– #ABDcx  Remember to check out the standard preview page here.

– Preliminary staging will be posted here before Sunday. If you upgraded this week and want 1/2 your CCC series points to follow you to the next category, please contact us at ChicagoCrossCup at gmail before Saturday to let us know.

– Parking on Foster Ave is allowed but on NORTH side only. There should be “No Parking” signs along the park (south) side. If not, please respect this. Also Parking is allowed on Struckman Blvd (better option), or at Sycamore Trails School (preferred).

– #CarpenterCX and more on the preview page. Preliminary staging will be posted here before the race.

– Carpenter’s Park hosted by Main St. Bicycles Sasquatch Squadron (owned by CCC director and all-round race fodder  Jeff Provisor) is held along side the Carpentersville Oktoberfest. The festival has a beer garden (which is 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 started  hosting this race in 2005! Once again, grand master Todd Busteed will be handling the race color commentary throughout the day.

– Registration is in a new spot roughly 100’ to the west of the band shell (NorthEast corner of the park), closer now to the Staging/Start/Finish area, set under a large blue Main Street/North Branch tent.

– Jeff and the village of Carpentersville have asked that we please keep the beer drinking in the beer garden (Sam Adams Oktoberfest and Miller Lite). If you spot 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 lots of  Cross Container off of Maple (the road the borders on the North, and just to the East across from Comcast).

– There will be many tasty food options… Roasti’s Pizza and Beef, El Somborito, Good ‘Ol Dogs and Brats, and more!

– D’angelo Natural Spring Water will be provided for the racers, no cups provided, please bring your bottles.

– Carpentersville Rotary will be hosting a Sasquatch Hunt near the farm field, come try your luck and win food and beer vouchers.

– The course: Similar to last  year, only totally different. The Carpenter Park course has been described as the most Belgian of all the CCC race, featuring creek crossings, a little nub of a hill which is always great for spectating and taking photos, and the infamous farm field dirt roller section. Near the center of the course, just beyond the “nub”  will be a double sided wheel pit. The separated Start/Finish area will remain in the North field and the course will run in the new fancy anti clockwise fashion. There will be a bike wash area at the hydrant near the dirt roller section. Bib #’s will go on your left.

– This weekend Beverly Bike*VeePak is bringing you some fun additional adventures to Chicago’s Southside and rolling out the carpet – check out the dismount near the stairs!

– Additional details can always be found on the preview page.

– Preliminary staging for Sunday’s CCC event will be posted here by Saturday. If you recently upgraded and are eligible to take 1/2 your points with you, please email us at ChicagoCrossCup at gmail so we can update our records. Staging for Saturday’s Beverly HILLS race will follow CrossResults.com rankings and will be posted here.

– 5K Trail Run: To try something new, BB*VP will be kicking our Saturday off with a 5K Trail Run using part of our afternoon cross course. The 5K starts at 10 am. The first 50 preregistered runners will be receiving a free t-shirt and a chance to run through the park on a fun yet challenging course.

– Afternoon of Cross: A fun preview of Sunday’s full day of racing. Check out the Bunny Hop Challenge at 3:15 pm. You must sign up and sign a waiver to participate. Highest jumper gets $25!

– This Sunday stop #3 of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup heads to Chicago’s Southside at Dan Ryan Woods-CCC#3.

– Food: Make sure to bring snacks to get you through on Saturday. We will have water on hand for the runners at the end of their run but we will not have food or water on hand for the Saturday afternoon cross races.

– On SUNDAY for all PRE-REGISTERED racers, BBVP has once again graciously contracted some good eats for all of our racers. This year we are mixing it up and we are trying something new again. This year we will be a free made to order crepe from culinary and pastry students from Kennedy-King College and Le Cordon Bleu. We will have two kinds: Sweet and Savory. Sweet includes bananas and Nutella. Savory includes ham and cheese. BBVP is paying for all of this food… so preregister and ENJOY! Tickets will again be stapled to your your bib #’s for redemption at the crepe station. Do not lose the ticket and if you enjoy it, make sure to tip your chefs. We do not expect to have more than preregistered quantities so preregister now.

– Water: BBVP will NOT be supplying water (saving the world with less plastic). There are two water fountains on site, but hydration by riders should be planned for by bringing fluids with.

– Coffee: Hardboiled Coffee will be providing complimentary coffee during the 5k. Heritage Bicycles will be sharing coffee throughout the day. Please make sure stop by their tent to say hello and enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

– Beer: New this year, BB*VP has teamed up with Imperial Oak Brewery. In doing so, we will be offering the first 450 preregistered riders – aged 21 or over of course – one free beer coupon. They are valid while supplies last at the venue but coupons can be retrieved onsite at the Imperial Oak Brewery tent or saved and used within the week at Imperial Oak Brewery. A choice of Dubbel, Saison or Wit.

– Again this year, BBVP has hired One2Go Event Services for professional timing and results. All preregistered riders (with valid email addresses included in their RunReg & BikeReg profiles) will receive race results and lap times for their race via email shortly following their race. Riders must be preregistered to enjoy this feature. Results will also be tweeted by @One2Go_Results on twitter following each event.  Your #’s go on your left SIDE! Failure to follow properly place bib #’s risk you not being scored and potentially a $20 fine.

– Safety Pins: The CCC supplies pins for riders but we ask that riders recycle their pins and use them each week.  We also ask that if you forget pins, that you only take the 4-5 needed, not small handfuls that would take care of 2-3 other riders.

– Runners will be required to wear a bib # on their front stomach area.

– 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.

– Online pre-registration on RunReg.com and BikeReg.com closes TONIGHT at 11:45 PM. Please remember on-site registration closes 30 minutes prior to each race’s scheduled start time. All bib #’s must be picked up prior to registration closing so please be timely and considerate to all those you race with and don’t show up 15 minutes before your race expecting to still get in. We will be doing a hard cut off 30 minutes prior to handle waitlists. If you’re late, you go to the end of the wait list. No exceptions so come early and get your numbers!

– Slow Roll Chicago will be out all weekend spreading the word about their organization!

– The weather looks great for this weekend.

– The Course: Runs anti-clockwise. The course will once again be offering a little something for everyone. It will have straightaway power sections, hills (and we do mean hills), technical turn sections, and the infamous bunny hop barriers will be back (although spread out on the course this year). Note that registration is in a different location this year, and most of the course has shifted to the West. Energy management will be key. Bring your awesomeness!

– #HopkinsCX

– See general info on the preview page here.

– Numbers on the LEFT! fold the corners, pin through twice and use scotch tape to reinforce your pin job. don’t let your significant other pin you, they will probably mess it up.

– Here we go, the first race of the 2014 Chicago Cyclocross Cup at Caldwell Woods hosted by xXx Racing-Athletico.

– Registration will be in picnic pavilion near start finish line. Remember reg closes 30 minutes before the schedule start time of each category.

– This year the CCC is going even more green with biodegradable bib numbers. They aren’t quite as tough as traditional Tyvek numbers though, so please do not fold or crumple them up. If you do you risk not being scored. Numbers on your left RIGHT side (not your back!) so the officials can read them.

– Results will be posted as soon as possible on the CCC’s new 4 sided results board. Please do not crash into it and break it. Full results will be posted online Sunday night and series standings will be updated later in the week. This is the first race, so series standings are the same as the first 30 finishers, duh.

– Porta-potties will be located in the small parking lot nearest Devon and Milwaukee adjacent to registration.

– Teams can set up tents anywhere, but xXx recommends doing so in the field across from the beer garden for viewing the field, hill, and finish line.

– Main parking will be at Aquatic Center with pedestrian/racer access to course along north side of Devon Ave.

– xXx Racing will be awarding cases of Goose Island beer to the top step of the podium in the Cat 1/2/3, Women Cat 1/2/3, Masters 35+, Masters 45+, and Masters 55+ races, assuming those winners are all 21+ years of age.

– The equipment pits will be one sided as a two sided pit would require additional course crossings for fans.

– Additional info over here on the static preview page.

– Remember to use the hashtag #CaldwellCX so everyone at home or in other parts of the country can follow along.

– The course. Its new and untested, but there’s a Goose Island beer garden… so have fun and watch where you are going.

– #AfterglowCX Preliminary staging will be posted here on Thursday.

– The Afterglow team has once again partnered with the Chicago Park District to bring the ‘Glow Douglas Park Golf Course! When registering to race, please consider donating those extra dollars you’re saving on the cheaper reg to the wonderful and very important programs at Blackstone Bicycle Works and West Town Bikes right from the registration page. Look for all the Blackstone and WTB kids in the Juniors and 4’s, and cheer them on! We will also have a donation jar at registration for you to throw in your change.

– If you’re coming in from somewhere that doesn’t have easy public transportation (hint),  be sure to check the map for available spaces. There will be parking along S Thompson Drive (leading toward the fieldhouse). Please leave the fieldhouse parking lot for volunteers and park patrons, as we aren’t the only ones at the park on Saturday. There’s also parking along Inner Ogden Drive.

– The fieldhouse will be open from 9am-5pm, but since it’s not officially part of the event, we ask that you respect the other park users who may be using the facility. Leave no trace!

– RpbL & the Cuttin’ Crew WILL be accepting credit cards for on-site registration and one-day licenses. They’ll be using Square, which charges 2.75% for every transaction. That will be added to the charge and rounded up to the next cent (so $10 becomes $10.28).

– There may be food on-site, but maybe not enough for 250 people. Douglas Park is in a bit of a food desert. Learn about food deserts and what’s being done to help solve this problem here.

– The weather forecast is 30′s with some snow. While some of us have been reminiscing and training after last year’s mud, be sure you bring appropriate clothing!

– Please avoid warming up on the fairways and greens! There’s plenty of park around.

– Podiums will be presented shortly after each race, and Blackstone Bikes and West Town Bikes have hand crafted prizes for our winners! You’ll definitely want to vie for these metals!

– As for the course, note the location of parking, the staging grid, and the equipment pit. Give yourself plenty of time to get your bib number, put your gear in the pit, and get to staging on time. The course runs ANTI-CLOCKWISE and numbers will be going on the RIGHT.

Photo: Luke Seemann

– #MontroseCX

– One more to go! Ten27 Cycles once again and now with Spidermonkey Cycling host the last stop in the 2013 Chicago Cyclocross Cup… which is also the Illinois State CX Championships at Montrose Harbor. Yes, its going to be cold, but we here at the CCC, Ten27, and Spidermonkeys ask everyone to bundle up, bring your cowbells and cameras, and make a day out of Montrose… which means BOTH DAYS. 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 pick up their numbers first since they have to get ready first. Several fields are either already full or very close. Online waitlists are on BikeReg. The only combined categories are the Juniors, but all categories have a field limit of 100 riders. After No-Shows are removed we put in the online waitlisted riders, then its first come, first served until we hit the 100 rider limit. Online pre-reg closes tonight for both days of racing… so if you’re not yet reg’d, do everyone (yourself included) a favor and reg now!

– Montrose would not be possible without the generous support of the race sponsors below. Please find a way to thank them at the events this weekend:

• Goose Island’s 312 Beer
• EJ’s Place in Skokie
• Wheel & Sprocket
• Autobarn VW
• Chicago Chiropractic and Sports Medicine
• The American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure
• The Multiple Sclerosis Society

– Staging: Staging will follow the same protocol we’ve been using all season long in the series. See the procedure here.

– Preliminary staging will be posted here on Friday.

– State Champion Requirements: Ten27 Cycling, Spidermonkey Cycling, and the ICA will be presenting 15 CX IL State Champion Jerseys (on the podiums) to the first IL rider to cross the finish line in every category (excluding the 4/5’s). This means Juniors 15-18 AND Juniors 10-14… boys AND girls, Women Cat 3, and yet even the 60+! 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 or permanent resident, and hold a valid and unsuspended 2013 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 in any category.

– All races are championship races except the Cat 4/5 on Sunday and the Cat 2/3/4 on Saturday. The Saturday race is an opportunity for Category 2 riders to win some good cash prizes without the usual competition from the Category 1’s.  It also affords the Category 3 riders a unique opportunity to race against the next level up, without taking on a bunch of Category 1 riders.  For those who’ve been resting this week to “taper” for the State Championships on Sunday, it is a good opportunity to test themselves in a shorter race, to make sure all systems are firing, before the big one on Sunday.

– 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 the Juniors races when the podiums will be awarded at 2 pm.

– Ted Burger hosts the “Kid CX State Championships” at 1pm (not 2pm) on Sunday. Note the quotes, we’re having fun here and there is no such thing as a kids state championship jersey. But we do have cool #1 bib numbers for everyone!

– Payouts: 5 deep per the 2013 CCC minimum payouts.

– The Chicago Cuttin’ Crew will also be awarding extra prizes and trophies for Junior categories. The (other) CCC will be giving out junior girls awards as usual (5 deep, medals and ribbons) for the race as well as trophies (3 deep) for final CCC overall standings in Boys 15-18, Girls 15-18, Boys 10-14, and Girls 10-14.

– The Cuttin’ Crew will also be awarding trophies for the top 3 women in the Single Speed category on Saturday. A few rules apply.

– While a few riders have already locked up their CCC overall titles (see riders in yellow), there are quite a few very, very, very close categories still to be decided on Saturday AND Sunday. Overall titles will be  posted Saturday and Sunday, but all official overall series awards will be presented at the CCC Awards Party on Sunday December 22nd at EJ’s Place. We look forward to celebrating with all of you.

– Speaking of parties… Saturday evening all Montrose racers and spectators are invited to a Montrose Cyclo-Cross Celebration at 4:30 pm at Holiday Club Chicago, on the corner of Sheridan Rd. and Irving Park Road, a half mile south of the race venue.  Everyone attending will get a free Goose Island beer.   Sign up to attend on the Facebook; search for Montrose Cyclo-Cross Celebration.

– Food: The Big Star truck will again be serving tacos both Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Nom nom nom.

– For the last day of CCC racing, series sponsor NovaCare Rehabilitation will have physical therapists on hand providing complimentary injury screens. Anyone (racers or spectators) can stop by to get any injury (cycling related or not, new or old) checked out (for free!) for advice on how best to manage it. Look for the green NovaCare tent on Sunday 10:30 – 12:30. Or stop by for a complimentary granola bar for snacking or to ask us about our bike fitting services and physical therapy services. Can’t make it then? Injury screens are available at no charge at any of our clinics. Go to www.novacare.com/chicagoland.htm for the clinic nearest you.

– More than any other factor, the weather usually makes Montrose the legend it is. Right now the forecast is cold with sun on Saturday with a 50% chance of snowy awesomeness on Sunday. In any event, the weather can always change on a dime, especially next to the lake, so bundle up, dress appropriately, and come prepared with extra warm (& dry) gear.

– Chris Zigmont will be announcing the race.

– Parking: Parking will be on the street only along Simonds Dr. Simonds Drive will be closed to through traffic on both Saturday and Sunday between the staging grid and finish line.  You may approach the race course on Simonds Drive from either Wilson Avenue or from Montrose Avenue, but you will have to turn around and leave the same way you came in.  Please do not park adjacent to the Type III “road closure” barricades, as Ten27 is required to leave enough room for all cars to turn around at the barricades.  Only authorized vehicles (i.e. officials, CCC staff, One2Go results trailer, BigStarTruck, etc) will be allowed within the road closures.

– Bib Numbers: On your LEFT SIDE as always.

– One2Go Results (the same as DRW & ILR) will be back and providing camera timing and results. However, if your bib number is on the wrong side, you will NOT be scored nor will you receive lap times. So pin those numbers correctly.

– The equipment pit is in the best place to put it given the layout of the course. Please do NOT leave your spare bikes and wheels in the pit after your race. The next category needs to use the pit too. Neutral race support will be provided by Wheel and Sprocket near registration.

– Tents: Feel free to set up your tents to the West of registration and the sand pit. Given the ever present potential for strong winds, bring weights and stakes. Also, Ten27 will have an expo area near registration with designated tent spots for race sponsors, so please do not set up your tents in these spots or you will be asked to move. If you’re setting up on Saturday, there will be a security guard watching the venue Saturday night, but teams are responsible for their belongs… meaning you should pack up your tents and not leave them at the venue overnight.

– The Course: Ten27 Cycling’s course designer Chuck Judy brings back several of Montrose’s classic features while reinventing other parts of the course yet again. The course runs anti-clockwise, beginning at the staging grid which will now be on the South side Simonds Dr. The finish line and registration tent will be in nearly the same location as years past, just off the road to the North and near the main sand pit, however the finish line will now be on the paved path. Riders will have the full width of the tunnel heading southbound under Simonds Drive.  The course will then cross back over the tunnel on Simonds Dr to complete the loop, resulting in the first paved flyover ever in the CCC. Yes the main sand pit will be back, where spectators are all but guaranteed a great view of all the action. As always the final course track will be determined Saturday morning and may be altered from the map below.

– #NORGEcx. Preliminary staging will be posted here on Thursday.

– This is the 3rd year of the NORGE Ski Jump cyclocross race hosted by PSIMET. Never raced CX in much less seen a ski jump? This is your chance.

– PSIMET expects roughly 300 racers.

– This race is on SATURDAY. Don’t show up on Sunday.

– No Parking on any road. All parking must be in the field near the course as marked on the map or in the soccer fields – same as for the Fox River Grove crit. 2 road crossings with marshals. Be aware of them just in case as the full road is NOT closed.

– The schedule is NOT THE SAME AS A CCC RACE! Check the flyer for your category’s time slot. Then double check it to be sure! Almost everyone will have more than 1 chance to race. Please do!

– Beer will be on sale at Norge, sold by the Norge Ski Jump. Please purchase your beer from them. If you plan on consuming alcohol please realize that it is 100% OK (and somewhat encouraged in a responsible manner). We specifically ask for NO OPEN CONTAINERS ON ANY PUBLIC ROAD. You can and will be ticketed if that occurs. Either side of the road is private property though.

– Please stay off of the landing mats at the base of the jumps as well as please do NOT climb the jump itself. You can climb the hill and look out if you’d like but insurance won’t allow you on the jump structure itself.

– All proceeds go towards PSIMET breaking even. This being the 4th and final race of each calendar year that PSIMET hosts they essentially have this as their “Thank You” party to the Chicago racing community. They’re just trying to cover costs and pay Norge what they are looking for. Please come out and enjoy the day with PSIMET. It’s a truly unique venue and a huge surprise to anyone who has never been there before.

– Currently there is no one slated to provide food. Norge has a concession and after small turnout the first year they decided not to open it. There are a lot of eateries very close to the venue. You could also pack a lunch, some beverages and make a day of it.

– Staging will be by CrossResults.com points, then order of registration.

– Online reg is here and closes tonight!

– The 2013 course is below:

– #MelasCX and more here. Preliminary staging will be posted here sometime Friday.

– Parking: The promoters will have some spots reserved for locals who may want to use the park. Overflow parking will be at Bosch Tools to the immediate west of Melas Park and located at 800 W Central Rd, Mt Prospect . There is an opening in the fence to get you from the Bosch lot to Melas Park.

– Vehicles in the Park: please don’t drive your vehicle on the grass or park in a reserved spot. If you have a team trailer or vehicle that you want to setup please contact Chris Henning (through the Contact Event link on BikeReg) ahead of time & he’ll work out a spot for you.

– Park rules: Sorry, we don’t make them but we do have to follow them… no alcohol allowed. Please be respectful of the park.

– No kids race this weekend.

– Announcing: Kenny Labbe will be back and announcing all day long.

– Weather: It’s supposed to be sunny but VERY cold on Sunday so please bundle up!

– Series sponsor NovaCare Rehabilitation will have physical therapists on site providing complimentary injury screens. Racers or spectators- any aches or pains you would like to get checked out by a PT? Look for the green NovaCare tent 10:30 – 12:30. Or stop by for a complimentary snack bar or for information on our physical therapy and bike fit services. Can’t make it then? All of our clinics offer complimentary screens. Go to novacare.com/chicagoland for the clinic nearest you.

– Stixx Grille food truck from 11 am- 1pm.

– The Toasty Cheese Food Truck will be there from 1:30- 3:30.

– Volunteering: Melas CX is still looking for a few volunteers. Volunteers race for free & lunch is provided. Please sign-up here.

– The Course: Quite a bit different from last  year. Same tough hill(s) getting out of the Basin. Course map will be published Friday. Please remember the course might change based on conditions encountered during setup. As always, arriving early to preride the course is advised and highly recommended for this weekend.