The bunnies have all retired back to their burrows, and we can now get back to the business of deciding which is the optimal field composition for personal glory. I have chosen to ride in the 45-46 scorpio masters with an Iowa birth certificate field at Bear, but I don;t want to pre-reg because my almanac says it may rain.
In actions that didn’t happen only in my mind, at the Lucarelli & Castaldi Cup race at Prospect Park on Saturday, Mike Garrigan of Van Dessel won the P123 race. Baris Aytan won the cat 4 race. Jesus Martinez of Triangle Cyclist won the cat 5 race. Results are here. Photos are here.
I know that Zach Koop of Blue Ribbon/translations.com won the CRCA A race in Central park on Saturday, but that’s all I know.
And I know better than to search for the results of the Spring Series race, so if you know anything about who won, let us know.
If you finished so far back in the pack in a CRCA race that you do not know your approximate placing at the finish then you do not deserve results!
Stalin Quintero won the AvD Sunday.
first
CRCA AvD results race is on!
CIS is the new Kissena
i like it, but please explain
Jesus rose to the occassion and won a race in PP.
to Judas Priest.
Well played.
Who was that?
read the hangover
Benjamin Headset What do you mean?
did that guy win the p123 on a cross bike?
Yes he did.
The A filed was barreling down the west side before 72nd and there was a wall of riders blocking the whole rode going half the speed. Got past that and almost ran over a junior that I think was part of the clinic. Very dangerous.
A road bike might be fine for Central Park, but it seems pretty clear that a cross bike’s superior vertical compliance and aerodynamics are an advantage when you’re in a breakaway in Prospect Park. I was on the fence before about getting one, but Garrigan’s win just shows how important it is to have the right bike for the right course.
The win on the cross bike is the start of a new bicycle arms race. I hear the new custom Rivendell 650B race bikes Weather Channel will be on next weekend will be a gamechanger and give their riders a huge advantage on the horrible pavement which winter has brought upon us. Just imagine the ability to attack on the sketchiest of pavement at Floyd while their thin tired competitors are forced to take sub-obtimal lines to avoid having their 700×23 tubulars sinking into holes WC’s 650B hetre’s roll right over!
At this stage if you’re racing FBF with anything less than a long wheelbase gravel grinder with hydro disc brakes you’re really pushing your luck.
You need a short wheelbase to make the 180 degree turns.
Dan where are the Rocket Ride and Park Ridge results?
Bruyneel refused to testify and presented no fact witnesses on his own behalf. Martà likewise refused to testify. Dr. Celaya did testify before the Panel and was subject to cross examination at the hearing. The Panel concluded that Dr. Celaya was not “a credible witness in this case.â€
The Rocket Ride and Park Ridge results are in the hearts of those who won them.
It’s Tuesday. Anyone know where the club race results are?
Anyone know if/when the results will be posted from Saturday’s CRCA race? What’s the usual turnaround time?
I won my commute this morning.
We need to pay higher CRCA fees if we want results.
Don’t get too excited about the CRCA results. When they are eventually posted they seem to randomly stop somewhere between 7th and 12th place.
CRCA IS THE NEW AVD
I paid my 15 bucks, I want my results nooooow
Dear CRCA,
Please confirm that I lost the practice race as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance,
Titouan Clearcoat.
You pay CRCA a lot more than $15 if you think about it. Factor in membership dues plus the going rate for each marshall duty. The new CRCA BOD this year leaves a lot to be desired.
What!?!?! I worked hard all race to stay near the back, and then sprinted my brains out for my mid-pack result. I think I deserve to know if I broke top 50.
Photos from Saturday.
All of them: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.235982683259550.1073741831.230285197162632&type=1
Just the good ones: http://www.super-rival.com/photography
The CRCA actually posted the results of the new rider clinics — http://www.crca.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014clinic.pdf — but can’t figure out how to post the results of an official race.
Has anyone ever watched the painful process the CRCA goes through after every race? Alex sits there watching the replay of the results for each field and records the numbers for EVERY finisher, as deep as he can go. When he can’t read a number, he stops to try and find a teammate who can identify the mystery rider. This is repeated for all 4 fields. It takes longer than forever. Does anyone really care, if they finished outside the Top 10? I’d rather have a “DNP” than a 47th place next to my name.
Alex to Mengoni
If you’re not first, you’re last – Ricky Bobby
SHAKE AND BAKE!
Also, why can Branchbrook, Bethel, and all of Charlies races get the results up often the same day for every field? Is it that painful? Skip the riders who’s number you can’t read if they are out of the top 10. CRCA did that for years. This year they can no longer find the resources. Also not listing the whole field dilutes the ranking of the race. If a few cat 1s are DNP they are no longer making the ranking for the race higher. If I got 47th, I may not care as much, but would still expect to see the results. Again, the old board did too good of a job and now we expect the same service as open races (AVD races not included)
how expensive is a chip timing system?
Wow. What happened?
I don’t think they are reading this anymore. Ignorance is bliss.
And tuxedo skin suits for the team
Carl Dolan Memorial in MD was $35 pre reg w/ $15 late fee for day of. Total of $50 to do a 1 hour corporate park race. I’m guessing it was so expensive due to my lateness, but also the (unnecessary) timing chip on the back of the race number, which didn’t even work because its so damn sensitive to getting crumbled with the cheap race numbers. At least the payout was amazing…. 5 deep spliting $400 :/
Is there no P/1/2 for Hunter Spring Classic? I recall seeing a field on bikereg but it was closed, and not its disappeared.
The P, 1/2 field limit was 2. It filled up and closed.
Just 2 weekends away and most fields don’t even have 10 riders registered. Too bad it’s the day before Bear
2 weekends away. Who the hell would register now for that? It’s not an NRC race or anything.
Did the start times for Hunter change?
We can’t afford the risk of this field not registering as we have costs (police, volunteers, officials) that would be double if we kept the AM/PM schedule. We deleted the Men Pro/1/2 and the Women Pro/1/2/3 and went to an afternoon schedule only.
All registered riders were emailed the new schedule.
Dieter
Finally a road race that I don’t have to wake up early for THANKS TO DIETER
Dieter,
Do you get bored of the passive aggressive shtick? It was a simple question: did the times change (subtext: did I misread or miss recall what they were?). It can’t be possible that at this point you don’t get that racers generally aren’t going to register in advance for races. Are you simply spoiled by the early days of Battenkill where fields sold out almost instantly? You probably don’t help yourself by canceling races that don’t get great super early prereg (your crit series last year, which should have been a great series of events) or switching details around.
CRCA is trying this as well. I saw where Matt V said Bear has a sliding scale because of the huge costs involved in putting on a road race of that nature, and the uncertainties since it hasn’t happened in many years. OK, fair enough. Then why the same BS with Orchard Beach?
There’s nothing wrong with making money on events. I applaud a promoters efforts to do so. But make decisions and stick by them. To continually move the target is only hurting yourself.
Huh?
No, I just don’t like losing money on cycling races. It’s sometimes very painful. Police, course marshals (not really volunteers), and officials all cost money and I am committed to a schedule for them at this point, a few weeks out. The Pro/1/2 and the Pro/1/2/3 women are both very expensive fields (payout vs reg. rate, vs. time on the road vs. officials, etc.). So they are the first to go, sadly. The trend to register at the last minute imparts a lot of risk on a race organization and support. Most race organizations can’t afford the risk any longer as costs are sharply higher.
In any case, I am sorry to disappoint you, but it is what it is: we’re up against a popular (though sporadic) Bear Mtn in the same area and on the same weekend, and also a general decline in participation across the region; virtually all 2013 events in the Northeast saw a 15-30% drop as compared to 2012. You can do the math to determine what that means for a race like GMSR or Catskills, for example. Quabbin is down 250 vs. 2013 alone.
In the end we’re extremely happy that we get the racers that we do. We’ll have a fun event at Hunter on a new and exciting course – site of the NYS RR Champs in June.
Thanks,
Dieter
I definitely don’t think you should lose money (long term). That’s a silly model for racing. But of course Battenkill wasn’t built in a day, and to pull the plug on a whole race series based on pre reg, when folks do not prereg except in extreme examples makes it seemingly impossible to develop a race. Case in point; your summer crit series last year (and yeah with Bear having a big 1,2 turnout that race would be a bust for you). So I have no doubt folks see a Dieter race and take a wait and see approach, because, you know, if the numbers don’t add up things will change.
As to reg being down across the board; no doubt. Gas is up, reg fees are up, hotels etc etc…guys are staying closer to home and doing cheaper races. Since many guys race multiple times a week 5 or 10 bucks on entry fees adds up to a significant increase in hobby costs pretty quick.
I’d have loved to throw whatever you were asking for to race Hunter, but the late start puts it out of range with other plans I have that weekend now. And while CRCA waffled on the masters race mother’s day plans unfolded based on the ‘race your category’ approach.
But losing money in the short term is OK? Everyone has to eat, man. All businesses require investment, true, but that comes with risk (see my earlier post…).
There was much more at play with the crit series than what may have been apparent. Some of it was financial, the rest general BS in the New England racing scene that I’d rather not be a part of anymore. New York doesn’t play games, thankfully.
Dieter
Fair enough. You’re certainly entitled to make whatever choices seem best for you. There are probably further reaching ramifications though as you continue to cultivate other events.
Just a random observation – I fell that at one time, Bear was the road race everyone kind of focused on and “peaked” for. Now it seems that it’s B-Kill, but that may be fading too. Otherwise I don’t here too many get super excited about other races, although Catskills seemed to be picking up speed.
Catskills was down about a hundred and fifty vs 2012, and down about 300 vs 2010-11. Stage races as a whole are about the worst “investment” in cycling. Professional races top the list, however – don’t do it.
How much of the decline in road race participation is due to the end of the ‘Lance effect’, i.e. now that he is off the scene and disgraced, are we seeing an impact in amateur race registrations in the US as folks pursue other activities instead of bike racing? I hope that isn’t the case.
(too) many racers would rather spend money on bikes than races
nah, it’s the economy
lots.
but Lance was also the reason why there was a boom during the 2000s, which contributed to the growth of races like Battenkill, Green Mountain, and Catskills.
I don’t think the Lance effect is the reason. I have never heard a bike racer say this Lance thing has just turned me off the local race thing, it may have turned them off watching or following the pro-peloton. Maybe the DA effect might drive some people away, but that can’t be too significant.
I think its the economy, but not in a cyclical sense, more in a long-term fundemental sense as income levels have not kept pace with inflation and in my opinion this won’t improve. I have seen this dynamic in other sposts as well where there is a huge amount of time dedication and money involved.
I think the “lance effect” affects people just getting into the sport, not people who have been racing a while. But yes the economy is crap, peoples incomes aren’t keeping up with the cost of bikes & equipment/entry fees etc. That can’t help.
I think “Lance” (the whole saga and cast of characters) played the most dominant role on both sides of the curve for sure. New people are not coming into the sport at anywhere near the rates they were a decade ago. USAC’s own numbers through 2012 confirm this. I expect their 2014 numbers to be abysmal (if they share them).
The #1 reason (according to USAC’s survey) that people don’t race (or renew their license) is the distance to races. The problem there is that most licensed racers live in metro areas where the choice of venues is low and the costs are very high.
Another possible contributor is adventure races: warrior dashes, tough mudder’s, etc.- no bike needed, no prize list, everyone gets a beer. Tattoos are extra.
I agree with Lennert Seatpost.
Wages are just not increasing at the same rate as inflation. I don’t know about everyone else here, but my disposable income is only a fraction of what it used to be. I stick with CRCA races simply because it allows someone in my financial situation to race my as many times as possible for $15 a race. I’ve even stopped racing Prospect because the 35-40 a race just adds up to quickly for a hobby.
I’ll get my fix for $15 and if I need more miles I’ll have to settle for a 9W or palisades ride.
Also, I’ve seen curious noobs come to or do a race a race only to discover how dangerous it is. Gets scared straight off back to Tris, tough mudders etc
No argument, these races are expensive to put on…
Even Park races are costly for promoters since they have to pay for all the things mentioned here already. For out of town races, the costs are undoubtedly even more.
That’s why races put on by CRCA all the New England clubs that previously put on races like Housatonic, Jiminy Peak, and Tokenke fill such a valuble need.
Not that long ago you had you’re choice of reasonably priced races where the labor cost of organizing was covered by volunteer club members and the marshalling was covered by friends, family and fellow racers.
It’s just too bad those races are not as plentiful. But if you want the chance to race often without shelling out $40 to $125 every time, get active in your club!
I really miss Housatonic
I have seen a lot of the 30-somthings that are runners needing a less “body destructive” endurance sport, try bike riding, than decide to give a racing a try, but have very little expereince in strong group rides let-alone races. They freak out and go back to riding with a couple of buddies on coffee rides.
Just saw the cost of Orchard Beach. Are you kidding? I guess this really is a rich man’s sport. $5,000 in prizes among 12 fields at a cost of $40 each. What a rippoff on such a great race.
CRCA it’s ok to step back and let a race remain a small local venue. Not everything needs to have prestige and tons of money involved. get a clue.
Agreed re: CRCA needing to keep costs of open races down. Pick out one or two races that you want to feature as top tier events (e.g. Bear, Maltese). For those top tier events, charge what you want and have all the bells and whistles (neutral service, big purses, etc.). For the other open races, keep the costs more reasonable.
Appreciate the hard work, but do think there’s room to be even better.
Why are the payouts for p12 races so high?
PLEASE PRE-REG FOR FBF!
We are offering online pre-reg for the first Tuesday night race only (May 6). On opening night there is usually a large number of riders signing up in a very short time and the race must start on time so we have enough daylight.
Registration will move much faster if riders pre-register. The pre-reg entry fee is being reduced to $20, day-of race registration after opening night will be $25.
Juniors who pre-reg race for free. After opening night, the junior entry fee is $5.
You can pre-reg at this link:
https://www.bikereg.com/tuesdayfbf
Don’t forget you use the same number each week.
Charlie Issendorf
Race Director
Kissena Cycling Club
As local, categorized bike racing deteriorates, which is a total bummer, gran fondos are on the rise. Racers at the front, personal-best-folks in the middle and just-finishing-is-my-goal at the back. It’s the same format as the NYC Marathon. People of all abilities LOVE it. Seriously, look how many people love the crap out of athletic events with that format. Hate on it all you like, it is the future. (No really, hate on it. We will put up with your ‘being-an-amateur-bike-racer-is-so-pro’ nonsense at Lucarelli, Mengoni, Lou Maltese, Battenkill, Bethel, FBF, etc. because that’s where delicious, ripened upgrade points are harvested but keep your hopeless negativism out of the fondos. One of the reasons they’re enjoyable is that you’re not there!) Europeans read our snarky, ‘gran fondos suck’ propaganda and just laugh at us. As usual.
As a kid I’d spin around in circles until I threw up. Back again to do the same thing the next day. So for sure I’ll take a corporate park crit over an expensive training ride any day.
The Italians aren’t laughing at snarky attitude towards Grand Fondo’s , they are laughing about ridiculous entry fees Americans pay. see this for example of low cost of Gran Fondo in Italy http://www.granfondoversilia.it/?page_id=934&lang=en
The cost structure of racing in US was revolutionized over the past 10 years. Dieter led the way and Ulli
provided the coup de grace. Of course they were only following up after seeing what people were paying for triathlons. Now even clubs like CRCA have doubled the cost of races like Bear Mtn while cost increases are much less.
Let’s consult gggtk3esg. I’m sure he could offer penetrating insights.