SuperStroke

What's up everyone.
I'm looking to throw down in some organized races in the city. I'm in brooklyn, and prefer prospect park. I just wanna know roughly what my approach should be in getting in: licensing, which races to participate/avoid, etc. Anybody who races prospect that could give me any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm ready to start as soon as the season their kicks off, I'm just finding it difficult pre-registering for tentative schedules(naturally, as it's early), or even getting a definitive date as to when things truly begin, and if affiliation with a club(in particular?) need be. Thanks again

botto 

https://www.newyorkbikeracing.com/

SuperStroke

Thanks botto. I just checked that out before I posted. Am I mandated to start off cat 5 if never raced there before?

patentcad

You can register according to the Cat on your license. Vets races are Cat 4 and higher.

SuperStroke

PCad I know you do your thing upstate, ever Central Park or anything within city also?

patentcad

I'll be doing the CP and PP Spring Series races in March and April, or as many as I can make, that's a major focus for my team (35+ vets races).

SuperStroke

Good to hear. Another thing, when I first started riding, I've held an average 21.7mph solo for 6 laps at PP. What do these cat 5 guys really do on that short course, 25mph+? It's not that I feel elite and don't wanna start out cat 5, it's just sounds like a shootout right out the gate, by the most amateur field imaginable......

SuperStroke

anybody already plan on racing any early events let me know, I'll meet u guys there.

carpediemracing 

As a Cat 3 that's placed in one P-1-2-3 race at Prospect and a bunch of times in the M35 race, that's a heck of a lot faster than I can do for even one lap. Then again, I'm not a TT type of guy.

The key is, can you respond to a 35 mph attack? If you can you'll be fine. The average speed won't kill you, it's the fast bits that get you dropped.

good luck out there,
cdr

jmp66

+1

should also point out that races are noticeably faster later in the season...PP is an easy course, it's kind of hard to get dropped, but few attacks get away.

Holyspokes

hey bro, im doin the central park series, or at least some of them. My first race will be March 2nd, Cat 5. Maybe ill see you there. I've never actually riden in central park cause im out on Long Island, but i'm goin there this coming weekend to get the course down.

SuperStroke

Thanks cdr.
I have been reading posts of yours for about half a year, and found plenty helpful.
In terms of the 35mph jolts, I hope I can sustain with the first group of those attacking.......
I personally try to get above 33pmh in at least 2-4 intervals whenever I just go out riding by myself, and I've been known to hit 39.2mph solo on a flat(very, very slight ascent according to gps).

SuperStroke

Thanks spokes,
I'll try to get up with you for that one. Send me a link to it if you got anything on it. I never rode central either, maybe I'll head out there when u go also.

SuperStroke

Why is it so short? under 5 miles?!?

DrWJODonnell

1. Get your license.
2. Go to bikereg, and register for the event.
3. Enjoy your race.

Don't worry about average speeds and such. They don't matter in the pack. Maybe will see you at a few of the races. I think I might go out to say hi to PCaddy if I can get up early enough on March 2.

Pablo.

I'll be doing some spring racing in the park as well. Anyone doing https://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=5444 or https://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5781

Holyspokes

Yeah the cat 5 race in cp is only about 12 miles... 2 loops..

jmp66

i think they give the 5's 3 laps (18.6 mi) this year. 4 laps (24.8 mi) for 3/4's and Masters, 5 laps (31 mi) for 1/2/3's. Still short races. the ones in Prospect are longer.

SuperStroke

Sounds good, I'm going to get on top of it this week then, hope to see you guys out there in good form.

patentcad

Hope to see you there Dr. W. I should be at all of them, weather permitting (I'm not a huge fan of racing on wet roads). TT's on wet roads are fine. Mass start races on wet roads suck. On the other hand when you crash (note that I did say 'when', not 'if') there's far less road rash.

SuperStroke

PCad, your team accompanying you in the March series?

patentcad

I will be accompanying them.

SuperStroke

Ahh, just when I thought it safe to assume they follow your lead.

GuitarWizard

Niiiiiice...you bought a team?

patentcad

That's how a desperate bike weenie who wants to race in a stylish kit makes it happen kid. Learn from the Master. Besides, you don't think any team would ever actually recruit me to race for them do you? I will endeavor to not embarrass the team jersey and help my team mates win. Here are my goals:

1) Don't get killed

2) Finish the race

3) Ride near the front

4) Help my team however I can (chase, block, lead out)

#4 will only be possible after #'s 1,2 and 3. If by some bicycle racing hosanna I wind up in a break and I don't detonate all over Manhattan, we'll see what happens. I'll go out there and try to be in the first 20 guys for 4 laps. If I can manage that everything else becomes possible.

Pcad's #1 Rule of Bike Racing: Bad **** Happens in the Back. Stay up Front. Period. I missed a lot of crashes through the 1990's racing that way. It works.

Easier said than done sometimes, as we all know.