A reminder.  Tactics Talk Tomorrow Night (Tuesday 3/3/20)

Get smarter, win more.  

Results?  Bros?

It was hella windy out there, with a cross tailwind for the back and a cross headwind coming into the finish.  I figured an early break would take it.  Racing without teammates, I'd have to pick my attacks carefully.  Maybe get ahead of the big move, or try to bridge across as it was leaving, or luck on to the tail of it.

100 starters.

Three guys rolled from the gun.  I could have gotten them, as I started first row, but I didn’t think they could ride it, and without any of the big teams in the move, it seemed like it would be absorbed.  Then, on the curves, the pack let John Loehner (Weather channel's success0r)  and two other guys get a gap.  I wanted to get that, and went for it, but it probably wasn’t a sharp enough acceleration, possibly because of the tailwind, and after getting a small gap,  the field strung out behind me.  Dang.  Then it was a big drag to the finish of the first lap.  I was decent at that, but not great, and faded a bit.  I realized I needed to be more careful with efforts, probably a good thing.  

But Mike Margarite (weather channel) and three others got away not long thereafter.  It was hard to be well-positioned all the time, as usual.  I was disappointed that the field, with a number of multi-rider teams didn’t really want to bring it back.  Foundation couldn’t do anything, though they only committed one person. WS United didn’t want to do anything--they had five guys, all sitting on.  Nor Morris Velo (at least four guys).  Nor Habitat (at least four).  The yellow and green jerseys didn’t even bother.  

A big crash happened 20 minutes in or so.  That, and the crosswinds took out lots of riders.  The crash happened in front of me and the left.  I had to close that gap, but after that, the field didn't go as hard.

So, it all came to the finish.  With the crosswind, I figured a late surge would be the way to go for the sprint.  I got stuck on the right side of the road, when the good side was the left.  Had too much left at the end.    

Except for the hard first lap, a fairly easy race for me.  26.1mph average.  Annoyed I didn't fight harder for position immediately after the last corner. 

29th place.  56 finishers.  

But then I rode home in the winds.  And that was slow.  Guess my legs felt it.

https://www.strava.com/activities/3166984550

Cat 4/Novice race 1

Slightly slower pace than last weeks race 1 but similar in nature. Rare periods of the group being strung out were interspersed with longer periods of a slower pace as everyone looked around to see if anyone was going to do anything. A couple of likely lads tried rolling off the front, all of which were shut down pretty quickly or gently roped back in after a minute or two off the front. Half way through, the wind started to get up which made the run in to the start/finish even slower as everyone tried to hide in the gutter. Coming into the last couple of laps, a coming together in the back of the group resulted in a couple of people going down. Throughout the race so far, John and I had been up near the front. I took a longish pull on the second to last lap but as we came round the only turn of the course we were both well placed in the top 15. As the pace started to rise, a couple of people tried to go from way to far out into the wind. John was in front of me, so I moved up to his wheel and let him know I was there. As we started to come into the last 300m, John gave me a last big pull and dropped me off in the top 10. I gambled and went with a Vesselka guys wheel, who I had seen earlier in the race and looked strong. As we got into the last 100m he started to fade and I looked for other wheels to get on but unfortunately I didn't have the strength to get up to the lead guys. Ended up behind the main group in 7th. 

Cat 4 / Novice race 2

Slightly more energetic race compared to the previous week. Race 2 followed a similar pattern to race 1, until the point at which we were caught by the masters field. At this point, instead of filing over to the side and letting the faster group through, a number of riders from our race decided to join the faster moving group...After which the our lead moto very sensibly slowed right down to allow a suitable gap to form. However this meant that a number of people now found themselves way up the road. Some had the good sense to realize this and quickly dropped back. Others did not, which meant the following lap and a half got rather confusing as riders joined back in (from in front). Finished panned out much like the first, with a messy combination of sprints going before the main guys tried their luck. Without John to tow me along, I was unable to stick in the first five wheels (where I had wormed my way up to) and slipped back to 9th. 

All in all, good racing and an enjoyable day out. Topped off by an awesome cuban sandwich at Omar's Cafe. 13/11 for the steak cuban. 

On another news... Who wants to do a double race day? L&C sat and BB Sunday?

Will pay with gas and gels to drive from BK 

also I’m also keen to do this - 4th in the series, 3 points behind 3rd. 

@RichFreeman I think if you get 3rd you’ll certainly have a shot at a Coors Light sponsorship.

Might be convinced depending on how I feel after Saturday

@cpulvidente lets go!
@JohnOlsson @RichFreeman is interested... 

We should do all the series,
Rich is 4th on GC lets get him the series win! 

Writing as a person who has spent many a March doubling up on races, I strongly suggest making sure to nap when you get home both days.  And consider training a bit easier during the week.  In my experience, the early wake-ups if you haven't trained for this on the weekends are pretty taxing.  

ALL THE NAPS. ALL THE SNACKS.
#kissena2020

It's back!!! Who's going?!?! 

https://www.bikereg.com/branchbrook-park-spring-series-tour-de-olmsted?fbclid=IwAR1S4rCl3kVEe1_EolTgpubwz2CHiG9TBteVokVM5ih4YFdiVDGBwpKlA3A

Nvm it's way too early 😂😂😂but good to know it's out there

I went.  I raced I finished.

https://www.strava.com/activities/5723979042

"90 minutes" aka 42 miles.
100 starters. 73rd out of 75 finishers.  27.6mph average speed for the winner.  

I stopped going to Branch Brook summer races more than a decade ago.  They were blazing fast and chances of breakaways seemed near impossible.  

And then Branch Brook summer races disappeared.  

Fast forward to 2021.  Since there were no spring races, they took the spring numbers and put them to use in this summer race.

I think this is my sixth race of the year.  And I'm sure plenty were in also short on race miles, so I was a bit worried about how people would ride the curvy back section considering both high fitness and minimal pack riding.

Sure enough, the first few laps were smokin' fast and the back section sketchtastic.  we were going 50kph or more at moments and many were not taking the curves well.  Foundation had a huge crew, so they had to be represented in any break.  

I resolved to either get into the top 20 before the curves on the bell laps or sit up at that point.

The race settled down 30 minutes in.  Super fast, so nothing was going far.  I was thinking of trying an attack or two with about 5 to go on the curves.  Just before that, there was a big acceleration up front, six  guys got away by a few seconds, which prompted a furious reaction.  I thought the field was going to split.  I was briefly in a second group, between the break and the peloton.  But everything was shut down after a mile or so of nuclear.  That was the time to go.

I let myself get too far back, a break went on the next lap.  Because of this, by the next time we got to the curves, I easily moved up to fourth wheel.  I should have attacked.  I didn't.

Approaching the bell, I knew it was my last chance to move up.  I tried moving up on the right curb on curve.  I started out pretty well, then someone swung wide in front of me.  I had very little room to maneuver, so rather than shoulder or lean and hope for the best, I decided to straighten and jump the curb.  That ended my race.  No flat, no crash, just trailed the field in by a minute.

Nice ride home, too.

Wise old dog you are JP

Looks like registration is opened for this year:

https://www.bikereg.com/branchbrook-park-spring-series-bloomfield-tour

https://www.bikereg.com/branchbrook-park-spring-series-ronde-von-degraw

I'm thinking of going to at least one of the dates.  How feasible is it to get their without driving?

Path train

It's very easy from either the Path or NJ Transit.  

There are two Newark first stops on NJ Transit from NY Penn.  Either way, You're looking at 3-4 mile ride to the start line.  

Because I live in Harlem, I typically ride to NY Penn, take NJ Transit to Newark.  Ride to the race, race, change tops and gloves, and ride home.  

This Saturday at Branchbrook, the season kicks off.

Looks like Alexander, Richard and myself are going thusfar.

Anyone else care to join?

https://www.bikereg.com/branchbrook-park-spring-series-bloomfield-tour

New Racers Take Note!

Branchbrook is a fantastic place to practice riding in the pack and moving around in the pack. Lots of turns, only one 90 lefthander that is pretty wide. You can also race twice which means if you're stronger and have a tendency to use watts to move around, your second race will be where the learning happens.

For those who want to take public transit from NYC, I've got some map files and cue sheets to get you from two Newark, NJ Train stations to the race.  And a map to take you from the race to the GWB, if you want to add some miles in post race.

For those racing tomorrow, specially those racing for the first time, Shane Ferro has put together some sweet notes -- they are specific to CRCA, but frankly apply to any race:

https://www.tobedetermined.cc/journal/first-bike-race-nyc-crca-central-park-zw92b

Quick takeaways:

• Dinner tonight is more important than breakfast
• Do eat breakfast, keep it simple: oats or toast
• Leave it all ready tonight: clothes, bike, foods, breakfast
• Bring more food than you think you'll need, specially post race
• Bring more clothes too, you will get very cold after the race
• WIN!

Cheers!

results, bros?

Alex and others, think of these races as mini experiments. Talk about what went right and what went wrong to learn what to improve upon. I wasn't there, so I may be completely wrong, but from our description is sounds like possible weaknesses may be staying in the draft and cornering in a pack

I tend to be pretty comfortable in cold weather - often happily getting by wearing just short sleeves, bibs, and maybe a sleeveless base layer when the temperature hovers around the low to mid 50s. Unfortunately, this also leads to overconfidence, which is a dangerous trait for someone like me, who tends to err on the side of stupidity.

To be fair, I don't own any Kissena winter kit yet, and I lost most of my non-branded cold weather gear during a move back in May. However, that didn't stop me from acting a fool. "Full-finger gloves?" I told myself, "Absolutely not, Richard. It'll be 30 degrees; you don't want to overheat now, do you?" In the end, I wore the following:

A guide on what not to wear in freezing conditions

• Short sleeve jersey
• Long sleeve base layer
• Knee warmers
• Neck gaiter
• A stupid smug face 
• Fingerless gloves
• Defeet all-year socks

I also packed additional arm warmers and a thin long-sleeve jersey that's a bit better suited for Spring.

I met Alex around 5:30, who spared me from looking entirely clueless at Penn Station (I printed out J.P.'s guide, but I'm certain I'd find my way to the wrong train) by offering to pick me up in his car.

We made good time and quickly got our racing numbers, which was a pretty cool moment. "My name? Attached to a number. Such an accomplishment, Richard. Great job." I rejected the pins offered by the race organizers. Where we're racing, we don't need pins. 

Instead, I used racedot magnets I bought a few weeks ago to avoid putting holes in my jersey. While holes may look more pro, my budget for kit is pretty slim, so I hoped they might help keep my jersey in decent condition for a bit longer. I split my racedots with Alex, and after fighting the magnets for a minute or two, we went out for a loop of Branchbrook Park to get a lay of the land.

Good lord, it was freezing. I quickly lost all sensation in my finger tips and my whole mind turned to my hands; I couldn't really shift or brake properly, and about a third of the way through our lap, I realized the seriousness of my mistake. There's no way I could've raced. The risk of frostbite aside, I'd just end up being a danger to myself and other riders with the decrease in control. I decided to stay back and watch from the sidelines. 

Alex offered me an old coat he was planning on donating, which I happily accepted. So, I stood around in his old overcoat and my mismatched kit looking a bit like a sporty drifter. I did manage to get a few photos, though:



While the main group eventually got ahead, Alex did a great job holding his own during the first few laps. 




I met J.P. around the time Alex had teamed up with a rider from Major Taylor Iron Riders to finish the race. Once the 4/5 race was over, we watched the end of the 50s+, which was won by a Veselka rider with an impressive solo-breakaway. We said goodbye to J.P. before heading back to the city.

I ended up sipping on coffee in my apartment and subscribing to GCN+ to watch Strade Bianche (I didn't realize it was today until Alex told me). Licking the wounds of my non-racer pride, I purchased some thermal layers, overshoes and a pair of gloves that look like they're meant for arctic expeditions; I'm hoping these will help get me through the next few weeks until the weather finally turns and the kit store eventually reopens. 

I ended up riding several laps in Central Park, which was about as miserable as you can expect for a Saturday afternoon. But hey, if I didn't want to suffer amongst the tourists, I should've suffered amongst the racers by wearing proper kit. 

I'm scheduled to ride in the Prospect Park race next Sunday, so hopefully that one will at least involve me actually starting a race.

TL/DR.  Field sprint for the 1/2/3.  19th.  I was closing fast on 15th on the line.  I was a bit conservative fighting for position on the curves, it cost me.  

*It was cold.  But warmer than predicted.  I still took a backpack full of clothes, but I left my heaviest gloves at home.  

*I slid out and crashed just outside Penn Station.  Looked like it was possibly frozen coffee.  It was a weird, slow-speed crash.  A few small cuts in booties.  Dang.  

*Took my time leaving Newark Penn.  Got to the race course just as the 4/5 field passed on their last lap.  As I rolled to the finish, Alexander came by.  

Frozen coffee is a new one. I always felt that race was easy to get away, very hard to make it stick.

I raced the double this morning.  I was originally planning on racing Mengoni yesterday as well but missed the registration deadline, so my training plan had me on an easy week leading up to this weekend.  I think it might have been a little bit too easy.

Anyway, I got to the park around 6:40 after wee early 4am alarm.  Having never raced at Branchbrook, I made sure to get in a few laps to see how the course rode - flat and fast just like everyone said.  Being Cat 4, there were "attacks" right from the gun.  After ~3 laps things settled down and slowed down.  I found myself up at the front of the race soft-pedalling and fully expecting an attack to happen.  It did.  I went with it.  We had a small gap, but the guy who went first died pretty quickly.  I went around him and kept on trucking.  Not being in the group meant I could take the best line through every curve and corner.  I could hear the squeal of discs off in the distance as the field rounded the corner on the south end of the course.  As I'm passing the finish line, I see there's 4 laps to go and I've got ~10 seconds on the field (I'm probably being generous there...).  I keep on trucking.  I hold it through another lap. 3 to go.  Coming up to the south end of the course I glance back and the field is ~3 seconds away.  The party is over.  I sit up and file in as they come by.  I make a mental note that if I'm going to be there at the finish, I need to stay out of the wind.  I think my average power at this point was ~260.  I try to aim for ~220 at most going into the last lap.  I needed to chill.  We get the bell and things start to get spicy on the second half of the lap.  As we round approach and the curve to the finish the starts to spread out in preparation for the sprint.  I'm on the outside of the curve (right side of the road) about 2-3 wheels back.  I'm thinking I'm boxed in and out of it.  For whatever reason the guys in front of me drift left and open the door.  I drop kick that door wide open and start sprinting.  (sprinting around a curve is weird...).  As we hit the final straight I give it everything.  I'm gaining and passing a few guys.  About 20 feet from the finish I see someone come up my right side and he gets me at the line.  Didn't check the results, but I think I finished 6th or 7th.  No too bad.

Now, for whatever reason, I thought there was a race in between the first Cat4 race and the second one.  There wasn't.  I've done back to back races in the past and it fucking sucks.  Thankfully like 80% of the field also did the first race, so the first ~2 laps were pretty chill.  But those were the best part of this one.  3rd lap a few guys went off the front and we couldn't get organized enough to chase them.  The gap opened.  ~6 of us tried to bridge, but couldn't.  Eventually a gap opened in the middle of our chase and 3 riders went up the road.  I tried my damnest to get up to them but my legs and lungs were too burnt out from the first race.  I just sat in at tempo to finish out the race.  Eventually I did get lapped by the Masters field that started 2 minutes ahead of us.  I have no clue where I placed because I'm pretty sure our whole field besides the 2 groups of 3 that were up the road got absorbed into the Masters peloton.  oh well.

Overall, not bad.

Awesome work. That's exactly what BB is for.

Just raced this week's BB.  This passed week was rough training-wise.  No motivation and not consistent. So while rested, I didn't have more pop in my legs. 

Anyway, on to the race.  Boy was it windy!   There was a cross tailwind on the first half of the course and a cross headwind the second.  This was probably one of the chillest races I've done.  I'm pretty saure they also cut a lap to stay on schedule because no one wanted to string things out.  There were attacks going just about every lap, but nothing coukd stick (probably because they would attack into the wind and give the field a draft...  I sat top 10 wheels for most of the race and my goal was to play the wind.  I was doong pretty well then with about 1000 meters to go I got swarmed and boxed in.  Finished kuat behind the sprinters in ~15th.  If I had opened my effort sooner I wouls have been top 10. Not what I was hoping for. But I'll take it.

Next up is L&C tomorrow.  Just wanna survive that...

That’s what Branchbrook is for; learning. Next time try and do both