Arc Racing Team

Early Season

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:55:00 -0400

Hey quick question before we get started, does any one know how Cancellara is doing in the Wollen bei Bern Spring Series? No? How about Kittel, he doing alright in the Arnstadt Cup? No idea? Now why the fuck is that? I thought you like Pro cycling. Is it because even if those races existed the Pros wouldn’t be there? You’re god damn right. They would be piled in a team vehicle racing far away from their hometowns. Ergo, traveling to bike races is PRO.

Any NYC racer can tell you that park racing is a fact of life. The races are often the first venue in which any one of us swung our legs over a bike and raced strangers for upgrade points, plastic trophies, coffee money and/or XXL Beefy-T’s. For some they are easy points, for others a way to stay sharp for the big events out of town, for others still an opportunity to get action shots of their guns and rig splashed all over Facebook. Even amidst burning carbon brake tracks, first light start times and concerns about “that one guy in the threadbare 80’s skinsuit” they can still be a great deal of fun. HOWEVER they are decidedly un-PRO and remain a means to end.

So, then, what the hell has Arc been up to? Well, for those of you who understand foreshadowing or have been waiting for the gun to come of the wall: we have been Fabian Cancellara. Wait, no, sorry. We have been out of town racing bikes. Now we haven’t jetted across continents but we have been driving upstate “on the reg” (which is what I believe the kids say but only in an ironic reference to what kids said before I was a kid (not to get too deep into my interstitial cultural adolescence)) and as someone who has had too much Turnpike rest stop food I will say the nutrition has certainly been foreign. The Trooper Brinkerhoff series in Coxsackie (“CAWK SACK EEE” ~Nick C.) has been a blast and is honestly one of the best supported races, much less race series, that I have had the pleasure to race. The team has seen a bit of success in the event as well with Ian and Nick C grabbing a smattering a top 5’s and top 10’s in the C field and Drew grabbing a top 10 in the B’s. Arc also sent two brave emissaries to the Battenspring Classic and while yours truly had a mechanical and got to spend many long miles alone pondering the meaning of “you’re so stupid you stupid slow stupid,” Matt put in a good bit of strongman’s work en route to a top 10 placing. Full Bethel recap here.

Want to be on the lookout for Arc? Check for us at Trooper B and then onward to Battenkill. The next two weekends loom large for the team. Battenkill has/is a major rallying point for our early season goals and aspirations. While most of the team can take a look in the honesty mirror and know that they will crack before the finish line, we are also certain that each of us will win that race. As much as all the driving has served to further the narrative fiction that is local bicycle racing, the mileage undertaken in the shadow of Battenkill has paid dividends and the squad is closer and faster for it. No matter what the back of Nick C’s Jeep smells like.

Arc Training Camp, Part 2: A Note on Beards. The proliferation...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:16:00 -0400

Arc Training Camp, Part 2: A Note on Beards.

The proliferation of beards amongst winter time cyclists as against the population as a whole (this sample size has controlled for Brooklyn) presents a bit of a paradox. You see foremost in the mind of cyclist is the need to be neat and simple. The bike itself is poetic in its simplicity and the rider’s heuristic devices are similar to those of the frame builder. As great frame builders have sought to avoid travesties such as this, so to does the cyclist try to avoid resembling an exploded suitcase. So why then does a certain set of cyclist prefer a beard?

Now some cyclist will argue that in the cold months the beard helps protect skin from the wind. Sure, I can understand that a thick mountain man beard might provide that benefit and there are definitely beards out on the roads that would qualify. However, note the above pictures, those are not the beards you are looking for. No, the beards above, similar to the ones sported by other members of the Arc squadron, never reach that terminal thickness. No, it wasn’t until I analyzed the context of these photos (training camp) that elucidated the principle at work. Now, we know that when traveling to warm weather one would need to keep their legs in PRO form and that necessitates the inclusion of at least one razor in the dop kit. There that is it. The dop kit has one razor and if that razor is inappropriate for facial deforestation than the face loses out. No need for clutter, no need for different/more shaving cream. Just the necessary minimum. Hence, shiny legs and beards. Mystery solved.

Arc Training Camp Day Part #1. I can haz trainings camp? Well,...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:26:00 -0500

Arc Training Camp Day Part #1. I can haz trainings camp? Well, if you happen to be part of the self-selected group of intrepid Arc lads that piled into “ihre autos” than the answer is an emphatic hells yes.

Its no secret that winter training in and around NYC has its pitfalls; from the shit weather to the rote monotony of park laps and GWB exodus routes, there comes a mid-February breaking point. Being a forward thinking bunch (or at least able to recognize patterns) desirous of miles that do not include ice and/or frost bite inducing headwinds, the above fine gents braved the wilds of interstate automobile travel to head for warmer climes and epic climbs (homophones: the anti-PRO). Not wanting to engage in epic riding without some sort of documentation (as is the style these days) these brave primates have provided us with ample photographic drool sauce and it is up to I, your humble narrator (with a seeming fondness for literary cliches) to decode this travel documentation.

Once on the road, strict attention was paid to training camp essentials. Chiefly, ride in geometrically pleasing formations. If you’re going to be spaced out on the road, find enough room that your spacing illustrates the gentle bend and roll of the sunkissed tarmac. Create a gap that says both “I will do my own work, thank you” but also “contemplative mileage lets me clear my mind of the city and I will thusly achieve one-ness with this gear ratio.” If you’re going to be riding in a group strive to convey an ordered congeniality. I mean god damn, will you look at that 2x2?!?!?!?! LOOK AT IT! Its bloody brilliant. Happy smiling faces? Done. Even, but casual spacing? You bet. And what’s this, a peek of unzipped kit? Oh, those cheeky fellows. If there were a commandment about not making your neighbor/teammates covetous these fellows would be breaking it.

Lastly, these cats have nailed the mid ride refueling. As any one who familiar with NYC cycling social media ephemera can attest, the mid ride refuel is pretty much the same coffee shop interior with the same f-ing muffins and scones next to a helmet and gloves (I FUCKING KNOW YOU’RE AT BUNBERRY! I RECOGNIZE THE CARPET! DAMN THESE EYES!!!!) and so it is with the utmost longing that I look at this caloric way-station with further envy. In what treats might they have indulged? Those rocking chairs! So comfortable with their bare woodgrain (perhaps just a coat of linseed finish) and ample slats. I mean hell, just imagine dilly dallying outside in February. Lucky ducks.

Stay tuned for a further recap of subsequent rides, who knows what future epic-sauce might be slathered on this southern cycling burrito.

Arc out.

Winter training ride; 11/18/2012.

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:58:03 -0500

Riding BK Bridges demands artsy blur

Needs to be tighter. Or not.

Aaron: Tip o' The Cap and a Wag o'The Tongue.

Jan: The Baby-Faced Assasin.

Nick H: Never met a razor that he liked.

The Rossi Calorie Claw.

Coffee Shop Shoe Shot.

Winter training ride; 11/18/2012.

We're Back

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:43:55 -0500

Many successes for the squadra this season, none of which made it onto this here blog. That will slowly be rectified with some of the more righteous photographic evidence. In the future expect more updates and new team member info.

Arc is back and we never even left.

Battenkill Recap

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:21:00 -0400

Besides being the sufferfest that everyone makes the Tour of the Battenkill out to be it is also a very pure race. The parcours itself is selective and technical enough that the race allows only those who are the fittest and most skilled bike handlers to reach the finish line in a position to contest the result. Starting at Juniper Swamp the race slowly begins shedding those who are not worthy of the glory on offer. The only guarantee at the start-line is that if you ride hard, and avoid mechanicals, you will suffer for the full 100km. Its bloody magnificent.

The team assembled the night before at a top secret up-state farm grounds (for those familiar with the filmography of Colin Farrell think of something similar to The Recruit but with more shaved legs) where we were treated to a delectable risotto courtesy of resident Italian Manuel, who was also the host for the evening. After some nervous pre-race banter the team retired on the early side for a furtive night of rest. Pre race jitters aside, trying to sleep through the night in a house with 6 other well hydrated individuals is a foolhardy endeavor.

Race day was the prototypical spring morning in upstate NY; the cool air and heavy dew were only prelude to the steady fahrenheit climb that ensued prior to roll out in Cambridge. The race itself unfolded as promised, some sketchy stuff heading into the first minorily selective portion of the race with riders jockeying for position riding into the covered bridge and first dirt section like a pack of oversexed teenagers trying to get that last dance with the new kid who is supposed to “loose.” For all the emphasis on positioning into the covered bridge, the real monster, Juniper Swamp and its 18% dirt gradient, loomed. Juniper was automatic red zone and shedded a large portion of the field. Race director R. Kelly was quick to point out that although Juniper ignited the race it was really only the hotel lobby portion of the Battenkill. Sticking with the group over Juniper is no small feat and it was reassuring to have 4-5 Arc Racing riders make the selection.

The day continued on, each dirt section slowly sapping power and whittling down riders’ resolve. Personally I came unglued somewhere on Meeting House Road. Meeting House is one of the longer rolling dirt sections on the course and I was as worn through as the sheets in brothel. After washing out in a bit of gravel I didn’t have the powder in the guns to catch back onto the lead group. I watched the last two Arc Racing riders Todd and Adel ride away into an unknown and dusty future.

Crossing the line slightly over the 3 hour mark I was met with the good news that both Todd and Adel rode themselves into top 10 positions. Further the youthful wonder Chase continued his strong spring with a top 10 finish in the cat 3 field. All in all it was marvelously successful weekend for the team.

After putting together a number of top 5 finishes in local racing it was excellent to see the team use local success as a spring board for regional results. So ends the early season and with an appetite whetted by cold winds and hard miles, Arc Racing looks forward to a summer time of more hard work and better results. ~Nick

Spring Series, Central Park.

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:13:36 -0400

Spring Series, Central Park.

Name: Manuel Mainardi Age: 40 Experience/ Disciplines: cross,...

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:38:00 -0500

Name: Manuel Mainardi

Age: 40

Experience/ Disciplines: cross, MTB, road bikes- dirt and track motorbikes

Bike Stable: too many to count

First Bike: bianchi whatever….I was 9, it was silver

Dream Bike: the next one

Favorite Races: anything cross

Favorite Training Rides: upstate ny, catskills

Favorite Non-NYC Rides/Races: tour of catskills

Favorite Pro Rider(s): Marco Pantani, Paolo Bettini, Eddy Merckx

Favorite Pro Race(s): Paris-Rubaix, Ronde van Vlaaderen, Giro d’Italia

Embro (Y/N, types): yes, Mad Alchemy medium

Non-Cycling Hobbies/Activities: motorcycling, road, or dirt…whatever it comes!

Favorite Post-Ride Meal: pizza+beer

Best Cheap Eats: 5 guys burgers

Favorite Band(s)/Genre(s): RHCP/Beastie Boys/Nina Simone/QOTSA/etc…

Spirit Animal: Elephant

Catchphrase: non dire gatto se non l’hai nel sacco / it is what it is

Dream job as a kid: car racer/motorbike racer

Favorite Movie(s): Down by Law/ the Warriors/o’ brother were are thu/ etc..

If your riding style was an artist it would be: Basquiat

Biggest Mistake: yet have to make one!

Favorite Color: black

Snapshot: Arc Racing Team

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:00:00 -0500

With the first racing events in the NYC season nary a scant month and a half away, Arc Racing would like to present a brief snapshot of the current roster. For a more detailed look at an individual rider please feel free to click through on their name. Thanks for taking a look.

Name: Drew Mistifier
Age:
Experience/ Disciplines: cat3 road

Name: Adel Sarhan
Age: 37
Experience/Disciplines: cat4 road

Name: Todd Bender
Age: 33
Experience/ Disciplines: Cat 4 Road. Just finished my second season racing.

Name: Nick Hoenemeyer
Age: 28
Experience/ Disciplines: Cat.4 Road and Cross

Name: Ian Lieberman
Age: 27
Experience/ Disciplines: 2 years – Cat 4 Road

Name: Matthew Rossi
Age: 37
Experience/ Disciplines: Cat 4 Road/Cat 3 Cyclocross

Name: Jan Wolfe

Name: Manuel Mainardi
Age: 40
Experience/Disciplines: Cross, MTB, Road

New Fit Kit Day

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:47:00 -0400

Recently the secret Arc Racing Center for Training and Meditation received a welcome package in the form of fit kits from our gracious and most benevolent sponsor Castelli. Although new kit day is certainly the greatest holiday during the cyclist’s calender year; fit kit day is perhaps the more solemn and majestic holiday. While New Kit Day serves as a welcome reminder that the warm Spring days of riding under budding trees is just around the corner, fit kit day represents a promise to oneself. Trying on the next years duds is a promise to eat leaner this off season. A promise to ride the early lonely, dark, cold miles. To make it to team rides when it would be easier to stay in bed. Fit Kit Day is about the promise of New Kit Day and all that needs to happen in the interim that makes New Kit Day such a glorious occasion.

Most importantly Fit Kit Day is about planning next season’s tan lines. Every cyclist knows that in addition to keeping their summer spandex tan line razor sharp said tan line must also be at the fashionably appropriate level. Too low and people will whisper that your team kit was pilfered from a 1970’s container shipment of USSR merino bibs. Too short and it is tantamount to branding yourself with a scarlet T. No one wants to be a triathlete these decisions matter. Cipo famously told his entourage that Fit Kit Day was the most important day in his off-season training regime. Fit Kit Day gives ample time to answer the important questions: gel grippers flipped up or down? How is my sock cuff to short length ratio? When the kit is unzipped on climbs will I need a necklace? Will I need two necklaces? The answers to these questions can take months to answer definitively, the EuroPRO is a fickle fiend but Fit Kit Day allows you months to plan for most eventualities. All hail Fit Kit Day.

Name: Chase Goldstein Age: 23 Experience/ Disciplines: cat3...

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:05:41 -0400

Name: Chase Goldstein

Age: 23

Experience/ Disciplines: cat3 road

Bike Stable: ?

First Bike: specialized rock hopper

Dream Bike: ducati monster

Favorite Races: anything with lots of hills but no hilltop finishes

Favorite Training Rides: I don’t train

Favorite Non-NYC Rides/Races: anything in marin county

Favorite Pro Rider(s): contador, indurain, cancellara

Favorite Pro Race(s): fuck I dunno

Embro (Y/N, types): ?

Non-Cycling Hobbies/Activities: school, cooking

Favorite Post-Ride Meal: anything greasy

If your riding style was an artist it would be: goya – dark and powerful

Name: Adel Sarhan Age: 37 Bike Stable: Cannondale SuperSix,...

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:24:09 -0400

Name: Adel Sarhan

Age: 37

Bike Stable: Cannondale SuperSix, Giant TCR Advance SL, Cervelo P2

First Bike: Old 10-speed bought at a garage sale when I was 12

Dream Bike: One that doesn’t squeak or creak and shifts well

Favorite Races: Tour of the Catskills

Favorite Training Rides: Gimbel’s Long

Favorite Non-NYC Rides/Races: Tour of Battenkill

Favorite Pro Rider(s): God of Thunder, Spartacus

Favorite Pro Race(s): Paris-Roubiax, Giro

Embro (Y/N, types): Never!

Non-Cycling Hobbies/Activities: cooking and general geek stuff

Favorite Post-Ride Meal: Burger & beer

Best Cheap Eats: Nicky’s Vietnamese sandwich

Favorite Band(s)/Genre(s): Too hard to pick a favorite, but generally listen to indie, alt-country, indie folk, and general awesomeness.

Spirit Animal: Yogi Bear

Catchphrase: That’s the way I roll. (Is that corny enough?)

Dream job as a kid: Professional Hockey Player (don’t judge, I’m Canadian).

Favorite Movie(s): Is this a dating profile for cyclists?

If your riding style was an artist it would be: Jackson Pollock

Biggest Mistake: Nothing I’d like to share.

Favorite Color: see “Favorite Movie”.

Name: Todd BenderAge: 33Experience/ Disciplines: Cat 4 Road. ...

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:39:15 -0400

Name: Todd Bender
Age: 33
Experience/ Disciplines: Cat 4 Road. Just finished my second season racing.

Bike Stable: CAAD10, Orbea Orca

First Bike: My first “real” bike was a florescent yellow Haro mountain bike. It was 30 lbs of rad.

Dream Bike: This changes daily, but let’s call it a Speedvagen with Di2 and Enve tubulars.

Favorite Races: I like racing in Central Park.

Favorite Training Rides: Gimbels long when I’m feeling energetic, otherwise something over the GW bridge.

Favorite Pro Rider(s): I’m not that into any pro cyclists, but my favorite pro athlete is former Washington Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot. If I had to pick a cyclist, I’d probably go with Peter Sagan or Jean-Marc Marino from Saur-Sojasun.

Favorite Pro Race(s): TDF bitch.

Embro (Y/N, types): Still experimenting.

Non-Cycling Hobbies/Activities: Spending time with my wife Christine, the Washington Redskins, my job, modern art.

Favorite Post-Ride Meal: Eggs & polenta.

Favorite Band(s)/Genre(s): Late ’90s indie rock.

Spirit Animal: The Honey Badger.

Catchphrase: I don’t have a catchphrase, but my theme song is Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty.

Dream job as a kid: Architect.

Favorite Movie(s): Rushmore.

If your riding style was an artist it would be: Ellsworth Kelly. I’ve had minimal results. Get it?

Biggest Mistake: Taking up bike racing.

Favorite Color: Tie between black and white.

Name: Nick Hoenemeyer Age: 28 Experience/ Disciplines:...

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:20:16 -0400

Name: Nick Hoenemeyer

Age: 28

Experience/ Disciplines: Cat.4 Road and Cross

Bike Stable: A road bike, a cyclocross, and a track bike for the road.

First Bike: Big Wheel!

Dream Bike: Independent Fabrication SSR with all the trimmings.

Favorite Races: Battenkill, Floyd.

Favorite Training Rides: What the deuce is a training ride?

Favorite Non-NYC Rides/Races: San Diego Bicycle Club’s “Saturday Ride”

Favorite Pro Rider(s): De Vlaeminck. Der Panzerwagen, Docker, Gilbert, Thor.

Favorite Pro Race(s): The cold, wet, cobbled ones.

Embro (Y/N, types): Mad Alchemy: Uber Secret Coffee and Gentlemen’s Blend.

Non-Cycling Hobbies/Activities: Coffee, music, the internets, tattoos, screenprinting, law/tech/telecom.

Favorite Post-Ride Meal: lots of something and a beer.

Best Cheap Eats: Radegast’s brat in a pretzel roll.

Favorite Band(s)/Genre(s): Loud and fast or loud and slow or soft than loud.

Spirit Animal: Lynx

Favorite Movie(s): The Man Who Would Be King, Das Boot, Star Wars.

If your riding style was an artist it would be: Pushead.

Quote: Trick question, Lemmy is God.

Favorite Color: Black.

Name: Ian Lieberman Age: 27 Experience/ Disciplines: 2 years –...

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:28:35 -0400

Name: Ian Lieberman

Age: 27

Experience/ Disciplines: 2 years – Cat 4 Road

Bike Stable: Leopard DC-1 SRAM Red, Specialized Tarmac Pro Ultegra

First Bike: Red Huffy…or Specialized Allez

Dream Bike: Eddy Merckx EMX-7 SRAM Red Zipp 404s

Favorite Races: Battenkill, Floyd

Favorite Training Rides: As long as it includes Closterdock Road I am cool

Favorite Non-NYC Rides/Races: Riding past all the beaches on Route 1 in Delaware and Maryland where my mom lives.

Favorite Pro Rider(s): Tommeke, Michael Barry, Andreas Klier, Andy Schleck

Favorite Pro Race(s): Any race with cobbles, pave, and bergs. Flanders & Roubaix are special.

Embro (Y/N, types): Of course – DZ Nuts, the version that practically burns

Non-Cycling Hobbies/Activities: English soccer, Technology, beard maintenance & styling

Favorite Post-Ride Meal: Eggs and potatoes of any sort with a coke

Best Cheap Eats: Wild Ginger Vegetarian Kitchen in the LES.

Favorite Band(s)/Genre(s): Brit Rock & Techno – U2 & Guetta

Spirit Animal: I have always had a soft spot for bunny rabbits….

Catchphrase: Guys it not like we are pros so….

Nickname: The G-J

Dream job as a kid: Fly fighter jets for the US Navy

Favorite Movie(s): The Rock, Old School, Road to Roubaix, The Gladiator

Biggest Mistake: Not discovering Nu-Skin earlier….

Favorite Color: Red

Name: Matthew Rossi Age: 37 Experience/ Disciplines: Cat 4...

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:30:40 -0400

Name: Matthew Rossi
Age: 37
Experience/ Disciplines: Cat 4 Road/Cat 3 Cyclocross

Bike Stable: Cannondale CAAD10, Cannondale CAAD9, Cannondale CX9,
Leopard DC-1 (currently on the DL), Kona Jake The Snake (currently
being borrowed), Independent Fabrications Delux (1998, Hard-Tail MT
bike, classic steel, currently wall art)

First Bike: I think it was a Fuji, but then I got cool and owned a Kuwahara Magician, polished chrome/red mag wheels, it was completely more bad ass than I was, wish I still had that thing, at 16 I stupidly traded it for a set of automobile rims I needed for my 1972 Camaro…wish I still owned THAT too!

Dream Bike: Colnago C59 Italia to do slow laps in the park on and a Cannondale Super Six EVO (with Liquigas paint!) to race on.

Favorite Races: I don’t know why but I love Tour of the Battenkill, favorite CX race is the Providence CX Festival, that course kills me but it’s great to race on home turf.

Favorite Training Rides: Any ride not confined to a ring of monotonous hell…i.e all rides outside of a park.

Favorite Non-NYC Rides/Races: Spring training week with Thomson Bike Tours in Sitges, Spain.

Favorite Pro Rider(s): In no particular order: Gilbert, Sagan, Boom, Hoogerland, Spartacus, Rodriguez, Basso, Goss, Voigt, Nibali

Favorite Pro Race(s): Giro d’Italia, Paris-Roubaix, Leige-Bastogne-Leige, Monte Paschi Eroica

Embro (Y/N, types): Of course. I’m a Mad Alchemy fan, medium heat.

Non-Cycling Hobbies/Activities: What is a non-cycling hobby? Who has time for anything else?!?! Wait wait…does recovering from injuries sustained while cycling count?

Favorite Post-Ride Meal: Anything, I’d eat teammates if they kept still long enough.

Spirit Animal: Now I understand why I’m slow…my spirit animal is an elephant!

If your riding style was an artist it would be: Caravaggio, stone cold killer.

Favorite Color: Red! No BLUE! AAaaarrrrgh.

Hello from Arc Racing.

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:30:10 -0400

We’d like to take a brief moment to earnestly thank you for taking the time to give this here web page a perusal. Arc Racing is, most simply, a collection of local racers from different walks of life coming together to form a tight knit racing unit and share their love of cycling. We are the new kids on the block of the local peloton and while we don’t know who the Donnie Wahlberg of the group is just yet, we do hope that this here web outpost will keep you entertained.

If you see us on the road feel free to say hey; we may look ornery but we are actually quite a pleasant bunch. If you feel like you might be interested in the competitive bike ridings and like the vibe Arc is laying down, please feel free to drop us a line.

Without further ado, let’s meet the gang…

Who is Arc Racing?

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:53:00 -0400

Shrouded in secrecy since its inception Arc Racing looks to shed some light onto their mysterious men of chain driven locomotion. Stay tuned in the coming days for rider profiles as the team puts words to names and perhaps even names to faces.

It will be grand.