Aug 03, 2019 at 01:40 AM
The following is my feelings on NYC park racing and my strategic methods on how to win them, note it is in no way suggestive of particular tactics for particular people, just some thoughts.
I know i'm new to the club but i've done upwards of 40 park races in my life, maybe more if you include FBF and Branchbrook. There are, in my estimation, two ways to win a NYC park race; get in the break (or be the break), or win the field sprint. we have a big team so we can really cover both possibilities pretty well.
Breaks happen in the 3/4s because they are now dominated by CRCA sub teams that have young cat3 guys as their team leaders who are too new to racing to have a shot for the money in the P123 field...that is fine and fair; we just need to watch out for - and not be dumb about - a break going up the road...their team-mates will just ride to front of the pack and sit up and they will be gone; it's extremely annoying and we cannot allow it. I won't allow it. Anyway, so breaks are the reason why guys need to be alert and we need (as a team) to have a few strong guys in the top 1/4 of the field at all times - guys who can get in the break, chase the break, counter attack, etc etc.
speaking of chasing, the best time to attack is right after a break has been reeled in, since likely the ambitious souls in the field will all be hurting from either being chased or from chasing. if you see one team breaking and another chasing, SIT IN and see what happens (if more than a lap or two to go). Let them maul each other and if you have the wings GO when they're reaching for their water bottles as they think the field is going to sit up and the attack has been reeled in. This is when I myself will ride to the pointy end of the field and sit up like jack lalanne and counter everything in hopes that you can open a gap and stay away.
Ok, the other way a park race shakes-out - the dreaded field sprint. So after 10 laps are in the books and every break was chased like savage dogs let loose on raw meat, we then know how the race is going to be decided. Field sprinting really starts with about 3 laps to go when the sprinters start to make their way up from the back of the field by jumping from wheel to wheel and doing as little work as humanly possible...and I mean as absolute little. No pulls up front, no bridging gaps, no eating the wind, no calls to mom on her birthday. nothing. If done right you can find yourself in the top 10 guys as we pass the greek shed on the east drive on the bell lap. Somebody might attack going up prospect hill but it dosen't matter at that point. just grab a wheel and sprint up the hill in the draft of somebody who looks fit (choose wisely!). If you see me, grab my wheel and go! After that the strong teams will start their lead outs as we pass the triangle by GAP and hopefully you chose well. try to come out and around your draftee right after the cross walk at what would likely be Garfield place, the rest of the way to 3rd street is then downhill. raise arms in victory salute. collect your money and whack it up with the boys. vainglory to you.
ok so there it is, easier written then done I assure you. tomorrow if you fancy yourself a strong rolleur stay towards the front, pointy end of the race and be alert. If you fancy yourself a sprinter, hang in the draft and pray that the all-rounders either got into the break or brought it back. ill be at the back looking for orange helmets in the break or looking to lead you out if need be. be alert, work as a team, know whats going on and don't do any work for anybody else.
I know i'm new to the club but i've done upwards of 40 park races in my life, maybe more if you include FBF and Branchbrook. There are, in my estimation, two ways to win a NYC park race; get in the break (or be the break), or win the field sprint. we have a big team so we can really cover both possibilities pretty well.
Breaks happen in the 3/4s because they are now dominated by CRCA sub teams that have young cat3 guys as their team leaders who are too new to racing to have a shot for the money in the P123 field...that is fine and fair; we just need to watch out for - and not be dumb about - a break going up the road...their team-mates will just ride to front of the pack and sit up and they will be gone; it's extremely annoying and we cannot allow it. I won't allow it. Anyway, so breaks are the reason why guys need to be alert and we need (as a team) to have a few strong guys in the top 1/4 of the field at all times - guys who can get in the break, chase the break, counter attack, etc etc.
speaking of chasing, the best time to attack is right after a break has been reeled in, since likely the ambitious souls in the field will all be hurting from either being chased or from chasing. if you see one team breaking and another chasing, SIT IN and see what happens (if more than a lap or two to go). Let them maul each other and if you have the wings GO when they're reaching for their water bottles as they think the field is going to sit up and the attack has been reeled in. This is when I myself will ride to the pointy end of the field and sit up like jack lalanne and counter everything in hopes that you can open a gap and stay away.
Ok, the other way a park race shakes-out - the dreaded field sprint. So after 10 laps are in the books and every break was chased like savage dogs let loose on raw meat, we then know how the race is going to be decided. Field sprinting really starts with about 3 laps to go when the sprinters start to make their way up from the back of the field by jumping from wheel to wheel and doing as little work as humanly possible...and I mean as absolute little. No pulls up front, no bridging gaps, no eating the wind, no calls to mom on her birthday. nothing. If done right you can find yourself in the top 10 guys as we pass the greek shed on the east drive on the bell lap. Somebody might attack going up prospect hill but it dosen't matter at that point. just grab a wheel and sprint up the hill in the draft of somebody who looks fit (choose wisely!). If you see me, grab my wheel and go! After that the strong teams will start their lead outs as we pass the triangle by GAP and hopefully you chose well. try to come out and around your draftee right after the cross walk at what would likely be Garfield place, the rest of the way to 3rd street is then downhill. raise arms in victory salute. collect your money and whack it up with the boys. vainglory to you.
ok so there it is, easier written then done I assure you. tomorrow if you fancy yourself a strong rolleur stay towards the front, pointy end of the race and be alert. If you fancy yourself a sprinter, hang in the draft and pray that the all-rounders either got into the break or brought it back. ill be at the back looking for orange helmets in the break or looking to lead you out if need be. be alert, work as a team, know whats going on and don't do any work for anybody else.
-- thanks for taking the time!
