L&C Cup - Forum Archive

May 11, 2013 at 11:16 PM

Charlie has fixed the gaff...currently sitting in 2nd place in the KOM...5 points behind...which is alot of points...hoping the guy wearing the dots will crumble under the stress...Going to need some help eventually on this...I'm evenly matched so I'm going to need a teammate to grab points behind me and kabob/block the polka dots guy. Losing 5 lbs wouldn't kill me either...

Jules

May 11, 2013 at 11:36 PM

We're there for you @Yaks. I think I heard he won't be able to make all the races, so that's good. Also, I can do a pretty good leadout up that hill for you.

twoyacks

May 11, 2013 at 11:52 PM

He almost didn't make todays race...he was pinning his # on when Charlie was making his announcement...If he misses 1 race...I'm a gonna take them fancy polka dots...Jules glad to hear you are back in "Winnfield" mode...now go get into character and meet me at the hill....

Winnfield.jpg

twoyacks

May 12, 2013 at 12:05 AM

Harry is in the 45 plus jersey !!!! We have a shot at grabbing the green, the dots and the long white beard jerseys !!!!

Jules

May 12, 2013 at 12:24 AM

Say "What" again!

harry bolick

May 12, 2013 at 12:46 AM

Harry is in the 45 plus jersey !!!! We have a shot at grabbing the green, the dots and the long white beard jerseys !!!!

@Chris, fyi, harry is NOT in greyJersey am sitting 3rd down 2points...

would be nice for Kissenas to capture a compliment of colors dots&green&grey...still prefer yellow, or actually black/charcoal grey over silver/grey.

will try again another day...h;-)

twoyacks

May 12, 2013 at 12:49 AM

I know a guy who knows a guy who can get you some pharmaceutical grade Geritol...

Bruce van-Schalkwyk

May 12, 2013 at 03:26 AM

I had a good race today, despite getting dropped after my break. I sat up front with Jules a couple of times, pedaling slowly while KCC jerseys made breaks. It was finally after the third time blocking that people behind us started yelling!

With 3 laps to go, starting our descent down the hill, both of my calfs started cramping. I was then thinking, Jules has taken on 'road captain' and is doing a great job keeping everyone organized, communicating with us all, watching the field.

At the bottom of the hill, legs in a knot, a foundation rider jammed into 5th gear and started driving away. Jules yelled to me 'get his wheel', so I sped up. Then I heard 'get out of your saddle', and I thought, who appointed this guy road captain! And I then made my manly growl which I later learned sounded more like a whimper.

I caught up to foundation's wheel and said 'I'm on your wheel. KCC is blocking for us. I'm really f**ing tired'. He told me he'd pull for a while. After about 30 seconds, he began slowing so I moved around and took the lead past the start/finish. Once we hit the hill, my calfs were done and I had to back off. 2 laps to go and I watched everyone hit the hill hard and ride off without me. Foundation dropped back but stayed with the pack. I was hurting, and you know how you hurt and back off and then everything's fine? Nope, I was still hurting.

After that, I had a pleasant solo ride through the park. Did you see the gorgeous purple flowers blooming on the trees lining the road? Really, quite a sight, purple flowers on the road.

It took me longer to clean my bike tonight then actually ride the race. Nice job, everyone, good to race with you. And thanks, Jules, for helping me push myself. I know what I can do, now, and what I need to work on, and train for. This race has given me greater insight into pushing my limits on the bike. And observing a few flowering trees along the way.

JohnMalcolmson

May 12, 2013 at 03:57 AM

Great racing as canon fodder for the team today, and big thanks to Jules for hooking up the Go-Pro. Latched on to a couple of attacks that went after Perlberg and Johnston in breaks. Glad we got Ryan into some polka-kit, that's fantastic news! We'll definitely have our work cut out trying to outfox Stalin.

Lastly Some good discussion and comments about blocking here:

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2010/03/blocking/ I tend to agree with Jules' previous comments; we should be aggressive not disruptive, especially when we are the largest team in a field. Personally I'd prefer to be seen as a positive racing team, not getting people pissed about 6 or 7 guys smothering the front. Love to hear other's thoughts on the subject.

mugwump

May 12, 2013 at 04:05 AM

So, with Perlberg, I drew the easy assignment, going with the breakaways.

A little before the start of the second lap, I saw a move and went with it. We did a 7:17 lap (according to my Garmin) and kept going and just past the bandshell, I was shocked to see Neil Bezdek thunder by. At least Mike was on his wheel. We caught them, Dan or Neil went and I went again, and then I looked back and the field was on us. This move hurt me; I hope the field was lined out and in pain bringing us back.

I was getting ready to attack through the second intermediate sprint when a gap opened up about 200 meters before the sprint. I attacked to close it. Dioslaki had won the sprint from Cesar Marte and Tony Hall, with Evan Murphy, and another guy close behind. Tony kept on chugging. I crossed to the others. Dioslaki faded.

I was surprised by Tony's move. His teammate, Everhard Paredes was leading the series. Tony wasn't looking back. The group chased tony down over the hill and got going. Then Chad Butts and Everhard joined us. Chad is good at breaks, but Everhard skips pulls. He did it to my group earlier in the race and I was surprised that Foundation and Mengoni let him get away with it.

We roll on. Maybe 500 meters before the finish line of our first lap together, Chad seems to have a moment of trouble, with myself and Everhard behind him. I mistakenly let Everhard sit on as I try to get back to the others--I thought he was cooked, and he takes off of me to get back. Chad struggles to get back, but does. Just barely. And it looked like the group just about sat up over the hill. I probably have myself to blame. With that mix, the race should have been over, and I should have taken shorter, easier pulls,or skipped a few. Tony was the strongest, Evan second.

And this lap, was a 7:14. (I don't understand it, but somehow, the Garmin times don't correlate with Strava times and I have a 7:03 and a 7:10 lap in there somewhere).

So, here's the crazy thing, to me. I look back, an the field is nowhere. The unknown guy who was in the move and dropped before me comes by me on the hill. I figure the field is rushing up. Nobody. I roll at tempo. Finally, as I start the downhill, I'm caught by Franklin Burgos, Ariel Mendez, and one other guy. Ariel isn't working "I have people up there," he says. I tell him that train has left for good and if he wants to get a placing, he better ride. He does. Franklin is pulling unevenly and I'm with them, I think, until the bell, when my calves feel like they're about to explode. I back off and the field doesn't catch me until the hill, and it's strung out and not all together and Ryan is showing great form by being with that split.

It calms down and I ride in with the group. The group catches Ariel and Franklin on the line.

Winning time was 1:38:38. Everhard finishes 12 seconds behind. The rest at 1:38:57.

The break clearly slowed down. What a frustration. Great riding all around: it's a pity Vlad and Mike flatted out.

Jeff Owens

May 12, 2013 at 11:33 AM

I was a total non-factor. Thank you.

Anyway, Erik with Ride Brooklyn is the KOM guy and very nice. Loiters with us trolls at the Manhattan bridge on occasion.

However, the best part of my "race" was getting to chat with the NICEST local racer, Jeff Goldlbum of Foundation. No idea what his real name is, but he's cool. Need more amateur racers like him and less like, well, you know...

Ryan J

May 12, 2013 at 12:29 PM

Blocking: John and Jules are right. Newer guys - blocking is not about going slow. It's about setting a pace just high enough that no one wants to make it faster. In general, you block at 25 mph and know the break has to do 26 (or more or less, depending on the category and the day). Then, if a team lifts it higher, you stop helping and sit on.

Jules

May 12, 2013 at 12:40 PM

I'd go so far as to say forget blocking on the front entirely. If we have people up the road, just get into the top 5 or 10 and be ready to counter. Don't do any work to help a chase (obviously) but spend your energy finding someone from another team that wants to counter attack with you.

Ryan J

May 12, 2013 at 12:48 PM

John Malcolmson said:

Glad we got Ryan into some polka-kit, that's fantastic news! We'll definitely have our work cut out trying to out fox Stalin—a good challenge!

Yeah, its pretty cool and definitely you and Ragot nailed it down. As far as defending it from Stalin and others - yeah, that will be a challenge. I'm thinking it will be a matter of going up that hill crazy friggin fast so that anyone on my wheel is suffering to keep up. I think if we add a Joe or a Joaquin to what we had yesterday that would go a long way. But we have a lot of guys who can do a murderous 20-30 seconds there.

Anyway - we've got a month to figure it out!

jim_nelson

May 12, 2013 at 03:54 PM

Jeff, his name is Nate and you're right, he's one of the most pleasant guys in the peloton.

Joaquin

May 12, 2013 at 04:24 PM

@Ryan, you can count me in for that. In fact, that was my plan for yesterday, but I ended up getting killed with work late on Friday night. Just coming up for air now. Apologies. I'm going pretty good right now, so should be able to pitch in with the polka-defense.

harry bolick

May 12, 2013 at 07:11 PM

Bruce van-Schalkwyk said:

I had a good race today, despite getting dropped after my break. I sat up front with Jules a couple of times, pedaling slowly while KCC jerseys made breaks. It was finally after the third time blocking that people behind us started yelling!

With 3 laps to go, starting our descent down the hill, both of my calfs started cramping. I was then thinking, Jules has taken on 'road captain' and is doing a great job keeping everyone organized, communicating with us all, watching the field.

At the bottom of the hill, legs in a knot, a foundation rider jammed into 5th gear and started driving away. Jules yelled to me 'get his wheel', so I sped up. Then I heard 'get out of your saddle', and I thought, who appointed this guy road captain! And I then made my manly growl which I later learned sounded more like a whimper.

I caught up to foundation's wheel and said 'I'm on your wheel. KCC is blocking for us. I'm really f**ing tired'. He told me he'd pull for a while. After about 30 seconds, he began slowing so I moved around and took the lead past the start/finish. Once we hit the hill, my calfs were done and I had to back off. 2 laps to go and I watched everyone hit the hill hard and ride off without me. Foundation dropped back but stayed with the pack. I was hurting, and you know how you hurt and back off and then everything's fine? Nope, I was still hurting.

After that, I had a pleasant solo ride through the park. Did you see the gorgeous purple flowers blooming on the trees lining the road? Really, quite a sight, purple flowers on the road.
It took me longer to clean my bike tonight then actually ride the race. Nice job, everyone, good to race with you. And thanks, Jules, for helping me push myself. I know what I can do, now, and what I need to work on, and train for. This race has given me greater insight into pushing my limits on the bike. And observing a few flowering trees along the way.

@Bruce VS et al,

"... I was hurting, and you know how you hurt and back off and then everything's fine? Nope, I was still hurting." -B VS

IMHO, that's what racing/riding is most all about 'ride hard' &

"And observing a few flowering trees along the way." -B VS

...this is what it IS ALL About...being aware of the magnificences and beauties around you and your mates, & to Bruce i think the blooms were fuchsia &magenta/'purple'...did indeed notice them&appreciate your noting them on Forum.

bravo for good work&coaching/inspiration by JulesR.
-h;-)

tito

May 13, 2013 at 01:53 AM

Jeff Owens said:

the NICEST local racer, Jeff Goldlbum of Foundation

lol Jeff you nailed that one. And yeah, that dude is super-cool.

Jeffrey White

May 13, 2013 at 01:01 PM

Nathan Brauer is a strong and friendly man. Don't follow his wheel in the pack, though. He's kind of unpredictable. If you can make a break with him, do it.

Dan Reiners

May 13, 2013 at 08:49 PM

tito said:

Jeff Owens said:

the NICEST local racer, Jeff Goldlbum of Foundation

lol Jeff you nailed that one. And yeah, that dude is super-cool.

His name is Nathan & yes he is awesome.

Andrew Da Silva

May 14, 2013 at 01:55 PM

I'm late to say this, but thanks to everyone for helping to keep the green jersey. Our leadout train went off without a hitch for both sprints. Big thanks to @jim nelson for doing the final lead out duties and dropping me off at 200 meters.

The pressure is still on... That ride Brooklyn kid was on my tail both sprints and has been very clear about his intentions.

Marc Bertucco

May 14, 2013 at 02:08 PM

Two words: Sweep-er.

(make the guy come around two to win the sprint...much harder, no?)

twoyacks

May 14, 2013 at 02:15 PM

Yes....Sweeper indeed. Andy I wanted to stay on your wheel for the sprints but I'm chasing the dots and needed the watts (bah-dum ching !...I got a million of em !) Seriously you need to get at least one Kissena to glue himself to your wheel...when you open up and are in full flight that guy can just start soft pedaling and let the gap open. I did this last year for Dan and it worked perfectly. By the time the guy behind the sweeper realizes what is happening...it's already over. yacks

Phil Maronilla

May 14, 2013 at 02:16 PM

I'll add that Egor from BVF is 3 pts behind Andy. He's also told me that he's after the green jersey. I've raced against him a few times last year in FBF and PP. He's aggressive and strong. He should be marked as well.

Jules

May 14, 2013 at 02:34 PM

I think we can take both the green and the dots if we play our cards right.

We need dedicated help for each and "freelancers" who will punish the field by attacking, countering and attacking the green/dots laps way early forcing the contestants to chase

If you don't want to leadout/sweep/counter there are still jobs to do - protecting jersey riders and or helping pace attacker/counter-ers back to the field or chasing breaks we don't like.

Finishing a race with the pack is nice, but doing a critical chunk of work until you blow and then rolling contentedly back to the finish line a few laps early is even better.

Andrew Da Silva

May 14, 2013 at 03:01 PM

Egor 8 points behind. Chris young is 3.

Phil Maronilla

May 14, 2013 at 03:55 PM

@Andy - I dont know what list I was looking at where I saw Egor second (clearly the wrong one).

jim_nelson

May 14, 2013 at 05:03 PM

Jules is right on. There are plenty of roles to play. Sitting in and finishing with the pack is by far the least fun option.

I talked with Chris from RB after the race. Nice guy. Not that we shouldn't try to sweep him off Andy's wheel though.

Jeffrey White

May 14, 2013 at 05:29 PM

Sweep the wheel Johnny.

JohnMalcolmson

May 14, 2013 at 06:03 PM

@Cat 4 — How about supporting 8th place Harry for bid at yellow or podium? Double points races at the end of series.