mugwump said:

If Oscar gets significantly stronger between now and then (he'll be pedaling on a trail-a-bike), I could possibly make it, but that would take lots from Oscar.  Come to think of it, we need to start doing some training rides together.  

Time for a pint sized turbo...

reg'ed for the 4 and 3/4

Anyone else weigh in on the 2/3 or 1/2/3 debate? I will reg this weekend to avoid paying more. I am leaning toward 1-2-3 as I think the tactics will be better and the likelihood of a negative race diminishes.

I'm pretty sure I'll be there.

I wish there was better spacing between the races so we could do both.

If we do the 123 id like to get there early to pre-ride as much as possible as I find this course very challenging.

We just need to agree to this while you are still single...

mperlberg said:

I'm pretty sure I'll be there. I wish there was better spacing between the races so we could do both. If we do the 123 id like to get there early to pre-ride as much as possible as I find this course very challenging.

Okay, NOT being snarky here...real question:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/65526813

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xvww879ig8

What do you find challenging about the course? Looks like 2 wide left turns, a single apex sweeper at the top, all on good pavement. I look at the above videos and think...okay, this is a real strong-man's course." Potentially very windy on this wide-open course and hard to find shelter. And yes, and like other crits, getting a good warm-up will be a big part of how you would feel during the race. But otherwise seems like a course ideal for watt monsters.

My problem in the 123 race two years ago was with the accelerations. Let's say each straight-away is 200m. The snap and burst needed to get up to full speed in the pack at a 200m distance is more difficult for me to put out than I feel it would be at 400-500m; a sprinter I am not. So no matter how hard I worked, I wound up drifting back, gaps opened up, and then it's off the back and thanks for coming. The blazing start just destroyed me (full disclosure: I had also raced an L&C jam that morning).

I'm going to give the 2/3 a go in earnest, but I can't promise my usefulness in that race.

I'll do whatever everyone else is doing. If Eric does the 123 I'll follow. I'll try and be of what help I can be.

Edit: bound brook not branch brook.

The 3/4 race is looking super competitive. Ryan McGarrity was superhuman before whatever injury took him out a couple years ago, and he's part of a serious SixCycle squad. And the familiar 5th Floor hitters are all reg'd. Manny Frias will be gunning for a sprint. Maybe Mark Wagner's track success will finally translate to the road. Would love to slug it out with these guys with some strong teammates.

Maybe we do two squads. I'll do both but take it easy in the 2/3 as a sprint option. If anyone wants to venture into the 123 with me, then I'll welcome the help. Or I'm on my own in the 123 without doing the 2/3. I'm fine with either.

Sand in a corner is just lazy. And dangerous. Considering I picked up a broom at Grant's Tomb to sweep glass off of one side of the street after turn one (the actual CRCA volunteer was sweeping where no one was ever going to ride), it shouldn't surprise me that the CRCA left a sandy corner for you to play with.

Mark hasnt figured out how transfer his track racing success onto the road as of yet. We hung out on st. patricks day and he was saying that getting his footing on the road was a goal this year. I think i'm gonna target the 3/4 race and then be helper on either the 123 or 2/3 race. 

sounds like a plan

mperlberg said:

$55 to do 2 races. 

I'd be happy to go for the breakaway option in the 2/3, and then support Eric in the 123. 

I should be strong enough to do back to back races by then. 

mperlberg said:

2 years ago I had a hard time holding wheels through those turns with the speed some folks here taking. There was also a lot of sand in the 1st turn and 3-4 people went down on different laps in the cat 3 race. 

I'm not an ace at cornering by any means. For me to do it fast (much like cross) I need to ride the course a bunch before hand. Think about bound brook last year. I was nearly off the back for the first 5 laps until I figured out the turns. Then I was fine. In a race like the 123, I can't really afford to be figuring it out for 5 laps. 

Edit: bound brook not branch brook.

Bound brook is a challenging course for sure the fast right left chicane combo combined with a few other quick/narrow turns is a recipe for getting dropped if you don't have the engine/warm-up to go. On the back stretch, super wide, super fast, leading to a hard left, followed by another hard left just a few pedal strokes later.

All of this kind of direction changing/rapid succession turning in crits is a recipe for getting hurt BIG TIME if you are out of position and too far back. The amount of accelerating from slow speeds you will have to do if you are too far back is going to crush all but the strongest riders. But you know that.

If all else fails, you don't get in a good warm-up, I recommend getting to the start line EARLY and parking yourself on the front row. This way you have a chance to a) take the lines IN THE LEAD at your pace and b) drift back/get passed without too much damage in the early laps of the race.

The more uncomfortable you are with a course, the more important it is that you are starting the race in the front.

Don't forget to bring this guy...

I'm reg'd for the 3/4 race. if anyone is driving up let me know. It'd be nice to bring the trainer up to warm up on. Otherwise I'll prob take the train there. 

Ride there.  It's really easy.

I haven't heard anything back from anyone regarding rides. I'm staying
optimistic- Maybe someone can split a ride with me and some others. If not
I'll take the subway up there and ride back (maybe).


On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 11:14 AM, Kayt Mathers <

I'm doing the 3/4?

I got you Craig and Kayt

In my car I have Arron, an the kayt and Craig.

FWIW, I'm officially NOT racing Orchard on Sunday. I'll be hanging at the zoo with my family, hopefully looking at monkey's and daydreaming of how awesome I did on Saturday at Turkey Hill.

Thanks Andy. Going to be so epic.

Hurray, thanks you Andy! You don't mind leaving on the earlier side so I can catch the W4 field? Thanks again.

My races are later, so I have to do family time first. Sorry, 8:05am is just too early.

In for 4 and 3/4.