Hangover 4/7/2008

Section head text.

Will O’Donnell wins the TT at Sandy Hook – others have times that match either the take-off speed of the Concord or that of the sign-in table. But there are pictures here.

At the CRCA race, Alex Bremer wins the A race; Maragret Shirley outsprints Sarah Sauvayre; Sanches-Metro’s Colin Prensky wins the B race and Matthew Cuttler wins the C race. Full results are here. 

Organic pictures here.

Anthony Allesio wins at Bethel in the 123; Akira Sato wins the 3/4; Robert Lattanzi wins the 40+; and Ann Marie Miller wins the womens’ race

Full results here. PIctures here. 

As of publication time, Johnny Cakes results are sketchy, if you won the race, please let us know.

Full Spring Series results are also elusive this morning, so if you happened to win that race also, please let us know.

George Gyarmathy wins the 3/4s.

Jon Orcutt won the 35+ race at FBF.

Organic FBF pictures are here.

Devolder works the team tactics perfectly and plays his “Stijn way” across Flanders, – am I the only one who sees that pun or am I the only one willing to use it?

109 Comments

Anonymous

The results links on AVD’s site were dead from last week; two races this weekend. Anyway to get an update on what’s going on before next Sunday morning?

Ik fiets

Farmingdale does well! Tough day at the office when SD doesn’t pull, they let him sit instead of attacking, and he counters as it comes together with 3 climbs/30km to go…legs and teamwork for Quickstep! Too bad the teams of Lampre/HR/Silence couldn’t get it together…but thats what happens in a 17 berg, 270km race in rain/cobbles/Belgium…JUNGE!!!

Anonymous

highlighting all the tactics discussed in the ‘to pull or not to pull’ discussion, boonen/devolder play it perfectly, and boonen does the classy move by not sprinting in the finish

Anonymous

Roger the Beast Aspholm won with a teammate in 2nd and Lindine in 3rd. Attacked out of a strong break of about 6-10 guys (Fiordifrutta Cory Burns, Fast Eddy of Campmore, Target guys, Kenda guy and some other strong dudes). B race was won by a solo break in lap 1 that stuck for the race and 2minutes plus on the field.

Tough race again! Watch for Roger and Justin at Battenkill!

Steve C.

OA should not take anymore pics, rain, night, wind, 30 some degrees. Why should they waste their time, life, energy, money, carbon dioxide, gasoline, electricity, batteries, equipment better work with a nonprofit to end the war, poverty, corruption, hypocrisy, bigotry, racism, juicing and did I mention …

Curious

More than the pictures, I’m wondering why the Organic Rider got a flat in yesterday’s Spring Series 3/4 race. He was down a lap, jumped back into the race, and helped chase the break.

It didn’t seem right. Not that I’m complaining as few guys were pulling to chase the break back and I didn’t finish in the top 7. I would have if the break was caught.

Anonymous

Just an observation. Organic shots used to be some of the best race pics I’ve seen. There’s an obvious change in the resolution of the pics. Just curious, still appreciate having the pics.

Anonymous

I think the issue being raised is that the rider needs to be aware if you’re lapped, you can sit at the back and get your training miles in, but have a little respect for the rules and the race and don’t mix in with those who are racing.

Sounds like protesting wouldn’t influence the outcome….what would be your protest? “The OA rider tried helping us cheat but didn’t do a good enough job?”

Anonymous

c’mon curious, you’re anonymous anyway. just say it out loud, it will feel good. i’ll even type it for you:

“i was doing precisely jack to bring back the break because i fancy myself a cat 4 ‘sprinter’ who could’ve gotten an awesome 7th place. i was f*cking psyched that OA took a free lap and chased for me. but he didn’t help out enough so i had to slander him come monday am. and no, you’re right, i did exactly zero work because – again – i am a cat 4 ‘sprinter.'”

Anonymous

I love seeing photos of me; i’m not being at all sarcastic, I just can’t get enough. I will never complain about photographs taken in bad lighting conditions, i.e. overcast and raining, pre-sunrise, etc. If you want better photos, hire a private photographer. I’m sure there is an art school student/graduate living in brooklyn who would be happy to get paid.

Anonymous

Even Stijn Devolder’s thighs seemed out of proportion big on the podium yesterday. He looked really big but i suppose they are strong and light. Could also be that the wide screen makes it look out of proportion.

Anonymous

“I’m wondering why the Organic Rider got a flat in yesterday’s Spring Series 3/4 race.”

A piece of glass.

“It didn’t seem right. Not that I’m complaining …”

What are you doing?

Anonymous

The Blue Ribbon rider in the CRCA B field needs to calm down. Shouting expletives all race just isn’t pleasant… some would say classless.

OA rider

you flat, you’re out. unless, you are able to fix the flat and chase the field down. unlikely. if you must jump back in, remain in the back and neutral.

Anonymous

I didn’t notice your name posted in any race results, or next to any postings here today – dude, are you okay?

Anonymous

“… is a good masters bloke”

I would say insanely good and one of the best racers in the NE. Dude is a machine and took it to an on form Justine Lindine.

the answer man

Will would not be able to maintain his aero position and wattage output while getting punched in the face

Anonymous

Spend 10 grand on fancy TT gear, drive 2 hours for a 15 – 20 minute race, then a results debacle. Why am I doing this?

Tattle Tale

I think the same Blue Ribbon guy was using the bike lane to move from mid-pack about 8 spots up to front pack at Tavern on the last lap last week in the CRCA B race, shouting ?#$%@! as he went!

Not affiliated with Plan 2 Peak

Guy is a friend of Will Riff – ex rower. Works with Coach Cummings at Plan2Peak. This dude is legit and will be a 3 or 2 by the end of this year. Plan 2 Peak website has his race recap.

Anonymous

I seem to remember last Sat. seeing a Blue ribbon rider being one of a small handful of guys at the front trying to bring back that break. I always see’em at the front and usually racing every wkend with no team mates. Many of you with team members would be hard pressed to find riders on your squad that mix-it up day in and day out without the back-up. I’d be riding with a bit of an edge as well. But I wouldnt be in the jogger lane though.

jft

also tired of the anon whining/dissing

If someone wants to complain about a guy a lap down pulling, or a rider moving up in the joggers lane or whatever, complain at the race to the rider or the race director

Anonymous

From the outside looking in, it would seem that the sole Blue Ribbon B rider (aka Mr. Potty Mouth) shouldn’t have used any matches chasing the break. He should have let the other teams bring the break back or else tried to bridge. Makes no sense to kill yourself chasing if you or a teammate won’t be fresh enough to capitalize on race opportunities if the breaks comes back. It’s about maximizing your odds of winning, not “mixing it up” at the front for the sake of burning calories.

Anonymous

Great that comment about ‘mixing it up’ like hes been out riding all alone for like 50 races with no help. Here we are a couple races into the season and someone is trying to give this swear shouting, no tactics having B guy props like hes been riding in Belgium races all spring. How about this – clean up the language and stay within the lines and if you win a race we will all shout congrats to you. Till then shut up and race right.

160

if you’re a sole rider and a break is up the road – you chase or you don’t win. You don’t think “oh maybe they’ll come back”

Mr. Perspective

Um, it’s a B club race. Mixing it up at the front whether you have no teammates or 10 is the idea. Learning to be aggressive is what makes winning bike racers.

Mr. Perspective

and endangering the future of racing by riding in the running lane is another story entirely, of course.

Anonymous

“if you’re a sole rider and a break is up the road – you chase or you don’t win.”

no. -1 for tactics. if you chase, you definitely won’t win. bridge.

160

hmm…you have never heard of a “solo effort to CHASE a breakaway”? I didn’t say “help the pack chase”…I said “you chase”. A successful solo chase is called a bridge, so semantics…we’re saying the same thing..

Anonymous

tactics: “He should have … tried to bridge. Makes no sense to kill yourself chasing”

you: “tactics? you chase or you don’t win.”

-1 for disingenuousness, or confusing yourself about your response (fielder’s choice).

-2 total.

Inside the Lines

CRCA needs to make an example of the jogger’s lane infractions. Sounds petty, but if people don’t take it seriously it really could cause big problems for CP racing.

Anonymous

what a bunch of prudes. big deal, the guy curses a lot. gotta stay out of the jogger’s lane though–if it’s true. that could be big trouble for the club.

Anonymous

thanks jft. i thought you received free dinosaur status for running crca.net and keeping the team challenge points and race results updated. i assume i am mistaken. who should i ask?

Anonymous

To 160

Your original comment disagreed with my original post, but now you seem to be saying same thing. Not sure. To be clear, most people view “chasing” as something that is separate and distinct from “bridging”. There is obviously an element of “chase” in bridging, but they are different tactics.

If you are alone in the field and a break is gone without you, your choices are:

a) bridge solo (this should only be attempted if the rider does the math and determines that his chances of winning will be increased by bridging – – the math includes consideration of the size of break, the time gap, the course, the rider’s fitness, likelihood of making it across, and who will be left to chase behind him. If the rider attempts this and makes it across, his chances of winning are 1 out of X (with X being the total number of guys in the break). If he fails, he will lose the race, possibly not even finishing. This is an all or none solution.)

b) Join a small group to bridge together (same as above, except chances of making it across might be higher. Must be careful not to bring sprinter across or riders who won’t help becuase they have teammates in the break. Sometimes these riders will be motivated to join you and work because they want to increase their numbers in the break, so you must read the situation.)

c) work hard at the front of peleton trying to chase the break down with other riders or alone (this is stupid and doesn’t increase chances of winning. it increases other teams’ chances of winning, because while you’re killing yourself at the front, each team has a sprinter or other breakaway riders resting at the back. you will not beat them. You should let those teams do their own chasing and then be ready to either counter attack or contest the field sprint)

d) Conserve and hope the break comes back because other teams chase it successfully or because the guys in the break can’t hold it for whatever reason. (this requires the most self control, but if a and b are not options, this is the right answer. Your chances of winning aren’t great, but they are greater than zero, which is what you’re chances will be if you do a – c above and fail.)

e) Drop out and save it for another day (this is often the right answer to a pro who races long races and often, but it’s usually not the case in a short park race where a weekend warrior type could almost always use the miles more than the rest.)

Anonymous

What about this: might a racer choose not to sit in because park races are training races and you care more about succeeding in out-of-town races? Perhaps you want to upgrade, and NYC races often don’t count for many – if any – points. If you stay out of the wind on pancake courses all spring, you can watch the race go up the road when you are not in the five boros. Or, perhaps you want to enjoy your racing (the Olympic dreamboat having sailed rather a while ago for most of us), and sitting in for 6 or 7 laps isn’t your notion of a good time?

jft

“thanks jft. i thought you received free dinosaur status for running crca.net”

You are mistaken, I never got dinosaur status for doing it. Some years I got marshal credit for it and some years my team got team duty credit. And some years nothing.

In any case, I don’t manage that site anymore, but even when I did, the person to talk to do get something posted on the crca website is the appropriate board member. So go to the site and contact the appropriate board member. Their contact info is there.

Anonymous

Yes. That’s ok if you are only doing it for the training value. But you should understand that your approach is not a “race tactic” and therefore is not on my list of “race tactics” to follow (technically, it’s my option (c), but I’m advising not to follow it if want to win). If you realize the race is over and you just want to get in some higher intensity training, then your suggestion is ok. But I’m not going to suggest that as a race tactic to a bunch of B riders who need to learn how to race.

Anonymous

You would if you knew that said rider could work at the front, help bring back a break and then launch or jump into one, once its caught. Thats a race tactic called “havin fun”. I’d advise all b’s to do this. waiting for the sprint is BOOOOORRRINNNNNNGG. Been there done that. When the sprint comes about – none of those supposed sprint teams set things up properly, it turns out to be one big crash f_ck in some cases, and usually most guys just dont have the guns or are not willing to set-up for someone else. A lot of B riders dont comprehend the pleasure of taking a rider to the line for a successful lead-out. Or else sprinting would actually be interesting in this club.

pulling through

Just adding up results on http://www.crca.net:

A
=
Empire 66
Foundation 56
Adler 27
Blue Ribbon 18
Sid’s 15
Bandit 12
Unattached 12
Die Hard 8
Centerbridge 5

B
=
Setanta 71
NYVelocity 45
Sanchez-Metro 28
DKNY 23
SouthAfrica 22
Organic 18
Sid’s 12

Women
=====
Radical Media 93
Comedy Central 62
Sanchez-Metro 28
Major Taylor 12
DKNY 11
Unattached 8
NYVelocity 5

CRCA has changed the rules for this year. Only best 7 races will be counted.

http://www.crca.net/racing/club/2008-team-cup/

160

Good post OTG and we’re saying similar things. But like you note, this is all relative to the strengths of the lone rider. For example, choice C) is not as bad as D) or E) if the lone rider is a good sprinter himself. He’ll have greater chances of placing if he helps the pack catch the break vs not trying anything and ‘giving’ all the places to the break. On the other hand, C) does make sense if he thinks there is a very high chance the break will get caught with doing nothing.

The Vulgarian

Pot Belge contains amphetamines, cocaine and heroin. Its the opioids that make it so tasty. You get all the warm glow of smack without the nod.

Anonymous

FROM: Sandy Hook Time Trial
————————————————-

All,

The results that were to be posted today are currently being officially
reviewed. We will get them up as soon as possible. We are sorry for the
delay.

Rob

Aleksander Betko, Blue Ribbon B Field

It has been brought to my attention that I am seen as some sort of barbarian on a bike. I have sat down and read these postings and would like to set the record straight as diplomatically and directly as possible. First of all I did not use the joggers lane to advance on the last lap while swearing the whole way. I was on the right side. As far as swearing and having a potty mouth, that never happened either. If I used expletives the whole race, what did I say? If I am accused, what EXACTLY did I say and to who? Yes, I did raise my voice, but it was to say move up, let’s go, we have a gap and pull through! How is that an expletive? It is a bike race, and I show up to race. I have no team mates in the B field, so I have to race on the front, off the front all the time. You can argue the tactics, I don’t have that luxury.

If I am perceived as a hot head, I mean no ill will towards anyone. I am the first to shake hands and congratulate whoever won. It is competition and it should be aggressive and hot. The faster the race, the safer. Slower races cause bunching up, cutting off and crashes. Personally I have heard threats of violence in Cat 4 packs over much lesser things.

I am also quite aware of how I present myself. My team and sponsors expect me race. I think I over all handle myself as a gentleman engaging in sport. I will fully admit to having little patience for non sense in the pack. I will say this again, I did not swear, use the joggers lane or act aggressively towards any other racer. In fact there is a fellow feeling towards those who join you again and again in turning your guts inside out to animate the race and try to escape the pack.

B racer

I also found these comments strange because I race with you often and know you’re a good guy. Those that air dirty laundry here and not at the race loose all credibility with me.

Anonymous

i saw/heard no nonsense from blue ribbon on sat.

an avenue a/razorfish (don’t know him – not patrick, not adam, didnt catch his #) advanced several place in the joggers’ lane around 90th st, west side, last lap. it was deliberate and someone called him out on it – correctly. he started cursing something unintelligible “f*cking neural f*cking.” no one cares he cursed. his advance was stupid and he got chastised for it. end of story, bu maybe someone is confusing the two

Anonymous

Who raced 3 or more races this weekend? Maria Q??? Are you getting enough sleep???
;))
OK ev’re body gettin tipsie!!! Hills are alive…Who gots the record for Marina to Ranger Station?

Anonymous

Some hillclimbs have a sub (or super) category, divide your time by your weight, not exactly a strength to weight ratio but pretty close…

Anonymous

like in UK, what gear would you use for River Road? Or, if anyone has done a “proper” hillclimb UK style, what would be a good climb locally to compare?

lee

Anyone out there sold on the SRAM Components? Its been out long enough to get a little NYC perspective.
Hey Andy – worthy of a hate volume follow up?
Ugly you were keen on these some time ago – did you hook it up?

phil / Sids

first off he threatened me with a knife then said he planned to get his car and ram riders as they came down 5th Avenue, heard it with my own ears.

Seriously though, worked his arse off and I think the only confusion was that every team had a man in the break and was content with letting the break stay away, the guys who did not have a man in the break tryed to chase down break, common sense really, metro and blue ribbon guy.

The only thing I do not like is if other teams get in the way and try to disrupt them trying to catch the break by going in front of them and slowing it down again, I thik he was just pissed that guys were not chasing but why would they chase down there own team mate.

To put it plain you bang out of luck when you are the lone ranger and have to be aggressive and attack cause your team or lack of it certainly are not going to do it for you. And really what have you lost by burning a few calories extra, you had a good workout and a hard training session for the next race.

Keep on working, just leave the knife at home

lee/sids

Well put Phil. He was on the front that day with his head buried on his stem trying to chase down that break and got “0” assistance from the crca yellow jackets. Logic would dictate that if the work got the break within an eyeshot Alex and the Metro guy would’ve most definitely flew the coop together. I was surprised more crca riders didnt jump into rotation – it was set-up and drilling away – but I guess the experience isnt quite there yet.

Don't knock the block

this is a team sport right? Are my teammates supposed to abandon the race because I’m in a break?

A.D.D.

Thank you Charlie, you’re the best! Last Sunday’s MCA SS race at FBF was fun and easy to get to, nobody on the roads. Having the sprint on the 3rd leg was faster and more narrow (double line rule to allow cars into lots) so maybe not as safe as the original….but it was convenient to get to be close to the parked cars…

Anonymous

if they close off the entrance to the lot on the north side, you could go double wide to the finish, then narrow it to one for the second half of the staightaway.

yack

I have a sram red kit…came off a dura ace 9 speed kit that I bought the year Lance won his first tour…if memory serves me. Anyway the Sram Red stuff is very nice. Front shifting a bit slower than Shimano…but not a big deal. Very happy with it. The new mechanical dura ace will be out soon…but I’m still very happy with the single lever shifting…it simplifies the whole bike…which is increasingly being transformed into a laptop computer…see power meters, gps devices, electronic shifting…etc…although I have a powertap and love it

phil / Sids

the word block speaks for itself, the idea is that you control the tempo in a way that nobody even notices that the pace is slower than the break. A fine art to manage which is why I guess we in the B field call it BLOCK otherwise I would just jump off my bike and stop people from getting past me like rugby tackles for example, maybe full contact cycling blocks are in order.

Nothing wrong with slowing the pace, its the way in which you choose to do it, if someone is mounting a team charge to chase down the break you don’t just ride in front of them and slow them down. But then its up to those sprinters teams to pass you like you do not even exist as well.

Anonymous

is like setting a pick in basketball. do you hear b-ballers whining about that? no. so get the sand out of your hoo-ha

See ya

Sitting in a nice draft while others chase is one thing. Blocking? If you want to be a B race “Blocker” go ahead. Blocking is for people who don’t like to feel pain on the bicycle. “Yeah, I was blocking for you. Will you buy me a Grande?” Blocking! Puh.

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