Hopeful Friday 5/9/2008

Section head text.

Saturday brings us the Kissena Big Apple Classic at Prospect Park, or the Somerset Time Trial.

You can almost hear the peaking out there as racers prepare for the annual Mother’s Day tradition of the Bear Mountain Race – should we call it “The Race for the Bastards”? If you really want to put some distance between yourself and loved ones, there’s a race in Sterling. 

160 Comments

Bookie

I’m not familiar with the local racing scene. Who are the danger men/women for Bear in the various categories. Will teams be a factor in the Masters, 3s, 4s women? Are there traditional attack points or does a break just ease off the front on the hill?

Anonymous

care to share what type of numbers it took last year to make it over the hill with the front group? Wattage/ weight – Cat 3. I want to make sure I am mentally out of the running before the race begins:) Hell if they are high enough I might not even have to show up!

The Toner

This Sunday, steely-eyed weekend warriors will kiss their mothers goodbye and mount their carbon steeds to face up to the fearful Bear Mountain course – the ominous playground where Olympians and State Champions have written their legends across the big sky. Look northward on Sunday and say a silent prayer for them as they test themselves against the best course and the deepest fields the area can offer. The mighty bear will have its say!

Anonymous

Dude – at 160lbs I put out 425watts for 15minutes just to stay with the front group. And that was the first lap. Lap 4 600watts for 15minutes to stay with the leaders. Cat 5 group.

Anonymous

I did Bear in the 3s twice. I climbed with ease on Tiorati with HR in the 150s to low 160s. It’s really not a hard race in the 3s if you’re just looking for a top ten/group finish. The 3s are so afraid of blowing up and so satisfied with top 10 finishes for upgrade purposes that they nurse the hill. So the pack is rarely under intense pressure/discomfort. But it’s a hard race to win. Because you have to be able to ride off the front alone or in a very small group on a course that has some very fast sections. If it stays together, you have to take your chances in a fast downhill field sprint, which throws a lot to chance. Here are my predictions:

3’s – – Looks like most of the top juniors are in the juniors or 1/2 field, so WWV is the team to beat. Adler will try, but will eff it up. Team tactics won’t matter much except for maybe WWV. This is because every 3 dreams of winning Bear, so he won’t put it on the line for a teammate. Other than maybe WWV because those guys are classy and win enough races that they are happy to share the glory.

Masters: team tactics will be factor. The field is stacked. Look for a typically active race and keep an eye on who’s in the break and who’s not. Roger A is probably looking for a win since he hasn’t won in a few weeks. He’ll be like a hungry shark who’s ready to feast after letting the weaker fish feed for a few races. I predict he’ll let a teammate go up the road with a small group and then bridge across on his own. Attack from there and go for the solo win. Alternatively, look for a small group (5 – 6) together at the end from which Badger takes the win with a 45 mph sprint. He’s smart enough and good enough not to miss that move, and nobody will come around him on that finish.

1/2 – – this will be hard man’s slug fest. The early move will come back in lap 3. Anyone left will have a miserable lap 4. The winners will seal their fate on lap 5. I’m looking for an Empire win with bragging rights to follow.

Cat 4. Attack, chase, sit. Attack, chase, sit. Repeat 6 times. Sprint. Crash. End. Hope everyone heals quickly.

cat 5. Who cares

Women. Who cares (squared)

Anonymous

I like a Canadian, Roger or maybe Lindine or Guptill who has been racing some big time events this spring out west. He has not team but can climb and get away with a small break. Roger!!!

Cat 3s – CCNS rider maybe (German or Larose). Perfect course for them. Maybe Dave Fierro or Ernest Taukest. Can ride uphill fast and sprint.

Anonymous

(someone cares – over 100 registered)
First of all, what a turnout for the 1/2/3 women. That race often has less than 20.

Picks… MQ, Anne Marie Miller, Sarah Chubb, Beth Miller, Silke Wunderwald, Betty Tyrell

Women’s 4
Maria Murphy, Edie Perkins, Dana Cuomo, Kathleen Rucker

Anonymous

The Cadence Tour de Parc Criterium will take place on Sunday, May 18 in Wantagh, Long Island. It’s about 35-40 minutes from NYC and is held on a fast 1 mile totally closed circuit. It’s a fun race and the only open race on Long Island this year.

There are separate races for Cat 5, Cat 4, Cat 3, Masters 45+, Masters, 35+, Women and Pro/1-2-3.

For more info and to register online go to:

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5735

Charlie Issendorf
Race Director
Kissena Cycling Club

Anonymous

even say something so idiotic. if you are going to make misogynist comments at least fucking try and make them funny.

man-crushin'

Blair Berbert, cat-2 from DC, won the cat-3 Bear last year in a solo breakaway (for most of the race). He came in 2nd at the Tour of the Gila in the cat-2 field. He’s a former elite rower from Georgetown and climbs like a mountain goat. Watch out!

BVF

the other MQ where is Marco did he get fired?
is he coming out to bear to take pictures of me
and is he making predictions the race?

Anonymous

coming with their full squad… a bunch of tiny 20 year olds. I think this might be a breakout performance for the whole team. Should be very cool!

Blair B.

I don’t have the file handy, but I think that the Coggan power gizmo was a hair under 300W for the whole race. Interestingly, the file from one of my teammates for the same race had a slightly higher gizmo power number, from spending all day blocking and jumping on the back of bridge attempts. So anyway, we didn’t stay away because of doing huge numbers (which we weren’t, anyway), but because I had two guys in the pack that were riding as hard or harder and sacrificing their race in the process.

Target Training

Very Strong Classy rider, after nere misses at Battenkill , Jimminy, Palmer ,and Sturbridge and coupled with being trained and mentored by Brian Wolf Bear Mtn. will be the first win this year of many !

Blair B.

the numbers I’d like to see were Marcinko’s – he pretty much crushed the field on the last lap I guess, and was pretty close to being right up our butts by the finish. If he had caught us, it would have been curtains, as we were pretty gassed by then.

Chodroff

One of these day’s Blair we’re gonna have to have an ex-collegiate rower showdown. You, me, riff. Anyone else? Too bad about I had that training crash two weeks ago, or it could have been this weekend. Coincides perfectly with the rowing champs. You doing tour of Ark? Maybe there?

colin p.

sounds fun, lets take it to the harlem river. better yet, let’s make a NY-area cyclist’s 8 entry for HOCR next fall. anybody want to cox?

Chodroff

I swore to myself I would not touch an oar again. Yet, that sounds like fun. Would be a shit show but fun.

The load majority

and anyone else putting down womens cycling in NYC…How do you live with yourself? Spare us all your a-hole comments and ask yourself what you’ve gained by putting down other athletes. Not funny – really!
sign your name on comments like that so everyone can see what a – dick for a face – you are!

Anonymous

Glad you don’t condone misogyny, although you do obviously practice it–i.e., “Save a Hoe”. Now if you’d learn to spell it…

nobody's mother

u really are a nobody to put down women before mother’s day too, crawl back into your mother so she could abort you.

The Prognosticator

The last 2 Bear 1/2/3 women’s races were won by a junior, Lauren Shirock. Watch for Sinead Miller to make it 3 in a row.

The Prognosticator

Ryan MacKenzie a Canadian Olympic track hopeful won last year’s P/1/2. Look for US Olympic hopeful, Bobby Lea to make it 2 in a row for trackies.

harsh realism

4 field will be split in the first 4 miles dude! If there’s a sprint and your guy is in it he better be a Valverde like cause tiorati eats 4’s for breakfast.

Anonymous

If these guys are racing I like them for the win:

Atocha
Colin P
John Landino

All racing strong and if they can get over the climb 4 times they will be there for the sprint. Atocha has been pretty strong but not the best climber.

Anonymous

No shot unless he gets with the right break. He has not been dominant in the 3 races. Jiminy he did nothing. The 3s will watch him and he has no team to shut down the group and follow moves. He needs a team at this point to win in solo moves as he did in the 4s. He is a strong rider though!

Hmm

Masters race going from 40+ last year to 35+ this year, it would have been more interesting to throw in a 5th lap, going from 56 to 70 miles. Let the course be more of a selection factor. Any predictions for this field? Will teams punch it on the climb every lap?

MQ

To BVF yes I will be there.
my picks are
Pro 1-2
1)Jake Keough he is itching for a big win. Matt has brought a great team
and he runs a great program.
this Kids will turn them self inside out
to give Matt a win and.I belive Jake is their best shot. I’ve seen this kid race out west this kid is the real deal.

2)some french-canadian dude. based on the numbers it just mandates it. alot of canoks.

3)Mike M of Empire he is riding superb
he is at the top of his game right now.
he is hungry for a big local race to shine in front of his hometown homies
I would elevate him to the top of the podium. if J-Lo was riding.
but Mike S needs to protect him.
Mike runs a great program too.
and we will be seem him on the national calendar in the near future.
but he’s gotta realize that Mike is his ace right now. I know I know.Eric Brownell Kevin and Jason are good riders But they need to look after him. he needs to be fresh in till the last break. witch Judgging from the past. It will be with 3 to go or so.
so in this order
1)Jake Keough Sakonnet Team.

2)some french Dude.

3)Mike Margarite Empire Team.

notice they’re are no Foundation in my top 3
Igor and Lisban are good riders but is is not their course.
and the only way that willson can win is if the entire field took the wrong turn off course. or George Hindcapie wins PR.
any way this are my picks you dont have to agreed with them
they are my pick. you can pick your own
Cheers
MQ

Anonymous

Roger A of WWV is a big threat. Has no team but can ride with any of the top Pro1s. If he gets in the right break he may ride away on the last lap.

MQ

Ok Aneas and Justin need to be in the last break. witch I dont think it will happen
Andy rides on a team that its build around crits and he rides in support of them.
Im not taking anything away from him. I know him personally. great guy and a tremendous riders. but he needs a team.
Roger A a great riders but I dont think he’ll make the final cut.
Wiswell. A trackie.. Bobby Lea a Trackie
Ricky Bobby my hero..
oh yeah Andy,Dan I dont think Im fired Am I????
Cheers

MQ

do I get a severance package?
and can I take my 401 with me?
and oh yeah George H still hasent won PR
so Wilson will not win sunday.

MQ

leave home with out it.
I think I have glaucoma.
to Tony Maisto in case you’re reading this just kidding. I dont even know what Dan is talking about.

Anonymous

When has the 4 field split in the first 4 miles? It’s more like people getting dropped throughout the whole race – especially the last lap. You guys are ridiculous. Tiorati is not that hard. Have you ever climbed a mountain? Get real.

rocket scientist

It’s about who you’re competing against and how fast they are going in relation to how fast you are going.

Anonymous

Is not easy, but speeds are high enough (since it isn’t super steep) that you can actually benefit from drafting. That is why it isn’t a “climber’s race”. But, jeez, it is a great local race, not the be all end all of the cycling season.

cycling fan

This about Fausto Esparza (cycling news):

“When I first heard how bad his accident was from Scott Moninger, (Assistant Team Director for Toyota-United), I immediately sprung into action and called Chepe who is a friend of Fausto’s to see what was up,” said Team Owner Sean Tucker. “I could hear in his voice how upset he was and how Fausto is very depressed and makes his living racing a bike, which is no longer the case.”

“Being the Team Owner watching my riders risk everything each week

Anonymous

Has there been a cat 5 field at Bear? I love it when someone dishes out all the advice like he’s a Bear Mtn Guru and then mentions the Cat 5 field.

Anonymous

i agree. it was more ‘nobody cares about cat5’s’ stupid comments anyway. its hard to care about a field that doesn’t exist, right? Can we just agree to encourage new riders rather than trashing them for not being lucky enough to start riding earlier in their life? you never know which 5 is going to rise through the ranks and start smokin’ fools who dissed them before.

Anonymous

“it would have been more interesting to throw in a 5th lap, going from 56 to 70 miles. Let the course be more of a selection factor.”

Why? As opposed to the racers creating the splits? Or does nothing much happen in the masters and it just comes down to a big sprint?

JG

Your facts are off. Roger 3rd , Lisbon 2nd and last year yes Eneas, Lindine were in the final move amd in the top 10 I think Freye was DQed though. As for Guptill, his team is a sprinters team but he is a true climber and does the big hilly races on the NRC calender. Top 15 at tour of IReland, and Missouri last year. He is also supporting big sprinters at crits and circuit races so he has the sprint I assume for the final. He will be good. One last thing. No one mentioned Jaoa. He does not have a team supporting him but he has many allies in the pack and this course is perfect for him. Jaoa will win….

Anonymous

Empire’s Sheldon Deeny took 7th in Stage 2 road race at Joe Martin. Too bad there are no transfer fees in cycling. How long before a pro team snaps him up?
Zmolik , Loehner and Mike Mathis are there too.

david letterman's top 10

1 – g. epstein (can) sakonnet
2 – l. quintero (col) foundation
3 – a. guptill (usa) colavita
4 – e. boily (can) volkswagon
5 – m. margarite (usa) empire
6 – c. hoag (usa) sakonnet
7 – e. freye (usa) targettraining
8 – m. norton (usa) calyon
9 – j. erdelyi (usa) rite aid
10 – j. keough (usa) sakonnet

Phil / sids

I love it how everyone is quick to knock other riders in other categories, if we keep doing it maybe we can discourage everyone from riding altogether, and just keep it as it is. If you want this sport to grow get off your high horses and start encouraging more rider development.

I am sure all the people knocking them automatically became cat 3 and above anyway, you are all pros obviously and cannot ride with lowly cat 5 riders.

The elite attitude on teams is bullshit and only contributes to the demise of this sport, respect to all those teams that encourage rider development and are willing to take on new riders.

Good luck to all at Bear Mountain,

MQ

Hey Look yee Lisbon got second last year.on what team? Mike Sherri runs a great team.
Guptiul needs a team around him.
Eneas needs to be at the right place at the right time. and Im not saying Roger a bad rider. but they are younger guys out there with complete teams. and this is a 100 MILE RACE not a 100 mile ride.
and you do need support from a team that can help you.
and hey look this are MY PICKS AND ONLY MY PICKS.
like I’ve said before feel free to pick your own.
Cheers
MQ

MQ

Oh yeah Joao and J-LO are not here otherwise the top 3 would have to be reshuffle.
but im sticking with my picks
Cheers
MQ

Anonymous

we need that kind of attitude to grow the sport. I guess some people are happy to keep road racing as an insular subculture of freaks in spandex that is perceived by the rest of the world as drug addled and anorexic.

Anonymous

I don’t think it’s malicious from everyone criticizing the 5’s. Just seems like frat hazing–mostly. Sometimes the plebs have to scrub a few toilets to move up.

cancel it

Tom Soladay will and several canadian canadians be up there…I bet no one in Letterman’s list will be in the top 10.

top cat 5 rider

Step1Consider your equipment. Having toe clips, or clipless pedals, will make you much more efficient on hills. It also helps to have a clean drivetrain and to make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure (see Related eHows “Maintain a Clean and Efficient Bike Drivetrain” and “Maintain a Bike’s Tire Pressure for Good Performance”).
Step2Select the proper gear for the hill. Find a gear that allows you to maintain your rhythm. If the grade changes, you may need to shift often to stay in the groove.
Step3Stay relaxed. If you tense up, it will make getting up the hill all the more difficult. Keep your arms loose. Don’t hold the bars in a tight grip.
Step4Sit back on the seat and focus on your spin. Pedal smoothly. Try not to favor one leg or the other.
Step5Standing up in the pedals from time to time is good. It allows you to switch muscle groups and stretch out a bit.
Step6Concentrate on breathing out. Breathe all the way out and let your lungs fill back up on their own.
Step7Consider your riding position. Is your seat too far forward or too far back? Is your seat too high or too low? (See related eHow “Determine the Correct Saddle Height for your Bike.”)
Step8Power over the crest of the hill. Many riders start to ease up before they get to the top. Keep the power turned on, and you will have a smoother transition into the flat or downhill.

Anonymous

It is a FACT that 2 million animals die every year due to cars on US roads…not sure about bikes though?

bear lover

adler with 2 in the break couldnt control westwood. empire wins p123 supposedly; lots of crashes in the cat3; sakowsky jordan the hot prospect got taken out with westwood goldman and westwood cosgrove and about 8 others including adlers early workers; sketchy today. masters 35+ finished a big fat fast group, kimball a bit back with Steinberg and Ciccolini. Aspholm takes 5th in th ep123.

Westwood Sycophant

Your obvious team man-crush on Westwood neglected to mention that O’Donnell is not a Doctor. Oh, and can we start the Hoffman is a Sandbagger complaints now that he won both “hardman” races as a 3 (Battenkill/Bear)?

And what is it with NYers and squirrels I hear that Rashad had a run in with one at a race this weekend too. Sprinted it into it’s grave.

Comments are closed.