JohnMalcolmson whoa, which crash are you talking about, at the bridge?

Race ended up being a hard training ride for me. At about lap 3 I ended up too far back and lost track of who was where, thought we had eight riders up the road but turns out we caught then and there was only one. Probably would have been a bit more motivated to try something if I had realized that  

Big crash in the 4 field about a mile out from the finish when things got tight at a corner. Started from the right and took down 8 riders.. if you're ever doing this race stay to the left side for the final mile or two. Not a big fan of the finish line at Tavern, finishing at Engineers Gate seems way safer. 

As much as I enjoy a good pic of Vlad and Keith, in this case, this one is not worth a thousand words. Would like to read about the adventures of the 1/2/3 race.

@Niall Actually that was the Queensboro Bridge.

JohnMalcolmson said:

Prize for best caption:

The bald and the beautiful

obvs

eloy said:

JohnMalcolmson said:

Prize for best caption:

The bald and the beautiful

obvs

Fled, the sequel.

Jules said:

eloy said:

JohnMalcolmson said:

Prize for best caption:

The bald and the beautiful

obvs

Fled, the sequel.

Sleeper...part deux

strange race.  First, there was drama before the start.  We wanted to get six guys in, but CRCA suggested, then demanded four cat II's and two cat III's.  Since we couldn't do that, we were allowed to start one cat II (me) and two III's (Keith and Vlad).  And Death Row Velo's Willie Payton and John Landino were put on our team.  But wouldn't be in our jersey.  Several other teams were allowed six riders, and the field itself wasn't full.

Wasn't sure how we'd play it.  Payton generally hides until the end, and either is out of the money or gets the last spot.  Landino has been pretty anonymous this year.  I sent them a note to talk tactics.  Didn't seem like they were giving it much thought.  We believe our chances best by watching combinations and going with an early move. 

It looked like the race would be between Weather Channel, Foundation, and Lupus.  All three would probably need to be in the break for it to survive.  And, considering what I saw of Health Warrior at White Plains, perhaps one of them as well.

The race started somewhat briskly.  With a 13:44 first lap and 13:02 second.  There were moves going off the front that didn't look promising, but I didn't want them to get too far right away, so I helped keep the speed up, but wasn't interested in committing.  There were a few moves that looked like they had the right players, and I got to them, but they weren't ready to ride.

At our speed, gaps were opening.  At least twice, the field split on 110berg.  Once we were on the wrong end of it.  

Think it was at half distance, around west 100th, that I saw a Blue Ribbon guy attack, and Weather Channel's Jayson Jacobs go after it.  i was stuck on the left-hand side, with no route to the front, so I hoped others would chase.  There was a PA rider, and Neil of Foundation up there.  Lupus wasn't represented, neither was Health Warrior.  But the field let them go.

Saw a furious move go, with Vlad going ballistic to get up there.  He got up to Seaton, but the field wasn't giving it any leash.  It was brought back.

The gap went up to 30 seconds and then came down on the last lap.  it was 15s by the Cat's Paw line.  Lupus was finally chasing.

on the west side, it seemed unlikely we were going to catch.  I saw Baldwin of Lupus go around west 100th.  I decided to go the next chance I had, which was around West 95th. I didn't want to mess with this sprint, so I gave it all I had. Wasn't nearly enough.  I was caught around 85th street.  

The PA rider won. The break held off Baldwin by a few seconds, and the field by a few more.  Payton finished 19th, of 20 points places. The best of our team.  

I let myself drop off the back and finished 62nd.  My race time was 1:58:42.  Interestingly, the race winner was given 1:59:48

Just signed up for this race, June 25, in Central Park.  I originally had not planned on it, but lo and behold, I saw that a Men's 5 was available.  Not sure what that means, starting w/ juniors and all ... but  I signed up.  Hope some of my other Cat 5's are willing to join for this earlier than sin race.

(Oh, and the benefit's of still being a lowly Cat 5, as the Men's Cat 4 is now waitlisted).

i just realized 5s were allowed. there is a chance i'm in town that weekend. i'd love to race CP, but considering my form i'd be chewed up and spit out the back immediately. still ought to be fun. 

ah shit that sucks, I am away for that weekend...!!! 

cancel your flight. Italy will still be there the following weekend. 

I love racing in CP.  The improvement in fitness from March to June, and the warmer weather makes the racing a good bit harder and more interesting in the summer.  Harder to pick out the good spots to attack, and the race usually feels like it's over before I'm totally warmed up.

Funny thing is, I'm on the fence because I'm supposed to be in Jersey that day, and the original plan was to get there Friday night.

registered

I am not here for this event but already registered for the Mengoni Grand Prix in july. 

GiacomoVischi said:

I am not here for this event but already registered for the Mengoni Grand Prix in july. 

Good work.  So did I.

First Central Park race and field of about 40.  Will and Eddie joined me in the Cat 5’s.  We saw Harry as well, but he was rocking the Cat 4’s.

 It started off at a relatively moderate pace.  Don’t really remember the first 1.7 laps (started at Cat’s Paw, ended at Tavern on the Green), except for the crunching of a crash behind me during the first lap.  Fortunately Will and Eddie were not caught up in it.   Turning through Horse’s Alley a couple of CRCA whippersnappers (seriously, can’t be older than 18) break and I think it’s a good time to chase them down.  I asked Eddie if he was interested as well and he just chuckled.  While I and the group chased them down I gassed out for a while and sat on the back for the next lap.  Recovered and then moved my way up.  Throughout the race I moved my way up generally on Cats Paw and Harlem Hill by choosing the inside lane and creeping along the group.  (After speaking with Harry post ride, realized that this probably isn’t the best way to move up.  Although I take a slightly shorter route I burn just a few more watts, and should instead work to conserve those.  Yep, still learning)

 The final lap picked up the speed a bit.  It appears that a group of two did manage to break away from the field. Will, Eddie and I were in the field and pushed hard along the three sisters.  I almost lost the pack, but sprinted after the last sister to grab the group.  In the final flats and as the sprint happened, I dug deep and passed 6 or so riders. Will finished just ahead of me.  Will and I finished top 15.  Eddie finished a little behind us.

Not sure how the speeds compare to the other fields, but: 4.7 laps, avg speed 24.8 mph (and through my PowerTap, avg power 203 w, avg. NP 267 w)

Fun race. I tried to stay towards the front most of the race, limiting my efforts to closing down gaps in the group for the first several laps. It was interesting to see where the group accordioned and strung out. There were bursts of speed sprinkled throughout the race where the whole group was single or double file. Then it would come back together.

By engineers gate on the last lap I glanced around and noticed I was towards the back of the group. I pushed to the front and worked to stay well positioned over the last half-lap. Felt decent enough to put in a dig at the end. I passed some people on the final rise to the line and managed 12th.  

Very bummed I'm going to be out of town for the next CP race

Congrats to you both fellas. 

courtesy of Victor Chan

so.much.awesome.

who is doing the CRCA in CP this sunday? I am registered

I'm registered. 

Wondering who might be racing this Saturday.

I am considering signing up for the 4 field -- specially as there are no other races -- but not sure I can easily make the 5:30 start. Teammates could be all the motivation I need.

https://www.bikereg.com/lou-maltese-memorial

GiacomoVischi said:

who is doing the CRCA in CP this sunday? I am registered

I'm registered for the dance with the big boys.

anyone joining me?  It should be thermonuclear. 

i am going to try and make this. 

5:30am...sweet, sweet vengeance for all you Brooklynites

Will Kalbacker said:

5:30am...sweet, sweet vengeance for all you Brooklynites

Haha, to be fair prospect park races start at 6:30 am --- the 5:30 am start will make me a zombie the rest of Saturday.

But awesome, more teammmates, more awesome!

be there

Really want to do this - 5:30 start is terrifying but I think I could sneak in a decent result 

mugwump said:

GiacomoVischi said:

who is doing the CRCA in CP this sunday? I am registered

I'm registered for the dance with the big boys.

anyone joining me?  It should be thermonuclear. 

I'll be there. Dave Jordan Classic was at 5:30 as well and I survived it