Ah shit. 4/5 Race #2 is closed. When did that happen??

Has anybody had any luck with the waitlist at Branchbrook before? It's supposed to be cold. Maybe that will keep away someone whose spot I can grab...

I'm fifth on the waitlist for 4/5 Race #2. 

After a few years of race attendance slowdowns, and a hard winter last year, a few races disappeared or changed.  With the big numbers signed up at Grant's, and seeing this early spring race getting sold out (32F Saturday!), I think racing may be back in business.
We'll see what it looks like in late May, but for now, if anyone wants to race, you'll need to sign up early.  And fewer races is putting pressure onto the ones that still exist.

I'm anticipating the L&C race next week to get sold out.  That would be good for Charlie.  If anyone wants to race, sign up early or keep a keen eye on registration.

I have a feeling this won't be the case for Floyd, and the usual toughened salty dogs will be there, as always.

anyone know the field limit on the 1/2/3 field???

It looks like the 123 registration closed at 82.  I think this is the most people they've had registered for this race series before, on any given day.
I don't see any max listed, they may have it stated somewhere, but if not, USAC rules state 100.

yikes....

What have been others' experience with waitlists in general or at Branch Brook specifically? This is my first time on a waitlist. 

As a back-up plan, could anyone recommend a 3-4 hour solo ride that I could start from the park if I don't get to race? 

I'll file this under...are u fucking kidding me!!!
riding up to registration a stick goes into my rear der and snaps it....

Yacks you have the absolute worst luck with equipment.

Also results bros?

Chain breaker - put it in the 11.

This bike stuff sucks it.....going to try my hand at ultimate Frisbee...can't see any equipment probs there...specially with this titanium Frisbee
 

FYI that Force der. cage is made from some bullshit plasticy carbon/magnesium stuff....which is why it snapped in half....an aluminum cage likely would have crushed that stick...Rival aluminum cage der on the way

Yacks, was that you giving a "Kissena Bros!" shout out as we finished?  Sorry we didn't stop, didn't see you in kit, and didn't recognize ... my bad.

Max, Riley and I did the 4/5 at 7:57.  Max got waitlisted in, so props for him to showing up!  We met Riley in the Newark Path and rolled up.

So it was quite cold and I raced in fleece.  The first 4/5 had a pair of wrecks with the second requiring an ambulance unfortunately.  Not sure what happened, but spoke with the first wreck guys and they got pinched in a corner.  I wanted to make sure that didn't happen to me.

The race started off on a nice Sunday-in-the-Park stroll, which lasted the 1st 1.5 laps then it pickd up.  It was tough to move up in the course.  I felt the best time was after the 90 degree turn on the wider and straighter part of the course but then when it narrowed, the course bunched up again.  No real breaks or attacks occurred.  Everyone stayed upright today.  

I finished in the top half.  Felt really good, could have pushed a little harder but that is for later in the season.  Riley and Max finished behind me.  We didn't have a chance to really work together in the race.  With three of use, it felt like we were the smallest team as there were a few large (10+ it felt like) groups. 

The yacks, incomprehensible. I am sure by now, bike equipments talks to each, and they all pray they don't end in your hands or bikes.  

I'm heading out to Branchbrook tomorrow for the 7 a.m. 4/5 race and the 7:50 a.m. 35+ race. I have space for two more in my car. Holla.

Happy and safe racing guys.  Wish I could make it.

Results?  Bro's?

^this

I'll be there Saturday for the 1/2/3. Anyone joining?

I think I'm doing the masters races. 

I think I am too...

How was the soaking event???

TWAS wet...windy...but not gusty windy.  I did the 45+ and 35+ with Jeff.  I just tried to stay near the front and stay out of trouble.  Bout 26.7 avg speed for both races.  Races stayed together...nothing went.  The finale of the 45+ saw Jeff flat before the sprint and me not even knowing it was the bell lap.  There were so many prime bells it got confused...I've gotten spoiled in that Charlie tends to fly the checkered flag for the last lap and I'm a visual learner.  Anywho the 35 + was a little longer and a little faster but it felt way better as the 1st race is a great warm up.  Jeff and I rolled in towards the back..the field sprint was not so much a sprint  as it was the entire pack just seated and rolling through...that rain goes through you and takes the sting out of your sprint.  It rained for both races (The stages meter promptly pooped the bed)...The 35+ race saw steady and heavy rain.  I wore my POC half blades today.  I came very close to returning them as I deemed them too damn big but glad I didn't.  They never fogged up, the water really seems to bead right off them and the peripheral vision is excellent.  It feels like your whole face is protected (very important to me as I'm as pretty as a women...not such a big deal for most of you ugly pirate hookers). My front wheel is an aquarium....Had a great time though....
bought this special grease to keep water out of my Stages meter but it only works if you actually open it and use it...

Anyone going to cherry blossom?

I wanted to but I'm sick and weather is 37 and raining. Going to have to pass.

I'm making the game-day decision.  Still feeling sick since probably last Saturday.

Last Saturday, I did B'Brook.  Rode down to Penn, then train to Penn, and rode to the course as the rain started.  Yack looks damn sexy wet (and ooh, those guns and those half-blade), but he only had 15 minutes or so of full-on rain.  I had the entire 80 minutes in the 1/2/3.  And our average speed was 27mph.

Didn't feel great.  got into a few moves, the last of which came with three to go.  I bridged to two guys, both with teammates, and we rode for a lap, and then were chased down.  I was on the fence about fighting out the sprint.  The backside is twisty and narrow, and wanted a safe wheel to follow.  I saw that safe wheel in Gui Nelessen, only he jumped up to the front just as I was going for his wheel and the road narrowed.  I backed off and that effectively ended my race.  he was 2nd (not that I can outsprint him).  I was 29th.

Rode 25 miles home.  Didn't get lost.  And rode another 60 on Sunday.  My body has been fighting something, and it's not merely the fatigue of the weekend.  B'Brook is 50 miles for me tomorrow and if I were feeling good, I'd be going to brinkerhoff.  But feeling decent would be a start.  And if I had that, I'd probably ride to the race, race, ride home.  

Sitting this one out. 50 miles in 40-degrees with rain showing up mid-race I'm not ready for today.

Branchbrook is up on Bikereg

https://www.bikereg.com/events/?ns=branchbrook

I can't even think of legit road racing right now...

Those look like great training races to prepare for the big Zwift races in the summer...