– We hope you all had a great time at the xXx Racing CX Relay race this past Sunday. For those of you who wimped out because of the rain, it really wasn’t that bad at all, and kept the temperatures to a very comfortable 78 degrees. Please post links to your pictures, videos, and race reports in the comments of the post below. We’ll have posts like this for every race going forward so you don’t have to go hunting all over the Intertubes on Monday morning looking for pictures of yourself.

– Attention all Potential Series Sponsors. We want to get things wrapped up this week, so if you’d like to help sponsor the series please email us now!

– Speaking of series sponsors, we’re happy to officially announce that Iron Cycles returns again as the 2012 Chicago Cyclocross Cup Series Title Sponsor. Brandon and the guys at Iron Cycles do a great job both on and off the bike sponsoring and promoting the series and we’re very, very, very happy and grateful to have them back for another year. We’ll have more to say about Iron Cycles (their fancy new website and even fancier new kits!) and all of our series sponsors in the coming weeks.

– Quick plug for one of our multi-year series sponsors. Check out Well-Fit’s training plan here.

– Speaking of the CCC Series, before we get under way please take 10 minutes to read the Series Rules & FAQ page. We know the rules and didn’t write this page for ourselves, so before you ask if its still okay to still ride 35mm tyres, or what your CX racing age is, check out the page and you’ll likely find the answer there. If not, shoot us an email and we’d be happy to answer your question.

– Speaking of website pages, did you know we also have a store page where you can pick up all kinds of trick CCC branded goodies, including Sock Guy CCC socks, CCC Contigo coffee mugs, Mad Alchemy custom CCC blend embrocation, and this year’s 2012 CCC series t-shirt. We decided not to hold a t-shirt design contest this year and instead had our super-awesome graphic designer Becky Welbes design a shirt that goes with another project we’ve been working on (see below). Ordering and payment instructions are all on the Store page.

– Speaking of new designs, Becky Welbes also designed this year’s Pactimo Series Leaders Jerseys. This season’s jersey will be awarded, every week, to all categories (well, except the 4B’s). We’ll show you what the Pactimo leaders jersey look like in a few weeks as soon as we get them from Pactimo. Overall standings will be posted after each race here which you can get to from here based on points listed here.

– But before you finish the race and earn points you have to start the race. All CCC series races are staged according to a combination of CCC Series Overall Standings, CrossResults.com points, and order of registration. The obvious exception will be the first race of the series (Jackson Park) where no one will have yet accumulated any points. The last race of the series at Montrose Harbor (which is also the State Championship) will also be staged a little differently so as NOT to disadvantage mid and down state IL riders, but we’ll get to that later in the season.

– Jackson Park staging. While we considered the idea of employing a random component to staging at Jackson Park, given the sheer number of riders and possibility of wet weather (again) we decided to use straight CrossResults.com points and order of registration for all categories. There are several nuances of using this system.

1. While CCC series points do NOT carry over from the previous season, CrossResults.com points do. So riders in higher (faster) categories and guys/gals that have been around for a few seasons should have a good idea of where they will be staged.
2. If you’ve never raced CX, sorry, but you’ll be towards the back (since you don’t yet have any CrossResults.com points). Fear not! You’ll automatically start earning CrossResults.com points with your first CCC race, as long as you have an annual USAC license. Sorry, but One Day’s do NOT earn CrossResults.com points (but you can earn CCC series points). Confused yet? If not, read Colin’s explanation here.
3. The caveat here is that riders without CrossResults.com points will be staged by order of registration. This means Cat 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s don’t need to rush to register (because they already have high CrossResults.com points). But Cat 4’s, you should pre-reg sooner rather than later.
4. However, we can’t carry the entire CrossResult.com database around with us to every race (we get the data from BikeReg.com, also see Colin’s comments) so in order to be staged properly by CrossResults.com points you MUST preregister on BikeReg.com with your correct USAC license number. We do our best to clean up license #’s, etc ahead of time, but if you want to be staged correctly, please help us out and get that license number in your profile.
5. If you don’t pre-reg for Jackson Park, even if you have CrossResults.com points you will be staged by order of registration. Likely not a big deal for a first timer in the 4B’s just out there having fun, but you guys and gals at the front end of the Cat 1/2/3’s and 3’s field won’t want to be staged at the back. Sorry, after pre-reg closes there’s nothing we can do.
6. After Jackson Park, CCC series points come first, but you need to finish in the top 30 to score points. CrossResults.com points come next, then order of registration.

– Speaking of BikeReg.com (which btw owns CrossResults.com), have we mentioned you need to have your correct USAC number in your rider profile? No, “PENDING” is not a valid license number. This simple, little 8 digit number makes all the difference in the world to us. We want to continue to provide you with great races and specifically in this case results, so please help us out!

– Speaking of pre-registration. Online pre-reg for most CCC series races opens this Saturday 9/1/12 at 12 noon Central (all BikeReg times are Eastern because they’re in Massachusetts, duh). Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

– Speaking of results, for those of you that pre-reg’d at the CX Relay, did you like getting your results in your email inbox shortly after you raced? That’s a little project we’ve been working on recently. It takes a little bit of extra work on our end, so please don’t expect it at ever race, or within minutes of crossing the finish line, but we’ll do our best. All that being said, in order for us to do so you need to have your correct email address in your BikeReg.com rider profile. Full results will obviously still be posted at the race on the CCC results board (somewhere near registration) and usually that night on USACycling.org/results. Overall standings should also be posted that night before we go to bed.

– Speaking of USA Cycling, if you’re racing anything higher than Cat 4 you need an annual license. period. Sorry, we don’t make up the rules, but we do have to enforce them. Purchase or renew you annual license on USAC’s website for the fastest turnaround time possible. You’ll also need an annual license to win the state championship in December at Montrose Harbor. #YearOfSpeed.

– And finally… for all you fellow metal heads out there, may we present…

– Just a quick update for this Tuesday, which is kind of like Friday due to the holiday tomorrow, but is still just Tuesday since we all have to go back to work on Thursday, which is kind of like Monday, but then its actually is Friday… oh bother, let’s get to it.

– Due to another large event schedule at the park, the first race of the 2012 CCC season at Jackson Park has been moved to SATURDAY September 15th. Mark your calendars and don’t show up on Sunday.

– Patriot CX is happening again this year on Saturday September 8th.

– Since several of you asked… Yes, every race in the series counts towards your (and your team’s) overall score… and Yes, we will again be staging by CCC points (which do expire at the end of the season) and CrossResults.com points (which never expire and roll over from one season to the next). At Jackson Park we will likely use some sort of random component for the front row of 8.

– Think the 5 CCC directors just stand around babbling into a megaphone? We do a little work sometimes.

– Local junior phenom David Lombardo was profiled in his local paper.

– And finally… Happy 4th of July!

– Hi gang! Rather then tell you its been a long while… and we’re sorry for not posting more information sooner… and we were really, really busy… and… oh nevermind. Let’s get to it, in chronological order.

– This Sunday July 1st (early in the morn), the CCC directors are getting together at Main St. Bicycles in Carpentersville, IL to play Tetris with all of the CCC equipment and trailer. We’re also going to make videos about how to properly set up a staging grid and equipment pit. If you’d like to help, or just stand around and watch like a state highway worker, stop on by… everyone is welcome.

– Speaking of staging grids, the CCC will be UCI compliant starting (pun intended) in 2012 and going forward. Instead of the 10 lane wide staging grid we’ve used for the past 3 years all CCC races will now use the UCI/USAC legal 75cm wide 8 lanes. Sorry 9th and 10th place, you’ve had a good ride… now race faster!

– Concerning racing… the 2012 race day schedule is now posted over on the Schedule page. We’ve made one small addition for all of you derailleur-challenged racers out there. While several of you have raced without gears for years, the CCC will now have a dedicated Single Speed category. Since we’re not sure how many SS’s will show up, and we’re always crunched for space on the course (because so many of you want to race) this will be an experimental category for 2012. If things go well we’ll keep the party going in years to come. Single Speeds will have their own staging (behind the ladies and old guys) AND overall title. We still encourage Single Speeders to race their trusty gearless steeds in regular categories as well. Also, bear in mind the SS category will not be all fun and games. You’ll be racing on course at the same time with some of the fastest women and angry old dudes in the area. If you’re too far behind you may be pulled early (but still placed). If you’re looking for the party, race the 4B’s.

– Another category we’re adding for 2012 is a separately scored Women Category 3. Since three quarters of the Women 1/2/3 field is Cat 3’s anyway we felt it would be good great to recognize the Women Cat 3’s riding hard every week but not hitting the podium. Points will be awarded on a combined basis, meaning if a Cat 3 wins she gets 1st place points but only 3rd place points if she is the first Cat 3 but 3rd finisher on course. The same goes for the Cat 1/2’s. We need to do it this way to make the combined staging work. Payout will also be combined unless the individual promoter decides to award more or a separated prize list for the Women Cat 3’s.

– Since we’ll now have 4 categories on course at the same time (W1/2/3, 50+, 60+, SS) during the 10:45am time slot we will have to limit Pre-Reg in those categories. However if each category does NOT fill on pre-reg its still first come first served on race day. We’ll also run wait lists as always on race day and everyone should have a chance to race. Just pay attention to BikeReg.com!

– Everyone should also pay attention to the Series Rules and Facts page. Take 10 minutes and read it now. There’s lots of good info, even for hardened CCC veterans who think they’ve seen and heard it all. Cat 3’s should pay special attention to USAC’s reworded upgrade criteria.

– Going back to Payout, the 2012 standard payout for all categories will remain the same as 2011 (with the addition of a Single Speed payout). However, since the CCC continues to grow each year, for 2012 we will introduce increased payouts for the Cat 1/2/3‘s scaling with the number of total pre-reg’d riders for each event (not just the Cat 1/2/3’s). We’re still working out the math, but in a nutshell… the greater number of rider’s pre-reg’d across all categories, the greater the payout to the Cat 1/2/3’s. Stay tuned for more details.

– Each year the CCC seems to figure out one or two little things that really make races run smoother and riders happier. At last season’s New Year’s Resolution we found out very quickly that we had never set up nor maintained proper Equipment pits (if anyone needs to borrow 600 feet of garden hose, let us know). National level CX racers demand that sort of thing and we thing you all do too (the pits, not the garden hose). That’s why this year we plan to institute correctly organized equipment pits. No more little sections of grass off to the side of the course, that were an afterthought, and have a few spare wheels. SRAM neutral service won’t be at every race dishing out Zipps like, well, bacon… but our pits will look better in 2012. This also means you as riders, mechanics, and spectators will need to respect the equipment pits more. The entire area should look, feel, and be pro.

– Speaking of pro… congratulations to the Schneider family. Last weekend the 2011 CCC Women Cat 1/2/3 overall champion Sam Schneider won the USA Cycling U23 national Criterium AND Road Race championships while the the 2011 Junior 10-14 overall champion (and Sam’s younger sister) Skylar won both the Junior Girls 13-14 Criterium AND Road Race championships as well. The CCC’s own Gina Johnson also finished 3rd in the 13-14 Road Race and 4th in the Criterium.

– 2012 is shaping up to be another great season in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup. Hopefully everyone worked out the kinks of an extended season last year and is ready to go that extra month longer this year. Remember CX Nationals are again just over our Northern border in Verona (Madison), WI. Master’s World Championships are again in Louisville, KY but a few weeks later this season to correspond to the week before the Elite World Championships. That’s worlds-worlds for those of you in the know. We want 2012-2013 to be the Year of Speed. We want to see everyone racing to their highest potential while still having the time of their lives. Oh yeah, and bacon and Twinkies too.

– And finally… the weather is great, if a little hot, right now in Chicago. Don’t be stressing about CX and certainly don’t train on your rollers in your garage. Get out there and enjoy the next few weeks of summer! See you soon…

– The Afterglow lived up to its name yet again and was a great (if not extremely muddy and sandy) time had by all. Thanks to Robots powered/by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew for hosting the event. Also congratulations to Jeff “Rooster” Perkins for bringing ‘Sweet Justice’ back to his rightful home.

– For the first Sunday in months there was no CX racing to be had, so the CCC hosted a party for 60 people at EJ’s Place in Skokie to award the CCC Overall Series Winners their coveted cowbells and a whole bunch of schwag to everyone else. Thanks to everyone who shared the afternoon with us, and if you missed it, you’ll have to wait until the end of next season to be there again!

– CX Racing picks back up today at the first ever Highland Park High School Training CX Rumble. This event is for high school students ONLY and a way for the Illinois Scholastic Cycling Association to introduce cycling and more specifically cyclocross racing, to the youth of Illinois. If you can make it out to HPH to watch or help, please do so and get in touch w/ the race director through the BikeReg page.

– We’ll take this coming weekend off to spend some much needed time w/ family & friends and open lots of presents… but the last CX race of the Chicagoland area and definitely the last race (and UCI race too) of the season before CX National Championships will be the New Year’s Resolution at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL. All the details you need to know are over on the NYR page and/or on BikeReg including the course map and a delicious tech guide. Please, please, please make sure to renew your USAC license BEFORE the race. We’ll have more info next week and then our normal course preview next Thursday at 9am.

– USAC Cyclocross Nationals in Madison needs a few volunteers for all dates Jan. 4-8th. Anyone interested in helping should contact Butch at: [email protected].

– The Friday of CX Nationals Machinery Row Bicycles is hosting Veldrijden Nacht at Machinery Row Bicycles. Meet the stars of American cyclocross racing including Jonathan Page, Katie Compton, and Ryan Trebon. The party is from 6PM to 10PM w/ free food and drinks provided by Great Dane and Sardine restaurant!

– And finally… This evening the CCC will make its annual donation to World Bicycle Relief from all of your donations throughout the series. During the 2011 season we raised $715.25 and thanks to a generous anonymous donor who is matching dollar for dollar until the end of the year the CCC’s net contribution will equal $1,430.50… enough for nearly 11 bikes! Check out WBR’s holiday and thank you video to everyone who has volunteered and donated to such a worthy cause. Thank you all!

– Well the weather held out, the crowds showed up, there were thrills, spills, chills (literally), Flannel Mike, heroes, winners, a little sand… but absolutely no losers. Big thanks to Turin Bicycle for hosting yet another great event at Montrose Harbor and the IL State CX Championships. Congratulation not only to the 13 state champions who won jerseys, but also the 13 individual Chicago Cyclocross Cup Overall Series Winners and to Verdigris-Village CX for winning the Team Competition.

– State Champions received their jerseys on Sunday but we’ll hand out the CCC cowbells in just less than 2 weeks at the CCC End of Season Awards Party on Sunday December 18th just after high noon at EJ’s Place in Skokie. We’ll have full use of the bar and a buffet dinner will be served between 3pm and 4pm. In addition to the CCC cowbells our fantastic series sponsors have stepped up in a big way and we’ll not only have awards for the series winners but plenty of great door prizes. Tickets are on sale now, so please pre-reg so the kitchen at EJ’s can plan accordingly.

– Speaking of parties, our friends at My Wife Inc. have invited all Chicago area racers heading up to Madison this weekend to the Badger Cross Party Saturday night. Although it’s technically the WCA season ending series awards, it’s really just a good party with food, music, and drinks. What better way to end a day of racing, cheering, heckling and cowbell ringing than with good food, some tasty beverages, music, fun and great company! December 10, 2011, 6-9 pm (Hor d’Oeuvres 6:30-8:30) at the West Side Club of Madison. Cost: $20.

– The Burnham Racing & Spidermonkey Cycling WBR holiday “bake sale” charity fundraiser was a smashing success. The Spidermonkeys baked their faces off and the group ‘sold through’ their ornaments (twice), raising well over $700 for World Bicycle Relief. Because of the WBR matching campaign going on now through the end of the year, the Montrose fundraiser along with Burnham’s Apple Donut ride and their work as the lead pace bikes for the Chicago Marathon… monies will end up as a net donation of over $2,400 to WBR!

– Races coming up…

– Badger Cross on 12/10 and 12/11 near Madison.
– Afterglow is hosted by Robots Powered by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew on Saturday 12/17 in Humboldt Park.
– Highland Park High School Training CX Rumble. A new high school ONLY CX race.
– The CCC’s New Year’s Resolution on 12/31 AND 1/1 at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort. Reg is here. ILR’s sister hotel (Holiday Inn Elk Grove, 10-15 minutes away) has opened up rooms for $79 per night (including NYE) and will transport guests to and from ILR.
– CX Nationals take place in Madison between January 4-8.
– Masters World Championships are in Louisville January 12-15.

– For those of you continuing to race for another month, you can start renewing your annual USAC now on USACycling.org. UCI license holders you should know what to do. Licenses renewed now will be good until the end of next year… 12/31/2012. You’ll need a 2012 license in order to race on the 2nd day of the New Year’s Resolution, CX Nationals in Madison, and CX Masters World Championships in Louisville.

– And finally… Mr. Cyclocross Newt Cole is bringing his Engine Building 101 session back for another season starting in January 2012. Newt tells us the graduating class of 2011 earned 39 Podiums during this season… which isn’t even over yet!

Engine Building 101 by Newt Cole
An 8 week series designed for cyclists to build explosive strength, develop better mobility and flexibility while learning proper technique and recovery habits

Sundays, starting Jan 22nd
http://chicagonorthcenter.orangeshoe.com/enginebuilding101
Saturdays, starting Jan 21st
http://pwppedalingwithapurpose.blogspot.com/2011/11/pedaling-with-purpose-is-here.html
Prevent the repetitive-motion and overuse injuries associated with cycling.
Head off to your spring camps with a higher level of base fitness and prepare for a healthy 2012 campaign.

– Big thanks again to Rob Curtis, Dr. Kearns and the entire Enzo’s–Psimet team for hosting Sunday’s PSI-clocross For Life race in Woodstock. The sky’s threatened all day long, but the Cat 4B’s wound up finishing in the sun. We are now deep into the season and the leaders of the overall standings continue to change hands. We are very excited to see this level of competition and look forward to the next few weeks to see what happens.

– This coming weekend the CCC heads West to the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort (ILR) as the South Chicago Wheelmen (SCW) host stops 9 and 10 of the series and the CCC’s 2nd of two double weekends. There’s lots going on at ILR and MsChiCrossCup will even be in attendance. See the SCW’s site for details and stop back here on Thursday for the usual course preview. But until then a few things:

• Discounted room rates for up to 4 people… $82/night (use group code CCC)
• All you can eat buffets for $13.95 at the Masters Clubhouse
• Pool AND hot tub
• Party at ‘The Cave’ bar w/ the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew… $3 Fat Tire Ales… see here
• Roll out of your bed and onto the course
• Psimet wheel raffle to benefit the SCW junior development program
• SRAM neutral support & bike wash
• Did we mention there is a pool and hot tub?

– Please note that due to the Saturday race online pre-reg for ILR closes Wednesday evening. Don’t miss out. Do it now.

– Speaking of ILR, registration is open for the CCC’s New Year’s Resolution which will take place at ILR. All the details you seek are here. We still need a few volunteers to help us put on the event. If you offered to help but didn’t receive an email from us this morning then somehow we lost your original email. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

– Speaking of pre-reg, online reg quietly opened last week for this year’s Afterglow hosted by <a title=”Robots Powered by Love and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew. Details here.

– Reg is also open for the Norge Ski Hill CX here.

– OMG so many reg sites… tickets will be on sale soon for the CCC’s End of the Season Awards Dinner to be held again at EJ’s Place in Skokie. With so much racing going on from New Year’s to Nationals to Masters CX Worlds we moved the date up to Sunday December 18th (the day after Afterglow) so everyone can make it and not have to miss a race or training ride. Cowbells will be ringing so we hope to see you all there!!

– Just a reminder that you can NOT simply give or take someone else’s bib  number at any race in any category. Yes, the Cat 4B’s are fun, but if you want to race we need to know who YOU are… not who the bib number originally belonged to. We’d be happy to switch you at the reg desk, but our insurance coverage mandates that only the person issued the bib number and who signed the release form can be on the race course. We know that sounds like a bunch of suits talking mumbo-jumbo, but there are rules we all have to play by to stay safe. Thanks for understand… do you smell bacon?

– And finally… Its November and the temps will surely start falling, perhaps with some precipitation… Got Bogs?

– UDPATE: Our friends from Embrocation Cycling Journal were out at Woodstock and put together a great photo essay of the event. See it here.

– This Sunday stop #3 of the CCC heads to Chicago’s South side at Dan Ryan Woods. Hosted by Beverly Bike-Vee Pak with support from Region Racing and food from Strack and Van Til. There is no theme this year so leave your white sequin jump suits at home.

– Food: BBVP will have free chicken tenders, PBJ sandwiches, and bananas from a generous food donation from Strack and Van Til courtesy of Region Racing.

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

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

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

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

– Speaking of running, our friends at Spidermonkey Cycling are apparently runners too and will be attending the marathon. There is an outside shot we will have the 2011 CCC series shirts for distribution, but if not you’ll be able to pick them up next weekend at Psycho CX or Carpentersville. CCC Mad Alchemy Embro will be available for pick up. Socks are still on schedule to arrive at ABD Sunrise Park.

– Online pre-reg on BikeReg.com closes tonight at midnight. Please remember on site registration closes 30 minutes prior to each race’s start time. Why you ask… see below.

Photo: Ed White

– Big thanks again to North Central Cyclery, Half Acre Cycling, and Robots Powered by Love for hosting yet another great event at Hopkins Park. If you couldn’t make it out to Dekalb for a stupendously wonderful Autumn day to watch the races be sure to check out all of the pix and vids posted here.

– Congratulations to James Lalonde (Chicago.CX) and Christina Peck (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew) who won this year’s installment of the Officially Unofficial IL State Singlespeed CX Championships. James and Christina won complimentary entry into the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championship weekend being held November 18-20 in San Francisco as well as round-trip airfare. If you didn’t know, whomever wins SSWC’s gets to bring the event back to their home city the next year… so good luck and do us proud James & Christina (no pressure)!

– Next up Dan Ryan Woods (DRW). No theme this year… just some fast long straight-away CX racing with a little hill thrown in for good measure. Look for the standard course preview on Thursday.

– Just a heads up for this weekend… the Chicago Marathon is again being run (literally) the same day as DRW on Sunday. Please plan your travel times to the race accordingly.

– Hopkins Park was dry… but did you get your bike dirty somewhere else? Iron Cycles is still running their bike cleaning special.

– We have been asked by our promoters and officials to again remind everyone that registration closes for each race 30 minutes prior to its start time. This may seem like an arbitrary time cut off, but there’s a lot of stuff that needs to happen in that 30 minutes to get all races started on time (No shows pulled, waitlisted riders entered, start sheets printed, riders checked in at the starting grid, call ups prepped, donuts consumed, tires inflated, chains lubed… sorry, we got lost… where were we? Oh right, 30 minutes… Do yourself and everyone else a favor and just get yourself to reg on time. Arriving to pick up your bib number 5 minutes before your race start time and then asking someone to pin your number on is not acceptable and will no longer be tolerated.

– Speaking of registering… there are only a handful of spots left in the Cat 4A race. Get in there now if you want to race.

– CCC Series Director Jason Knauff was profiled on CX Magazine.

– Speaking of the New Years Resolution… Jason took a scouting trip to the East coast to visit the GP of Gloucester this past weekend. While very disappointed with New Englanders’ hand up and heckling skills, he did bring back quite a few best practices ideas… so look for them soon in the CCC as we prepare for our big show on New Years. Jason also had a chance to chat with a few pros and their handlers about racing in Chicago. Updates coming soon.

– Speaking of handling… thanks to Spidermonkey Cycling for handling our merchandise distribution at Hopkins Park. We only have a few tshirts left, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Socks are on the way and Embro is here now. All items are pre-order only.

– In case you missed it… our friends at CrossResults.com have introduced their Cross Clash. Check it out and challenge your friends or mortal enemies to a season long competition.

– There’s a new Blue Steel in town… but we always appreciate classics.

– And finally… we know there are quite a few carbonated hops flavored beverage enthusiasts racing (and lets be honest… heckling) in the CCC. If you happen to be out in Utah, maybe bring back some of this for everyone to enjoy?!?! HT Rhythm Racing‘s Michael Shea.

Photo: Bill Draper

– Well you’ve asked for it for years and this past weekend you finally got some real CX weather worthy of those long sleeve skinsuits. Thankfully it wasn’t too cold, but the rains came and went and came again… and then it rained some more. Even through all of muckity muck over 680 of you toed the line to start the CCC series. The CCC has never concentrated specifically on increasing CCC rider counts, but even we were amazed by how many of you came out to race, heckle, and have fun… especially in the rain.

– Thanks again to xXx Racing for hosting such a great event and specifically race promoters Brian Parker and Blayne Greiner and their right hand man and CX Relay promoter Alan Treuthart. Hosting such a big race is tough enough much less in the soaking rain, and all of xXx pulled together to make the first stop of the CCC a great success.

– Some of you loved her, most of you not so much… but we ‘d like to say a very special thank you to Victoria Seliger for helping us pick numbers for the top 10 call ups all day long in the rain.

– Next up in two weeks is CCC stop #2 Hopkins Park in beautiful Dekalb, IL. All categories are still open, but the Cat 4A’s and B’s are starting to fill up. See below for more exciting details about this year’s race that just can’t wait until next Thursday’s course preview.

– Is your CX bike durty after Jackson Park? Of course it is. Thankfully 2011 CCC Series Title Sponsor Iron Cycles comes to the rescue with a super duper cleaning special.

$45 CX-specific clean includes:
– Chain and cassette removed and cleaned (customer may need a new quick link depending on chain, slight upcharge)
– Bottom bracket and headset bearings cleaned whenever possible (sealed bottom brackets are limited somewhat)
– Clean/true wheels
– Clean frame
– 48-hour turnaround time or less

This is essentially Iron Cycles’ “Paceline” tuneup for 40% off with added removal of the chain and cassette for cleaning purposes. Rider must have raced a CCC race in the last week. Iron Cycles will take your bike in on Monday or Tuesday and get it primed for the next weekend’s racing, or your favorite CX practice on Wednesday.

– Speaking of series sponsors extending discounts to CCC racers. MNO Sport Chiropractic is offering a $50 account credit to any/all CCC riders who schedule and bring in their race number.  The account credit can be used toward chiropractic services regardless if the patient has insurance or not.  The credit is only redeemable once regardless of how many races you participate in. MNO is also offering a one-time $10 discount towards an hour massage for CCC racers and staff.  Mention this deal when calling to schedule your appointment.

– The next race in the CCC series is Hopkins Park  hosted by North Central Cyclery, Half Acre Cycling, and Robots Powered by Love. In addition to the full CCC schedule of races Hopkins Park will again be the venue for the OUILSSSCXC immediately after the Cat 4B race. This race is NOT USAC sanctioned but will be loads of fun. See details here. As an added bonus the men’s and women’s SS winners earn a complimentary entry into the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championship weekend being held November 18-20 in San Francisco, CA. In addition to their entry, the OUILSSSCXC organizers are providing round-trip airfare to the winners, all inclusive! See more details here.

– The trio of Hopkins Park promoters are also upping the ante with payouts in a fun way. The prize for top men and women Cat 3’s in the Cat 1/2/3 races will sort out like this:

– M123: Top Cat 3 that also raced the regular Cat 3 race gets a $250 gift certificate courtesy Johnny Sprockets.
– W123: Top Cat 3 gets $250 gift certificate courtesy Johnny Sprockets.

– Speaking of race announcements, late last week we received an email from our friends up North extending a welcome to this weekend’s USGP in Madison, WI. Apparently word of the CCC’s brand of fun is spreading far and wide. From the USGP Planet Bike Cup Regional Director Renee Callaway:

The USGP’s Planet Bike Cup would like to invite all the Chicago Cross Cup racers and fans to cross over the Cheddar Curtain and head to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin to race, spectate, heckle and generally bring your brand of merriment to the event.  The USGP brings together many of the world’s top racers with US riders like Tim Johnson, Jeremy Powers, Georgia Gould, Kaitie Antonneau, and Jonathan Page racing against Europeans like Bart Wellens, Christian Huele and Caroline Mani.  Watching the best in the world duke it out here in the Midwest is a great way to get the season going as is racing on the same course as the pros!  The USGP Race Directors know Chicagoland racers bring their own style of fun to cyclocross and we think nothing could make the weekend better than having Wisconsin, Chicago, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota all together in Sun Priaire showing the rest of the country that the upper Midwest isn’t flyover country.  Instead this is where you’ll find great cycloross scenes with their own fun loving style of cross racing.  Bring your buses, your spam, pancake and bacon hand-ups and make this a USGP everyone will remember.  For more info check out http://www.usgpcyclocross.com/races/planet-bike-cup.html or www.madcross.org.

– Also up North… My Wife, Inc. and Crank Daddy’s Bicycle Works in Milwaukee are promoting the WCA Cyclocross Series kick-off race – Cross the Domes the day before Hopkins Park. MWI is again offering IL riders an $8.00 discount off of reg fees when they pre-reg. Use discount code “ITR” for: Illinois Toll Rebate.

– And finally… after this crazy past weekend we figured we could have told you about people falling off their bikes… or just leaving them behind… or movies about bikes… or how excited we were to see Flannel Mike back in action… or all the hand-ups we didn’t see… or how ecstatic we were to see 5 rows deep of Women Cat 4’s… and the same number of juniors… or record numbers of Cat 1/2/3 women… and Cat 3’s… and Masters… or that The Hemme revealed his newest Blue Steel.

But unless you were on the start line of the Cat 4 Women you probably didn’t hear that Vanessa Buccella (Iron Cycles) won the 2011 series T-Shirt design contest and Katie Mann (Tati) designed the series socks. Congratulations to both ladies! It now up to the rest of your to cheer heckle these ladies and all of their fellow Cat 4 women competitors as they race throughout the season. Both shirts and socks are currently on pre-sale on our Store Page. Shirts will be available at Hopkins Park and socks will be available at ABD Sunrise Park. Shirts will only be on pre-sale through next week and when they are sold out… they’re sold out. So if you want a shirt you need to order it now!

Oh man, less than 3 weeks until the xXx Relay Race… less than 6 weeks until the official start of the CCC at Jackson Park. There’s lots going on all over the place and this update is a big one… fasten your seat belts and please read all the way to the bottom.

– The CCC is still accepting 2011 series sponsors. If you’d like to be involved please email us at [email protected].
 – EJ’s Place in Skokie returns to sponsor the CCC for what seems like the 82nd time. EJ’s will be sponsoring the overall series prizes for the Juniors (10-14 and 15-18, Boys and Girls). All juniors still race free (no entry fees) thanks to our generous promoters.

 
– Spidermonkey Cycling. New to (officially) sponsoring the CCC is Spidermonkey Cycling who will be supplying the Juniors prizes every week (10-14 and 15-18, Boys and Girls). Make sure to swing by the big yellow and orange 312 tent and say Ka-Kaw!

 
– Pactimo. New this year the CCC will award Pactimo Leaders Jerseys to the Cat 4A, Cat 4 Women, and both Juniors categories. The overall leader in each of those 4 categories will receive a Pactimo Leaders Jersey after each race that they will be required to wear at the next CCC race (in that category… so if you’re a woman or junior racing in another category you do NOT wear your Pactimo Leaders Jersey from the Women 4 or Junior races). We’re starting out with just the Cat 4’s and Juniors since we realize the masters and higher categories like their team skinsuits. But if things go well this year we’ll expand the Pactimo Leaders Jerseys to other categories in 2012.

– The New Year’s Resolution race sponsorship proposal is now available here. If you’d like to have your name in bright lights at a UCI race the week before CX Nationals email us at [email protected].

– Apparently you all really do want to race CX. Online pre-reg for xXx Racing’s Relay Race is already starting to fill up.

– CCC series races that are already permitted have online pre-reg opening now. We match rider information to your USAC license number so please make sure to update your BikeReg.com rider profiles as needed. Online pre-reg for all other CCC races will be available as those races are permitted by each individual promoter (likely very soon).

– Online pre-reg for Patriot CX is also open. Jason Rassi will allegedly be in attendance.

– If you’re new to CX remember you can race at your USAC (or NORBA mountain bike equivalent) category or one category below. For example, if you are a Cat 3 on the road you can race as a CX Cat 3 or CX Cat 4. There are no Cat 5’s in CX. All upgrades must be submitted to the USAC upgrade coordinator via your MyUSACycling account. See USAC’s page on the subject here. The CCC is not in the business of forcing riders to upgrade… but any egregious sandbagging will be dealt with accordingly.

– Got kids? Two entrepreneurial young ladies whose parents race CX have started Cyclo-Cross Sitters to watch your infant to teenage children at races (so there is no excuse NOT to race). Contact the Cyclo-Cross Sitters here.

– The great thing about CX is that every year each course changes from the year before, making it Feel Like the First Time. Sometimes just a little bit, other times quite a lot. But the same general terrain at each venue does stay the same from year to year. Since so many new people try CX each year we thought it would be a great idea to consolidate in one place all the helmet/handlebar camera videos from over the years to get a general idea of what each venue “feels” like. It turns out there are a ton of videos out there… but thankfully local Cat 4 lady racer and professional Andy Schleck TDF heckler Vanessa Buccella (Spidermonkeys) has a PhD in YouTube searching techniques and helped us scour the Interwebs for the best videos. Check them out here. Also as we mentioned, courses change every year, so please do NOT try to pre-ride courses now… they won’t be the same anyway, you’ll have plenty of time to pre-ride on race day, and most importantly some park groundskeepers are very sensitive about their grass.

– Half Acre Cycling hosts their Ladies Cross Skills Clinic on Saturday 9/10/11 in Humboldt Park. In addition to Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld.com’s Kaitie Antonneau, French CX National Champ Caroline Mani will help lead the clinic. Please RSVP on FB here.

– We’re still looking for entries for the 2011 CCC series T-Shirt & Sock design competition.  Entries are due by midnight on Sunday August 14th (less than 1 week from now!). Otherwise we’ll need to design these things ourselves… and no one likes stick figures.

– The CCC tries to be as green as possible and one sore spot we’ve recognized over the years has been the large number of Tyvek bib numbers that end up in landfills because of our weekly bike parties. This year the CCC will do its best to recycle old bib #’s using these Tyvek recycling kits from Waste Management. If you’d like to help us out by either purchasing kits or helping to gather old bib #’s at each race please let us know.

– And finally… Last year more and more promoters starting having food vendors at their races to literally feed the hungry masses. A few trips to a city taco stand that serves killer margaritas got us to thinking maybe we could have even more options at races this year. Food trucks are all the rage these days and the CCC (through some friends who know a guy who knows a guy) have an inside line on getting this truck and this truck (designer cupcake handups?) to some of the city races. But if you have a favorite food truck or trucks you’d like to see at the races, the next time you’re chowing down on a taco, burger, cupcake, fro-yo, hot dog, etc… print out a few of these schedules and invite the driver to stop by. Tell him/her over 500 ravenous skinny people on bikes will buy them out of whatever they’re serving!

– And finally… FINALLY… the CCC and long time friends at Mad Alchemy Embrocation have been thinking for a while the CCC is ready for its own embro blend and this year our collaboration finally came to fruition. We asked around to see what scent you all preferred to slather on your legs and responses varied from fresh cut grass to pumpkin spice to bacon to Jack Daniels to Twinkies. Fortunately for your significant others and co-workers Pete at Mad Alchemy told us he will only work with the highest quality, all natural, essential oils (we thought bacon WAS an essential oil). But in the end MsChiCrossCup had a spark of genius that led to the final blend we’re calling the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Pome d’Embre Embrocation blend. We think you’ll all really enjoy the scent of the blend that is evocative of Autumn and the holiday season and can’t wait to get the stuff on your legs. Mad Alchemy’s brew monster is working overtime getting ready for CX season but the CCC custom blend should be available soon over on the store page. We’ll let you know as soon as it is!