I married an ER doc; if anyone needs stitches in the feedzone, pipe up.
Speaking of feedzones... ?

@john

If you feel like going on an adventure from the gun it might be fun! But I'm guessing we might just wear ourselves out.

Let's hear from the other climbers about what they would want but ideally I would want to get most of you bigger guys over the intermediate climb if we can so you can then shepherd us safely to Devil's Kitchen. I think that's doable. Also if other teams want to establish a break, it would be nice to have you guys to haul it in if we don't have a man in it.

If we want to send someone up the road then a little ways then after mile 20 is probably a good time to do it.


R

Re first aid kit. Probably one of the most important things you can do post crash, is to make sure your wounds are clean and free of debris--otherwise you risk infection. So, some sterile water or normal saline would not be a bad thing to add to the kit. Plus, when you get to the showers, a simple wash cloth (that you don't mind getting all bloody) will help you scrub those wounds to make sure you don't have any left over bits of gravel. Also, consider when you last had your tetanus shots, because if you go to the hospital ER they're going to ask, and if it's been under 5 years, you're good. Over that and they'll probably want to give you a shot, which tends to make your injection site muscle sore in the following days.

Re climbing racing tactics. Does the stage end on DK? It didn't when I did it last year, but if you are finishing on a climb, and come to the base of it with a good group of Kissenas, you could consider having some of the "non-contenders" hit the first kilometer hard, sucking the will to live out of the field's lesser/diesel type climbers who were hoping for a more gentle start to the featured climb.

More importantly, and I was like a broken record on this point on the Saturday group ride. Position, position, position. Be at the front. If you are a weaker climber, you want to be able to drift back through the pack and still remain in contact with the pack by the crest. If you are a stronger uphill goat, then you want to be at the front dictating the pace, rhythm and tempo. Because even some good climbers can be eliminated with a little tactical trickery.

IF you are sitting at the back or middle of the field, you have exactly one option. Climb your hardest and work your way through the pack--and that's if you are a good climber. If you are a weak climber, then you have less time before you are OTB, meaning bigger gaps to try and bridge once the roads level off again.

By the way, I'm seeing chance of thunderstorms in the area this weekend. If that happens, DK will be epic. Get ready to walk!

Get ready to crawl!

First, I'm not a climber. I'll be a domestique and will try to do whatever I can if I'm still there when it counts. John's idea is good, but if it does not work, we could be in trouble. Still, we (I and the other who are not contenders for anything - KOM, GC -) should wear the climbers out by pushing the pace between the top of the first climb and DK while the Kissenas who are contenders would try to save some energy : being fresh at DK makes a huge difference (I think I climbed it at least two minutes faster two weeks ago with fresh legs compared to last Saturday when my legs were tired as they will be at the end of the stage) so our climbers should take advantage of their domestiques. My favorite French rider is Chavanel, so you know what to expect.

If it's raining, do you think using a 25 in the back would be beneficial on DK?

I'm seeing the same intimidating weather - I'm not even sure DK is climbable in the wet... on any tires.

@Marc I think there is about a 6 mile rolling stretch to the finish after DK, so IMHO this is not a mountaintop finish whoever goes over the top together will have to TTT to the finish.

All that said, I think a good Friday dinner strategy session (Led by Ryan) would be in order.

I have some high hopes, so I'll be asking for help to keep (or get) me into position before DK in the case where I don't rock that first descent; very likely if it's wet.

Otherwise, yes, a long shot before DK might force others to chase or surrender the stage... but we'll have a much clearer picture after the TT.

I think a situation where the big diesels drill the approach to DK will have the better climbers on the ropes - trying to rest and not loose position.

We cannot have our directeur sportif shouting at us in our earphones, nor a mechanics repairing our derailler while we're riding, but we can have a massage between stage 2 and stage 3!

I've e-mailed Betsy Hafkin, a massage therapist who sponsors Fuoriclasse Racing, a small CRCA sub-team with strong riders (David Taylor in the men and Fabienne Gérard, still just a cat. 2 but maybe the strongest woman racer in NYC now) to ask whether she would be at the Tour of the C. (their racers are) this week-end and if so whether she would have time to work on some of us between stage 2 and stage 3.

Betsy was not planning to go, but now she says she will go if we are committed. She will charge $40 for a 30-minute session. Who is interested?

So now it's up to us, if a few are interested, she will definitely come.

Let me know at geist@un.org

@Stephane, the larger contact patch of the 25 and lower PSI required by a bigger tire will benefit you more during cornering down a descent, than the DK climb itself (which as I recall, is pretty well paved). You might consider a tire with tread though, if it's raining. A treaded tire, especially and rain-specific tire will help in that it will push water out of the way.

All this said, there are plenty of people (including guys on our club) who will gladly tell you that racing 25s, no matter the conditions, just a better all around deal. In short the benefits you get from a slightly larger tire, they will tell you, outweigh any technical negatives of increased rolling resistance of having more rubber hit the road.

Frankly, I'm inclined to agree with them, but I haven't personally read through the studies done on diff't tire size so I'm not going to say for sure.

Posted By: Stéphane
Betsy was not planning to go, but now she says she will go if we are committed. She will charge $40 for a 30-minute session. Who is interested?

Leave it to the Frenchman to find a woman to rub his sweaty, tired legs. Man, we have so much to learn...

@ Marc. Both times I've climbed DK, I've done it with my Mavic Open Pro with a Powertap and 25 contis. I'll put lighter wheels for the stage races, I was asking because right now I have 23s on them.

BTW, can anyone tell me what kind of gearing is needed for stage 3 (how bad is the hardest climb)?

@Stephane

I'd do the massage

Food for thought on tactics; I'm not a huge fan of the "wear out the field by hammering at the front" tactics at our level. It works on TV - but its a different game when you're the best in the world.

I think for us we're more likely to wear out the field by attacking and making people close gaps. Hammering at the front will just kill our hosses and hurt me, Norm, and Jules about the same amount as it hurts the other climbers.

A Kissena or two flying off the front, on the other hand, (perhaps with some friendly fellas from other NYC teams?) might actually get some climbers in the wind working hard with me, Jules, and Norm tucked safely behind. And hell, the right move could even stay away. It almost did last year!

R.

I'm in for the massage too.

@ Ryan I tend to agree that the "wear out the field" never seems to work, but it does prevent attacks. The question in my mind is do we sent a GC contender off the front (with some other guys) or not? Or do we wait for a break to go, and use a "hoss" to bridge the GC guy up to them... all open questions in my mind, I'm happy to defer to wiser heads before & during the race though.

We're already three for the massage. One more and this will be a sure thing.

Jules,

I think a lot of that depends on what people's goals are and we'll discuss in person.

I'll be surprised if any GC guys want to go off the front before DK and I wouldn't advise it. It's just too big of a gamble when you know you're going to drop 90% of the field on DK no matter how fresh or tired they are. I don't think there will be a serious breakaway unless Kissena initiates it. If I'm wrong we've got more than enough horsepower to bring back anything of concern.

Day 3 is a different story, and all kinds of things could happen.

BTW, there is one other team with 11 pre reg riders.

christian,
i have the compact Shimano105 crank and 11/28T cassette (at my apt in ft green). do you still want/need them? when where do you want to pick them up. if no, the i believe joe may want the cassette? please contact me off line via email or phone today. also i an going ahead with reservations at Scribner Hollow Lodge thurs-sunday...i need to see DK before the race.
-h
718-640-8680
ps. i will be out @ fbf tonight.

Harry,

Just left a message at the number you've listed. Joe, go for the cassette, I only need the crank.

Christian

Betsy would like to know tomorrow how many of us would like a massage after stage 2. Three are committed (Another five no problem). Please let me know by Wednesday evening.

christian & joe,
c, received message after fbf 2night & will carry compact crank up w/ me on thursday. booked reservation @

scribner hollow lodge
13 Scribner Hollow Road, Rte. 23A
Hunter, NY 12442
(518) 263-4211

thurs - sun, 4mi n. of tannersvillle.

joe, let me kmnow how i get cassette to you tomorrow(wed 3aug).
-h

Bikereg split the fields. Velocity is in the other race but most of the usual suspects are in ours - Foundation, Hudson. Tarmac too, they're very strong. It's going to be a competitive race.

Harry,

I will have my bike with me so once I get out of work I can swing by your place to pick it up if that works for you. Let me know.

J

joe,
Sounds great! 234 saint james place apt 4L, 718-640-8680 / hbolick@gmail.com. What is your eta for after work? let me know off forum.
-h

Should be getting in around 9 PM On Thurs night.

Just for your information lads, for personal messages, you can type the user name of your intended recipient into the 'whisper' box, directly above where you type in your message. It is then sent as a personal message to that forum member alone.

You see, now I have managed to attain Harry's address and phone number, I could become his stalker!! You guys want to take that risk?!

Betsy Hafkin has a hard time finding a place to stay at or near Hunter/Tannersville. Any tip?

Has she tried the Scribner Hollow Lodge?

I know where you live Adam >:)

Guys,
Aside from refreshing my weather.com and grinding my teeth at the imposing weather... have we got a plan for Feedzones?

@ Jules: Perhaps it'll come right: I looked at the wunderground hourly for Hunter (zip code 12442). No rain Saturday. Possible showers Sunday (but low percentages).
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?hourly=1&query=12442&yday=218&weekday=Sunday

House Rules Highlights:
• NO MORE THAN 7 PEOPLE IN HOT TUB
• Ping Pong!
• Video Surveillance in the woods!