Photo: Chip Williams

– Double thanks again to the South Chicago Wheelman for a great duo weekend at the Indian Lakes Resort. What a difference 24 hours can make. From upper 50’s and rain on Saturday to lower 40’s and wind and sun (and more wind) on Sunday… a true cyclocross weekend.

– Up next the penultimate race of the CCC series, the Northbrook Swansong hosted by the Northbrook Garner Bicycle Club and Flatlandia. Lots of details to come, so check back at 9am on Thursday for the course preview.

Weekend Update: Congratulations to Chris Lombardo from Verdigris who has earned enough points to lock up the overall in the Masters 40+ category. Chris must have been so happy he gifted the win on Sunday to his teammate Erik Enyedy (who had a great ride regardless). The Hemme is back (!) and hit the podium on Saturday while Brian Conant won on Saturday and was 2nd on Sunday, adding to his lead in the Cat 1/2/3 overall. We wonder what the juniors think about the 1/2/3 race? In the ladies races, Sam Schneider from Team Tibco swept both days in the W1/2/3, while Eleanor Blick from Johnny Sprockets and Christina Peck from the Cuttin’ Crew battled out wins in the Women Cat 4 races.  Danny Warner from Verdigris swept both Masters 50+ races (and brought his kids along for the ride on Sunday) as did John Kurtz from Flatlandia in the Cat 3’s. Meanwhile Lou Kuhn from The Pony Shop and John Gatto from Twin Six battled it out in the 30+. The Juniors were exciting all weekend long as the mob squad Team Expo swept the podium on Sunday. But as we all know, the real action (see above) is always in the Cat 4’s. The Bike Crusher did his job, Tati won some MAE, while Magnum PI was wondering why he left Hawaii. Still not sure what to make of this, this, this, this, or this…  but we’re pretty sure Quarter Acre could tell us. Yes, there is a person in there. Sister Sprocket got sneaky (so did Thom the elder), and original CCC series director Joe Doyle helped out a little. Megaphone wars, Musettes were handed out, beverages were wasted, and Bacon Alley reared its ugly head again. Brian Lee had his game face on (again), Supergirl and Rob Curtis… well… nevermind, 1/4 Acre and Noah duked it out in the 4B’s, and Natalie got a treat! And lastly, a special shout-out to Mike Young, West Town Bikes, and Ciclo Urbano for coming out, racing, cheering, and finding out how great cyclocross can be.

– Thought You Knew will be at Northbrook to cheer on everyone, especially their pin-up girls. But if you want to get a head start, on Nov 19, 6–10pm the Pin Up Calendar Gala Launch Party takes place at the COOP, 845 West Fulton Market. Free admission. Calendars on sale for $20, 100% sales go to The Chicago Women’s Health Center. Then on Nov 20 at noon TyK hosts their Sadie Hawkins Style Ride starting at the Blue Frog, 676 N LaSalle. $20 per Couple. The Sadie is a treasure-hunt bicycle ride benefiting the Chicago Women’s Health Center. Information and pre-registration at chicagosadiehawkins.info.

– Update on 2010 CX Nationals, concerning tire widths, registration discounts, and more.

– Registration for Half Acre & the Cuttin’ Crew’s Afterglow race is now open on BikeReg.com.

– REKLAIM has the 2010 CCC series t-shirts. Make sure to pick up yours at Northbrook or Montrose. As a reminder, all proceeds go directly to WBR.

– Our friendly USAC officials have asked us once again to remind you how to correctly pin and place your number. Doing so will help them immensely when scoring your race.

– And finally… We’ve asked and asked but some of you still don’t seem to understand that when pre-riding the course you may NOT ride in front of others still racing. This seems to be happening the most as the Women 4 and Juniors are finishing up. When we open the course up for pre-riding after the first racer has finished that means the last racers are still on course. Just because they aren’t winning doesn’t mean they are not working just as hard for their placing. So please, when checking out the course, please enter the course from the designated area (usually just past the finish line) and if you catch someone still racing… DO NOT ride in front of them. Thanks!

Photo: John Wrycza

– Thanks to Dr. Jim Kearns & the crew from Psimet Custom Wheels for yet another great race in Woodstock. We were so concerned with the hills we forgot how bumpy the course can be, and that there is sand out that way.

– Weekend update: Lots to talk about from the weekend, but we think the 74 comments on the Pix, Vids, & Race Reports post sums it all up rather nicely. We all show up and race each week for a reason… some do it for the competition, some for personal goals, some don’t even know why. Cross is hard, even painful at times… but its always fun in the end.  In other news… #700 flew in from Albeqwerky and got a call up in the 4A’s for correctly identifying a song on the CCC race playlist. Yeah, you’re going to need some help with that. Here, let Tati show you how its done. Brian Lee & Dave Lombardo duked it out again in the 4A’s while Flannel Mike & Greg T had a stare-down contest before the 4B’s even started. Supergirl was flying, while Kirby’s bike went flying… and so did Scott’s. Sister Sprocket could be found doing what she does best and the first women ever won the Flying Pig Award. Janette is back and so is The Hemme! Luke lost a toof and… holy cow… Rich looks so pro!

– Up next the CCC’s 2nd double weekend at the Indian Lakes Resort (ILR) hosted by the South Chicago Wheelmen. The SCW have secured discounted hotel room rates of $79 per night for up to 4 people.  For reservations call 630.529.0200 and for general  info visit IndianLakesResort.com. We’ll have more in the Thursday preview, but just to whet your appetite (literally) ILR will have a breakfast buffet from 6:30 am to 11 am and an all-you-can-eat lunch/dinner buffet from 11 am til 6 pm, both for just $12.95 per person Saturday & Sunday. Remember online pre-reg closes a day early this week (at Midnight on Wednesday… that’s tomorrow night) so the SCW can get all the binders put together. Look for more details and course preview Thursday at the regular time (9am for those not paying attention).

– The Cuttin’ Cruiser has been MIA from most CCC races this year, but makes its triumphant return Friday (and Saturday) night at the Cave Catastrophe Continued. You won’t want to miss these parties.

– If you’re spending Saturday night at Indian Lakes and want to chat with the CCC directors about what’s on tap (no, not Fat Tire Ale) for next year… we’ll be hosting a very impromptu fireside chat (location TBD) to discuss ways to make the CCC series better and get ready for CX nationals in Madison in January 2012. We’d love to get your feedback/input, so please swing by and get involved.

– Speaking of save-the-dates… the CCC awards dinner will be held on Sunday, January 9th at EJ’s Place in Skokie. More details to come, but we look forward to seeing everyone at EJ’s to wrap up the season, and to chat about what’s to come in 2011!

– Don’t forget our friends at REKLAIM Apparel have the 2010 series t-shirts printed and will have all pre-orders available for pickup at all remaining races. Its easier on everyone to pre-order and pay online, but REKLAIM will also be selling t-shirts at races (where park rules allow). Shirts are only $15 and all proceeds go directly to World Bicycle Relief!

– Just a reminder to the Juniors and 50+ Masters. Since both of your groups start behind the ladies, please be courteous and let them know when you are about to pass with a simple “On your left/right”.

– Check it out… tthe ICA is taking a survey.

– Looks like some of you are already making travel plans for this year’s CX Nationals in Bend, OR.

– Series sponsor Rapid Transit Cycleshop is getting a website makover to compliment their new(ish) shop on Halsted near UIC’s campus. Check out the preview and the shop’s many bicycle maintenance classes (and monkeys on bikes).

– #532 gets even more Internet time on The Bonebell.com.

– And finally… feeling unfulfilled? Half Acre and the Cuttin’ Crew would like to help and will even call you in the morning.

Photo: Luke Seemann

– Thanks again to Rob Kelley and Bicycle Heaven for upping the ante another year at Campton Cross. A slightly new course used many of the favorite and classic parts of the park, while a few new sections challenged and delighted… as did the bag piper! There were costumes in nearly every category, and 454 racers toed the line. Rob and Bicycle Heaven also chipped in an extra $500 to the WBR pot, helping us get even closer to our season long goal of raising $5k!

– Weekend Update: We’re sorry we can’t find links to everyone’s costumes… but you all looked amazing… much better than these people! Sister Sprocket got knocked up, while ghosts roamed the course. We’re not sure what happened to this guy, but you really don’t want to know what’s in that bottle. Luke Skywalker (above left) showed up and won the best costume award (thanks for making sure Yoda was safe with a helmet) and we heard he was headed to the Death Star Canteen shortly afterwards for some Penne alla Arrabiata. Frenchy upgraded and went straight to the front middle of the Cat 1/2/3’s, while eventual race winner Mike Phillips showed off his mtb skills by bunny hopping the barriers! The Hemme is back and showed Rassi how’s to show off Blue Steel. Brandon Leach made his final CCC appearance before shipping off to Norway (we’ll miss you B!) and Soda Popinksi fought his way to his first CCC Cat 3 podium. Gumby stayed at home, but Pokey made it to the race. Buzz Lightyear flew to the top of the juniors podium, even after a 2nd turn tumble… but this weekend’s sportswomanship award definitely goes to Tess Anderson… check out Spin Doctor Cyclewerks’ FB page for the reason why. Meanwhile an Ooompa Loompa was dancing through the Women 1/2/3’s but couldn’t quite make it to the podium to enjoy a CCC Snuggie! The scarecrow used his brain to win some Mad Alchemy and Tati-bot made his debut. Nixternal is always willing to lend a hand to the 4B’s, even if its only a liquid bandage (when is someone going to bring score cards for face plants??)… but Dave Knauff is a true man for others. As far as we know, #532 kept his cookies down… but it looks like he had some trouble with another sensitive area. Magnum P.I. flew in from Hawaii, but still couldn’t win the heaviest bike award… which went to Junior Ryley Zeller.

– Up next this coming weekend, the CCC heads North to Woodstock where Dr. Jim Kearns and the crew from Psimet Custom Wheels have a few new tricks (and maybe treats) up their collective sleeves. Just a reminder that alcohol is “NOT allowed” in Emricson Park. We know some of you will still sneak in an Old Style or PBR… so please be on your best behavior and clean up after yourselves. Look for the course preview on Thursday at 9am.

– There’s quite a spread in the November Chicago Athlete about the CCC… in fact we’re on the cover! Gihugimous thanks to ABD’s Gina Kenny for helping with our response to the magazine.

– For those of you into photography and bikes (we think there are a few of you out there) Thought You Knew has shot and will be selling their TyK 2011 Men & Women PinUp calendars soon. Check out the FB page here. As the name implies, these aren’t your typical pin-ups and Johnny Sprocket‘s own Becky Welbes is Ms. October. 100% of sales go straight to the Chicago Women’s Health Center in Wrigleyville, a non-profit health care and education center that  has been providing sliding scale care to women since 1975. TyK’s Gala launch party will be held at COOP on Fulton Market on Friday November 19th, followed by a Sadie Hawkins Style Ride on Saturday, and then Bike Polo Friendlies in Garfield Park late afternoon Sunday. So if you’re stuck in the city and not able to race Northbrook, swing down and say hello to TyK.

– In case you were living under a rock last week, we’re sure you’ve all heard that the USAC CX national championships will be held just North of the Cheddar Curtain in Madison, WI in 2012 & 2013. Nationals are also being pushed back to January (they are currently held in December). 2012 races will be held January 4th-8th in the Badger Prairie/Reddan Park. We’re not yet sure what that means for the CCC, but if we were betting people (we’re really not) we’d bet there might be a few more races in the Chicagoland area in December and January to keep everyone’s CX legs sharp and entice non-locals to see how we roll here in the Midwest. More to come later.

– VeloNews recently ran a great article from Leonard Zinn on fork chatter and cantilever brake set-up (specifically series sponsor Avid’s new Shorty Ultimates). VeloNews and others also ran an article detailing a bunch of changes being made to the USAC rulebook. Juniors, Helmet Cam-er’s and Single Speeders will want to take notice.

– And finally… speaking of USAC rules… let’s have a quick chat about hand-ups. Our USAC officials have asked us to remind you that food and drink hand-ups are technically considered feeds in CX, which are specifically forbidden in the USAC rulebook unless allowed and announced by the chief referee prior to the race start due to high temperatures. However we all know hand-ups happen in the CCC and we’re not naive enough to pretend the CCC’s success in the past few years isn’t owed in at least some way to the fun, excitement, and shenanigans that the 4B’s bring to each event.

We here at the CCC think know that cyclocross is supposed to be hard yet fun at the same time… but there always needs to be a good balance between the two to ensure rider safety and to make sure no rider is given an unfair advantage. However, that balance doesn’t necessarily need to be the same in every category due to the speeds (or lack there of) involved. So how do we justify letting Cat 4’s take hand-ups but not the Cat 1/2/3’s? We think neither the “rider safety” nor the “competitive advantage” issues are being violated in the less experienced categories and we and the USAC officials are usually watching closely to make sure things don’t get out of hand… and quite frankly you all do a great job of policing yourselves anyway.

So for those people who may gripe about not allowing illegal hand-ups in the Masters, W123, 3’s, and Men 1/2/3’s… we’ll remind you first that our USAC officials don’t have to allow them at all in any race, and 2nd, there are many races around the country where hand-ups are not allowed at all… even in the 4’s… so we’re all pretty lucky here in Chicagoland. We’ll also remind everyone that non-food hand-ups are technically not illegal (since just about anyone would have a hard time reasoning that a dollar bill is considered a feed)… and from some other grumblings we’ve heard, we’re pretty sure the fast guys and gals would appreciate $20 and $50 hand-ups anyway.

So, to be clear as mud…
Categories higher than 4 = hand-ups not okay
Cat 4 = what hand-ups… we didn’t see any hand-ups…

Great… now that we have that out of the way… let’s go race our bikes and have fun!

– Double thanks to Ted Schweitzer, Verdigris, Jeff Provisor, Main St. Bikes, North Branch Cycling, and everyone else who made this past weekend’s double header a success. The two races were vastly different, but if the comment sections have been any indication, equally fun and enjoyed by all. Carpentersville even got some press in the Daily Herald.

– Notes from the weekend… Johnny Sprockets got new skinsuits, Flannel Mike and Greg got callups, as did guys with helmet cameras, and the racing was exciting all weekend long. Cookie hand ups returned (and were then promptly tossed), as did twinkies and dollar bills. Dave Lombardo finally got that elusive win in the Junior 15-18’s, and Walid hit the podium twice with his uber secret Cannondale prototype. After taking commanding wins in the Cat 4’s on Saturday, we had two riders (Liz So & John Kalnins) cat up and join the Cat 3 ranks overnight… and they road fantastic on Sunday, as did everyone else… which just goes to show that in CX, we’re all winners. Trackies and others still need to work on their handling, as do a few 4B’s, while the juniors showed off their mad BMX skillz, and lest we forget… firemen are strong. And Brian Conant may be the best CX coach in the land, but we bet he can’t dance like this!

– Up next this Sunday is another classic CCC course in Barlett’s Sunrise Park hosted by Athletes By Design (ABD) and promoter Jim Nowak. ABD is increasing the payout, but we all know the real glory is at the top of the original Heckle Hill. As always, look for the course preview Thursday morning.

– Chicagoland local rider and one time CX racer Bill Hatch is battling cancer. The Colavita Cycling Team is holding a fundraiser for Bill on Thursday October 28th at Flatlanders Restaurant and Brewery. Check out the Facebook page for more on how you can help.

– This just in from series sponsor Tipping Point Photography… Any cross racer/cross family/dedicated cross spectator who books a portrait session of 2 or more hours with Tipping Point Photography between now and December 31, 2010 will get a free matted 8×10 of the photo of their choice from that session ($45 value). We are pretty loose in our interpretation of “portrait session”: it could be you with your spouse/partner/betrothed; your children; you and your children; your pet(s); your extended family; or just awesome and fantastic YOU! With your bike, if you like! We are open to just about anything you have in mind that fits this description. (We don’t consider weddings and other celebratory events to be portrait sessions, but we do offer services for these kinds of events, too. Contact us for more info.) Send an e-mail to liz -AT- tippingpointphoto.com to talk to us about what you have in mind, and we’ll pull together a custom quote for you. Make sure to mention this special offer in your message! Check out our Portraits + Stories and our Weddings + Celebrations collections for some inspiration. Gift certificates are available, too, and make great holiday presents, though this offer does not apply for sessions booked with a gift certificate.

– Do you ride a bike on more than grass and dirt and drive a car? Illinois now has permanent, year-round “Share the Road” specialty license plates! Find more details here.

– And finally… for those of you not traveling to Louisville or Wisconsin this Saturday, Burnham Racing is hosting their annual Demilitarized Donut Ride / Apple Haus World Championship this Saturday (10/23) at 7:55AM leaving from Wicker Park in Wicker Park (if water is not falling from the sky). The ride is about 60ish miles with a turnaround and face stuffing feast at the Apple Haus in Long Grove. Leave your knobbies at home and join the Burnham boys on their annual trek to the Northwest for AppleCider Donut bliss.

– For the 3rd year in a row the Carpenter’s Park race, hosted by Main St. Bicycles (owned by CCC director and jack-of-all-trades Jeff Provisor) & North Branch Cycling, will be hosted along side the Carpentersville Oktoberfest. As you may have guessed the festival will have a beer garden (which will be located right next to the course). Great food vendors, live music, raffles, kid rides (inflatables), and much more. Full details of the festival and a sample of some of the Oktoberfestivities are here.

– 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 closes for both races tonight (Thursday) at midnight.

– The Holiday Inn Express in Lake Zurich on Rt. #12 (Rand Road) is offering $20.00 off on a night’s stay for Saturday night for those of you who want to stay local and not drive home after the Wauconda race… just mention “Psycho Cross” for the discount.

– Registration is back in the bandshell in the NorthEast corner of the park. The Start/Finish has also moved back to North Side of the park. Right now there are 291 of you pre-reg’d, which is less than last year, but online pre-reg is still open until midnight tonight (Thursday)! The 4A’s are closed but there are still a few spots left in the 4B’s. Just like at all CCC races we’ll have a waitlist for any race that is full to try and give everyone a chance to race.

– The weather forecast looks fantastic again, but Autumn seems to finally have arrived… so make sure to bring some warm, dry clothes for after the race

– Jeff and the village of Carpentersville have asked that we please keep the beer drinking in the beer garden… you know, so the beer flowers can grow. This being ‘cross we’re sure someone won’t read this and a can or two of High Life will find their way to the side of the course, so please be respectful of the park, other spectators, and every racer.

– 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).

– New this year is live beer hall style music, in the new beer garden (did we mention there is beer) located on the NE side of the course. There will be many tasty food options, including the return of Kenny’s famous Chubby Spud… a brat wrapped in a potato blanket with cheese and kraut… for a post race recovery coma induced nirvana in a wrap.

– Bring a canned food item for the local FISH food pantry, and the $2.00 I.D. wrist band fee to purchase adult beverages in the Beer Garden will be waived. Leinies’ Oktoberfest brew will be featured in the garden as well as other brews.

– For all you kids who aren’t yet old enough to race in the 10-14 category, the Oktoberfest will feature a Free Kids race for 5-10 year olds held at high noon near the bandshell. Just bring your bike and a helmet!  Also for the kiddies, a huge inflatable jumpy things to keep ’em busy & happy for .50 cents a ride.

– This year’s course is a mix of classic Carpentersville features such as creek crossings, one of the CCC’s longer sand pits, a little nub of a hill that always gets people. Returning from 2009 but still somehow new for 2010, the course now goes through 100 yards of sweet black mother earth in the adjoining bean field to the East of the park. The dirt stretch will contain a section of plump dirt rollers (aka the pump/rhythm section) finely tuned for your pleasure. Dirty Mudders, pray for rain. Check out Sven Nys flying through one here (0:11).

– Returning after a one year hiatus, race promoter Ted Schweitzer (who hosted the Hawthorne Woods race way back in 2008) returns with the Verdigris Custom Homes CX team with a new and improved Psycho Cross race in Wauconda at the Golf Farm. The race also has a website at: www.psychocrosschicago.com.

– Remember the next day the CCC travels just down the road to Carpentersville. See the preview for Sunday’s race here. Online pre-reg on BikeReg.com closes for both races tonight (Thursday) at midnight.

– First some ground rules… 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.

– Next some travel assistance. The Holiday Inn Express in Lake Zurich on Rt. #12 (Rand Road) is offering $20.00 off on a night’s stay for Saturday night for those of you who want to stay local for Sunday’s race in Carpentersville… just mention “Psycho Cross” for the discount.

– Now the fun stuff… Yes, the rumors and tweets are true, Verdigris Custom Homes has constructed the CCC’s 2nd ever flyover… deemed “The Bridge of Sighs“, which is 22’ tall, 51’ long, and 11’ wide. The structure was designed and built to look like an old world bridge, complete with covered roof, stone ‘look’ arched lower, and nice handrails. 13 steps leads you to the top… but from there you have to figure out how to get down yourself. A lot of work went into building this monster and we look forward to hearing your sighs, wales, screams, or whatever it is you do on such a piece of architecture.

– SRAM Neutral Race Support will be at the race with wheels and bikes. Swing by and say hello to José.

– Continuing with the goodies, Ted will be holding a silent auction for a set of Reynolds Strike 66 mm carbon clinchers (valued at $1550). These wheels are new in the box, and come complete with ti/alloy skewers, rim strips, tire levers, valve extenders, and carbon specific brake pads.

– Psycho CX will also have an increased payout of merchandise above and beyond the CCC standard payout. Look for goodies like Reynolds mountain bike wheels, Uvex helmets, Blue Competition Cycles pint glasses, Road ID gift certificates, BaileyWorks messenger bags, and more. If that wasn’t enough there will also be a raffle for merchandise donated by Speedgoat.

– Ted’s orthopedic surgeon and his physical therapists will also be at the race disseminating information about stretching, physical therapy, and injury prevention.

– If a rave doesn’t spontaneously start on the far side of the course, there will be a band performing towards the latter part of the day and a guy playing Led Zepplin and Deep Purple songs on accordion.

– The Gold Farm is a full service facility with a bar and restaurant (and we hope bathrooms), and… if for some reason the CX action isn’t enough for you (we can’t really imagine such a scenario but thought we’d just put it out there)… putt-putt golf for kids and a sand volleyball court.

– Finally the course itself. There isn’t much terrain to speak of but the Verdigris crew has been very creative in designing a long, fast, power course with all the trimmings including grass, dirt, gravel, mulch, twists, turns, straightaways, and of course the flyover.  At just around 2 miles you’ll get a little taste of everything.

– Ladies and gentlemen may I have your attention… Elvis has left the building. Thanks again to Bevery Bike-VeePak, Psimet, and Team Pegasus for helping to make Elvis Cross a success. The weather was hotter than a Hound Dog, which had a bunch of riders getting All Shook Up, leading to a few Heartbreak Hotels… but at the end of the day we think everyone had a great time. Congratulations to Steve Paslawsky from Cary, IL who won this week’s Sister Sprocket Flying Pig Award. Thanks also for the peanut-butter and banana sandwiches and fried chicken!

– This coming weekend is the CCC’s first ever double race weekend with Psycho CX on Saturday in Wauconda and Carpentersville in (you guessed it) Carpenters’ Park in Carpentersville. Online pre-reg for both races closes Thursday night at midnight. Look for the double course preview on Thursday morning at 9am.

– Just a reminder that we start closing down registration on race day 30 minutes prior to the start of each category. If you show up 5 minutes before your race is scheduled to start you will not have time to reg and get to the starting grid. We make every effort to get every rider we can into each race, but if you are tardy it throws a wrench in our gears and throws off the schedule for the entire day worse than 2 meters of yellow caution tape wrapped around your rear cassettes.  So… please be courteous to all your fellow racers and be on time so we can all stay on schedule.

– It was brought to our attention this week that there are numerous categories where several riders are tied on Overall Series Points. In situations like this we rank riders based on their most recent placing. However, going forward if there are racers in the top ten who are no shows on race day and there are extra spots available in the front row we will call up those riders tied for 10th place to fill the front row.

– And finally… Bicycling Magazine will be hosting a screening of The Cyclocross Meeting at the Music Box Theater on Monday, October 25, at 7:30 pm. Brian Vernor and Barry Wicks will be there for a Q&A, and there will be an after party as well. Seating is limited and advance tickets are on sale now via www.brownpapertickets.com. The Cyclocross Meeting is a documentary on the sport of ‘cross (and the human connections it inspires around the world) by Brian Vernor who has previously filmed such treasures as Pure Sweet Hell, Where Are You Go, and We Just Work Here.

Hi all,

It is with great sadness we report that Jeff Littmann, the president of the Wisconsin Cycling Association, coach, and owner of Attitude Sports in Fond du Lac, WI, passed away today at Froedert Hospital from injuries sustained after being struck by a car on a training ride. Jeff suffered head injuries after a driver hit him and Lauren Jensen. The driver claimed he was blinded by sunlight. Thankfully Laruen was not seriously seriously injured. More information will be posted at WICycling.org as it becomes available.

Read more here, here, here, and here.

We all love to ride, race, and be competitive but its moments like this, when one from our own cycling family it taken away from us, that we realize we’re more alike than we are different. So the next time you’re in a tough situation, remember to smile and that this is just bike racing. That guy or gal next to you on the start line, or hopping that barrier in front of you can be gone in an instant and might not be there next week.

– Gihugimous thanks to North Central Cyclery and Half Acre Cycling for putting on another great race at Hopkins Park. From what we saw on Sunday and all the pix flooding in it looks like everyone had a lot of fun negotiation the flyover, although it seems barriers are still giving some people a bit of trouble! Congratulations to everyone who raced but especially The Pony Shop for taking the lead in the Team Competition and Rodrigo Aviles who won the Sister Sprocket Flying Pig Award. Congrats also to Mia Moore (xXx Racing) and Chase Negley (Iron Cycles) who won the Mad Alchemy First Lap Hot Legs Sprints. Don’t worry though all you Cat 4’s, both of these riders have already applied for and were granted their Cat 3 upgrades.

– It only makes sense that Half Acre was handing out tall boys of their sponsor’s brews, which is great in Dekalb, but please remember that not all of the parks that host CCC events (including upcoming Dan Ryan Woods & Carpentersville) are as hops and barley friendly. We don’t think anyone wants to jeopardize our ability to hold CCC races at these parks in the future, so please mind your P’s, Q’s, and Natty Lite. Just use your good judgement… which means don’t roll up to the start line with a beer can in your water bottle cage. Let’s keep it a little more classy than that.

– Next up, Beverly Bike-Vee Pak with support from Psimet Custom Wheels host Elvis Cross in the Dan Ryan Woods. Yes, the hill will still be there. Look for the race preview on Thursday.

– The 2010 CCC Series t-shirts are now up and ready for sale on the REKLAIM Apparel website. Choose either mail delivery or you can pick your shirt(s) up at an upcoming race. REKLAIM is donating 100% of all profits to our series long WBR fundraising drive. So buy 1 or buy 20… all the money goes to a great cause!

– We’ve been getting a bunch of comments about pulling riders this year. So to clarify… the 80% rule was introduced this year merely as a way to officially enforce rule 5G1 (see page 140) that has been in existence for a long time but not necessarily enforced, especially in CCC races. Our USAC officials have agreed that if fields are manageable they will let the riders finish or ride as long as possible. However with fields nearing or at capacity across the board this year our USAC officials will likely be enforcing the rule at most races due to the larger field sizes, and at the end of the day whether or not to enforce the rule is ultimately the officials’ decision. We do not enforce the rule in the Cat 4B’s and Women 4/Juniors fields because we want these riders to all to have the “full CX experience”.  The lead Cat 4A’s rarely lap the last riders in that field, but the the officials may start pulling riders in the 4A’s if needed. As far as the Masters races are concerned, in a nutshell… they are based on age. If riders want to race with others more their skill/fitness level they should race in the Cat 3’s or Cat 4’s, which is why those are skill/fitness based categories. If you have other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us directly at [email protected].

– Check out the ICA’s most recent CX Bikes Supermodel’s post. If you’re interested in contributing and/or have some glamor shots of your bike(s) get in touch with the ICA webmaster. Speaking of photography… if you are taking action shots near any CX course, please stay off the course and do not interfere with any rider. We encourage our spectators to get close to the action, but please remember you are still spectating.

– And finally… it is the CCC’s policy not to reply to messages on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Even though we do have umpa-loompas and mini-me’s running around in our secret evil lair (with liquid hot magma), we still don’t have time to check these sites all day long and respond. If you have criticisms of the series… or better yet suggestion or would like to get involved to make the series better… please contact us directly at [email protected] and we’d be happy to listen to whatever you have to say. Now… does anyone want to just race bikes for the fun of it?