By Ben Harris, who has modestly left himself out of the list of favorites.
Update: Will Riffelmacher has upgraded, 4s everywhere can let out a long sigh and move up one place in the race.
-ed
The Bear Mtn. Spring Classic is definitely the highlight of many regional CAT4’s spring calendar. The CAT4 race laps a 14-mile circuit 4 times for a total of 56 miles. The course has it all – a screaming downhill into a hairpin turn, several long windy drags, a couple of fast technical descents, one major climb and an incredibly hairy downhill sprint finish. It takes place at the beginning of May so the weather is variable at best and racers usually face true “spring†conditions. All this makes for an exciting race on a course that seems a bit too beautiful to be so close to the City.
Bear Mtn. is also the first chance for the local climbers to show their wares and beat up on the sprinters who have been eating their lunch in Prospect, Branchbrook, Bethel, CP, etc. That being said, it is not a pure climbers race. The major climb goes up 600 feet, but is not hard enough to really favor the pure climbers, and is more than 10 miles from the start/finish line leaving lots of room for a move to get reeled in before the downhill sprint finish. Historically the CAT4 race has been one of attrition rather than aggression – a front group of 15-30 riders sprints it out for the win. To win you must be able to survive the climbs and then contest a downhill bunch sprint. Bear definitely favors the strong all-rounder with a fast finish, making it a great CAT4 test to determine the “best of the rest†and highlight upcoming talent.
The Favorites:
David Burns (Foundation) – Burns is the defending champion, and holding his self-deprecating postings aside, has to be considered a favorite. Burns is a strong climber and has a proven that he can win that dodgy downhill sprint. Hey sandbagger, we’re on to you!!!
Petr Huppert (Metro) – As inevitable as new leaves in spring Petr makes his way to Bear to take a top 3-6 position in the 4 field. Last year we defended him and Metro from sandbagging accusations, at this point we are declaring open season…
Chris Louden (VisitBritain) – Chris is a big, strong rider who finished 8th last year. Louden can sprint and has already chalked up a Branchbrook win in March. He has shown that he can get to the finish line with the front group, and should have a good shot in the sprint.
Kim Riseth (Johnathan Adler) – Kim has been ripping the B field to shreds so far this year – blah, blah, blah – listen, if you don’t know about him already than you haven’t been following local racing and you deserve to be in the dark. This guy is really good, and the length and difficulty of the Bear race should give him a further advantage. He is definitely a favorite however the race unfolds.
Aaron Wolfe (Edgemont) – Wolfe is a very talented climber who has been one of the major animators in the early season park races. He has also surprised many with some decent bunch sprint results (podium in Branchbrook). Wolfe should benefit from the strength of the Edgemont squad, currently one of the strongest and most organized teams in the CAT4 field.
The Dark Horses
Andy Collins (Johnathan Adler) – Collins is a good climber who can sprint if he gets himself in the right position. I keep waiting for Andy to have a breakout race, and Bear might be the place.
J. P. Kaminski (Miyashoji.com) – JP just won the overall Bethel spring race series and finished in the lead group at Bear last fall. The Miyashoji team rides very well together and the team has a history of very strong results at Bear. JP is definitely a rider to watch.
Ken King (VisitBritain) – King is a strong rider who may be at a slight disadvantage due to his size, but I don’t think that the climb is hard enough to count him out, and I would look to see Ken in the final group.
Anthony O’Malley (Johnathan Adler) – O’Malley is a pure climber through and through, and Bear is definitely a race he likes. Watch for O’Malley to launch one of his trademark attacks on the 2nd or 3rd lap.
Chris Mecrey (Nyvelocity) A strong enough rider to make a final selection and a pretty good sprinter too.
Chris Shaw (Nyvelocity). A big powerful lean rider, he couldn’t win the sprint but he is capable of powering away from a small break and the hills will not trouble him at all.
What it takes to Ride Bear:
Bear is definitely a tough race. For CAT4 riders who have not raced much out of town, it can be a bit of a shock to the system. To give you an idea of the difficulty, only 53 of the 79 starters finished the September race, and only 23 made the front group. A rider of my size and weight needed to put out normalized power of close to 300W over 2 ½ hrs to stay in the front group. At the 2005 Fall race my average wattage was 240W, normalized power was 296W.
The climb is roughly 10 minutes long and winds and pitches up about 600ft. It is roughly double the length of the ranger station climb and a similar grade. From my power-file, my 10-minute average power was 345W (normalized 354W). I weigh about 160lbs (73 kg) so I was climbing at around 4.8 W/kg.
CAT4 Racing
I have always wondered why the Pro1/2/3 races break up more than the CAT4 races, when you would expect the range of abilities in the CAT4 field to be broader. I remember reading an article that Justin Reid wrote on the difference between the Pro1/2 and CAT4 races after he rode in the Pro1/2 pace car. He said when the race gets hard, the Pro1/2’s make it harder – that’s how you win. It sounds pretty simple, but for some reason, this really struck me.
In the Fall race, we rode the first 2 laps pretty aggressively and forced a pretty significant selection, but once we were down to 25 or so riders we all settled in worried more about preserving our energy than further breaking up the race. I remember feeling great for the 2nd half of the race and thinking about how fresh I would be for the finish (at some point I must have forgotten that I’m a terrible sprinter). What I should have been doing is drilling it on those 3rd and 4th climbs in the hopes that others were in worse shape than me – that’s how you win a race. I instead finished 14th in a bunch sprint. Bike racing is a brutal sport where the name of the game is closing the door on your opponents – essentially you kick ‘em when they’re down. We have had an exciting start to this season, and I look forward to seeing who kicks who. See you in Harriman!!!
I would like to say that Anthony Accardi of Edgemont also belongs to the dark horse list
Anthony A is a very good rider but I don’t think he is a favorite for this race, he is a bit older and bigger than most.
Oops, of course, how could I forget Matt Serra. He is a definite top 10 in the 4’s
don’t show up. or at least don’t count yourself in the running on this site.
This is NOT a CRCA only site, we are based in the CRCA but it’s for cyclists in all the NY/NJ area..
We should also point out some other strong riders who will be a factor; Andrew Cohen and Ivry Semel of VB fame and Steven Goldman of Westwood Velo. And yes Rsun, Matt Serra too. A rapidly improving Chris Ugly is a good dark horse pick to win if he can get over those hills.
I’m sorry we can’t include everyone and it was hard to separate a “dark horse” from a strong rider. Ben’s article tried to guess at a few guys who could win the thing though, not just do a strong ride, so please don’t get offended about our omissions. Realistically who is going to outride Kim, “Mini-Thor” to his fans – Very Big Thor to the rest of the fours. Or out sprint a much improved Chris Louden, on a downhill no less.. If you know a rider on the list who we have omitted and you think can WIN make a good case for him and we will let you write next years preview.
My sincerest apologies to all the strong riders that were inadvertently ignored in this right-up (especially non-CRCA riders). It was based upon my very limited knowledge of the riders on the start list who had strong results from recent races and also placed in last year’s Bear Mtn. Everybody post your own personal favorites and someone will have to start to run a book. I feel like the fitness in the 4’s right now is at an all time high and it’s going to be a great race. I wish all participants the best of luck.
Since this is an open comment column. I was simply using it as an opportunity to root for one of my personal favorites for the race. I think that it is quite commendable that in September’s race Matt Serra finished in the lead group while technically still a cat 5 racer, the day after scoring 2nd in PP. By no means am I saying that anything is wrong with Ben Harris’ race preview. The article was excellent and definitely inspires a great deal of excitement for the race. Chiming in about someone not included in the article might be just the morale boost needed that may help them to perform well and find themselves on next years favorites list. I’d much rather make encouraging comments than join the list of anoymous cowards making inflamatory remarks. Alex, I only wish I could earn your top ten result at Bear last year. Quite commendable as well.
I moved up to Cat 3 (rookie mistake)
Thanks for the props Tony. Robs right though, I’m a fat, old man. Despite being correct Rob no wheel for you in the morning.Hehe.
Rsun -Well put, I can’t disagree with that. We will be looking for you at the end too.
J.P. – Congrats! We will be keeping our eye on you for what looks like a bright future in bike racing. I’m sure Cat3 will be a short stop over too.
Sorry, Anthony Im a different Rob K
…We will be looking for you at the end too.
Alex, thats alot of pressure. I’ll be out there doing what I can and working for my team to help our favorites earn a good result. Ben Harris’ power numbers are a little sobering. Is there a power output formula for lugging my 200lbs over those hills?
actually if i’m not mistaken there were 89 starters last fall…and at least one finisher (me, though not in the selection) who didn’t get credited due to a misplaced number.
but about 1/3 of starters don’t even finish.
as an average cat4 who is sometimes lucky enough to sneak into the top 10 in local races, I can vouch for the fact that it is no sunday park ride…there is nowhere to hide, and if the climbing doesnt get you the road surface will beat you up.
I agree that the cat4’s are extremely competitive this year, it seems like in the 3/4 races there’s not a whole lot of difference. Should be an interesting race. Thank god we don’t have to do an extra 14 miles like the 3’s.
A different Rob K happens to be my one of my morning training partners, no worries. You revised your comments as well I liked it better the other way. How do you know me?
Hey thanks for including me but until I actually get a win I’ll defer to others.
Ben is it a little MLR ploy leaving Dmitri Wilkins off your list? He is a serious contender in any Cat 4 race. He and Riseth have to be the 2 faves.
Andy Cohen and Ivry Semel both VB guys had some great results last year in out of town races and both certainly have a shot at a podium spot with some better team tactics.
Matt Serra is going to grab an impressive result soon.
Also 2 Westwood guys Goldman and Chapman were very strong at Battenkill.
Ken – you are absolutely right about Dmitri but I didn’t see his name on the start list.
Where have Quetzal and Pavol been this year (aka The Men in Black)? They’ve placed well in the past at Bear. Haven’t seen them. Are they training in secret somwhere?!?!
Also, both Ivry and Cohen are serious contenders, but I didn’t want to let all the VB cat’s out of the bag.
Also, both Ivry and Cohen are serious contenders, but I didn’t want to let all the VB cat’s out of the bag.
~345W = 10 minutes, 6.2% grade, 160 lbs
~415W = 10 minutes, 6.2% grade, 200 lbs
Grade was chosen to solve for 2 mile climb.
Everyone named has a real good shot of winning. I guess it will come down to who wants it more on Mother Day. I like some of the bigger power guys for Jiminy, not so much Bear. Ben, I can’t figure out that website, what about 150lbs?
also theres an unattached rider, Filip Capala, who finished with the pack last year despite being 15 years old…haven’t seen him around this year but he’s on the start list. Rides a carbon fiber Bianchi, might be wearing a "Polska" kit. He was a good rider last year, he can only get better.
Take a personal half day and join me on the course tomorrow (Tues.) and or a week from tomorrow for some Tiorati and Lake Welch Drive repeats. Meet 6am at the Silvermine lot. Let me know if you’re coming. It will be "fun!"
Where is the Silvermine lot?
It’s on Seven Lakes Drive a few miles west of the Palisades parkway, where the parkway ends just north of exit 18. Let me know if you’re coming, because otherwise I’ll probably be late.
Inflamatory remark.
Hey Aaron, You may be on your own, most of us would have to get up before 4 to make it by 6:00 even by train..
sorry early bird, maybe that why you are so strong..
RK
You and I have a very different definition of "fun"
Hey Edgemont, you have your own site – chat there.
Thanks for the invite Aaron, the mind is willing but the flesh is a bit week at that hour. I don’t know why the anonymous posters assumes we are all on your team, I think it was a great idea to post a ride there.
I predict I will finish in the top 90 and I will be hungry.
Hey Ostroy, get your own site if you don’t like it.
I would get my own site but without Andy and Schmalz no one would ever got to it..Well except Lee3, he’s coming with me.
Where has Wolfe earned the title of being "a very talented climber"? There’s a lot of talk about the master chef climber, but I’m not familiar with his results, especially at races with actual climbs. I don’t mean to sound snotty, just curious about all the buzz.
PS. Jason G from Friday’s hopefuls is a retard. I hope he’s not the guy managing my 401k.
In 2005 Aaron finished 9th in GMSR prologue, 13th in the GMSR road stage , 5th at the Fall Bear Mtn. and 11th in the Spring Bear Mtn. He has also been training like an MF, and only weighs about 35kilos, so I would watch out for him.
What is recommended gearing for this race?
And besides power what is the approx speed up
Tiorati?
What is the average grade on Tiorati?
135lbs equals 61 kilos
ha ha ha ha ha
Sorry being a bit of a nerd this morning
I’ve heard that I can also recite the nutritional information of various fast food products…and that’s some buzz that’s definitely not true.
The avg grade is only 5%. It’s 2.15 (or so) miles to the dam, and 2.8 to the highest point, which is still 5%, but not really part of the climb anymore. There are a few short 9% sections, and one flat section where speeds will exceed 25mph. I think the avg speed up the climb last fall was about 16mph.
I would say it
135lbs equals 61 kilos
ha ha ha ha ha
Sorry being a bit of a nerd this morning
16 mph seems aggressive. kreuzotter says that with:
– hands on bars
– 70 inches
– 160 lbs
– 20 lb bike
– 60
Looking again, I think it’s more like 2.5 miles from the point where you start pedaling after the hairpin up to the damn. In the fall Cat 4 race last year the first 3 times up were just under 16mph. The last time up was 15 mph.
Aaron, I was only joking about the 35 kilos, but you do have Tony S. counting the calories. He was stoically avoiding the chips and salsa when he was at my place watching L-B-L.
Ben, I’m happy to report that a weeklong stomach virus bout has brought me to my target weigh.
Here are the climb stat’s from my race file. I made rough guesses on the file as to where the climb started and finished, but each measures around 4.5km and go from the left turn to the top of the climb. 1-3 were a bit less than 11 minutes and 4 was 11:40.
Climb 1
323W
25.4kph
Climb 2
341W
24.8 kph
Climb 3
318W
25.3kph
Climb 4
285W
23.6 kph
Hey Ben I heard some place that for the elite climbers they should be 2 lbs for every inch they are tall . Whats your take???
the grade varies a lot, so does the speed. 5% is an average but there are (few) sections that are almost flat others that are much steeper.
All you have to do is look at the out of town results (Hilltowns, GMSR, Housatonic, Unionvale etc) to see that Aaron will be a huge factor in a race like this with a lot of local guys.
When I almost fell over trying to push a 23 up a steep pitch at Housatonic last year Aaron was looking pretty smooth.
You guys are killing me. For the record, I used a 27 at Housatonic and was way out of the money, crashed and didn’t know how far to the finish at Hilltowns, got dropped and DNFed at Unionvale.
geh
Ken King climbs just fine…..
Sand Baggers!!!
Not as far out of the money as me.
Riding the Fall race this year. I rode the course over the wkend. (1st time) The descent isnt as bad as many make it out to be. The climbing was great. I think the gaps will occur on those back ascents, where the roads are actually deceptingly challenging. After 3 laps of the Tiorati roads, the course winding back to the finish line, starting at that right hander that had all of those big jagged rocks scattered in the corner that wkend will be the area of opportunity. The race will be won by an all rounder like Harris, Riseth, Burns, maybe Semel – he’s been pretty low profile these days. Niko of NYVC could make the selection, he looked good that day as well as my teammate D.Regan and our own A.Ostroy. Not sure if AO is lining up but last year he was right there in the mix up. I’ll be managing the feed zone for the Spring race so….I’ll see you suckers on hurt day. Make your Mommy proud!
Thank’s Ben the article and posts are really making the race something to look forward too, Nice to hear from so many of the favorites too!
THere is NO WAY that OMALLEY is a dark horse. Rode with him 2 times this past week and I was cracking him on the hills and I am fat and out of shape.
Also, I would hardly say that Dave Burns is a sand bagger but Petr of Metro – well I love the guy but it is NONSENSE that he is still a 4. Sorry Scott but, he should be riding at least as a 3.
dont unestimate omalley he can climb like a cat 2
Climbing like a cat 2 doesn’t help much when you’re 10 miles from the finish. Good luck catching back on when the pain train rolls by.
o malley can climb like a 2 but his knowledge is of a cat 7
To the "no name" and "noodles" poster. Try to have the balls and use your name/real name when you are going to bash some one. Will either of you beat O’Malley at Bear?
Next, Petr Huppert racing again as a Cat 4 at Bear and a Cat 4 at Jiminy this weekend. That is just disgraceful. Petr must gain a lot satisfaction from sandbagging everything he enters. Huppert also has more than enough points to upgrade, again just disgraceful.
My statement wasn’t an attack or bashing, rather a statement. Few riders have the strength to attack AND stay away for the next 10 miles. If O’malley or anyone else can then more power to them. I’d say if 25 riders get to the final climb together maybe 2 or 3 have the combination of climbing and time trialing skills to get away – even for them it would be a long shot and if you get caught you’re toast. Even the non-sprinters have a shot at top 10 as few sprinters make it to the final selection so most riders play it safe on the last lap.
Noodles, well put I agree with you. O’Malley will have to play it very smart to get a place podium, and staying away for 10 miles I doubt anyone in the 4 field has the ability to do that. The Cat 7 thing though, well that bashing unless your a friend or teamate.
No name, not married. With out any balls as you have demonstrated again by not posting with your name you couldn’t bang anything. Put your name up and try to be a man. You racing Jiminy this weekend or are you sitting at home trying to grow a sack. Either way if you are there when you finish well behind me I am sure you will come up with another brilliant post little girl.
hahahaha…touche’! Its a small small world, but not much bigger than the balls an anonymous poster sucks.
Noodles, well put I agree with you. O’Malley will have to play it very smart to get a place podium, and staying away for 10 miles I doubt anyone in the 4 field has the ability to do that. The Cat 7 thing though, well that bashing unless your a friend or teamate.
No name, not married. With out any balls as you have demonstrated again by not posting with your name you couldn’t bang anything. Put your name up and try to be a man. You racing Jiminy this weekend or are you sitting at home trying to grow a sack. Either way if you are there when you finish well behind me I am sure you will come up with another brilliant post little girl.
cut the crap…this isn’ t pro wrestling.
Ok all you little riding hulka maniacs lets settle down a little before someone catches a smackdown at "summerville slam"
Where did the wrestling reference come from? Perhaps we all have a little bit of "teen chick lit" in us?
Dude, how could you mix up wrestling and Chick lit culture? Are you sure you are on the right site? You seem very confused.
Note this is not an attack just an observation.
I can’t climb for S@*% and I’m still doing it!!!!! lol!
1at Kim
2nd Chris
3rd Petr
4th David Burns
5th Collins/King/Mercay
i just cried laughing at all this. all you cat 4s can thank me for making jp kaminsky upgrade. now he will just win the 3 race.
NYVeloCity’s Chris MeCray and Chris Price will both be right in the mix at the very end, regardless of weather it’s a sprint or a breakaway.
What predictions change after Jiminy?? Who’s actually on form? Who thought they were Hot, and are Not? Who is pulling an Ullrich?
The good news for local guys is this race filled up so fast mostly with CRCA riders that a lot good riders from PA, MA ect did not get a chance to register for it .
if i say chris, that gives me at least 3 chris’s who can win!
I’m glad to see everyone is looking forward to the race. So am I; if only I can shake this nasty bug I got from all the pollen around…………..ugh.
Revised thoughts after Jiminy
I like these guys as probable top 5 finishers–Wilkins, Riseth, Stempel, Pichler, Goldman (not in order). I would not be surprised if a break makes it this time. But, aside from Wilkins, can they climb?
Possibles
Uglietta (Can he get up the hill 4 times?), Olsen (Ready for yet another breakthrough, or back to earth?) Mecray (He’s fast, but can he last?) Brown (How does he do out of the park?) Ken King (Should like the downhill finish.) Loudon (Could have a very good day.)
Not to be discounted
Capala and Almonte (Top juniors can smoke the 4s with one leg. How close to the top are these skinny guys?) Cohen and Semel (Lying low so far this season. Skipped Jiminy for a last look at Tiorati.) Mattioli, Garcia, Goodstein (Avoiding the sauce all week!), Huppert (This race likes him.)
On the wait list
Waugh (Now JA?) and Levesque. Will they get in?
Teams to watch
Merrill has at least 3 who should make the selection, and the smarts to speed the selection along. The only 4 team in the park with a real leadout train.
Jonathon Adler races like a team and could be a big factor if they get 2 to the selection. Early sacrifices by the JA big guys?
Will Kissena race like a team for Pichler, or will they race like a club?
Edgemont has a lot of guys who have been looking forward to this race since November.
Forecast: Partly sunny and 50-60.
Oops–I left out Ben Harris (sorry Ben), who should be strong if he gets some sleep. Party at Ben’s Saturday night?
"Edgemont has a lot of guys who have been looking forward to this race since November."
How cute. Fire up the short bus.
Uglietta is a fat ass. I beat him at the gas station sprint this morning with a flat front tire and a bum ankle. Healthy, I can’t even sprint. You can count him out.
We have others, though…
Hah, good one Jay, nice work with the negative psychology. I’d still keep an eye on him though, he just got over his stomach virus from last week.
I ain’t funnin’. It’s all true.
But beware the others…
I was like totally leading you out!!!
Jay, I’m on to your jedi mind tricks – New race strategy – I’m on CU’s wheel all race.
Ps. That’s a great stomach bug! I lost 4 lbs., caught up on the Sopranos, got some TLC, and feel great now.
Anyone want to borrow my toothbrush?
I’m warning all of you! I’m in tip top shape and going kick everyones butt on Sunday. Ben has no chance, I’m the ML leader now!
Given the import of this race, Jonathan Adler Racing may have to launch a new secret weapon on Sunday.
Bear conditions will be status quo! Rain forcasted. Cold temperatures, and I wouldnt be surprised if Mr. Fog reared its ugly head. Spring classic is truly a race for the tough guy. Climber types will get worked – hard!
The weather is going to be terrible on Sunday which should make the race very interesting. You might even see a break go away in the 4’s
actually the forecast has been improving…still looks iffy
but could be worse.
Does J Adler have a weapon that will make it sunny and in the 70’s? Whip it out man!!!!!
The secret J. Adler Viking weapon is that it will be snowing and we will all be riding with studded tires.
Sunshine is for pussies.
David, did your wife buy you new secret weapon-y wheels for this years’ race?
The only secret weapon Mrs. Burns gave me this year is now almost five months old. I will secretly tie him to Huppert’s back.
Chris Loudon (Visit Britain) nips Scott Demel (Brooklyn Velo Force) by 1/2 bike length. Both are racing tomorrow in the 4’s.
Chris Baldwin. I know, he hasn’t been riding enough but if he can make it to the end, who knows..
‘ready for another breakthrough’
Hats of to Jonathan Adler for completely taking control of the race in lap 2 and taking 1st and 3rd place. That was a grueling and exciting race.
Baldwin – Forgotten… Farewell ye fond tailights