The race started very civilised, I think a lot of people were nervous about the length (Garmin told me 125km in total). We rolled up to the first hill on the first lap which topped out at about 9%, but was only about 1-2 km long. As we went up, Ryan and I set a tempo at the front, nothing too hard, just a bit of pressure to see what would happen. It looked promising from here, a peek over my should showed a large part of the group at the front in single file. This seemed encouraging, knowing that there was a climb about 10 km long later in the lap meant there might be opportunities for things to split up.

Unfortunately, riding the lap and getting around it became clear pretty soon that no sort of tempo would be set which might force the issue, even on the latter ascent. As a result, when we had completed the first lap and half of the race, things were very civilised still. This was the point of Jules and Aly chasing on, pretty impressive. I've tried to chase on after mechanicals/getting dropped and never managed it. Chapeau!

At this point for Ryan, and even after TTing for 20 minutes for Jules, this was not good enough. When we hit the first climb of 9% they put the hammer down. I know this as I got caught up at the back of the field and bogged down in the feed zone. Ryan and Jules, with the help of a few others totally split the 89-strong field. Smashed it down to about 25 guys by the top of the hill. Phenomenal work in such a short space of time. I stayed on got on the back of this split on the top of the hill and had a great view to appreciate the carnage. Problem was, we had about 15 km of descent next. Thus, over the next 30 minutes more and more people hitched back on. Whatever, you guys did a fantastic job of squeezing the juice out of a lot of guys.

After the field sat up, 25km from the finish, we hit the longer, shallower climb. Ryan's frustration at the un-challenging nature of the race was palpable. This frustration manifested itself in him sitting at the front and attacking constantly for the entire climb. I was riding in 3-10th wheel for a load of the climb and just sat there admiring constant jumps at the front, trying to force the issue. Ryan was either at the front, trying desperately to make something happen, of bridging up to 1 or 2 of the others who had a similar idea, thereby almost single handedly keeping the pressure on for the entire climb. Excellent to see. I there had been just one or two additional teams helping this would have made all the difference. In fact, when our lead group finished the race, we were down to 39 riders. Somewhere along the line we had lost 50: this was in no small way down to what was happening on that last hill.

So, as no more features in the course remained, after that hill there was a 10 km flat run-in to the finish. Our bunch sprint, at least, would be between about 30 not 80 riders. I wanted to go for a 1 km flyer. I had done no work in the race, just sat in. i felt really good and knew that a lot of others, although present, were not in a happy state due to a mixture of 115 km of riding and the work, in part largely due to Kissena, on the last lap. Unfortunately, keeping position was really hard. Ryan and I tied to get to front for the last corner, which was a 90 degree right followed almost immediately by a 90 degree right. This dropped us exactly 1 km from the finish on a pan flat run-in.

As we got to the corner I was about 12-15 places back, not so bad. I made sure my gearing was right and was able to gain 5 places or so with a quick acceleration into the second of the 90 degree turns. The inevitable speed up began and as we charged towards the line the distance markers began to tease us.

The markers were coming in 100 m intervals. 1 km.......quickly 700m appeared....600m. Despite, I assume, everyone being able to count, these markers seem to test the patience. The front was speeding up and those wanting to sprint became twitchy, almost as if they do not know that they need to wait. Do not know that we are at 700 m but MUST wait until ~200 m. It's just too far. Then it goes. Someone jumps, way too far out, as we cross the 500m marker. I remember this rather lucidly, which is interesting as I am by no means a master of the art of sprinting. During this I somehow had the chance to spot the marker, spot the first jump, think 'No way mate, way too far', then hop on a wheel that had hopped on another that was hunting 'Jonny cum-too-quick's' slipstream. It was the perfect leadout, allowing the front of the field to thin a little. As others tried their luck, the markers kept coming 400 m......300 m....200m. At this point, I forced the conscious decision to get out of the saddle and went. Had a load of speed due to the slipstream and came out, exactly at 200m. The sprint was as good as could be expected, I was cut up ever so slightly 100 m form the line, enough so that I stopped pedalling for a second but not enough to need the brakes. That's sprinting I guess. That was Dylan from Rapha who finished 2 bike lengths ahead of me (a beast) so he was stronger in any case. Might have cost 4th but that's the nature of the game, no complaints. Garmin tells me we hit the finish line at 60.7kmph. As someone who never practises the art of sprinting, I'll take that on a flat run-in. As a result, managed to get 5th place.

I just wanted to add my report, not so much for the result, but to explain the race. I know that Jules and Ryan especially didn't get everything they wanted from the race, but they did a stellar job. I would not have been able to sprint against just 30 guys as apposed to the 90-strong field if it had not been for them. Our result really was totally due to the team effort. A 5th place doesn't do justice to what the small 4-man team achieved, in the face of, for many of us, the longest race of the season, and stronge opposing teams. Also, Jules and Aly: congrats on the chase- super pro!

With this in mind, Killington bodes very well for in two weeks.

That is all.

You forgot the Thai food...

I hope we can all forget the Thai food, forever.

Posted By: AdamI hope we can all forget the Thai food, forever.

Yes, note to self:

Don't inhale super spicy dish (when you never eat spicy food) from a restaurant you've never been to before, while you are in the team van the night before a big race.

I'm doing the Hunter Mountain in Cat 5 U35. Any other Kissena's doing it as well?

Seems like a great race; the length will be interesting; especially for the cat5s. Judging from the race reports and finish times; cat 3 and 4 were group sprints, 5s smaller group.

Do you know if it the same course as last year? Measured in time, it looks like last year was about the same length as battenkill (~3.5hrs..)

I signed up for that race as well.

very tempted by this.  seems like it's doable in a one-day round-trip as well.

yes - I think it is doable as daytrip (2.15u car ride and start after 11.00). I haven't decided if I'll stay in the area for the rest of the weekend, but will be riding in any case. I'll post if I have a places available in my car.

On bike prep, do you think it makes sense to ride with tougher tires (eg Conti 4 season)? From the race reports, it seems like the flats were more than just "bad luck"... does anybody know the conditions of the roads?

I camped in the catskills by myself last year, rode my bike from metronorth train station in the evening and then to the race in the morning- it was super.

credit goes to Woj for lending me his tent.

decided i'm gonna do this.  knee's feeling 100% and is ready for something more than laps around prospect.

will probably drive up early saturday and then straight back after the race.  will have space for two more.

Will be racing the Cat 3 field for this.

@mark
I'm going also

Mark - i'm in 5 u35. Looks like a small field. Great to team up.

On logistics, i'm driving up with adam in the morning and i have one extra seat available.

floris im interested in hitching a ride

a few questions for you hunter mountain experts, if you'd be so kind:

1) none of the climbs look particularly acute (they seem to average 3-4%), and so i was thinking i'd stick with my 11-23 cassette.  any advice against my doing so?
2) what kind of roads are we talking about... any dirt, gravel, etc?  i am running 23s at present, and they were fine at battenkill / RVM, but i am wondering if hunter contains anything worse.
3) how many feed zones were there in total?  i was planning to go with two water / heed bottles and one sustained energy mix, presuming that there will be two, maybe three zones along the way.

cheers.

Assuming its the same 2 lap course as last year... 1 - these climbs are easy - 11/23 should be fine. 2 - very smooth roads 3 - 1 feed zone after lap 1. I would carry two bottles on the bike and one in the jersey pocket and all the food you need.

Ryan J said:

Assuming its the same 2 lap course as last year... 1 - these climbs are easy - 11/23 should be fine. 2 - very smooth roads 3 - 1 feed zone after lap 1. I would carry two bottles on the bike and one in the jersey pocket and all the food you need.

thanks ryan.

Read last years reports - this finished in a pretty wild sprint last year. No big climbs.

yep -- i have been.  plenty to think about ahead of time, not least the necessity of avoiding spiced asian dishes the evening before the race.  

Man, I just reread the race reports.  I miss my April 2012 form.  Gonna go looking for it tomorrow morning in the park.

Just sign up and ride the race in the field.  Likely to stay together anyway so will be 80 miles of beautiful scenery and moderate climbing.  Sprint if you like.  It's a later start this year so a drive up morning-of jobby.

I'd love to @Adam but it's not in the cards this year, I'm afraid.  I'll make a day-of call this Saturday for the park race.

Given the rainy weather forecast, any part of the downhills / corners particularly tricky?

Looks like cat5u35 field will be fairly small.

Thanks

This race is fine in the wet.  There are two, long, fast descents but they are not technical (i.e. no turning required.  Straight lines).  Nothing to worry about.  Be relaxed and calm though.  On one you WILL hit over 50mph.  My only advice would be 'stay at the front' on the downhill.  DOn't let another Cat5 mofo be the one you trust your life to-pick your own line (and avoid a face full of spray).

Nothing is partcularly tricky. Just long grinds uphill and long smooth descending. It can be windy, but the roads are wide so not very challenging. Here's the course from the fall race last year which I believe is identical to the spring version.