GWB is closed.  33F out.  Roads are looking like they need time to melt more, though at 33, the roads will be dryer now than later today.

It will be a wet one regardless.

 vlad said:

Not sure what you guys are trying to prove.

acknowledging fact is all.  I like riding.  I want to ride.  This is when I have time.   

This SUNDAY! (3/1/15)

Time for the All Hands on Deck ride.  This is the last Sunday before the race season officially starts.  It's one of our last chances to get everyone out and do a ride together.  The traditional format of the ride is to ride en masse to the Rockleigh crit course, ride a few laps easy, do a short race simulation, then send the groups on their way--the V's, the IV's, the I/II/III's.  Everyone should end up on 9W, at different times, doing a hard rotating pace line.  Form practice, cobweb blowing out exercise, and see how everyone rides.

Gwynna Smith said:

Heh, would love to join...but I'll be racing.

Do tell? MTB? What event will you be crushing your competition at this weekend?

my guess
https://www.bikereg.com/grundles-spring-short-track-series-1

mugwump said:

This SUNDAY! (3/1/15)

Time for the All Hands on Deck ride.  This is the last Sunday before the race season officially starts.  It's one of our last chances to get everyone out and do a ride together.  The traditional format of the ride is to ride en masse to the Rockleigh crit course, ride a few laps easy, do a short race simulation, then send the groups on their way--the V's, the IV's, the I/II/III's.  Everyone should end up on 9W, at different times, doing a hard rotating pace line.  Form practice, cobweb blowing out exercise, and see how everyone rides.

Just want to add from my perspective, that the most important thing in my mind about this ride is that we get to meet each other. I know it's been a rough winter, with some unfriendly weekends for group rides, but please try to make this ride if at all possible.

I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to show up to a race and not recognize guys wearing the same kit as you.

And really, despite some intensity scheduled for the ride, it's also not going to be an infamous "bag-o-hammers" ride. So if you are nervous about coming out because you think you aren't fit enough, don't be. C'mon out regardless.

The pace out to the Rockleigh crit course will be cordial and conversational. The laps around the course, depending on conditions will vary, but even if you aren't up for "more watts," then you can drop off, take a breather, wait for the group to come around again (track points race style, yo!) and jump in and give it another go.

Or not, just chill and save some energy for the 9W paceline home--and it sounds like JP wants to give that some gas too. Well, if you are with my group, I will give you personal lessons on how to surf the back of that mother when you need a break and still stay in the draft.

Folks in other groups should concentrate on being smooth and tight, with no monster surges as you pull to the front. Depending on who shows, we'll assign a group leader to keep everyone in line.

Looking forward to it. 

Jake 

Gwynna Smith said:

Rick Perner said:

my guess
https://www.bikereg.com/grundles-spring-short-track-series-1

Yup!

Awesome, full report please. Also, seems like great prep for a full CX season next fall!

I'll be there Sunday for the group ride. Do we have a head count on who's going so far?

I'm in...I mean I'll be out there.

I'd like to come...maybe some other chicas will join as well!!

If the temp is higher than 19F I will head out tomorrow.

BB~GBW are kinda open but let's say 8am @ BB 9am@GWB. Post here or text me if interested in joining.

In for Sunday as well.

Planning to be there sunday

I'll be there Sunday

I'll be there Sunday.

16.5F feels like 12F right now, so no dice today.
See you all tomorrow.

I'm in for Sunday

Anyone concerned about the pending snowstorm for tomorrow? You know, I don't have anything to prove. 



Issued by The National Weather Service

hmmm when I'd looked i thought i saw only light now during the time of our ride with the real snow in the evening.  i still plan on heading out.  if it's that bad we can turn back early.  there's always the subway!  i too have nothing to prove, but i have not really been on the bike much lately and need to get in some miles.

reading weather.com at this moment (5:36pm), it seems that the chance of snow is up to 45% at 1pm tomorrow and then 65% at 2pm.  

It is supposed to be a balmy 30 degrees Fahrenheit.  So warm.  

Hard to turn down such nice weather just because of a little snow.

Ah damn, didn't realize the snow was going to start so early. I should be there, but wouldn't mind avoiding a repeat of last weekend.

Oh god moving is the worst. I so wanted to ride tomorrow with you all but there's no way I'm making it with so much left to do, and especially since it will be a completely new route to the GWB from eastern queens.

I'm itching to get out of my basement...but I don't want to be 40 miles from home when the white stuff starts.   May just do that 4X15 at FTP workout from training peaks instead

I don't have anything to prove either. It's doubtful that I'll show tomorrow. The potential of snow-covered patches of ice is something I'd like to avoid.

This ride is not about proving anything. This ride is about getting together and riding with the people you may be racing with this season. This ride is an opportunity to talk with each other about your goals and objectives and to see how they mesh with your teammates' goals and expectations. This ride is about talking about the upcoming season with like-minded individuals and fueling off each others' enthusiasm. This ride is about reminding yourself what it feels like to shift and break and refuel with thick gloves on, hammer with tights, climb with booties.

JP and I did a wormhole ride in New Jersey today and I can assure you the roads are clear and rideable.

If you wake up and you don't feel comfortable for whatever reason with the forecast, then by all means stay home. I get that. I might too if things look like they might turn nasty. But if you are on the fence, I encourage you to come out and (re)acquaint yourself with your teammates.

We don't need to ride in a snow storm to do any of that. We have a forum where we can do all of what you outlined spare the putting gloves on. (Climbing with booties? Right, because of all the cold weather road racing in the next few weeks? Come on).

And let's be honest, I understand camaraderie and team building very well but the truth is that I won't be seeing the majority of you at races. That's just the way it shakes out. Excitement runs high this time of the year and capitalizing on that is great, but be prudent. Be realistic. Riding in a snow storm with a bunch of guys you don't regularly ride with is a questionable move.

This has been a particularly cold and snowy winter. I'm reminded of Bruce's busted hip last year and Garrigan's smashed face this year. This is not the season for mass group rides to shake out the cobwebs. In milder days, for sure, but I'll hedge my bets and stay home when water is still frozen outside.

I saw the beardcicles. I heard about the train rides home. I read about the bridge closing. Those are things I try to avoid.

Don't get me wrong. I love the group rides and am a big advocate for them. I just don't think this one in particular should happen and FWIW, If it's snowing or raining at Branchbrook or Grant's, I'm opting out of those too.

Going out tomorrow on road bikes is just silly.

Mother Nature wins this year.  This is the worst winter I've ever experienced in 18 years of living/walking dogs here. I am out in this crap 5-7 hours everyday during the week. It's f'ing horrid out there. Your trainer(or Kreitler rollers) is/are your friend….along with a dram of Islay Scotch on really cold days

Okay Vlad, we get it. You've made up your mind. No need to be snarky with references to a picture I posted last week.

I'm going to wait until tomorrow morning to make my decision about riding out doors.