Jun 16, 2014 at 04:20 PM
I spotted Wrongway at the track the other day. Seems like you're healing up well Johnny!JohnMalcolmson said:I forgot to attach the photo of me on the trainer, waiting for Harlem results...
Harlem Skyscraper Classic
Jun 16, 2014 at 09:32 PM
Thanks to @Phil for the wardrobe support, @Marc for the words of wisdom, @Eric for advice on the stronger line to take through the turns, and all the teammates cheering from behind the barriers yesterday. As advertised, that was a tough race.
I was hanging in, but by 4 to go, I really started to fade--started feeling chills and shortness of breath. I guess I wasn't drinking enough, or hadn't had enough to drink beforehand, and there may have been some leftover bronchitis from my previous forced rest week. Probably making excuses, but it was not a good feeling and a real lesson in hydration. Somehow I rallied and by 2 to go, I fought for a better position for a decent finish. Until there was a big move on the inside and I couldn't hop on. I also didn't have the strength to shoot around the other side and resigned myself to end the race with every shred of focus I had left. I was so happy to finish, no matter the result.
Konrad made me get had ice cream and we watched JP and Marc in the amazing crème de la crème race. Then Vlad and I rode back to Brooklyn and each got shat on by birds within 5 minutes of entering the Central Park--belated good luck for staying clear of those crashes.
Jun 17, 2014 at 02:27 AM
Wow. A genuine pleasure to read about the good times, and general lack of crashiness for KCC.
Marc that sounds like a rough bit of luck... Which bike did you race?
Kate. Riding hard enough to get the chills on a hot day is @respect worthy; you travelled deep into the cave!
Marc that sounds like a rough bit of luck... Which bike did you race?
Kate. Riding hard enough to get the chills on a hot day is @respect worthy; you travelled deep into the cave!
Jun 17, 2014 at 03:44 AM
Jules, I had ever intention of racing the CAAD 10. Got it out on the road on Saturday, fiddle-faddled, and just didn't feel right on the bike. So, I scrapped the grand plan and went back to old faithful. It's funny, I just double/triple quadruple checked all the relevant measurements from bike to bike, and they are virtually identical, and yet...sigh. Makes me want to pony up for one of them high tech laser factor five fit kit jobbies.
Jun 17, 2014 at 03:47 AM
Le double sigh
On Jun 16, 2014 11:44 PM, "Marc Bertucco" <
On Jun 16, 2014 11:44 PM, "Marc Bertucco" <
Jun 17, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Marc, you have to train on the thing, sheesh!Marc Bertucco said:
Jules, I had ever intention of racing the CAAD 10. Got it out on the road on Saturday, fiddle-faddled, and just didn't feel right on the bike. So, I scrapped the grand plan and went back to old faithful. It's funny, I just double/triple quadruple checked all the relevant measurements from bike to bike, and they are virtually identical, and yet...sigh. Makes me want to pony up for one of them high tech laser factor five fit kit jobbies.
Jun 17, 2014 at 02:47 PM
For those wondering...
my average speed for harlem was 28.5mph.
Last year, FWIW, it was 29.3mph
Riding over the surface treatments in the corners elicited a different sound than the asphalt. I wondering if this affected the pace of the race, in that people were more careful going through the corners. I know it took me a while to feel comfortable and I definitely thought twice about going hard through them--previous years, I felt comfortable attacking just before the corners. This year, I wasn't sure about going harder.
Sitting in wasn't an issue. I did try attacking midway through. I found out in about 1/2 lap, I didn't have the legs to dig deep. After I was caught, I thought about how to finish off with something. Started to move up with five to go, but in recent additions, that's just when someone has crashed in front of me. Had trouble moving up, which probably meant it was safer overall.
Looking at the last seven laps, the slowest lap was at seven to go, with a 1:33 lap, or 29.4mph. I saw the winner's Strava page, and he did a number of sub 1:30 laps.
Writing of him, after the race, a teen was chatting me up. He's asking questions about bikes, about racing. One of his last was this: "I heard some people talking during the race, they think the winner" (and he takes his index finger and shoots it into his butt). All I could say was, "It's certainly possible."
Jun 17, 2014 at 03:03 PM
for the curious - http://www.strava.com/activities/154273668/analysismugwump said:Looking at the last seven laps, the slowest lap was at seven to go, with a 1:33 lap, or 29.4mph. I saw the winner's Strava page, and he did a number of sub 1:30 laps.
Jun 17, 2014 at 04:52 PM
Very brief report.
I definately agree with JP about the corners. They wern't too bad, but did impact my confidence. I got caught behind a two crashes and had to chase back on. I attempted to move up with Eric at one point in between turns 3 and 4 but played it a little too safe and filed in to the back a little early in anticipation of the corner. I more or less sat mid pack most of the race. Made a few attempts between turns 3 and 4 to move up, but other than that it was uneventful. I remember last year being able to move up between turns 1 and 2, that wasnt the case this year. Faster field(2/4 vs a vat 4 field), but the surface seemed be really screwed up as well.
Mentors who did this Race, where were yall moving up? I felt the only place i could was between turns 3 and 4.
Jun 17, 2014 at 06:01 PM
I was able to move up pretty easily on the inside most of the course. The outside was a good bit harder, especially along Madison avenue.Andrew Da Silva said:Mentors who did this Race, where were yall moving up? I felt the only place i could was between turns 3 and 4.
I also wonder if the road surface treatment actually kept crashes at bay in turn one. In previous years, there were lots of crashes, particularly people going wide and hitting the curb. People were more careful, ergo they were less likely to go too fast and misread riding across the crown on the transition to 120th.
Jun 17, 2014 at 06:17 PM
I think the answer to Andy's question depends on the dynamics of the pack. I regularly gained positions between turns 1-2, 2-3, 3-4. Not as much on the finishing stretch. Sometimes this was on the inside, sometimes on the outside . . . it depended on what was happening. A few times I was able to squeeze up the right side next to the barriers on Madison Ave, sometimes up the inside or even up the middle near that big crack that claimed Brendan's front tire. Same on 120th: people avoided the bumpy bit in the middle of the road, which wasn't so bad and pretty much left the outside line alone altogether. I either had unusually good legs, or our field was not very fast and I consistently had enough energy to fill any gaps in front of me. A lot of people were not so good at cornering and it was often possible to to carry momentum past them as I exited the turn. I also had to chase back twice due to crashes - I think they were both in or just after turn 1. For the last one that took Craig out, I had to thread the needle and then chase like hell. Overall, a good day for me.
Jun 18, 2014 at 01:27 AM
Jun 18, 2014 at 01:56 AM
pedal strike? inside up! outside down!
Jun 18, 2014 at 02:02 AM
That poor, beautiful new S3...
Jun 18, 2014 at 02:06 AM
Is that Edmund Liang? Fast young dude, that sucks, hope he wasn't too hurt.
Jun 18, 2014 at 02:11 AM
You can pedal through corners....just not like that
Jun 18, 2014 at 03:24 AM
Jun 18, 2014 at 04:59 AM
JP, if the slowest lap was 29.5, how did we get an average of 28.5? #commoncoremath?
Jun 18, 2014 at 05:07 AM
For me moving up, was a two part affair. If I made a big push on a straight, I wanted to be sure that I didn't have to hammer the breaks and lose it all again on the next turn. So for me going on the outside after turn 1 provided room for me to push, then follow it up by carrying that momentum through a wider turn 2 approach. If all the stars were aligned, I could even gain a few more spots by riding close to the barriers on Madison. I generally didn't like the inside lines on this course because of the much discussed sandy corners. I don't want to dive bomb the inside if I can't hold the line tight, hooking half the field to the curb because I over estimated the grip of my ride.
Jun 18, 2014 at 01:04 PM
Marc,Marc Bertucco said:JP, if the slowest lap was 29.5, how did we get an average of 28.5? #commoncoremath?
I wrote, "Looking at the last seven laps, the slowest lap was at seven to go, with a 1:33 lap, or 29.4mph. I saw the winner's Strava page, and he did a number of sub 1:30 laps."
#readingcomprehension
Jun 18, 2014 at 03:08 PM
^ Cervelo's BB height a factor?
Jun 18, 2014 at 03:14 PM
^ that and the fact that the guy is 'lil and running fairly longish looking cranks.
I had no problem pedaling through all the turns nor did I have an issue with the surface. I didn't think twice about it. I am running monster truck tires on my bike though.
I had no problem pedaling through all the turns nor did I have an issue with the surface. I didn't think twice about it. I am running monster truck tires on my bike though.
Jun 18, 2014 at 07:32 PM
Not unless it was the first time the guy rode a lap of the course on that bike.JohnMalcolmson said:^ Cervelo's BB height a factor?
Jun 21, 2015 at 02:47 PM
Forecast is looking good and there is day-of registration... anyone racing?
Jun 21, 2015 at 02:55 PM
This race usually attracts a solid KCC crew. Surprised to see no pre-reg'd KCC. And only 100 folks overall pre-reg'd. Smaller fields on a relatively tight course are a good thing. Get out there Niall, and kick some butt!niallsmart said:Forecast is looking good and there is day-of registration... anyone racing?
Jun 21, 2015 at 05:48 PM
Results?
Jun 22, 2015 at 02:55 AM
Rolled up to the masters 35+ race today feeling not entirely 100% fresh, but having had a fairly low volume week was hoping I might feel better during the race. Hah. Does that ever happen? 
After 5 neutral laps then a 10 minute pause at the start line while the police towed a vehicle off the course, a small field of about 15 started our remaining laps. Tempers were already pretty frayed by this point which translated into a fast pace off the whistle. Long story short I was happy to finish without getting dropped. Highlight of the race being the spectator who decided to cut across the front of the pack with about half a second to spare. Racing with the masters is always a sufferfest at the best of times but looking at the power curve later I was a good 20% off the usual so not too sure what happened there.
Anyhow I figured I might as well try and get another 30 minutes training in and rolled up to the back of the cat3/4 field after chugging a bottle of powerade (did I mention it was hot?) and a gel we were off again. A couple laps in, the pack bunched up coming into corner #1 and I ended up touching wheels with someone who moved right... cue a crazy off balance wobble and a very close call that for looked like it was going to end with me ditching into the barriers. That would have sucked but I somehow recovered and got back on and tailed the pack around the last couple laps.
I said hi to JP who was just about to start then cycled home at a leisurely 150w feeling light headed and slept 1.5 hours
(aside - the marshaling at this event was totally insufficient. There were a bunch of spectators on the course at various points, we almost hit a guy on the corner, and the women pro/1/2/3 pack almost cycled into a group of three folk who seemed oblivious to the fact they were on a race course)
http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2015&id=1269
After 5 neutral laps then a 10 minute pause at the start line while the police towed a vehicle off the course, a small field of about 15 started our remaining laps. Tempers were already pretty frayed by this point which translated into a fast pace off the whistle. Long story short I was happy to finish without getting dropped. Highlight of the race being the spectator who decided to cut across the front of the pack with about half a second to spare. Racing with the masters is always a sufferfest at the best of times but looking at the power curve later I was a good 20% off the usual so not too sure what happened there. Anyhow I figured I might as well try and get another 30 minutes training in and rolled up to the back of the cat3/4 field after chugging a bottle of powerade (did I mention it was hot?) and a gel we were off again. A couple laps in, the pack bunched up coming into corner #1 and I ended up touching wheels with someone who moved right... cue a crazy off balance wobble and a very close call that for looked like it was going to end with me ditching into the barriers. That would have sucked but I somehow recovered and got back on and tailed the pack around the last couple laps.
I said hi to JP who was just about to start then cycled home at a leisurely 150w feeling light headed and slept 1.5 hours
(aside - the marshaling at this event was totally insufficient. There were a bunch of spectators on the course at various points, we almost hit a guy on the corner, and the women pro/1/2/3 pack almost cycled into a group of three folk who seemed oblivious to the fact they were on a race course)
http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2015&id=1269
Jun 22, 2015 at 03:17 AM
Results
https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?permit=2015-1269&bypass=1
Small fields all around. Conflicts with a CRCA club race (!) as well as Cielo, as well as people not wanting to do it, I guess (where was everyone?) In the women's field, Tibco came with two, but the field was tiny.
The pro/1/2, was small, at less than 60, but it was sure to be a barn burner. It was Lupus vs. Foundation vs. Weather Channel, with Marloe Rodman ready to go as well.
I was the only Kissena.
My prediction for the start was a break with a Murphy, Margarite, and two Foundation riders. I wanted to be the fifth guy.
Ross Baldwin of Lupus attacked from the gun, and there seemed to be a break going or about to go all day. Should have been great to watch.
My hope was to either make a split or bridge before a move got away. Many times, a group of 5-10 would get five to fifteen seconds, and it would be time to see if I could bridge. I'd make it, but then the field would shortly be breathing down our necks.
I flatted on a sharp manhole cover a bit before half distance. Rode the flat 3/4 of a lap to the pit, got a wheel from Henry Francisco of Montecci. Amazingly, it was a wide rim. (whew!) Because the course is so short, you had two laps to get back in. And I did.
With a bit more than 10 to go, some people were riding on 124th as we rode through. A few guys went down, but it slowed the chase. I'm not sure if it was during that or a result of that, but four guys who took free laps were pushed back, into the break! Good thing it failed.
In the final laps, a move got away, with Evan Murphy, Maragarite, and two Foundations. And Murphy took the win.
I was 26th. Fourth cat 2, FWIW. Should have been better. Race was over in 49 minutes! I did 21.4miles I'm guessing most of the field did 23. My guess is most of the field did a bit over 22. My average speed was 26.6, the field's was 28mph or thereabouts with four turns every .7mi.
https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?permit=2015-1269&bypass=1
Small fields all around. Conflicts with a CRCA club race (!) as well as Cielo, as well as people not wanting to do it, I guess (where was everyone?) In the women's field, Tibco came with two, but the field was tiny.
The pro/1/2, was small, at less than 60, but it was sure to be a barn burner. It was Lupus vs. Foundation vs. Weather Channel, with Marloe Rodman ready to go as well.
I was the only Kissena.
My prediction for the start was a break with a Murphy, Margarite, and two Foundation riders. I wanted to be the fifth guy.
Ross Baldwin of Lupus attacked from the gun, and there seemed to be a break going or about to go all day. Should have been great to watch.
My hope was to either make a split or bridge before a move got away. Many times, a group of 5-10 would get five to fifteen seconds, and it would be time to see if I could bridge. I'd make it, but then the field would shortly be breathing down our necks.
I flatted on a sharp manhole cover a bit before half distance. Rode the flat 3/4 of a lap to the pit, got a wheel from Henry Francisco of Montecci. Amazingly, it was a wide rim. (whew!) Because the course is so short, you had two laps to get back in. And I did.
With a bit more than 10 to go, some people were riding on 124th as we rode through. A few guys went down, but it slowed the chase. I'm not sure if it was during that or a result of that, but four guys who took free laps were pushed back, into the break! Good thing it failed.
In the final laps, a move got away, with Evan Murphy, Maragarite, and two Foundations. And Murphy took the win.
I was 26th. Fourth cat 2, FWIW. Should have been better. Race was over in 49 minutes! I did 21.4miles I'm guessing most of the field did 23. My guess is most of the field did a bit over 22. My average speed was 26.6, the field's was 28mph or thereabouts with four turns every .7mi.
Jun 22, 2015 at 01:36 PM
Nobody wants to do this race because of its well deserved history of being a crashfest. Plus, rain was forecast. You could not have paid me.
Jun 22, 2015 at 01:44 PM
it's really sad, it's a great event. is it the course has deteriorated to
crap, or the course is way to crash worthy, or that NYC racers can't turn
four times in .7 mile?
crap, or the course is way to crash worthy, or that NYC racers can't turn
four times in .7 mile?