Wrote to Anthony Van Dunk after reading a lengthy email where he mentioned all kinds of "FREE" things at his races like caps and trophies. I said I was hoping to see two things this year: 1) Results posted to USA Cycling before the next week's race and 2) Leaders jersey for every category.

His response:

"I will work on posting the results better this year.

Our budget is pretty tight so we can not add additional jerseys. But we do have a separate overall prizelist and trophies for each category."

Marc,

I'm glad you wrote to AVD and expressed something that has boggled my mind. How can you start 3 races but only have 2 leaders jerseys? But I'm glad you actually did something about it.

Not to hate too much but "I will work on posting the results better this year" is about the most noncommittal response possible and since his posting of results pretty much sucked total balls. anything is better than nothing. I really don't see what is so hard about this. some races have them up on bikereg / USA cycling within 24 hours. I mean, take photos of the damn results sheets with your iphone and post them on facebook, somebody will type them up and post online at the very least.

@Perlberg. I know. I agree. I totally get that promoting an entire race series is HARD work. I could never do it. But I'm quite sure that the easiest part of that job would be getting written results uploaded to USA Cycling. I mean, he only places top 10 in each category. That's what, 40 names per week worth of typing? And after week 1, cut and paste would do the trick for many of the names I bet.

And then there's the jersey issue. Every jersey company I've ever known, the jersey's actually get cheaper the more you order. And he could cut costs by limiting his gawd-awful color choices to say 2 colors. Also who cares about old-school shiny plastic trophies and caps for winners? The cycling jersey is our trophy.

I don't know, I guess we shouldn't complain, given that we still get to race against a lot of guys starting in early March every year because of Anthony's efforts. It's just hard not to scratch our heads in wonder, when you see how Charlie gets results up lickety-split, and has FULL KITS for overall, sprint and climbers competition.

I don't like the full-kit leaders jerseys. I think it's more fair for everyone to see what team the leader is on by his shorts. Particularly in the lower categories where the faces change quite a bit.

But yeah, if you expect anything except a marginally run circuit race for a bit of fun and training, don't bother with AVD's races.

The AJD lack of results is an opportunity for us to drive traffic to the new site: if each category photographs the results sheet and we post to our blog ASAP (straight from phone should be possible) we could capture the I-want-to-know-if-I-got-9th NYVelo crowd. Of course we'll also have to come up with a cartoon, pithy anecdotes and sarcy beat-downs.

Lastly, I have a Canon 7D/Tripod that I could bring to the park races... shoots HD/lowlight, if anyone has a +1 that could shoot the finishes... dumping those on Vimeo would be another thing to get us traffic... actually add the Roazen onboard shots, Strava data and we'd have a major production!

Posted By: John Malcolmson

The AJD lack of results is an opportunity for us to drive traffic to the new site:

Great idea John!

Posted By: Marc Bertucco

Posted By: John Malcolmson

The AJD lack of results is an opportunity for us to drive traffic to the new site:

Great idea John!

REALLY great idea

Posted By: John Malcolmson

Lastly, I have a Canon 7D/Tripod that I could bring to the park races... shoots HD/lowlight, if anyone has a +1 that could shoot the finishes... dumping those on Vimeo would be another thing to get us traffic... actually add the Roazen onboard shots, Strava data and we'd have a major production!

I have a +1 (but no tripod) if somebody can operate it

I know there's not a lot of love for this series, but anyone planning to do it on Sunday?

I'll be there in the 1/2/3

Hoping some others will join.

prob. wont be able to make this one

I'm doing the 3/4 on Sunday Jeff.

Can't make it this Sunday - family plans that morning...

Trying to keep the forum neat-ish. So, for the 1/2/3s racing on Sunday, I'd like to start a little discussion here. Here are the guys signed up to race:

Eric Ragot
Marc Bertucco
Michael Perlberg
Rene Herrera
Dusan Strika
J.P. Partland

That's a pretty good crew. J.P. has committed to racing the entire series (give or take a race here or there, I assume) and normally does well in the early season park races. I think he, should be our primary protected rider. And as if you don't know already, he mostly needs to be "protected" from himself. I.e. if the rest of us aren't chasing down bull-shit break attempts and/or riding herd at the front of the field, he will be.

That said, I suggest that Ragot and Perlberg be wise as well, as they both are strong and ready for significant work in real-deal breakaways. That leaves Rene, Dan and myself. I'm not sure where Dan's at these days, so we'll call him the x-factor for now. Folks tell me that Rene is fierce. I think it would be great if he were active and aggressive early with me covering and making our own moves too.

If it looks like it's going to come down to a sprint, I'm going to get my ass to the front of the field by Tavern on the last lap, and empty the tank to keep it strung out as long as I can. I suggest you get on my wheel or thereabouts and takeover when I start to fade. If I'm riding worse than I think, then I'll be manic early (laps 1 through 3) and leave the last two laps for you gents to manage.

Rene, if you are itching for a shot at the sprint, if you are on JP's wheel at the end of the race, he gets to the base of Cat's Paw, 90% of the time, in great position. Top 10 gets money at these races.

Remember, here in the parks, 11th place is the first place that never gets recorded anywhere other than your true-love's heart when you brag about how awesome you were, so lets not sit in and be conservative so we can sprint for a claimed 15th place finish. "Dude's, I was totally in 14th or 15th at the end there. It was epic." No. No. No. Top 10 or bust.

I am suddenly achy and exhausted. I will try to be better, but the plan sounds fine.

I'll be there looking to help where I can

Feeling better. Will hit the trainer later...

JP you good with the plan?

Big fat reminder to everyone:

If you haven't received your 2012 USA cycling license, print it out a screen confirmation. Yes, they generally allow screen shots on your cell, and this is AVD, so he doesn't give a fuck, but you never know. I just talked to a few people that were Pre-reg'd and still hadn't renewed. Bikereg is not USA Cycling.

See you soon!

It helps that in a way, I am usacycling! So I can help. If I am available.

I'll one up Jeff with his suggestion. It's called "print authorization to ride." It's a button, on your My USA cycling homepage, it takes you two a long-form version of your cycling license and is valid as a license for 30 days. Even if you have your actual license, it's good to have the long form tucked away in your race bag, because between the shuffling between your "to the park" racing gear and out of town bags, you will forget your primary license one day or the other.

joe,
There's a way between the start and tavern. I think we need one person to be ready to follow the inevitable attack off the line. And a second to be ready to counter when that comes back. Considering the distance, an early break can stick. But also considering the distance, it's almost impossible for anything that goes on the last lap makes it to the finish. So it's somewhere between the top of 110berg on the first lap and as we get the bell that we need to get in a successful escape.

Is anyone entering the sunday race? I know Grant's is on sat. I might not be en forme for sat but am thinkin of doing the sunday race despite of all the shenanigans of last week.

anyone entering the sunday race? I know Grant's is on sat. I might not be en forme for sat but am thinkin of doing the sunday race despite of all the shenanigans of last week.

shit, how do i delete?

I'm doing the Sunday race.

I'm also thinking of riding to the track afterwards. SEems that Joe and Josh are in. Anyone else?

track session. speed, coordination, etc. think pacelines, attacking, leadouts. It's better to have a big group.

I'm out this weekend. Working, working and more working.

I can't race both days - not wife friendly.

^I second that emotion^

so, who's in for Sunday?

I-II-III--Joe M, JP, ?
III-IV--
V--Josh, Nosson?