October 21st
Press Release:
Dont forget to set your clocks back!
NYVELOCITY, Hincapie Sportswear and Upton Performance Systems have joined forces to create a new team we feel New York needs – a development squad for cat 4’s and 5’s. Hincapie will supply the clothes; UPS, courtesy of coach Mike Sherry, will supply the guidance; and NYVC will, umm…, be prominently displayed on the jerseys.
We’re looking for everyone from new or rusty racers to 4’s who are serious about making the jump up to the 3’s – as long as you’re seriously committed to getting better. This team will diverge a little from the usual team model by making coaching available both to the whole team as a group, as well as to individual riders. We will also offer each member the option to increase the amount of attention they receive from the coaches, should they decide to become more dedicated to structured training. Also in the mix will be a few ringers and super-talented newcomers, so don’t you career fours get any ideas that this team will be a bunch of pushovers; we hope to be feeding other teams (like our sister team Merrill Lynch) some super-fit and well-versed 3’s.
If this sounds like the kind of team you would be interested in, please join us on an informal group ride and talk on Sunday, October the 30th at Tavern on the Green (on Central Park Drive at about 67th), 10:00am.
Your drill sergeant.
Your haberdasher.
Yer daddy.
This is a great and very timely idea, the CRCA should be paying you guys. I will be there.
I am a very new rider… But I love to ride. I would love to see if this is right for me, but unfortunately I will be out of town until the 4th of November. Are there going to any other rides?
Bike racing in NYC has one more reason to thank you guys!
This Is Great I have been looking for a team since the end of the season !!! See your guy there.
Ian, Thanks for your interest, if you cant make the ride you can write info@nyvelocity.com and let us know a little about yourself and your goals for next year.
Is there a fee?
Ryan, there is a fee, but it will be more than offset by the coaching and testing we’re offering. Come to the ride and we’ll talk.
Is this team open to women?
We’re open to everyone, though I’d suggest recruiting some of your female friends. The whole point is to have teammates, so if you were the only woman interested you’re probably better off with one of the established teams. Join us on the 30th and we’ll talk.
What, no CRCA? another club taking a shot at the Manhattan Bike RAcing Monopoly? Good on you!
It’ll be a CRCA subteam. We’re not taking on the CRCA, we love the CRCA.
Yo! This is great, I’m in folks.
Will there be any selection for the team or is it open to any and all CRCA members who want to join?
Good question. There will be some selection but again we are open or encouraging to newer riders.
We are also looking for commitment and potential, and we have limited spots.
will you have the same tailor as the merrill squad?
Doesn’t the club (every club!?) already have a glut of cat 4 and 5 “development” teams? How about spending the resources recruiting espoir and junior riders – of any level. Not on weekend warriors who are looking for matching clothing and a discount on their 5th bike.
I am already on a team but would like to race for another more structured and result oriented squad. Got name for this new team??? I will show up and to see what is going on and to find out why would this team more different than the rest.
To the (What )writer what are you a Pro or something ? Remember you came up thru the same ranks as everyone else .Remember you have to crawl before you walk …….Give respect to all Bikers if they are a Pro -or a Cat 5 we are all still EQUAL …….Have a Nice day
As you can see from the response they are getting, there is clearly no glut of 4/5 teams and most teams that begin that way change pretty quickly..
We would love to have as many Juniors as we can get on the team but from what I have seen there are just not enough of them to create a team exclusively for kids.
Why newer lower cat riders? We feel this team serves our constituency which is mostly Cat 3-4-5 riders and one of our biggest goals for the site is to attract new riders to racing.
Every bike I buy puts money into the bike industry, which (hopefully) goes to R&D, which makes your bike better and (hopefully) cheaper. So bite me. And the more aging 4’s and 5’s there are, the more kid racers their will be. So bite me again.
You say “limited spots” what does this mean? I don’t want to have to introduce myself to my “teammates” on the start line because I’ve never seen them before. I’ve been on one team like this (in Florida), and there’s no scope for learning tactics, working a race plan, etc, with 30+ guys on the team.
Why all the negitivey before they have even started?, Im guessing your past experiences may have been result of self fulfilling prophecies…
Join Foundation already and be done with it.
Its my understanding that this will be a CRCA development squad. The key word here being development. For cyclist that want to spin with this squad, you must WANT to get better. This means if your’re a cat.4, this squad can be triggered to get you into the cat.3 fields with confidence (hence the quality drill sergeant) If one plans to ride as a infinite card carrying cat.4, then this squad MAY conflict with their goals. Am I right? The need for Juniors is an obvious one since the advantage of youth leads to a good likelyhood of wanting to do the work to move up the uscf cat field + have the older guys around that can usher them into the arena with good skills. For us 30+ guys the drive to get better and move up with others that have the same riding ethic, I’m guessing, are very few. Most 4’s are comfortable being 4’s and have no desire to move up. This is fine because the racing is competitive @ this level in the park and out of town, however, the 3 field moves a bit faster and to be competitive one must do the work. A dedicated development squad within CRCA, if I’m not mistaken, doesnt exist. Sakonnet and Cuevas, great development squads mind you,dont count.
see ya on the 30th!
This is just plain ol stupid. And Im not even being negative!
If that’s your cheery side I’d hate to see you go negative.
Give Kevin a break – he brings up a valid point. A team should be more than just a collection of jerseys. However I’m sure the team NYVC are putting together will be more than that though – especially with Mike S as drill sergeant, and the rest of the back-up.
Justin,
I agree, Kevin has a point, but why pick on the NYVC guys? You could make that comment about any number of teams, even in the 1-2-3s, and this team is the one team that seems to be trying to do something about that very problem by getting coaching on tactics.
I’ll have to agree with the consensus of this thread. Most squads have the dilemma of too many chiefs and not enough indians. Teams dont sort out the roles of the athletes @ thier disposal. So ya just get a bunch of riders that spell team with an “i”.
We gave this new (Development Team) bad reviews before they even started. Lets Open the book before we say its not good . Give the new team a Chance . A team can be molded into what you want it to be. Remember nothing in life is the Same because one Team was run a certain way doesnot mean ALL teams will be run the same way.Positve —Chance — leads to Results .
What’s comments are typical of an anonymous poster. Cheap jabs from a glass jaw. Kevin seems to have a legit concern, however, not all squads are blind leading the blind. NYVC is addressing a common issue of the local cycling squads by trying to do something different. The bottom line is having fun. I think this squad will be as fun as the articles they publish. That’s what I’m sold on!
All of the fours will be turned into my minions to do my bidding!! Bwwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!
I say we put Schmalz’ headshot on one of the jersey pockets. Sort of a team-mascot type thing, or perhaps a reason to ride faster…
Will Schmalz provide entertainment on long rides?
He who talk like big wheel probably only spokesman.
I’ll put my name down: Man you guy’s got some work ahead of you. I’ve been there. Folks these guys are offering spots on a team, you have to go for it.
When CRCA started this team concept thing the idea was to develop team tactics. Reason being Century won every 4 race by sheer numbers but once you turned cat 3 you have to go up against the dreaded TOGA team. Team’s and team tactics cannot be learned too soon. You have some very good teachers here. Go for it.
I feel for you guy’s, take a lot of deep breaths.
I feel mssslead by the sponser stuff. It sounds like clothing and coaching will be free, but I don’t see how it could be. If were paying, then this is not a good deal. AFter all, most people want to improve, sowhats so special about that?
Before I post my questions, I’d like to say thanks for organizing the ride. It was a pleasure meeting & riding with some of you as well as riders I already know & raced with.
Would it be possible to have a more definitive outline/mission statement on the site? Also, is there a deadline for signing up or will it be an ongoing process?
Before I post my questions, I’d like to say thanks for organizing the ride. It was a pleasure meeting & riding with some of you as well as riders I already know & raced with.
Would it be possible to have a more definitive outline/mission statement on the site? Also, is there a deadline for signing up or will it be an ongoing process?
Its simple – its not free; we are buying in bulk. So I guess its not a good deal for you – We invite you not to join.
good luck in 06
I was unable to attend the group ride. I have emailed info@nyveloctiy.com but have received no answers (I’m assuming things are busy).
I second KAM’s request for more info on the site… please.
I did the women’s race clinic but have not done any other races. I am def. a beginner but in great shape. i’d love to give this whole team a go. Should I feel intimidated with a bunch of guys or will you let me know by a test run if I’m worthy or not?
Thanks.
Ana,
We would love to have a women’s team — and a boys and girls junior team too, but so far you are only the second women who has expressed interest. We recommend you contact one of the fine women’s teams that can be found on the teams section of this site.
Showed up for the meeting but unable to go to piermont. Please post more info-thanks
we run a little club in VA and along with our 2’s and 3’s we promote a “developmental” 4/5 squad. One success factor is the “c” race that we include once a month in our weekely training race series. It shorter and less intense and gives the newer riders a chance to experience racing intesnity without getting their brains bashed in at the “b” race each week. We have added 7 juniors and as many strong 4/5’s. As with most introductory type models, for every 10 or so who think they want to try, 2-3 have the commitment and passion to stay with it. Our program has been viewed as vary positive for our area. If you’re a newbie, take advantage of the opportunity!!!
are you guys still riding? if so, where and when? is there a website. don’t see an address here.
thanks.
posted 2/6/06
I’m obviously a little late to the game, but definitely interested in riding with the club. I joined the CRCA back in January. I’m relatively new to racing (although not new to cycling) and definitely looking to improve. I’ve been attending the CRCA coached sessions (which I’d like to point out are great) and it would be nice to work with a developmental squad. Any info would be appreciated. REG posted 4/26/06