– For the 5th year in a row the Carpenter’s Park race, hosted by Main St. Bicycles (owned by CCC director and all-rounder Jeff Provisor) & North Branch Cycling, will be held along side the Carpentersville Oktoberfest as stop #5 of the CCC. The festival will once again have a beer garden (which will of course be located right next to the course). Great food vendors, live music, raffles, kid rides (inflatables), a petting zoo, face painters, and much, much more. Note that Main Street Bicycles and North Branch Cycling have been hosting this race for 8 years – since 2005!

– Remember the previous day the CCC is just up the road in Wauconda at Psycho Cross. See the preview for Saturday’s race here. Online pre-reg on BikeReg.com is already closed for Psycho CX but closes tonight (Thursday) at midnight for Carpentersville.

– Registration should be in the NorthEast corner of the park not far away from the Staging/Start/Finish area. Masters 50+ pre-reg is still a little lite so we have opened up a few more Single Speed spots.

– The weather forecast looks fantastic, again.

– Jeff and the village of Carpentersville have asked that we please keep the beer drinking in the beer garden. It always seems there are a few people out there that can’t find access to the Interwebs, so if you see someone with a can or two of High Life on the other side of the course, please ask them to be respectful of the park, other spectators, and racers. Bacon and Twinkies are allowed and in fact encouraged to roam freely.

– Overflow parking will be East of the park – in the school lots off of Spring St (to the South), and at Cross Container off of Maple (to the North).

– The beer garden (did we mention there is beer) will be located on the NE side of the course. There will be many tasty food options as well… oh if only Kenny’s famous Chubby Spud could be in attendance.

–  $2.00 I.D. wrist band fee to purchase adult beverages in the Beer Garden, proceeds go to the FISH Food Pantry.

– Bring a canned food item for the local food pantry, and the $2.00 I.D. wrist band fee to purchase adult beverages in the Beer Garden will be waived.

– For all you kids who aren’t yet old enough to race in the 10-14 category, Activator Biycle Club returns to host another Free Kiddie Ride held just after 1:30pm. Just bring your bike and a helmet!  Also for the kiddies, a huge inflatable jumpy thing to keep ’em busy & happy for .50 cents a ride.

– Carpentersville Rotary is hosting a Futterung (feeding) at a spot near the beer garden, so look for your treat coupons “fished” out to you during the race to redeem for a tastie treat at the Rotary booth. Now more categories will enjoy the thrill of a “hand out” with out breaking any rules.

– Todd Bustead is back on the mic, adding his flair and excitement for the sport to the cross commentary.

– Womens 1/2/3 payouts will be scaled  just the same as the Cat 1/2/3 race based on pre reg entries. Junior and Cat 4B categories will have prizes as well, so don’t forget to collect!

– The Course: This year’s course will be similar to last year with such class Carpentersville features as creek crossings, one of the CCC’s longer sand pits, and a little nub of a hill which is always great for spectating and taking photos. No sand pit this year as the village keeps mulching it so the sand does not suck anymore. Bigger and better for 2012 the course will again shoot riders through dirt rollers (pump/rhythm section). Take notes from Sven Nys here (0:11).

– Back again for another year race promoter Ted Schweitzer returns with Verdigris Village CX to host stop #4 of the CCC with their Psycho Cross race in Wauconda at the Golf Farm. The race also has a website at: www.psychocrosschicago.com. Pre-reg closes tonight at midnight on BikeReg.com.

– Speaking of night time… Ted also brings back his night race this year on Friday. The Friday Night Race is not part of the CCC series (so no points to gain or lose), but will surely be fun for those of you looking to get in a little more racing. The course will be lit, but please bring your own lights. Camping spaces are available for $10.00 per person. Online pre-reg is on BikeReg here and additional details can be found here on the PsychoCross website. Just a few of the things happening Friday night…

• Goody bags for all entrants
• Announcing by Verdigris-Village CX Team Boss-Man, Vincenzo Boyer
• Alternative race means you can use any bike, think: tandems, recumbents, fat-tire bikes, Sting Rays, fat-tire recumbents, etc.
• Special prizes for the man, woman, and junior with the brightest lights on their bikes (the most lumens, not the most amount of individual lights)
• New for 2012, racing through a nighttime sand pit
• Disco ball, DJ, smoke machine, and bubble machine for the night creatures
• There is a bar and a restaurant on the premises of The Golf Farm
• The “Bridge of Sighs” flyover returns – complete with Christmas lights – for it’s third showing
• Swag/prizes/ primes from: Uvex (helmets and glasses), Clement Cycling (tires), SockGuy (guess?), Cateye (computers and lights) Profile Design (handlebars and stuff); BaileyWorks (messenger bags), Paceline Products (t-shirts, beer cozies, Chamois Butt’r), Krieg Cycling (seat bags), SRAM (hats and shirts), Gore BikeWear (socks and glove), Knog (lights)  and more
• Dogs welcome
• Discounted rate on rooms at the Holiday Inn Express at: 197 South Rand Road in Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047. (847) 726-7500. Great place to stay if someone if racing Psycho Cross After Dark and then Psycho Cross 2012, and then also racing Carpenter Park in Carpentersville, as the Holiday Inn is roughly between The Golf Farm, where Psycho Cross is being held and Carpentersville.

– Speaking of more CX racings… on Sunday the CCC travels just down the road to Carpentersville. See the preview for Sunday’s race tomorrow. Online pre-reg on BikeReg.com closes for Carpentersville tomorrow (Thursday) at midnight.

– Travel Times: There is often road construction and occasional major traffic backups in the vicinity of Route #12 (Rand Road) and Old McHenry road, as well as other construction in the area: Route #12 (Rand Road) south of Rt. #22 in Lake Zurich, Midlothian Road in Hawthorn Woods, and Lake Cook Road in Deerfield. Please plan accordingly as registration for each race closes 30 minutes prior to the start of each race.

– Per the owner of The Golf Farm, please leave your beer coolers and/or grills at home. This is private land and there is a restaurant/bar, so we have to play by the owner’s rules. The main parking will be on the South side of the course. Limited parking is available next to the restaurant/bar.

– Verdigris Custom Homes’ “Bridge of Sighs” will be riders’ main obstacle for the day. The flyover is 22’ tall, 51’ long, and 11’ wide with 13 steps that lead you to the top.

– The Gold Farm is a full service facility with a bar, restaurant, and of course bathrooms. Please use them all.

– Weather looks full on CX so please dress accordingly and bring a change or changes of warm, dry clothes.

– Masters 50+ pre-registration is a little lite so we have opened up a few more Single Speed slots.

– The Course: There isn’t a terrible amount of terrain to speak of but Ted and the Verdigris Village CX crew have been very creative in designing a fast power course with all the trimmings including grass, sand, dirt, gravel, mulch, twists, turns, straightaways, did we mention sand, and of course the flyover.

– This Sunday stop #3 of the CCC heads to Chicago’s South side at Dan Ryan Woods. Hosted by Beverly Bike-Vee Pak.

– Due to a few scoring errors we were unable to distribute the Pactimo Leaders Jerseys at Hopkins Park. If you are in the overall lead of your category and don’t have a jersey (i.e. W123, W4, Jr10-14, & 4A), please see us at registration BEFORE your race so we can get your jersey to you.

– Also Juniors… a word from the Cuttin’ Crew about your medals/ribbons/prizes/awards.

– Food: For all pre-registered racers BBVP will have free Mild Italian Sausage, Bratwurst, of All Natural Vegan Links from the Missing Sausage Link. BBVP is paying for all of this food… so please eat it!

– In addition to BBVP’s tasty free food, the good folks at Brand BBQ will have their food truck on-site in the afternoon with other delicious options.

– Water: BBVP and RR will not be supplying water (saving the world with less plastic). There are two water fountains on site but hydration might be important with the warm weather forecast. CarboRocket will be on site in the morning with coffee and mix.

– Neutral support from Beverly Bike and Ski will be at registration.

– Parking: Parking is free and the best spots are off of the 8500 S Western Ave entrance to the park… follow parking lot to the South.

– The Chicago Marathon is being run on Sunday so please plan your travel times to and from the race accordingly.

– Pre-ordered 2012 CCC series t-shirts as well as socks, coffee mugs, and embro will be available for pick up. Please see us at the microphone.

– Online pre-reg on BikeReg.com closes tonight at midnight. Please remember on site registration closes 30 minutes prior to each race’s start time. Women 1/2/3 pre-reg is currently at 28 riders so BBVP will be matching the women’s payout to the Cat 1/2/3’s for the 500 racer tier.

– Stop two of the 2012 CCC takes us to Hopkins Park hosted by North Central Cyclery, Axletree, Half Acre Cycling, and Robots Powered by Love. Driving out to beautiful Dekalb is well worth it for the flyover alone.

– Since the CCC now has a Single Speed category there will be no OUILSSSCXC (Officially Unofficial IL State Single Speed CX Championships).

– The World Famous Half Acre Cycling Bake Sale returns for another year. Both veg and non-veg options will be available for purchase.

– Did we mention the flyover? Yep, its back and the weather looks delightful for CX.

– Driving can sometimes be tricky due to construction along Interstate 88 and this year looks the same, so give yourselves plenty of time to get out to Dekalb.

– AXLETREE and North Central Cyclery will be sponsoring a kid’s race at 1:45PM, during the Cat 1/2/3 race. Short course with short barriers for short legs, and everyone is a winner!

-Lots of additional payouts! Hopkins Park is matching the Women 1/2/3 to the Cat 1/2/3 race and also awarding a separate payout for the Women 3 AND having a separate Women 3 podium. So get your cameras ready there will be plenty podium time. The fine print: In the event a Women Cat 3  finishes in the top five of the W1/2/3 race, she will be awarded the larger the two payouts, but not double payout.

– Speaking of podiums, Women 4 & Juniors podiums  will be held at 2pm to allow the officials enough time to sort out the 3 different categories. Women 1/2/3, Women 3, 50+, 60+, & Single Speed podium will be at 12:15pm. So go get cleaned up, get out of your chamois, pick up some food at the bake sale, and come back for your podiums at the correct times.

– Look for the Pactimo Series Leader Jerseys in EVERY race. It will take slightly longer to calculate the overall standings after each race so unless the current jersey holder wins their race we’ll announce and award the leaders jersey after final results are posted (i.e. not at the same time as the podiums).

– Remember the Women Cat 4 and the Cat 4A fields are both racing for the Mad Alchemy First Lap Hot Legs Sprints. You will receive instructions on the start line for where the sprint line will be, but we’re told it may be at the bottom of the other side of the flyover… so you have to get up and over the wooden monster first!

– Staging will follow CCC series protocol in the following order: CCC series points, CrossResults.com points, then order of registration. Remember CrossResults.com points are only applied if you pre-reg (and use your correct USAC license #) so get on it. Online pre-reg on BikeReg closes tonight at midnight.

– Waitlists are only on-site on Sunday. Get there early if your want a spot!

– If you pre-order your CCC Merchandise; tshirts, socks. coffee mugs, and embro… sorry but the CCC will NOT have merch at Hopkins Park, however we will be back and distributing all the goods at Dan Ryan Woods.

– The course will follow the same basic route as last year, in a figure-8 pattern afforded by the flyover. Hopkins Park will be making some changes to the “flow” of the course to make a better balance between power and skill. Expect some sections that will be fast if you have the fitness to put down the power through them. The equipment pit will be right-hand entry so as not to require you to cross the course to get to it.

– You high fived and raced at the CX Relay (also hosted by xXx Racing)… you road tripped and raced at Patriot CX… now its time for the big leagues. This SATURDAY starts off the 9th season of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup, once again in Jackson Park and hosted by xXx Racing. Please show up on Saturday and NOT Sunday.

– Remember the parking lot next to the course is OFF LIMITS and you’ll need to park across the street in the metered lot (it only costs about $9-10 for all day). We don’t want anyone getting a ticket, so you’ve been warned. If that lot fills up, there is parking to the west of the course on Hayes Drive and to the East of Lake Shore Drive.

– Please note that the CARA 20-mile run will again be taking place along the Lakefront Path on Sunday morning. xXx and the CCC urge all CX’ers riding down to Jackson Park for the race to exercise due caution and courtesy when traveling along that route. False alarm, the CARA run is on Sunday. Please still be careful on the bike path.

– The CCC is trying to be green… take a look under the floor mats of your car, dig into to seat cushins and bring your own safety pins to properly attach your bib number. Mother earth thanks you!

– Online pre-registration on BikeReg.com (say it with us… Bik Rej… like REGistration) closed last night at midnight. Entry fees increase $5 on race day. Huge thanks to the 662 of you (most # of CCC pre-reg’s ever, beating last year’s JP number of 628) that have already pre-reg’d. If you show up early in the morning, please let the 40+ racers pick up their bib numbers first since they start promptly at 8:45am. Also thanks to the 7 of your that donated to WBR when registering. If you’d like to donate your race winnings to our WBR drive, please see us after your race.

– Don’t forget Activator Cycle Club will be hosting a kiddie fun ride around 1:40pm for the under 10 crowd.

– Series sponsor CarboRocket will be out on Saturday with big coolers of CarboRocket mix and coffee (in the morning). Swing by and fill up your bottle, mug, or canteen. Temps are forecast to be in the lower 70’s with an 100% chance of awesome, but we all need to stay hydrated.

– Food. There are NOT a lot of food options in the immediate vicinity of the park, so please bring your own… or better yet ask a food truck to stop by.

– Again year we are running 100 rider field limits in all categories. In combined fields (Women 1/2/3, Masters 50+/60+, Single Speed and Women 4 & Juniors) that means only 100 riders are allowed on course at one time. We will likely hitting 100 riders in both of these fields, and xXx will be maintaining waitlists for all fields. Both Cat 4 fields are already filled, the Cat 3’s are nearly 90, and 40+ & 30+ are in the lower 70’s. That’s a lot of people to keep track of so please help us in every way possible (i.e. don’t lose your bib #, show up on time, etc)!

– Concerning waitlists… we’ll start waitlists for each filled category (SS, Juniors, Cat 4A, Cat 4B) when registration opens at 7:30am. First come first served. 30 minutes before each race is scheduled to start (yes, even if we’re running a little behind we will still close reg at the scheduled time) we’ll close out the race and reassign bib numbers to those on the waiting list. If you are pre-reg’d and show up after this time your bib will already have been reassigned and you will NOT be allowed to race. Period. If you are racing more than once and would like to give your number up to someone else so they have a chance to enjoy the thrill of heckles and whatever else goes on, thank you, and we certainly can accommodate that. Just make your way to registration as soon as possible and the reg staff will switch you in start list (just don’t give your number to the other guy/gal… you both can be DQ’d by USAC and no one wants that!).

– Please remember to register for the correct category/age group. We cannot allow you to race outside your cat/age group and the reg staff will be checking licenses thoroughly all day long. If you have a question, please ask us or a USAC official.

– Concerning call-ups… as mentioned previously we will be staging by straight CrossResults.com points and order of registration for all categories. See our thorough discussion of the topic in our post here and our standard staging procedure here. Remember CCC staging grids are 8 lanes wide. Preliminary staging info will be posted here as soon as we wrangle all the data and make sure everyone reg’d for the correct category.

– Concerning reg’ing for the correct category… no, you may not race Cat 3 if you are a Cat 4… and vice versa. Also, your CX age for the 2012 season is your age on 12/31/2013. Juniors (and their parents) please take note of this rule. Juniors 10-14 riders may race up in age with the Junior 15-18’s… but not the other way around.

– Concerning the 80% rule… we ask the USAC officials to leave as many riders in the race for as long as possible. However, pulling riders is still at their discretion in line with USAC rules. If you are told you are being pulled (always near the start/finish)… please exit the course immediately. You will still be scored and given a laps down designation.

– If you decided not to finish the race on your own volition, please let a USAC official know so you can be marked as DNF. This makes scoring the entire race a lot easier. Note that DNF’s count against your CrossResults.com score, so hang in there and finish your race!

– Full results will be posted on the CCC Results Board at the race (somewhere near registration) and online at usacycling.org/results later Sunday evening. Series standings will be posted here (please bookmark it) following each race. Remember we’re presenting podiums to the top 3 in each race immediately before the next race. So if you are in the top 3, head to the podiums right after you’re done ripping legs off. The Spidermonkeys will be presenting awards to both Juniors categories.

– We are also awarding Pactimo Series Leader Jerseys to ALL CATEGORIES. Determining the series leader at the first race is easy (the winner of the race, duh) and we’ll present the jersey on the podium. So if you won, please be present. You may even get a kiss from a podium girl.

– Juniors, remember the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew will also have extras for you.

– In addition to all of that we once again have Mad Alchemy First Lap Hot Leg primes for the Women Cat 4’s and Cat 4A’s. First rider across the line at a pre-determined spot on the first lap wins a tub of Mad Alchemy embrocation.

– The CCC will of course be on Twitter all day… so feel free to follow us for up-to-the-minute updates.

– The CCC is supported by many, many, many generous series sponsors (34 in all so far!), many of whom will personally be attending and racing at Jackson Park. If you see one, please make sure to stop and say thank you for their continued support. Our little series would NOT be possible without them.

– We will have all CCC merchandise pre-orders available for pick up on Saturday. T-shirts, Socks, embro, coffee mugs. We will also have a limited supply of merch for purchase

– Below is the tentative 2012 Jackson Park course brought to you by the great minds of xXx Racing. The course is essentially the same as the CX Relay race but will obviously have a different start and staging grid. The staging grid will be next to the parking lot. Please remember the map below is only an approximation as we may need to make adjustments on race day. The course runs clockwise. The wheel/bike pit is dual sided and currently SW of finish line.

– And finally… thanks to everyone for coming out and racing the Chicago Cyclocross Cup… again! 2009 was a banner year… 2010 was enormous and great, 2011 was even more nuts… and we’re guessing 2012 will definitely be our biggest, best, and fastest #YearOfSpeed yet. So let’s race, cheer, heckle, and have a great time! See you SATURDAY!

– This Sunday is the 3rd installment of xXx Racing’s CX Relay race. Pre-reg closed last night but there are still spots open in all categories except the 30+ and Co-Ed Open (last race of the day), both of which will have Day-Of wait lists. Day-Of reg incurs a $15 late fee… so bring your cash dollars. See your competition and all the crazy team names here.

– Also, be sure to read the tech guide for all the specific rules that apply to this unique event. Check xXxRacing.org or Facebook/RelayCross for more info.

– Still looking for a buddy to high five? Leave your request in the comments below and maybe you’ll get lucky.

– Due to some restrictions and other events taking place at the park the venue for this year’s course is across Hayes drive to the South from last year.

– Also, for some reason the CPD will not allow anyone to park in the boat ramp parking lot. YOU WILL BE TOWED! Let us repeat that… DO NOT PARK IN THE BOAT RAMP PARKING LOT right next to the course. Sure you can drop off people, or equipment, or your 23 pairs of wheels, but then you have to park across the street. Parking is available on the streets, the lot north of Hayes Dr. (last year’s location), and the lot east of Lake Shore Drive.

– Remember the parking lots around Jackson Park are metered, but only costs about $10 for all day. We don’t want anyone getting a ticket, so you’ve been warned. However, did we mention the boat ramp lot south of Hayes Drive is off limits?

– This should go without saying but PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN CROSS THE STREET FROM THE PARKING LOTS TO THE RACE COURSE!

– Please note the Chicago Triathlon will again be taking place along the Lakefront Path on Sunday morning. xXx and the CCC urge all CX’ers riding down to Jackson Park for the race to exercise due caution and courtesy when traveling along that route. If traveling by car, you should probably try another route besides LSD especially North of the city.

– Like every year the CCC and xXx Racing are trying to be green… take a look under the floor mats of your car, dig into to seat cushins and bring your own safety pins to properly attach your bib number. But how will you remember to bring pins each week? Purchasing a patch kit, patch all those tubes you’ve been meaning to patch for months, put all your pins in the little plastic box, keep the box in your gear bag… done.

– Looks like we’re in for some weather on Sunday. Dress appropriately for before, during, and after your race, and learn to make friends with a tent… or a large umbrella.

– Speaking of gear, if you need CCC socks, embro, or coffee mugs we’ll have a few for sale onsite. If you want to make sure you get some email us and we’ll make sure to reserve your items for you.

– Podiums will be awarded immediately after the conclusion of each race and before the start of the next race. So if you finish in the top three head straight to the podiums (look for the CCC flags) after your race so we can stay on schedule.

– Before we start racing… let’s review a few rules of engagement (the same every year). Yes, we’re all racing, yes many of us are aggressive, yes you will fall down, yes the officials might not get your placing correct, and yes tempers might flair here and there… but remember first and foremost we’re all out there to have some fun and enjoy each other’s company. So please smile, have a lot of fun, and enjoy this precious time we have together. Oh, and don’t forget the high fives and handups… even if you’re not racing.

– As with previous years, the Relay Cross has a LeMans start, where one teammate runs to the transition area to get their bike.

– The CX relay course will look about like this, but not exactly. xXx Racing did a great job planning out the course using as much of the park as possible, but there’s not a lot of park to use in the first place. The NEW Jackson Park course is a combination of power sections, turns, and barriers. Run mostly on grass, there are a few paved areas as well as some tight turns among the trees. The new location, SOUTH of Hayes Drive, is spectator-friendly, allowing viewing of 75% of the course from the start-finish area.

– Is this the last race of 2011 season or the first of the 2012 season? We’ll let you be the judge but we’re going to have a good time either way! This weekend the Chicago Cyclocross Cup hosts the 2011 Chicago Cyclocross Cup New Year’s Resolution presented by the Chicago Cyclocross Cup… too much? We at the CCC encourage everyone to bundle up, bring your cowbells and cameras, and spend the weekend at the wonderful Hilton Indian Lakes Resort (ILR)… which means the Cat 4’s should show up early and heckle the 40+ field, and the Masters should stick around and cheer on the Cat 4’s. Plenty to discuss below so you may want to fuel up before proceeding…

– Tech Guide: Pretty much everything you need to know is here. We didn’t write this thing for fun, so please review it. More info is also on our NYR page here.

– Registration: Online pre-reg closed last night at midnight. For the locals, we’ll be running reg the same way as every other CCC race. Please allow all 40+ & 50+ racers to reg first since they have to get ready first. If you’re coming out to race for the first time or you’re traveling in from another part of the country (or Canada) we’re glad you’re here. Just bring your USAC and/or Intl license to the registration room (yes we accept the USAC phone app). If you pre-reg’d we’ll have your USAC release form pre-filled for you in a big blue binder. Sign your release, grab your number and go. Day-Of registrants will need to see the lovely MsChiCrossCup behind the computer to be entered into a race.

– Speaking of the USAC phone app, if you are racing on Sunday (1/1/12) PLEASE renew your annual USAC license online at USACycling.org before arriving at the venue. Annual licenses purchased on or after 12/1/11 are good until 12/31/2012 and you must have a 2012 license to race on Sunday 1/1/12.

– Waitlists:  The Cat 2/3 and Junior 15/18 races are in the same starting wave and we have a 100 rider field limit on course at the same time. If you missed out we’ll be running a waitlist both days. See the ‘Registration’ section in the tech guide for a full explanation of the Day-Of waitlist procedure.

– UCI Staging: Staging for the UCI Women and Men races is by UCI points and then drawing random lots for riders without UCI points. If you do NOT have UCI points you need to make sure you draw your random lot, otherwise you will be staged at the back of the field.

– Amateur Staging: The NYR is NOT a CCC series race and we will be using CrossResults.com points to stage all amateur categories. While we will post full results to USAC Saturday evening those results will NOT update CrossResults.com points for Sunday. Hey, its New Year’s Eve, we want to celebrate too!

– Preliminary staging for all categories for both days (except random staging for UCI racers w/out UCI points and obviously day-of registrants) will be posted here no later than Friday morning (12/30/11). Please note there are two worksheets (one for Saturday, one for Sunday). Also, since we don’t have onsite access to the CrossResults.com points database, all non-UCI day-of registrants will be staged at the back of their fields based on order of registration.

– Podiums presentations for each race will occur immediately after each race finish on the stage near the finish line (part of the large gray trailer… you can’t miss it), so pay attention during and after your race, we may be calling your name! The full prize list will be posted at registration on race day.

– Results: Results will be posted to USACycling.org here the evening after each race. If time permits we may update results throughout the day. Results are NOT just about your placing though. As with all other CCC series and Chicagoland races we’ll have posts up here on the CCC site each afternoon where we encourage you to post links in the comment section to your Flickr/Picasa/etc pictures & videos and race reports/blogs.

– Weather: Well, we were preparing for the worst and somehow lucked out. The forecast for the weekend has temps in the low to mid 40’s with partly sunny skies. We’re sure many of you were hoping for several feet of snow to show off your new fat bikes, but it just wasn’t meant to be. That being said, make sure to bring plenty of warm clothes for after your race so you can stick around and heckle.

– Speaking of… you will be heckled… period. You might not even be racing when it happens. If you’re coming in from out of town and haven’t experienced Chicago’s style of  CX heckling, at best you may be taken aback, and at worst quite offended. If you thought Georgia Gould took some good digs earlier in the season, you haven’t seen nothin’ yet. But don’t worry, its all just for fun… but we’ll let Chicago’s head heckler and the Don Rickles of CX… Mr. Rob Curtis of PSIMET explain.

– If you’re into more professional presentations… Richard Fries and Todd Busteed will be announcing the race, and Kelly Minx Riordan will be hostessing the awards and podiums.

– Our friends at SRAM will be pouring free hot chocolate at their tent in Pro-Row in the morning to help take off some of the chill. Swing by, say hello, and check out & ride the new Red Grouppo!

– Speaking of… everyone’s favorite mechanic Jose Alcala will be manning the equipment pits both days with SRAM Neutral support. We don’t expect too much mud (if any), but if there is some ILR will have their golf cart washing hose turned on up near the clubhouse.

– Merchandise: If you ordered CCC merchandise you can pick it up in the registration room. We will also have CCC Contigo coffee mugs, CCC signature Mad Alchemy Embrocation, and CCC Sock Guy socks for sale. Cash, check, or credit!

– The Hotel: There’s a big reason we’re hosting a cyclocross race on a golf course in suburban Illinois on New Year’s Eve and Day… the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort and casino. ILR has many amenities including hotel rooms mere steps away from the course, indoor bathrooms, showers, two restaurants, a spa, pool, a hottub (looking at you Jeremy Powers), plenty of parking, and last but certainly not least… The Cave. There is WiFi in the hotel but the signal isn’t great outside of the main lobby in some of the guest rooms. We suggest bringing an Ethernet cable. ILR will be running an all day buffet special at the Master’s Clubhouse adjacent to the registration room and finish line. There’s also a bar in case you want to, you know, ring in the new year a little early.

– Speaking of, the CCC will be hosting an informal party and meet & greet with several pro (and non-pro) riders at the The Cave bar (in the hotel atrium) Saturday evening. Stop by to have a drink, say hello to old and new friends, and ring in the New Year in the best way we know how… with a CX party.

– Course Crossings: There are four official pedestrian course crossings. Please use them to cross the course safely. We still need a few course marshals as well. Please contact us if you have some time to spare on race day.

– Bathrooms: Spot-a-pots, Port-o-lets, Lepri-cans… call them what you will. Several are located right next to the staging area. Indoor bathrooms (and showers) are just inside the clubhouse doors to the right, close to registration.

– The Course: The CCC series race at ILR in November is a perennial favorite. Sand traps, fairways, roughs, a little mud, dodging flying golf balls… ILR has it all. The NYR course is slightly different (thankfully no one will be golfing) and goes the opposite direction (anti-clockwise) but uses many of the same course features including, yes, the sand traps. After racing at Badger Cross on the tentative CX Nationals course we tweaked the NYR course to better prepare racers for next weekend in Verona, WI. Staging is on the asphalt cart path at the Northern most edge of the course. The entrance to the staging grid is on the North section of crowd barriers, adjacent to Pro-Row. The course will be ready for pre-riding Friday afternoon.

– The NYR course runs anti-clockwise and can be broken into 4 sections… 1 power section followed by 1 power/technical section, 1 technical section, and then a final power section.

1. The start takes the course on a quick trip through Club Row and then heads up a small incline and past the Finish Line. A sweeping dog-leg left takes the course around a set of t-boxes to the first grass section. Winding around to the left the course passes to the opposite side and tail end of Club Row and heads South out onto the course proper. After a few off camber turns the first real obstacle is the off camber hill located at the far South West corner of the course.
2. The course then straightens out in a fast power section heading towards the Eastern edge of ILR’s property. Two 180’s and then then course winds back to the first entrance to the equipment pits.
3. After exiting the pits the course doubles back on itself to the inside and heads South again. After the first two crushed limestone sand pits riders will be greeted by the one and only UCI regulation maximum height double barriers. Making full use of all of the terrain and 3 other sand pits the course twist and turns its way back to the main incline at the South Western edge of the course. Any wet weather will cause this section (actually on the driving range) to become muddy.
4. After negotiating the hill for the 2nd and last time the course straightens out into the final long, par 4, power section heading straight towards the finish and Club Row. After a quick trip through several real sand pits the course turns 90 degrees to the right for a final pass through the equipment pits. A sweeping 180 to the left on the cart path turns the course back to the West, past the staging grid and Club Row, and up the small incline to the finish line.

– This SATURDAY Robots Powered by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew bring CX racing back to Humboldt Park in Chicago in the form of Afterglow – a Cyclocross Race.

– After last year’s sub-freezing temperatures and several inches of ice and snow the weather forecast for this weekend looks absolutely delightful. If you can, please ride to the course, but definitely bring an extra set of warm and dry clothes (you know, for the party afterwards).

– Online pre-reg has been pushed back and closes tomorrow (Friday) at 11am. Day of registration and number pickup opens at 9am inside the fieldhouse. DO NOT bring your bicycles inside (sorry, Chicago Parks rules). There will be a bicycle hangbar on the veranda. Please be courteous to other park users inside the fieldhouse and wipe your shoes.

– Please also DO NOT park in the fieldhouse lot, which is reserved for race staff and officials. There’s plenty of parking on Luis Munoz drive in the park, just on the outside of the course.

– The Fatbike category has been changed to Fatbike Etc, and will be allowing fatbikes, tandems, cargobikes, etc! Registration fee is per-bike, but both riders need to fill out USAC release forms and require a one-day or annual USAC license to compete. Same-day fees apply!

– Just like the wild, wild west of yesteryear in the CCC there will be No call-ups or staging. As with all CCC races, bib numbers will go on your LEFT side. Please bring your own safety pins!

– There will of course be an equipment pit but no neutral support. Wheels/bikes in, wheels/bikes out.

– Remember, this is Chicago Park property and there is a no alcohol policy on park grounds.

– Don’t forget the greatest grudge match of all time! Forget Armstrong vs Basso. Supergirl vs Perkins is the biggest knock-down, drag-out fight you can imagine. See details here.

– Afterglow Afterparty fundraiser for West Town Bikes CX will be at Division Street Bar and Grill (2525 W Division Street) who has kindly donated gift cards for the winners of most of the races! Due to some sensitivity surrounding the sponsor, the fundraiser is 21+. Perfect place for a post-race meal and getting jolly. In addition, you can give a few bucks for the cause when you register or at the race! DSB&G is opening early for us so come over and grab a bite and a beer! New Belgium Brewing is sponsoring this fundraiser for West Town Bikes! 

– The Course: Counter-clockwise. A great mix of grass, mulch, sand, bog, sand, hills, and more grass. See the map here.

Photo: Luke Seemann

– One more to go! Turin Bicycle once again hosts the last stop in the 2011 Chicago Cyclocross Cup… which just happens to also be the Illinois State CX Championships at Montrose Harbor. You all have been racing all season long with plenty of ups, downs, highs, lows, podiums, crashes, heckles, and new this year… mud… and we’ve finally made it to the finalé. We at the CCC and Turin again ask everyone to bundle up, bring your cowbells and cameras, and make a day out of Montrose… which means the Cat 4’s should show up early and heckle the 40+ field, and the Masters should stick around and cheer on the Cat 4’s. Lots to review below, so buckle up…

– Registration: We’ll be running reg the same way as every other CCC race. Please allow all 40+ racers to reg first since they have to get ready first. If you’re coming out to race for the first time (great!) just follow the lead of one of the local yocals. The Cat 4A’s and 4B’s fields are full but we’ll run wait lists starting Sunday morning. As of this morning there are 548 of you pre-reg’d (we AND Turin thank you!), which is already more than last year. Online pre-reg closes tonight at midnight… so if you’re not yet reg’d, do everyone (yourself included) a favor and reg now! Ballpoint pens don’t work so well in 29 degrees.

– Staging: Since we know down and mid-state IL riders can’t make it up to Chicago every weekend but may still be racing outside of Chicagoland, similar to last year we will use CrossResults.com points to help w/ staging. The difference is that this year we will stage ALL riders, just as we have been doing since Dan Ryan Woods (wow, that seems like a long time ago). See the procedure here. Staging at Montrose will incorporate CrossResults.com points for those riders (especially from downstate, but even out of state) without CCC series points. Riders with OUT CCC series points in a category but better (lower) CrossResults.com points will be staged ahead of riders WITH CCC series points in that category and worse (high) CrossResults.com points. Riders in the CCC overall who have better CrossResults.com standings than other riders in the CCC overall will NOT move up in position… you keep your overall CCC position.

– For example: Rider A has a CrossResults score of 205 and 150 CCC series points. Rider B has a CrossResults score of 204 and zero CCC series points. Rider B will be staged in front of Rider A. Now lets say Rider C has a CrossResults score of 202 and 145 CCC series points. Rider A will still be staged before rider C.

– Preliminary staging will be posted here no later than Saturday.

– State Champion Requirements: The CCC along with Turin and the ICA will be presenting 13 CX State Champion Jerseys (on the podiums) to the first IL rider to cross the finish line in every category (excluding the 4B’s). This means Juniors 15-18 AND Juniors 10-14… boys AND girls. Remember that in order to win the state championship you must be a permanent Illinois resident (we’ll be checking ID’s), a US citizen, and hold a valid and unsuspended 2011 USAC annual license before the start of the race (yes, we’re looking at you Cat 4’s). There must also be a full podium of IL riders (that means 3) to win the state jersey. This should not be a problem, except possibly in the Girls 15-18 Junior race.

– Speaking of… as of today (12/1/12) you can start renewing your annual USAC license. Annual licenses purchased on or after 12/1/11 are good until 12/31/2012. We highly suggest renewing/purchasing your license online at USACycling.org as this is the easiest (for everyone) and most efficient method.

– Podiums presentations for each race (top 3 overall in the race) AND and for the IL state championship (top 3 IL riders in the race) will occur immediately after each race finish… so pay attention after your race, we may be calling your name! The one exception will be for the Women 4 and Juniors races when the podiums will be awarded at 1:50 pm.

Turin Bicycle of Evanston has secured several additional prizes beyond jerseys and the standard 2011 CCC payouts.

– Each State Champion (13 in all) will receive a Life Fitness Body Shape Kit valued at $400 Donated by Tour de Cure.

– E.J.’s Place will be giving away $200 dining cards to each of the IL State Champions in the Cat 1/2/3, Women 1/2/3, Masters 30+, Masters 40+, and Masters 50+ races.

– Turin Bicycle will give gift cards for 1st through 5th place in the Cat 4Bs and 1st through 3rd places in each of the Junior Boys and Junior Girls races (4 races total).  Total value of the gift cards will be $300.

– While a few riders have already locked up their CCC overall titles, there are quite a few very, very, very close categories still to be decided on Sunday. We’ll do our best to announce the overall titles, but all official overall series awards and recognition will be presented at the CCC Awards Dinner on Sunday December 18th at EJ’s Place. We look forward to celebrating with all of you.

– Neutral race support will be provided by Turin Bicycle, in the heated tent next to registration.

– Turin Bicycle will also be selling the latest Jay Ryan poster commemorating the 2011 race. These will be on sale for $22 at the Turin service tent. Turin also has remaining stock from years 2009 and 2010 that will be on sale for half price with the purchase of a new 2011 poster. Cowbells will also be for sale for $5 to ring out the race.

– Food:

– Turin will be grilling up Hot Dogs from about 11-3 and will have coffee and soup to take the chill off. Supply is limited. First come first served.

– We’ve been waiting all year for a food truck show up to a race and thanks to Chicago.CX the Big Star truck will be serving Champurrado Hot Mexican Chocolate, Tacos al Pastor, Tacos de Pescado, and the Tacos de Papas con Rajas from 11am – 3pm. Hand-ups encouraged!

– More than any other factor, the weather usually makes Montrose the legend it is. Right now the forecast is cold with the possibility of snow or even a little rain (you didn’t get enough at JRC anyway, did you?)… so bundle up, dress appropriately, and come prepared with extra warm (& dry) gear. We’ll bring the podium warmers.

– Todd Busteed will be announcing the race.

– We will have all pre-ordered CCC merchandise (t-shirts, socks, & embro) at the race and available for pick-up. T-shirts are sold out but we will have Sock Guy socks ($15) and Mad Alchemy embro ($20) for sale (cash only).

– Burnham Racing and Spidermonkey Cycling will be in attendance and collecting donations for World  Bicycle Relief. The two teams will be combining their tents to create a small village, complete with a heater, a lit Christmas Tree, baked goods, and possibly adult carbonated beverages. Anyone who donates to WBR will get to add a decoration to the tree, and maybe a baked good as well. It is possible that some baked goods will find their way into racers’ hands during the 4Bs. WBR, Kozy’s Cyclery, and the Spidermonkeys have also contributed raffle prizes.

– Parking: Like last year, the parking lot at the east end of the park is closed (it is now boat storage?!?). Parking will be on the street only along Simonds Dr. Several parking spaces near the restrooms and registration will be roped/coned off (for officials, CCC staff, BigStarTruck, etc) so please do NOT move the cones. We also need this area clear for pedestrian and bike traffic.

– The Course: Course designer Chuck Judy brings back several features of the 2009 Montrose course while maintaining several classic sections as well as incorporating a few new twists and turns. The course goes anti-clockwise, beginning at the starting grid which will likely be just East, past the finish line due to all of the blown sand. The finish line, wheel/bike pit, and registration will be in nearly the same location as last year, just off the road and near the main sand pit. Feel free to set up your tents near by, but given the strong winds this week, bring weights and stakes. The course itself will be a touch shorter than last year at around ~2.7K. Back from 2009 is the main sand pit/run where spectators are all but guaranteed a great view of all the action. Several barriers will be in play this year as well. As always, the weather plays a key role at Montrose and will affect the final course route right up until Sunday.

– This Sunday Chris Henning leads the Northbrook Bicycle Club and Flatlandia North to the YMCA Camp Duncan for the relocated and rebranded Ted Excellent Double Track Adventure for stop 11 of the CCC. This race takes the place of the races held in Northbrook for the past few years. Online reg closes tonight so please pre-reg.

– To get to Camp Duncan head North on Hwy. 12 and look for the sign marking the entrance to the camp. The address is 32405 N US Highway 12 Volo, IL 60041-9312.

– Unfortunately due to YMCA rules no alcohol nor pets are allowed on the property. We’d like to be invited back again next year so please be on your best behavior. Fire is allowed though, and there will be at least one bonfire going throughout the day, so bring s’mores fixins!

– Parking will be tight so please carpool if you can.  NBC and Flatlandia will have parking attendants but please do not park on grass unless an attendant directs you there. When entering and exiting camp please follow posted speed limits and look out for riders on bikes.

– The Northbrook Bicycle Club will be accepting donations of kids bikes at registration for the YMCA biking program, where they teach the kids at camp to ride the trails in the summer and introduce them to mtn biking. We’re sure they’ll start CX clinics very soon.

– Food:  The camp chuck wagon will be parked down at the large boat house (near the waterfront) and will be selling food and camp Duncan clothing items. Beverages: Gatorade, Juice, Hot Chocolate and Coffee. Snacks: Chips, candy, cookies & granola bars. Hot Food: Vegetarian Chili, nachos & hot dogs.

– Showers!  The Central Wash House will be open for racers to clean off/shower after the race. However, if the grounds are muddy please DO NOT bring your bike(s) into the buildings or showers to clean them off. There’s a lake… use that instead.

– Payouts:  Standard CCC payouts except the Juniors (both age groups) which will have the same payouts as the Women Cat 4, thanks to the newly established Astellas Oncology Cycling Team p/b ABD based in Glenview.

– Warm-ups.  Please stay off the grass fields.  Chris Henning notes the entrance road is probably your best bet since it is nice & long… or bring a trainer.

– There is a playground for the kiddies.

– If you ordered CCC tshirts, embro, or socks please see us at the finish line to pick up your merchandise.

– The race is sponsored by George Garner Cyclery, a full-service shop with locations in Northbrook, Libertyville & Lake Zurich. Paul McAllister from George Garner Cyclery in Northbrook will be offering free neutral support in the pit which will be located near the S/F. Unfortunately due to the spread out nature of the course the equipment pit is NOT double sided.

– The Course: Goes clockwise. See pictures here. The TEDTA offers a great mix of grass, pavement, double track (duh) through the woods, a little singletrack, a sandy beach, a Teepee for crying out loud… and what Dave Pilotto can only describe as the hardest stair run up you’ll ever do in your life. Good luck!