Category: Updates

CCC Tuesday Updates – 20230523

May 23, 2023
  • Quick reminder we’re having our Town Hall tonight at the Specialized Fulton Market at 6:30pm. Please RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/z06wut8s65
  • Afterglow is BACK this Saturday 5/27/2023!!!
  • From the crew… we’re ready to show off the Big Marsh Park, Chicago Park District’s only park dedicated to cycling! Continuing our mission of creating bike access for youth cycling programs, get ready to run, jump, ride, and dance amidst the beautiful wilderness that is Lake Calumet. We’ll have live DJ’s, an inflatable MTB lander, and a hot dog stand! Proceeds benefit Friends of Big Marsh so they can continue to offer inclusive and joyful outdoors activities.
  • Afterglow will offer a whole new set of events! In addition to our typical cyclocross race, we’re pumped to incorporate running, walking, a group exploration guided tour, bmx demos, and a dance class into the day. Explanation of each is available on the second page of the Afterglow 2023 Schedule Flyer. Choose your race/ride based on your ability/vibes!
  • Additionally, Afterglow participation will be FREE for all young people, and we are providing full race day support for youth from Working Bikes, West Town Bikes, Bikes N Roses, Boxing Out Negativity, and other youth orgs. Are you a young person or are you in a community with young folks who are interested in participating? Get in touch so we can lift ‘em up!
  • We are also offering a discounted subscription to ALL of Big Marsh’s summer racing for the price of $100 ($150 if you want all the merch!). This includes ALL of the Afterglow events AND SRAM’s Mountain Bike Series, for a total of 7 days of racing.
  • As always, equal payouts of $0.00. And while it is the most affordable race on the calendar, know that any extra donations may give you an advantage!
  • To register, FIRST complete the Bike Event Registration Link and/or Run/Walk Event Registration Link, THEN pay/donate at MightyCause OR @bigmarshchicago on Venmo OR day-of cash OR check made out to Friends of Big Marsh. We will have a donation box on-site to collect your gently used gear, clothing, and cash money.
  • Day-of registration and number pick up opens at 8:00am outside of the Ford Calumet Environmental Center. Bib numbers will go on your bike (like a mountain bike race), course runs counterclockwise, and we encourage you to carpool. Tailwind Cycles will be providing neutral support. The course is open NOW (see below), so if you’re up for discovering the most correct line, feel free to come out!
  • Water refills, restrooms, and vending machines will be available at the Ford Calumet Environmental Center. Food for purchase will be available from the newly opened Nature Trail Cafe.
  • Can’t race? Feel free to fiscally compete at MightyCause! Half Acre Cycling is currently leading the board with their $2,520 donation!
  • Thank you for continuing to support the young people of our city — their programs not only provide transportation to the races and food and snacks, but also a sense of home and accomplishment for the beloved young people of our community. 
  • See you Sunday!
  • **Sorry, pet owners, but Big Marsh’s status as a home for migratory birds means only Service Animals are permitted in the park
  • The Course:

CCC Tuesday Updates – 20230502

May 2, 2023
  • Hi all, we’re hosting a Town Hall. Come hang out, bring your opinions (we know you have them), & discuss the CCC series. We’ve always tried to make the CCC the best it can be for everyone, so we won’t promise everyone will get their wish, but we’ll certainly listen and consider all reasonable and plausible ideas.
  • Who: All those interested in the future of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup
  • What: 2023 CCC Town Hall
  • When: Tuesday May 23th 2023
  • Where: Specialized Fulton Market (thanks Specialized AGAIN for hosting us!)
  • Why: Open discussion of the current series, future ideas, etc.
  • Food: Maybe
  • Beverages: Beer and Non-alcoholic options 
  • Schedule:
    • 6:30 pm – Doors Open (not in complete darkness)
    • 7:00 pm – Town Hall discussion
    • When the beer runs out o’clock- Closing Time
  • Please RSVP here –>  https://forms.office.com/r/z06wut8s65
  • See you there!

Categories: Updates

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20230131

January 31, 2023

Hi everyone!

  • Remember this coming Saturday evening 2/4/2023 at 6:30pm we’re having our Awards Party at Specialized Fulton Market in the West Loop. More details here.
  • The day before and earlier in the day, and the day before, the UCI Cyclocross World Championships take place in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. More details here: https://www.uci.org/competition-details/2023/CRO/68229 and here: https://wkhoogerheide2023.nl/

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20230103

January 3, 2023
  • Hey everyone… Happy New Year!!!
  • Before you hunker down and go into cycling hibernation for the winter we’re having one more event… an Awards Party after all!
  • Who: You, and us, and anyone who wants to join.
  • What: 2022 CCC Awards Party
  • When: Saturday February 4th 2023
  • Where: Specialized Fulton Market (thanks Specialized for hosting us!)
  • Why: Who doesn’t want to hang out with our cyclocross family with free food, dranks, and prizes?
  • Food: Pizza & Salad
  • Beverages: Beer and Non-alcoholic options 
  • Raffle: Chances to win loads of cycling-related prizes!
  • Series Winner Awards, announced by the greatest MC in Chicago – Kenny Labbe
  • Schedule:
    • 6:30 pm Start
    • 7:30 pm Awards
    • 9:30 pm Closing Time
  • Please join us! Get out of the house for a little bit. Free entry (just don’t make a mess of the place), and a chance to hang with the CCC community not in a sweaty or freezing cold pop-up tent.
  • Please RSVP here –> https://forms.office.com/r/LdvWr8JqPP
  • See you there!

And finally… Looks for details soon concerning the best cycling fundraiser ever… Afterglow – A Cyclocross Race… to benefit West Town Bikes and Blackstone Bicycle Works… happening sometime in May at Big Marsh!!

Categories: News, Updates

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20221206

December 6, 2022
  • Thanks to EVERYONE who helped make the 2022 Chicago Cyclocross Cup a success… from the racers, the riders, the teams, the sponsors, the coaches, the parents, the spouses, the significant others, the the mechanics, the doggos, the spectators, the hecklers, the officials, Kenny (of course), the land manager and park managers, the bus/sprinter drivers, and anyone else we may have forgotten. After 2 years off for COVID you all showed everyone why the CCC truly is the best amateur CX series in the country… probably the world if we’re being honest.
  • Full Overall Series Results are posted here. We’re still updating team names and will post final team standings later this week.
  • The USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships start today in Hartford, CT. Good luck to all competitors, especially those from the Chicagoland region who race with us.
  • If you’re still in need of some Christmas gifts, please consider something from our amazing Series Sponsors.
  • Speaking of series sponsors… Simple Endurance Coaching is hosting… The 2022 CCC Season Was Awesome, But I Want to Do Better! Join coach Paul for a free seminar/work session where he will review your training from 2022 and start making plans for 2023. You’ll review your season, your strengths and future needs, and then set up some goals for 2023. You’ll talk about how to set up your training in three periods: General Fitness, Bike Fitness, and Race Fitness. The seminar will be on December 13 at 7 pm on Zoom. From Paul, “I was honored to help sponsor the Chicago Cyclocross Cup this year, and I specialize in coaching cyclocross and gravel racers as well as trail runners.” Click here to register.
  • And finally… We truly hope everyone had a great time this year and wish you all the best during this holiday season and into 2023. There may or may not be a few more updates here on the site this year, but if not… have a great Holiday season no matter what you celebrate and a Happy New Year!!!

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20221129

November 29, 2022
  • We hope everyone had a nice and relaxing Thanksgiving with family and friends.
  • We’re not done yet though. The final race of the 2022 Chicago Cyclocross Cup, the Ald. James Cappleman Montrose Beach CX/Midwest Regional p/b Specialized Chicago will be held this coming Sunday 12/6/2022 at Montrose Harbor, hosted by Spidermonkey Cycling and Half Acre Cycling. Full course preview will be posted on Thursday morning.
  • Please pre-reg on BikeReg.com here.
  • This year Montrose will also be the MidWest Regional CX Championships, so expect a bunch of riders from not-Illinois. #OPEcx
  • And finally, if you haven’t already blown your entire paycheck on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, whatever Sunday is these days, and Cyber Monday… remember today is Giving Tuesday. There are great local programs such as Blackstone Bicycle Works, West Town Bikes, and World Bicycle Relief that can always use our help, so please considering donating, helping, mentoring, or just sending a few dollars their way. Thanks!

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20221122

November 22, 2022
  • The final race of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup at Montrose Beach, the Ald. James Cappleman Midwest Regional p/b Specialized Chicago, is fast approaching, and the organizers Spidermonkey Cycling and Half Acre Cycling have a few early notes to munch on along with your turkey.
  • Get a limited edition race poster designed by Half Acre Cycling’s own Matt Maniscalco. Purchase early at either Specialized Chicago retail location, series sponsor Tailwind Cycles, or when you register EARLY on BikeReg — and avoid getting it muddy when you pick-up your bib number EARLY on Saturday, December 3 at Specialized Fulton Street. Any remaining posters will be available at registration. 
  • Also remember our friends to the east are holding Region Riot CX this coming Sunday; a great way to make sure your legs are ready to battle for midwest bragging rights! #OPEcx
  • And finally… we here at the CCC wish everyone a fantastic and restful Happy Thanksgiving. Fuel up, the season isn’t quite over yet!

Categories: News, Updates

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2022 Campton CX Preview

October 27, 2022
  • Anderson Park in Campton Township (5N180 Brown Rd, Campton Hills, IL 60175). Need directions? From I-90: Randall Road South, to Rt. 64 West, past LaFox Road, turn right onto Brown Road and park is on your left. There are other Anderson Parks in the Chicagoland area, so please go to the correct one. The map on BikeReg is correct.
  • Another Costume Contest! Prizes will be awarded to the winners by the Campton event organizers. Kenny is in charge of the inaugural Thriller dance competition at 2:22pm, so listen for his decrees.
  • Remember pre-reg on BikeReg closes Friday night.
  • Preliminary staging will be posted here on Saturday. We’re moving to USAC’s new rider database, so please make sure you double check your preliminary staging.
  • Sorry, but NO alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park.
  • Please do NOT warm up on/around the soccer fields to the East of registration. The village has asked us to keep off the areas visible when you pull into the park. If you carefully ride North on Brown Rd for about 200 meters you can hop onto the Great Western trail, which is a great place to warm up. Thank you.
  • There is plenty of parking on site. Please do not ride or drive on the grass surrounding the course.
  • The Course: Will likely be a little different this year. Check out this animation.

Categories: Course Preview, Updates

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20221004

October 4, 2022
  • Hey everyone, thanks for coming out and racing on Sunday with us at Schiller Park hosted by xXx Racing! We had a great time and we hope you all did too!
  • Full USAC Results are online here.
  • We’ll have Overall Series standings updated here soon, with Women Cat 4 and Masters 65+ standings broken out separately. We’ll also separate out Masters 35+ Cat 4/5, Masters 55+ Cat 4/5, Masters 45+ Cat 4/5, & Women Masters 35+ Cat 4/5 broken out for fun.
  • Next up, the CCC takes a the weekend off, but we’ll be back in action in 2 week on Sunday 10/16 at Glenwood Academy CX.
  • Just a friendly reminder to renew your USAC annual license. There were a LOT of riders who had not renewed by Saturday before Schiller Woods. You must race in your USAC category and once you’re a Cat 4 you cannot downgrade to a Cat 5.
  • If you are racing more than one category, make sure to pick up both/all of your bib numbers and wear the correct number in each race. You’ll get new numbers at each event throughout the season.
  • Please, please, please pin your bib number on the SIDE of your jersey, specifically the LEFT side. Not your back, not your head, not your right side. We saw all three and then some this past Sunday (okay not on anyone’s head). Start by aligning the bottom of the number to the middle of the side panel of your jersey. Our scoring/timing pro Nikki and our USAC officials are really, really good at reading literally thousands of numbers flying by the finish line all day, but let’s help them out and make it easier on everyone and also guarantee more accurate and quicker results for everyone. Thanks!
  • The image below is from Sunday and what the finish-line camera sees. It should be very clear who pinned their number well and who didn’t. Numbers 74, 85, and 91 are perfect. The others could be better.
  • And finally… good luck to everyone heading up to Wisconsin this coming weekend for the Trek CX Cup!

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20220927

September 27, 2022
  • Hey everyone! The 2022 Chicago Cyclocross Series begins this Sunday at SCHILLER Woods (Picnic Grove #12), hosted by xXx Racing-Athletico. Note the venue change to SCHILLER Woods and not Caldwell Woods. We can’t wait to see everyone at SCHILLER WOODS!
  • Online pre-reg closes Friday night 9/30/2022 at midnight, but please don’t wait until the last minute.
  • We’ll have more info posted Thursday for the course preview.
  • And finally… a friendly reminder to please make sure you have your bikes tuned up, tyres filled with air, USAC licenses renewed, online waivers initialed within BikeReg, and gear bags ready. It’s been a while since we all raced with each other, so let’s get back into the rhythm.

Categories: News, Updates

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