Great job Race Director Kevin and the whole xXx team on pulling the new race venue together. It went off very well and you deserve kudos from everyone in the CCC. Plus, some of us 90s CX racers got to enjoy a little nostalgia of racing at LaBagh Woods. Thanks from the VVCX
As a volunteer I was so impressed with the whole huge vibe today from top to bottom. Kevin twins (xXx Racing/Athletico) were so on game !
Fast racing to huge junior fields.
I’m sorry for spraying beer during the Cat. 5 race. Over the past couple of years, it seems that the Cat. 5 race has turned into this right of passage/hazing race that everyone should desperately try to cat out of. Sure, this is fun and all, but I took it too far. Every racer deserves the same chance at performing their best and I can totally see getting beer split on you ruining your race. If you got hit by beer, you are welcome to pour beer on me at Hopkins Park.
My seven-year-old was watching me ride in the cat 5 race and he told me all about the beer spraying. He thought it was hilarious. I ain’t mad – but then again I didn’t get sprayed.
We always sometimes post a thing or nothing to our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. facebook.com/WestTownBikes and @WestTownBikes Great to see everyone again.
Great job by Kevin and the staff for making it happen despite the Caldwell Woods call off. Kudos for all the arduous work and long hours! Thank you! I had a great time and I’m looking forward to Hopkins next!
Great job xXx/CCC/FPDCC, handled considerably better than Nationals in Austin. Geoff Scott from Spidermonkey-thank you for your amazing support of John this morning. Please email me so I can give you an update; [email protected]
Great vid! My fiance pulled me over to the right side as I was called up to staging in 4/5. She’d heard it was the place to be…. that little mud pit came out of nowhere. I think she’s trying to get rid of me!
Thanks to xXx, FPDCC, & ChiCrossCup! Great day of racing, one thing I noticed since results have been posted; those 150 dudes that preregistered for Cat4/5s don’t have any results posted. I’m sure they would like to get USAC & CCC pts. too…
I didn’t get a chance to tell Kevin in person, but agreed with others, turning around a race at a new venue in 48 hours time and having it go off perfectly was awesome. I know the course was still being built at 8:15, so to everyone who was working right up until the last second, THANKS!!!
Thanks for all the kind words, and thank YOU to everyone who comes out to these races and makes the Chicago CX community so great.
I would just ask that you PLEASE take a minute to say a couple other thank yous:
-To the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. They didn’t have to allow us a change of venue; it was totally within their right to simply cancel our event. They were understanding and flexible, and worked up to the last minute to get us a permit for LaBagh. @FPDCC on Twitter, or send a message via fpdcc.com/contact.
-Give a big shout out to Officers Smith and Harrington of the FPDCC police, who were super nice and enjoyed watching the races as well.
-HUGE thank you to Finch’s Beer Co. for sponsoring our beer garden. @FinchBeer
-If you got stretched out by Meghan from Athletico (best part of my day), say thanks at @Athletico
You’ll see Clif, Active Transportation Alliance, Freeman Kevenides Law Firm, Chicago Pizza Boss, Other Brother Coffee, SRAM, CarboRocket and a bunch of others out at many CCC races. Stop by, say hi, say thanks for all the free stuff.
From Team Bicycle Heaven… “he’s doing okay. He just sent an email to our group thanking everyone for all they did yesterday. I think he got knocked over at the start and he broke some ribs and punctured a lung. He’s doing okay, and I’m sure he will heal well. Sucks because he’s all about cross.”
Hi Scarf,
I’m the ss guy. Thanks for asking and yes, I’m OK. I have a bunch of broken ribs and punctured lung, which sounds bad but it’ll heal.
Thanks so much to all who helped me. It was scary at the time. But the medical guys did a great job getting me stabilized and settled down.
and finally, thanks to Kevin and XxX for a terrific race. It’s incredible that you pulled that off after the Caldwell Woods cancellation. Congrats and thanks for an awesome job.
Where are all the picture galleries?!! How the hell am I suppose to waste time not getting work done on a Monday if there are no galleries for me to spend hours pursuing photo after photo for a sliver of my left arm, hmmm? I can only stare out the office window for so long. Help a brother out. At this rate, I may actually have to get some more work done.
Coffeebaron – SnowyMountain Photography is uploading pics from the race yesterday as I type this. We will post a notification as a soon as the gallery is complete. Pics from the race help get all of us through Monday.
Nathan and Morleigh
Just wondering – did anyone else notice the first call-up in the men’s 4/5 race? Seems like the dude has the same name as a cat 2 racer from Bend, and got staged according to the cat 2’s CX points. Lucky guy!
This happened to several guys at the start. Send an email to crossresults to notify them. There were several slow guys staged at the front. Of course going forward, the staging will be first CCC, then Cross Results.
Anyone know the story of Speed Racer, the elder gentleman in the 4/5s? For all of us over 50, this guy is a real inspiration. Go Speed Racer, see you in Dekalb!!
During the 45+/55+ race Sunday my Ridley x-night B bike was racked with many others in the wheel pit. It was put there just before the race and removed directly after. When I went to wash stuff last night I discovered that apparently someone, possibly in a hurry and a bit careless had pulled their bike out, snagging the brake cable and breaking the adjuster, putting 2 gouges in the seatmast and worst of all, caught the left seatstay with a pedal or a skewer hard enough to actually break the carbon. I now own a junk x-night frame. Very disappointed that a fellow racer would do such a thing and walk away.
Where was your bike “racked?” Not saying this was your bike but I saw many bikes slung along the snow fencing that was the divider between the ‘race’ lane and the ‘pit’ lane. Not only did these bikes affect the integrity of the fencing (the weight of the bikes on the fencing pulled on the stakes and dropped the fence in places) but I witnessed multiple crashes in the race lane that went hard into a couple of pit bikes placed there.
This brings up a larger point — pit equipment etiquette and pit design as part of course design.
I know the course was thrown together at the last minute (hats to you xXx!) and a “reverse pit” direction was unavoidable (hence the desire to hang bikes on the fence-side of the pit lane), but bikes and wheels should be placed in the middle area for safety.
Also, now that we have the wonderful SRAM neutral race support at our service, course designers should plan for a much bigger pit area than in previous years, including a large middle area for racers’ pit bikes/wheels. (Again, 11th hour design didn’t help matters at LaBagh.) Look at what SCW does at Indian Lakes for a good example of pit size/design. Removing personal pit equipment after your category will also help keep the pit less cluttered.
Bummer about your bike’s demise, but you’ll get to have a new bike day now. And good etiquette getting your stuff out of there right after your race!
I had it racked in the center on the pipe rack. It was very crowded in there with probably 20 bikes in a 15 bike space. It required some care when adding or removing a bike so as not to cause damage. Not everyone cared.
Mark,
The pit was not nearly big enough. Needed to be at least 2x if not 3x bigger. I realize that this was a last minute change for the venue, but these are things that the USAC officials should catch also.
For what it’s worth, and it’s hardly consolation to you, but there are several outfits that can fix your bike for a reasonable amount. The repair is often stronger than the original tube. Ruckus Composites is one of the best out there.
Great job Race Director Kevin and the whole xXx team on pulling the new race venue together. It went off very well and you deserve kudos from everyone in the CCC. Plus, some of us 90s CX racers got to enjoy a little nostalgia of racing at LaBagh Woods. Thanks from the VVCX
As a volunteer I was so impressed with the whole huge vibe today from top to bottom. Kevin twins (xXx Racing/Athletico) were so on game !
Fast racing to huge junior fields.
Viva le dirt
Or something like that…. Finch me
Thanks to all the volunteers who put on a great race. With the added challenge of a last minute venue change you rocked it.
To the Cat. 5 racers,
I’m sorry for spraying beer during the Cat. 5 race. Over the past couple of years, it seems that the Cat. 5 race has turned into this right of passage/hazing race that everyone should desperately try to cat out of. Sure, this is fun and all, but I took it too far. Every racer deserves the same chance at performing their best and I can totally see getting beer split on you ruining your race. If you got hit by beer, you are welcome to pour beer on me at Hopkins Park.
Sorry.
Beer?? where the heck were you?? next time try to save me a little, I could have used some!!
My seven-year-old was watching me ride in the cat 5 race and he told me all about the beer spraying. He thought it was hilarious. I ain’t mad – but then again I didn’t get sprayed.
Good on you for putting this out there. Also, note that there are a lot of juniors in the 4/5 race and many people under 21.
We always sometimes post a thing or nothing to our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. facebook.com/WestTownBikes and @WestTownBikes Great to see everyone again.
Great job by Kevin and the staff for making it happen despite the Caldwell Woods call off. Kudos for all the arduous work and long hours! Thank you! I had a great time and I’m looking forward to Hopkins next!
Great job xXx/CCC/FPDCC, handled considerably better than Nationals in Austin. Geoff Scott from Spidermonkey-thank you for your amazing support of John this morning. Please email me so I can give you an update; [email protected]
Thank you xXx for keeping it together and providing another great season opener.
Masters 35+ (don’t overlap wheels)
https://youtu.be/Bz7ErymNIkY
Great vid! My fiance pulled me over to the right side as I was called up to staging in 4/5. She’d heard it was the place to be…. that little mud pit came out of nowhere. I think she’s trying to get rid of me!
Just want to jump on the bandwagon here with kudos to Kevin and everyone at XXX racing for everything they did to pull off our season opener.
Thanks to xXx, FPDCC, & ChiCrossCup! Great day of racing, one thing I noticed since results have been posted; those 150 dudes that preregistered for Cat4/5s don’t have any results posted. I’m sure they would like to get USAC & CCC pts. too…
Ohh, nvm, I see they will be posted later today 🙂
I didn’t get a chance to tell Kevin in person, but agreed with others, turning around a race at a new venue in 48 hours time and having it go off perfectly was awesome. I know the course was still being built at 8:15, so to everyone who was working right up until the last second, THANKS!!!
Thanks for all the kind words, and thank YOU to everyone who comes out to these races and makes the Chicago CX community so great.
I would just ask that you PLEASE take a minute to say a couple other thank yous:
-To the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. They didn’t have to allow us a change of venue; it was totally within their right to simply cancel our event. They were understanding and flexible, and worked up to the last minute to get us a permit for LaBagh. @FPDCC on Twitter, or send a message via fpdcc.com/contact.
-Give a big shout out to Officers Smith and Harrington of the FPDCC police, who were super nice and enjoyed watching the races as well.
-HUGE thank you to Finch’s Beer Co. for sponsoring our beer garden. @FinchBeer
-If you got stretched out by Meghan from Athletico (best part of my day), say thanks at @Athletico
You’ll see Clif, Active Transportation Alliance, Freeman Kevenides Law Firm, Chicago Pizza Boss, Other Brother Coffee, SRAM, CarboRocket and a bunch of others out at many CCC races. Stop by, say hi, say thanks for all the free stuff.
Cheers to a great kickoff of the CCC. See y’all at Hopkins Park (pre register NOW at https://www.bikereg.com/hopkinscx)-
Kevin
what happened with the SS guy who got carted off > he ok ?
From Team Bicycle Heaven… “he’s doing okay. He just sent an email to our group thanking everyone for all they did yesterday. I think he got knocked over at the start and he broke some ribs and punctured a lung. He’s doing okay, and I’m sure he will heal well. Sucks because he’s all about cross.”
Hi Scarf,
I’m the ss guy. Thanks for asking and yes, I’m OK. I have a bunch of broken ribs and punctured lung, which sounds bad but it’ll heal.
Thanks so much to all who helped me. It was scary at the time. But the medical guys did a great job getting me stabilized and settled down.
and finally, thanks to Kevin and XxX for a terrific race. It’s incredible that you pulled that off after the Caldwell Woods cancellation. Congrats and thanks for an awesome job.
Heal up quickly, John. We all hope to see you back on the bike soon.
Four short videos of the Women’s 4 and Junior race – Barriers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Mzuas2krU&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqKWCkMHM6Q&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-8qhGRpGNM&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttHbU1RxvN8&feature=youtu.be
Thanks Ronit for posting my better set of barriers. 🙂
Where are all the picture galleries?!! How the hell am I suppose to waste time not getting work done on a Monday if there are no galleries for me to spend hours pursuing photo after photo for a sliver of my left arm, hmmm? I can only stare out the office window for so long. Help a brother out. At this rate, I may actually have to get some more work done.
Coffeebaron – SnowyMountain Photography is uploading pics from the race yesterday as I type this. We will post a notification as a soon as the gallery is complete. Pics from the race help get all of us through Monday.
Nathan and Morleigh
You guys are awesome. Thanks for always doing this!
You guys rock. Thanks for always doing the photos!
Woo Woo!!
We’re done!
http://www.snowymountainphotography.com/Sports/Cyclocross/2015-Cyclocross/CCC0115LaBaughWoods/
Great shots as always!
Great stuff: http://www.snowymountainphotography.com/Sports/Cyclocross/2015-Cyclocross/CCC0115LaBaughWoods/
My first race back since severing my left patella tendon at Melas Park. It’s been a long road. So glad #CROSSISHERE!
Cat 4:
https://youtu.be/HNW14Mus5ME
Cat 4/5:
https://youtu.be/jmWenFwnbiE
Master 45+
https://youtu.be/-Y_dbLYkJ6M
What it looks like to start at the back of a 141 man field.
https://youtu.be/4P0l44jAV9Q
Really wish I could watch this.
Thanks to everyone involved in making this race happen!
Here are my videos from the men’s 4 and 4/5 races:
Cat 4:
https://youtu.be/pr7lY_3mXKQ
Cat 4/5
https://youtu.be/v91mq1JYCoM
Just wondering – did anyone else notice the first call-up in the men’s 4/5 race? Seems like the dude has the same name as a cat 2 racer from Bend, and got staged according to the cat 2’s CX points. Lucky guy!
This happened to several guys at the start. Send an email to crossresults to notify them. There were several slow guys staged at the front. Of course going forward, the staging will be first CCC, then Cross Results.
/Users/michaelkelly/Desktop/speed-racer-5.jpg
Anyone know the story of Speed Racer, the elder gentleman in the 4/5s? For all of us over 50, this guy is a real inspiration. Go Speed Racer, see you in Dekalb!!
Any other pics of the 4/5 race? Would love to see some of me suffering while running the last bit of the course. 🙂
During the 45+/55+ race Sunday my Ridley x-night B bike was racked with many others in the wheel pit. It was put there just before the race and removed directly after. When I went to wash stuff last night I discovered that apparently someone, possibly in a hurry and a bit careless had pulled their bike out, snagging the brake cable and breaking the adjuster, putting 2 gouges in the seatmast and worst of all, caught the left seatstay with a pedal or a skewer hard enough to actually break the carbon. I now own a junk x-night frame. Very disappointed that a fellow racer would do such a thing and walk away.
Where was your bike “racked?” Not saying this was your bike but I saw many bikes slung along the snow fencing that was the divider between the ‘race’ lane and the ‘pit’ lane. Not only did these bikes affect the integrity of the fencing (the weight of the bikes on the fencing pulled on the stakes and dropped the fence in places) but I witnessed multiple crashes in the race lane that went hard into a couple of pit bikes placed there.
This brings up a larger point — pit equipment etiquette and pit design as part of course design.
I know the course was thrown together at the last minute (hats to you xXx!) and a “reverse pit” direction was unavoidable (hence the desire to hang bikes on the fence-side of the pit lane), but bikes and wheels should be placed in the middle area for safety.
Also, now that we have the wonderful SRAM neutral race support at our service, course designers should plan for a much bigger pit area than in previous years, including a large middle area for racers’ pit bikes/wheels. (Again, 11th hour design didn’t help matters at LaBagh.) Look at what SCW does at Indian Lakes for a good example of pit size/design. Removing personal pit equipment after your category will also help keep the pit less cluttered.
Bummer about your bike’s demise, but you’ll get to have a new bike day now. And good etiquette getting your stuff out of there right after your race!
I had it racked in the center on the pipe rack. It was very crowded in there with probably 20 bikes in a 15 bike space. It required some care when adding or removing a bike so as not to cause damage. Not everyone cared.
Mark,
The pit was not nearly big enough. Needed to be at least 2x if not 3x bigger. I realize that this was a last minute change for the venue, but these are things that the USAC officials should catch also.
For what it’s worth, and it’s hardly consolation to you, but there are several outfits that can fix your bike for a reasonable amount. The repair is often stronger than the original tube. Ruckus Composites is one of the best out there.
Masters 55 plus first 1.5 laps and last lap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP3tJ3wzGh4
https://youtu.be/2dBAEYwM6OM
View from back of the pack. Cat 4 Race
I’m a little late to the party but here is some Cat 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXbJw6l0EKw
Cat 1/2/3 First Lap
#CrotchCam
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryc76dZuWi8&w=640&h=360%5D
Superior thinking deonastrmted above. Thanks!