just saw the forecast... of course it is supposed to rain in the morning... why not, right?

my motivation to race at 5:30 am with no teammates -- rain or no rain -- is totally low. my motivation to race at 5:30 am with teammates is mega high. Cat 4s where you at?!?

eloy said:

my motivation to race at 5:30 am with no teammates -- rain or no rain -- is totally low. my motivation to race at 5:30 am with teammates is mega high. Cat 4s where you at?!?

the cosmic battle between Brooklyn and Manhattan

Haha, at this time it is a little bit about having to leave at 4am, but mostly is being in a 100 person field with zero teammates.

kk. I am registered for tomorrow.
@SebastianVidal @GregStreiff Let's do this!

@eloy I had a rough week, not gonna make it. going to ride bit later in the day w the old lady. she wants to do her first century. best of luck to everyone racing! peace and

eloy,
     I love seeing you at races.  Hotness.

Sadly, I don't think I'm going to make it.  I've had a fever all day and spent much of the time in bed.  Considering waking up and making the call because I haven't raced in Central Park this year, but the smarter move is to sleep it off.

mugwump said:

the smarter move is to sleep it off.

Wise beyond his years or even the reach of his ponytail.

saw some of the pics of today's race. looked crazy with all the rain. much respect to everyone that raced today. can't wait to hear some race reports.

Quick Race Report...
basically:

Rough race under the rain, Bear Mountain style; Will, Ricky and myself for 5s.

Started kinda slow, always packed up til the 3rd lap, an attempt of breakaway, group split but apparently Will managed to saw it back. Last lap 2 guys took a few gap on HH. Getting a little on Will's wheel then pushed to get out the pack and chase the first 2 from the flat part before Tavern. Tried surprise everyone else from far. I couldn't close on the first two, but I created enough gap with the rest, so 3rd place though. Very happy!!!

@ricky  @Will Kalbacker   you guys stayed in the front for a while... respect!

It wasn't raining much during registration, but got biblical as the whistle blew. It really didn't let up. Torrential. 

The rain kept the speed from getting too crazy. I tried to stay top 10  wheels the whole race. I did a couple pulls at the front just for variety. I closed down a couple strong moves that burned some matches. On the third lap a couple riders went hard over Harlem and lined out the group. I got caught out and worked for half a lap in no man's land to catch on.  

Last lap I was towards the front and got into good position 500m to the line. An Italian rocket passed me on my right and took third  

I had used all my tokens, so the ride was over. About 100m from the line I got swamped. 14th. Felt decent though so I'm satisfied. 

epic weather.

who is the guy straight lounging in an epic downpour and why is he not on our team

I totally agree...that's the kind of blasé moxie this club feeds off 

twoyacks said:

I totally agree...that's the kind of blasé moxie this club feeds off 

For realz!

After a few  years away, I finally got back to the Maltese.

Another 9 lap affair in Central Park.  Interestingly, the field wasn't full--six spots shy.  94 instead of 100.

Lots of attacks this time, and gaps opening.  Not as fast at the Jordan race a few weeks back, but some of the accelerations were much, much harder.

At least a few times gaps opened up over 110berg.  Twice I had guys in front of me blow up.  The first was weird to me as we were only three laps in, and not one, not two, but four guys blew up in front of me in quick succession, and I was only around 30th to begin with.  I think I might have dragged the field back.  The second time, Jamison went so hard down the hill by the lake and across the false flat to the hill that the entire field was strung out.  Of course, they were setting Margarite up for an attack.  

Which he did.  But either he form isn't where it was last year, or everyone was desperate to get him.  I was again 25 guys back and had a pretty good climber in front of me, who blew.  I was starting to jump when I saw a few of my fellow graybeards going as hard as they could.  I had to get there.  Again, I think I might have dragged a portion of the field up, as I didn't get any help from the top of 110berg to W85th.  

With two to go, a six-rider break, with all the big teams got off, most notably Jamison and Foundation and Rockstar.  That was the game. Interestingly, neither Jamison nor Foundation won.   

I ended up 25th.  The field had to pass a truck at east 72nd street, which, thankfully, didn't cause any crashes.

The nine laps were done in 1:59:22.  Just a bit slower than the Dave Jordan race.