Oh, and a final shout out to all the guys for looking out for me, but especially Eric, who absolutely buried himself to help me protect the KOM. Early on there was a big move, maybe 15-20 up the road, and Stalin was in it. It had to come back before the KOM. Eric absolutely murdered himself brining it back almost single handedly.

Well done 1-2-3s!

@Ryan, I second that, and note that Eric basically spent the first 6 laps in the wind helping to control things.  Pretty impressive.  We did a decent job of adjusting and getting back around you for the second KOM, though as you note, it could have been faster.  I found myself riding pace after the chute, and to decided ride at 28 mph, thinking that any more might be too much prior to the actual lead out.  JP mentioned later that things were bunching behind us, so perhaps a faster pace down at the bottom would have been the way to go.  Something to think about for next time.  Kept that up until sometime after the left turn back into the stop lights, then faded back to the beautiful sight of Keith and a solid looked crew leading you into the hill.

That collection of orange helmets at the front leading you into the hill was awesome.  I feel like big team displays don't often happen around here, so it was a proud moment.  Maybe it's our club vibe or philosophy, but we manage to make it happen.

I want to repeat/share a comment t my coach made when I was describing a race a d the efforts various teammates had made for I e another during the race(s)

“Uh.... You realize that is very unusual in amateur racing? Almost unheard of...”

Truth is, it's the rule on Kissena not the exception.

There is so much to be proud of in this club!

When I attacked at the bottom of the hill, I had no idea what would happen behind.  The race was moving quickly but not blazing.  There had been lots of failed attacks.  I didn't know if people would sit up or come with or chase me down.

From Charlie via Facebook

I've only raced twice this year, but have worked KOM and reg and have told multiple riders not to ride the wrong way entering the park.  I usually get a condescending smirk or a "whatever".

If Charlie wants to get serious, he needs to starts DQing or not allowing these people to register. I am glad to identify them and report back.

Post the pic of the Kissena. Not to isolate one rider, but to display exactly what is inappropriate as an example.

On a somewhat good note, I saw 3-4 riders getting stopped for riding the wrong way in PP today.  On the other hand, 8-10 were riding the wrong way directly past police and they chose not to do anything.  I don't get it.  Either you're serious about cracking down on moronic behavior or you're not.  I guess different cops get different directives.

He did post a pic of the Kissena. With the bib number, on FB.

Facebook?! Ungh.  I hate that shit.

Yeah. Pic from behind. The rider in full kit going the wrong way in the joggers lane, with a bib number.

Of course, the bib number is largely useless if you don't know what race it was...

The guy in the picture has full fingered gloves, arm and leg warmers, and there are no leaves on the trees.

I think Charlie should be DQ'ing people and worse... His races are sold out affairs.

Charlie's post motivated me to reach out to the head of DRV/Driscoll's to complain about their guy littering.  The head got back to me and apologized and wrote he was going to send out a reminder about proper comportment during racing.

Marc Bertucco said:

Of course, the bib number is largely useless if you don't know what race it was...

The guy in the picture has full fingered gloves, arm and leg warmers, and there are no leaves on the trees.

Pic was from an early spring race, according to comments in the Facebook post - April 20. Multiple fail - the number is pinned incorrectly. I was marshaling last weekend at bottom of hill near the left sweeper/Park Circle and didn't see anything - but I think most of this shit goes down near the start finish, especially before the race - I've seen guys do hill repeats and roll back down in joggers lane rather than finish the full lap.

The other thing...

what if this rider had stopped temporarily on the right side to adjust something, then instead of cutting across basically a cluster of 5 riders going in two diff't directions, he saw a clear line straight ahead where if he rode for a few meters, then pulled over into the bike lane properly, he would cause the least disruption?

I usually end up walking my bike across the joggers lane when it's busy, because I don't feel like getting hollered at, but you know that is always more disruptive to the flow of the runners/walkers as they have to wait for me to clip clop awkwardly right in front of them.

Still photos can be damning evidence, but they are also incomplete evidence.

@Bertucco - I have to disagree -- I think it's pretty cut and dry. Don't ride in the pedestrian lane. Ever. No excuses. A photo is damning evidence of a violation.

mugwump said:

"worse..." Can this be done in accordance with USAC rules?

I think this is the key issue - and it sounds like the answer is "no"

There's also the problem of riders coming down the wrong way from the GAP before the race starts.  No one will listen because there are no consequences.  

standings are up:

Jules said:

mugwump said:

"worse..." Can this be done in accordance with USAC rules?

I think this is the key issue - and it sounds like the answer is "no"

The only recourse we'd have is to invite the police to the top of the hill to ticket people which sounds like the cure might be worse than the disease...

The "worse" would be a ban for one or more L&C races. That would be entirely within the promoter's right to do. The club could also take action of some sort. I don't know who it is, but I think we should do something if for the only reason that we are (1) the promoter of the race (2) we should set an example and when we don't, own up to it, and (3) it will be a signal that we (as the racing community) take this serious that sends a message to the park conservancy as well as the broader community.

What would I do if I were dictator? Probably a one race suspension coupled with the person having to be the race marshal or KOM recorder or some other task.

Jeffrey White said:

@Bertucco - I have to disagree -- I think it's pretty cut and dry. Don't ride in the pedestrian lane. Ever. No excuses. A photo is damning evidence of a violation.

Also, your example doesn't make sense. There's no such thing as a pedestrian lane on the right in Prospect Park. It's always on the left. Don't ride in it. Ever.

I can think of one big exception:  clearing the way for emergency vehicles.  This happened last Saturday when we were taking a cool down lap, and the ambulance was making its way to the 123 crash scene.  A bunch of us slowly coasted in the jogger's lane to let the ambulance through, then got back into the left lane.  Would be pretty shitty if some jogger took a photo of that as proof of our disorderly behavior.

Craig Zolan said:

Jules said:

mugwump said:

"worse..." Can this be done in accordance with USAC rules?

I think this is the key issue - and it sounds like the answer is "no"

The only recourse we'd have is to invite the police to the top of the hill to ticket people which sounds like the cure might be worse than the disease...

The "worse" would be a ban for one or more L&C races. That would be entirely within the promoter's right to do. The club could also take action of some sort. I don't know who it is, but I think we should do something if for the only reason that we are (1) the promoter of the race (2) we should set an example and when we don't, own up to it, and (3) it will be a signal that we (as the racing community) take this serious that sends a message to the park conservancy as well as the broader community.

What would I do if I were dictator? Probably a one race suspension coupled with the person having to be the race marshal or KOM recorder or some other task.

I'm pretty sure the promoter can not do that and remain a USAC promoter. USAC enforces rules, regulations, etc. We went through this last year with some hooligans from Sommerville and got nowhere with USAC. 

twoyacks said:

standings are up:

http://spasport.com/2013_lucarelli_&_castaldi_cup_overall_standings.htm

Uhm... how is Stalin 1st and 4th?

mperlberg said:

I'm pretty sure the promoter can not do that and remain a USAC promoter. USAC enforces rules, regulations, etc. We went through this last year with some hooligans from Sommerville and got nowhere with USAC. 

What you are indicating is that the following message on every bikereg registration for L&C is toothless and unenforceable:

Riders must not enter the "recreation" lane (aka jogger's lane) on the left side of the roadway for any reason.  Any rider entering this lane, even momentarily, will be disqualified and suspended by USA Cycling and will not be permitted to race in NY Parks for three months and will not be permitted to race in any Kissena Cycling Club event in Prospect Park for one year.

I'm not sure why the club enforcing a ban for only its races would violate USAC rules. I'm going to look into it.

@Brendan - in preparation for the bar you should write an essay spotting all the issues in enforcing a ban by the club/promoter and a well reasoned opinion on the outcome. In this hypothetical case the rider is married, though separating, and he and his wife are both on the lease for their apartment and each is named as the beneficiary in each others' will.

Go on, someone put up the pic of the naughty boy who was riding the wrong way.  Im curious and don't have a Shitbook account so can't see Charlie's page.

i see a rule against perpetuities issue. res ipsa loquitor.  replevin.  the punctilio of an honor most sensitive.

Jules said:

Uhm... how is Stalin 1st and 4th?

in soviet russia, stalin must always be in 1st. 4th was typo