#cycleangelo

I was fortunate enough to work on the latest limited edition, NYC-focused product available only at Specialized dealers in New York City.

In an effort to bring out NYC’s rich history through the channel of cycling, Specialized released a limited edition kit inspired by The Madison - named after Madison Square Garden in New York – a race where riders in each team ride part of the distance, handing over to the other member, resting, and then returning to the race. Pick one up at your local (NYC) Specialized dealer.

The New Jersey Devil is a mythical beast whose tales of terror have been told for hundreds of yeas by South New Jerseans. The Jersey Devil Road Race, on the other hand, is a race containing a 4.4 mile loop with a punchy climb that has the ability to disintegrate the field slowly but surely.

With only a handful of road races left on the calendar for the season, we navigated our rent-a-car an hour away into the Southern Garden State to participate in the short, yet devilish  road race on a scorching summer Saturday.

The Cat 4’s would loop eight times around the 4 mile circuit with a flat straightaway to the finish line. My strategy? Stay up front during each ascent up the steep and punchy Grandview climb, maintain position on the unexpected Skillman Hill rollers, and recover during the Dutchtown descent - and if all goes well and I am still in the main group to battle it out in a sprint finish? Well, then this 59kg climber will attempt to do just that. And that's exactly how it went down.

I remained in the main group from lap 1 to lap 8. I climbed up front at each ascent. I maintained position in the rollers. And bet your ass I recovered at the front on the descents as well.

And the finish? By the time the lap came around - the select group was already made. We went up together. We went down together. And by the time we reached the finishing straight - we sprinted together.

I finished 8th in the bunch sprint. Since I don't consider myself much of a sprinter I’m always hyped when I don't get (completely) swallowed up by the bunch at the line. But hey, the only way to excel at skills in which you're subpar is to commit to going all in when the opportunity presents itself, even when it's uncomfortable, scary, and at times, dangerous. Do it until you are composed, confident, comfortable, and you might end up surprising yourself.

angelocalilap

What made this morning that much more special was that it was my first ride outdoors in nearly 2 months since Battenspill. This morning also marked the #RedIsTheNewTarmac’s maiden voyage.  For weeks, I’ve been cursed with not having the ability to celebrate “New Bike Day” outdoors. The indoor trainer doesn’t count, and never will count, as you’re unable to really be one with your machine: The action and reaction of you with the bike and vice versa. Your response to it, and it with you. It’s just not the same until the voyager and vessel are on its intended path.