Chicago Cross Cup

- We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Santa treated you to carbon tubulars, heated gloves, disc brakes, delicious beers, and IOU’s for new RED grouppos. We also hope you had a chance to watch and cheer for our American compatriots who are away from their families and racing in Europe.

- Racing returns to Chicagoland this coming weekend at the CCC’s UCI C2 New Year’s Resolution at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL. Full details including an updated tech guide and course map are over on the NYR page and/or on BikeReg.

- Big news for the ladies… we have added a Women Cat 2/3 race in the afternoon (starting immediately before the Single Speed category) specifically for those Cat 2 Women how cannot or do not wish to procure a UCI license. Riders must still possess a valid USAC license.

- Speaking of licenses… please, please, please, please, please make sure to renew your USAC license BEFORE NYR. You must have a valid 2012 license to race on the 2nd day of the event (1/1/12).

- The Hilton Indian Lakes Resort has opened up more discounted rooms (4 people to a room) on New Year’s Eve for $159. Shoulder dates are still $79 . These room are mere steps from the course and even closer to ‘The Cave’.

- Speaking of The Cave, the CCC would like to formally invite you all to a casual NYE party and meet & greet with several of the pros racing at NYR on New Year’s Eve (Saturday) evening at The Cave. Grab some food, enjoy a drink, and schmooze with racers as we welcome in 2012 in the best way we know how… a party at a CX race!

- Online pre-reg closes for BOTH DAYS of the event this coming Wednesday 12/28 at Midnight Central (1am Eastern) on BikeReg.com so save a few cash dollars and pre-register now. Check back on Thursday at 9am for our normal course preview.

- CCC merchandise (embro, socks, & coffee mugs) will be on sale at NYR at the registration desks. If you still haven’t picked up your pre-ordered CCC merchandise from during the season we will have it at NYR for you too. If you can’t make it out to the races, please contact us if you’d like to have your schwag shipped to you or delivered locally (in Chicago).

- USAC CX National Championships in Madison needs a few volunteers for all dates Jan. 4-8th. Anyone interested in helping should contact Butch at: vols4natcross@gmail.com.

- And finally… our friends to the North are hosting more than just CX Nationals next weekend. Find all kinds of events here.

From all of us at the Chicago Cyclocross Cup, best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and most certainly a Happy New Year!

We’ll see you all next weekend…

 - The Afterglow lived up to its name yet again and was a great (if not extremely muddy and sandy) time had by all. Thanks to Robots powered/by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew for hosting the event. Also congratulations to Jeff “Rooster” Perkins for bringing ‘Sweet Justice’ back to his rightful home.

- For the first Sunday in months there was no CX racing to be had, so the CCC hosted a party for 60 people at EJ’s Place in Skokie to award the CCC Overall Series Winners their coveted cowbells and a whole bunch of schwag to everyone else. Thanks to everyone who shared the afternoon with us, and if you missed it, you’ll have to wait until the end of next season to be there again!

- CX Racing picks back up today at the first ever Highland Park High School Training CX Rumble. This event is for high school students ONLY and a way for the Illinois Scholastic Cycling Association to introduce cycling and more specifically cyclocross racing, to the youth of Illinois. If you can make it out to HPH to watch or help, please do so and get in touch w/ the race director through the BikeReg page.

- We’ll take this coming weekend off to spend some much needed time w/ family & friends and open lots of presents… but the last CX race of the Chicagoland area and definitely the last race (and UCI race too) of the season before CX National Championships will be the New Year’s Resolution at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL. All the details you need to know are over on the NYR page and/or on BikeReg including the course map and a delicious tech guide. Please, please, please make sure to renew your USAC license BEFORE the race. We’ll have more info next week and then our normal course preview next Thursday at 9am.

- USAC Cyclocross Nationals in Madison needs a few volunteers for all dates Jan. 4-8th. Anyone interested in helping should contact Butch at: vols4natcross@gmail.com.

- The Friday of CX Nationals Machinery Row Bicycles is hosting Veldrijden Nacht at Machinery Row Bicycles. Meet the stars of American cyclocross racing including Jonathan Page, Katie Compton, and Ryan Trebon. The party is from 6PM to 10PM w/ free food and drinks provided by Great Dane and Sardine restaurant!

- And finally… This evening the CCC will make its annual donation to World Bicycle Relief from all of your donations throughout the series. During the 2011 season we raised $715.25 and thanks to a generous anonymous donor who is matching dollar for dollar until the end of the year the CCC’s net contribution will equal $1,430.50… enough for nearly 11 bikes! Check out WBR’s holiday and thank you video to everyone who has volunteered and donated to such a worthy cause. Thank you all!

- This SATURDAY Robots Powered by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew bring CX racing back to Humboldt Park in Chicago in the form of Afterglow – a Cyclocross Race.

- After last year’s sub-freezing temperatures and several inches of ice and snow the weather forecast for this weekend looks absolutely delightful. If you can, please ride to the course, but definitely bring an extra set of warm and dry clothes (you know, for the party afterwards).

- Online pre-reg has been pushed back and closes tomorrow (Friday) at 11am. Day of registration and number pickup opens at 9am inside the fieldhouse. DO NOT bring your bicycles inside (sorry, Chicago Parks rules). There will be a bicycle hangbar on the veranda. Please be courteous to other park users inside the fieldhouse and wipe your shoes.

- Please also DO NOT park in the fieldhouse lot, which is reserved for race staff and officials. There’s plenty of parking on Luis Munoz drive in the park, just on the outside of the course.

- The Fatbike category has been changed to Fatbike Etc, and will be allowing fatbikes, tandems, cargobikes, etc! Registration fee is per-bike, but both riders need to fill out USAC release forms and require a one-day or annual USAC license to compete. Same-day fees apply!

- Just like the wild, wild west of yesteryear in the CCC there will be No call-ups or staging. As with all CCC races, bib numbers will go on your LEFT side. Please bring your own safety pins!

- There will of course be an equipment pit but no neutral support. Wheels/bikes in, wheels/bikes out.

- Remember, this is Chicago Park property and there is a no alcohol policy on park grounds.

 - Don’t forget the greatest grudge match of all time! Forget Armstrong vs Basso. Supergirl vs Perkins is the biggest knock-down, drag-out fight you can imagine. See details here.

 - Afterglow Afterparty fundraiser for West Town Bikes CX will be at Division Street Bar and Grill (2525 W Division Street) who has kindly donated gift cards for the winners of most of the races! Due to some sensitivity surrounding the sponsor, the fundraiser is 21+. Perfect place for a post-race meal and getting jolly. In addition, you can give a few bucks for the cause when you register or at the race! DSB&G is opening early for us so come over and grab a bite and a beer! New Belgium Brewing is sponsoring this fundraiser for West Town Bikes! 

- The Course: Counter-clockwise. A great mix of grass, mulch, sand, bog, sand, hills, and more grass. See the map here.

- Quite a few hearty CCC’ers headed North over the weekend to race Badger Cross and preview the CX Nationals course. Opinions differed, but in the end we think everyone agreed the course will be challenging AND its great to have it in our backyard. The Bonebell has a great turn by turn by turn review and our IL State Champion weighs in on the SRAM Factory CX blog, and Enzo weighs in here. More than a few CCC’ers produced some great results at Sunday’s MidWest Regional Championship including several podiums. Congratulations to everyone who raced… especially in Saturday’s extremely frigid temperatures.

- Up next, racing returns to Chicago when Robots Powered by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew host Afterglow – a Cyclocross Race in Humboldt Park. Check back on Thursday at the regular time for the course preview, but in the mean time RpbL and the (other) CCC have a few updates that can’t wait:

- The Fatbike category has now been changed to Fatbike Etc, and will be allowing among other things tandems! Registration fee is per-bike, but both riders need to fill out the USAC forms and require a one-day or annual USAC license to compete. Same-day fees apply!

- Afterglow Afterparty fundraiser for West Town Bikes CX will be at Division Street Bar and Grill (2525 W Division Street) who has kindly donated gift cards for the winners of most of the races! Due to some sensitivity surrounding the sponsor, the fundraiser is 21+. Perfect place for a post-race meal and getting jolly. In addition, you can give a few bucks for the cause when you register or at the race!

- The weather looks great for the weekend (unfortunately) so everyone is encouraged who is able to ride to the course.

- If you can still stand after the Afterglow and Afterglow Afterparty join the CCC as we attempt to close out the season at the 2011 CCC Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie. The bar will be open at noon, tickets are cheap (but please sign up ahead of time) and at this point nearly everyone is guaranteed a door prize thanks to our great Series Sponsors. We hope you’ll join us!

- But the racing isn’t over yet. Chicagoland CX racing officially ends two weeks later at the CCC’s New Year’s Resolution. After a little reconnaissance on the Badger Cross course we have tweaked the NYR course ever so slightly… less technical than a lot of CCC races w/ more power sections… to be a great warmup for CX Nationals the next week. Jeremy Powers, Ryan Trebon, Chris Jones, Barry Wicks, Justin Lindine, Dylan McNicholas, and several other pros will be in town contesting for UCI points. Discounted hotel rooms at the Indian Lakes Resort are sold out but ILR’s sister hotel has plenty of inexpensive rooms. See the NYR site for more info.

- The CCC still needs a few empty beds to help out-of-town racers with Host Housing at NYR. If you have extra room and would like to make one or more new CX friends (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want more CX friends), please let our host housing coordinator and all around awesome lady Nikki Cyp know.

- For those of you racing at NYR and CX Nationals, you will need to renew your annual USAC license now on USACycling.org. UCI licenses too! Licenses renewed from here on out are valid from now until the end of next year… 12/31/2012. You’ll need a 2012 license in order to race on the 2nd day of the New Year’s Resolution, CX Nationals in Madison, and CX Masters World Championships in Louisville.

- And finally…  In Chicagoland’s own private CX Clash… Mike “Supergirl” Kelly and Jeff “Rooster” Perkins will go head to head in Rumble in the Humboldt during the Afterglow Cat 4 race in a battle for possession of the Cuttin’ Crew’s mascot Sweet Justice! You DO NOT want to miss this event!

Photo: Ali Engin

- Well the weather held out, the crowds showed up, there were thrills, spills, chills (literally), Flannel Mike, heroes, winners, a little sand… but absolutely no losers. Big thanks to Turin Bicycle for hosting yet another great event at Montrose Harbor and the IL State CX Championships. Congratulation not only to the 13 state champions who won jerseys, but also the 13 individual Chicago Cyclocross Cup Overall Series Winners and to Verdigris-Village CX for winning the Team Competition.

- State Champions received their jerseys on Sunday but we’ll hand out the CCC cowbells in just less than 2 weeks at the CCC End of Season Awards Party on Sunday December 18th just after high noon at EJ’s Place in Skokie. We’ll have full use of the bar and a buffet dinner will be served between 3pm and 4pm. In addition to the CCC cowbells our fantastic series sponsors have stepped up in a big way and we’ll not only have awards for the series winners but plenty of great door prizes. Tickets are on sale now, so please pre-reg so the kitchen at EJ’s can plan accordingly.

- Speaking of parties, our friends at My Wife Inc. have invited all Chicago area racers heading up to Madison this weekend to the Badger Cross Party Saturday night. Although it’s technically the WCA season ending series awards, it’s really just a good party with food, music, and drinks. What better way to end a day of racing, cheering, heckling and cowbell ringing than with good food, some tasty beverages, music, fun and great company! December 10, 2011, 6-9 pm (Hor d’Oeuvres 6:30-8:30) at the West Side Club of Madison. Cost: $20.

- The Burnham Racing & Spidermonkey Cycling WBR holiday “bake sale” charity fundraiser was a smashing success. The Spidermonkeys baked their faces off and the group ‘sold through’ their ornaments (twice), raising well over $700 for World Bicycle Relief. Because of the WBR matching campaign going on now through the end of the year, the Montrose fundraiser along with Burnham’s Apple Donut ride and their work as the lead pace bikes for the Chicago Marathon… monies will end up as a net donation of over $2,400 to WBR!

- Races coming up…

- Badger Cross on 12/10 and 12/11 near Madison.
- Afterglow is hosted by Robots Powered by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew on Saturday 12/17 in Humboldt Park.
- Highland Park High School Training CX Rumble. A new high school ONLY CX race.
- The CCC’s New Year’s Resolution on 12/31 AND 1/1 at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort. Reg is here. ILR’s sister hotel (Holiday Inn Elk Grove, 10-15 minutes away) has opened up rooms for $79 per night (including NYE) and will transport guests to and from ILR.
- CX Nationals take place in Madison between January 4-8.
- Masters World Championships are in Louisville January 12-15.

- For those of you continuing to race for another month, you can start renewing your annual USAC now on USACycling.org. UCI license holders you should know what to do. Licenses renewed now will be good until the end of next year… 12/31/2012. You’ll need a 2012 license in order to race on the 2nd day of the New Year’s Resolution, CX Nationals in Madison, and CX Masters World Championships in Louisville.

- And finally… Mr. Cyclocross Newt Cole is bringing his Engine Building 101 session back for another season starting in January 2012. Newt tells us the graduating class of 2011 earned 39 Podiums during this season… which isn’t even over yet!

Engine Building 101 by Newt Cole
An 8 week series designed for cyclists to build explosive strength, develop better mobility and flexibility while learning proper technique and recovery habits

Sundays, starting Jan 22nd
http://chicagonorthcenter.orangeshoe.com/enginebuilding101
Saturdays, starting Jan 21st
http://pwppedalingwithapurpose.blogspot.com/2011/11/pedaling-with-purpose-is-here.html
Prevent the repetitive-motion and overuse injuries associated with cycling.
Head off to your spring camps with a higher level of base fitness and prepare for a healthy 2012 campaign.

Photo: Luke Seemann

- One more to go! Turin Bicycle once again hosts the last stop in the 2011 Chicago Cyclocross Cup… which just happens to also be the Illinois State CX Championships at Montrose Harbor. You all have been racing all season long with plenty of ups, downs, highs, lows, podiums, crashes, heckles, and new this year… mud… and we’ve finally made it to the finalé. We at the CCC and Turin again ask everyone to bundle up, bring your cowbells and cameras, and make a day out of Montrose… which means the Cat 4′s should show up early and heckle the 40+ field, and the Masters should stick around and cheer on the Cat 4′s. Lots to review below, so buckle up…

- Registration: We’ll be running reg the same way as every other CCC race. Please allow all 40+ racers to reg first since they have to get ready first. If you’re coming out to race for the first time (great!) just follow the lead of one of the local yocals. The Cat 4A’s and 4B’s fields are full but we’ll run wait lists starting Sunday morning. As of this morning there are 548 of you pre-reg’d (we AND Turin thank you!), which is already more than last year. Online pre-reg closes tonight at midnight… so if you’re not yet reg’d, do everyone (yourself included) a favor and reg now! Ballpoint pens don’t work so well in 29 degrees.

- Staging: Since we know down and mid-state IL riders can’t make it up to Chicago every weekend but may still be racing outside of Chicagoland, similar to last year we will use CrossResults.com points to help w/ staging. The difference is that this year we will stage ALL riders, just as we have been doing since Dan Ryan Woods (wow, that seems like a long time ago). See the procedure here. Staging at Montrose will incorporate CrossResults.com points for those riders (especially from downstate, but even out of state) without CCC series points. Riders with OUT CCC series points in a category but better (lower) CrossResults.com points will be staged ahead of riders WITH CCC series points in that category and worse (high) CrossResults.com points. Riders in the CCC overall who have better CrossResults.com standings than other riders in the CCC overall will NOT move up in position… you keep your overall CCC position.

- For example: Rider A has a CrossResults score of 205 and 150 CCC series points. Rider B has a CrossResults score of 204 and zero CCC series points. Rider B will be staged in front of Rider A. Now lets say Rider C has a CrossResults score of 202 and 145 CCC series points. Rider A will still be staged before rider C.

- Preliminary staging will be posted here no later than Saturday.

- State Champion Requirements: The CCC along with Turin and the ICA will be presenting 13 CX State Champion Jerseys (on the podiums) to the first IL rider to cross the finish line in every category (excluding the 4B’s). This means Juniors 15-18 AND Juniors 10-14… boys AND girls. Remember that in order to win the state championship you must be a permanent Illinois resident (we’ll be checking ID’s), a US citizen, and hold a valid and unsuspended 2011 USAC annual license before the start of the race (yes, we’re looking at you Cat 4′s). There must also be a full podium of IL riders (that means 3) to win the state jersey. This should not be a problem, except possibly in the Girls 15-18 Junior race.

- Speaking of… as of today (12/1/12) you can start renewing your annual USAC license. Annual licenses purchased on or after 12/1/11 are good until 12/31/2012. We highly suggest renewing/purchasing your license online at USACycling.org as this is the easiest (for everyone) and most efficient method.

- Podiums presentations for each race (top 3 overall in the race) AND and for the IL state championship (top 3 IL riders in the race) will occur immediately after each race finish… so pay attention after your race, we may be calling your name! The one exception will be for the Women 4 and Juniors races when the podiums will be awarded at 1:50 pm.

Turin Bicycle of Evanston has secured several additional prizes beyond jerseys and the standard 2011 CCC payouts.

- Each State Champion (13 in all) will receive a Life Fitness Body Shape Kit valued at $400 Donated by Tour de Cure.

- E.J.’s Place will be giving away $200 dining cards to each of the IL State Champions in the Cat 1/2/3, Women 1/2/3, Masters 30+, Masters 40+, and Masters 50+ races.

- Turin Bicycle will give gift cards for 1st through 5th place in the Cat 4Bs and 1st through 3rd places in each of the Junior Boys and Junior Girls races (4 races total).  Total value of the gift cards will be $300.

- While a few riders have already locked up their CCC overall titles, there are quite a few very, very, very close categories still to be decided on Sunday. We’ll do our best to announce the overall titles, but all official overall series awards and recognition will be presented at the CCC Awards Dinner on Sunday December 18th at EJ’s Place. We look forward to celebrating with all of you.

- Neutral race support will be provided by Turin Bicycle, in the heated tent next to registration.

- Turin Bicycle will also be selling the latest Jay Ryan poster commemorating the 2011 race. These will be on sale for $22 at the Turin service tent. Turin also has remaining stock from years 2009 and 2010 that will be on sale for half price with the purchase of a new 2011 poster. Cowbells will also be for sale for $5 to ring out the race.

- Food:

- Turin will be grilling up Hot Dogs from about 11-3 and will have coffee and soup to take the chill off. Supply is limited. First come first served.

- We’ve been waiting all year for a food truck show up to a race and thanks to Chicago.CX the Big Star truck will be serving Champurrado Hot Mexican Chocolate, Tacos al Pastor, Tacos de Pescado, and the Tacos de Papas con Rajas from 11am – 3pm. Hand-ups encouraged!

- More than any other factor, the weather usually makes Montrose the legend it is. Right now the forecast is cold with the possibility of snow or even a little rain (you didn’t get enough at JRC anyway, did you?)… so bundle up, dress appropriately, and come prepared with extra warm (& dry) gear. We’ll bring the podium warmers.

- Todd Busteed will be announcing the race.

- We will have all pre-ordered CCC merchandise (t-shirts, socks, & embro) at the race and available for pick-up. T-shirts are sold out but we will have Sock Guy socks ($15) and Mad Alchemy embro ($20) for sale (cash only).

- Burnham Racing and Spidermonkey Cycling will be in attendance and collecting donations for World  Bicycle Relief. The two teams will be combining their tents to create a small village, complete with a heater, a lit Christmas Tree, baked goods, and possibly adult carbonated beverages. Anyone who donates to WBR will get to add a decoration to the tree, and maybe a baked good as well. It is possible that some baked goods will find their way into racers’ hands during the 4Bs. WBR, Kozy’s Cyclery, and the Spidermonkeys have also contributed raffle prizes.

- Parking: Like last year, the parking lot at the east end of the park is closed (it is now boat storage?!?). Parking will be on the street only along Simonds Dr. Several parking spaces near the restrooms and registration will be roped/coned off (for officials, CCC staff, BigStarTruck, etc) so please do NOT move the cones. We also need this area clear for pedestrian and bike traffic.

- The Course: Course designer Chuck Judy brings back several features of the 2009 Montrose course while maintaining several classic sections as well as incorporating a few new twists and turns. The course goes anti-clockwise, beginning at the starting grid which will likely be just East, past the finish line due to all of the blown sand. The finish line, wheel/bike pit, and registration will be in nearly the same location as last year, just off the road and near the main sand pit. Feel free to set up your tents near by, but given the strong winds this week, bring weights and stakes. The course itself will be a touch shorter than last year at around ~2.7K. Back from 2009 is the main sand pit/run where spectators are all but guaranteed a great view of all the action. Several barriers will be in play this year as well. As always, the weather plays a key role at Montrose and will affect the final course route right up until Sunday.

View Larger Map

Photo: Jeff Corcoran

- From what we heard and saw it sounds like many a CCC’er had a great time at Jingle Cross Rock. A little mud, rain, and cold weather isn’t enough to scare away midwestern CX’ers and many CCC’ers earned excellent podium finishes. Congrats to you all!

- This coming Sunday marks the end of the 2011 CCC series at Montrose Harbor which also serves as the Illinois State CX Championship hosted by Turin Cycles. Online reg closes Thursday evening.

- Although anyone can race, just a reminder of the three IL State CX Champ qualifications required to win the jersey. You must be an Illinois State Resident (we’ll check drivers licenses… or your parents), you must be a US Citizen, and you must have a valid, unsuspended 2011 annual USAC license.

- Speaking of licenses, you can start renewing your annual USAC licenses this Thursday 12/1/2011 on USACycling.org. UCI license holders you should know what to do too. If you do so your license will be good until the end of next year… 12/31/2012. You’ll need a 2012 license in order to race on the 2nd day of the New Year’s Resolution, CX Nationals in Madison, and CX Masters World Championships in Louisville.

- Similar to last year (but this year for all starters) staging at Montrose will incorporate CrossResults.com points for those riders (especially from downstate) without CCC series points. Riders who do NOT have CCC series points in a category but better (lower) CrossResults.com points will be staged ahead of riders WITH CCC series points in that category and worse (high) CrossResults.com points. More details in Thursday’s course preview.

- Tickets are now on sale for the CCC End of Season Awards Party on Sunday December 18th at EJ’s Place in Skokie. Please pre-reg so the kitchen at EJ’s can plan accordingly. Have we mentioned the bar will be open all afternoon.

- What to do after the party? Our friends to the North are hosting Badger Cross on 12/10 and 12/11 near Madison and then closer to Chicago the Afterglow is hosted by Robots Powered by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew on Saturday 12/17 in Humboldt Park.

- The CCC’s New Year’s Resolution takes place on 12/31 AND 1/1 at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort. Reg is open here. There are a very limited number of discounted rooms still available at the Indian Lakes Resort on New Year’s Eve. Call or click today and use the Group Code (not the promo code) “CYC“. One of the ILR’s sister hotels (Holiday Inn Elk Grove, 10-15 minutes away) has also opened up rooms for $79 per night (including NYE) and will transport guests to and from ILR. There’s also an indoor pool and a lively bar.

- CX Nationals take place in Madison between January 4-8.. and then Masters World Championships are in Louisville January 12-15.

- Any finally… the auction for SRAM’s pART PROJECT benefiting World Bicycle Relief closes tomorrow, Wednesday 11/30. Bid on the art on eBay here or better yet… attend the gala pART PROJECT exhibition and auction at Chicago’s Gallery 1028. All proceeds go directly to WBR.