– Lots of news on the series sponsor front. Please help us welcome the following companies/organizations below to the CCC family. Remember, if you’d like to join in too, please let us know by August 15th.

– EJ’s Place in Skokie – Juniors race free (again) thanks to EJ’s!
– Psimet Wheels – Custom handbuilt wheels.
– MOX Multisport – Bikes and more in downtown Chicago… with Mox Appeal.
– Van Wagner – For all your outdoor advertising needs… did someone say another CCC Billboard?
– Tipping Point Photography – ChiCross Photo Collective co-founder Liz Farina Markel takes pictures of things besides bikes too.

– Online registration is now open for the Sunday August 29th xXx Racing Relay Cross race here. Find info on xXx’s site here including the very important  race bible/tech guide. Make sure to take note of the specifics of the “high-five” rule, and that there will be LeMans style starts for each race. Many of the same categories as normal CCC races will be run, but the schedule is a bit different with the Cat 4’s race in the middle day, and what looks to be the main event, the Coed Open, finishing out the afternoon. And while this isn’t an official CCC race (so there are no series points), we’ll just go ahead and consider this the official kick off to the Chicagoland CX season. Get your cowbells and luchador masks ready… this one promises to be a wild event!

– Online registration is also open for the Sunday August 15th IIT Cyclocross Clinic with Jeremy Powers & Randy Warren. Jeremy and Randy have years and years of proven CX experience… and even better know how to transfer that accumulated knowledge to you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from two of the best. Rumor also has it that Adam Myerson will be in town and might be convinced to stop by for a little bit. Make sure to send Adam a note on twitter at @adammyerson to let him know how much we’d all like him to be there!

– There’s a new CX race up North on Saturday September 18th, the day before the Jackson Park CCC race. See the WCA schedule here. From promoter Ron Knaflic: “Saddle up, CXers as Lake Country Endurance brings you a new venue this year. After 13 years of Lapham Peak we are moving to a new pasture. We present to you The No Good Double Cross. Set in a mock Old West town, the course has sand, gravel, billy goats and features a stair runup to the a hilltop Chapel that will have you praying for one less lap. We at LCE are raising the bar this year, literally! The Jack*^# Saloon will be open, air conditioned and serving (legally of course) as well as the venue for awards. If that was not enough to get your spurs shined up, we will also be trying something new this year. Each race will feature a 2nd Lap Prime. Cash or prizes to be determined. Donations accepted. To see the town go to www.kettlemoraineranch.com”

– And finally… apparently we were wrong and no one is getting ready for CX season… which is a crying shame because we were really looking forward to another great season. Lucky for us, rumor has it Andrew Zens (of CBR fame) will be racing for bacon in the 4B’s. However, if you’ve ever seen Andrew near Pratt and Ridge after the Wednesday night MidWeekeGem then you know Andrew might be looking for something besides bacon during the carnival. Will this be your first season racing CX? We’d love to hear from you and what you’re doing to get ready. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.