First Criterium in 22 years and first race for the season since I went into hibernation 2 years ago. I wasn't expecting to finish the Cat 5 race since all my training was done on the spin bike at home, no session lasting more than one hour. Surprisingly I not only finished the 35 minute 8 lap race but I placed 5th, I could have at least placed second had I not tried to kilo the sprint.
Our race average speed of 21 mph was not that fast, our pack had about 20 riders. The combined Cat 1,2,3 & 4 fields had over 60 riders and they were moving at an average speed of about 26 mph, not sure of the exact speed, but it looked fast. The course is a 1.6 miles triangular loop and the Cat 1,2,3 & 4 were coming around in about 4 minutes.
It was relaxing riding the 10 miles from home in Queens to Floyd Bennett Air Field for the race and then another 10 miles back home for the warm down along the Belt Parkway bike path. Also it was a novelty racing on the runways and taxiways of Floyd Bennett Air Field without requiring clearance from the control tower. This race series is put on by
WS United Mangoseed and
Roy's Sheepshead Cycle.
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| Averages |
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| VFR Sectional Chart |
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| Google Map of course |
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| Google map of course in relation to JFK airport |
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| Google map of air field |
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| Pace |
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| Speed |
