twoyacks said:

  I feel like I'm out of survival mode in these races and finally thinking about where I might find an opportunity.   I'm thinking riding near the front always is the way to go = rather be gassed and not able to go with a move than be in the back, rested and too far from front to do anything.  If your in the back u have no chance...the longer u are in the back the larger that window becomes.

I think this is the most important take-away from Yacks' race report for others to read and believe. How many years have JP, myself and other mentors been preaching the "race at the front" gospel? Tim and Scott and Amber reiterated that point recently too. But, it's really only until you are actually out there, doing it, do you start to FEEL and believe why this matters.

Good job everyone, looking forward to reading more race reports while my son naps here at the La Quinta Inn in Lancaster, PA. So get to writing already you guys!

How is nobody mentioning the epic ZABEL-ing that Josh took?

Are pics posted?

Yes

Results bro's
http://prtiming.com/lc-cup3-2015results/#/results:&start_key=000001/OVERALL/0000000001/3&current_page=1&res_per_pg=50&sort_col=CURRENT&sort_dir=ASC:1430662163449

Buds

I call the above performance art, "Last Day in Dots"

twoyacks said:

I call the above performance art, "Last Day in Dots"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTSA_sWGM44

wait a minute, is the KOM kit castelli?!

Brendan Rigby said:

wait a minute, is the KOM kit castelli?!

ZOUNDS!

Vladi, Vlad, Yack, Condon, and me.  73 pre-reg, probably 90+ in all.

In short, heads-up thinking and riding by Keith, Vlad is showing more aggression and is seeing the moves.  Vladi is efficient in the pack, Condon's legs are coming back, and Yack, as usual, can ride until he's cramping, and then still produce more.  Positioning could be better, but it's a combo of head and legs (almost always) and a little more in both and we'll be there.

We still got nothing.  I feel a bit better that I was an official finisher, after having been omitted my last two finishes.

I wanted to attack from the gun today.  But I got to the course a bit late, and Alejandro Guzman (race leader) was pinning on my number as we started.  I had to put on glasses and gloves, so I spent the first lap at the back.  And a move went.  Guzman's teammates no less.  (guess communication isn't big at Foundation)

BTW, this is the first time I've started at the back in a long time.  I think I saw ten bottles pop out on the first descent.  Bizarre.  Does this happen every race?

The thing with this race was the almost-catch.  Several times, the field was about to catch the break, only to sit up and let them go.  It happened at the end of the second lap.  It happened on the first points sprint.  It happened at the end.  

The field was dawdling after the first almost-catch.  We sat up and basically went from 3s down to 45s in three laps. Perlberg was shouting (he wasn't interested in the KoM but the race itself).  United was worried.  We were ready to chase. Vlad, Keith and myself help chase.  At one point, a very brief point, it felt like we had a 15-man rotation going, and we were flying.  Thing was, it seemed to blow out most of the chasers.  The Sommerville guys minus Perlberg were gone.  United minus Jermaine was gone. And that 45-second lead is quickly evaporating to nothing.  We can see we're closing as we're approaching the old finish line. 

Keith rolls up ask asks if I think I can counter.  I think I can. The first green jersey sprint is coming up. He does what he can (many thanks), but he only has to the start of the hill.  I don't attack full-on, knowing the gap isn't short enough.  I get passed, but latch on to some wheels, and am able to drive over the top.

It's a good chase group.  We should be able to hunt down the break.  Only guys are screwing up the pace line.  Perlberg is shouting at them, but Ragot is one of the bad links.  I take several extra pulls to keep the group going, and when we get to the hill again, some of the weaker riders drop, and I get dropped by Ragot.  Ugh!  Played.

I keep going.  Caught by one guy.  Then two.  We' close on the break/chase.  Again, it's the hill.  The fourth guy drops.  The other two struggle, then accelerate.  And I miss again!

I'm caught eventually by the field.  Three to go.  Keith expresses disappointment, but he and Vlad get going again.  The break is out of sight, but we might as well try.

Yacks gets in the group he mentioned.  It's a tough spot, good move by Yack, but that group wasn't going anywhere--outnumbered by the group ahead, and short on firepower.  It was a gap we shouldn't have let open.  But it closed fast enough.   

The chase was weak.  Jordan and United should have been all over it.  But they weren't.  Still, we were clearly closing on a chase group on the last lap.  Condon offers to keep me in position on the hill (many thanks, excellent effort).  We move up on the left across the false flat and are well positioned as the hill begins.  Only the front is given to Brands and they aren't going terribly hard.  I decide, mistakenly as it turns out, to roll ahead of Jeff and slot behind Brands.  I get there easily.  Over the top, I'm fourth wheel.  Then third, and as Loehner starts to sprint,now second, the sprinters blow by on the left side.  I start to launch, but I see Horace Burrowes tangle with someone and nearly crash.  Loehner sits up.  Not much room to go left, a little more right, but my legs were pretty toasty, so a weak final push to the line.  Sorry guys.  

That was one of the most enjoyable races of the year...Yeah things didn't go great but there was stuff happening...interesting stuff...even being back in the field my mind was taken with what was going on up the road...who was chasing, who was blocking...I'm starting to like the break being up the road, even if I'm not in it.  The finale was the perfect opportunity to see what the sprint is all about (as it wasn't hotly contested with all the money up the road).  I think staying seated is the way to go in that sprint as if you stand you may cramp and go slower.

Anyone racing on Saturday? 

I'm thinking of hauling my fat a$$ out of bed early to "race". My objective is to see where my fitness is, that is all. 

Craig Zolan said:

I'm thinking of hauling my fat a$$ out of bed early to "race". My objective is to see where my fitness is, that is all. 

I may do the same.

If I can zip up a jersey.

I will be there 

I'll be there also.

So will I, but will have to head straight home from the finish.

I cannot understand racing this in favor of Orchard Beach. It boggles the mind. Have fun with those potholes!

The earliest I can race is 11:30...I'll be at a lacrosse game by then

twoyacks said:

The earliest I can race is 11:30...I'll be at a lacrosse game by then

'eff'n single dudes, right? You tell 'em Yacks.  

Orchard Beach will have to wait. Won't even have time for donuts and coffee -and that, I'm learning, is a real shame. 

If someone can please offer a ride to Orchards from Brooklyn, then I would race the cat 4 crit. Else, I'll be at Prospect Park. 

I'm doing Orchard at 2.30 because of time constraints. Was really not happy with the road condition in PP last weekend. My arse still hurts

Good luck Vlad.  I've been racing 25mm tubulars with aluminum rims at about 100 psi in the park and it's been good.  This weekend I'm riding deep carbon tubulars 22mm.  I'll report back on the difference in road feel.  Me's thinks 25mm tires should be the norm in the park, at least until the roads are fixed.
Yacks

...

I got sick last weekend, missed last week's L&C cup and only started feeling human again on Thursday. I haven't ridden my bike in over a week, but... I'm in for tomorrow's race. Potholes and all. Plus I get to see Rick's new wheels. 

I am still in contention for the masters jersey and if the legs are up to it will want to attack after the second KOM to see if I can get a break going. I have no illusions of holding off the field on my own. But if a small group forms we have a chance. I'm not sure if Adam is racing, but we may be able to do this together and would benefit from some of you who are "testing your legs" to help disrupt the chase (soft pedal on the front, let's gaps open up, etc). 

as always, let's keep talking to each other during the race and have fun!

I'm in for tomorrow. Day of reg for me. The second kom is on second to the last lap?