"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Central Park March 16 Spring Series Vets Race Report

With Bethel cancelled due to a forecast of snow and the weatherman predicting rain and snow for NY City, it didn't auger well for the CP race this AM. I get up @ 4AM and let the dog out and it's pissing rain. "F This Today" I tell myself. But I have my coffee. "Maybe I'll try it" I conclude and I get in the car. In the first five miles I almost turn around 3x, then I figure (like last week), 'What the hell'.

I get to Manhattan and it's barely drizzling, the roadway is damp, but all things considered the conditions are remarkably benign. The turnout however is very light. This means that the typical 60 man vets peloton will be 35 guys, the hardest core guys, i.e., it will be very easy to get shelled today. The race begins. I'm hoping they'll take it easy on the first lap to test the slick tarmac, instead it is:

http://foreignerinformosa.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/wile_e_coyote.jpg

Fastest lap in CP for me in a long time, after the 110th Street hill the pace accelerated. That was Pcad's Spot of Bother today, almost came off, looked up, I was getting gapped, figured I'd keep the watts going for another 45 secs in the hopes they would slow down, they did, I regrouped. After that I was pretty much OK for the whole race. I can't tell you how fast we were going, I never looked @ my speedo, I was trying not to crash all day, good race, zero incidents, very smooth. But the surface was very slick, at one point my Zipp hit a bump and when it came back down it didn't have great traction. Yikes. P.S., it started pissing rain moderately hard halfway through the race, so it was a horse manure car wash for laps 3/4.

Even went to the front on lap three to block for my team mates (we had two guys up the road). Bottom line: break of 4 chased by a group of 3, we had a man in each group, they placed 4th (my good pal Don) and 5th (my other pal Gary). Pcad finished mid pack in the tiny sub-20 man remaining peloton (a bunch of guys got shelled on lap one today, including my pal/teammate Nelson, who placed on the track in the 40+ nationals, he's very fast, but not in shape yet).

Another week of dread (like Frodo about to enter Mordor) that turned into a very positive race experience. And all I had to do was show up. Actually I went down today because it pissed me off that I got shelled in the wet CP race last year. I wanted to finish this one. Mission accomplished. You can't get better at racing unless you race. I may suck at this, but that peloton is a friggin rush. Man those boys are fast. That's three races, no DNFs or DFLs and no crashes. Yet.

rainy day races are always so freaken hard.

Moral of the story for rain-soaked races: BRING DRY CLOTHES TO CHANGE INTO AFTER THE RACE. Ooffaaa. I just had a dry T shirt, I wore that wet racing bib all the way home, it was 38 degree outside, it wasn't pleasant. Thank God for heated car seats. Of course it's 11AM, I got my race in and I'm home all toasty and dry.

It doesn't get better than that weenies. This was a Pcad Cycling Zen Weekend.

The weather was a non-event here. The Bethel race got canceled for no reason, but in defense of CDR, the forecast was pretty bleak. I went for a 2 hour ride on my mtb this morning instead (in case the forecast was right). Did some dirt, but mostly pavement ... nice ride ..... The sun's actually poking out a bit here & there !

Trying to hold bicycle races in the NE in March can be pretty sucky. I thought the decision to cancel the Bethel event in light of the forecast was the right move, but I'm sure some people showed up this AM saying 'What the F' regardless...

Well done. I was comfortable at home with the fireplace going, French Toast and coffee not even thinking of riding let alone racing (well, not totally true--my mountain biking buddy called and we thought we might get in an afternoon ride if the weather breaks...we canned the idea).

Nice bonus to wet races in Central Park is that it's not just water and dirt spraying you in the face.. it's horse dung.. and lots of it. Taking a big breath in the elevator when coming home was quite the reminder.

Was quite something racing CAT 5 in there. The usually encouraging pre-race remarks from higher-ranked acquaintances felt more like farewells today. Overall though, the whole event went quite well.

Nice bonus to wet races in Central Park is that it's not just water and dirt spraying you in the face.. it's horse dung.. and lots of it. Taking a big breath in the elevator when coming home was quite the reminder.

Was quite something racing CAT 5 in there. The usual encouraging remarks from higher-ranked acquaintances felt more like farewells today. Overall though, the whole event went quite well.

so, you started racing, eh? i was wondering when you were going to put all those bear mountain base miles to good use. ;)

Hi,

Why on earth would an elderly and sane bicycle racer like yourself, subject said self to such pain and risk. ;)

I have memories (but who knows if it really happened) of racing in CP in the rain and they are not pleasant memories. As for racing in the NE in March, I have vivid memories of snowbanks on the side of the road -- at least they made crashing less painful.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. :)

No racing for me today or next week -- family stuff. I'll be at Knott's Berry Farm (amusement park) shortly to help celebrate my youngest son's birthday. My going with my kids and another kid is an early birthday present to my wife. :)

This is why I sponsored this team - to help my pal who was cutting the check himself this year - and to get in with a serious bunch of racers who expect you to show up on days like today. I don't really have any obligation beyond writing that check, but you know how it goes, you want to feel like you're part of the team. So far it's working as planned - I have much more motivation to show up in general, and on days like today I would NEVER, EVER go down to race without the incentive of the team thing. Today I actually helped them a tiny bit, and hopefully I'll improve. If I don't get killed of course.

so, you started racing, eh? i was wondering when you were going to put all those bear mountain base miles to good use. ;)

Not to hijack Pcad's thread.. but Yep. It's damn good fun :p

It's even fun when you suck. I can only imagine how much fun it is when you don't. There really is nothing quite like going 30mph in a peloton or fast paceline. What a gas.

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1803807/2/istockphoto_1803807_gold_star_2.jpg

I was in the 3/4. Commute is a lot shorter though (<10 mins on bike).

It was rainy. it was cold. It was tons of fun.

Was in the winning break until I made the mistake of pulling them up to the bottom of harlem hill. Got gapped and went back to the field tail-between-legs. Guess I was a little gassed ater two races yesterday.

Our field passed through, over, under, around and into Pcad's field right before the finish, total chaos. Think I passed that crazy old bugger (at least a few guys in the right kit).

Pcad, was going to say hi after the race, but the uncontrollable shivers made me want to peace right on home in a hurry.

Racing in CP is tons of fun. Can't wait for some summer races here.

I was in the 3/4. Commute is a lot shorter though (<10 mins on bike).

It was rainy. it was cold. It was tons of fun.

Was in the winning break until I made the mistake of pulling them up to the bottom of harlem hill. Got gapped and went back to the field tail-between-legs. Guess I was a little gassed ater two races yesterday.

Our field passed through, over, under, around and into Pcad's field right before the finish, total chaos. Think I passed that crazy old bugger (at least a few guys in the right kit).

Pcad, was going to say hi after the race, but the uncontrollable shivers made me want to peace right on home in a hurry.

Racing in CP is tons of fun. Can't wait for some summer races here.

Indeed. That winning 3/4 break caught and passed the Vets field on lap 2 or so, and man, those boys had a HUGE gap, as evidenced by the fact that their field didn't catch us until 2 miles from the end. I recall turning around on the northbound 5th Avenue stretch as that break caught us figuring I'd see the peloton 300 meters behind and they were nowhere to be seen. Impressive. The combined peloton finish was utter chaos, but fortunately it didn't particularly impact the results of either race since in both instances the money (first 5 places) was up the road from either peloton. I turned to one guy from the other race at the end and said 'confusing, isn't it?'. He did not appear amused.

Stupid soggy ass Road Nazis.

The reason that first lap in the Vets race was so fast was the breakaways at the front, the leading one (that my pal Don bridged to) being driven by Doug O'Neil. If you know NY vets racing, you know all about Doug, he's an animal and a half. He wins a lot of races. I'm not sure if Douggy won the race today, but it wouldn't be a surprise. For this idiot, being able to hang in the peloton that was chasing Doug is like Dancing with the Stars.

http://www.gambling911.com/Jane-Seymour.jpg

I was in the 3/4. Commute is a lot shorter though (<10 mins on bike).

It was rainy. it was cold. It was tons of fun.

Was in the winning break until I made the mistake of pulling them up to the bottom of harlem hill. Got gapped and went back to the field tail-between-legs. Guess I was a little gassed ater two races yesterday.

Our field passed through, over, under, around and into Pcad's field right before the finish, total chaos. Think I passed that crazy old bugger (at least a few guys in the right kit).

Pcad, was going to say hi after the race, but the uncontrollable shivers made me want to peace right on home in a hurry.

Racing in CP is tons of fun. Can't wait for some summer races here.

aren't you a cat 2?

btw - it's 110th street hill.

aren't you a cat 2?

btw - it's 110th street hill.

Everybody I know calls it the Harlem hill except botto.

Everybody I know calls it the Harlem hill except botto.

yeah, but you hang with the T&B racing gang. ;)


maybe all of the cheap PBR down here is having a negative effect on my memory.

maybe all of the cheap PBR down here is having a negative effect on my memory.

I don't remember the last time I drank a PBR.:rolleyes:

I don't remember the last time I drank a PBR.:rolleyes:

I don't either, but I was told it was last night.

$5 a pitcher. :beer:

I don't either, but I was told it was last night.

$5 a pitcher. :beer:

Isn't that "free" when converted into Euros?:rolleyes:

T & B? Testosterone & Beer?

By the way b, my team (Globallocate) is what Sony morphed into...

T & B? Testosterone & Beer?

By the way b, my team (Globallocate) is what Sony morphed into...

iirc sony was set up by a chubby lawyer, who had sony as a client.

correct or incorrect?

iirc sony was set up by a chubby lawyer, who had sony as a client.

correct or incorrect?

No reply until you tell me what T & B means, but that sounds about right.

aren't you a cat 2?

btw - it's 110th street hill.

Erroneous on both counts.

Actually, seeing as it's been over a year since some results, I couldn't even upgrade to 2 if I wanted to.

Erroneous on both counts.

Actually, seeing as it's been over a year since some results, I couldn't even upgrade to 2 if I wanted to.

incorrect.

incorrect.

Let the Meaningless NY City Trivia Pissing Contest begin.

Let the Meaningless NY City Trivia Pissing Contest begin.

quiet you. :D

aka Five Borough Bickering Ltd.

Are there any pics posted from this race anywhere? There was definitely a photographer at the starting line.

No pics yet this week. I'm wondering if the gloom and rain made the shots too crummy to bother with...

No pics yet this week. I'm wondering if the gloom and rain made the shots too crummy to bother with...

since when is quality an issue?

looking at the pics of past CP races, i assume the guy uses a holga. correct?

Erroneous on both counts.

Actually, seeing as it's been over a year since some results, I couldn't even upgrade to 2 if I wanted to.

One Hundred and Tenth Street Hill (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F0DE4DB163CE433A2575BC1A9679D946197D6CF) ;)

One Hundred and Tenth Street Hill (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F0DE4DB163CE433A2575BC1A9679D946197D6CF) ;)

You're all wrong. There aren't any hills in Manhattan.

You're all wrong. There aren't any hills in Manhattan.

Bigger than the hills in FL pal.

does that "hill" in manhattan go up a whopping 10 feet or 20?

does that "hill" in manhattan go up a whopping 10 feet or 20?

Without putting the Official Pcad Altimeter to it, my guess is that hill ascends 20-40 vertical meters over about 500 road meters or so. Maybe 100 vertical feet, possibly less. A small hill, but a hill by any definition. Your personal assessment of any hill always takes on a new meaning on the 4th or 5th repetition in the big ring of course. Admittedly, this one would be Beneath Categorie in the Tour de France. It adds a little spice to the Big Apple Spring Classics, and it does put the fat boys into a Spot of Bother. Happily it has not been an issue for Pcad this March.

it's all relative i guess.

a hill in NYC is an slight incline in seattle, whereas a 1,500-foot "mountain" out here is probably just a "hill" in colorado..

way to HTFU though! sounds like a helluva race.

PT charts for this "hill"? Come on Captain Tallywhacker. Whip it out.

Dude, I don't need a PT to tell me I'm the weakest mope in the NYC peloton. Well, maybe not the weakest. But I don't need no stinkin chart.

Frankly a guy named 'Cast Iron' telling me to whip out my Tallywhacker is just around the bend. As in bend over. Try not sound so S & M. It's Good Friday.

Try not sound so S & M. It's Good Friday.

Good Friday has historically involved whips and bondage...

Good Friday has historically involved whips and bondage...

This comment combined with any anti-Dura Achee or Zipp blasphemy will assure you eternal damnation.

Mattm, it would be like the "hill" on Mercer Island heading toward Seattle just before you get to the park and then the bridge or perhaps like "climbing" from 1st to 3rd on Seneca?. Nothing terrible, but a little something that will get you when everyone is determined to ride it at 20mph. (For the rest of you who live Neither in NY or Seattle, my best guess is about a minute long climb at maybe 7%???)

It's not the hill that gets you. It's when Douggy O'Neil dropes the hamer after the hill. That's the problem. The vets peloton was strung out like silly string on Lap 1 last Sunday after that hill. I'm hanging on thinking 'this isn't good for Pcad, Pcad's on the Rivet'. Happily the elastic didn't snap.

But Sunday is another race. That's Prospect Park and the only hill there is Mt. Spleef (I call it that for all the times I got a contact high off the ganga smoke on the slight upgrade after the start/finish).

It's not the hill that gets you. It's when Douggy O'Neil dropes the hamer after the hill. That's the problem. The vets peloton was strung out like silly string on Lap 1 last Sunday after that hill. I'm hanging on thinking 'this isn't good for Pcad, Pcad's on the Rivet'. Happily the elastic didn't snap. But that's about as stretchy as it got for me yet this season.

PCad, I am looking forward to turning 34 (Racing age 35). I will race as many races with you as possible.

But only if you use the Powertap (by then upgraded to the superduperweightweenie power meter).

I will race as many races with you as possible.


I really think my life is miserable enough as it is thank you. All I need is another 35 year old Cat 2 to chase around. That's just perfect. Lucky for you I bring my cellphone so we can stay in touch during the race (unless your breakaway gets out of range that is). You should know that any 35 year old of your racing caliber will be considered a Sandbagging Wussy if you enter a Vets race. And that's why you should do it, so you can crush their pathetic souls and piss them off even more.

When it comes to bicycle racing I often feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. I know in advance that Lucy will pull the ball away, yet I keep showing up. And I'm never sure why.

http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/attachments/month_0712/CharlieBrownLucyFootball_pCxBqhk4Xrpf.gif

I will use my Power Tap as soon as the temps rise enough to make the display visible. Good grief, that's ridiculous. The idiots @ Saris are giving me this 'all LCD's do this, the newer PT's are better, we can rebuild yours'. That's bullsiht. I have 4 <$80 bike computers that are crystal clear down to 15ºF. But that's only part of the reason I'm not using it. The real reason is I just can't get into all the friggin MIT science I have to understand to use the stupid thing. This is supposed to be fun. That chart your data crap is a friggin job. I have a job. Not for nothing boys, but I look at those stupid charts you post here, the eyes roll back in my head and I start looking at Zipp wheels on eBay. And if that's why I'm so slow, such is my Velo Karma.

Without putting the Official Pcad Altimeter to it, my guess is that hill ascends 20-40 vertical meters over about 500 road meters or so. Maybe 100 vertical feet,

Pretty close; from memory I put that speedbump at 100 feet.





A small hill, but a hill by any definition.

Laughably incorrect.