• Wow, its November already… how did that happen so quickly? Wouldn’t know it based on the weather though.
  • Campton Cross was a ton of pain and fun as always. OMG the costumes. You all really outdid yourselves this year. As usual all the results you are seeking (USAC, CrossResults, Lap Times {coming soon}) are linked here: https://goo.gl/8X0QiE
  • missyOur friends and series sponsors Snowy Mountain Photography were out on Sunday catching all the hot costume action… and the racing that happened in between. Remember the holidays are coming soon and people like love pictures of themselves!
  • Psimet’s Groundhog Psi-clocross in Woodstock is up next, just a little farther North and West. Yes, you read that correctly, Psimet has decided to rename the event from “Psi-clocross for Life” to “Groundhog Psi-clocross“. We’re still not sure exactly why, but if Jingle Cross can be in September, why not… eh? We’ll still be using the hashtag #psiCX though.
  • For those planning ahead to the following weekend and looking for discounted room rates at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort, please call Marilyn directly at 630.523.5326. Just mention you are coming to the Cycling Race.
  • A friendly reminder about how staging works at CCC series events. The front row is by CCC series points, then all pre-reg’d riders (including waitlisted riders) are staged by CrossResults.com points. If you reg Day-Of sorry, but you’re in the back (unless you should be on the front row anyway). But its okay, you can still win from back there, just ask Brian Matter. For a more complete description and all sorts of other tasty tidbits have a read through this page: chicrosscup.com/races/rules-faqs
  • In case you missed it, USA Cycling decided to discontinue the Junior 9-10 year old age group race at this year’s CX National Championships in Hartford, CT (BTW online pre-reg opened last week). The CCC will continue to host the 9-12 Junior category races (and sub age group and boys/girls podiums as presented by Kenny Labbe). We won’t weigh in on the issue now, but we do agree with The Pony Shop’s Junior Team coach Paul Swinand thoughts in his Op-Ed published last week on Cyclocross Magazine here. Keep it fun, keep it safe, and keep those kids in it for the long term.
  • Speaking of Kenny Labbe, isn’t he doing an AMAZEBALLS job announcing and organizing the podiums every week? Kenny has such passion for cycling and specifically our little series and we are so happy and lucky to have him. So next time you see Kenny, swing by and say thanks, throw him a high-five, or if you can maybe a small token of your appreciation.
  • A quick note to the Single Speeders. The great thing about single speed bikes is they are so simple, meaning they only have one gear… no need for shifting. Yes you are allowed to have geared bikes as long as the derailleurs are locked out (i.e. SRAM shifter zip tied). However we have received a few complaints of people hearing shifting going during SS races. We really, really don’t want to have to check all of your bikes before entering the staging grid, so please police yourselves and only use one gear.
  • And finally… let’s have a quick chat about racing etiquette. We’ve already covered spectating/cheering/heckling/etc from outside the tape on several occasions, but this is about what happens inside the tape while on the race track. Yes, rubbin’ is racin’, but a few things to remember.
    • If you are getting lapped (its okay, happens to the best of us) slow up or even stop and let the leaders pass in a non-critical section of the course. FWIW most of you do a great job with this. Don’t wait until the riders lapping you, especially the leaders, are right behind you. And if you are the one doing the lapping, thank the slower riders for moving out of the way. For more on this please read Ryan Kelly’s thoughts here (we apologize in advance for his foul language). Chris Mayhew also wrote a piece recently on CX Magazine here.
    • When sprinting ride in a straight line. Don’t swerve & don’t try to squeeze your competitors into the snow fencing. There are actually USAC rules concerning this and you can be relegated or DQ’d for such behavior. No one wants that. Just pedal harder before the final 200 feet and you won’t have to sprint. Piece of cake.
    • Try not to chop wheels. You don’t have broadcast your intended direction to everyone around you at every turn, but if someone in front of you has a line into an upcoming corner, why would you put your front wheel or bike in front of theirs? By being behind them you are the one who needs to go around, not through that rider.
    • Know and respect your fellow competitors. Before a race starts take a look at where you are staged. See those people in front of you, there’s probably a really good reason they are in front of you. So in that first minute or two of a race, especially when things get argy bargy, maybe don’t fight for a line or a corner with that racer with a CrossResults ranking waaaay better than you. They will more than likely thank you (if not then than later) and you’ll thank yourself for being a good sportsman/sportswoman.
    • Don’t take your hands off your bars, ever, to touch another rider. Doing so will not help you win a race but it sure will help you lose it and get DQ’d. Note this comment is for while actively racing. If you see a fellow competitor get hurt, but all means stop and help them. And afterwards, hugz and high-fives all around. Tapping a rider a little with an elbow is fine, but not if if said elbow is sharp.
    • Be mindful of your and your bike’s size at all times. We have racers on CX bikes, fat bikes, BMX bikes, kids bikes, motorcycles, even tandems (when allowed by the officials). Not everyone is the same mass, has the same skills, or can handle the same terrain on all of these different types of bikes. For instance a skilled rider on a fat bike goes down hill and over roots/planks a lot faster than a novice on 32’s doing their first race ever. Skills and equipment are important, but in our many years of experience we have found that 10 times out of 10 you will beat a competitor if you have better fitness. So take it easy on the little guys, metaphorically speaking.
    • Leave your baggage at home. Cycling and specifically CX racing for many of us is a huge stress reliever and chance to forget about our worries for a little bit. Please leave your troubles at the entrance to the staging grid and just race your bike.
    • Karma, it might not happen in that race or even the next, but treating your fellow competitors badly will always, always come back to bite you in the arse. We’re not telling you not to be competitive, but there’s a very big, big, big difference between racing aggressively and racing flat out mean. If you ask around, people will tell you who the mean riders are, and if they don’t tell you, its probably because its you.
    • Okay?!? Everyone got it? That’s all for this week and hopefully for the rest of the season. Remember we’re all out there having fun. If you’re not, you’re doing it wrong. No need for bad tempers or trips to the emergency room because you cut someone off and into a tree. Let’s play hard but play fair and enjoy our time together. See you at Woodstock!