If I can find a ride there I'm in.

Just had some annoying news so a change of plan for me. I'm going to ride long on Saturday.

Jeff and I did the 45+. It wasn't a particularly fast race but I had a hard time keeping position near the front (a lot of crafty old guys know how to keep position) so spent too much effort coming out of corners. It eventually caught up with me and when the pace ratcheted up with 3 to go I got popped off the back on the little rise after turn two. Frustrating but I haven't really raced crits for a few years and it felt like I was out of practice. 

While the pavement continues to get worse every year, the masters know how to handle their bikes and with the exception of a flying water bottle, the race was smooth and incident free.

Jeff had a much better race and was able to stay active near the front and ended up getting 9th.

Saw Bruce riding strong in the 4/5 race but he got caught behind a mid field crash on the 2nd to last lap and finished with the second half of the group. 

As always, a fun race and nice low key vibe.

Considering this race Saturday. 

if anyone else interested, I could use a ride out and back to Brooklyn. There's a number of fields I could sign up for. 

I am good for food, gas, tunes, and stupid conversations. 

Might get a zip car if all else fails.

k, please let me know. here or eloy@groovylab.com

I (and likely Jill) are going. I'm in for the 4 race at 9 a.m. and Jill would be doing the Women's Open at 12:30 p.m. It'll be a bit of a long day, but we have room for one more.

Jeffrey White said:

I (and likely Jill) are going. I'm in for the 4 race at 9 a.m. and Jill would be doing the Women's Open at 12:30 p.m. It'll be a bit of a long day, but we have room for one more.

Thanks, Jeff, let's chat tomorrow while riding, my weekend is shaping up that maybe White Plains is a better choice.

Sorry I had to miss this morning's ride. Stomach problems kept me up in the night and I had to sleep as late as I could.

Anyone in for Watermelon this year? I will likely do the 45+ race at 10:15.

https://www.bikereg.com/the-watermelon-criterium

@jim_nelson looks like fun. I may give it a go. I'll let you know the week before. 

I could be easily convinced, been fun in the past. let's go race bikes.

I just bought a 3 bike rack for my car so I can take a couple of people if I decide to go. 

Watermelon peeps. Who is in for this? Let's sign up and go race bikes.

Whose looking to race the 4/5? I can easily be convinced... BUT I will need a ride.

I'm in for the 45+. I can drive and get us there in time for the 4/5 race if needed.

I am tempted to go, but I’ve never raced in a Crit before. Would this be a good one to start with?

I'm tempted to do it, but would have to bum a ride. Anyone doing the 35+? 

@JohnPowell I just looked and only two people registered for the 35+. I assume they'll combine it with another field if there aren't enough registrants?

I'm signed up. Let me know if anyone needs a ride.

@jim_nelson
signed up too. will please need a ride. thanks!

eloy said:

@jim_nelson
signed up too. will please need a ride. thanks!

 
You got it

So Jim and I ventured to New Brunswick searching for watermelons.

Both signed up for the Masters 45+

Because of the Dave Jordan race in Central Park, all watermelon fields are small, so we we had about 16 pre-regs and a couple of day-of races. Mostly Cat 2 and 3 masters. Work is cut out for us.

• Jim almost misses the start!
• Field was cool and waited for his last minute bathroom break
• Otherwise Jim looked pretty awesome
• So much fun always to race with friends and teammates!!
• Race starts and goes almost exactly as expected
• Expected 2 or 3 guys to gun it from the gun -- only one dude went, but it'll be a race defining move
• Expected that at some point Eric Ragot would decide that a group ahead was good and chase it down. If there was a wheel I should follow, it was his. Hoped that would happen late in the race, as I'm usually better later, but it happened crazy early. 
• Eric tried about 3 times before he could leave the main group.
• I sorta tried chasing w/ him the first couple of times
• I Knew I was a bit overcooked coming into the race, and boy did I feel it those times on Eric's wheel, fully understanding: "this is gonna be a struggle"
• Eric and a couple of others did eventually gap the main field
• I checked my computer, we were only 9 minutes in
• Oh boy
• Eric's chase would reach that dude that attacked from the gun. They would finish top four.
• Ok, now, most of the race is still ahead
• let's the struggle set in
• It was hard, hot, and you know that feeling, "if they don't slow down after the next turn, I'm toast"
• there's a few attempts to chase, and frankly, those moments at 30+ mph are the best, but they are short lived and innefective
• the lead of 4 would eventually lap us ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• notable moment: feel a wheel hitting my right shoe, and hear the standard "wowowow" -- like dude, wtf, I'm riding straight in a straight away, gimmie a break, "plunk!" hear his wheel hit my rear derailleur/skewer. whatevs. No one goes down.
•  "One to go! One to go! One to go! One to go!"
• I take a mega flier, surprised how quickly and easily I open a gap to whatever is left of the main field
• for the first time ever, I actually believe I'll stay away, but alas get caught about 300 meters to the line
• Also: Eric wins the race.
• Post race realize my hanger is mega bent. Later, a quick trip to redbeard gets it fix on the spot free of charge! so.much.awesome!

Let's go race bikes

Great balls of fire Eloy you probably used like 2.5 lives there avoiding that. Cool hands indeed!

Wow okay, it's been a while since KCC have shown face at this race.

https://www.bikereg.com/the-watermelon-criterium-2025

The good news: This was the one and only podium I've ever been on.
The bad news: This was 11 years ago.
The great news: We'll probably drive through Staten Island which has my favorite pizza place in all of NYC.

Any takers?

DO IT.

I would say it’s worth it for the pizza, however I’m doing Highlands that day