– Another big thanks to Rob Kelley and Bicycle Heaven for hosting yet another great CCC race in 2009.

– Next up… Northbrook. Promoter Chris Henning reminds us there is a still a chance the race could be cancelled at the last minute due to weather and course conditions… so keep you eyes glued to this site. We’ll post information as soon as it is available. That being said, the forecast looks great for the rest of the week… so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.

– Two more points concerning Northbrook… First, there are instructions concerning parking here on the BikeReg page. See the map here. Second, remember the Jane Addams Hull House Association in Chicago will also be at the Northbrook race accepting bicycle donations. Bikes collected are rewarded to young students for their commitment and achievements in school. Find more details at www.gopedalpower.com.

– Dr. James Kearns is still looking for volunteers to help set up his course in Woodstock the morning of the race. Volunteers race all day for $10. The Doctor needs people to show up at 7am on Sunday November 22nd and help set up the course. If you’re interested and can commit to being there on time and helping, please email the Doctor your email address and mobile # at [email protected].

– Hey, did you hear we have a t-shirt design winner? Congrats to Joe Kallo from Team TATI for the winning design. Make sure to heckle him extra loud in the 30+ races for the rest of the season. T’s are on sale now on BikeReg for $20… please see our previous post about color options.

– Think the CCC is just all about fast old guys and bacon wrapped dollar bill hands ups? We at the CCC believe in giving back to our communities and are announcing a new initiative to give back even more. If you haven’t seen it already there is a World Bicycle Relief donation area at the bottom of each race’s BikeReg page. Without even mentioning this donation section in the past many of you have already donated $126.40 to WBR (thank you!)… but the CCC wants to do more. Our goal is to raise at least $1,000 by the end of the season for WBR. The way we see it, at ~300 pre-reg riders per race that’s less than $1 per pre-reg’d racer. We know money is tight for everyone these days… but when you’re riding around on >$1K cross bikes, often with extra wheels or another complete bike in the pit… its hard to argue you don’t have an extra $1 per race stuck in the cushions of your couch. Please help where and if you can… you might just get a call up.

– In a similar note, Main Street Bicycles and the North Branch Cycling Club donated $1,000.00 from the Carpentersville Park race proceeds to the Carpentersville Rotary Club, which in turn supports the local FISH food pantry, Boys & Girls Club, and COATS – a program that distributes new winter jackets to impoverished children.

– Mud got you down? xXx’er Newt Cole lets us in on a great deal over at Johnny Sprockets. $40 Tune-ups and $120 overhauls. Overhauls include new cables, housing, bar tape, complete tear down, cleaning, rebuild, and tune-up of your entire bike. Just bring in a CCC race number or other proof that You Did It in The Dirt to receive the discount.

– Wondering what all the fast kids are doing to stay in tip-top CX fitness and get ready for a race? Here’s a  few ideas on training and warming up. Ride safely.

– Still have money left over? Independent Fabrications is having a raffle for a wicked custom ride. Check out details here.

Congratulations to Joe Kallo of Team TATI for winning the 2009 CCC t-shirt design contest. Joe’s design garnered 26% of all votes. Per the contest guidelines, Joe will get a copy of his masterpiece, free entry into one of the remaining CCC races of his choice, his name plastered all over the CCC website (see below), and the adoring admiration of mandatory heckling by every other CCC racer, spectator, heckler, and random passerby. Congrats Joe… you earned it!

Thanks also to everyone who submitted a design for the contest… we couldn’t have had a contest without you.

Though Joe’s design calls for Team TATI orange… we know not all of your are so bold as to wear a bright orange t-shirt around all day long… so we’ll have white and asphalt (greyish) shirts with the design in black and white respectively. We’ll also make a one time only special limited edition run of Joe’s original design in orange and brown as well as a baby blue shirt with a grey logo similar to last year’s design meaning the colors are similar to last year’s design. These special edition shirts will be pre-order only and for sale only on BikeReg. So, if you want one… order it now. If you need a size other than S, M, L, or XL please email us at [email protected],

Shirts will be American Apparel (fine short sleeve) and cost $20 with all proceeds benefiting World Bicycle Relief and the CCC (to help pay for new equipment like plastic stakes, course tape, holidays in February to Belize, etc).

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Really quickly… don’t forget the IIT Swap & Hop is tomorrow (Saturday 10/31/09). Details here and pre-reg for the clinic is open here until 6pm tonight. Now back to our regularly scheduled course preview…

Back again for 2009 is the hilly St. Charles / Campton CCC race hosted by Bicycle Heaven. 308 of you are scheduled to toe the start line in your best Halloween regalia.

• First and foremost… remember Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday…  that give you all (unless you live in Indiana) an extra hour to sleep-off your Snicker hangovers. No one gets a pass for showing up late on Sunday… so be on time!
• St. Charles is one of the “further away” from the city venues so give yourselves plenty of time to get there. Here’s an idea… don’t set your clocks back and use that time to get to the race and watch the earlier categories! There are plenty of food and caffeine vendors along Randall Rd on the way out, so stock up as there isn’t much food close to the park.
• In addition to whatever the Cuttin’ Crew decide on for handups this week (we saw an X-Box game at Bartlett!?!), promoter Rob Kelley will be handing out $20 primes for the winners of the first lap of every race. Its a gamble to go out so fast, but if you do, you will be rewarded.
• This year’s St. Charles course will be nearly identical to last year’s with just a few modifications (see below for an estimate). As always, the course can change on race day depending on conditions. Update: The course goes anti-clockwise
• Speaking of conditions… according to the current weather forecast it looks chilly still another fabulous day for a CX race. Whoever has been making sacrifices to the weather gods… please keep what you’re doing!
• Don’t forget we’re giving special “best costume” call-ups after the top 10 series overall. Here’s a sneak peak at what the rest of you might be up against.
• Where will the best spectating spot be this week? We’re guessing near kids playground equipment… but we’ll let you decide. There is more than enough legal parking for everyone, so please use it.
• Also, don’t forget to vote for your favorite t-shirt design (below the map). Please only vote once and polls close tomorrow (Saturday) night at midnight.

• Big thanks again to Jim Nowak and ABD for putting on another great race (with even better weather) in Bartlett… the CCC’s 2nd largest race of 2010 by # of riders. If any of you web geeks are counting… the CCC site had over 6,000 page views yesterday (our highest one day total). We should start advertising…
• Up next is the St. Charles / Campton CCC race hosted by Bicycle Heaven. This race showcases more elevation gain than any other CCC race and a fun wooded section with drainage bars that always keep things interesting. Keeping with this year’s theme of surprises, promoter Rob Kelley tells us he and Bicycle Heaven will have a few fun things in store for everyone. The course will be similar to last year with a few new twists, and a great spectating area near the playground (let’s see what name you all can come up with for the this week). Check back Friday for the usual preview.
• Also don’t forget about the special Halloween callups this weekend in St. Charles. Here’s another idea for you.
• Don’t forget that Rob Curtis (from the St. Charles neck of the woods) is building, renting, and selling nice carbon CX wheels with tires already glued. Check him out at http://www.psimet.com and his blog here.
• Before heading out to St. Charles, make sure to check out IIT’s Swap and Hop this Saturday. For the “Swap” bring old bikes and parts and pick up something new… or at least new to you. If you’re a vendor go here. For the “Hop” the clinic is being run by coach Randy Warren and online pre-registration (for the clinic) is open until Friday at 6pm. Randy will be covering lots of great CX knowledge including bike handling, training, & tactics. See Randy’s full schedule here.
• USAC has announced preliminary call-up info for nationals. CX Magazine has it posted here.
• A quick note on spectating at CCC events… We want everyone to have a great time and we ourselves enjoy watching the level of enthusiasm all riders have brought to this year’s series. However our (and everyone else’s) first concern is/should be the safety of all riders. Dollar bill, $2 bill, $20 bill, hotdog, bacon, and yes, even X-Box game hand-ups are okay… but spectators should never, ever, ever interfere with a rider’s forward movement during their race. CX is supposed to be fun, so get close, get in riders’ faces, heckle all you want… but under no circumstances are glass, metal, or dangerous objects allowed on the course at any time. Glass is okay directly next to the course if said glass is wrapped around a carbonated beverage, perhaps from a local business. You all have been doing a great job so far, so let’s just keep it clean, fun, and enjoyable for everyone involved. The last thing we want is to send someone to the hospital with a lawn-dart stuck in their leg.
• Don’t forget to vote for you favorite CCC t-shirt design in the side bar on the right (==>) or in the original post here. Voting polls are open until midnight this Saturday (10/31/09).
• The Hilton Indian Lakes CCC race is fast approaching. Race promoter and South Chicago Wheelman VP Mike Kelly (better known as Super Girl) sent us this tentative list of extras to expect. Indian Lakes will be the 2nd (and final) new CCC venue for 2010 and already sounds like a ton fun… before we even see the course.

1. All Day, all you can eat buffet for $13.95.  This won’t be a crap buffet your grandfather would like, but good food: burgers, chicken, soup, fruit.  Probably open at 11 AM and go to about 6 PM.
2. $2 Pints of Fat Tire Ale (New Belgium Brewery is a sponsor of the event).
3. Room rates $79.  Up to 5 people can stay in one room at no extra charge.  Roll away beds provided at no extra charge. Contact the hotel here and let them know you’re with the CCC. Room rates apply for Friday or Saturday night… so spend the night before the race and sleep in on Saturday, or keep the party going after the race and avoid driving home in the dark. At least one CCC director will be spending the night on Saturday and wouldn’t mind hanging out with some CX’ers.
4. Outdoor patio seating with open fire pits burning all day long.
5. Indoor heated pool.  All ages welcome.  Drop off the kiddies at the pool and double up… err, make sure someone’s watching them before you race!
6. Indoor locker room.  Change in the warmth.  Take a shower after your race.
7. Spa, including steam room and jacuzzi.  Real nice after a long day of racing.
8. Christian Vande Velde autographed jersey raffle; as well as other prizes.  All proceeds to benefit the SCW Junior Development Program.
9. Live Band.  Probably start at 3ish and playing until 6ish.

• Here’s three last pics from “Heckle Hill” at last weekend’s Bartlett / Sunrise Park race…

Timeless… there are so many things that are right about this photo… the anticipation, the excitement, the cheering, the clapping, the bullhorn, the teddy bear, the SuperGirl… every single person in this photo can’t wait to see the next rider make it up the hill or fall down trying. But the great thing is it doesn’t matter either way what happens… everyone will cheer no matter what!

Photo: Luke Seeman

Case in point…

Photo: Luke Seemann

And finally… then there’s this guy (sorry we still don’t know your name yet Greg Teiber) who has participated in every CCC race this season. He doesn’t win… he’s not even close… he was wearing jeans and a flannel button-down shirt until Barlett… but he’s having a great time… and so is everyone else. Look at all of those cowbells, look at all of those arms in the air… look at the excitement on SuperGirl’s face… hell, look at the sheer giddiness on everyone’s face… this is what makes CX racing our little party each and every Sunday afternoon… and we hope you’ll all be there next week!

Photo: Luke Seeman

The entries are in and its now time for you to vote!
Thanks to everyone who submitted designs… but unfortunately only one t-shirt can win.

See the designs below or follow this link to the Picasa page. We’re having a little trouble with the online formatting for entry #14, but we hope to have that fixed soon and uploaded. Also, for #8 the stars should be red and the barriers blue… silly Picasa!

Please review the designs carefully and pick your favorite… and the one you’d want to wear. Then vote below or in the side bar to the right –>. You’re only allowed to vote once (yes, if you figure out a way to get around the super-secure interwebs security we want you to do the right thing and still only vote once), but the polls will be open until midnight this Saturday (10/31/09). Remember to click the yellow “Vote” button when you’re done to save your vote. Anyone can vote, but if you get all of your friends, random strangers, long lost uncles, and pets to vote… they have to buy a t-shirt and wear it too!

We’ll have the shirts for sale on BikeReg for $15 (so you can earn points on your credit card) and they should be ready by Northbrook, but no later than Indian Lakes. We’ll also have a limited number for sale at each race (bring exact change in cash) and (if there are any left) at the banquet in January.

Good luck to all of the contestants, and Happy Voting!

This just in… a little more media coverage for the CCC.

SRAM‘s Scott McLaughlin and xXx Racing‘s Jeff Holland grace the cover of the Nov/Dec issue of Chicago Athlete Magazine!

–  Thanks to Sheila Burt for the great article with comments from the CCC’s Jason Knauff, the Pony Shop‘s Lou Kuhn, and Iron Cycles Brandon Elliot and Katie Isermann. Check out the full article starting on page 28.

– The Daily Herald also has an article about Carpentersville here titled “Challenging Cyclocross come to Carpentersville“. Thanks to Steve Zalusky for the insightful article!

– Speaking of Scott… it might be difficult… but see if you can spot him on the front page of SRAM.com. If you ride mountain bikes at all you’ve probably heard of SRAM’s new XX grouppo. Not only is Scott a ridiculously fast and talented CX and MTB racer, but he’s also a brilliant engineer who was instrumental in bringing the XX concept to market. Read all about it here.

We just heard from our scout network that “The Gibbs Lake cross race (Saturday in WI) is cancelled due to the park’s dept decision that they were not willing to allow racing in the conditions that exist. Areas of the park have 6 inches of standing water. The race will be rescheduled (tentatively Nov 15).”

We hate to hear any CX race is cancelled but we also know how important it is to keep our parks green and our relationships with the park’s departments healthy.

The CCC’s Bartlett race is still on.

Update:
We’re also hearing the Sunday Whitewater race is also cancelled. We’re expecting a few WI riders to travel down to Barlett to get their weekend CX racing fix so hopefully the fields, crowds, cowbells, and handups will be plentiful despite the deteriorating weather forecast.

Another CCC classic, for 2010 promoter Jim Nowak and ABD are stepping up again to both challenge and delight racers…

• The Bartlett venue has perhaps the trickiest parking situation of all the CCC races. Parking is actually a good ways away at the Sycamore Trails School. See the map here. Please park at the school and follow the signs on the path to the course and registration. Its probably a good idea to ride your bike, but per USAC regulations you must wear your helmet at all times when on your bike at a race. You can’t finish the race if you don’t start because you brains are all over the sidewalk… so please keep it safe and don’t make us ask you twice… better yet once. See page 51 and 52 here.
• Last year we had sunny skies, and a touch of wind. The forecast for Sunday looks much better this year , a little wet now… but still and chilly… so bring you knit caps and gloves. Also, with all the rain the past 2-3 days there are likely to be some wet spots… so bring your ‘wellies.
• The Bartlett course is the longest so far this year in the CCC at roughly 2.2 miles. All categories will still be racing the same amount of time as all other CCC races, but you’ll obviously be completing fewer laps… so pay attention to the lap counters.
• The Course runs clockwise this year (see below). Registration will be in roughly the same spot as last year, just East of the Finish line. The wheel/bike pit is double entry and just about in the middle of the course. The start chute will be just to the North of the pit.
• Since the start chute and Finish line are on the interior of the course… please be careful when crossing the course since racers will likely be coming at you from both directions.
• Do you have a tent and want to be right on the course to heckle your riders (heck all the other riders too!) and give dollar hand-ups?… set up SouthEast of Finish line on the outside of the course so you can see riders going through the toiletbowl as well.
• The 4B’s are closed and the 4A’s are nearly there. As at past races we’ll start a wait list on race day for those wanting to take any No-Show spots.
• We thought the Louisville USGP race would take away from the CCC, but there are still 317 of you pre-reg’d! Wow… only 2 less than Jackson Park and Carpentersville.
• Please remember this course is smack in the middle of a housing community. Please respect the neighbors at times while at the race. That last thing we want is not to be allowed back for something silly.
• Finally, since the park is in the middle of a residential area there are no eating (or drinking) establishments in the immediate vicinity. ABD may have some chili if they can persuade the local constables that their hands are clean… but its not for sure yet… so please plan accordingly, especially if you plan on doubling (or tripling up) and have a long drive home.
• At Carpentersville we picked up a xXx Racing, a Colavita, and a black Pearl Izumi Jacket. You can claim them at the finish line on Sunday.

Here’s a great example of fantastic CX video work from earlier in the year. We’d love to see someone put something together like this for a CCC race!

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3709928&w=425&h=350&fv=]

Three additional news items:

1. Remember online pre-reg for Bartlett closes tonight at midnight. The 4B’s are supposed to be an overflow category for the 4A’s, so we’re not sure why the 4B’s keep filling up before the 4A’s… but as long as you guys are having fun… go for it. Note there is NOT a state champ jersey for the 4B’s… only the 4A’s.
2. Team standings are updated here. Sheriff Kuhn’s Pony Shop is still in the lead with Verdigris a close second and xXx Racing rounding out the podium. It should be interesting to see how the team standings shift after this weekend with so many riders traveling to eat pizza.
3. The CCC was just mentioned on ChicagoNow.com’s “Pace of Chicago” endurance sports blog here.

– Another big thanks to Jeff Provisor, North Branch Cycling, and Main Street Bicycles for putting on another great Carpentersville race. The new pump/rhythm section was a hit, as was the timeless sand and toilet bowl. The spectators were out in full force as well. In addition to the now traditional dollar handups, we saw hotdogs/snickers/butterfingers and sliders! We can’t wait to see what you all think of next (just keep it clean please)!

– Up next… Bartlett/Sunrise Park hosted by Athlete’s By Design (ABD). Hopefully we won’t have 30 mph winds like last year… but race promoter Jim Nowak always seems to have something tricky up his sleeve. We know a few of you are heading down to Louisville to eat some Papa John’s Pizza… but if you’re not into driving 4.5 hours one way for a 40 minute race… come on out to Barlett. Look for the usual Friday race preview on, well… Friday.

– Online pre-reg is now open for Northbrook here. Big thanks again to promoter Chris Henning, Garner Northbrook Bike Club, and Flatlandia for bringing back this great race venue. Chris reminds us all that we must only park in legally marked spaces and do NOT park in the main park parking lot or we won’t be able to race at the Northbrook venue again. Watch for details closer to the race day for parking specifics.

– Are there extra bikes or scooters in your garage that you have outgrown? Would you like to donate them to kids who don’t have a bike or a scooter? The Jane Addams Hull House Association in Chicago will also be at the Northbrook race accepting donations. These bikes are being collected to reward kids for doing well in school and to recognize students’ commitment and achievements in school.  Many of these kids have never owned a bike. Think about how much fun you have (just on your CX bike for 45 minutes once a week) and help bring a little sunshine into a kid’s life! Find more details at www.gopedalpower.com.

– Lots more details to come about the Hilton Indian Lakes race… but here’s a teaser… Room rates $79.  Up to 5 people can stay in one room at no extra charge.  Roll away beds provided at no extra charge. Stay Friday night or Saturday night… or the whole weekend! Indoor locker room.  Change in the warmth.  Take a shower after your race. All day, all you can eat buffet. More to come, so watch the site.

– Wanna race on the cheap? Dr. James Kearns, promoter of the Woodstock race, needs some helping setting up his course. The good Doctor will let anyone who shows up at 7am on Sunday November 22nd and helps set up the course race for $10 all day. If you’re interested and can commit to being there on time and helping, please email the Doctor your email address and mobile # at [email protected].

– Good news all around for the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew. First, a very belated congratulations to Avi Neurohr who is the first ever Officially Unofficial Illinois State Cyclocross Single Speed Champion. See details on the Half Acre site here. Thanks again to HAC and Tobie at North Central Cyclery for hosting the special event at the Dekalb race. Second, after a minor major tragedy that led to the quietest ever CX race at Dan Ryan Woods, the Cuttin’ Cruser is back in action. We’re glad to hear she’s okay, was back at Carpentersville, and we all look forward to more action from the ‘crew.

– Join Cycle Smithy Johnny Sprockets on their Zombie Bike Ride. Wednesday 10/28/09 at 3030 Broadway, Big empty lot.

– Local “pro” Ben Popper shares some of the behind the scenes antics of a CX race in CX Magazine.

– Red Bull is having a photo contest. Check it out here and the rules here. Let’s see if we can get some CCC pix in there!

– Speaking of contests… CX Magazine is having another Race Report Contest. See it here.

– They’re not from the MidWest, but Recycled Bike Art has some nifty cycling related nick-nacks. Check them out at www.recycledbikeart.com.

– And finally, don’t forget submissions for the 2009 CCC t-shirt contest are due no later than midnight this coming Saturday 10/24/09.