Hey all. Just registered. Not sure what kind of race legs I will have after 4 straight days of climbing cols and recovering from Jetlag, but I'm going to help out in any ways possible.

In the meantime, we could use a few more hands at the registration table: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h68kb_QnO2NSAaAd2gradwBk12Q3uw__kjm2yTAv8Zg

Very stoked to finally race again with my fellow 5s! I have no idea how fit I am or how fit you guys are but it looks like we have the numbers to control the race, anyone have any ideas/suggestions in terms of strategy?

Nice! We have a solid group this week. Feel free to say no, but I’ve noticed chasing down breaks in the 5s is usually Super unorganized and often times ends up being a “you go, no you go” situation until someone blinks and sets a pace up front. I’m thinking, we surf some wheels for the first 3-3.5 laps, start moving up at the beginning of 4 to at least the front third of the race. Once we get up there, if we have the legs, a couple of us (at least 2, ideally 3) who feel good attack near the temple, try to make some space during the ensuing lack of response from the group (especially on the false flat- the race has been really slowing down there lately) and try to TTT to the finish. 

I know @cpulvidente pulled this off two weeks ago with Eric Israel (one of the Carl Hart guys) and the attack stuck (and Connor too a big w). It’s a risky move that could burn a good majority of our guys, but by planning to go for this (even if we decide we don’t have the legs in the moment and opt to keep things together) it’ll at a minimum force us towards the front coming into the last couple Ks. 

Thoughts?

I'm into it. Personally the whole Cat5 group sprint thing doesn't work for me so if we can get away I'd rather go for it and die trying than suck in a full race group sprint.

A note about the finish...

I was looking at my Strava results and saw that I'm tied for 62nd out of 20,000 for a .3mi segment called "Hilltop to 3rd street (new race finish).  

62nd is three seconds slower than the fastest time (someone has been clocked at 47.8mph, but I'm thinking that's a moto.)

Four people have ridden 35 seconds. 
15 have ridden 36 seconds.
42 have ridden 37 seconds.  
a bigger group has ridden 38 seconds.

Ricky has gone 37.
Brian Miele, David Yang, Eloy, JP have done 38.  The current leader of the 1/2/3 L&C Cup has gone 38 for his fastest recorded time as well.  

I bring this up to point out that even if you go really fast in the sprint, it's hard to move into the top ten unless you're starting from the top 15.  And the 1/2/3 KoM leader has won races with what seems to be only an ok time, so he probably wins because of position.

Matt Budofsky said:

Nice! We have a solid group this week. Feel free to say no, but I’ve noticed chasing down breaks in the 5s is usually Super unorganized and often times ends up being a “you go, no you go” situation until someone blinks and sets a pace up front. I’m thinking, we surf some wheels for the first 3-3.5 laps, start moving up at the beginning of 4 to at least the front third of the race. Once we get up there, if we have the legs, a couple of us (at least 2, ideally 3) who feel good attack near the temple, try to make some space during the ensuing lack of response from the group (especially on the false flat- the race has been really slowing down there lately) and try to TTT to the finish. 

I know @cpulvidente pulled this off two weeks ago with Eric Israel (one of the Carl Hart guys) and the attack stuck (and Connor too a big w). It’s a risky move that could burn a good majority of our guys, but by planning to go for this (even if we decide we don’t have the legs in the moment and opt to keep things together) it’ll at a minimum force us towards the front coming into the last couple Ks. 

Thoughts?

Good idea Matt. 1 suggestion: sort roles for this—who launches the break and buries themselves for the first minute to initiate. Someone to sacrifice themselves on the hill, someone to close it out. If possible, practice this as your warm-up lap, not full gas the whole way but maybe the jumps and timing to get head around effort/pacing.

That's a good idea @JohnMalcolmson. 

@Nathaniel Picard Busky @RichPolk @MichaelKosche - do you guys have any preferred roles? I've be working on a lot of anaerobic and sprint type workouts lately so I'd prefer to put those to work and finish strong, but will happily bury myself open the gap and give you guys room if you guys think you can bring it home.

@Matt Budofsky I’m happy to help out however I can.

@Matt Budofsky I haven't been doing too much sprint stuff so I think I'm better used on the initiation in case we don't get away as a solely Kissena group if you've got some quick legs to bring us home. 

So let's go in anticipating following Nathaniel's wheel to open the gap, Rich keeping the pace hard and steady into and up the hill and then me going over the top and contesting with anyone else who's in the break (all with the caveat that if there are other people in the break, we don't want to give them a free ride).

Matt Budofsky said:

So let's go in anticipating following Nathaniel's wheel to open the gap, Rich keeping the pace hard and steady into and up the hill and then me going over the top and contesting with anyone else who's in the break (all with the caveat that if there are other people in the break, we don't want to give them a free ride).

definitely try to get the Carl Hart Guys aboard this. They are willing to burn themselves down for a hard move. I know Eric will go full gas as long as he possible can. I dig the plan, good stuff.

I’ve struggled holding my position going into the finish pretty much all season. My goal for tomorrow is to come around that turn on the last lap top 10 wheels. We also need to watch for the attacks after the sprints/ KOMs as those are the ones that seem to stay away. 

RichardCornetta said:

My goal for tomorrow is to come around that turn on the last lap top 10 wheels. 

Seems like the weather's taken a slight turn tomorrow morning, any tips for dealing with that bike setup-wise or any other suggestions for racing in the wet?

Nathaniel Picard Busky said:

Seems like the weather's taken a slight turn tomorrow morning, any tips for dealing with that bike setup-wise or any other suggestions for racing in the wet?

A little less pressure on the tires. A little more oil in the gears.

But currently at 5% prob of rain for tomorrow, not yet a concern (this morning also had 5% prob)

-- worth mention about racing in the rain, that races in the rain tend to be safer, better, and more active, as you will be racing against riders that are a bit better, a bit more experienced, basically, you'll be racing against the type of riders that, well, race in the rain.

RichardCornetta said:

I’ve struggled holding my position going into the finish pretty much all season. My goal for tomorrow is to come around that turn on the last lap top 10 wheels. We also need to watch for the attacks after the sprints/ KOMs as those are the ones that seem to stay away. 

YES!  the whole thing goes down in about 90 seconds; from the first crosswalk at the base of Prospect Hill to the finish line - just grab a wheel, grit your teeth and go and know everyone is hurting it's not just you...even if your burnt after the climb put your head down and sprint out the final approach the best you can...slow down the least!

not making it.

Just got home from eight hours in an emergency room to find out my wife doesn't have appendicitis.

Le sigh.

Bummer JP, I'm sorry to hear about your wife

Ouch that’s a marathon of its own.

First 3/4 race.

That hurt. Wasted some energy early in the race, but as a whole tried my best to conserve. I was going to wait for the 5th floor dude to make the move and go with him, but Niall gave me a perfect lead up the hill to start a break.

The break was old dude in gray, a TBD guy and myself. We worked together for as long as we could. I ended up averaging NP of 322 for 24mins. Sadly, we were caught with about 1500m left and I just had no legs to shuffle in. I tried my best to sprint in but nah not today. 

The first time is best time to try something for the first time, I got try the 3/4s, a Breakaway, and some rolled down bars bc of a pot hole. Wish there was some more park races left in the year so that I could keep learning. 

Cat 5 Report: the race didn’t feel all that fast but we averaged 25 mph. There was a lot of surging and braking and surging some more. Someone hit a pot hole coming into the hill and jammed on the brakes or got a flat (still not that clear what exactly happened) but they went down and took out a few people, including @RichPolk (luckily he came away relatively (totally?) unscathed, got in the saddle and tried to get back to the bunch like a boss). 

We tried our game plan of attacking and forming a break on the last lap but went a bit too early and just couldn’t open a gap so we settled in for the typical scurry up the climb and mass rush for the line. I didn’t have the best positioning but made up some places on the climb and was just off the back of the sprinting group for 14th on the day.

I second @cpulvidente on wishing there were more park races- it feels like things are starting to click more and more each week and I want to keep all of that momentum going, but cheers on a great road season to everyone!

Decent race, for some reason I couldn't get to the front  
People were dropping like flies every time I get up, and get swept backwards... Specially on the last lap hill. 

I wish there's more park race too.
Looking forward to next year, maybe ill do a month long stint in Cali early next year to just do butt loads of early bird races to get points.  

PS hopefully they patch or repave them potholes!!!!

Results?  

I felt like my legs lacked some snap and I wasn’t able to factor in the finish, but I did get some photos. I posted a bunch more on Facebook.  Enjoy

Awesome photos, Patrick!

Way too long report:

• At 42.4 km/h (26.3ish mph) one of the fastest prospect races
• The first couple of laps were specially fire hot fast
• We all chatted before the race, with Niall making it simple "Plan is to put Connor on a break", "kk, let's do it in the later laps, with some attention to Angelo and Ribero"
• Quickly become obvious than the 5th floor would close any early moves w/out Angelo
• Ricky looked sharp, did a great job of staying at the front, but eventually flatted
• Also, with my HR up high, probably called Ricky "Erik" a few times, oops, sorry
• Ricky's sock game was pro, also a couple of early attacks
• Rich also did a great job of riding the front
• Patrick was in obvious TDF form hotness
• Sean is amazing navigating to the front, we can all learn from this
• Kevin showed smarts and patience
• Joe always diesel sharp
• Niall covering the front and early moves
• Erik covering later moves
  
• Post race, we discussed some bits we can improve, including: We can't race from 50th place..., as a team, we have to ride and hold position at the front. Ideally a goal for later races and 2020
• Otherwise, Saturday was the best we raced as a team in 2019
• Love that we are racing for each other, and we are definitely reading the race. It is so fun!
• The move of the day, of course, was when, as planned, Niall set up Connor with 4 to go
• The move got over 20 seconds for 3 laps. Even the last time by the temple (3ish km to go) still looked like it could stay away
• IT WAS SO MUCH FIRE AWESOME!! 
• Again: IT WAS SO MUCH FIRE AWESOME!!
• We caught them right at the bottom of the last hill..., as we rode pass Connor, he grabbed his drops and starting sprinting!! dude got heart, legs, powah, and class!
• I would finish 31st, with all other Kissenistas right behind
• Angelo did one unsuccessful attempt to stay away, but Verrazano closed it. He would eventually win the sprint finish and the series (and get his cat 2 upgrade), Ribero finished 3rd, losing yellow -- was awesome to follow this season long fight
• Just like everyone, wish we had more park races! Can't wait until we all race again!!

Let's go race bikes!!

(photos by Marco)

Nice work all. Can we talk about the team's tactics while Connor was in the break? Good to share.

yes great race, great season...loved every second of it. 

giant kudos to @cpulvidente - he's going to become a great roadie in the seasons to come. that engine will only get bigger and technique, better!  ill act as a bully-blocker for him anytime.

connor, as an aside, my NP was 323W for the entire race!  Maybe I should stick the velodrome...less climbing!

Way too excited. Just signed up for the first race on March 14. Rain, shine or snow BRING IT!

It's up on bikereg?