Gwynna, normally yes. But the problem with Harlem recon is that one of the streets is actually one-way, the wrong-way, during all times except for race day. And also always very congested.

To pedal or not to pedal? It all depends on the speed and angle of your approach. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I may do the p123, mainly because it's so late in the day I could possibly split work a little early. It's aways off, but can't say I'm going to aspire more then not getting spat off the back snap quick.

U should do the cat 3 with me Mattie

Andrew Da Silva said:

U should do the cat 3 with me Mattie

timing sucks, I'd have to split essentially middle of the day at the shop when things are still poppin.

Bummer : (

In last  year's version, I could sometimes pedal through turns 1, 2, and 3, and could always pedal through turn four.  Four was easy because you were going on to the widest road and as such the road's crown was the longest rise there.  Essentially, you had a banked turn.  

Any recon of the new streets?

eragot said:

Any recon of the new streets?

Any thoughts on doing the 2/3 race to win it versus the 1/2/3 to finish it?

^ go win it Eric!

If you can get through that last corner in first or second place Eric, I can't see anyone beating you in the 2/3.

JohnMalcolmson said:

If you can get through that last corner in first or second place Eric, I can't see anyone beating you in the 2/3.

I agree, this is definitely a race to the last corner. Unfortunately, keeping ahead of the scrum and crashiness is going to be the real challenge here.

I believe the 1/2/3 race will be safer and will be "motorpacing" the Harlem crit ahead of my A-priority races at ToAD.

Bump

Anyone have insight on the new course?

Thigh master!
Thigh master!
Thigh master!
On Jun 3, 2014 5:29 PM, "Jules"

Gwynna Smith said:

^Along those lines, best time to pre-ride? Will there be time between races?

Not likely. They usually leave a few minute buffer between races in the schedule, but that always goes away when they quickly start running behind. Which ALWAYS happens.

If you are in Manhattan, especially upper Manhattan, I see the best time to pre-ride the course is before the first race. That's scheduled at 11:45. So if you show up at 11, I'm going to guess that the streets will be closed off and you can go round and round a bit. Then go home, have some snacks, come back in time for your race.

FWIW, I don't love the fact that there is only one women's race. At White Plains, the Cat 4 only women's race looked really sane and manageable. I hope they don't pull riders "out of contention" this weekend. I used to say they never pull women, but on this course...and after seeing them pull several women from the Watermelon crit, I don't know...

David Yang said:

Bump

Anyone have insight on the new course?

Depending on my training/work schedule this week, I may be about to get out there on Wednesday or Thursday to scout it out and report back. But maybe JP will beat me to it? (hint hint)

I'll be there watching you daredevils race.

^ Me too. 

Gwynna Smith said:

Yeah, I'm pretty much totally expecting to be pulled. My race goals have a lot more to do with learning how a crit is run than actually competing, so at least there's that. Also, I MUST keep the rubber side down, so I'm going to ride conservatively and assertively and keep myself upright, even if that means pulling myself. I'm not thrilled to toe the line with the big guns, and I would guess they aren't so thrilled to have us in the mix, but I do hope to at least see how the peleton moves for a few laps before getting shelled.

I'm not sure I can make it out in the morning for a preview - how critical is that to riding a good (safe) race?

Honestly, if you are cool with just getting a few laps in, then pre-riding a 4-corner crit course is not really going to make that much of a difference. But you asked about pre-riding, so I looked at the schedule and made my best guess as to when the course would be free.

That said, you've mentioned in the past that you are comfortable going around corners in a pack, so I would say just go out there and try to have some fun. Your mtb skills will help as you get bumped around on any jankity pavement sections.

Get to the race at least 1 hour (I recommend 90 minutes) before your start time. Pick up your number. Pin up. Warm up. The course is close to Central Park. I like to ride down the main drag and do multiple loops of Harlem Hill to get the legs/lungs burning. Then give yourself a solid 15 minutes of spinning cool-down time after your last effort. Make sure you're topped off with good sugars, reasonably well hydrated before you start. Not too much food in the belly though. Crits are intense. There's not a lot of blood available for digestion during the race. Don't want to have a lump of food sitting in there causing trouble.

When the race starts the official will make general announcements. Including "your race is 50 minutes long, once you've done a few laps, we'll calculate how many laps you have to go and put up lap cards." Also, "if you flat or have a mechanical, you can go to the wheel pit. Do not ride backwards on the course, no cutting of the course. Free laps end with 5 to go." Or something to that effect.

Not sure if there is going to be neutral support, or if it is "wheels in/wheels out" in which case to take advantage of the free lap rule, you need to have brought a spare set of wheels. But again, if your plan is to do a few laps only, then I wouldn't worry about bringing spare wheels.

FWIW, crits are more similar to cross races (especially the start and opening laps) than they are MTB races.

I don't know if Kayt is planning on racing, but she'd be a good person to hook up with before the race. She's got a few crits under her belt already and knows the ropes.

If you or anyone else planning on doing this race want me to be there before your race to help navigate some of this stuff let me know and I'll adjust my schedule accordingly.

I'd strongly recommend you know what those corners are like before you race, especially if it's wet. I drove past there yesterday and it didn't register until I'd almost passed it that it was the the Harlem course... I think they may have tiled some of the corners and they are way more ninety degree. Definitely you are dealing with two wide zebra crossings on the Southeast corner, one entering and one exiting the apex.

T minus 5 days and the Pro 1/2/3 race is looking like a stacked local field, instead of Euro-flavored bad-assery of years gone by. Better for me I guess.

Is this view still current?

https://www.bikereg.com/crca-harlem-skyscraper-crit

8 hours left before registration closes. Hope to see more Kissenas out in Harlem!

Marc, I was talking to a few international guys at t-town who said they were looking to make some cash at Harlem.

Andrew Da Silva said:

Marc, I was talking to a few international guys at t-town who said they were looking to make some cash at Harlem.

I noticed. Hopefully we can keep the race fast/long enough to tire out the sprinters...back in the day, I would marvel at how some pretty big time sprinters struggled in longer points races. That said, the T-town crew usually gets their cash at this race.

nevermind

Marc, These aren't the line backers, these are the endurance guys. For example, the German guys last year regulars on the Euro Six Day circuit, which is pretty much like the stage racer equivilent of the track.   Think Cameron Meyer types. Depending on the rider, some of these track guys might even be looking for a break. For example the Dutch rider from two years ago who got in the break with Lea, Chabanov, and Gavi.  The young Kiwi kid I spoke to said last year he surfed the Rudy Project teams train and rolled in 11th.  

vlad said:

Is this view still current?

Looks about right.  I was there yesterday.

I saw a tweet pic or something where they were pulling up bumpy mats and moving planters...so maybe we'll get close to the "old" course after all.

Any more intel, JP?