Ugh, that's horrible news, JP. Glad you're (mostly) OK.

These kinds of incidents are unwelcome reminders that the streets are a dangerous place. I've never been so aware of it - we found out this week that one of my wife's good friends lost her boyfriend of many years - he was killed in Williamsburg, drug under a truck that crossed in front of him on a right turn.

I didn't know the guy well, just hung out with him a couple of times, but it certainly has me losing my nerve a bit about riding in traffic.

Glad you're OK JP. As I recounted to the guys today. My belief in the Cycling God and crash karma is strong. Everyone will crash. Fact. If your crashes are less destructive, you are the winner.

About the pics above. I understand that it's cool to take pics of the race. A little creepy to take them just after as we're chatting, no?

By the way, so as to avoid unduly slandering Pat Jacobs, whom Adam accurately quoted me as saying was "already blown" when the field gobbled us up within sight of the prem, he came with me after I counter-attacked a serious move he was in with about five others. I basically waited until the pack reeled in the break to about 20 yards out (at the bottom of the downhill) and attacked, quickly passing the disintegrating break on the right and angling back left in front of them, immediately putting their tired, slow asses between me and the pack to act as my gassed, swervy blockers.

Well, Pat was in the break and somehow was able to latch onto my wheel as I came by. Not expected, given our speed differential. When my legs started to hurt, I flicked him through on the off chance he had something left to take a pull, and he told me he was "already blown," and he looked it. Seeing the field closing I told him, "bullshit, I know you, you're strong, we'll split the prem" and he shook his head, muttered something I didn't hear, and took a respectable pull. So, he worked a failed break, latched onto a hard counter, and still had left some legs to help.

The only reason I go to all the trouble to clarify this is that you want him in your break. If you line up in a 4 race and you see him there at the start, he's a guy you should talk to about a break. Sure thing. He'll work, and he's not as strong as his older brother Joe, but he's really strong. His problem is that he races like a Kissena 4, just in another jersey -- attack-happy. A topic for another post.

@ Adam. Seriously weird. But free pictures, I can't complain.

JP - Sorry to hear about your accident. Rest up and heal quickly.

Congrats, Harry, on your top 5. Some nice reports and photos here, gents. Jeff W, you're right, Pat's not as strong as his brother but a great wheel to go with in a break. Working with him's a pretty good bet.

Sorry to hear of your crash JP. Hope it's nothing serious and you're healed up and ready for the mud soon.

Remember to be safe out there, guys.

Get well soon JP.

jp, do get well soon!!!!!

&ALL be careful out there...motorists generally cannot see us (lights &bell not a bad idea& is nyc law, to and from race events)..not to mention wrong way cyclists - pet peeve, as was clobbered @20mph by one in ppk no less. best to be a sissy to &from race and a demon on the course. ;>

jp, i am shaken by the news, when one of the best goes down, its just a matter of time before the odds catch up with the rest of us... hope to hear about a speedy recovery soon!