The History of Bike Racing in Prospect Park, and How It Inspired Virtual Cycling

When Zwift co-founder Jon Mayfield reached out asking if I’d like to consult on the development of a new virtual Prospect Park, I jumped at the opportunity. My history with Zwift and Prospect Park spans decades, so it was a perfect match.

I was Zwift’s former VP of Events — Eric Min (who I raced with as a junior!) invited me to join the company when it was still a scrappy startup. My Zwift ID is 7 — that’s how early I came aboard.

And in the real world?  I’ve been racing in Prospect Park since I was 8 years old, and I organized IRL races there for 17 straight years — more than 150 races total.

So yes… this project felt meant to be.

Where It All Began: Kissena Cycling Club & Grassroots NYC Racing

Organized racing in Prospect Park has always been a community-driven effort. The sport owes much of its existence to the Kissena Cycling Club — and three individuals who kept NYC racing alive for the last 40+ years.

To honor them, Zwift named three virtual Prospect Park routes after those IRL legends:

• Al Toefield → “Toefield Tornado”
• Greg Avon → “Avon Flyer”
• Charlie Issendorf → “Issendorf Express”

Each played a unique role in keeping the heart of Brooklyn bike racing beating.

The People Behind the Pedals

Al Toefield — The Founder of the Movement

In 1963, Al Toefield founded the Kissena Cycling Club in Queens, New York. A former Sergeant in the NYPD, he began organizing races in Prospect Park in the early 1970s.

At the time, the park was surrounded by rough neighborhoods and had a reputation for being unsafe. City officials approached Al with a challenge: Bring life back into Prospect Park. Show the public it can be used for healthy, positive activity.

Al delivered. He built a racing culture from the ground up, keeping events running until he passed away in 1989. His impact still shapes NYC cycling today.

Greg Avon — The Relentless Builder

When Al passed, the baton was handed to Greg Avon, currently a Level 100 Zwifter and still as passionate as ever.

Greg served as Kissena President and Race Organizer through 2005 — a remarkable run that spanned more than 15 years of early-morning races, unpredictable logistics, and unwavering commitment.

He modernized the process, expanded participation, and ensured the scene continued to grow.

Charlie Issendorf — Keeping the Tradition Alive

After Greg stepped away, I took over as Race Director, and for 17 straight years, I kept the tradition going — adding Sprint and KOM competitions with leader jerseys to give the races a true pro feel.

Those events weren’t easy — yet seeing hundreds of cyclists lap the park at sunrise made every sleepless night worth it. Knowing Zwift has now immortalized those efforts with the Issendorf Express route is truly special.

Fun Facts About IRL Prospect Park Racing

• Races start at 6:00 AM — sometimes in complete darkness.
• Everything must be wrapped up by 8:00 AM before the park becomes crowded.
• Race organizers wake up at 2:00 AM — yes, you read that right — to set up the course.
• Riders start picking up numbers at 5:00 AM (headlights and coffee mandatory).
• At least 25 course marshals are needed for every race, spaced every 100-200 meters for safety.
• The IRL course includes a KOM sprint, just like Zwift.
• The Kissena Cycling Club still runs these events today — one of the oldest active cycling clubs in the U.S. — and they even have a Kissena in-game kit on Zwift.
• Francesco Moser raced in Prospect Park — Yes, that Moser! The 3-time Paris-Roubaix winner, Giro d’Italia champion, and World Hour Record holder was in Brooklyn promoting his wine when a Kissena rider jokingly invited him to race in Prospect Park the next morning. Moser said yes — as long as they could find him a bike and a kit. They did… and the rest is history! Read the full story here.

Prospect Park racing demands teamwork long before the peloton even clips in.

From Brooklyn to the Metaverse

Indoor cyclists around the world can now experience the spirit of Prospect Park — from the sprint and KOM points to the serenity of sunrise through the trees — thanks to Zwift’s virtual version.

The landscape may be digital, but the heritage is as real as it gets. Zwift has created a living tribute to grassroots organizers, volunteers, and racers who kept the tradition thriving — year after year, lap after lap.

Why it Matters

Cycling culture isn’t built only on WorldTour finishes — it grows in local parks, driven by people who show up before dawn to make the sport available to others.

Prospect Park is proof that big racing hearts beat in everyday places.

From Al single-handedly running races in the 1970s to thousands of riders on Zwift today — the legacy continues to roll.

And if you ever jump on virtual Prospect Park and ride one of those named routes — know that each one celebrates someone who made cycling in Brooklyn possible.

See you on the Issendorf Express. 🚴‍♂️✨

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