Hopeful Thursday 4/17/2008

by Aaron

Section head text.

It’s a special Battenkill Thursday edition of Hopeful Friday,and I’d put up the registration link, but I reckon people might have pre-registered already. There is a race at Branchbrook on Saturday morning, along with a CRCA point’s race. Sunday has the Spring Series’ 2nd last race at Prospect Park,  so if you plan on winning the overall for that series, you’d better get started. So who’s going to win at Battenkill? A NYC guy? A Canadien? Some guy from Vermont with hairy legs? You have to watch out for those guys from Vermont with hairy legs.

Friday Extra: If you happened to steal Tom B’s bike or know who did, please return it!

111 Comments

VT

no NY or NJ guy will win, you are all overthinking and jacked up on Mt. Dew to realize it is a rolling RR with a few dirt roads.

Mark walters looks good, as does Perras, and any Cat 1 rider from VT (Driscoll, Dillion, Dugan, marzot) who regularly train on dirt will do well.

Seriously though…someone tricked 700 people into thinking this was the biggest deal ever, and its just some dirt.

Anonymous

Women – A Canadian
or Silke W

Cat 4 – Jordan Sagolowski (ex rower that wins everything he enters) or Zack Stazack (Sp). Both should be good 3s after Battenkill. Maybe Eugene Doherty of DC Racing

Cat 3 – Dave Friefelder or Ryan Pettit for the locals. Both will be or should be strong 2s after Battenkill. Too many strong guys in this field. I see Adler and WWV having too many cards and burning out early. Maybe an unknown takes it in a break. James Morrison can climb like a goat. Look for him on the last climb of the race…

Cat2 – Locals – Malloy should be a favorite if it comes down to a sprint. Ben Showman if he is racing. G LLoyd. All strong locals. Probably a guy from up north though.

Pro1- Mark Walters should be the clear favorite. Maybe Mike Norton, Justin Lindine or the guy who won last year.

Chris M

Will someone please tell me how one decides to become a competitive cyclist and still live in Canada? How the hell do you train on a bike in Canada? Its probably still snow on roads up there! Do you just sit indoors from Oct to April, or seriously get out there with studded tires all winter or what? To me, sounds totally bizarre. Thats why they have x-ctry skiing! I assume any real Canadian pros have been wintering in PHX or someplace.

Anonymous

Driscoll is a stud in cross (obviously) but did not do that great last year at BR. Perras, Walters, Roy, Norton, Lindine, Aspholm (if racing pros) will be the guys to watch. Some strong guys on the empire team also.

Can money buy speed?

Wheel choices? Tubies or clinchers? Carbon or aluminum?

Echappeonline recommends their Echappe Classics Tubular, a 2x box section aluminum wheel.

Zipp 202s, 303s, 404s or 808s? Har!

god

are you kidding me. its a dirt road. not cobbles, not glass, not sand nor gravel. Ride something that wont break because there will be stupid crashes…but a dirt road is nothing to justify buying or renting new wheels. mavics will be great.

Anonymous

Raced BR last year and it was damp and in the low 50s /high 40s. This year in the high 60s maybe 70s. Bring lots of gels, two water bottles and good cages. Last year half the Cat 3 group lost bottles because they rattled out of their gucci carbon cages. Tacx or Alum cages are good. Bring two big water bottles. The climnbs are not long but they keep coming at you and hydration is key. As for wheels, some guys ran carbon tubulars. I would say Kysriums with a good tough tire are fine (Paves). If you have a powertap use it. The race info will be great and the weight will not affect your race. Its a great race but not as tough as people make it out to be. One loop makes it easier to finish. Not like getting dropped on the first lap of Tokeneke or Bear and having multiple laps to go with a good chance of being lapped. Finally, should be dusty Saturday…

maddmontgomery

yo southern cyclist or R.I.(redneck Idiot)we are not all fat and slow. some are fat some are slow some just might come down to see if the feet r fast or just the gums

Anonymous

yet probably trains in VT often seeing as though NH sucks.

I cant belive we’re arguing about marzot. what a wast

Anonymous

put at least one in your jersey pocket just in case.

the section where the bottles come out is not really rough, it’s this weird washboard section of dirt which catapults the bottles out, in the first 8 miles or so.

jft

They’re more likely to bounce out of the cage. If you can take enough liquid with small bottles (perhaps with some in the pockets) I think that’s better.

There are some ways to make any cage grip better – such as a rubber band or friction tape around the bottle for friction, or taking a long twisttie (such as what is used to close bread bags) and using that to secure the bottle to the cage. This is a one-shot thing — but can help with the washboard section.

That said, I’ve only done the race once but think the dirt is overhyped in terms of difficultly. It’s a rolling roadrace with a few steep hills (I got droppped on one – on pavement) plus some dirt roads. The dirt is on roads, not trails, not brutal cobbles, etc.

lee/sids

There are climbs on course that are so steep that if its at all wet that day you will be getting off of the bike and running cx style. Getting out of the saddle will not be an option.

Anonymous

use whatever you like. you won’t break them. also, it will have been dry all week, so traction won’t be an issue either.

Anonymous

Unless you are racing the Cat2 or 1 field 2 bottles should be fin. As for bike choices, i am running a full suspension Specialized Epic with semi-slicks. Should I go tubeless?

JG

I was all ready to use the hot balm and look like a tough hardman for the race. Now its going to be 70 and sunny and everyone will be going without the warmers. Remember your sunscreen. What type of SPF should I run?

Anonymous

nothing is settled. marzot is a VT all the way.

I really like pissing stupid people off in ridiculous ways. Like…hanover is within riding distance of VT…isnt it enough just to say “he trains on dirt roads near VT”

hardmanlite

Spritz yourself lightly from your water bottle (best to carry a spare in you jersey) before each unpaved section, and by the end of the race you’ll have the Roubaix raccon effect you’re looking for. Important to have your team photographer take pictures of you after the race, to prove how tough you are.

Anonymous

I think we should contribute to the Southerners winnings, every cat 4 deserves as much money as possible, as they are by far the best racers around.

Two Teeth

Yes Fat Fours… Type then Eat…Type then Eat…Then try to buy something that will make you faster… Then Eat…

Anonymous

Ken Harris should rack up some big Team Cup points for Adler. Is it a breakaway if you’re the only one racing?
Foundation blew off the big race in Battenkill but will fight for the big bucks at Branchbrook, Cherry Blossom. $3000.

Chiam Rabinowitz

I thought that tomorrow’s club race was for those who had seder obligations.

One of those few chances we chosen ones have to showcase our winning ways.

incredulous

Tom B must be a slower of mind than of legs to leave a rare track bike to be stolen on Houston and Broadway. Even for like 1 min.

Discuss.

Anonymous

I think the darker-haired Vermonter has the funniest smile. The upper right guy looks a bit serious. The dreadlocked one though is clearly a earthy-crunchy Vermonter – not an old farmer-type Vermonter.

Anonymous

aka hidden matzo. i have a feeling it will be in the rambles & I am not going a hunting.

so taking this 1 step further, we should hence forth call KH Moses

Anonymous

Has one guy in the Battenkill Race. Not sure why the new younger guys are not racing the Cat2. I will race for them in the regional races for the free bike. Wheres Eugene?

Anonymous

Based on last year, relative to the great run they had later in the summer with Perez, Wilson, and Jared, Mengoni had a very slow spring. Once Perez got going in May, Mengoni was very tough to beat.

You’re gonna write off the strongest squad around based on 6 weeks of spring? Mengoni are like the San Antonio Spurs……they will show up on game day and get plenty of victories this year.

Anonymous

Previous writer must think FBF is serious racing. Mengoni is not competitve in regional road races or crits. Now they don’t even show up. Maybe they’ll win points in Sunday’s spring series race.

Anonymous

“Ken Harris should rack up some big Team Cup points for Adler. Is it a breakaway if you’re the only one racing?”
Whoever wrote that should have posted their name. Now you can’t claim how brilliant you are. Unfortunately 20 guys will claim they wrote it.

And good thing whoever wrote this remained anonymous.
“Ken will not be able to break away. Too fast.”
The race was too fast but that suits Ken’s style. Nice race, Ken.

Anonymous

Cat 4: Jordan Sagalowsky won. Quite an impressive ride.
P/1: I think Mark Walters (there were two guys ahead of a smallish chase group, rest of field came in totally shattered)
Cat 2: Mike M. of Empire- also a great ride.

Anonymous

1. Bruno Langlois (Can) Team VW 3:20:10
2. Mark Walters (Can) Team R.A.C.E .Pro at s.t.
3. Joe Whitman (USA) Kelly Benefits/LSV 0:35

Anonymous

Guy is a beast. Won 3 races this year (Turtle Pond, Johnny Cake and now Battenkill) all in breaks. Will be a Cat 2 next year.

Anonymous

Way harder and more sketchy than last year. Temps in 80s and dirt roads unridable made for a very tough day for all. Westwood won the 30plus (guess who) and first and 2nd in The 3s. Hoffman and Friefelder.

Vermonster

I actually think that Jordan S. has a realistic shot a making it to Cat 2 this year. He will upgrade post-Battenkill. I’m sure he will do well as a Cat 3- and will have most of the season to try to get points.

Jp Kaminski

Congrats to Rob Marcinko on a great race and big 2nd place and also Mike M from Empire road an outstanding race – I herd the dude flatted and still won by a few mins. Yesterday was an epic day for all that finished.

Anonymous

Great race. Field blown apart.

1. Roger Aspholm (solo)
2. Stephen Badger (chase 1)
3. Matt Howard
4. Dan Staffo
5. David Taylor
6. Della Monica (chase 2)

phil / Sids

awesome race, a little warm and tough hills, the pack split with the first climb as many riders were either crashing going up trying to ride in the sand or having to walk up behind. The break way never caught and not quite sure of results. Fair play to kyle peppo who had a wheel change after the last dirt track and still took 3rd or 4th in the sprint.
Great racing and congrats to all those that finished a hot day of racing

Mr. Gumm

I have Tom B’s bike!

Its in a hole in my basement and Im applying lotion to it right now. It puts the lotion on its BB or it gets the hose again.

Anonymous

Cat 4 Black top three

1. Jordan Sagalowsky – Plan2Peak.com
2. Aaron Cruikshank- The Bicycle Shop
3. David Trimble – Kissena Cycling Club

Off the Back and loving it

Is lame to many because within the first 10 miles they realize just how slow and out of shape they are. This race is hard. And depending on the weather conditions can be a very different course from year to year. This year Cat 2s were pushing up climbs. Last year Cat 5s were drilling it up those same climbs. If you like finishing in a pack comfortably then race CP and PP,. This course is for the fittest and toughest. I was not one of them… Still a great experience. Interested in seeing how many DNFs in each feild. In the 3s there was one point where guys were just sitting on the side of the dirt road one after the next waiting for the wheel truck.

Anonymous

yep…didnt do it this year, last year was damn near the lantern rouge in my field, but it’s a great race. everyone says it’s the closest thing to a Belgian classic in the US

jft

“everyone says it’s the closest thing to a Belgian classic in the US”

What? I’ve never raced a “Belgian classic”, but AIUI, a key aspect of those races is continuous fighting for position and stupid-high speed on the flats.

Regionally, Univest is that sort of thing.

jft

I hope the Champion rider who crashed today in Prospect is OK and would appreciate any info.

Have to say about the SS 1-2-3 today: impressive riding by Germaine Burroughs and the Sommerville guy staying away for 15 of 17 laps.

Anonymous

whatever JFT…don’t be so nit picky. a lot of people do make that comparison.

and yes Jermaine & Tadeusz M. of Somerville were pretty impressive. Which one of them won?

jft

would love to hear some info on Mike’s win – that’s great

Or from others at the race. Sounds like the dirt was way harder than last year

slow

I really liked the results you posted before that showed how many starters. Then I knew how many people just quit so I didn’t look like such a loser.

Ray Alba

JFT, thanks for asking.

None of us are absolutely sure what happened but there is speculation that his gear skipped – which would be unlikely since he keeps that bike tuned to a T or hit a rock or a bump on his rear wheel on the sprint and went over his bars.

I am still waiting for confirmation if he was admitted or not but, the early prognosis is that he most likely has cheek fracture, forehead fracture, scraping, laceration on his cheek – which got stitched, as well as his forehead and a concusion. There might be more to this but, I was getting feedback from a couple of sources and have yet had the chance to speak to the doctors directly or to Franklin.

I hope he gets out of this ok and without must damage to his skin – though there was apparently some gravel they had to pull out.

All keep wishing the best for Franklin. I will post when I know more.

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