PatrickGrehan said:

The Trooper Brinkerhoff races in Coxsackie are a highlight of the Spring racing season. Taking place on rolling farm roads in upstate New York, its a nice alternative to park races and could give you something to look forward to (and train for). It's a series held on two Saturdays in April: 9th and 23rd. 

They just opened registration: https://www.bikereg.com/tbm2022

I've only done this race once, but for those who are wondering what it's like, I'll try to add a little.

It largely goes through open fields.  The wind can be a factor.  

It's about as hilly as Prospect and Central Parks.  The one hill that's memorable is probably akin to the rise in Prospect.  

It's fun.

Oh snap.  I'm in for the 4/5s!  Got a chance to ride the course back in August, and have to agree, it's fast and fun as hell!

I am liking the sound of this @mugwump, I registered for the c group. Hope to see you guys there. 

Dumb question, but would this be a good option for a first-time racer?

RichardKaufmann said:

Dumb question, but would this be a good option for a first-time racer?

Not a dumb question at all.

My advice for first-time racers is to do something close to home.  Fewer variables.  Less planning needed.  Lower stakes.  

It's also a drag driving three hours and then getting dropped in the first ten minutes.  

So, if you live nearby or are en route to doing something nearby or want an adventure and aren't concerned about the downsides, go for it.  

**In past years, I've led a talk on bike racing strategies and tactics for newer racers.  Traditionally, I've done it a week before the first local race.  Used to be in person somewhere, but now with Zoom, it can be done online--I prefer in person, but Zoom might make more sense this year, considering.  

^ I say go for it... this series is some of the most fun, safe and hard racing to be had. It's always blowing a gale, so you'll learn how to ride echelon and the centerline rule forces you to get used to riding close. The course is unique. It's full of rollers and short punchy climbs. Getting dropped isn't the worst, because it's a circuit you can ride until they pull you, but more likely you'll end up in a chase group with riders of similar abilities. 
Lastly, it's also exciting racing—breaks will stay away, lot's of attacks, monster bunch sprints. If you're serious about improving, a few of these 40 milers under the belt will set you up for a solid season. The TSS will be huge.

The pro tip for this one is to eat everyone else's lunch before you eat yours. So. Many. Cramps.

First time racers:
1) attend JP’s tactics talk
2) do as many Branch Brook races as you can. You used to be able to race twice a day there

For low stakes intro racing (which I personally want a lot of) for NYC residents:

The Not So Friendly Laps guy is hosting an informal weeknight series in Prospect Park in March. Check his IG @notsofriendlylaps for more details.

Verrazano Cycling Club are going to be doing Saturday AM crits on Randall's Island in March, details TBD apparently. Not sure if sanctioned or not.

I'm gonna try to go to as many iterations of each to get better at racing in groups with lower stakes than big USAC races.

@DavidVibert
Please check with the club about participating in the informal racing events in prospect , I'm not sure they sit well as they can jeopardize permitting of Kissena promoted races etc 

@DavidVibert I believe the VCC races on Randall's Island run by Alex (can't remember his last name) and are typically sanctioned.  He put on all the Randall's and World's Fair races last year.  They're super low key, not big races, and are a great way to get into racing.  Randall's is especially good for learn how to hide from the wind.

I would avoid unsanctioned stuff. Not only could it is jeopardize the clubs ability to put on races in the future, but there is typically a ton of signage, cones, and mottos that help keep the racers and the park-goers safe that come along with a sanctioned race that you don't have at the underground stuff. 

Great feedback, thank you!

@DavidVibert

Your desire to race is palpable.  And a good thing.

I'm sure if you ask around, maybe take a bit of a lead, we either already have or you could put together a training session that would give you the intensity you're looking for in Prospect.

Thanks to the wonders of Strava, you can find out how long it takes to go up the hill in Prospect, and ride with a group that aims to hit the hill at or above race pace.  If you're solo, it's probably enough to match the wattage of the effort, as without drafting, you won't get the same speed.  

You could also be part of a group ride that aims to do one to several hot laps in a pace line.  This would give you the experience of a breakaway without racing.  Again, with Strava, you can look at what lap times are and see about matching that.  

FWIW, our Sunday rides often finish with a fast, hard rumble down 9W, trying to make it race-pace from at least the scout camp (where the hills end) to the last rise before the bridge.  

@DavidVibert

As Mark mentioned, because of permitting reasons and the optics of it, if you're going to participate in unsanctioned races we ask that you do not wear Kissena kit while doing so. NYC is always looking for a reason to come down on cyclists so we can't give them a reason to be unhappy with Kissena in particular

Absolutely! I’m new to racing and this is all very helpful to learn.

If there are group rides in PP I’d like to participate. The 9W ride is fun but getting to the GW bridge from where I am, deep in Sunset Park, is a journey all by itself.

If you're riding in KCC kit, something, something, KCC park riding protocol something.

@DavidVibert  I'm planning on riding tomorrow, Sunday Jan. 23, In Prospect Park. Hit me up on slack if you're interested in meeting up. I rode Trooper Brinkhoff last year and will probably ride it again this year. 

I'll be joining the C group on the 9th. Looks like we'll have a decent posse of 4 in attendance. 

I've got room in my car/on my bike rack for 1 if anyone needs a ride on Saturday.

GregHoge said:

I've got room in my car/on my bike rack for 1 if anyone needs a ride on Saturday.

Might take you up on that, if that's okay!

super bummed.... but i just tested positive for covid today, it doesn't look like I will be racing this weekend. Does anyone know if you can transfer my registration?

@ColinStief That's a bummer!  Hope you're not getting hit hard.  It looks like there is a waitlist for the 4/5s, so I would think you could transfer your entry.

Take good care, Colin. 

Thanks guys. I'm feeling better already. Good luck out there today!

Today was wet and wild, but mostly just wet.  Met up with Richard and headed out of NYC with clear skies and a slight chill in the air.  By the time the race had started it was a steady soft rain. Speaking of race starts, I barely made it after dropping my chain during my warm up and smashing my pedal into my shin...that was fun.  

We rolled out at 11:08 sharp.  About a 1/4 of the way through the first lap a rider went off the front.  Soon a group of 3 broke away to try and chase him down.  The bunch closed the gap to the chase by the end of the first lap, but the lone rider had about a 30 second gap by then.  I stayed towards the back of the front group for the first lap or so just trying to stay warm.  The second lap saw a few "attacks" that weren't even close to getting away and it didn't seem like anyone wanted to chase.  Halfway through the second lap a guy on the side of the road shouted to his riders that the leaders was so far ahead we weren't going to catch him if we didn't start riding.  No one started riding.  He was gone.  For the next 3/4 lap or so I sat in as best I could.  I knew things were going to heat up on every climb on the last lap, and they did.  My goal was to not get dropped on any of the climbs.  There were a few close calls, but I held on.  I also knew I had to get over the top of the final climb in the top 5 wheels.  The last 2-3k were rolling downhill with the last 1k into the finish stretch being a a solid downhill.  On our first 2 passes of the turn to the finish I noticed a rider from team Swamis who seemed to be testing his setup for the run into that final turn.  On the last lap who would come rolling up the wrong side of the road, but this dude.  He slotted into 2nd wheel with me in 3rd wheel.  At about 1k a rider tried to jump up the right side of the road.  The Swamis rider and I jumped on his wheel.  I held 3rd wheel as we rounded the turn off the course and into the finish stretch.  The first rider opened up his sprint at about 300m.  I stayed on Swamis' wheel till ~250ish, came around and opened up.  I passed Swamis.  I passed the first rider.  I sprinted to the finish for a 2nd place!  The guy who won ended up ~3 minutes ahead.

Pretty darn good way to round out my spring races.  The winnings bought Richard and I some well deserved ramen on our way home (much needed too since we didn't stop shivering for at least half an hour).

Greg, amazing! Well done. I told you my plan was to stay on your wheel, and if I had I'd have a different story to tell.

That was a crazy race. Crazy as in brutal. As in maniacal. I rolled into the parking lot with plenty of time to get a nice warm-up in and was feeling optimistic physically after a recovery week and back issues having subsided. As soon as we left the start line, the rained started. And it didn't let up. It was hard to see at times and the feeling in the Peloton was stressy. I saw Greg leap frog to the frontlines and I tried to follow.  The road was pretty narrow and I couldn't find space. After 2/3rds of the way around the 1st lap, I saw an opening on the shoulder and pushed through. This led right into a turn and I had a great position to advance, ready to keep up my foward momentum. I was heeding other riders advice to get to the front before the climbs and sag it. Of course, the best laid plans are wasted on me. I had burned a match trying to catch Greg (who I predicted would be my golden ticket) and the hill that suddenly appeared is the steepest on the course. Short, but steep. I was already a little taxed from my move and my gearing was all wrong. That's where I lost my golden ticket. I started falling back, as if in slow motion. I was now losing hope of bridging back to the main pack.

I saw Rich fall off the back, as well, and thought maybe I could catch up to him to join forces. That was also proving nearly impossible. Then, a group of 4 strong, tall dudes came up from behind I managed to hold onto their wheels for a spell. Tall riders provide great draft! Rich and the front were starting to look like a real possibility.

At this point my heart rate had been pinned to 180 for ten minutes and I paid the price. I fell of the back. Into the wilderness. All alone. Ice cold rain in my face. My spirit broken. 

Then, the real fun began. 

The loneliness of the long distance riding off the back. Wet as a dish rag. Fingers getting numb. I yelled into the void what the fuck am I a punishing myself like this for? Does this really qualify as fun? In what universe is this supposed to be fun? Is it the same universe made up of those people who like to eat raw nettles straight off the bush or smile beatifically when sitting in an ice bath. It was an epic and nasty battle between my bruised ego, my collapsing internal organs, and the elements. 

This lasted for half a lap. I thought I was at the back, that guy living in a cave who doesn't realize the war is over, when a group of 3 riders raced by and I caught some wheels. Some drafting again, yeahaw! We worked together at a decent clip. By now the cold was taking its toll. I could barely shift. I would blow on one hand, then the other, in hopes of stopping the frost nasties. I actually had a warmer pair of gloves in my back pocket, but there was no physical way I was going to get those on without pulling off the road, altogether. It was all I could to keep my hands locked on the bars. 

I lowered my head...and suffered. Praying someone would soon put me out of misery. At 2k from the finish, one of the guys in the group, who was largely not taking pulls, suddenly attacked and went up the road. Motherfucker. But all is fair in racing. We ever caught up. 

I crossed the finish line mostly thinking about my hands. And peeing. I wasn't sure which was more important. I could barely use my hands at this point, so hands took precedence. It took me a few minutes to get the car keys out of my back pocket. Nobody tells you in biking school that zippers are not friendly to frost-bitten fingers. Turned the car heater on full and did everything but glue my fingers to the engine block to warm up. That's when the real pain starts. It's like someone is hammering your fingers on an anvil that is simultaneously bone cold and red hot. This must have lasted about 5 minutes. And did I mention it was painful? Eventually, I got a recovery shake in and rolled south.

Back in the city, feeling very relaxed this evening, like I really did something with my life. I suppose that's why I ride a bike.  

Of course, following Greg's wheel all the way to finish would been nice.  
 

yessss @GregHoge ! that is what im talking about. I was really disappointed to not be able to race today... but am signed up for the second race in a couple of weeks @AdamYaffe @RichardKaufmann , do you have another one in you?

ColinStief said:

yessss @GregHoge ! that is what im talking about. I was really disappointed to not be able to race today... but am signed up for the second race in a couple of weeks @AdamYaffe @RichardKaufmann , do you have another one in you?

I could be talked into it, if anyone has car space available. It’s a long way for one race, but I have a bit of a grudge with my DNF result. It’s still a pretty cool route, and if the weather’s warmer I’d at least have fun trying to catch up if dropped. 

Bump!

Brinkerhoff is back.  This Saturday and next

https://www.bikereg.com/tbm2023

I’m going. First race of the year. Hopefully I won’t get hypothermia like last time!