My 3/4 field went out hot with attacks almost from the get go. I stayed mid pack, not confident of my fitness and unknowing the rhythms of a Central Park race. The first split of 6 happened somewhere in horseshit alley, tantalizingly dangling off the front by a few seconds. I was banking on unrepresented teams to chase but didn't think of them sending guys up there individually to bridge. A few stronger riders seemed to gel together and I watched another set of 6-8 riders sail off into the sunset by cats paw. I tried the old trick of sitting directly behind lone wolf riders pulling hard and encouraging them to keep pulling, while obviously never pulling myself. It was worth a shot but ultimately not enough riders pulled through as all the big teams were represented in the break. A CRCA development jr rider sitting on wheels all race also tried it occasionally much to my amusement. Their admonishments did not work either.

My lame duck group ended up doing some hot laps, occasionally punctuated by a few riders trying to have some fun and attempting a half hearted little break. They never stuck but kept things interesting. There were a few truly atrocious bike handlers in the field and it kept my mind busy devising plans and finding lines to move up to avoid their wheels. 

Bell lap, somewhere around the 70s on the west side I heard some jostling and a crunch of carbon. I shook my head - we were racing for 15th at best and for whatever reason people were so possessive of their positions. When we all collectively realized we're out of the money I was gladly letting people out in the wind onto the wheel in front of me. Am I too laissez fair? Maybe, but only when I know none of us have a shot at local amateur bike racing glory.

Group sprint wound up (we all still had some self respect) and I gave it an honest effort but halfway up cats paw I just didn't have the firepower to sustain it and sat up finishing DFL, which hey, 50th or 15th, it's all the same to me.

I regrouped with Kevin and Blake (who went off for some endurance training) and accosted people I knew who made the break. Turns out Isaac Rosenthal, JPs pal and collegiate rider won! I was very stoked for them.

Kev had to feed his pups so after a quick stop and snack break we headed up to the bridge for the new member ride, still pinned up and with new race experience in our legs.

So happy we got to race, had a great time and hope to see you at the next one.