CCC Tuesday Updates – 20210824
We didn’t cancel cyclo-cross, we’re just not holding the series.
Just a quick update to clear up any confusion about the CCC “series” vs. “races“. As most of you know, the CCC is a collection of CX events, each hosted by a separate and fantastic team/club/shop/promoter. The “series” does not actually run any of the individual events but sets minimum standards, coordinates race-day schedules/categories, maintains overall scoring, owns a very large quantity of plastic step in stakes, updates this website, awards series leaders jerseys & cowbells, hosts the after season party, etc. Think of the “series” as the NFL and each race as one of the teams in the league. You don’t really go to an NFL game, you go to a Bears game that’s part of the NFL. As Montrose Harbor race director Mark Zalewski notes, “It helps to think of the ‘series’ as not a race itself (bc it isn’t), but a collection of independent races (bc it is).”
Glenwood Academy (new SCW venue) and Groundhog Psi-clocross (PSIMET) plan to hold their events. Hopkins Park (Comrades Cycles) has already decided not to hold their event. The rest of the venues are tentative and TBD depending on how the Autumn progresses. We will keep the Schedule page updated throughout the season and have news updates here as we receive them.
In cancelling the “series” last week we did not cancel all Chicagoland CX races, just the overall aspect. If you were planning your big comeback this year to win an overall series title, then unfortunately you’re out of luck. If you’ve never really paid attention to the overall scoring and have never been on the front row of the staging grid, you probably won’t notice any difference if you choose to race this year.
If you have any questions at all please email us directly at [email protected]. Our inbox is always open. Enjoy the summer heat while its still here and keep riding your bikes!
Newcomer to the sport here. Got turned on to CX right at the end of the 2019 season (Montrose Harbor) and got the itch to try it. Bummed that there wasn’t a 2020 season but looking forward to racing CAT5 in the races that offered this season. After getting both soaked and lapped by other riders at yesterday’s practice at Montrose, I’m looking forward to growing some race legs and participating in the community. Seems fun. Hoping to see the Cup back in ’22.
That’s awesome, Mark. If you are not already registered, you should definitely come out this Sunday to Jackson Park to race Relay Cross, a 2-person cyclocross relay race. Relay Cross race is a great first time cyclocross race for beginners if you’re new to cross and/or racing off-road. The course is not very difficult, mainly as a result of the limited terrain in the small corner of Jackson Park that we use. Most of the course is on grass, and there is only one little tricky feature on the south end of the course that may be difficult to ride, but you can just jump off your bike and run through it. It’s what I do most of the time on that part. Secondly, the whole thing is just very low pressure.
It’s basically just a fun bike racing party with our friends.
Let us know if you need help finding a race partner, too. Find all the info here, including links to videos from past years:
https://xxxracing.org/relay-cross
Kevin, I may yet be signing up for Relay Cross. If I can get my schedule clear and partner up, then I’m in. I’ll let you know if I come up short on the partner front. Thanks!
Hi Mark, through what organization was the practice? Interested in knowing the details so that I can participate!