Racing Returns to Brooklyn: Lucarelli & Castaldi Series in Prospect Park
4:45AM on Saturday morning. While most sane people are asleep, I am bombing down 2nd Avenue with Lucia. The streets are largely empty, save for a few blocks with revelers who have managed to keep the party going into the wee hours of the morning. Our destination: Prospect Park in Brooklyn, for our first early morning NYC bike race in almost two years.
All of the inconveniences of bike racing in NYC were back in play: the far too early wake-up alarm, dodging potholes on dark city streets, and the long lines for the two port-o-johnβs available at the race. But to be back at the races with teammates and friends from the cycling scene makes it all worthwhile.
As for the actual racing⦠Matt and Russell raced with French-like abandon, going off the front early and often. Lucia and Cullen both had successful if uneventful races in their field. And I had a bad day (and maybe bad fitness) but still walked away happy with the morning after post-race coffee with pals.
Letβs do it all over again this coming weekend?


Photos by Scott Rettino
Photos by Matthew Vandivort

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