First, today's race.  Bummer not to race, but safety first.

Notes from working registration this morning:

Pouring rain, but Will and I got to stand underneath the tent/canopy.

The kid in the 123s who took a look at his number and exclaimed "Oh YEAH! Look at this!" He had 420 and could. not. believe. his good fortune. He was so excited, and then so bummed that the race was canceled that he came up to the tent afterwards asking, in earnest: "Can I get this number next time?"

Just before Charlie canceled the race, a guy (who had driven in from NJ) was trying to pick up his number for the 123s. His release form was not in the 123 (or any) binder. The race is canceled, who cares? Without signing his release, he doesn't get credit for the next race. I ask Charlie what to do. He says "have the day-of-reg guy give him his money back. Honor system." 

Reading this thread makes me want to hop on a plane and help lay it down for Whitey. Best of luck, guys. Slay yourselves and bring home the green! This is racing at its smartest and most fun. 

Hawkins upgraded. The green is a lock. Let's take the win this weekend. 

Who's in the 4s?

I'll be there.

Racing 4's for first time Sat, @Jeffrey White don't plan on being too aggressive until I get comfortable. If that happens Midway through the race, how can I help ??

can't make it this weekend, best of luck!

Congrats Jeff on securing the G!

I'm reg'd for the 4s

I'm down to party Jeffe. Things I'm interested in: 

(1) break, preferably mid-way through race or after
(2) if not break, launching attack at crest of hill final lap. And if I burn out, I will have either served as a lead-out or rabbit for someone else
(3) If I don't have legs for attack at hill-top, go for sprint

last time I raced prospect, last lap there was a lull right at top of hill that was very attractive... also

(4) preferably on the heels of the KOM or just on a random lap, hit the top of the hill super super hard with another Kissena on my wheel and try to get a two man break or drag some select company with us

I'll be there.

I would like KCC to contest the sprint on Saturday and having ridden with Brian recently I know he will be of immense use either as a sprinter or a leadout man. I can also perform either of those roles.

Who else can be a part of a finishing crew? This means that you have good fitness today and you'll keep your powder dry enough to perform at the end of a race.

Note that if you're not confident in your finishing strength, you can certainly be a part of the strategy.

I should generally be able to part of the finishing crew. Happy to help you or Brian win.

I'll be there.

I'm up for sprinting but we can always decide our final one-two towards end of race, depending on who has the legs at end of race. I agree my best use is as final lead-out man or sprinter. Last prospect race I had a great sprint but was  too far back for it to matter. I'm gonna have a hard time not being active in the race but if we have a crew committed to a sprint, I'll play ball. I've never raced conservatively in a prospect race before so it'd be interesting to sprint with fresher legs.

I pulled my trapezius muscle last night, so I might be out if it doesn't loosen up. riding has also been fairly limited to mostly commuting these past 2 weeks. not sure what I too expect.

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

Can't wait to hear the stories of the 4 race.

Team!

I'm doing the 1/2/3s. I'm going to do registration so I can race for free. Anyone joining me? Need one more at the very least. 

Jeff, to be clear, you saying that the Green Jersey points have already been secured and your idea is winning the final lap sprint?  

I'm confident in my fitness right now with all my GMSR training.  I'd like to try and start / join a break and keep it going as long as I can.

If the above ends up not happening for me and I sit in for the race, I'll be there for the final sprint.

ok, to summarize:

• Scott wants to get in a break that gets caught, but we love him anyway.
• Jeff is the green hotness.
• Brian is our new leader and will win, we will lead him out, else he will lead himself out.
• Greg has a list of excuses, but is gonna be supah smart and finish his first Cat 4. 
• So will John.
• Eloy will be there at the end, but can't sprint for shit.

Brian, lmk if you want, I can bring you an orange helmet POC, so you'll look like our true leader, and we all look like the firah!!

Looking forwad to tomorrow, whatever we do, should be a lot of fun!

Sure, I'll take the POC and try to look classy. Scott, one time I saw a two-man break of teammates get away in a prospect race.... just sayin... 

Charlie emailed me asking for volunteers for tomorrow. No one has told him they'd volunteer (or so he writes). Please email him and let him know you're happy to help!

charlesissendorf@gmail.com

I haven't looked forward to race results like this in a long while.

THE FINALE
I'll save myself completely for the sprint, but if Brian is feeling quick, he's the faster sprinter and I'll do what I can to get him close to the line. If he isn't feeling sharp from being in a break, he'll do leadout duties and we'll all find out how fast this ugly-ass green Castelli kit goes. He and I will make this decision on the road.

On the last lap, let's try to line up together near the front after the downhill on the RIGHT SIDE OF THE PELOTON. Not on the front, but thereabouts. The idea is to be in line at the bottom of the final uphill and do what we need to do to deliver the leadout man all the way over top of the hill, around the lefty bend, and into the final stretch. The leadout man (Brian or me) then will wind up a sprint, and the sprinter will come off his wheel for the line. Ideally the sprinter has another Kissena on his wheel as a sweeper. The finale is highly variable so we can't really plan how all that will happen, but that is what we all want to happen.

THE RACE BEFORE THE FINALE
If the weather is rainy and windy, the break has a great chance. In that case, counter your teammates' moves, and if your teammate gets in a break, make sure nobody bridges across to it without a Kissena on his wheel. That is a really big deal. There is nothing worse than starting a break and then have all the bridgers come across without a single teammate. Don't let that happen.

At a certain point, it will become clear that the race is going to be a sprint. When that happens, get ready to line up as described above and prepare for the finale. Try to be near the front and listen for teammates' instructions in case we need someone to do work before the finale to bring back a threatening move.

Bottom line: Be intelligent, be opportunistic in the middle portion of the race, and be tough at the end of the race.

POST RACE DONUTS
On me at Doughnut Plant with the green jersey proceeds. Thanks to the whole team for the teamwork and moral support!

Sounds like a plan.

I am deeply saddened to admit that I slept through my alarm and my wife just woke me up so there is no way I can make the race. Huge bummer, really, really was looking forward to this and sorry for planning that went into it but good luck today guys.

Looking forward to hearing how the race went. I woke up in a lot of pain re my neck. Racing was just out of the question. Going to the doc this morning. Hope the race went well.

guys... i'm still so sad i didn't make it. i hope the race went well. literally i've never been more prepared for a prospect race. to assuage my guilt, I need you all to please see the evidence below of my preparation:

Exhibit 1: Race Wheels stolen from my wife's bike and put on the bike a full day in advance and test ridden to & from work (in the rain, mind you) for feel and wind impact.

 

Exhibit 2: Coffee bottle - for all ungodly early morning rides/races, I make a bottle of 3-4 shots of espresso, water and maple syrup. Prepped the night before. Admittedly, this is a very pro idea, so feel free to steal. I poured myself a glass (and added whiskey) and drank in sadness as I type this sad defense of my inaction.



Exhibit 3: Fully Prepped Kit, with options, prepped the night before - I'm never this organized. Seriously.



Exhibit 4: This real original picture of Val Kilmer during on-set action from the movie 'Heat,' laid out in advance of race. Val has never been a cooler operator than he was in Heat and I hope to take on this coolness in every bike race I do. Role models are important.

@GregStreiff your buddy showed up to help with reg. Much appreciated.

And thanks to Jeff for the donuts!

that's great. I'm glad he made it!
seems my situation is potentially worse than just a muscle strain. getting sent to a neurologist for an MRI. Worst neck pull I've ever had. got it running over the Manhattan brodge. I looked down for a second and BOOM. worst pain ever and it hasn't let up. vertigo and tingling in the arms. I guess it's a netflix and something kinda weekend.