Hello…!

– Lots of rain and cold weather this spring in Chicagoland, so its felt somewhat like CX weather the entire time. But now that it is officially summer, no one is really doing any road racing… and we just ordered 500 plastic step in stakes… we figured we throw out an update for you.

– The tentative CCC schedule is up (actually is been up since Feb 8). All 12 races (11 venues) are back again for the 2013 season. Note however that due to Thanksgiving being so late this year, there is NOT a week in between Jackson Park and Hopkins Park. So you’ll have full on racing action every weekend from September until the end of November. The former USGP Madison race will take place the weekend before Jackson Park.

– We’re making a few tweaks to the race day schedule to better accommodate everyone. Specifically, the Single Speeds will now start behind the Masters 30+ and the 60+ will start with the 50+ (overall scored separately). In this way there are never more than 2 races on course at once (except for the W4/Juniors). Also, the Cat 4A’s will now be just the Cat 4‘s, and the Cat 4B’s will be Cat 4/5‘s.

– The CCC is planning a pre-season get together, where we can all hang out, live, and in person. Stay tuned for details!

– If you’re planning on getting your body in shape, Morning Bird Studio has a few spots left in their Engine Building Turbo-CX classes starting July 15th.

– And finally… CX Magazine has a series of articles chronicling what happened to the USGP series, what is happening with the individual races in 2013, and what it all means for CX in the USA.

Photo: CXMagazine

– This is what it’s all about. What a great way to end the season. Congratulations to everyone who raced and supported Chicago Cyclocross this season!

– The US CX season continues in two weeks at Cincinnati Kings and then ends at Masters World Championships and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13. Buy your tickets now for the big party.

– And a party it will be… Verdigris-Village CX‘s David Lombardo was selected (just yesterday) to represent the USA in the Junior 17-18 race. Good luck David, we’ll all be cheering for you!

– And finally… the CCC website will be winding down over the next few weeks. We will still post updates here and there but don’t expect much until late spring or early summer. That being said we always want to hear your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, heckles, etc. So send us an email if you are so inclined.

– Thanks to everyone who braved the cold, the wind, the Saturday snow, and finally the (gasp!) Sunday sun this past weekend and came out to race, spectate, and heckle at the final Chicagoland CX races of the season at the New Year’s Resolution. We had a great time putting on the event and loved seeing all the locals battle on course with plenty of out-of-towners. We hope you all had fun too and felt it was a great way to end the local racing season. Many local racers maintained or improved their fitness from Afterglow with some great results. We had several locals hit the podium and grab kisses from our podium presenter Kelly Riordan… with a few taking the top step. Congratulations to you all!

– Speaking of putting on a race… the NYR would never happen without the tireless and dedicated work of our numerous volunteers. We are always amazed at how many people step up and help us out at the races and we are simply humbled at the fact that so many of you take time out of your day to lend us a hand. Course set up took longer than it should have because we had to pre-drill holes in the ground for nearly every stake lining the course (seriously, we were out there with hand drills), but our volunteers got it done. Its not a lot of fun to stand around for several hours in the cold at a course crossing or waiting for riders to finish so they can pee in a cup, but our volunteers got it done. Indian Lakes is notoriously windy and can tear a course (or pop-up tent(s)) to pieces, but our volunteers kept the course tape in perfect condition. And at the end of the day, when we’re all exhausted and just want to sit down and put our feet up, our volunteers tore the entire course down and we were closing the doors to the equipment trailer exactly 2 hours after the last UCI Men’s racer crossed the line (true story). Absolutely amazing! So again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to our volunteers for helping to make the NYR happen again.

– Speaking of again… this was the second and last year of the CCCNYR. We always intended for the race to serve as a tuneup race for Nationals in Madison. So with Nationals moving away from the Midwest next year we doubt anyone will want to come to Chicago first and then to Boulder. It looks like these guys already have the ball rolling though, so let’s see what you’ve got Colorado! We’ll send a riders your way!

– Speaking of Nationals… racing action in the midwest continues this week at USA Cycling’s CX National Championships in Verona, WI on 1/10/13 – 1/13/13. Based on the results we saw this past weekend at NYR the CCC will be well represented in nearly every category from Juniors to the really old guy Masters. Good luck to everyone!

– We know of a few people looking to share rooms and rides at Nationals so if you have any room at all please let us know and we will connect you. Thanks!

– After a 2 week break the US CX season heats up again with Cincinnati Kings and then ends at Masters World Championships and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13 Louisville,KY. We know of several Masters riders heading down to these events and wish them luck as well. Then, we hang out with the Belgians and watch the best of the best of the best race for the rainbow stripes. Bring your heckles and we’ll see you in Louvul.

– And finally… Machinery Row Bicycles is having a party this Friday night before Nationals where you can rub elbows with a few pros. Check out the details here.

– And finally, finally… CX Magazine just put up a video showing news coverage of 1985 Nationals with a young Tom Stevens.

Full schedule and results at: http://chicrosscup.com/nyr.  Media inquiries can be directed to the Chicago Cyclocross Cup, contact Eric Goodwin, at [email protected] .

– First off… HAPPY  NEW YEAR! We here at the CCC wish everyone a healthy and happy 2013.

– If its the new year that means our UCI C2 New Year’s Resolution race is right around the corner… four days to be exact. Find the full schedule (including who is pre-reg’d to race), flyer, tech guide, course maps, payout schedule and more on the NYR page here. The Hilton Indian Lakes Resort (ILR) has discounted rooms for $84 per night using GROUP code ‘CYC’… which includes use of the hot tub!

– The CCC still needs volunteers to make the race happen and host housing for our out of town riders. If you can help please contact us via the NYR page here.

– The full course preview will be up at the regular time tomorrow (Wednesday). Online pre-reg on BikeReg closes at Midnight Central time tomorrow (Wednesday 1/2/13).

– After the NYR don’t forget USA Cycling’s CX National Championships in Verona, WI on 1/10/13 – 1/13/13, Masters World Championships, and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13 Louisville,KY. Follow the links for more info.

– Machinery Row Bicycles is having a party the Friday before Nationals. Check out the details here.

– And finally… This is from last week, but David Lombardo checks in from Euro Cross Camp.

Six-Time National Champion Tim Johnson Headlines Elite Men’s Field at New Year’s Resolution Cyclocross UCI C2 Weekend

Nation’s top cyclocross racers head to Chicagoland to prepare for 2013 National and World Championships

Chicago, Ill. – Six-time National Champion Tim Johnson headlines the men’s elite field for the 2013 New Year’s Resolution cyclocross weekend, featuring a pair of UCI C2.0 races at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Ill., on Saturday and Sunday, January 5-6.  Johnson, of the Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com franchise, comes to Chicagoland in preparation for the following weekend’s National Championship in Madison, Wis., where he will be among the title favorites. The second edition of New Year’s Resolution will feature opportunities on Saturday and Sunday for local competitors to race the same course as the elite and professional riders. Hilton Indian Lakes will be open and no admission fee will be charged for spectators.

Johnson, holder of six junior, U23 and Elite National titles, last captured the stars and stripes jersey in 2009. His recent results bode well for his national ambitions, including a pair of victories in Iowa’s Jingle Cross weekend and a win over a stacked field at the USGP Cyclocross-Deschutes Brewery Cup in Bend, Ore.  The New Year’s Resolution stable of racers will feature notables Adam Myerson (Team Mountain Khakis / SmartStop) and Tristan Schouten (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) on the men’s side and Amanda Miller (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) among the women’s lineup.  A native of Iowa, Miller is a dual road-cyclocross threat who has done battle at the sport’s highest levels, including the 2011 UCI World Road Championships.

Elite competitors can look back at New Year’s Resolution’s inaugural edition to gain inspiration for Nationals. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, 2011-12, elites Ryan Trebon and Jeremy Powers battled head-to-head through wintery conditions, including frozen mud and windy fairways that rewarded the powerful Trebon with back-to-back wins. A week later in Madison, Powers would rebound and go on to win the first Elite National Championship of his career.  In 2013, Tim Johnson will be among the elites not only eying the National Championship, but the looming World Cyclocross Championship, to be held February 2-3 in Louisville, Ky.

“We are excited to host the lead up to Nationals and to have competitors from around the country here in the Chicago area, making final preparations for their biggest race of the year,” said Chicago Cyclocross Cup Series and NYR race director Jason Knauff.  “Getting ahead of the curve, we are also matching the UCI women’s payouts to the men’s with the help of the Chicago Women CX fund. We’re grateful to have so many talented athletes join us and for the local community to witness the sport at its highest level.”

Registration for the New Year’s Resolution closes at midnight CT on Wednesday, January 2 at BikeReg.com.  The event is hosted by the Chicago Cyclocross Cup and governed by USA Cycling. Valid 2013 licenses are required for all races. Competitors should visit ChiCrossCup.com/NYR or BikeReg.com for details. Rooms at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort are available by calling (630) 529-0200 or visiting indianlakesresort.com.

Photo: Snowy Mountain Photography

– Thanks again to everyone who raced in the mud last Saturday at Afterglow and for donating a ton (literally) of food. This enormous show of generosity is a perfect example of how great our Chicagoland CX community has become. The weather was the worst (or best depending on your point of view) of the year but  ROBOTS <3 and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew handled it all in style. The coffee was great too.

– Well, if you like racing on a 3 hole golf course with astroturf, you’ll love racing on a 36 hole golf course complete with a pro shop, bar, restaurant, pool, bar, hotel, spa, did we mention a bar?, and of course… a hot tub. The CCC’s New Years Resolution is back at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort 1/5/13 and 1/6/13. A certain former national champion and current energy drink drinker will be there, as well as a rad dude with lots of tatoos, plus a lot of other really fast guys and gals. Come test your pre-Nationals legs and have some fun too. See the NYR page for more details. We still need volunteers though so please help out and race for free.

– Andden (finally) USA Cycling’s CX National Championships in Verona, WI on 1/10/13 – 1/13/13, Masters World Championships, and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13 Louisville,KY.

– This past Sunday the CCC was at EJ’s Place in Skokie and handed out a few overall series winner cowbells (as well as a bunch of schwag). We also presented our season long donation to World Bicycle Relief to the tune of $2,200. We think that’s pretty awesome, so thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who donated throughout the season! Also, since the ‘send David Lombardo to Euro Cross Camp‘ fund reached its goal of $5k and went well over, Verdigris-Village CX team captain Tim Boundy made a $900 donation back to the CCC for a future CCC junior development fund. Stay tuned for details! David leaves for ECC tomorrow (Wednesday) and we all wish him the best of luck racing in Belgium! 

– Series Sponsor Update from the desk of Morning Bird Studio: We’re fired up for the New Year, Hope you are too! The Bird has a ton going on in January with new workshops and the continuation of the Engine Building “off bike” throwdown series. It’s truly time to start thinking about your 2013 goals and the best way to get faster on the bike is to be the best version of yourself off the bike. This year, the class size is smaller for a better experience with an improved student teacher ratio. You will develop solid technique with more personal attention, With the goal of getting really strong, becoming more mobile and most importantly, to stay healthy all year round’. EB101 2011/12 Alumni have claimed multiple state championships, a hoard of victories and even more podiums. Lets get after it 2013!! Engine Building 201 will start Saturday January 26 and run for 8 consecutive weeks, at a cost of 240.00. Space is limited, so please register soon! Link to reg.

– If we don’t see you this week… and we likely won’t since there is no CX racing in Chicagoland for 2 weeks (gasp!?!?), have a great holiday season! If you’re riding (and you likely will since the weather is balmy) be safe and make sure to thank your family for allowing you to play bikes with us all during this past CX season. We’ll see you all at NYR!

– And finally… we can’t  believe we’re linking to this.

– Congratulations to all the CCC’ers who raced up North at Badger Cross and down South at Miller Chill CX. Looks like some very solid results going into the end of the year.

– Up next, CX racing returns to Chicago with the Afterglow on SATURDAY. The Afterglow team has scored a brand new location—Douglas Park Golf Course! When registering to race, please consider donating those extra dollars you’re saving on the cheaper reg to the wonderful people at Blackstone Bicycle Works right from the registration page. Look for all the Blackstone kids (along with our friends West Town Bikes!) in the Juniors and 4s, and cheer them on! Intelligentsia will also have that coffee you’ll need for your second race for sale to help support West Town Bikes. Registration will be open until Thursday night at 11:59PM. More details here.

– Speaking of coffee, ROBOTS <3+Comrade Cycles+Just Coffee Co collabo CYCLOCROAST will be around to drink and maybe to buy if we can work it out to purchase.

– Continuing the theme of giving, Greater Chicago Food Depository has paired with the team on a food drive at the event–everyone who brings a non-perishable food item gets a coveted CALLUP. And if that’s not enough motivation to lend a hand to the needy during this holiday season, a Team Competition is in place–the team that brings in the most amount of food BY WEIGHT wins a fabulous item to impress your friends for an entire year! Sign up for the team competition here. You have until Friday at 4pm to register for the team competition (but we will of course accept day-of donations!). The award will be given out after the Cat 4/FatBikes/Etc race. UPDATE: Please see RpbL for more information about the food drive.

– Check back Thursday morning for the course preview, including details on an epic REMATCH.

– If you have any money left for Christmas presents after all of that the CCC merch page is still open and we can deliver to you at Afterglow or via USPS before 12/25.

– On SUNDAY (12/16) the CCC hosts its annual End of the Season Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie at noon. Please pre-purchase your tickets here. The coveted CCC series winner cowbells will be awarded to the overall winners, our season long donation will be made to WBR, we’ll have a bunch of fantastical door prizes, and of course the world famous Lost & Found grab.

– Need more CX racing? The CCC’s New Years Resolution is at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort 1/5/13 and 1/6/13. See the NYR page and help us finish off the season right. We still need volunteers. Help out and race for really cheap free.

– Then USA Cycling’s CX National Championships in Verona, WI on 1/10/13 – 1/13/13 (nearly the same course as Badger CX but entry fees increase tonight at 11pm). Andden Masters World Championships and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13 in Bourbonland (i.e. Louisville,KY).

– And finally… winter time means its cold and dark here in Chicago, but that’s not always so bad.

Photo: Amy Dykema

– Wow… what a Sunday at Montrose Harbor. Thanks to Ten27 Cycles, all the sponsors, volunteers, USAC officials, spectators, friends, families, dogs, horses with 1/2 a million views, and especially all the racers who made the 12th and final stop of the CCC and Illinois State CX Championships something special… again! Lots of pictures and videos below in Sunday’s post, but please add your links to the comments.

– The CCC series may be finished, but there is still plenty of CX racing to do in and around Chicago:

– Next weekend you have the choice of traveling North to the double Badger CX weekend in WI or South to Miller Chill CX in Bloomington.

– The weekend after that The Afterglow moves to a new venue in Douglas Park here in the city on Saturday.

– Not racing per se, but on that Sunday the CCC hosts its annual End of the Season Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie at 12/16 at noon. Please pre-purchase your tickets here. The coveted CCC series winner cowbells will be awarded to the overall winners, we’ll have a bunch of door prizes, and of course the world famous Lost & Found grab.

– Then a break for Christmas… then a break for New Year’s Eve. Then racing picks back up in earnest with the CCC’s New Years Resolution weekend back out at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort. See the NYR page for more details including reserving your room at ILR at a discounted race. The CCC also still needs volunteers to make the race happen. Help out and race for really cheap (read: free).

– The following week USA Cycling’s CX National Championships take place just up the road in Verona, WI. Remember entry fees increase on 12/11. Even if you don’t race Nationals is a great event to see in person and cheer (and heckle of course) your friends and others from around the country.

– If all that racing isn’t enough for you, head to Louisville, KY for Masters World Championships and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13.  After that… well, you’ll just have to wait until next season!

– If you need Christmas presents we still have CCC merchandise available. Head on over to our merch page for all the goods.

– USAC recently changed their upgrading policy. At this time it is unclear how this may affect the 2013 CCC season… stay tuned.

– One rider who has already upgraded is youngster David Lombardo of team Verdigris-Village CX who is going to Euro Cross Camp over the Christmas holiday. Donations are still being excepted here to help defray the cost of the trip.

– And finally… how soon until we see this in a CX race?