Chicago Cross Cup

Knock, knock, knock… is this thing still on?

- Hi all, its been 3 months since our last update and we hope you have all enjoyed the Chicago winter that wasn’t, and the cold and wet Spring. Seems mother nature got a little confused after the extra month of CX season. In any event, even though we haven’t posted any public updates in a while, the CCC directors and local promoters have been hard at work behind the scenes ensuring the 2012-13 season is a success. We won’t be back to full weekly updates just yet, but keep an eye on the site for more to come.

- Just a friendly reminder the Chicago Cyclocross Cup New Year’s Resolution will be back again this season as a 2 day, UCI C2 event. The CCCNYR dates are Saturday 1/5/2013 and Sunday 1/6/2013 to again coincide with the weekend before the US National Championships in Verona, WI which take place from 1/9/13 – 1/13/13.

- CX Masters World Championships take place 1/29/13 – 2/1/13) and take place the days leading up to CX World Championships (2/2/13 – 2/3/13). The Belgians are coming and promoter Joan Hanscom is working super hard to make this not Louisville’s CX World Championships, but America’s CX World Championships.

- And finally… Got Photos? Long time CCC series sponsor Tipping Point Photography has lots of great spring/summer deals for CCC riders. Check back this afternoon for links. See TPP’s packages for Team Photos, New “Bike Love” Sessions, Headshots, and since CX is so family friendly… Family portrait sessions. Tipping Points is now booking for June and July, and June is almost full!

- In case you missed, here’s the Behind the Barriers episode filmed at the CCC New Year’s Resolution races.

- Also, don’t forget CX World Championships in  Koksijde, Belgium are this coming weekend. The Bonebell has organized a viewing party on Sunday January 29th at the Next Door Cafe on Diversey just West of Clark. The cafe opens at 7am and the Men’s Elite race starts at 8am!

- The CCC still has Mad Alchemy embrocation, SockGuy socks, and Contigo coffee mugs for sale. Contact us directly for sizing availability and pricing.

- Congratulations to everyone who raced at CX Masters World Championships last weekend in Louisville. Several CCC regulars placed in the top 20, and Mike Hemme (Chicago.CX) finished an impressive 7th in the 30-34 age group while Dave Luczynski (Spin Doctors Cyclewerks) finished 8th in the 50-54 age group. More info at www.louisville2013.com.

- The Bonebell is organizing a viewing party for the CX World Championships on Sunday January 29th in Koksijde, Belgium at the Next Door Cafe on Diversey just West of Clark. The cafe opens at 7am and the Men’s Elite race starts at 8am! Unfortunately the Women’s Elite race starts at 5am.

- The CCC still has Mad Alchemy embrocation, SockGuy socks, and Contigo coffee mugs for sale. Contact us directly for sizing availability and pricing.

- And finally… The 2011/12 cyclocross season has finally ended here in the states. Thanks to everyone for making it another memorable end-of-summer/autumn/winter. Now go rest up and get ready for 2012/13!

Photo: Eric Goodwin

- Just a quick update to get you through the week…

- Congrats to everyone who raced, pitted, endured the cold and frozen ruts, ate Grape Nuts, rented a Dirk Hoffman motohome, and heckled this past weekend at CX Nats. The CCC represented well and hit the podium more than a few times.

- Good luck to everyone heading to CX Masters World Championships this weekend in Louisville. Find more info can be found at www.louisville2013.com

- 2011 Series Sponsor Well-Fit has a great facility in the west loop to train indoors during the cold Chicago winter and is currently offering 3 winter classes. Sign up and find more info here.

- We haven’t heard any official word yet, but we’re guessing someone will organize a group viewing party for the CX World Championships on Sunday January 29th in Koksijde, Belgium.

- Good luck Barry Wicks on your move back to Portland. It was great having you here in the flatlands for a few years. We’ll see you soon!

- Just in case you still need some after-the-fact Christmas presents… or something to get you through to the skinny tyre season… the CCC still has Mad Alchemy embrocation, SockGuy socks, and Contigo coffee mugs for sale. Contact us directly for sizing availability and pricing.

- And finally… thanks again to everyone for another great CX season. The CCC will be taking a break for a while with only sporadic updates after the World Championships. In the off-season we’re always looking to get people involved and helping out to make the series better, so if you’d like work long hours for no pay just to increase your HPR (heckles per race) received quotient… please contact us and let us know.

Photo: Duane Higgs

- Thanks to everyone who came out to race, cheer, heckle, take photos, hold down a tent from blowing away in the wind, course marshal, help stage riders, hold down another tent from blowing away, fix course tape, scrub mud off bikes, and above all… make the CCC NYR a great first year event. We’re still getting caught up on emails, tweets, and carry pigeon messages but we promise to respond to everyone soon. In the mean time please see the two posts below for pictures and videos. CX Magazine also has a nice collection here.

- Chicagoland CX racing is officially done for the 2011/12 season, but racing is going on close by. We hope to see as many of you as possible in Verona/Madison this coming weekend for CX Nats, and the week after in Louisville for CX Masters World Championships.

- If you pre-ordered CCC merchandise and never picked is up, please email us and we’ll find a way to get the goods to you ASAP. We also have a few pairs of SockGuy socks, some mad Alchemy embro, and quite a few Contigo mugs left over if you’d still like to purchase any CCC merchandise. Please email us if you’d like some schwag.

- If you’re a stats geek, check out the CCC’s 2011 blogging report.

- And finally… thank you to everyone, and we mean EVERYONE for making not only the CCC series, but the NYR and all of Chicagoland CX racing such a blast this season. We’re already looking forward to the 2012/13 season when we can do it all again!

- 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.

- 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: 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.

Photo: Nisha Elliott

- This weekend was definitely a Tail of Two Races. Sunday’s TEDTA CCC series race played out well for the power riders, while those who don’t like to pedal but are talented at turning were rewarded at Saturday’s NORGE Ski Jump CX race.

- In any event, thanks to Rob Curtis and the Psimet crew for hosting the race at the NORGE Ski Jump & to Chris Henning, the Northbrook Bicycle Club, and Flatlandia for hosting hosting Ted’ Excellent Double Track Adventure at the YMCA amp Duncan.

Photo: Ali Engin

- The CCC series takes its 2nd and last break this weekend for Thanksgiving, but if you need to race there’s plenty to be had at Jingle Cross Rock in Iowa. Jingle Cross offers 3 days of racing and is a UCI C2/C1 event. We know of several CCC’ers heading West to race all weekend. Good luck to you all, and keep your mouths closed. If you eat any “dirt” head straight to the hospital.

- The CCC returns in two weeks for the 12th and last stop of the 2011 series… the big enchilada… the Illinois State Championship at Montrose Harbor hosted by Turin Cycles. Online reg is open and closes next Thursday evening.

- CX in Chicagoland doesn’t end at Montrose though… there’s still plenty of racing to be had… Badger Cross on 12/10 and 12/11 near Madison, the Afterglow hosted by Robots Powered by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew on Saturday 12/17 in Humboldt Park in Chicago… and then three of the biggest races of the year… the CCC’s New Year’s Resolution on 12/31 AND 1/1 at Indian Lakes, CX Nationals in Madison the week after, and then Masters World Championships in Louisville the week after that. Buckle up, its going to be a busy end (and beginning) of the year.

- The CCC would like to congratulate 16 year old Lionel Rocheleau of Wisconsin for being selected to attend Jeff Proctor’s Euro CrossCamp in Flanders over the Christmas holiday. There are quite a few US Pro heavyweights (well, not literally, they are cyclists) who are alumni of the Camp. If you’d like to help Lionel make it to Flanders you can help w/ donations here.

- Speaking of charity… the auction for SRAM’s pART PROJECT benefiting World Bicycle Relief will close next Wednesday, November 30th. Bid on the art on eBay here.

- If you’re looking to take a break for a weekend and relax, the CCC’s unofficial house band Los Borrachos are playing a Feliz Navidad Especial Extravaganza at Martyrs this Saturday November 26th at 8pm.

- A few of our promoters are still trying to get rid of unclaimed payouts from races earlier in the season. If you were in the money but didn’t pick up your loot, please contact the promoter directly. Otherwise the cash dollars will be donated to a charity of the promoter’s choosing.

- 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. The bar will be open all afternoon.

- A few more notes about the CCC New Year’s Resolution. Reg is open here. Discounted room rates are available but going quickly. Call or click today and use the Group Code (not the promo code) “CYC“. We could still use a few more volunteers to help us with setup on Friday and course marshaling on race day, so if you’d like to help out please contact us at ChicagoCrossCup@gmail.com.

- Metaphors as only our friends at the The Bonebell can describe them.

- And finally… we thought Barry & Mumford had skillz, but they’ve got nothing on this guy.