"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - I'm so proud

I went out for a racing-club coaching session this morning and during a double pace line, I got paired up with the coach. Anyway, we were chatting, and he asked me what Cat I race (5), and then replied, "Well from the looks of it you won't be a 5 for too long," implying my strength on the bike. I got into bike riding just about a year ago (March 14 of '06 to be exact) to help bring my body back from 9 months of chemotherapy, and I got hooked about a mile into my first ride. Now I'm gearing up for the season (I already have 1 race under my belt), and it felt great to receive a compliment like that from a coach I met for the first time today.

You want a cookie? How about a star sticker? I'm just kidding. I too feel all childish, giddy, and happy inside when I get compliments.

Congrats Jo. Like you, I started riding for my health a couple of years ago. Never did I imagine back then that riding would be such an important part of who I am. We are all proud of you. Keep it up

Yeah, with your skill I'm guessing that within just 10 races you should be ready to upgrade to a 4!!

j/k. It's cool to have people say stuff like that.

--Steve

Nice. Pride is a sin though is it not? Anyway. Nothing wrong with a bit of pride around here. Congrats on being on a bike for a year and finding a positive way to progress especialy from Chemo.

Could be a coach hoping to drum up more membership, but even that's a compliment if he wants you on his team, right?

Congrat's ! On Sunday after my erratic pacing,riding off the front, and outclimbing the group on hills my coach said "You are gonna get SO dropped in races this year..."

You want a cookie? How about a star sticker? I'm just kidding. I too feel all childish, giddy, and happy inside when I get compliments.

Yeah man, I kinda do want a cookie. I was giddy as a school girl. :D

Yeah man, I kinda do want a cookie. I was giddy as a school girl. :D

probably why the coach used that line on you.

good for you! Im sure that felt awesome!! :)

I got yelled at by DJ during that session for going too hard at the front. But I really like Dave Jordan's no-nonsense style. Really gets the point across.

Ouch. If you'll excuse me I'm gonna go hide under my table and sulk now.

Congrats, joshalope. Definitely something to be proud of. I remember feeling the same way the first time I got referred to as "one of the fast guys" on our club ride. Granted everything is relative and I'm not all that fast, but it still felt good.

Kind of a weird compliment, considering you only have to START ten races to get out of Cat5, it's not like it requires skill or strength. But I think he meant well. I remember when a fit expert told me my thighs were so developed that I looked like I was riding knees in, when technically I wasn't.

Joshalope, do you have a handle on the good racing teams in Queens? Kissena looks good, any others? I'll likely be moving there this summer.

I hope you enjoy racing and are successful with it. I also hope you have no need for any chemotherapy in the future.

You want a cookie? How about a star sticker? I'm just kidding. I too feel all childish, giddy, and happy inside when I get compliments.

I'm not a big fan of cookies, how about some pie?

I'm surprised how snarky some of the replies to the OP were. The fact that you're out there kicking butt 9 months after chemo makes you awesome, period, end of story. Keep at it and best of luck.

Kind of a weird compliment, considering you only have to START ten races to get out of Cat5, it's not like it requires skill or strength. But I think he meant well. I remember when a fit expert told me my thighs were so developed that I looked like I was riding knees in, when technically I wasn't.

Joshalope, do you have a handle on the good racing teams in Queens? Kissena looks good, any others? I'll likely be moving there this summer.

I'm new to Queens myself (since August) and most of the city cycling culture/pals that I have experience revolves around Manhattan (even the bike shops, because the 2 near my house suck). So far, riding in Queens has been solo. 2 Weeks ago though, I raced in a spring series event along with some guys from the Kissena club and spent some time hanging out with them after the race, they seem pretty cool, although I couldn't tell you more than that. My advice would be to join the Century Road Club Association (CRCA (http://www.crca.net)), and be on the lookout for sub-teams (which is what I've done). It's a racing club, not just a bike club, and you have access to all sorts of free coaching (like the stuff I had that sparked this thread). Or you can be the first member of my club,

"The Queens Tough Club" - Kings of the Road Since 1982

Anyway Queens is a neat place to cycle because depending on where you are, there is relatively easy access to Central Park for some quick loops if you're pressed for time, but you've also got access to Long Island for putting on some miles. I myself will go into New Jersey when I have a day free, which is really nice riding, and I know almost all the good bagel spots in Bergen County also. Send me a PM when you get here and we'll go riding. If you don't mind me asking, what part of Queens?

I'm surprised how snarky some of the replies to the OP were. The fact that you're out there kicking butt 9 months after chemo makes you awesome, period, end of story. Keep at it and best of luck.

Thanks for the ego-booster man. Although I must say that I kinda enjoy the proverbial cornucopia of snark on these forums. Keeps me on my toes. Plus I can only assume that in BikeForums, as in life, those who are most sarcastic tend to be so in an effort to compensate for something they lack (lactic threshold, endurance or perhaps penile capabilities?)

Good for you, especially after having to come back from chemo treatments, something that seemed to be lost to many in reply.

Hey Josh,
Welcome to the CRCA. Are you racing on Saturday?

The fact that you're out there kicking butt 9 months after chemo makes you awesome, period, end of story. Keep at it and best of luck.

+ 1,000,000,000,000.

I'm new to Queens myself (since August) and most of the city cycling culture/pals that I have experience revolves around Manhattan (even the bike shops, because the 2 near my house suck). So far, riding in Queens has been solo. 2 Weeks ago though, I raced in a spring series event along with some guys from the Kissena club and spent some time hanging out with them after the race, they seem pretty cool, although I couldn't tell you more than that. My advice would be to join the Century Road Club Association (CRCA (http://www.crca.net)), and be on the lookout for sub-teams (which is what I've done). It's a racing club, not just a bike club, and you have access to all sorts of free coaching (like the stuff I had that sparked this thread). Or you can be the first member of my club,

"The Queens Tough Club" - Kings of the Road Since 1982

Anyway Queens is a neat place to cycle because depending on where you are, there is relatively easy access to Central Park for some quick loops if you're pressed for time, but you've also got access to Long Island for putting on some miles. I myself will go into New Jersey when I have a day free, which is really nice riding, and I know almost all the good bagel spots in Bergen County also. Send me a PM when you get here and we'll go riding. If you don't mind me asking, what part of Queens?


Thanks for the info, the Queens Tough Club is a totally bada-- name, i'm going to have to steal that! I'm trying to get a job with city in transportation or transit, which have a lot of operations in Long Island City. My wife paints and LIC has a lot of studio space, so we want to live close by, like maybe in Sunnyside? I really don't know that much about the neighborhoods. Just somewhere somewhat cheap, somewhat safe, and lots of immigrants. Do you have any recommendations? I'm psyched to get out to Kissena, from what little track racing I've done I much prefer it to road racing. I'll definitely PM you once I get out there.

I really don't know that much about the neighborhoods. Just somewhere somewhat cheap, somewhat safe, and lots of immigrants.

That's all of Queens.
Forest Hills is very safe and close to the Kissena Velodrome. It's not the cheapest part of Queens, but it's no where near Manhattan prices either.

That's all of Queens.
Forest Hills is very safe and close to the Kissena Velodrome. It's not the cheapest part of Queens, but it's no where near Manhattan prices either.

I've got a friend who's lived in Rego Park her whole life, that's like right next to Forest Hills. I'll have to give her a call, that could be a good halfway point between Manhattan and the Velodrome.

Hey Josh,
Welcome to the CRCA. Are you racing on Saturday?

Absolutely!

Thanks for the info, the Queens Tough Club is a totally bada-- name, i'm going to have to steal that! I'm trying to get a job with city in transportation or transit, which have a lot of operations in Long Island City. My wife paints and LIC has a lot of studio space, so we want to live close by, like maybe in Sunnyside? I really don't know that much about the neighborhoods. Just somewhere somewhat cheap, somewhat safe, and lots of immigrants. Do you have any recommendations? I'm psyched to get out to Kissena, from what little track racing I've done I much prefer it to road racing. I'll definitely PM you once I get out there.

Hey! No stealing the Queens Tough Club name or our slogan (which was originally, "Go [Explicative] Yourself", but "Kings of the Road Since 1982" seems a bit more P.C.), but I'll make you an honorary member. It's kinda like membership to the OCP except we stare people down, constantly ask in derogatory voice, "What are YOU looking at?", and if need be, we beat people up after they yell at us for cutting them off in traffic. You know, basic tough guy stuff biker stuff, except that we wear spandex instead of leather.

I live in Jackson Heights, the rents are really great, there's tons of shopping within walking distance (I have 2 supermarkets around the corner from me and across the street from each other) while still being residential, and it's really close and commutable (lots of trains) to Manhattan where I go to school (my commute to school is quicker than some of my friends who live in the "affordable" sections of Manhattan, and if I ride my bike to class, it's even faster than the train, I joke that I AM the "J-Train"). The nice thing about it, is that I don't need a car. Jackson Heights to LIC is maybe 10 minutes by train, probably less. I know that my commute from the time I lock the door of my apartment to the time I'm sitting in class at Hunter (68th & Lex) is under 30 minutes. LIC is nice in that it's closer to the city, but as far as I know the rents there are really starting to get expensive. They've been putting up a lot of luxury buildings there. Sunnyside is pretty residential too, but I don't know much about it these days other than what I see from riding through it on my way to the city. It's basically the next town over from LIC. Another place to check out is Astoria, it's really starting to boom and gentrify. But if you want immigrants, Jackson Heights is THE way to go. Basically, I'm the token white guy here.

I got yelled at by DJ during that session for going too hard at the front. But I really like Dave Jordan's no-nonsense style. Really gets the point across.

I hear you man. I like that whole drill sergeant thing. I mean first off, it's 6am and everyone's tired, second for whatever reason they decided NOT to turn the street lamps on in Central Park when it's dark so it's harder to see, and 3rd none of us are professionals and most are in their first year of racing, so if something goes wrong, it goes wrong really quickly, and it's good to have someone watching. The whole point of training, is to make mistakes, learn from them, and not do it in a race when it counts. If you've got someone telling you how it is in that "matter of a fact" way, that's even more incentive not to screw up. (Also, don't feel alone, he barked at me a little bit too :eek: ).

Good for you keep it up.

I'm new to Queens myself (since August) and most of the city cycling culture/pals that I have experience revolves around Manhattan (even the bike shops, because the 2 near my house suck). So far, riding in Queens has been solo. 2 Weeks ago though, I raced in a spring series event along with some guys from the Kissena club and spent some time hanging out with them after the race, they seem pretty cool, although I couldn't tell you more than that. My advice would be to join the Century Road Club Association (CRCA (http://www.crca.net)), and be on the lookout for sub-teams (which is what I've done). It's a racing club, not just a bike club, and you have access to all sorts of free coaching (like the stuff I had that sparked this thread). Or you can be the first member of my club,

"The Queens Tough Club" - Kings of the Road Since 1982

Anyway Queens is a neat place to cycle because depending on where you are, there is relatively easy access to Central Park for some quick loops if you're pressed for time, but you've also got access to Long Island for putting on some miles. I myself will go into New Jersey when I have a day free, which is really nice riding, and I know almost all the good bagel spots in Bergen County also. Send me a PM when you get here and we'll go riding. If you don't mind me asking, what part of Queens?

they've certainly come a long way, or maybe it was just a dry period (vis-a-vis coaching) when i started.

lot's of good people involved with the club, and you've got to love having the option of club racing on the weekends if you're not traveling out of town to race.

Hey! No stealing the Queens Tough Club name or our slogan (which was originally, "Go [Explicative] Yourself", but "Kings of the Road Since 1982" seems a bit more P.C.), but I'll make you an honorary member. It's kinda like membership to the OCP except we stare people down, constantly ask in derogatory voice, "What are YOU looking at?", and if need be, we beat people up after they yell at us for cutting them off in traffic. You know, basic tough guy stuff biker stuff, except that we wear spandex instead of leather.

I live in Jackson Heights, the rents are really great, there's tons of shopping within walking distance (I have 2 supermarkets around the corner from me and across the street from each other) while still being residential, and it's really close and commutable (lots of trains) to Manhattan where I go to school (my commute to school is quicker than some of my friends who live in the "affordable" sections of Manhattan, and if I ride my bike to class, it's even faster than the train, I joke that I AM the "J-Train"). The nice thing about it, is that I don't need a car. Jackson Heights to LIC is maybe 10 minutes by train, probably less. I know that my commute from the time I lock the door of my apartment to the time I'm sitting in class at Hunter (68th & Lex) is under 30 minutes. LIC is nice in that it's closer to the city, but as far as I know the rents there are really starting to get expensive. They've been putting up a lot of luxury buildings there. Sunnyside is pretty residential too, but I don't know much about it these days other than what I see from riding through it on my way to the city. It's basically the next town over from LIC. Another place to check out is Astoria, it's really starting to boom and gentrify. But if you want immigrants, Jackson Heights is THE way to go. Basically, I'm the token white guy here.

That all sounds awesome. The J-Train, I love it. My Rego Park friend went to Hunter College High School, which I guess is right next to Hunter College. I want to avoid the gentrification stuff, not for any philosophical reason just for prices. I'm not looking to buy yet, no way. This is great info, I'll probably PM you after I get a job offer and thinks get more locked in. Thanks for the help.