Back again for his sophomore effort Dr. James Kearns brings us the 9th stop in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup at Emricson Park in Woodstock, IL.

• The Woodstock race is actually the Ed Brophy Memorial Cross for Life race and all proceeds go towards Leukemia and Cancer Research. With 339 of you pre-reg’d cancer doesn’t stand a chance! Someone call Lance!
• Dr. Kearns is a naprapath which is a doctor that specializes in treating muscle and skeletal pain. Hmmm, coincidence that he puts on a CX race. Want to know more, see the Dr’s site here.
• Both EAS and K-bar will be at the race to service your nutritional (and perhaps hand-ups) needs.
• If recovery drink and energy bars aren’t your bag there’s plenty to see, do, and eat in nearby downtown Woodstock. Check out the Chamber of Commerce site for more info.
• There is plenty of parking at Emricson Park (see map below) so please use it.
• Registration this year will be in a pop-up tent next to the Start/Finish and NOT in the warming hut near the pond. The hut should still be open though just in case you get cold… but given this weekend’s weather forecast we doubt it.
• The Woodstock course (below) is very spread out, but CX rules still apply. If you suffer a mechanical you must go forward on the course and you cannot cut across the park. The wheel/bike pit will be in the same location as last year… just beyond the S/F.
• The course runs clock-wise.
• Please pay attention when you are racing on Sunday. We know many of you are deep in oxygen debt while racing, but there are 4 (four) road crossings on the course. There will be course marshals at each crossing, but please look both ways before crossing. Better safe than sorry.
• Even though the course is quite spread out and long (~2 miles), the last 1/2 mile or so should provide the most excitement for spectators with lots off-camber sections, twists, and turns. If we were betting CCC’ers, we’d bet the best spectating spots will be just after the U-turn after the final road-crossing. We will bet however that you all will be more creative and enthusiastic in your hand-ups than the people in NJ last weekend.
• Just like last week we ask that if you’re hanging around after the race, please help us tear down the course so we’re not working in the dark.
• Congratulations to David Dokko for being the first person to have his picture taken in front of the CCC’s first billboard. David races in the 3’s and will receive a call up after the top 10 in the overall standings. Big thanks again to Walid Abu Ghazaleh & Van Wagner for the billboard space, and Luke Seemann for the fantastic photo.
• Remember we’re also giving Thanksgiving call-ups to anyone dressed as a pilgrim, a turkey, or a big bowl of stuffing. Sure, its not Halloween, but we can still have some fun!.
• We’re still collecting donations for World Bicycle Relief too, and a few people who have gone above and beyond will get special call-ups. For this race alone you all pitched in a we raised $430.65 (enough for over 3 whole bikes!) so it looks like we’re going to have to raise our donation goal a year ahead of schedule. For those playing at home… we’ve now collected over $800 from direct donations and that’s before we count the t-shirt money.
• Speaking of… yes, we’ll have the t-shirts at the race this weekend. If you ordered a shirt before mid-week it will be there waiting for you after the 30+ race.
• Finally, while we’ve got your attention, we know a few CCC’ers are looking for ride shares out to Jingle Cross next weekend. If you have room, want some good company, and need gas money please let others know in the comments below. Thanks!