OK, Friday night was free and Saturday morning did not have racing, so "honey, can I go?" 

Work ends and I'm gone. I like racing out in Riverhead because there is no pressure except if you want to put it on yourself.

Small field ~20 or so. Four Green Arm Bandits (Karl Nelson included), three East End guys and then the assorted lot. Race starts, right off the bat, a Green Arm jumps and gets a gap as we ride piano. I am not about to get worked over by these two teams, so after a couple of minutes of the guy being out there, I bridge into the uphill headwind and pour it on. He can barely hang, but I ease up enough and get him to pull through once in a while. We're five laps in and I'm asking where the preme is, and the promoter is like "next lap" so, just before the preme, three guys bridge up - Karl Nelson and an East End kid - Chris Zaverdes (his dad is a very strong sprinter, so he's got a genetic thing). I launch from behind up the hill and easily take the preme. I keep rolling and eventually the four make it up to me. Two more join and we have 7 in the group. I figure we're set, but somehow, the pack is still nosing around here and there.

A few laps later as we head up the hill, I punch it trying to get rid of some of the weaker guys as I found myself outnumbered by two Green Arms and two East Ends. All I did was ride away solo. But as I hung out there, a Green Arm and and East End (Chris Z) come across. We go, we stay away. On the bell lap, two guys who have been bridging forever finally make it across. I figured they were not going to matter in the sprint that was 30s away.

I was second wheel up the hill, but really all that mattered was that Chris Z had my wheel. I waited much longer than usual to launch my sprint - I was actually all the way up the hill, but Chris was glued to my wheel and given that he was very good at taking short pulls all day, he was able to come around at about 50m to go. 3rd was waaay back. 20s at 906w. 

It was a hard day for the legs, but surprisingly, I only felt a mild cramp or two coming on in the race. It was more my back.

Great way to start the weekend.

Fun fun fun races. It might be 90 minutes coming back with no traffic, but takes a bit longer to get there, but its low key, really fun racing that will make you better.

Normalized Power of 335w for 1:20. Not a joke of a race. There is a reason why it hurts and I don't have the sharpest sword at the end.

These races are no joke if you try.

294 average, 313 xPower. I didn't work as much towards the end of the race, that's for sure.

Anywats... Friday, Jule 5. I'll be coming off a few days rest and (burp) will come out to Riverhead to play. 

I will drive back to Brooklyn after, so if you want to take the train to Riverhead, that's cool. I can also pick you up in Bay Shore or Babylon. Again, after you train it.

Fun time to race out there.

Get in on the game. If you've got the day off and have a car, get on out there.

Let me know if you need me or will go.

Jules said:

@Mike is X-power FTP or normalized power?  Those are still big numbers although it's true that normalizing for weight does make it sane... still... CRAZY LEGS THE BOTH OF YOUS!

mperlberg said:

Jules said:

@Mike is X-power FTP or normalized power?  Those are still big numbers although it's true that normalizing for weight does make it sane... still... CRAZY LEGS THE BOTH OF YOUS!

X-power is like normalized but a little lower. Apparently normalized is a patented calculation so golden cheetah can't use it and had to make their own calculation. I think it is a good 10-20 watts below normalized power, but it really depends on how "spikey" the race is. 

Mark Clifford said:

adam -- done.  i am almost certain friday will be a non-event in terms of work, so i cannot imagine my slipping away early will be an issue.  i'll confirm a little closer to the time, though.

i'll also have a spare spot for the ride out and back, if anyone wants it.