We had a 5-lap points race on tap last night and man, was it strange. First, the cops pulled up and I thought they might try busting up our program. Instead they told us to be on the lookout for a missing 10 year old boy. As you can imagine the park was swarming with cop cars.
Then as I line up at the start line I realize my front tire is flat. Fawwk. Last week I break a chain and now this. Emily helped out with her handy hand pump. I managed to get it 'not flat' versus asking someone for a spare front wheel. Later on while having post-race beers at Walker's I discovered I was riding on 50 psi. Quick lesson - bring a spare.
We got off to a pretty quick start. Double points up for grabs for first three across the line on first lap. As we approach the big downhill part of the park, I hear Walker yell, "Go man, go!" Cadence picks fast on my 47x14 gear. I see Walker and Evan spinning like crazy up in the front stretching everyone out. Then out of nowhere I see a big fucking raccoon walking across the road!
The thing stops right in the middle as we hear slow motion screams of "OOOOHHHH SHIIIIIITT!" I come around the right of it and immediately anticipate the loud noise of carnage as animals and bikes get slaughtered across the pavement. Fortunately to my surprise, there were no casualties. Everyone kept the rubber side down. There were a few other close calls with walkers, mountain bikers, and police vehicles everywhere. Just a bizarre energy at the park. That's good ol' unsanctioned Boogie Nights racing for ya.
Later I find myself sitting behind JT's wheel shortly after crossing over the line on lap 3. Thinking this might be a good time to recover as we approach the false flat near the Lincoln Rd entrance, I see Brett attacking on the far right. The chase begins and I lose steam at the top of the hill and get dropped. I'm fighting to get back on and see the pack getting further and further away in the distance. Then as things began to look bleak and thoughts of pulling out bounced around my head, I hear Aaron's voice yell, "Come on Gil, let's catch them!" First question was, "how the hell did Aaron fall behind with me?" Then Aaron did all the work and pulled me around the park. We finally caught the pack as we approached the bottom of the big hill. I'm thinking "how the fuck did he do that?" Thank you Aaron, you fucking rule. Then I got dropped again after cresting the hill and pulled out after that.
Al and some other guys also pulled out early due to sketchy conditions at the park. JT mentioned almost hitting the missing 10-year old boy 7 times during the race. All in all, it was another awesome night.
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Emily, Pavel and Alex with a close eye on the line |
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Ryan, who recently had his locked up NJS frame sawed in half by bike thief scum, managed to make it out last night on a friend's bike. Good to see you man! |
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K-Tel |
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Nick returns from Toronto to race Boogie Nights again this year. |
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Walker, Pedersen and the rest of 'A field' on the start line |
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I think Al Barouh took the first lap |
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Jun in front of me and behind JT |
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Alex giving it |
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B field on the start line |
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Ariel coming across the line in lap 2 |
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Pavel showed up on the sidelines last night. I think we'd like to see him get on a track bike and join us next week. |
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Emily holding it down! Big thanks to her for taking all the finish line photos and lending me her pump! |
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Alex |
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Jake and Paul - Magnum |
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Jake and Joe |
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Mattie with the proper evening attire |
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Mackie came down to show some support. He also let Mago borrow his Bianchi Pista Concept last night. |
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Pedro, Mackie and crew |
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Taka |
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JUICE! |
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Walker and Jun |
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Mago did well again this week. |
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Erick |
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Viva Mexico (and Mackie)! If you guys want the best tacos in New York, follow these guys after next week's race. I can tell you, but then I'd have to kill you...seriously. |
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Andy, Keith, Josh's girl and Josh. Good to see Andy and Josh come through for last night's race. Haven't seen them since Kissena season ended. |
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Kyle |
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Erik and Evan chillin post race |
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I think Evan might've won overall last night. Way to go man |
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Great to see Heather at the race last night. She wasn't able to come up with a shim for her 31.8 drop bars in time. Hopefully next week we'll see her race with us. |
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As always Chris ran a good show |
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Chris B, Mattie and Andy |
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Sebastian |
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Miguel and Tijon |
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Let's hear it for the ladies on the sidelines |
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Josh and that stache! Yeah Josh! |
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Jake, who just got back from a nice vacation in Cali, was obviously still in chill mode and didn't race last night. Next week buddy! |