Sep 09, 2014 at 03:15 PM
Sorry that I could not make it this morning because of last night's swimming session that nearly destroyed me.
Prospect Park Weekday Morning Training
Sep 09, 2014 at 03:51 PM
I can appreciate the cross-training, as long as it doesn't interfere with cycling.
Priorities, good sir.
And when can hanging out at a pool in a wealthy neighborhood with ladies in bikinis ever replace riding in circles with sweaty cyclists wearing last year's kit with those inexplicable yellow stains along the shoulders?
Sep 10, 2014 at 03:03 AM
You got it right sir because I'm the only guy during those lessons.
Sep 10, 2014 at 11:34 PM
Who's up mañana ???
Sep 11, 2014 at 12:25 AM
I don't know what you're talking about. My stains are a distinct orange.Bruce van-Schalkwyk said:I can appreciate the cross-training, as long as it doesn't interfere with cycling.Priorities, good sir.And when can hanging out at a pool in a wealthy neighborhood with ladies in bikinis ever replace riding in circles with sweaty cyclists wearing last year's kit with those inexplicable yellow stains along the shoulders?
Sep 11, 2014 at 02:49 PM
Sprinkling when I stepped into the dark morning. I went back for my vest and arm warmers and met up with Avi, Dale and Thierry at GAP, 6am. It was warm this morning, though; much warmer than Tuesday. Despite the overcast sky, there was a good contingent of NYCC riders, and a large Prospect Peloton circling the park.
I rode with the KCC group to Center Drive where I turned for some half-park interval action.
There was a period of transition this morning, as the sun was coming up and just before the street lights turned off, where the light on the road, diffused through the clouds that looked like marshmallows dropped on the ground and flattened, had a hue of pink and dark yellow which seemed to descend a calmness onto the park. It wasn't the kind of silence a heavy snowfall can bring, but a mysterious unknowing that's often carried on a fog or mist. I thought it was beautiful, and remarked on it to Jeff A when I caught up with him later, riding for a half lap with him until I turned out of the park.
Traffic, taxis, stop lights on the way home quickly disabused me of the wonder, but that's the nice thing about light, it's ethereal qualities.
Good to see you guys this morning.
Sep 16, 2014 at 02:34 PM
Good laps with Dan this morning as we tootled around the park. We spied Erika, and Jeff C. tearing it up on his laps. The prospect peloton was cranking hard in their paceline, not giving up hard training without a fight; BTC was out in force, as was NYCC. And I caught up to Jeff A. only because he had throttled back on some intervals. All the usual Tuesday suspects.
Temps are at that in-between place now, so I was warm in knickers, a base layer and jersey, and have officially hung enough layers up to dry that there will always be bike clothes on the rack or the radiator or shower curtain rod until May, when the two pieces I hang up are dry within the hour. But for the next 6 months at least, the Kissena lettering will be sideways and visible somewhere in my apartment.
I headed home just as it started sprinkling, and was greeted at a stoplight by a rider who liked my bike very much, because he was sitting on the same one.
Sep 16, 2014 at 03:38 PM
Threshold intervals in the pouring rain can only ever mean one thing; it's CX season.
#hallelujah
#hallelujah
Sep 19, 2014 at 03:36 PM
Met up with Kayt this morning for easy laps and to catch up. Ran into Eric who tagged along and we bonded over our mutual unpopular opinion that CX is for the birds. Then did a few leg speed drills that Kayt showed me before bailing at interval #5.
Its cold out there during the mornings!
Its cold out there during the mornings!
Sep 20, 2014 at 12:22 AM
Great to see Yang and Kayt out this morning. Ask Eric oRiginal, Jim Nelson, Mike Perlberg or David Stokes about my bike throw the last time out at one of Ragot's cross clinics. I ain't no bird.
Sep 20, 2014 at 01:16 AM
Sep 21, 2014 at 09:55 PM
Anyone riding tomorrow morning?
Sep 23, 2014 at 12:54 AM
I'm going to get out early for some ITT laps. I probably won't join in a group, but wanted to let you know I'll be out there in case you're second guessing hitting that snooze button.
Looks like 51 in the am. I'm pulling out clothes I haven't seen in a while.
Sep 23, 2014 at 01:58 AM
@Bruce, I should see you out there.
Sep 23, 2014 at 02:55 AM
What the !? Ok, who angered the weather gods?
Sep 23, 2014 at 02:46 PM
@Jules, I spent far too long staring at my closet of jackets deciding if I should venture out with one. Opted to be stubborn and just wear a jersey and shorts, and it wasn't so bad once I got moving. It is quite ominous though....
Sep 23, 2014 at 02:51 PM
I got out for a few laps this morning, with the moths fluttering out of my winter kit drawer.
My recent order of new kit included some fleece gloves. They're light and thin and won't hold up well in a cold wind, as the wind will probably cut right through them, but they were perfect for today, 52 degrees, little wind at all, that in-between temperature where fingerless gloves may be too cold, and heavier gloves too warm. Hats off to these gloves. I will make them filthy in no time.
Knickers, base layer, long sleeve jersey, wool socks (and fleece gloves) hanging from the shower curtain rod. Not a happy sight.
Oct 01, 2014 at 12:48 AM
I'm going to haul my keister out of bed tomorrow for some much needed Wednesday CX practice. I don't have any barriers so plan on the basics, riding, dismounting, going really fast and trying to turn without falling. I'll stop at GAP at 6am in case anyone would like to join me. Or show me how to do all that stuff I just said.
It will be dark that early. And I won't be in team kit - my CX practice is done incognito.
Oct 01, 2014 at 01:36 AM
I'll be joining you in the dark... in spirit. Just don't ask me where the bite marks came from...
Oct 01, 2014 at 01:50 AM
If there is a race i dream of doing it is the night weasel's. your plan of an RV is totally pro.
Oct 01, 2014 at 02:30 PM
Did you know there are rabbits in Prospect Park? And at 5:30 am in the pitch black, they have teeth and carry knives. I believe Strava recorded a few HR spikes this morning, and it wasn't due to sprinting. Happy to report my disc brakes work wonderfully.
I rolled around in the grass for a bit and then headed up, over hill and dale, to GAP where I practiced dismounts on that little patch of grass. Cross bikes is fun!
Then, through the darkness and mist, the most beautiful sight to calm the HR spikes, Eloy! With a package of cones and barriers. The game was afoot.
He diligently set up a course and we practiced dismounts as we waited for the sun to complete it's run up. As the rosy fingers of dawn spread through the cloud cover, we rode the course, taking hard turns in the grass, around the trees (acorns!) and over the barriers.
Eloy was patient and instructive - thank you, sir - and gave me support. In appreciation, I let him CRUSH me through the course.
I need more practice at the barriers, and need to practice braking before a hard turn so I can go through it with momentum and sprint out of it, instead of braking while I'm in the turn itself and bleeding off all my speed just when I need it.
I have a new bruise on my right inner thigh, and scratched my ankles up pretty good. A solid morning of practice.
This city has changed my dreams and hopes dramatically. No longer do I want to be programming on the moon (what?) but instead have visions of a hose in a back yard. Can you imagine such luxury?
Oct 01, 2014 at 02:54 PM
Another piece of fine writing, thank you Bruce!
Oct 08, 2014 at 12:25 AM
Tomorrow: 6:15am at GAP with the cross bike. We'll practice skillz, drills, barriers, and how to look awesome.
It might be a bit wet, so we'll thread lightly.
Oct 13, 2014 at 04:06 PM
Anyone riding in the morning this week? I'm hoping to get miles in both Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Oct 13, 2014 at 07:00 PM
Ok folks, here is my semi-annual plug for The User Manual:
What gear do I need?
“An ounce of prevention...”
You should always come prepared to a race or group ride with the following
equipment:
1. Clean and well maintained bike
2. Flat kit (spare tube, tire levers, C02 or pump, money)
3. Your phone in a waterproof case (ziplocks work great)
4. Appropriate food and water for the ride
5. Season and condition appropriate tires
6. No headphones
7. A well fitting helmet on your head!
Everyone is expected to arrive for races/rides with a clear head and condition/
skills appropriate for the ride:
1. No riding under the influence
2. Know your limits - the 130 mile Cat 1 “hammer-head special” is not for
everyone
3. Group/Bunch riding or racing while distraught or distracted is a recipe for
disaster.
Oct 20, 2014 at 09:06 PM
Heading out tomorrow morning if anyone is interested.
Nov 03, 2014 at 09:51 PM
Tomorrow morning anyone?
Nov 24, 2014 at 04:00 PM
Thursday morning, pre-Thanksgiving ride?
Nov 24, 2014 at 05:18 PM
Thursday for me
Nov 25, 2014 at 02:23 AM
I'll be in the park Thursday morning too, for 1 1/2-2hrs