Jul 18, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Not sure where I fit in, but I will promise this. If I end up on the Gentlemen's team I will be wearing a false Moustache.
Kissena History
Jul 18, 2011 at 02:15 PM
help me out, were do these bearded men fit into the categories:
http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cyclings/Lou-Maltese-Memorial-Race/Invitational-Teams/i-C9MBXnD/0/M/8O2T6141-M.jpg
http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cyclings/Lou-Maltese-Memorial-Race/Invitational-Teams/i-C9MBXnD/0/M/8O2T6141-M.jpg
Jul 18, 2011 at 08:02 PM
team b&h photo
Jul 18, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Marc's bottle color matches the pink circle on the other guy's jersey... Mark should wear the same jersey as the other guy or drink orange juice while racing. As a club, can we tolerate such lapses? It borders on negligence.
Jul 19, 2011 at 10:43 AM
I think some outrage could be directed at his sock length, as well.
Jul 20, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Let's wait till next week for that, Marc has had a hard week already.
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:46 PM
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:48 PM
September 25, 2001
Dear Members:
Back in August, we sent you a letter detailing the changes that the Kissena Cycling Club is about to undergo. As
part of the effort to keep Kissena responsive to its membership needs, allow growth for the club and to provide a solid
foundation for a racing club, the club will, among other things, be hiring a professional coach, offering racing and non-
racing memberships and requiring the purchase of new clothing for racing members.
There will be a club meeting concerning the new policies at Eric Ragot’s new place - 145 Sixth Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11217 on Oct 10th at 7:30pm. If you have wish to have any input concerning the new policies, you
must attend. If you are unable to attend and still wish to contribute, please send a short written statement to Eric prior to
this date (long statements will not be read to the club). If you wish to renew regardless of the meeting, please postmark
you renewal forms by October 10 and your obvious desire to see the new policies implemented will be noted. If you
wish to renew with the $20 discount, renewals will also be accepted at the meeting. If you attend, make sure you bring
the forms that are enclosed (and have at least the release filled out). The meeting will start on time and end promptly at
9:00pm. Questions regarding the meeting – contact Eric at 718-783-8642.
This letter serves to obtain your renewal and to get your clothing order for the upcoming year. There are two
forms enclosed. First is the membership form which we are asking everyone to fill out and return with your selection of
Racing or Non-Racing Member noted. The second form is a clothing order form. If you are renewing as a racing
member of the club, remember you’ll need to note your jersey/short size as it is required for racing members to pur-
chase these new items. If you are having difficulty meeting this financial burden, please contact Brian Grundstrom at
718-636-0508. If you wish for more clothing than just the required jersey and short, then you should note which items
of clothing you wish to receive and enclose a check with a $20 deposit per item of clothing.
Remember to renew by October 10th (postmark) to obtain the $20 discount and to help the club properly
compute its clothing order so that we can have the clothing available in December or early January for distribution.
Please mail these enclosed forms to Kissena Cycling Club, Treasurer, 232A Sixth Avenue, #2, Brooklyn, NY
11215.
Regards,
Eric, Brian, JP
Dear Members:
Back in August, we sent you a letter detailing the changes that the Kissena Cycling Club is about to undergo. As
part of the effort to keep Kissena responsive to its membership needs, allow growth for the club and to provide a solid
foundation for a racing club, the club will, among other things, be hiring a professional coach, offering racing and non-
racing memberships and requiring the purchase of new clothing for racing members.
There will be a club meeting concerning the new policies at Eric Ragot’s new place - 145 Sixth Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11217 on Oct 10th at 7:30pm. If you have wish to have any input concerning the new policies, you
must attend. If you are unable to attend and still wish to contribute, please send a short written statement to Eric prior to
this date (long statements will not be read to the club). If you wish to renew regardless of the meeting, please postmark
you renewal forms by October 10 and your obvious desire to see the new policies implemented will be noted. If you
wish to renew with the $20 discount, renewals will also be accepted at the meeting. If you attend, make sure you bring
the forms that are enclosed (and have at least the release filled out). The meeting will start on time and end promptly at
9:00pm. Questions regarding the meeting – contact Eric at 718-783-8642.
This letter serves to obtain your renewal and to get your clothing order for the upcoming year. There are two
forms enclosed. First is the membership form which we are asking everyone to fill out and return with your selection of
Racing or Non-Racing Member noted. The second form is a clothing order form. If you are renewing as a racing
member of the club, remember you’ll need to note your jersey/short size as it is required for racing members to pur-
chase these new items. If you are having difficulty meeting this financial burden, please contact Brian Grundstrom at
718-636-0508. If you wish for more clothing than just the required jersey and short, then you should note which items
of clothing you wish to receive and enclose a check with a $20 deposit per item of clothing.
Remember to renew by October 10th (postmark) to obtain the $20 discount and to help the club properly
compute its clothing order so that we can have the clothing available in December or early January for distribution.
Please mail these enclosed forms to Kissena Cycling Club, Treasurer, 232A Sixth Avenue, #2, Brooklyn, NY
11215.
Regards,
Eric, Brian, JP
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:48 PM
Dear Kissenas:
WOWIE!!! Check this out...
Well, the season has started to get into gear now. Since I last wrote you, Kissenas have raced not only in all the local races, but as far afield as Florida and not quite as far afield in Connecticut. I will point out that I can really only write about those Kissenas that are local to the NYC area and take part in club activities. There is much to write about from the past month's activities.
Individual bright spots for the club:
» Adam Hirst has won every Cat. 5 race that he has finished this year (he flatted on Sunday, 4/16).
» Jason Elfenbein took 5th in his first Cat 4/5 race in Connecticut on Saturday 4/15.
» Vanessa Mandel took 5th place in the same race in Connecticut.
» David Melchior currently sits in a tie for 3rd place in the overall standings of the Spring Series. He is only one point out of second place. Way to go Dave.
» The Developmental Team continues to earn respect from the peleton while supporting Dave Melchior in his Spring Series campaign. The Developmental Team engages in an aggressive, attacking style of racing until their job is done, a winning break is established with one of their members in it. Then the Developmental Team works hard to shut the field down to prevent the field from capturing the break.
» Eric Ragot (me) managed to place again in a Cat. 1/2/3 race in the Spring Series by braving the freezing temperatures, snow and sleet to finish 8th in the Flushing Meadows crit. He was too cold to start the Cat. 3/4 race.
» Sean Cahill has consistently placed in the Cat. 3/4 races and won the second week's Spring Series race on a solo breakaway. Sean has also upgraded to Category 3 and become a member of the Developmental Team. GREAT JOB this year Sean!!!
» Brian Grundstrom in his best finish to date placed tenth in Sunday's race, Charile Lapunzine placed 8th.
NOW, for some noteworthy activities the club has been engaging in.
» The New Racer Developmental Clinics have been a tremendous success. These clinics (two so far) were held on consecutive Saturdays following the conclusion of the morning's races. Led by JP Partland, John Campo and Eric Ragot, these clinics were open to anyone and focused on fundemental skills including riding in pacelines, bumping, race strategy and sprinting techniques. The clinics have even been able to attract new members to the club. The next clinic is tentatively planned for May 13 after next Kissena race ends.
» The club held is bi-monthly meeting again at Ozzie's and turnout was high. Trophies were distributed for the Club races held in the fall. Look for changes to the club as a result of this meeting.
The club is once again showing a high level of collegiality that is most evident in post-race rides and during the races themselves. More club members are cheering on their mates than ever before. The numbers of Kissenas showing up to race is consistently in the double digits and many times the Cat 1/2/3 field is composed of over 10% Kissenas. This is great to see, lets keep it up.
One more thing. The Developmental Team will now be wearing their Dev. Team jerserys. They are different in color from the regular club jersey, but they still say Kissena on them. So remember, our colors may have changed, but we are still Kissenas.
See you at the races.
-Eric Ragot
4/19/00
WOWIE!!! Check this out...
Well, the season has started to get into gear now. Since I last wrote you, Kissenas have raced not only in all the local races, but as far afield as Florida and not quite as far afield in Connecticut. I will point out that I can really only write about those Kissenas that are local to the NYC area and take part in club activities. There is much to write about from the past month's activities.
Individual bright spots for the club:
» Adam Hirst has won every Cat. 5 race that he has finished this year (he flatted on Sunday, 4/16).
» Jason Elfenbein took 5th in his first Cat 4/5 race in Connecticut on Saturday 4/15.
» Vanessa Mandel took 5th place in the same race in Connecticut.
» David Melchior currently sits in a tie for 3rd place in the overall standings of the Spring Series. He is only one point out of second place. Way to go Dave.
» The Developmental Team continues to earn respect from the peleton while supporting Dave Melchior in his Spring Series campaign. The Developmental Team engages in an aggressive, attacking style of racing until their job is done, a winning break is established with one of their members in it. Then the Developmental Team works hard to shut the field down to prevent the field from capturing the break.
» Eric Ragot (me) managed to place again in a Cat. 1/2/3 race in the Spring Series by braving the freezing temperatures, snow and sleet to finish 8th in the Flushing Meadows crit. He was too cold to start the Cat. 3/4 race.
» Sean Cahill has consistently placed in the Cat. 3/4 races and won the second week's Spring Series race on a solo breakaway. Sean has also upgraded to Category 3 and become a member of the Developmental Team. GREAT JOB this year Sean!!!
» Brian Grundstrom in his best finish to date placed tenth in Sunday's race, Charile Lapunzine placed 8th.
NOW, for some noteworthy activities the club has been engaging in.
» The New Racer Developmental Clinics have been a tremendous success. These clinics (two so far) were held on consecutive Saturdays following the conclusion of the morning's races. Led by JP Partland, John Campo and Eric Ragot, these clinics were open to anyone and focused on fundemental skills including riding in pacelines, bumping, race strategy and sprinting techniques. The clinics have even been able to attract new members to the club. The next clinic is tentatively planned for May 13 after next Kissena race ends.
» The club held is bi-monthly meeting again at Ozzie's and turnout was high. Trophies were distributed for the Club races held in the fall. Look for changes to the club as a result of this meeting.
The club is once again showing a high level of collegiality that is most evident in post-race rides and during the races themselves. More club members are cheering on their mates than ever before. The numbers of Kissenas showing up to race is consistently in the double digits and many times the Cat 1/2/3 field is composed of over 10% Kissenas. This is great to see, lets keep it up.
One more thing. The Developmental Team will now be wearing their Dev. Team jerserys. They are different in color from the regular club jersey, but they still say Kissena on them. So remember, our colors may have changed, but we are still Kissenas.
See you at the races.
-Eric Ragot
4/19/00
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:49 PM
August 12, 2011
Dear Members,
Its started – the racing season or the thaw, take your pick. We trust you've made friends with your indoor torture device this winter and are dying for a warm spring day. We know we’re looking forward to the day when we need only one layer under our jerseys.
We're setting up some fabulous things for the upcoming year. Keep tabs on our Yahoo groups and website for updates. We also hope you like the redesign of the website. We're hoping to make an information hub that provides both timely and interesting information.
We have often been asked what benefits does the Kissena Cycling Club provide its members. Well, there are many and we will do our best to keep you informed about them. Apart from the obvious camaraderie, training partners, the Kissena Yahoo groups, and the Kissena Twilight Track Series, the Club has also arranged additional benefits such as coaching and discounts on equipment through our sponsors. Remember, be nice to our sponsors, support their businesses, thank them for their help and above all represent them as you would want to be represented if you sponsored the Club.
Coaching. The Club is excited to introduce its new Kissena Mentor Program. This program not only provides structured rides led by the Club’s elite level cyclists, but it also provides an incentive to those riders to do so. You may have already experienced the Kissena Mentors doing their thing and not realized it. Let me explain a bit more.
Last year, the Club employed David Sommerville to lead various training and skills rides. Additionally, J.P. Partland and Eric Ragot ran cyclocross clinics and have done so over the past few years. The Club decided that these elite level cyclists within the Club are our true coaches and should be utilized as such. Coming soon, a schedule of rides will be published for the upcoming cycling season. Each of the Club’s Mentors (currently David Sommerville, J.P. Partland, Jared Bunde and Eric Ragot) will be leading a minimum of four structured skills rides over the course of the season. These Mentors are the people whom we want you, the Club members to turn to in order to learn more about riding and racing.
The Kissena Mentor Program is open to all Club members who are category 2 or higher on the road or track, or a semi-pro or higher mountain biker. In return for agreeing to become such a valuable part of the Club and its mission, the Club does provide support to the Mentors so that they are able to defer the costs associated with racing. For more information or to review a copy of the Club’s written Kissena Mentor program, please contact any member of the Development Committee (Eric, J.P. and Zeb).
Gear. Now that the Club is working on making everyone better riders and racers, its time to think of what we look like while out riding. One of the Club’s long time and long term sponsors is Rudy Project. The Club, through the efforts of David Sommerville and Eric Ragot has secured Bro level sponsorship for the Club through 2005. This means that you can obtain Rudy Project sunglasses, helmets and other accessories for 40% below retail. If you are interested in how to obtain this discount either through online purchasing or by regular mail, please contact Zeb who has taken on the duties of Sponsorship Director.
Verrazano Cycles, Bike Works NYC, Bicyclepaintings.com
Shops. Get yourself to one of these fine shops that have generously sponsored the Club. Tommy at Verrazano and Dave at Bike Works provide excellent service and products for the Club’s members. Both shops provide a 15% discount for Club members and additional benefits for Junior or category 3 or higher riders. Please contact Zeb for further information.
Verrazano Cycles can be found at their new location on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn between 73rd and 74th Streets. Bike Works NYC is located at 106 Ridge Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan. Visit them soon, visit them often for all your cycling equipment needs.
Art. But you know that your home decor just isn’t complete without artwork reflecting your passion about the sport. Taliah Lempert is the artistic member and sponsor of the Club who puts her talents to work not only on the bike, but on the canvas as well. Visit her web site at www.bicyclepaintings.com.
So, in a nutshell, there you have it. The Club is now pleased to offer the new coaching program, advice, and equipment discounts to all of our members. Of course, you can’t forget that the Club’s primary mission is to teach our members to become better rider, racers and stewards of the cycling community. We believe that the Club is on its way to bigger and better things. Hang on for the ride as we ride boldly into a new chapter in our Club’s history.
Sincerely,
Kissena Cycling Club
Dear Members,
Its started – the racing season or the thaw, take your pick. We trust you've made friends with your indoor torture device this winter and are dying for a warm spring day. We know we’re looking forward to the day when we need only one layer under our jerseys.
We're setting up some fabulous things for the upcoming year. Keep tabs on our Yahoo groups and website for updates. We also hope you like the redesign of the website. We're hoping to make an information hub that provides both timely and interesting information.
We have often been asked what benefits does the Kissena Cycling Club provide its members. Well, there are many and we will do our best to keep you informed about them. Apart from the obvious camaraderie, training partners, the Kissena Yahoo groups, and the Kissena Twilight Track Series, the Club has also arranged additional benefits such as coaching and discounts on equipment through our sponsors. Remember, be nice to our sponsors, support their businesses, thank them for their help and above all represent them as you would want to be represented if you sponsored the Club.
Coaching. The Club is excited to introduce its new Kissena Mentor Program. This program not only provides structured rides led by the Club’s elite level cyclists, but it also provides an incentive to those riders to do so. You may have already experienced the Kissena Mentors doing their thing and not realized it. Let me explain a bit more.
Last year, the Club employed David Sommerville to lead various training and skills rides. Additionally, J.P. Partland and Eric Ragot ran cyclocross clinics and have done so over the past few years. The Club decided that these elite level cyclists within the Club are our true coaches and should be utilized as such. Coming soon, a schedule of rides will be published for the upcoming cycling season. Each of the Club’s Mentors (currently David Sommerville, J.P. Partland, Jared Bunde and Eric Ragot) will be leading a minimum of four structured skills rides over the course of the season. These Mentors are the people whom we want you, the Club members to turn to in order to learn more about riding and racing.
The Kissena Mentor Program is open to all Club members who are category 2 or higher on the road or track, or a semi-pro or higher mountain biker. In return for agreeing to become such a valuable part of the Club and its mission, the Club does provide support to the Mentors so that they are able to defer the costs associated with racing. For more information or to review a copy of the Club’s written Kissena Mentor program, please contact any member of the Development Committee (Eric, J.P. and Zeb).
Gear. Now that the Club is working on making everyone better riders and racers, its time to think of what we look like while out riding. One of the Club’s long time and long term sponsors is Rudy Project. The Club, through the efforts of David Sommerville and Eric Ragot has secured Bro level sponsorship for the Club through 2005. This means that you can obtain Rudy Project sunglasses, helmets and other accessories for 40% below retail. If you are interested in how to obtain this discount either through online purchasing or by regular mail, please contact Zeb who has taken on the duties of Sponsorship Director.
Verrazano Cycles, Bike Works NYC, Bicyclepaintings.com
Shops. Get yourself to one of these fine shops that have generously sponsored the Club. Tommy at Verrazano and Dave at Bike Works provide excellent service and products for the Club’s members. Both shops provide a 15% discount for Club members and additional benefits for Junior or category 3 or higher riders. Please contact Zeb for further information.
Verrazano Cycles can be found at their new location on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn between 73rd and 74th Streets. Bike Works NYC is located at 106 Ridge Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan. Visit them soon, visit them often for all your cycling equipment needs.
Art. But you know that your home decor just isn’t complete without artwork reflecting your passion about the sport. Taliah Lempert is the artistic member and sponsor of the Club who puts her talents to work not only on the bike, but on the canvas as well. Visit her web site at www.bicyclepaintings.com.
So, in a nutshell, there you have it. The Club is now pleased to offer the new coaching program, advice, and equipment discounts to all of our members. Of course, you can’t forget that the Club’s primary mission is to teach our members to become better rider, racers and stewards of the cycling community. We believe that the Club is on its way to bigger and better things. Hang on for the ride as we ride boldly into a new chapter in our Club’s history.
Sincerely,
Kissena Cycling Club
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:50 PM
February 9, 2002
Dear Members,
A new year, a new look for the club. Back in August, I wrote to you to explain that changes were coming to the club. Well, the changes are here and hopefully you’ve been able to take part in some of the new activities the club has engaged in.
New uniforms have been ordered and are to be delivered in early April. Coaching sessions have started with Steve Lassahn, including a sit down talks and group rides. JP Partland is scheduling more. Be on the watch for them.
The club elections have ended and the new slate of officers is as follows:
President – Eric Ragot
Vice-President – Kevin Cashman
Treasurer – Brian Grundstrom
Secretary – Rob Spillman
Development Director – JP Partland
Congratulations to them all and I look forward to working with them in the coming year. A record response rate of 41% bodes well for the club. Hopefully next year will have a higher response rate. I know that the people who didn’t vote care about the club management. Perhaps if you didn’t vote, you can drop me a line to tell me why.
The club is now being sponsored by the following businesses:
• Rudy Project – check out their website www.rudyprojectusa.com.
Verrazano Bicycles is providing the following support to the Club. For all members, all the time, walk in with your Kissena Club Membership Card (enclosed) and you will receive 15% off of the retail price. Additionally, four times during the year, the Club can receive a bulk order discount of 15% above cost. This bulk order will be coordinated through Chris Monteverdi (cmonteve7@yahoo.com) 718-768-4223. I’d suggest using this discount for bigger items. Please contact Chris for further details.
Bike Works NYC is providing the same 15% off for Club members with Membership Cards. Additionally, if you are a junior (under 18 rider), Bike Works will provide you items at 15% above cost at any time and free service/installation on those purchased items. Additionally, Bike Works is generously providing the same 15% above cost discount to those riders who are in need of support. If you feel that you need access to the special discount at Bike Works, please contact me (718.783.8642) or Dave Perry to inform us of your situation.
Rudy Project an order form for their products at well below retail is enclosed for your convenience. Please head to www.rudyprojectusa.com for a better view of the models available. And please just follow the instructions on the form for ordering.
For all of our sponsors, we as a Club have agreed to the following:
The Club will make members available to Sponsor, at reasonable times and for a reasonable number of events, its services for the purpose of providing assistance to the Sponsor in connection with reasonable promotional activities (provided that the same does not interfere with the Club’s prior scheduling, training and competition).
So be on the lookout for a call to arms (so to speak) to show up and assist our sponsors.
Finally, JP Partland, Keith Miller and Verrazano Bicycles have put together a Spinergy sponsorship arrangement. As JP wrote recently:
We will assemble a club order. The prices are listed below and are complete wheelsets. If you have questions about the wheels, visit Spinergy's website,www.spinergy.com. Please use the website to answer all questions. Don't call either Keith or Tommy. The one wheel model which isn't covered is the Rev-X. It isn't part of the deal. Don't ask.
For those participating in the tubular v. clincher thread, you should know that some of these wheels come in clincher only, and some tubular only. All of them can have either a campy-compatible or shimano-compatible freehub body. So when you send in your money, specify model, color, freehub body, wheel size and tubular/clincher.
Prices--- SR3-$250+freight, SRX-$250+freight, Xaero-$390+freight, Xaero Light $390+freight
Xaero Carbon-$840+freight
The deadline for checks to be received by Brian is March 15, 2002.
In the future, please look for all information about the club online at our yahoogroups site (http://groups.yahoo.com/kissena). Those without internet access will receive a mailing of important information (about 10 members). But otherwise, most communication will take place online. So, if you have access to a computer, please sign up with yahoogroups.
Best personal regards,
Dear Members,
A new year, a new look for the club. Back in August, I wrote to you to explain that changes were coming to the club. Well, the changes are here and hopefully you’ve been able to take part in some of the new activities the club has engaged in.
New uniforms have been ordered and are to be delivered in early April. Coaching sessions have started with Steve Lassahn, including a sit down talks and group rides. JP Partland is scheduling more. Be on the watch for them.
The club elections have ended and the new slate of officers is as follows:
President – Eric Ragot
Vice-President – Kevin Cashman
Treasurer – Brian Grundstrom
Secretary – Rob Spillman
Development Director – JP Partland
Congratulations to them all and I look forward to working with them in the coming year. A record response rate of 41% bodes well for the club. Hopefully next year will have a higher response rate. I know that the people who didn’t vote care about the club management. Perhaps if you didn’t vote, you can drop me a line to tell me why.
The club is now being sponsored by the following businesses:
• Rudy Project – check out their website www.rudyprojectusa.com.
Verrazano Bicycles is providing the following support to the Club. For all members, all the time, walk in with your Kissena Club Membership Card (enclosed) and you will receive 15% off of the retail price. Additionally, four times during the year, the Club can receive a bulk order discount of 15% above cost. This bulk order will be coordinated through Chris Monteverdi (cmonteve7@yahoo.com) 718-768-4223. I’d suggest using this discount for bigger items. Please contact Chris for further details.
Bike Works NYC is providing the same 15% off for Club members with Membership Cards. Additionally, if you are a junior (under 18 rider), Bike Works will provide you items at 15% above cost at any time and free service/installation on those purchased items. Additionally, Bike Works is generously providing the same 15% above cost discount to those riders who are in need of support. If you feel that you need access to the special discount at Bike Works, please contact me (718.783.8642) or Dave Perry to inform us of your situation.
Rudy Project an order form for their products at well below retail is enclosed for your convenience. Please head to www.rudyprojectusa.com for a better view of the models available. And please just follow the instructions on the form for ordering.
For all of our sponsors, we as a Club have agreed to the following:
The Club will make members available to Sponsor, at reasonable times and for a reasonable number of events, its services for the purpose of providing assistance to the Sponsor in connection with reasonable promotional activities (provided that the same does not interfere with the Club’s prior scheduling, training and competition).
So be on the lookout for a call to arms (so to speak) to show up and assist our sponsors.
Finally, JP Partland, Keith Miller and Verrazano Bicycles have put together a Spinergy sponsorship arrangement. As JP wrote recently:
We will assemble a club order. The prices are listed below and are complete wheelsets. If you have questions about the wheels, visit Spinergy's website,www.spinergy.com. Please use the website to answer all questions. Don't call either Keith or Tommy. The one wheel model which isn't covered is the Rev-X. It isn't part of the deal. Don't ask.
For those participating in the tubular v. clincher thread, you should know that some of these wheels come in clincher only, and some tubular only. All of them can have either a campy-compatible or shimano-compatible freehub body. So when you send in your money, specify model, color, freehub body, wheel size and tubular/clincher.
Prices--- SR3-$250+freight, SRX-$250+freight, Xaero-$390+freight, Xaero Light $390+freight
Xaero Carbon-$840+freight
The deadline for checks to be received by Brian is March 15, 2002.
In the future, please look for all information about the club online at our yahoogroups site (http://groups.yahoo.com/kissena). Those without internet access will receive a mailing of important information (about 10 members). But otherwise, most communication will take place online. So, if you have access to a computer, please sign up with yahoogroups.
Best personal regards,
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:53 PM
August 2001
Dear Members,
I can not tell you when the last time a letter has been sent from the President of Kissena to the entire membership and I’ve been a member for three years - my whole cycling career. In that time, I’ve seen the club grow and begin to come together as a club should; where the members ride together, train together, meet socially and most of all race together. I’ve seen the club members start to meet before the races and plan strategy and really work together in the races. Additionally, the club members have been taking advantage of the experience of the members who have run clinics and skills training rides to learn basic riding and racing skills that will pay off big dividends in races. I guess what it all adds up to is a club coming together and finding its own identity.
Recently, the club officers met and decided a few important issues about the direction of the club will take in the future. What we decided is that to continue to foster the identity and purpose of the club new uniforms will be created, professional coaching will be provided, new membership rules will be created and volunteerism will play an expanded role in the club. We believe that these changes will help continue to foster Kissena’s growth.
For coaching, the club will be hiring Steve Lassahn as the club coach. Steve is currently an Assistant Manager/Coach for the Mercury Cycling Team. The coaching services that the club will offer will include three levels of training schedules (Cat. 1/2/3, Cat. 4 and Cat. 5, weekly supported group rides with Steve planning them and proving sag support and discounts on physiological testing. These rides will begin in November and run on one or two weekend days with the possibility of the other day being a group indoor training.
A new uniform will be created. This means new colors, new design and new sponsors. This design will be the club’s design. The design will basically say “Kissena” and may incorporate one or two long term sponsors.
As you may or may not recall, all memberships expire December 31 of every year. This year two types of membership will be offered, racing and non-racing. Racing memberships will cost $125 for this year and entitle you to all the benefits of Kissena membership and a new jersey and a pair of shorts. The new clothing design will be the only permitted uniform for those wishing to race under the Kissena banner. If you take a look around you’ll see that we’re the only club with 5 or more iterations of uniform out there. It is time to move beyond a decade’s worth of mismatched clothing and unite as a club and race as one. We’re a racing club and we’re going to look like one next year. Racing members are entitled to all the benefits of Kissena members.
The club anticipates promoting four open races next year. We expect to run two to three road races and one or two time trials, with one of the time trials being a team time trial. These races are the club’s opportunity to learn to promote races and more importantly, they are a fundraising vehicle for the club. These races are also your opportunity to have an active hand in the growth of the club. To run these races successfully, we need marshals, pace car drivers, registration help and setup/cleanup help. This year, many of you came down to help with the May race that we promoted. We look for more of the same because as a member of the club, you will be required to volunteer at one of the races to be assigned. Or, if you wish to opt out, you may do so by paying a $20 fee in advance of the race or by bringing a substitute marshal. All the help you give to promote these races comes right back to the club for its benefit. A mailing in the beginning of the year will inform you of the race dates and the day you are required to volunteer.
We urge you to renew early. Renewing now will extend your membership through the end of 2002 and it will allow the club to better organize the activities outlined above. Additionally, clothing is much easier to obtain in a large order. If you renew by September 15, 2001, we will be able to place a clothing order to have the clothes by January.
We feel that these changes will benefit the club and allow it to continue its growth and to support new growth and membership and to support its current members. We anticipate that a healthy club will be able to aid its members in attending and racing at Nationals, Masters Nationals and Master’s Worlds. We also look forward to being able to better fund programs at the Kissena Velodrome and its junior program. Expect a new website to be created shortly that provides up to date information on the club.
Dear Members,
I can not tell you when the last time a letter has been sent from the President of Kissena to the entire membership and I’ve been a member for three years - my whole cycling career. In that time, I’ve seen the club grow and begin to come together as a club should; where the members ride together, train together, meet socially and most of all race together. I’ve seen the club members start to meet before the races and plan strategy and really work together in the races. Additionally, the club members have been taking advantage of the experience of the members who have run clinics and skills training rides to learn basic riding and racing skills that will pay off big dividends in races. I guess what it all adds up to is a club coming together and finding its own identity.
Recently, the club officers met and decided a few important issues about the direction of the club will take in the future. What we decided is that to continue to foster the identity and purpose of the club new uniforms will be created, professional coaching will be provided, new membership rules will be created and volunteerism will play an expanded role in the club. We believe that these changes will help continue to foster Kissena’s growth.
For coaching, the club will be hiring Steve Lassahn as the club coach. Steve is currently an Assistant Manager/Coach for the Mercury Cycling Team. The coaching services that the club will offer will include three levels of training schedules (Cat. 1/2/3, Cat. 4 and Cat. 5, weekly supported group rides with Steve planning them and proving sag support and discounts on physiological testing. These rides will begin in November and run on one or two weekend days with the possibility of the other day being a group indoor training.
A new uniform will be created. This means new colors, new design and new sponsors. This design will be the club’s design. The design will basically say “Kissena” and may incorporate one or two long term sponsors.
As you may or may not recall, all memberships expire December 31 of every year. This year two types of membership will be offered, racing and non-racing. Racing memberships will cost $125 for this year and entitle you to all the benefits of Kissena membership and a new jersey and a pair of shorts. The new clothing design will be the only permitted uniform for those wishing to race under the Kissena banner. If you take a look around you’ll see that we’re the only club with 5 or more iterations of uniform out there. It is time to move beyond a decade’s worth of mismatched clothing and unite as a club and race as one. We’re a racing club and we’re going to look like one next year. Racing members are entitled to all the benefits of Kissena members.
The club anticipates promoting four open races next year. We expect to run two to three road races and one or two time trials, with one of the time trials being a team time trial. These races are the club’s opportunity to learn to promote races and more importantly, they are a fundraising vehicle for the club. These races are also your opportunity to have an active hand in the growth of the club. To run these races successfully, we need marshals, pace car drivers, registration help and setup/cleanup help. This year, many of you came down to help with the May race that we promoted. We look for more of the same because as a member of the club, you will be required to volunteer at one of the races to be assigned. Or, if you wish to opt out, you may do so by paying a $20 fee in advance of the race or by bringing a substitute marshal. All the help you give to promote these races comes right back to the club for its benefit. A mailing in the beginning of the year will inform you of the race dates and the day you are required to volunteer.
We urge you to renew early. Renewing now will extend your membership through the end of 2002 and it will allow the club to better organize the activities outlined above. Additionally, clothing is much easier to obtain in a large order. If you renew by September 15, 2001, we will be able to place a clothing order to have the clothes by January.
We feel that these changes will benefit the club and allow it to continue its growth and to support new growth and membership and to support its current members. We anticipate that a healthy club will be able to aid its members in attending and racing at Nationals, Masters Nationals and Master’s Worlds. We also look forward to being able to better fund programs at the Kissena Velodrome and its junior program. Expect a new website to be created shortly that provides up to date information on the club.
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:54 PM
KISSENA DOUBLE CROSS
(CYCLOCROSS RACES)
USCF AND NORBA CYCLISTS WELCOME
PLACE: KISSENA PARK, FLUSHING, N. Y.
DATES: TWO SATURDAYS – NOV. 10TH & NOV. 17TH
TIME: REGISTRATION OPENS 10 AM, FIRST RACE 11 AM
USCF OR NORBA LICENSE REQUIRED
*One day license available for $5.00 fee.
CATEGORY(USCF/NORBA) TIME + 1 LAP ENTRY FEE & PRIZE
(5 places ea. Cat.)
Cat. 5/ BEGINNER 25 min. $10.00 – Merchandise
Cat. 4/ Sport 35 min. $12.00 - $150
Cat. 1-2-3/Expert-Elite 45 min. $15.00 - $200
Masters (45+) Women & Juniors*
(All fields limited to 50 riders)
(Promoter reserves the right to combine fields with less than 10 riders)
*Masters 45+, Women & Juniors will race in their category and be given a handicap (timed advantage). Juniors (under 18) entry fee $5.00.
Kissena Park is located in Queens, NY and is at the intersection of Parsons Blvd. And Booth Memorial Ave., two blocks north of the Long Island Expressway (exit at Kissena Blvd. Exit #24). Registration and start/finish line will be located in the Velodrome.
To enter: Fill out standard 2001 release form with proper category and entry fee.
Race day registration only.
INFO: (718) 343-9805 (before 10 PM) USCF PERMIT: pending
(CYCLOCROSS RACES)
USCF AND NORBA CYCLISTS WELCOME
PLACE: KISSENA PARK, FLUSHING, N. Y.
DATES: TWO SATURDAYS – NOV. 10TH & NOV. 17TH
TIME: REGISTRATION OPENS 10 AM, FIRST RACE 11 AM
USCF OR NORBA LICENSE REQUIRED
*One day license available for $5.00 fee.
CATEGORY(USCF/NORBA) TIME + 1 LAP ENTRY FEE & PRIZE
(5 places ea. Cat.)
Cat. 5/ BEGINNER 25 min. $10.00 – Merchandise
Cat. 4/ Sport 35 min. $12.00 - $150
Cat. 1-2-3/Expert-Elite 45 min. $15.00 - $200
Masters (45+) Women & Juniors*
(All fields limited to 50 riders)
(Promoter reserves the right to combine fields with less than 10 riders)
*Masters 45+, Women & Juniors will race in their category and be given a handicap (timed advantage). Juniors (under 18) entry fee $5.00.
Kissena Park is located in Queens, NY and is at the intersection of Parsons Blvd. And Booth Memorial Ave., two blocks north of the Long Island Expressway (exit at Kissena Blvd. Exit #24). Registration and start/finish line will be located in the Velodrome.
To enter: Fill out standard 2001 release form with proper category and entry fee.
Race day registration only.
INFO: (718) 343-9805 (before 10 PM) USCF PERMIT: pending
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:55 PM
How to promote a race:
KISSENA DOUBLE CROSS
(CYCLOCROSS RACES)
USCF AND NORBA CYCLISTS WELCOME
PLACE: KISSENA PARK, FLUSHING, N. Y.
DATES: TWO SATURDAYS – NOV. 10TH & NOV. 17TH
TIME: REGISTRATION OPENS 10 AM, FIRST RACE 11 AM
USCF OR NORBA LICENSE REQUIRED
*One day license available for $5.00 fee.
CATEGORY(USCF/NORBA) TIME + 1 LAP ENTRY FEE & PRIZE
(5 places ea. Cat.)
Cat. 5/ BEGINNER 25 min. $10.00 – Merchandise
Cat. 4/ Sport 35 min. $12.00 - $150
Cat. 1-2-3/Expert-Elite 45 min. $15.00 - $200
Masters (45+) Women & Juniors*
(All fields limited to 50 riders)
(Promoter reserves the right to combine fields with less than 10 riders)
*Masters 45+, Women & Juniors will race in their category and be given a handicap (timed advantage). Juniors (under 18) entry fee $5.00.
Kissena Park is located in Queens, NY and is at the intersection of Parsons Blvd. And Booth Memorial Ave., two blocks north of the Long Island Expressway (exit at Kissena Blvd. Exit #24). Registration and start/finish line will be located in the Velodrome.
To enter: Fill out standard 2001 release form with proper category and entry fee.
Race day registration only.
INFO: (718) 343-9805 (before 10 PM) USCF PERMIT: pending
KISSENA DOUBLE CROSS
(CYCLOCROSS RACES)
USCF AND NORBA CYCLISTS WELCOME
PLACE: KISSENA PARK, FLUSHING, N. Y.
DATES: TWO SATURDAYS – NOV. 10TH & NOV. 17TH
TIME: REGISTRATION OPENS 10 AM, FIRST RACE 11 AM
USCF OR NORBA LICENSE REQUIRED
*One day license available for $5.00 fee.
CATEGORY(USCF/NORBA) TIME + 1 LAP ENTRY FEE & PRIZE
(5 places ea. Cat.)
Cat. 5/ BEGINNER 25 min. $10.00 – Merchandise
Cat. 4/ Sport 35 min. $12.00 - $150
Cat. 1-2-3/Expert-Elite 45 min. $15.00 - $200
Masters (45+) Women & Juniors*
(All fields limited to 50 riders)
(Promoter reserves the right to combine fields with less than 10 riders)
*Masters 45+, Women & Juniors will race in their category and be given a handicap (timed advantage). Juniors (under 18) entry fee $5.00.
Kissena Park is located in Queens, NY and is at the intersection of Parsons Blvd. And Booth Memorial Ave., two blocks north of the Long Island Expressway (exit at Kissena Blvd. Exit #24). Registration and start/finish line will be located in the Velodrome.
To enter: Fill out standard 2001 release form with proper category and entry fee.
Race day registration only.
INFO: (718) 343-9805 (before 10 PM) USCF PERMIT: pending
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:56 PM
June 2003:
Burning Matches
Track Racing at the Elite Level for the Working Man
As a kid, I used to like to burn matches and make fires. With bike racing, you always hear that you only have so many matches to burn in a race or throughout the season. When racing on the track, you (especially if you're not that good) only get a few matches to burn per night. Plus, you only get a chance to use tricks to do well once.
By way of background, for those of you who don't know me, I'm an attorney who has been trying to get better at being a track racer over the past couple of years. For those in the know, the New York City area isn't the most conducive to a track racer becuse the Kissena Velodrome is in dire need of repair (and getting it) and the nearest good track is 2 hours away. Still, even though faced with those challenges, I caught the track racing bug a few years ago and I've been sticking with it despite my career.
So this year, I had a horrible winter and have basically racing to get into shape. As this is a new experience for me, it sucks. To race into shape to race the track on an elite level, is a crazy idea to me. Well, heading into this Friday's race (May 30), I had raced on the track twice this year and the results were middling at best.
At a low-key track race in April at T-Town, I raced the masters 30+ and my coach made me ride a small gear to compensate. In those short races while riding for my friend (also a Friday nighter), I managed to do well. This was semi-encouraging, but after a hard effort, I couldn't recover and I would just have to finish the race without losing a lap. In other words, I had to carefully monitor how many matches I burned. I could go hard, but that was it, one shot, if I didn't do what I needed then, I was toast. Chalk this up to a lack of base mileage and intervals.
Come May, I've been trying to put in the base miles and I travelled to Atlanta to do the East Point Gran Prix, a well-known regional race. To my chagrin, I find out that Jeff Hopkins, Mike Tillman, Kent Bostick and Jame Carney are going to be there (in addition to the host of good regional riders). My goal was simple - to hang in there and score a point or two while finishing. As an aside, this race is run on an omnium format whereby all points earned in any race (for example - point a lap, points race, etc...) count towards overall points. I felt lousy throughout the races, but I found that I could ride hard and reasonably fast. I didn't do anything exciting, but with little in the way of expectations, I was ok knowing I was getting a little form.
Now comes May 30, opening night at T-Town for 2003. Knowing that my legs finally started to open up over the Memorial Day weekend (doing three crits helped get my legs moving), I thought I should be able to hang on thsi Friday night and not embarrass myself. The race schedule featured One Mile Heats, Miss and Out, 10 Mile Final and One Mile Final (qualifiers from the heats).
Burning Matches
Track Racing at the Elite Level for the Working Man
As a kid, I used to like to burn matches and make fires. With bike racing, you always hear that you only have so many matches to burn in a race or throughout the season. When racing on the track, you (especially if you're not that good) only get a few matches to burn per night. Plus, you only get a chance to use tricks to do well once.
By way of background, for those of you who don't know me, I'm an attorney who has been trying to get better at being a track racer over the past couple of years. For those in the know, the New York City area isn't the most conducive to a track racer becuse the Kissena Velodrome is in dire need of repair (and getting it) and the nearest good track is 2 hours away. Still, even though faced with those challenges, I caught the track racing bug a few years ago and I've been sticking with it despite my career.
So this year, I had a horrible winter and have basically racing to get into shape. As this is a new experience for me, it sucks. To race into shape to race the track on an elite level, is a crazy idea to me. Well, heading into this Friday's race (May 30), I had raced on the track twice this year and the results were middling at best.
At a low-key track race in April at T-Town, I raced the masters 30+ and my coach made me ride a small gear to compensate. In those short races while riding for my friend (also a Friday nighter), I managed to do well. This was semi-encouraging, but after a hard effort, I couldn't recover and I would just have to finish the race without losing a lap. In other words, I had to carefully monitor how many matches I burned. I could go hard, but that was it, one shot, if I didn't do what I needed then, I was toast. Chalk this up to a lack of base mileage and intervals.
Come May, I've been trying to put in the base miles and I travelled to Atlanta to do the East Point Gran Prix, a well-known regional race. To my chagrin, I find out that Jeff Hopkins, Mike Tillman, Kent Bostick and Jame Carney are going to be there (in addition to the host of good regional riders). My goal was simple - to hang in there and score a point or two while finishing. As an aside, this race is run on an omnium format whereby all points earned in any race (for example - point a lap, points race, etc...) count towards overall points. I felt lousy throughout the races, but I found that I could ride hard and reasonably fast. I didn't do anything exciting, but with little in the way of expectations, I was ok knowing I was getting a little form.
Now comes May 30, opening night at T-Town for 2003. Knowing that my legs finally started to open up over the Memorial Day weekend (doing three crits helped get my legs moving), I thought I should be able to hang on thsi Friday night and not embarrass myself. The race schedule featured One Mile Heats, Miss and Out, 10 Mile Final and One Mile Final (qualifiers from the heats).
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:56 PM
I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't nervous. In warmup, I felt lousy and my legs/lungs never seemed to open up and I just felt slow. So, the one mile is just a little shy of 5 laps at T-Town. The race starts at a slow pace and I'm riding in the tailgunner position (tactically good if you want to jump the field unawares, bad if the pace gets revved up and requires that you make up all the places in sprint). I figure that this would be ok if it stayed like this for a few laps because I can burn a match to try and sprint. However, as soon as I think that the pace is good, someone attacks and the screws get turned way up. Bad tactical choice on my part by staying on the back.
Thankfully, the pace slows and we go back to a bunch instead of a string. Coming into turn 3 coming into two laps to go, the pack is going slow, I take advantage of it and dive down the banking hard and take off. I hear the announcer calling out Kissen Cycling Club as I cross the lien with two to go. Then I hear him calling me the "Big Ragu." I chance a look back and I've got a straightaway. My lungs finally catch up to my legs and they are both screaming as I get the bell. I bear down, trying hard to not lose that critical leg speed and get caught. Just before turn 3 I look back and see that I've still got the straightaway lead. I ease up, the announcer says that I've blown up. I then try to get going again, but without success and the pack is rapidly approaching. Somehow I manage to pick my pace up enough to - WIN?
I couldn't believe it, I'd won a race on Friday night at T-Town. In track racing terms for the career oriented guy, this is huge. As Mike Grabowski (T-Town tough guy and star) noted to me later that night "Friday night is a full time committment and Tuesdays are just a little less." So, to have taken a race against guys who pretty much ride their bikes full time is a huge deal.
The rest of the night was uneventful for me in comparison, but suffice it to say, this was one satisfying win. To bring it full circle with the match analogy - it took me over 15 minutes to recover from the effort necessary to win that race. Something that isn't acceptable if I plan on continuing to race on Friday nights.
NASCAR highlight of the night - in the 10 mile race, someone touched a wheel onthe back straight and went down, another rider came straight at him and just flew into the air a good 8 feet high while doing a flip. Everyone was OK, but it was cool in that NASCAR kind of way. Jame Carney dominated everything except the one mile final (he got third).
Cheers,
Eric
Thankfully, the pace slows and we go back to a bunch instead of a string. Coming into turn 3 coming into two laps to go, the pack is going slow, I take advantage of it and dive down the banking hard and take off. I hear the announcer calling out Kissen Cycling Club as I cross the lien with two to go. Then I hear him calling me the "Big Ragu." I chance a look back and I've got a straightaway. My lungs finally catch up to my legs and they are both screaming as I get the bell. I bear down, trying hard to not lose that critical leg speed and get caught. Just before turn 3 I look back and see that I've still got the straightaway lead. I ease up, the announcer says that I've blown up. I then try to get going again, but without success and the pack is rapidly approaching. Somehow I manage to pick my pace up enough to - WIN?
I couldn't believe it, I'd won a race on Friday night at T-Town. In track racing terms for the career oriented guy, this is huge. As Mike Grabowski (T-Town tough guy and star) noted to me later that night "Friday night is a full time committment and Tuesdays are just a little less." So, to have taken a race against guys who pretty much ride their bikes full time is a huge deal.
The rest of the night was uneventful for me in comparison, but suffice it to say, this was one satisfying win. To bring it full circle with the match analogy - it took me over 15 minutes to recover from the effort necessary to win that race. Something that isn't acceptable if I plan on continuing to race on Friday nights.
NASCAR highlight of the night - in the 10 mile race, someone touched a wheel onthe back straight and went down, another rider came straight at him and just flew into the air a good 8 feet high while doing a flip. Everyone was OK, but it was cool in that NASCAR kind of way. Jame Carney dominated everything except the one mile final (he got third).
Cheers,
Eric
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:58 PM
Kissena Velodrome
Kissena Park, Queens New York
Hijinks at the track
I will be competing at Kissena's Wednesday night track races for a total of four weeks. Then, my vacation ends and my new job in a law firm starts. If I am somehow able to sneak out of work and to the track, I shall of course keep you all up to date. Without further ado I present:
May 17, 2000 - Opening Night
Tonight marked the beginning of the new track season at Kissena. Bill Kessler and Karl Dittebrandt have put together a system of racing that involves "A" "B" and "C" fields based upon ability. Tonight, you were pretty much able to choose your category and try multiple categories if you felt another category was a better choice. It was a bit chilly and a whole lot windy.
The Cast of Characters (as best as I can recall)
Lets see, the "A" field had approximately 12 riders of considerable talent. Vince Oliver, who I met at T-Town as he was competing at Nationals in the Keirin (meaning he's fast). Greg "The Hammer" Durevitch (sp?) a Cat. 1 roadie and trackie with whom I waged many an epic battle last year. Yanni Yanni Yanni, the ex-Kissena who chased me and other teammates down innumerable times last year, all in his quest for Rider of the Year (he got it). Andy Whitten (Kissena) who has been coming into form throughout the spring while riding the road. Doug Rothlein (Kissena) a speedy sprinter type with some legs who is always a threat, especially now that he's got some really fancy carbon track bike that looks like Kirk Whiteman's Axis. Kirk Catnott (Urban Fetch), an ex-Kissena sprinter who used to give Kirk Whiteman a run for his money in the sprints. Dan Lim (Urban Fetch), who is only 23 (I just found out) and is heading to law school (watch out), another one of those sprinters who has been toughing it out on the road this spring. John Campo (Kissena) an excellent track rider who churns along in a 49x14 (too big for me). Abdul (Kissena) a Cat 2 roadie who is quite capable on the track. The rest of the riders I just can't remember, but there is a reason.
Kissena Park, Queens New York
Hijinks at the track
I will be competing at Kissena's Wednesday night track races for a total of four weeks. Then, my vacation ends and my new job in a law firm starts. If I am somehow able to sneak out of work and to the track, I shall of course keep you all up to date. Without further ado I present:
May 17, 2000 - Opening Night
Tonight marked the beginning of the new track season at Kissena. Bill Kessler and Karl Dittebrandt have put together a system of racing that involves "A" "B" and "C" fields based upon ability. Tonight, you were pretty much able to choose your category and try multiple categories if you felt another category was a better choice. It was a bit chilly and a whole lot windy.
The Cast of Characters (as best as I can recall)
Lets see, the "A" field had approximately 12 riders of considerable talent. Vince Oliver, who I met at T-Town as he was competing at Nationals in the Keirin (meaning he's fast). Greg "The Hammer" Durevitch (sp?) a Cat. 1 roadie and trackie with whom I waged many an epic battle last year. Yanni Yanni Yanni, the ex-Kissena who chased me and other teammates down innumerable times last year, all in his quest for Rider of the Year (he got it). Andy Whitten (Kissena) who has been coming into form throughout the spring while riding the road. Doug Rothlein (Kissena) a speedy sprinter type with some legs who is always a threat, especially now that he's got some really fancy carbon track bike that looks like Kirk Whiteman's Axis. Kirk Catnott (Urban Fetch), an ex-Kissena sprinter who used to give Kirk Whiteman a run for his money in the sprints. Dan Lim (Urban Fetch), who is only 23 (I just found out) and is heading to law school (watch out), another one of those sprinters who has been toughing it out on the road this spring. John Campo (Kissena) an excellent track rider who churns along in a 49x14 (too big for me). Abdul (Kissena) a Cat 2 roadie who is quite capable on the track. The rest of the riders I just can't remember, but there is a reason.
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:58 PM
Dear Kissenas:
Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz. Huh? What? Ugh. Crack the eyes open and see 4:00 on the clock. What, ugh, am I doing? Why am I getting up? Oh yeah, its the first Spring Series race. Ugh. Shake the head out, stumble in to the kitchen to turn the coffee maker on. Stumble about a bit longer and somehow find your way into your cycling clothes. Head out into the dark morning cold and freeze your way to Central Park for a 6:30 start time. Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun. A whopping 24 miles for some (18 or less for others). Once again, the though of why I do this pops into my head.
Then I remember, its validation for all the off season work that I (and hopefully yourselves) have done and continue to do. The race is our way of having fun. Remember, that's why we do it, because it is fun. It certainly seems fun. Gathering a band of merry Brooklynites from varying teams to assemple a group to ride up to the race together. There were around 10 of us by my count - streaking our way up through a deserted city to get to the promised land, er... race that is.
We suffer together in the cold with thoughts of the warm mid-summer races ahead of us. Imagining that this first race will be nothing but a little stepping stone to our seasons ambitions.
For the Developmental Team, the season once again started off with a bang. In the first Spring Series race, we managed to place the team's riding coach, JP Partland into third place. This was impressive due to the very aggressive nature of the race. The Developmental Team rode extremely well, once again showing why teammwork can make all the difference in the world in the outcome of a race. Great job and keep up the good work. So, the Developmental Team's ambitions seem to be working well already.
What are your ambitions? What do you want to accomplish this year?
At the Club meeting on afternoon of the race, I met many new faces. New racers, new riders and new officers looking forward to the promising year ahead.
Club Elections were held and the new slate of officers is as follows:
President - Eric Ragot
Vice-President - Greg Shinn
Treasurer - Brian Grundstrom
Secretary - Dave Sommerville
Development Director - JP Partland
Congratulations to Brian for his elevation from unofficial entertainment director to Treasurer and to the retunring officers. You all did excellent jobs last year and I look forward to much of the same working with you this year. The Club decided to eliminate an officer position, that of Membership Director which was held by Jason Elfenbein last year. Jason did a wonderful job, but the Club felt that the position would best be combined with the Treasurer position. Thank you for your efforts Jason.
The Club is also looking forward to running and promoting the May 26 Prospect Park race. This race promotion will build upon the two successful races that the Club promoted last year. Additionally, the Lear to Race series of after race clinics will once again be held this year. John Campo and JP Partland will be leading and teaching the basics about riding and training skills. Look forward to them as they are lots of fun and instructive.
The Club, under John Campo's guidance will be heavily involved in an after school program for children and track racing. The Club has purchased three track bicycles and in conjunction with a private donor of seven more has ten bicycles for rent and use at the Kissena Velodrome. Additionally, another donor has provided a storage container that will allow the storage of the bicycles and other equipment at the track which will allow us to provide not only for the after school program, but the Wednesday Night Twilight Track Series as well. John and Victor Vitelli of CRCA will be running the after school program. And I will be assisting John in running the Wednesday evening races.
The Wednesday night races are very good entertainment - come on down and see. Or come on down to give it a try. We have the bicycles for rent now and once the weekly developmental clinics are set, you can come down and practice.
Hope your winter was a success so that your season of racing can follow.
Ride safe, ride smart, ride hard,
Eric Ragot
3/6/01
Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz. Huh? What? Ugh. Crack the eyes open and see 4:00 on the clock. What, ugh, am I doing? Why am I getting up? Oh yeah, its the first Spring Series race. Ugh. Shake the head out, stumble in to the kitchen to turn the coffee maker on. Stumble about a bit longer and somehow find your way into your cycling clothes. Head out into the dark morning cold and freeze your way to Central Park for a 6:30 start time. Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun. A whopping 24 miles for some (18 or less for others). Once again, the though of why I do this pops into my head.
Then I remember, its validation for all the off season work that I (and hopefully yourselves) have done and continue to do. The race is our way of having fun. Remember, that's why we do it, because it is fun. It certainly seems fun. Gathering a band of merry Brooklynites from varying teams to assemple a group to ride up to the race together. There were around 10 of us by my count - streaking our way up through a deserted city to get to the promised land, er... race that is.
We suffer together in the cold with thoughts of the warm mid-summer races ahead of us. Imagining that this first race will be nothing but a little stepping stone to our seasons ambitions.
For the Developmental Team, the season once again started off with a bang. In the first Spring Series race, we managed to place the team's riding coach, JP Partland into third place. This was impressive due to the very aggressive nature of the race. The Developmental Team rode extremely well, once again showing why teammwork can make all the difference in the world in the outcome of a race. Great job and keep up the good work. So, the Developmental Team's ambitions seem to be working well already.
What are your ambitions? What do you want to accomplish this year?
At the Club meeting on afternoon of the race, I met many new faces. New racers, new riders and new officers looking forward to the promising year ahead.
Club Elections were held and the new slate of officers is as follows:
President - Eric Ragot
Vice-President - Greg Shinn
Treasurer - Brian Grundstrom
Secretary - Dave Sommerville
Development Director - JP Partland
Congratulations to Brian for his elevation from unofficial entertainment director to Treasurer and to the retunring officers. You all did excellent jobs last year and I look forward to much of the same working with you this year. The Club decided to eliminate an officer position, that of Membership Director which was held by Jason Elfenbein last year. Jason did a wonderful job, but the Club felt that the position would best be combined with the Treasurer position. Thank you for your efforts Jason.
The Club is also looking forward to running and promoting the May 26 Prospect Park race. This race promotion will build upon the two successful races that the Club promoted last year. Additionally, the Lear to Race series of after race clinics will once again be held this year. John Campo and JP Partland will be leading and teaching the basics about riding and training skills. Look forward to them as they are lots of fun and instructive.
The Club, under John Campo's guidance will be heavily involved in an after school program for children and track racing. The Club has purchased three track bicycles and in conjunction with a private donor of seven more has ten bicycles for rent and use at the Kissena Velodrome. Additionally, another donor has provided a storage container that will allow the storage of the bicycles and other equipment at the track which will allow us to provide not only for the after school program, but the Wednesday Night Twilight Track Series as well. John and Victor Vitelli of CRCA will be running the after school program. And I will be assisting John in running the Wednesday evening races.
The Wednesday night races are very good entertainment - come on down and see. Or come on down to give it a try. We have the bicycles for rent now and once the weekly developmental clinics are set, you can come down and practice.
Hope your winter was a success so that your season of racing can follow.
Ride safe, ride smart, ride hard,
Eric Ragot
3/6/01
Aug 12, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Well well well. A long fruitful season has almost come to a close (some of us race cyclocross until December). Where has the Club gone, what has the Club done and where is it going?
Well, the Club has gone nowhere. But its riders have crisscrossed the country and flown overseas in pursuit of racing.
Delroy Walters has just finished racing at the Masters World Track Championships in Manchester, England. He won another silver medal. Also, at Master's Nationals in Redmond, Washington, Delroy cleaned up with three National Championships and overall best rider. The presence of Kissena at Master's Nationals was also enhanced by Karl Ditterbrandt, Wendy Cohen and Vicki Huffman, whose attendance allowed Kissena to earn the Best Team designation.
JP Partland jetted off to Ireland in May to race the Irish Milk Ras, aka the Milk Ras. JP completed a ten day stage race. He wasn't first, but he also wasn't last. Find out more about JP's exploits in his submissions to Asphaltmag.
Personally, I've been flying across the country to pursue my track racing ambitions. An early season trip to San Diego kicked off the puddle jumping which also included stops in Frisco, Texas, Blaine, Minnesota and of course, a summer spent racing at T-Town. It was all worth it as I ended up the 11th ranked Kilo rider in the country this year. Everthing else sucked, but it was still good.
Apart from the travel, Kissena has shined closer to home. Jason Bremer has gone from being a dropped on trainin rides and bonking rider in January, to winning races for his birthday. Jason also notched an impressive 9th place in GC, a mere 46 seconds off the pace. Give him a second place in the G.S. Mengoni in the Cat 2/3 field and you can call him racing well.
We all know him as BJ and BJ has been racing extremely well. Starting the year as a Cat 5 and he's now poised to make his upgrade to a Cat 3 through some excellent racing. Watch out for him on the cyclocross scene.
The Crocidile, Jared Bunde started the year as a Cat. 5 and ripped through the ranks of the road racing scene to become a force to be reckoned with by finishing third in the Floyd Bennett Tuesday night series. He did this in spite of spending hal fo the summer racing at T-Town on Tuesday nights. As for T-Town, Jared started the year as a Cat 4 on the track and ended it as a Cat 2. He accomplished so much on the track, including a 12th place in a national track race and a much deserved 4th place in his first madison. Notch up a gold medal in the New York State Track Championships in the Pursuit and you've got quite a successful season for this young man.
Charlie Lapunzina organized the Cat 4's and put in a tremendous amount of time organizing the 4's before races and working on strategy and post-race analysis. The time he spent consulting with the officers about better race management and decision making was unbelievable.Charlie wanted to and still wants to make the Kissena Cat 4's a force to be recokened with.
As for the Club as a whole. The Club once again successfully promoted an open race in Prospect Park - many kudos to Dave Sommerville for taking the reins on that one. Early season training sessions that emphasized skills were a great success. Dave Sommerville, JP Partland and I were all involved in these sessions that taught basic and advanced riding skills. Look for the return of these clinics. Entertainment saw many club gatherings, both formal and informal. From Club dinners at Olive Vine in Brooklyn, to after race breakfasts around the Park, Kissena has been coming together in its racing, training and now, socially. Look for news about our upcoming annual Club Dinner.
More encouraging has been the incredible swell of new members. This makes the future of Kissena even more ripe with promise. The Club is instituting new programs for next year that are sure to bolster the success of its members. We're undertaking the hiring of a coach for the entire club. We'll have weekly supported group rides throughout the winter. We'll have coaching plans for all racing levels. We'll be working towards group indoor training sessions, performance testing and bike fitting sessions. We're working to reinforce the value of winter training as a team so that next year will be even more successful than this one.
To finish on a note of success. John Campo (212-431-9732) promoted the Kissena Velodrome races this year. John has also run the junior program at the Velodrome. Both have been wildly successful and we look forward to another year of growth at the Velodrome next year.
Until the Club Dinner.
E.R.
10/17/01
Well, the Club has gone nowhere. But its riders have crisscrossed the country and flown overseas in pursuit of racing.
Delroy Walters has just finished racing at the Masters World Track Championships in Manchester, England. He won another silver medal. Also, at Master's Nationals in Redmond, Washington, Delroy cleaned up with three National Championships and overall best rider. The presence of Kissena at Master's Nationals was also enhanced by Karl Ditterbrandt, Wendy Cohen and Vicki Huffman, whose attendance allowed Kissena to earn the Best Team designation.
JP Partland jetted off to Ireland in May to race the Irish Milk Ras, aka the Milk Ras. JP completed a ten day stage race. He wasn't first, but he also wasn't last. Find out more about JP's exploits in his submissions to Asphaltmag.
Personally, I've been flying across the country to pursue my track racing ambitions. An early season trip to San Diego kicked off the puddle jumping which also included stops in Frisco, Texas, Blaine, Minnesota and of course, a summer spent racing at T-Town. It was all worth it as I ended up the 11th ranked Kilo rider in the country this year. Everthing else sucked, but it was still good.
Apart from the travel, Kissena has shined closer to home. Jason Bremer has gone from being a dropped on trainin rides and bonking rider in January, to winning races for his birthday. Jason also notched an impressive 9th place in GC, a mere 46 seconds off the pace. Give him a second place in the G.S. Mengoni in the Cat 2/3 field and you can call him racing well.
We all know him as BJ and BJ has been racing extremely well. Starting the year as a Cat 5 and he's now poised to make his upgrade to a Cat 3 through some excellent racing. Watch out for him on the cyclocross scene.
The Crocidile, Jared Bunde started the year as a Cat. 5 and ripped through the ranks of the road racing scene to become a force to be reckoned with by finishing third in the Floyd Bennett Tuesday night series. He did this in spite of spending hal fo the summer racing at T-Town on Tuesday nights. As for T-Town, Jared started the year as a Cat 4 on the track and ended it as a Cat 2. He accomplished so much on the track, including a 12th place in a national track race and a much deserved 4th place in his first madison. Notch up a gold medal in the New York State Track Championships in the Pursuit and you've got quite a successful season for this young man.
Charlie Lapunzina organized the Cat 4's and put in a tremendous amount of time organizing the 4's before races and working on strategy and post-race analysis. The time he spent consulting with the officers about better race management and decision making was unbelievable.Charlie wanted to and still wants to make the Kissena Cat 4's a force to be recokened with.
As for the Club as a whole. The Club once again successfully promoted an open race in Prospect Park - many kudos to Dave Sommerville for taking the reins on that one. Early season training sessions that emphasized skills were a great success. Dave Sommerville, JP Partland and I were all involved in these sessions that taught basic and advanced riding skills. Look for the return of these clinics. Entertainment saw many club gatherings, both formal and informal. From Club dinners at Olive Vine in Brooklyn, to after race breakfasts around the Park, Kissena has been coming together in its racing, training and now, socially. Look for news about our upcoming annual Club Dinner.
More encouraging has been the incredible swell of new members. This makes the future of Kissena even more ripe with promise. The Club is instituting new programs for next year that are sure to bolster the success of its members. We're undertaking the hiring of a coach for the entire club. We'll have weekly supported group rides throughout the winter. We'll have coaching plans for all racing levels. We'll be working towards group indoor training sessions, performance testing and bike fitting sessions. We're working to reinforce the value of winter training as a team so that next year will be even more successful than this one.
To finish on a note of success. John Campo (212-431-9732) promoted the Kissena Velodrome races this year. John has also run the junior program at the Velodrome. Both have been wildly successful and we look forward to another year of growth at the Velodrome next year.
Until the Club Dinner.
E.R.
10/17/01
Aug 12, 2011 at 07:07 PM
Anyways, that is some of our history...
Aug 15, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Thanks Eric, nice work—great to read about all the different initiatives over the years and the corresponding impressive results. Hell yeah!
Aug 16, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Picking this thread up again. What are coming into the fall and I am wondering if anybody wants to do something like this soon? I've been working on my insouciant facial hair so i can straddle the Gentleman/Ratbastard line and end up on either side of the divide.
Who's up for this?
Who's up for this?
Aug 17, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Make it work with the CX calendar (and Thanksgiving) and I'm in. Mark my words, the lines will not be divided on facial hair (which jumped the shark in late 2010, ask anyone in Williamsburg or Jeff Owens). Rather, sock height. You heard it here first.
Aug 17, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Word, I'm getting some bad-ass knee-high compression socks.
Aug 17, 2011 at 03:13 PM
How would the weekends of October 8-9 or 22-23 look for folks? My feeling is we should lean towards October 8-9th. Although, some might make a 3 day weekend out of that weekend with Columbus Day.
That works around the MAC calendar, not the Verge series though (anyone doing that?) 8-9 is providence, 22-23 is Downeast.
That works around the MAC calendar, not the Verge series though (anyone doing that?) 8-9 is providence, 22-23 is Downeast.
Aug 17, 2011 at 03:20 PM
First thing that crossed my mind?
Early October? I have time to train for this event...
Early October? I have time to train for this event...
Aug 17, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Posted By: Jeffrey White Mark my words, the lines will not be divided on facial hair (which jumped the shark in late 2010, ask anyone in Williamsburg or Jeff Owens). Rather, sock height. You heard it here first.
Posted By: rhenningWord, I'm getting some bad-ass knee-high compression socks.How about thigh high fish nets, with a back seam? Bad-ass rat-bastard, or Monty Python-esque gentleman?
Aug 17, 2011 at 07:52 PM
October 8th is Yom Kippur - can we do Sunday Oct 9th ?
Aug 17, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Joshua! You cannot change Yom Kippur's date! (except if you change 10 Tishrei)
Aug 18, 2011 at 02:12 PM
A couple weeks ago a filmmaker reached out to me about shooting a Girltalk video for the album All Day. I will let him tell you in his own words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0yY0zxk-18&feature=player_embedded
My name is Jacob, and I'm directing Girl Walk // All Day, an epic dance music video that's set to the entire new Girl Talk album. The film pairs the public spaces of New York City with the stories of three amazing freestyle dancers. The film has been featured in the NY Times Magazine, and written about on over 300 blogs from Funkmaster Flex's to Atlantic Monthly's.
We're just about complete with our filming, and but have a handful of scenes still to work out -- one of which I thought you might help with. At the end of the film, the protagonist is deeply frustrated that she can't get anyone to dance with her. She's been spinning herself into a frenzy in a packed Grand Central station + 42nd street, and collapses with fury. She doesn't realize that she's set off a chain reaction of people dancing throughout the city -- from trained dancers to all sorts of average folk.
Here's where you come in: I've been dying to include a race team or long line of cyclists coming round a corner in a park, all dancing or pumping fists to a beat. I was combing through NYC-based cycling organizations, came across Kissena.
He would like to shoot us riding together coming over the hill at Prospect Park, and a few other locations in the park next week. I would like to find a day we can get as many Kissena's out for an early morning ride where we can be immortalized as a club in a music video. We can make this part of weekday morning training, but it would be awesome to get a whole lot of you all out.
Who's interested in joining?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0yY0zxk-18&feature=player_embeddedMy name is Jacob, and I'm directing Girl Walk // All Day, an epic dance music video that's set to the entire new Girl Talk album. The film pairs the public spaces of New York City with the stories of three amazing freestyle dancers. The film has been featured in the NY Times Magazine, and written about on over 300 blogs from Funkmaster Flex's to Atlantic Monthly's.
We're just about complete with our filming, and but have a handful of scenes still to work out -- one of which I thought you might help with. At the end of the film, the protagonist is deeply frustrated that she can't get anyone to dance with her. She's been spinning herself into a frenzy in a packed Grand Central station + 42nd street, and collapses with fury. She doesn't realize that she's set off a chain reaction of people dancing throughout the city -- from trained dancers to all sorts of average folk.
Here's where you come in: I've been dying to include a race team or long line of cyclists coming round a corner in a park, all dancing or pumping fists to a beat. I was combing through NYC-based cycling organizations, came across Kissena.
He would like to shoot us riding together coming over the hill at Prospect Park, and a few other locations in the park next week. I would like to find a day we can get as many Kissena's out for an early morning ride where we can be immortalized as a club in a music video. We can make this part of weekday morning training, but it would be awesome to get a whole lot of you all out.
Who's interested in joining?