Race Day, Beach Day Returns to NYC
One of our most beloved days of summer has long been known as “race day, beach day.” The recipe is simple: a bike race at perhaps the best venue anywhere in the country for bike racing, followed by an afternoon at one of New York City’s nearby beaches (for those less familiar with NYC geography: yes there are beaches within the city limits, accessible by subway, bus, or our preferred option: bike).
Pre-pandemic race day, beach days were often structured around the famous “Dash For Cash”, a prime every lap free for all race that guaranteed one of the toughest days on a bike all year. Unfortunately Dash for Cash cease to exist after well publicized permitting issues emerged at Floyd Bennett Field. But thankfully, after five years with no weekend racing at FBF, local promoter Tom Mains was able to secure a mid-August Sunday permit. Which meant race day, beach day was officially back on.
How did the day play out? Like so many mornings it started at a Brooklyn coffee shop, before the team rolled down Flatbush. While overnight thunderstorms might have left the track a bit soggy, by the time we arrived at the venue, cool morning temperatures were already giving way to what would prove to be a hot and humid day of racing. The fact that most of the squad had already raced at dawn the prior day (where Ben took a huge win) didn’t help matters, nor did the longer than usual race distances.
As ever at FBF, the wind played havoc with the fields, especially on the brutal headwind leg of the course. There was also the usual assortment of flat tires with both Lisa and Shane struck with DNF’s. Despite this, Leah scored a top ten in the Women’s field while the Men’s squad finished in the main chase group after a big break escaped to take the win.
With the racing out of the way, it was time to start the best part of the day: the trip to the beach. It’s a quick spin from FBF to Jacob Riis Park where we embraced the full array of beach amenities including a few cold adult beverages, some badly needed food, and the required dip in the Atlantic Ocean. It was the perfect end of a hard day on the bike, with the only downside being the drip back from the beach in the worst of the mid-day heat. By the time we got home we were fully cooked, but in the best possible way.
Here’s hoping that race day, beach day is back to having an annual spot on the NYC race calendar.
Race Day, Beach Day Strava Recap via Scott
Race Day, Beach Day Photo Gallery
A New York City based cyclist and sometimes photographer. Part adventure rider, part crit racer, and fully obsessed with an English bulldog named Winifred.
Instagram: @photorhetoric
E-mail: matthew@tobedetermined.cc
