the short TT just to be neurotic about the points jersey. Probably ride up there over the GWB if anyone is interested. I haven't heard much about the course itself, I think JP has ridden it? JP?

We are training Tues/Wed/Thurs at grand army plaza 6am if you're up for it—good skill building and drills with the higher Cat's. Note there's also a Floyd race Thursday afternoon (Cat 5 starts 5.45pm) if you have an accommodating schedule.

Hi Gents,

WIll probably try to get down to FBF this weekend. Need to get a few more mass start races done so I can leave the Cat 'Wacky Races' 5 division. I think it will be wet out though.

Will check the price of the TT, won't bother if it's $27 (can ride on my own for free usually and it doesn't count as a mass start race in any case), if it's less, will meet you at GWB John.

Adam

Hi Guys,
Welcome Jeff!! He is strong, nice to have him in the team...
David, congratulations for Batenkill!! Awesome result. Epic ride.
Sunday CP race was intense!!, super fast pace and as we caught the other cats it got kind of dangerous, but was great to keep John in the points, with the leader jersey and with everyone safe.
Jef, great meeting you and thanks for the comments... Was great feeling trying to break away... Lasted for like 100 yds, but the sensation was awesome!! John, sorry I wen't to early for the lead out...ended up pulling the whole pack in the worst timing possible, for the sprint my legs were hurting bad... Totally amateur.
In Miami until Thursday, so no AM training this week... i'm going to miss it. Probably will do the TT on Sunday.
Hope to see everyone soon,

Fellas, who's down?

Hoping to do both.

As Adam noted the $32, 9 mile, SS TT doesn't count towards your 10 upgrade rides. It's (supposedly) from the Palisades Interstate Park on Henry Hudson Drive between the Alpine boat basin and the Englewood boat basin. I believe you have to crush it straight up the hill from the river, ride the rolling Parkway and finish by river after small descent. Anyone ridden this before?

Some performance/nutrition reading I found helpful—Compulsory pre-ride coffees for everyone:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/health/nutrition/26best.html?scp=1&sq=caffeine runners&st=cse
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/sports/playmagazine/601physed.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2006/jul/20/healthandwellbeing.foodanddrink?INTCMP=SRCH

Looking forward to PP training, 6am tomorrow.

I will prob do the TT, even if I don't I will be there to get some miles in if anyone is interested in heading down 9W after the TT. The entire length of river rd is around 9 miles and between boat basins is 5-6 miles, so there must be some sort of loop where you come back if it's held between them. Never done the TT so not sure??