Its up. I have reg'd. 

Crap! The clinics I was going to take in Milton Canada at the end of the month are full and now the only time I can get them in are the weekends of March 14/15 and 21/22 of March.

I'm in. So pumped to start the season

Hey @JohnOlsson Mr Development... Imma nominate you to be team captain?!? Since we're gonna do hardcore development this year, it'll be cool to start thinking of tactics as a team too 

and @JohnMalcolmson I know you're gonna do the race clinic, but would love some race knowledge too. 

We have the number and strength... But we need to unite. 

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL! 'Murica!

Kevin Man said:

Hey @JohnOlsson Mr Development... Imma nominate you to be team captain?!? Since we're gonna do hardcore development this year, it'll be cool to start thinking of tactics as a team too 

and @JohnMalcolmson I know you're gonna do the race clinic, but would love some race knowledge too. 

We have the number and strength... But we need to unite. 

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL! 'Murica!

I'll initially read this as "But we need to urinate". Not sure why.

Our first L&C Cup is only two weeks away. Looking forward to seeing some discussion of team goals.

Remember that the Park Races are sponsored by Kissena and therefore we provide the registration help and get free race entries for doing so. Charlie also needs marshal patrollers who get paid $40 in addition to getting a free race entry. (details below) 

Sign up here

Registration Volunteer:  Assist with registering riders for the race both pre-reg and day-of. Pay: Free entry fee for that day’s race or a future race. Volunteers are encouraged to pre-reg to secure a spot, and will be reimbursed.

Marshal Patroller:  Bicycle and mobile phone required.  During the entire race you are required to ride laps of the Park to ensure all marshals are at their assigned posts and are fulfilling their responsibilities. In addition, alerting race organizer Charlie Issendorf (917-450-1900) if there are any issues arising during the race (unauthorized vehicles, objects in the road etc).  Think of it as going for a training ride in the Park and keeping your eyes open at the same time. Pay: Free entry fee for a future race and $40 cash. 

A reminder.  Tactics Talk Tomorrow Night (Tuesday 3/3/20)

Get smarter, win more.  

Ugh. Was planning to reg for the 3/4 race and propose to go for the KOM. Now it's sold out. Guess i'll suffer in 1/2/3. Damn. 

Just signed up for the 4/Novice race.

Goals: Don't crash.

We’ve got lots of people signed up to race but only three signed up for registration. Please pitch in and help with reg. You can race your next race for free (regardless of whether you race this Saturday). Marshall patroller gets and extra $40 cash. 

Who’s got what aspirations? Put your intentions (sprint finish? Breakaway? A jersey?) out there and let’s get a team plan going. We’ve got a strong team. Let’s put that energy towards a plan

Echoing @PatrickGrehan - We have a good amount signed up for Cat 5/Novice (@DanSztanga @RichPolk @TommyYork, Florian Jacob (I can't tag him here) and me) and the field is about 20 people last I checked.

Let's get a game plan together and try to start the season off strong (use our numbers and try to get a break up the road? keep the field together for a field sprint? keep attacks going off the front to try and string the field out?). 

PatrickGrehan said:

Who’s got what aspirations? Put your intentions (sprint finish? Breakaway? A jersey?) out there and let’s get a team plan going. We’ve got a strong team. Let’s put that energy towards a plan

Even better, someone should volunteer to be a road captain and coordinate the team around a set of goals. Perhaps John or Eloy?

John Olson will act as cat 3/4 road captain, and will be our guide & overlord.

All hail supreme leader @JohnOlsson

@Matt Budofsky I’m probably going to race with you guys as well. This may be my last Cat 5 race. Let me win 😜

Definitely want to get a jersey of some sort. On slack we had talked a bit of a plan to set me up on the base of the hill last time around. 

Matt Budofsky said:

Echoing @PatrickGrehan - We have a good amount signed up for Cat 5/Novice (@DanSztanga @RichPolk @TommyYork, Florian Jacob (I can't tag him here) and me) and the field is about 20 people last I checked.

Let's get a game plan together and try to start the season off strong (use our numbers and try to get a break up the road? keep the field together for a field sprint? keep attacks going off the front to try and string the field out?). 

A new foe has appeared, Diego has joined the battle...

(Smash Brothers reference)

Happy to cooperate with any, feeling more confident to be in the peloton than last year

Just registered for the 1/2/3.  There's going to be lots of adrenaline on the line.  

Shit, I missed out on reg. Do you think I can get in for volunteering? 

RobertMullen said:

Shit, I missed out on reg. Do you think I can get in for volunteering? 

Sorry, you can't since it sold out.

I will be upstate finishing up wedding planning this weekend, but good luck to everyone. @Matt Budofsky I support going for the break!  
Hope to see everyone the next weekend for the Castelli series.

Next two weekends I'm in Canada (hopefully not derailed by Coronavirus). I'll be at the race at the end of the month.

Cat 5 Peeps-@JohnOlsson and I were talking strategy and we think the best strategy for the race is the following:

1. If a break goes that looks motivated to work together/represents any of the other teams coming with a number of riders (Sanba is bringing a bunch), try to bridge 1 or 2 of our guys across and have the rest of the team control the field and shut down any moves. If the break gets brought back, then we use our numbers and keep sending attacks off the front to try and string the field out/establish another break

2. Keep everything together, shut down any moves, and work to put a designated team member (@RobertPeras?) in good position for the final climb and field sprint.

Let us know what you think and if anyone feels/wants to be our ace!

For the cat 5... I would try to stay on the upper half of the field for the first 2 laps (NOT PULLING THE FIELD). 

This probly burn some matches but since its the first race, the more experience and the more power rider will be up front. This will reduces crashes on our guys from the less experience riders on the field... after a lap or two the race jitters will be drastically reduced. 

I like the strategy, when we have the number, being proactive is the way to go. Keep countering and make the other team do the pulling!

@Matt Budofsky I'm up for whatever looks like its working. There are a few of us that have at least a half dozen races on our belts so we definitely have the upper hand as far as experience goes. 

@Kevin Man I agree with what you're saying, but it all depends on when the stupidity breaks out. I tend to hang in the back on the first lap and make my move up front on the second lap towards the downhills. That's where all the noobs tend to ride their breaks. It's pretty easy to move up - all you have to do is not ride your breaks.

The most important thing is to have fun and not get hurt. In the end, we're only racing for glory and a little medal. There are more important things in life. 

Dan Reiners said:

the L&C cup may come under the 500 person gathering limit, but if NYC is supposed to cancel all gatherings of 500 or more people, we do have to consider whether other smaller events will be cancelled as well out of an abundance of caution.

https://twitter.com/jessemckinley/status/1238164110942121984

L&C races are about 260 participants max--110 1/2/3, 100-4s, 50- 5s.  I can't see another 240 being there in support.  Maybe 30 in total?

Still, obviously, safety first.

Hard to understand what's magic about 500 that 250 doesn't also cover.

@Jules I think NY State officials just picked a number out of a hat... Same way they make decisions on everything else.