Northeast - Any Prospect Park Riders?? NYC

I just finished 8 laps of Prospect Park and was hoping there was some riders on here that I could compare data with.

Im trying to see what some of the "Fast" guys are doing on this course

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3957698

Thanks

8 laps I've never done, but I was there around 2:00 or so today and did 3 laps. I was on the Kuota Kredo wearing the South Australia jersey with the 'roos.

The fastest 4 loops I've done were at 20.4 mph avg speed over the entire distance. I've seen people ride faster than that too, a lot faster. There was a biathalon just a few weeks ago where the lead rider blew by me and I was already cranking. He must've been doing a 24-25 avg over the entire loop.

Your 18.7 mph is pretty good over 8 laps. I can't keep it up much past 4 just out of boredom and distraction. I've been riding in Prospect Park for almost 50 years now.

Solo (no drafting)... 20mph for 20 miles (6 laps) is decent. Your speed graph shows that you didn't slow the last 2-3 laps... meaning you have a pretty good idea what your sustainable effort is.

The races (cat5 beginner) tend to go 24-25mph for 5 laps.

Solo, the fastest I've done that I've logged so far is 21.7mph for something like 8 laps on my fixed gear. I haven't "officially" tried it yet on my road bike but from what I remember, it's not that much faster.

21.7 is pretty good. I know how hard it was for me to do 20.4. The limiting factor is the downhill, I can only get up to just over 30 so there's only so much time I can make up on it, no matter how fast or slow I go uphill. I also did it in the early evening when the park was busy so that slowed me down a few times, and there's always someone that wants to jump on your wheel that you have to chase off.

Next year I'll set my goal higher, but I'm not getting any younger.

You're moving very quick. PP and CP can be hard to get fast in, due to constant distractions with other - slower riders, runners, pedestrians, children, etc...

I'd say you could hang with the Pro's. It's actually easier to go faster while in the middle of the Cat 5's then to avg. the 18.7 solo you did.

Just be careful, it's a busy park !.

SB

I'd say you could hang with the Pro's. It's actually easier to go faster while in the middle of the Cat 5's then to avg. the 18.7 solo you did.


Riding in a pack, especially in a race where shoulders and handlebars get bumped all the time, is faster but not easier than riding solo. Yes, anyone can show up and ride the Cat5 races, but those who try without any group riding experience are irresponsible and make it dangerous for the entire field.

"Riding in a pack, especially in a race where shoulders and handlebars get bumped all the time, is faster but not easier than riding solo. Yes, anyone can show up and ride the Cat5 races, but those who try without any group riding experience are irresponsible and make it dangerous for the entire field."

Although the OP seemingly was written by a newer rider, I wasn't recommending that he actually ride with any level of USCF- or whatever it's called these days. I was simply giving encouragement to someone who wanted to know where they stood in terms of speed, and was as much a reply to the comment "The races (cat5 beginner) tend to go 24-25mph for 5 laps.", which as anyone with group riding experience knows, it's easier then going solo IN TERMS OF EFFORT. Nothing was said about skill level and your comment was valid about gaining some experience.

Still, from my days riding the Cat5's at PP, I can attest that typically, and judging from how many accidents occurred, most folks had little group riding skill and were seemingly hoping to acquire these skills at 6:30AM on Saturday mornings.

SB

21.7 is pretty good. I know how hard it was for me to do 20.4. The limiting factor is the downhill, I can only get up to just over 30 so there's only so much time I can make up on it, no matter how fast or slow I go uphill. I also did it in the early evening when the park was busy so that slowed me down a few times, and there's always someone that wants to jump on your wheel that you have to chase off.

Next year I'll set my goal higher, but I'm not getting any younger.

Actually, the limiting factor is the uphill, as you spend a MUCH larger amount of TIME climbing than descending. Making 1MPH faster on the uphill has a far greater impact than making 1MPH faster on the downhills.

Thanks for all the replys.
Zacster I think I actually saw you riding... next time I'll pay more attention to the bike.

SLvoid 21.7 Thats fast!, almost R600DuraAce fast ;)

SteveB- At the moment I dont intend to ride any Cat5 events, I would need more experiance riding in a group. Maybe next year I would look into that aspect of the sport.

nycphotography - Thanks for the tips, I need to work on my climbing, which is hands down my weakest area in cycling...

Im a big guy @ 5'8 222lbs, If anyone see's a Clydesdale on a Black/Bronze Tarmac Pro , make sure to say hi.

Thanks again everyone

Actually, the limiting factor is the uphill, as you spend a MUCH larger amount of TIME climbing than descending. Making 1MPH faster on the uphill has a far greater impact than making 1MPH faster on the downhills.

That's my point. I CAN make 1mph faster on the uphill. I've gone up at 22mph on a really good day, and 12mph when I'm taking it easy, so there is a lot of variation there. The limit is that I CAN'T break 31mph on the downhill, even with a tailwind. The best I can do there is to hold as much speed as I can around along Parkside Ave.

R600DuraAce lives on in my wheels. I bought a pair of Velomax Tempests from him a few years ago, and I've recently started using them again.

And I vaguely recall seeing a big guy on a Tarmac.

The grand army hill kills me, I rode it at like 13mph everylap. The shorter rolling hills on the backside I can power my way upthem no problem. Its just that damn GrandArmy hill that bassicly brings me to a crawl.

My first day out @ PP I hit 37.3 or so on the downhill. That was with me pedaling most of the way down...

When I did my 8 laps I bassicly coasted down that hill @ 30-31 to save my energy for the climb back up.
I need to really work on that hill

Yeah that's really odd zacster. Unless you're shaped like a pringle, I can almost hit 31 on my fixed gear riding on the tops and that's cause I spin out, not cause I can't go faster. On a road bike, I can hit almost 40 if it weren't for all those damn kids in my way.

what is the best way to get some group riding skills in the park?

I am a ultra runner training for a my first double (Solvang) in March, so I am more interested in long and steady as opposed to being a speed demon but I would like to get some group riding experience in the mix.
Any suggestions?

what is the best way to get some group riding skills in the park?

I am a ultra runner training for a my first double (Solvang) in March, so I am more interested in long and steady as opposed to being a speed demon but I would like to get some group riding experience in the mix.
Any suggestions?

Join rick, chuck, and the prospect park regulars in the park in the mornings and weekends. If you don't pick up group riding skills, they will yell them at you.

I've tried for years to get over 32 and it just doesn't happen. Maybe it's knowing that there is always someone waiting at that crosswalk at the bottom ready to jump in front of me. I'm also riding a compact 50/36 with a 13/26 in the back so I don't have a monster gear. Maybe I should switch back to a 53/39 for park riding since I never use the 36 in the park or anywhere else in Brooklyn.

And once, many years ago, maybe longer ago than you've been alive, I crashed at the bottom when I hit a crack. This was before they started maintaining the park roads. The road was still concrete with joints in it, not the smooth asphalt it is now.

I've tried for years to get over 32 and it just doesn't happen. Maybe it's knowing that there is always someone waiting at that crosswalk at the bottom ready to jump in front of me.

Decided to go to Prospect Park, yesterday, for a change. Just as I hit a modest 25.9 on the downhill, a couple of riders on horseback meandered onto the roadway - single file. With last week's carriage horse incident (in Central Park) still fresh in my mind the last thing I wanted to do was startle a couple of horses.

I think based on some very old traffic law horses have the right of way. And in the park I've had to slam on my brakes when a group of horseback riders that were stopped decided to go just as I was coming at them, this also at the bottom of the hill. I guess if you're on a horse it never looks like a good time to go over there, so you just do it.

I'm also riding a compact 50/36 with a 13/26 in the back so I don't have a monster gear. Maybe I should switch back to a 53/39 for park riding since I never use the 36 in the park or anywhere else in Brooklyn.

Im running a 50/36 compact also w/ 12-27 outback.

NO issues at all getting it upto almost 38mph.

Henria86 and I had a nice morning ride and then an awesome Vietnamese lunch.

We timed it perfectly 9AM start got us finished in a couple of hours, when people were starting to pile into the Park.

I would guess Henri averaged about 18-20mph; me quite a bit slower at 14

That is a great workout!

Hey, xlacrosse, I train in Prospect Park, and race Cat 5's. I tend to ride anywhere from 8 to 12 laps, and riding solo at what I would consider a moderate pace (high Zone 3/low Zone 4, pushing a little but not too hard) I will average around 18-19 mph.

To put into perspective with the FAST guys - when I ride with the morning group (Rick, Chuck, et al) it can be a serious workout, and when they really put the hammer down I'm happy if I can hang in for 2 laps. There are some seriously strong guys who train there!

A funny thing about racing, though, is that you can often do a lot more in a race than you thought - NYCPhotography mentioned above that the Cat5's tend to average around 24-25mph for 5 laps, which is about right in my experience. If I try to do that with the fast guys during the week I get cooked off the back pretty quickly, but somehow on race day I can muster it up to stay with the pack! (Of course, it does help to have 30 guys pulling you along rather than 10 or 12.)

So anyhow, your 18.7 for 8 laps looks pretty good - you could probably hang with the morning group, at least for a few laps. Give it a try sometime!

Im running a 50/36 compact also w/ 12-27 outback.

NO issues at all getting it upto almost 38mph.

I wanna be like you guys!! I have a touring bike (Trek 520) and have gotten it up to 39.7 mph down that big hill, but going up the Grand Army hill, I am in the 30front/32rear combo and people are walking up the hill faster then me.:o

I wanna be like you guys!! I have a touring bike (Trek 520) and have gotten it up to 39.7 mph down that big hill, but going up the Grand Army hill, I am in the 30front/32rear combo and people are walking up the hill faster then me.:o

I think I have a psychological block with that Grand Army hill.
I've done really steeps hills on lots of rides but that one hill always drains me.
I've come a long way going from crawling up the hill last year to about 10 - 12 mph now.
The 2nd lap drops to 8 - 10 mph and sometimes on a real crappy day it drops even further.
As far as the downhill, I've never hit more than 30 mph.

I think I have a psychological block with that Grand Army hill.
I've done really steeps hills on lots of rides but that one hill always drains me.
I've come a long way going from crawling up the hill last year to about 10 - 12 mph now.
The 2nd lap drops to 8 - 10 mph and sometimes on a real crappy day it drops even further.
As far as the downhill, I've never hit more than 30 mph.

Don't sweat it; I'll be there behind you up that big hill for the first two laps; it gets better. I'm getting back from Japan next weekend; let's see if Henri and the gang are up for a ride next Sunday.

I'm still mystified by the claims of almost 40mph down the hill. I've tried all out, panting, spinning, getting a good running start, and I've never exceeded 32. It just doesn't seem possible to go that fast on that hill. I've gone over 40 down some other hills, but never on this. It just isn't long or steep enough.

Don't sweat it; I'll be there behind you up that big hill for the first two laps; it gets better. I'm getting back from Japan next weekend; let's see if Henri and the gang are up for a ride next Sunday.

If I'm not out doing the Gold Coast ride, I'll be there.

I'm still mystified by the claims of almost 40mph down the hill. I've tried all out, panting, spinning, getting a good running start, and I've never exceeded 32. It just doesn't seem possible to go that fast on that hill. I've gone over 40 down some other hills, but never on this. It just isn't long or steep enough.

Maybe the fact that I weigh 268 and have a heavy Cro-mo touring bike help. I dunno, but I do know it is accurate because the GPS and the Cateye both gave the same reading.

I'm still mystified by the claims of almost 40mph down the hill. I've tried all out, panting, spinning, getting a good running start, and I've never exceeded 32. It just doesn't seem possible to go that fast on that hill. I've gone over 40 down some other hills, but never on this. It just isn't long or steep enough.I agree, it's not that long for 40+; however, you can get up past 30 if you get in the low gears quickly before the hill starts breaking. That said, it's probably one of the most dangerous hills to do this on with the randomness of peds, runners and riders. Last ride Henri and I even saw a guy stopped in the middle of the road on the cell phone. We lapped him to find him a little further down the road, still in the middle.

I'm still mystified by the claims of almost 40mph down the hill. I've tried all out, panting, spinning, getting a good running start, and I've never exceeded 32. It just doesn't seem possible to go that fast on that hill. I've gone over 40 down some other hills, but never on this. It just isn't long or steep enough.

Sprint to a good 30-35 from the approach till about halfway then hang on for your life.

Henria86 and I had a nice morning ride and then an awesome Vietnamese lunch.

We timed it perfectly 9AM start got us finished in a couple of hours, when people were starting to pile into the Park.

I would guess Henri averaged about 18-20mph; me quite a bit slower at 14

That is a great workout!

Hey, you guys didn't notify us when you go out to play in Prospect Park :) It's part of my commute and I usually spin around a few times depending on how I feel on my way home.

Race pace: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5626925
Solo: I can manage ~21'ish for about 8 laps. It's difficult to go above that due to kids, cars, dogs, horses, etc. Ride safe, folks! I have seen frequent accidents in the park.

Hey, you guys didn't notify us when you go out to play in Prospect Park :) It's part of my commute and I usually spin around a few times depending on how I feel on my way home.

Race pace: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5626925
Solo: I can manage ~21'ish for about 8 laps. It's difficult to go above that due to kids, cars, dogs, horses, etc. Ride safe, folks! I have seen frequent accidents in the park.

Sorry Louis! Hey, we miss you and Jackie. I'm finding PP is a better workout than NYC. New York has Dino's and George, but these hills make me humble...

PP is def a better work out than wandering through Manhattan.

Sorry Louis! Hey, we miss you and Jackie. I'm finding PP is a better workout than NYC. New York has Dino's and George, but these hills make me humble...

heheh.. no problem. I love Prospect Park. It's got that neighborhood feel that you won't find in Central Park. I have been going there since I was a kid.

We can bring big George over to Brooklyn. As for Dino's, well, there's no shortage of nice restaurants where you can eat outside in Park Slope. Besides, if you swing by my neighborhood (Bensonhurst), I can show you a little neighborhood Italian place where you can get one of the best grandma slice you have ever tasted. I swear :) If you are hungry, their meals are huge portion, tasty, and cheap comparing to Manhattan.

I think I have a psychological block with that Grand Army hill.
I've done really steeps hills on lots of rides but that one hill always drains me.
I've come a long way going from crawling up the hill last year to about 10 - 12 mph now.
The 2nd lap drops to 8 - 10 mph and sometimes on a real crappy day it drops even further.
As far as the downhill, I've never hit more than 30 mph.

The Grand Army hill messes with a lot of people; a runner friend of mine has a tough time with it. I think it's because you can't see the top when you first begin climbing. You get to what looks like the top (because it curves to the right there), but then realize that you're only halfway. It can fool you even after you know the hill.

PP is def a better work out than wandering through Manhattan.

Let me add though that getting a work out is not always the task at hand!

Guys.
anytime.. if the regular crew wants to do the rides... im doing sunday morning & evening rides too..
or riding back from work ...

How is that Grand Army hill compared to the north end hill of Central Park? Which one is steeper and longer?

I agree, it's not that long for 40+; however, you can get up past 30 if you get in the low gears quickly before the hill starts breaking. That said, it's probably one of the most dangerous hills to do this on with the randomness of peds, runners and riders. Last ride Henri and I even saw a guy stopped in the middle of the road on the cell phone. We lapped him to find him a little further down the road, still in the middle.

Well you were there with me when I did it. I went down the hill just a little faster then you each time. What was the max on your GPS that night?

The Grand Army hill messes with a lot of people; a runner friend of mine has a tough time with it. I think it's because you can't see the top when you first begin climbing. You get to what looks like the top (because it curves to the right there), but then realize that you're only halfway. It can fool you even after you know the hill.

Here's a good prank to play on someone. Take em into the palisades right across from the GWB in NJ. There's like 3-4 prospect park style hills and then the last one's slightly steeper and about 8x the distance, but don't tell em about the last one.

argh.. just witnessed yet another bike accident in Prospect Park on my way home this evening. Here's what happened:

- cyclist goes down the hill pretty fast
- cyclist sees a pedestrian crossing the road at the bottom of the hill
- cyclist tries to go around behind the pedestrian
- pedestrian sees the cyclist
- pedestrian stops and starts to go backwards to avoid the cyclist
- impact and the cyclist went over the bar and knocked down another cyclist
- 3 bodies on the ground each with some road rashes and spilling blood
- 3 bodies got up after a bit and started to point fingers at each other
- after a bit, they all admit their own fault and shake hands
- "we are all brothers", the cyclist said. Another day, another accident, another story to tell.

Funny that the cyclist that started this whole thing asked me to work with him in a pace line before he bombed downed the hill but I politely declined. My reason to him was that there were too many people in the park.

How is that Grand Army hill compared to the north end hill of Central Park? Which one is steeper and longer?

The Central Park hill seems steeper to me. It could be because you've already pedaled hard to get there, with some long sustained inclines on the East side of the park. Many people walk up the CP hill.

Prospect Park doesn't seem to be quite in the same class, but it is long and sneaky.

Honestly... I think I feel safer on the streets...


argh.. just witnessed yet another bike accident in Prospect Park on my way home this evening. Here's what happened:

- cyclist goes down the hill pretty fast
- cyclist sees a pedestrian crossing the road at the bottom of the hill
- cyclist tries to go around behind the pedestrian
- pedestrian sees the cyclist
- pedestrian stops and starts to go backwards to avoid the cyclist
- impact and the cyclist went over the bar and knocked down another cyclist
- 3 bodies on the ground each with some road rashes and spilling blood
- 3 bodies got up after a bit and started to point fingers at each other
- after a bit, they all admit their own fault and shake hands
- "we are all brothers", the cyclist said. Another day, another accident, another story to tell.

Funny that the cyclist that started this whole thing asked me to work with him in a pace line before he bombed downed the hill but I politely declined. My reason to him was that there were too many people in the park.

And you guys are telling me you go down this hill at 40mph? NO WAY.

I tried it this morning when there are many fewer people in the park, mostly runners and bikers, but no kids. I hit the small crest before the hill going all out at 28, pedaled hard all the way down, and still only managed 33, and that was fast. There is NO WAY anybody does it much faster. It just isn't steep or long enough. Add the threat of some pedestrian doing a freeze like above or a kid just running out, and fuggedaboudit.

I'm definitely NOT the fastest rider in the park, but I can still turn it on, and I couldn't get past 33.

The Central Park hill seems steeper to me. It could be because you've already pedaled hard to get there, with some long sustained inclines on the East side of the park. Many people walk up the CP hill.

Prospect Park doesn't seem to be quite in the same class, but it is long and sneaky.

PP is a walk in the park compared to Central Park.

And Steve - if you want a workout I can do a hills tour in Manhattan, I've just always taken it easy with you guys ;)

And you guys are telling me you go down this hill at 40mph? NO WAY.

I tried it this morning when there are many fewer people in the park, mostly runners and bikers, but no kids. I hit the small crest before the hill going all out at 28, pedaled hard all the way down, and still only managed 33, and that was fast. There is NO WAY anybody does it much faster. It just isn't steep or long enough. Add the threat of some pedestrian doing a freeze like above or a kid just running out, and fuggedaboudit.

I'm definitely NOT the fastest rider in the park, but I can still turn it on, and I couldn't get past 33.

It is possible during a race - http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5626925

I hit 39.5 and some other guys were dropping me like a bad habit on that hill. I weight only 120 pounds and considered myself a slow descender. It's quite dangerous even in a closed course. If you follow the link above and click on speed. You will see that I had to slow down to 20mph at the bottom to squeeze through the narrow bend then accelerate to pass.

Here's a good prank to play on someone. Take em into the palisades right across from the GWB in NJ. There's like 3-4 prospect park style hills and then the last one's slightly steeper and about 8x the distance, but don't tell em about the last one.

You talking about the River Road?
If it is, yeah, that last hill is a b***h.....especially the first time you do it.

PP is a walk in the park compared to Central Park.

And Steve - if you want a workout I can do a hills tour in Manhattan, I've just always taken it easy with you guys ;)

Yeah CP's big hill on the upper west side is harder than PP. The downhill pay off is better though. :D

Now we've done it, you're going to trick us into going to Dinosaur's the <i>hard way</i>! :eek:

And you guys are telling me you go down this hill at 40mph? NO WAY.

I tried it this morning when there are many fewer people in the park, mostly runners and bikers, but no kids. I hit the small crest before the hill going all out at 28, pedaled hard all the way down, and still only managed 33, and that was fast. There is NO WAY anybody does it much faster. It just isn't steep or long enough. Add the threat of some pedestrian doing a freeze like above or a kid just running out, and fuggedaboudit.

I'm definitely NOT the fastest rider in the park, but I can still turn it on, and I couldn't get past 33.

Ok, I am going there tonight. I will zero out the GPS and try again. I will report tomorrow what the results are (good or bad). I hope you guys trust that I am not a liar.

Location Distance Rise grade
Harlem Hill – Central Park 0.32 84' 4.4%
9th St – 3rd Av to Prospect Park 0.73 122' 3.2%
Alpine (police station) 1.07 400' 7.1%

Alpine wins! source - http://www.nycc.org/resources/re_regional_grades.html

Ok, I am going there tonight. I will zero out the GPS and try again. I will report tomorrow what the results are (good or bad). I hope you guys trust that I am not a liar.
Matty, oh great poobah and riding buddy I would never call you that, after all, who would want to be banned from The System? :D