@ Jeff - I felt bad for that guy because he was visibly embarrassed by his misinterpretation and his overreaction.

James Joseph, on the other hand, warned me that he waited 4 years to get revenge on another rider but he crashed him out when he got the chance. eeeek.

But you talked to him and it's ironed out. Everyone involved is cool.

James Joseph waiting 4 years to get a cold dish of violent revenge is petty and childishly lame.

With the kid, I think it's as simple as he reacts to the person confronting him. He reacted with hostility when he felt hostility in a race situation. Maybe he'll react differently when it's more chill.

I'm with Ryan. Shmooz him up before next race. Maybe his dad, too. Say he's super strong, compliment his sprint, no hard feelings from last week, just be really aware of everyone's front wheels when making moves.

Maybe someone who isn't as giant as Shaq Owens or Little John could volunteer to do it.

Also, this kid's dad is going to be really defensive no matter how you approach the situation, so tread very carefully.

Every year, it seems, like there's some new cyclist on the scene from the lower categories, who has some success and suddenly thinks his shit don't stink. But you know what? By the time they start racing with all of us dopers in the Pro 1/2/3 field, they learn the hard way.

I remember last year, there was all this online Kissena chatter about a mighty and awesome and spectacular beast of a man named Lance or something. And I don't know what the guy's personality is, I'm just basing it on what I saw a few weeks ago when we had Perlberg away in the winning breakaway, but I couldn't help but to chuckle to myself, as I watched Lance and all the other sprinter types take a dig or two off/at the front, realized they couldn't just muscle themselves up to the winning move, and kind of wilt away into the anonymity of the pack.

to be fair, Lance's dad has never been supportive of his son's cycling

sad story

sad sad story

The guy with the dreds has been doing this for as long as I can remember. He used to not register, not pay and then just sit towards the back of the field. I tried to explain to him about permits, insurance, liability and lawsuits but he just kept saying "you can't stop me from riding in the park". At least now he registers and pays. My favorite place to race in the parks is either last wheel or off the front...in both places you don't have to worry about someone crossing yor wheel. For years I would just attack, recover and repeat the entire race. I also had words with the guy who won on Sunday for passing in the joggers lane on the downhill. He claimed to have been forced into the lane and that is happens. It does happen, but inexperience is usually the root cause. I don't WANT to grab my brakes on the downhill, but I find a wheel and I keep a safe distance knowing the race is never won on the descent but it is often lost there. Inexpereinced riders use that downhill to pass and then they get to the bottle neck and shit themselves...which makes braking and controlling your bike even more difficult. To summize, brake early or wear adult diapers.
yacks

Thanks again all. Some great pics of Sunday:
http://www.oneimagingphotography.com/Cyclings/Lucarelli-Cast62611/Cat-4/17772028_ZcCLHk#1357410837_d3WzkN3
Caption should read: "You talk'n to me?"

Hey all,
Pre-reg'd:
Joshua Meny
David Vollbach
Christopher Bloome
Jeff Owens
Jeffrey White
Joji Matsushima
Ian Ellis
James Nelson
Daniel Reiners
Philip Josolowitz-Luce
Richard Henning
Clayton Bruckert

POSSIBLE PLAN:
There are 3 places in each series jerseys.
- Yacks! second and third in the sprint is wide open, if you are riding we could get you some points (need 5 to move into second). Otherwise I should try and gobble points, but happy to try freelance those.
- Dave V. needs a lead-out for two primes to secure 2nd place in the KOM.
- Lead-out train, If I got a high placing overall I could challenge for second or third place in the series, or who is feeling quick?

Let's chat in the morning and see what peoples goals are, or post here.

No Little John this morning. Everything OK?

Also, did anyone happen to pick up a clear water bottle with a toolkit, spare tube and yellow tire levers in it? It was near our pile of bags and I forgot to grab it. When I rode back it was gone.. If no one here grabbed it i'll check w/ Charlie.

Quick race rep't: We rode a good team race, picked up sprint and KOM points, got in every break and kept Vollbach and Malcolmson in their respective jerseys, I believe. Things kind of fell apart at the bunch sprint though -- I don't think any of us really had anything left in the tank to contest the field sprint.

A brief rundown:

First sprint lap we had Jeff O in a break with an Organic guy and 2 others. Organic and us (we?) shut down the chase very effectively and the break gobbled up the points.

First KOM was taken from the field by Dave V. We kept the pace just high enough to discourage any jumpers.

Second sprint there were two guys up the road (Major Taylor and Speedwell). Not sure if they had any previous points but they took the first two. I led out Rich and Yacks and Yacks took the last point. Rich followed him and he bridged to the break. They stayed away for a bit but eventually got caught.

At that point I was pretty spent so I slid back to rest. Not sure how the second KOM played out but I think Dave V got 3rd as there were already a couple guys up the road.

I road in with the crashless (!) group for the finish. We didn't get anyone in the top ten. We had a guy in nearly every break.

Overall a successful day. Likely we keep both jerseys.

Others can fill in more details.

RE KOM2: Vlad from Speedwell & I were away for the 2nd KOM. He took first and I took second right at the line. I didn't have such great legs after all the time spent bridging to that move. The Major Taylor rider had sat up and went back to the field by that point.

Hot. Felt like crap. Didn't mean to take off solo, just looked around and there I was, all alone :-( ... Bridgers didn't really, uh, work well together. Shocking. Thanks for the blocking attempts though!

Good job Dave! And everyone for operation points gobble.

Yeah, amazingly no crashes even with 8 people riding in the joggers' lane and collecting about 10 cones on the last lap.

Posted By: rhenningRE KOM2: Vlad from Speedwell & I were away for the 2nd KOM

Or not, according to the results. I guess we were both confused by the KOM official alternating blowing a whistle and ringing a cowbell... Regardless, Vollbach picked up both KOMs.

The KOM guy sucked. It's possible Vollbach got that one in our breakaway. He attacked me on the hill as it became clear we were getting caught, so I assumed he knew something I didn't. It was really hot today.

Today was HOT! I don't mean the weather but more in a Paris Hilton way. My apologies to Vollbach for my untimely mechanical...Nothing like being offf the front with a teammate and having your rear hub crap the bed. The hub was from a team sponsor so I won't mention it by name but its initials are NEUVATION...anyway I think its just the pawls in the cassette body. I have another body I'm going to swap out and send the busted one in for a warranty. Its the same body I had trouble with a few weeks ago so its really my fault for not swapping it out. Call it the service recovery paradox, but I still like my Neuvation wheels, all 3 sets even though I've had multiple spoke breakage and now a rear hub issue. Neuvation always gives me great warranty service. I'm not sure what exactly happened to the wheel...but I've been racing bikes for about 15 years and I know when I stood up or put some power into the bike the rear felt like the brake was not rubbing...but being applied. Like if you grab some rear brake and try to ride through it...felt just like that. Any suggestions as to what could cause this would be appreciated. That was a good race for Kissena. There didn't seem to be much talking but everyone seemed to be in the right place at the right time to defend the polka dot and green jerseys. There is psychological benefit when a Kissena rider is either off the front or the front of the race has 2 or 3 Kissenas sitting on it. It seems like our strength in numbers is coming together with really good fitness and smart tactics. The finale sounds like it was another sloppy mess with cones getting squashed and joggers running for their lives. Summer in Prospect...ain't it grand?
yacks

AOK! Well done team! Thanks for covering! Apologies for the no-sho—friends in town thing.
I see Yacks has a shot of making podium on both the KOM & Green. Let'd do it!

Nice teamwork guys. Impressive volleys by Mr. Vollback. And excellent off-the-front work (in spite of hub falterings) by Yacks, Jim, Jeff-n-Jeff, Rich and others who burned it up out front for the team plays.

Update....no real hub "failure" on my Neuvations...just a real failure to perform scheduled maintenance. Neuvation was kind enough to talk me through the cleaning and rebuild of my cassette body (which took about 10 minutes) and they even sent me a care package with a new cassette body seal and some new end caps for the hub. Back in the saddle again...Yack

Hey, sorry for the delayed response. Yacks, good to hear that your hub isn't donezo. A little grease here and there goes a long way. I really can't thank you guys enough for the consistent KOM leadouts. If I end up with the shoes, I'll chop them up to share with everyone.

The second KOM was weird. I thought I had taken it during the race also, then Vlad told me that he was off the front with you, Rich. I think that he thought the sprint was on the lap where the bell was being rung, rather than the next lap.

Either way, shoe pieces for all!!! (hopefully).

Peoples,
This messsage just came in from Charlie I regarding the races


Subject: [kissena] Attn: Kissena Cat 4 and 1-2-3 riders
Reply-To: kissena@yahoogroups.com
X-Virus-Status: No

This Saturday and Sunday's Prospect Park races will not fill up so PLEASE do not pre-register. Just pay the $15 on race day at registration. It will save me a lot of time stuffing refund envelopes the night before the race.

Thanks!

Charlie I


So, who's in?

Hey all,

For those of us not able to make a date with the devil this weekend, we've got a good crew coming together for PP. I'll be out Saturday and maybe Sunday.

For the green jersey, Malcolmson has 12 points but is at Catskills this weekend. The nearest two competitors are Vlad and Yacks with 5 points. Vlad is also at Catskills. Next, at one more point down line are Jeff G, one of the Torres, and the Bike Depot guy. Yacks, looks like you're our guy this weekend if you're going to be out there. Otherwise it's a bit of a free for all.

For the KOM, Vollbach is pre-reged so it looks like we'll be working for him to take the top spot from Joe (sorry Joe). We should also work to keep Joe in the hunt for 2nd by gobbling up more points. 3rd place is pretty wide open.

Comments/Suggestions?

I will be there for both Saturday and Sunday. Working my a$$ off to make sure we keep both of those jerseys. We should also look to lock up 2nd or 3rd in each of the

I would suggest not working too hard unless we have to make sure Dave or Yacks needs a tow to the front or a lead-out. After we do our KOM & Sprint duties, we should be looking for Breakaway attempts at the end of the race. 2 to 3 laps to go. I am usually gassed by that point in the race, but I can try my best at an attack to get away, or at least give somebody an opportunity for a counter attack after my weak attempt does nothing but provide everybody comic relief in the middle of the race.

I'm in, but I pre-reg'd before he sent that notice out. A few others did as well.

Just when I think I'm out...they pullllll me back in.....Is this for real???? Don't make me waste a perfectly good blood bag for nothing...I could use a new pair of cycling shoes though. Anybody know if its going to be another wild double or tripple point race???
yacks

That's great news!

Sprint Jersey: With Vlad Preoteasa, at the Catskills. Gottesman is the next possible threat 1 point behind Yacks. If Yacks can get half the points, he's guaranteed 2nd place. 5pts guarantees 2nd or third. Omri Roden (4pts) is at Catskills too. Fingers crossed there's none of this triple points malarky.

John Malcolmson 12
Joseph Jacobs 8
Ryan McGarrity 7
Vlad Preoteasa 5
Chris Yack 5
Jeff Gottesman 4
Eliazar Torres 4

KOM is a tougher proposition: All the guys down to Perez are either upgraded or at the Catskills. If Yacks can get 8 of 12pts it'll be Kissena 123. If it were me I'd save it and go for a race win instead.

Woohoo! Good luck fellas, wish I could do both.

If by some crazy circumstance I should take the overall...I'll give you the shoes John. But to be fair your Lake shoes are looking much better than my Shimano's these days...

Yacks, don't be silly, I don't need the shoes—Bont it up bro!

Hey guys
I just knocked myself out of racing for at minimum a week. I was taken out by some park road furniture on the way home from work and am too banged up. I may show up to cheer you guys on, but racing for this weekend is likely out of the question.
Give 'em hell. Sorry I can't help out.
Nathaniel

OK, let's see if I remember the salient points:

Race started a bit slow. Dan followed a move on 2nd or 3rd lap as we went up the hill after getting the flag for a sprint lap. They had a good 15 seconds or more as we came by the ball fields. I sat in second or third wheel in the group to try and break up the chase while a Velocity guy single handedly towed the whole field and eventually caught Dan's break by the temple. Rich and I drilled it for a bit after that with Yacks slotted into about 4th wheel. I think Yacks ended up getting 2 points and Rich 1 point.

For the first KOM I gave Dave a tow to the bottom of the hill and he took it from there, getting either 3 or 2 points.

For the second sprint lap Dan and Rich gave Yacks a wicked text book leadout and from where I was it looked like Yacks took 3 points and Rich 2.

As they rang the bell for the second KOM, Joji bridged to a single FGX guy who was off the front at the top of the hill. Dave and I sat on the front and shut down the chase until they were able to get a nice little gap. Joji then proceeded to drop his break companion at the bottom of the hill and go solo. I think he got pipped at the KOM line after a great effort to scoop up points. Not sure how Dave fared in the at one but I think he had decided not to contest .

We got the bell for the finish and had just started up the hill when all of a sudden there was an explosion of carbon and bodies were flying everywhere. First time I've ever seen a wreck like that on the uphill. At least 6 guys down and untold $ of splintered carbon. No Kissenas involved.

It all wrapped up in a crash free sprint finish with a Velocity guy with tree trunk legs getting the win. Carl took a nice 4th.

So we should have solid leads and 2nd places for both jersey competitions.

There were other efforts involved and it was all around a good race for us. Others may have more details or better memories.

I pulled out after the 2nd sprint as I was not feeling good at all. Many props to you guys for helping in the sprints. With John out of town, I feel like I'm breaking into someones garage and stealing their car (or in this case Bont cycling shoes and man I need new shoes!). Dan and Rich drilled the 2nd sprint. I was waaaay back after the downhill and had to pick my way through the field, but I got there just in time to see Dan & Rich going off....I had to yell to Rich to slow down before the line so I could scoop the points. He had to turn around and get a visual verification that it was actually me. Then he grabbed a handful of brakes and let me slide by. Thanks for that and clearly my pride does NOT preclude me from begging. How the hell was there a crash on the climb? Carl has been very consistent in the sprints. He is quiet during the race but always seems to find his way towards the front in the finale. Time for feet up and testosterone patches tonight. Groundhog day tomorrow! After the 2nd sprint, I will be anybodys Hucklberry. I'll do my best to lead out a Kissena train in the finale.
Yacks