Interesting read from Sept. 2003. How far have we come? Sitting here in Pennsylvania waiting to head to the velodrome to race the Madison in the 2003 Elite National Track Championships, I have been reflecting on the success and growth of the Kissena Cycling Club and its future direction. In the past year, we have seen great strides in the Club's promotion of races in Prospect Park, the quality and quantity of coaching offered to the Club's members, and of course the success of the members racing locally, regionally and nationally. This year marked the Club's return to promoting races in Prospect Park. While we have always promoted a race or two, this year, led principally by Brian Grundstrom's efforts, the Club has successfully promoted four races with a fifth on the way. These races initially garnered some criticism from the riders and officials, but have blossomed into great races where the racing is like it should be - hard, fast and fair. The compliments that have come in from competitors around the region have been almost universally positive and encouraging. Those people that say thanks to the promoter are the ones that keep the promoter going in the often thankless world of race promotion. The successful races have allowed the Club to now offer its members the chance to race the Kissen Club races (TT and RR) for free. In cooperation with Brooklyn Velo Force, which has been very helpful in promoting the Prospect Park Races, we will be holding our club member only races on September 14 (TT) and September 21 (RR) in Prospect Park. See www.kissena.info for more information. This year also saw the implementation of the Club's mentor program which has seen the Club's elite level riders coaching the members through various clinics this year. The clinics have varied from simple paceline and pack riding skills to time trial and sprint clinics. I've counted at least twelve this season with more to come in September. Of course, October brings cyclocross and the appropriate clinics to introduce you to the arcane art of jumping on your bicycle while running! All of this racing and coaching has led to the Club racing consistently well throughout the region. The results, or results as we like to affectionately call them are legion and available on the Club's website. Needless to say, many of our members have started the year as cat 5's and are now upgrading to cat 3 and I don't see any reason that these people will not improve further. So far, the year has been successful. With the upcoming Club races and Club ride (look for a posting on Yahoogroups regarding this one), the Club members will have some time to have fun riding and racing against each other. The fall brings the Club time to continue to work towards the resurfacing of the Kissena Velodrome so we can bring the racing back to that storied velodrome. More soon, Regards, Eric Ragot

Hey Team,

I've been tossing ideas for two events around in my head. I'm curious if people would be interested. They are pretty simple:

Kissena Gran Fondo: Basically a big group ride we get as many club members as possible to come out for. We time our climbs over certain points, then calculate overall time and talk shit about it over the message board. We regroup at the tops of climbs to keep a semi-social atmosphere.

Kissena Gentlemen's Race: basically a unsanctioned race over a pre determined course. Kissena vs. Kissena. Put the hurt on eachother and race. Kinda like the Rapha / Neversink thing but not nearly as hipster / douchy / too cool for us thing. (Sorry William)

What do you think? Would anyone be interested?

I've been wanting to host a gentlemen's race up in Millbrook for a while.

Let's talk.

I'm interested. Can I wear my rapha jersey though? It's pink and HOT.

On a side note, the rapha website is basically bike clothing fetish porn. Not that there's anything WRONG with that.

If anyone paid attention to the NY Grand Fondo this year it was pretty much my Super Bowl Ride course. The Super Bowl Ride evolved from my birthday ride when I decided to invite guests to my 200km solo in the dead of winter. Usually minimally attended and always quite cold, 2010 marked year 5! While there were moments when it was neutral the original intent was to beat the shit out of each other especially to the top of Bear Mountain via Perkins Memorial Drive. It was in fact in 2010 that formal KOMs with prizes were set up. Times don't matter we all hit the bottom together.
This year the ride was kept alive in my absence (I was in Texas) by Dan Chabanov and Al Barouh both Kissena alumni. I expect a triumphant return in 2012. Mark your calendars.
As for a Summer/Fall version/event/fondo I suggest the Warick Loop otherwise known as the Ho Ho Kus ride. It takes a bit of planning but the route is great.
In past years we had a semi-competitive weekend ride with KOMs. Ragot set a course that became the typical route to Piermont used for Sparkill, etc. It went out to 303 and over the palisades hill at the mall (route 59) the turned around at Congers and back home over Rockland, etc. Not that climb heavy but a decent race route.
And as for other options DO HILLIER THAN THOU. Period. End of Story.

Keith

On June 25, we did the old "race" route with KOM's and Town Line Sprints.
I can make it more climbing and brutal.
We did 82 miles from Park Slope round trip. It hurt.
Will do again soon.
EE

1. "Gentleman's Race" Hate the name, hate the concept. It's a fusty invitational. It's elitist and exclusive--ooh, let's have a race and only tell our friends about it. A Rat Basterd event is more appropriate for us.

2. Super Bowl Ride. Keith, I love you, but you're wrong. It was kept alive by myself and Pat Grehan. Dan wouldn't ride with us because we weren't cool enough for him, which he made clear after rolling over to say hello and then making a point of leaving when he heard we were going. I invited him to ride with us, but he didn't want to. Al was giving me the silent treatment; wouldn't even say hello. They wussed out of climbing Perkins after we beat him to the gate, started up the hill and turned around and then made a point of not riding with us.

JP . . . we can see your nipples through that dress

really though, you didn't give Al a very warm send-off from the club. i'm not surprised he didn't say hi.

when i throw the kissena gentlemen's race up at Millbrook, i'm inviting EVERYONE from kissena (plus a select few others at my discretion) and you will see that the true spirit of a gentlemen's race has nothing to do with exclusivity/thread count in your tweeds, and everything to do with riding an awesome course (that we would never be able to hold a sancitoned race on) and having an awesome bbq afterwards

please make it on sunday I would love to be a part of this!!!

We could divide Kissena (plus select invites) into the Rat Basterds and the Gentlemen and destroy each other that way. Obviously JP and DC would be on opposite teams. Or Kissena (plus select invites) could ride the entire "race" as a "team," yet form our shadowy alliances in secret. I'm in either way, and would consider it an A race.

But if JP gets his way and it doesn't turn out to be a gentleman's race, would it actually be forbidden to wear high thread-count Rapha tweed? I hate to come off douchey, but that stuff is suuuper-comfy and I don't see why people get all weird about high quality Italian Roubaix fabric. I mean, I could dig through my basket of old gear for my run of the mill Craft armies if I have to, but at this stage in my life I have to ask myself, who am I trying to impress?

wow, didn't mean to stir up controversy here:

JP - If we call it something else, perhaps the "Kissena plan a route and race each other over it and every kissena rider is invited no requirements or cool guy stuff" then can we do it? That was actually my idea, the only part of the Gentleman's race I was trying to keep was a cool route and the unsanctioned status.

The 2nd idea, I know lots of people do this already. Just trying to think of a way to make it an event, we kind of loose track of big group rides during the racing season so it would be nice to figure out a "hook" to get everyone out together for a fun day in the saddle.

Mike

Posted By: mperlbergwow, didn't mean to stir up controversy here:

"Kissena plan a route and race each other over it and every kissena rider is invited no requirements or cool guy stuff"

the KPARAREOOIAEKRIINROCGS.....catchy, I like it!

I think its a great idea, Mike and William. If you do it I'll be there, ready to leave, ass in hand!

Keith,
apologies. I missed the reference to the HoHoKus Ride. That is definitely something I"d be happy to take everyone on. Can even do maps. But it would take planning to get everyone out there. Good thing the train stops there. Haven't done the ride in at least a year. Hmmmmn. Wouldn't be a race though, maybe a Gran Fondo....

And, yes, I agree the Hillier Than Thou is a great event. It is Sunday, September 18 this year. I hope it doesn't conflict with our Catch Kissena race, which takes precedence for me (and I hope everyone)
http://www.active.com/cycling/port-murray-nj/hillier-than-thou-2011-ae043

A similar event is the Ramapo Rally, though it conflicts with Tokeneke.
http://www.ramaporally.com/ramaporally/directions.asp
also accessible by train.

All,
When I was riding in college, we'd have what one friend called "testicle rides" in the summer. Basically, we'd do a ride and beat each other up on every rise. By the end, the last man standing had, by default, the biggest balls. Doesn't seem like I'm really that far from those days.

There are two things Rapha did with their "Gentleman's Race" I actually liked. First, epic courses I'm a huge fan of. I do not like the exclusivity, special bikes, a team that specializes in said event, the endless blogging and publishing of these events (though kudos to Rapha for exploiting mags like Bicycling and Outside). Interestingly, few of the spinoff "Gentleman's Races" do what I think is the second of two redeeming things of the Rapha version, namely, compel people to ride as a team, rather than as individuals. I like the team concept and that everyone has to finish together; I think doing Rapha one better is create the teams at the start, trying to balance them so the "race" is close and the strongest are handicapped, I think it could be fun.

I also think if it were open to whomever--and it can be open to all, as the roads are free--I would be more partial to them.

I have done races where there was a line on the road and there was a general agreement about how the race would proceed. Did a criterium like this in Florida at a corporate park a few years ago. It was 45-minutes plus five laps. After 45, a guy in the field dropped out and started counting down laps. And when I was in college, I did some road circuits were it was something like X laps. We just started together and kept count ourselves. no sanction, no closed roads, no prizes, just hard, heads up racing.

I'm a big fan of the Rat Bastards vs Gentlemen teams...

So gentleman et al., when is the first official Milbrook WDCPARAREOOIAEKRIINROCGS?

And if this happens and you, dear reader, do not go, you better have a damn good reason. WDC has some incredible riding to offer. It doesn't matter if you "race" or just ride, it's well worth the trip.

To Jeff White:

Teams? Nah. You miss the whole idea, brother. We race with teammates and act all pro all year. Some of us nobly race as helpers. The "whatever you want to call it race" (gentleman's race/rat bastard I really don't give a shit) is akin to a a cage match. You alone against everyone else. And they are alone. I went to The Catskills with the INTENT of causing as much pain as possible on not only me but my training partner and especially my two fellow Kissenas. They lucked out when a tore my tire in two. Of course my keyboard writes checks my legs can't cash but...
This whole debate is no controversy. Perhaps if the club took some of the brainstorming and ran with it they could create a profit generating entity. Seeing as though we do not generate club income from the race events perhaps another genre might prove beneficial.
That said Super Bowl Sunday won't likely take that route. Only complete fools ride 200km in 20F weather a couple weeks before the Spring series begins. Oh, yeah, that's the point.

Keith

Maybe we should just book the velodrome. The person show stays on the track the longest wins. Or, Garmin it with GPS: one who cycles the furthest in 8 hours wins! I knew someone once who did that, but no velodrome, walking around a field. I think he did 24 hours or something. Guinness World Record holder. Think of the glory.

He can have his glory. I'll keep my taint....

Posted By: keith snydermy keyboard writes checks my legs can't cash

can we rename the forum to this?

And + 1 million on this - WDC's rides in the Harlem Valley are exquisite:

Posted By: gregdSo gentleman et al., when is the first official Milbrook WDCPARAREOOIAEKRIINROCGS?

And if this happens and you, dear reader, do not go, you better have a damn good reason. WDC has some incredible riding to offer. It doesn't matter if you "race" or just ride, it's well worth the trip.

Posted By: Jules RoazenHe can have his glory. I'll keep my taint....

^ gigglin'

I have Rat Fink stickers for the Rat Bastards to affix to their headtubes. I assume, as a dirt-bag/scum-bag myself, I am an automatic member.

automatic President-For-Life, more like it

keith is right in that there will be no actual TEAMS when it comes to racing this. every man for himself.

that said, there will be loose affiliations along the lines of character. if teams are needed for any post-ride homoerotic games of strength, they will divide along those lines.

Rat Basterds:
Jeff Owens
JP


Gentlemen:
Jeff White
WDC


how do the rest of you see yourselves?

Before I decide to be rat bastard or gentlemen, where does each party stand on ironic facial hair?

<blockquote><cite></cite>Before I decide to be rat bastard or gentlemen, where does each party stand on ironic facial hair?</blockquote>

This is relevant to my interests

interesting question . . . there's some in both camps

gentlemen:
http://prollyisnotprobably.com/assets_c/2011/03/ColeRapha-thumb-500x282-11546.jpg

rat basterds:
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/20083169/Motrhead+Lemmy.jpg

Easy.

Ironic = Gentlemen

Non-ironic = Ratsos. However, scabies and lice are not required. My crusty punk days are long over.

How is it that I have no fucking idea what you guys are going on about? how does another mediocre crca sub club, Rapha, become a part of the discussion. Isn't this what we always do, go on a ride, beat each other up on the climbs? anyway, I don't care. don't answer any my questions, I just had a crap day at work, that made me want to quit. it's 1am and this is my version of kicking the dog. I love my dog. I would never kick her. tell me where and when and I'll be there to ride my bike. or not.

rapha the premier super luxury clothing brand

not the hack team of (well-kited) eponymous nerds from NYC

the clothing brand puts on fancy gentlemen races

sorry about your shit day at work - hope the ride helped