Marc Bertucco said:

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.

This will most likely be my plan...

Dave,

The 1-2-3 break went on the second or third lap. Breech, myself and a couple of others pulled it back close enough to jump across and then it went away again for the final 15 laps or so.

Anyone else have room for a body & bike from Brooklyn? I'm thinking of doing this 4/5s race.

@Ros, it's only about a 30 minute penalty to shlep your ass via subway (the 6 train to the end with a five minute ride through the park). I've done it and it was totally chill -- actually kinda memorable. Queue up a motivational podcast for the ride.

@John - The last couple editions it's been a sprint in the 3/4 race with SixCycle looking to dominate proceedings much as in years past. Generally the top 3 exiting the final curve go top 3, since it's well under 100 meters to the line from there. Go early; your general Frias policy will apply. Scroll up to see some finishes and search YouTube as well. A bunch of them are up.

@Jeff/3-4's I think it'll depend on the wind and the mix in the break. RKO probably has enough HP to pull anything back, but if we get McGarity in a break with us it'd work. I don't rate our chances if it comes down to a bunch sprint — too many natural sprinters.

I do alright in a fast start and don't love riding 3/4 criteriums, so I'd like to get on the front row and blast it for the first 5 laps and see what sticks. Da Silva and Craig could chill and then when the break is pulled back we get them in the counter move. It's 50 minutes, I think you guys could stay away for 40 minutes easy. Rapha's Greg Fowlkes has a big engine too, and I'm guessing he'll be wanting to rip it up from the get go. If Frias or poquito Quintero is there with three to go, we'd be smart to try and solo. Practice your CX start clip-in!

So for the 3/4 we have

Oooh, John, you're getting my blood up.

@Jeff
Hole shot sounds good . . . Are you already feeling the effects of the gamma radiation machine?

Would like to do 3/4 or 2/3, but it's dependent on a ride.

Anyone have a rear rack?

Ragot, which race are you targeting?

I have a Saris rear rack you could use, but you have to come to Manhattan to get it.

@dasilva. 123. If the oppty presents itself in 2/3 I'll take it.

I reg'd for 4 and 3/4, likely targetting 4

I'm in for the 4. Missed the boat on the 3/4. 

I'm in for 4/5 race

In for the 2/3.

... Gonna decidebtmrw if I wanna double up

Andrew Da Silva said:

... Gonna decidebtmrw if I wanna double up

FWIW, I'm personally not a big fan of doubling up at most crits. Because if you are not careful you end up having two "meh?" races.

If I had registered earlier I would have... It's kind of expensive now.

Five Borough Bike Tour is Sunday.  Heads up if this changes your travel plans

Thanks jules. Have to pick Craig up in midtown. I suspect I'll have to plan around that

Thanks jules. Have to pick Craig up in midtown. I suspect I'll have to plan around that

FYI from the DoT weekend bulletin:

The following closures will be in effect on Sunday for the Five Boro Bike Tour:
* The lower level of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Staten Island will be closed from 12:01 am to 6 pm. The Brooklyn-bound lower level will also close at 12:01 am. Two lanes will reopen about 8 am. The upper level will be open in both directions.
* Traffic exiting the Hugh L. Carey Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in Brooklyn will be diverted to Hamilton Avenue from 10 am to 3:30 pm.
* The FDR Drive ramp to the Robert F. Kennedy (Triboro) Bridge will be closed from 8 am to noon. All Manhattan-bound traffic must exit at 125th Street.
* There will be street closures in all five boroughs between 7:30 am and 2:30 pm. Detailed information is available on the DOT web site at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/wkndtraf.shtml and on the Five Boro Bike Tour web site at http://www.bikenewyork.org/ride/five-boro-bike-tour/.

The following streets will be closed on Sunday:
* Broadway between West 86th Street and West 93rd Street in Manhattan will be closed from noon to 5 pm for the 26th Annual Broadway Spring Festival.
* Central Park West between West 110th Street and West 97th Street in Manhattan will be closed from 1 pm to 4 pm for the Cinco de Mayo Parade.
* Court Street between Union Street and West 9th Street in Brooklyn will be closed from noon to 6 pm for the Gowanus Canal CDC Court Street Festival.

I see a picture on the FB...a Kissena sprinting into maybe 5th place. In a race with Al Borough, so that means either a 2/3 race or the 1/2/3. Do tell! Who are you? #theOrangeHelmetTellsOnlySoMuch

7th place it looks like in the 4s for Wes Tillman. #CRCAFBpageInfo

Johnny wrongway 2nd in 3/4 andy and Brendan right around 10th.

Eric 5th from break in 2/3.