– The 2011 CCC Series Sponsorship Proposal is now available here. Since many of our sponsors went above and beyond last year we are now offering a new “Cowbell” category for those individuals/companies that want to be involved a bit more, but don’t want to stretch all the way to title sponsorship. Take a look and let us know if you’d like to be involved by emailing us at [email protected]. The New Year’s Resolution race will have its own set of sponsors which will be separate (but hopefully many of the same) from the CCC series. Look for that proposal in a few weeks.

– We’ve heard a few of you have already booked your rooms at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort (ILR) for the New Year’s Resolution race. The more of you that book now, the more rooms ILR will open up at the discounted rate. Remember to use the group code “CYC” when you call or click for the discounted rate.

– Remember this guy? The CCC is again holding a t-shirt design contest for 2011… and this year we’re adding socks by SockGuy! Start working on your t-shirt and/or sock designs now… we want to start early this year so we can have all the clothing ready by September. You can submit as many entries as you want, but we’d prefer quality over quantity. Entries are due by the middle of August (specific date forthcoming) and the CCC populous will again vote on the winner(s). See full previous rules (which we’ll more than likely just copy & paste and change the dates) here.

– The CCC promoter’s got together last week for our annual 4 day summit in luxurious Caicos and Turks (okay, actually we just had a conference call with okay quality one night) and everyone is pumped and getting ready for the 2011 season. We discussed many topics and all agreed on the following:

1. We will again use the same category schedule throughout the day as last year, with the addition of the 60+ starting with the 50+.
2. All 12 races will again count towards the overall scoring. We realize some other series drop a race or your worst placing, but the CCC feels our series is a cohesive whole and the best performing and attending riders should win the series. Note that in 2010 only three categories were decided before the last race (Montrose) and the overall was decided on the last day for all other categories.
3. Payouts (as well as entry fees) will remain the same as last year (with the addition of a separate 60+ payout). See the revised schedule here. We’d love to increase payouts across the board, but considering our (still) weak economy and the drop in participant numbers at road races this summer (sorry, sometimes we ride on skinny tires too) we prefer to play it conservative and not dig our promoters our ourselves into a financial hole.
4. Juniors will again race for free throughout the entire series.
5. All field sizes (# of racers on course at the same time) will be increased to 100 this year. We tried this out at the last 3 races of 2010 and things went fine. This should really only affect the Cat 4’s as we would be amazed to see a 100 person Men or Women Cat 1/2/3 field.
6. There will be NO Category 4B overall winner awarded this year. Since the 4Bs are truly a beginner/fun/get-your-feet-wet category and we’d like to discourage sandbagging as much as possible we have decided to discontinue the overall series winner in that category. We will still score all 4B racers at each event (the 4B’s still count for upgrade starts/points), we will still have overall standings for call ups at each event, and you certainly are still welcome (and encouraged) to do all the crazy and fun stuff you do at each race… but there will be no cowbell at the end of the year in the 4B’s. If you have the most number of points at the end of the series you may proclaim yourself as the best of the worst for bragging rights, but if you want the swag you’ll have to race Cat 4A.
7. Several other surprises are in the works outside of what we mentioned above, but you’ll have to wait at least until next week to hear about them.
8. The CCC wants your feedback. What’s on your mind? What would you like to see different, the same, better, filled with more Twinkies? Post your comment(s) below or shoot us an email at [email protected].

– And finally… at least one new “team” is getting ready for the 2011 CX season with new kits. We’d tell you to look out for them, but we’re not sure how you’d ever miss them.

– A final thanks to Chuck Judy, Chris Mailing, and everyone at Turin Bicycle for hosting the 12th and final race of the CCC and yet another great Illinois State Cyclocross Championship at Montrose Harbor. Temps were freezing for most of the day, and the snow, ice, and sand made for a challenging course, but we still had the largest CCC race ever with 565 starters. We had several riders make it to the podium for the first time and it was great to see such sportsmanship and camaraderie before, during, and after each race. Even the down-staters had a good time. Thanks also to Todd Busteed for sharing the mic and calling out all the action.

– Congratulations to the 11 Illinois State Cyclocross Champions that were crowned jerseyed on Sunday. The competition was fierce and we had many races that were completely undecided until riders came around the last turn on the final lap… which always makes for exciting racing. Thanks for keeping all of us on our toes until the very end!

– Congratulations also to the 13 Chicago Cross Cup Overall Winners. Eight of those categories were undecided going into the final race and made for even more dramatic racing. Awards, prizes, and general showering of admiration will be presented at the CCC Awards Dinner on Sunday January 9th at EJ’s Place in Skokie. Great food, better friends, and even door prizes will greet everyone who attends.

– Weekend Update: The weekend update is taking a bit of a break this week as there are more than enough comments here to describe what happened this past Sunday. However, for those that weren’t there and are too lazy to read all the comments this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, and who can forget this, this, and this (?) pretty much sums up the what went on at Montrose… oh yeah, and there was a bike race in there somewhere too.

– Speaking of all things CCC, if you want a 2010 CCC series t-shirt you’ve got less than 48 hours. REKLAIM apparel will be shutting down the printing presses at midnight tomorrow night (Wednesday) and won’t be making any more. Thanks to everyone who has already bought a shirt… all proceeds go directly to our year end World Bicycle Relief donation. We’ve already hit our goal of $5,000 but we’re still tallying up the t-shirt sales. Thank you again to everyone who has donated and/or purchase a t-shirt!

– Good luck to anyone and everyone heading out to Bend, OR for CX Nationals this week/end. If you still haven’t had your fill of CX after that, come hang out with Half Acre and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew at the Afterglow on Saturday December 18th in Humboldt Park. And if that isn’t enough for you… there is a Benefit After Party for West Town Bikes (details here, please RSVP). And if metal/rock songs sung in Spanish is more your thing, Newt Cole and Los Borrachos are playing later that evening at the Elbo Room (no RSVP necessary!).

– The CCC has the 4B’s, the Cross Crusade has the Clydesdale Cyclocross Champions of the Universe. If you happen to be in Bend this week(end) for CX Nationals… check it out and takes some photos.

– Ever wonder why the CCC isn’t a UCI series? USA CX godfather Adam Myerson gives us a clue.

– And finally… a special shout out and congratulations to Mike Young for being awarded this year’s 3rd Annual Official Illinois State Cyclocross Awesomeness Champion presented by Half Acre Cycling and HRS/Rock Lobster. Mike won the award for not only supporting riders within the CCC, but more importantly for his work with West Town Bikes. Mike joins a veritable pantheon of CX awesomeness including the first winners, the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew, and last year’s winner Super Girl. Congratulations Mike, and thanks for being awesome! If you’d like to help Mike in his work at WTB please donate here.

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!

– 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.

– 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?

– 541 starters… yes, that’s an all time record for any CCC race (we averaged 400 in 2009 and maxed out at 474). Thanks to xXx Racing for hosting the official season opener, promoter Greg Heck for designing his best course yet, and major thanks to Natalie Evan and her crew of ladies at registration for keeping all of you in check all day long. Twinkies were back, so was “The Hemme“,  monkey puppets were handing up Oreos, California flew in a raisin, and we’ve even heard rumors of red hot chili peppers. Sister Sprocket awarded the first of 12 Flying Pig Awards to the one and only Flannel Mike (wearing spandex btw), and Verdigris swept the Masters 40+ helping to give them an early lead in the team standings. What a day!

– Up next is CCC #2 Hopkins Park in Dekalb on Sunday October 3rd, hosted by the dynamic duo of North Central Cyclery and Half Acre Cycling. If you missed our original note there will be a new obstacle for everyone to negotiate on course. Hopkins Park will once again also be the site of the 2nd annual OUISCSSC (“Officially Unofficial Illinois State Cyclocross Single Speed Championship“). Find details on Half Acre‘s website. Please don’t show up in Dekalb this coming weekend though… instead head up to WI to watch the pros in the Planet Bike USGP.

– Not sure how we missed it… but Half Acre’s women’s CX clinic had a great turnout, even in the rain. Also coming out to party yesterday… please welcome Half Acre’s newest junior to the U1 division… Elliott Popper.

– If you missed our tweet, the CCC website has a new page… the “Heckle Hall of Fame“. Check it out, read the rules, and add your favorite(s).

– The winning 2010 CCC Series T-Shirt designed as voted on by you the riders of the CCC is the Word Jumper, designed by Burnham Racing’s Julian Baumgartner. We’ll have more details in a little bit and have the shirts for sale on REKLAIM Apparel shortly.

– Julian is also spearheading a project over on the ICA Website called the “Supermodels of the ChiCrossCup” featuring one off and tricked out CX bikes.

– Juniors Beginning CX Training had nearly 30 kids last week (a little birdie pony told us so).  Paul Swinand will have a photographer out next week and post some photos on the Facebook page here.

– Upgrade to your road or mtb category. Please note that (if you want to) you can automatically upgrade to your current road or mtb category. See the letter from USAC explaining the rule here.

– Ever wonder where those WBR donations are going? Last week’s NYT had a great Op-Ed article about World Bicycle Relief.

– So you’ve done your first CX race (at least of the season) and you’re hooked. Want to help make the series even better? The CCC could still use some help for the entire series. Email us at [email protected] if you are interested in being a part of the series.

– And finally (and this is the last we’ll say on this topic)… While we will certainly give a few people nudges if and when it is clear they should upgrade, and while we would like to encourage all Cat 4’s to pick just one race (either the $A’s or 4B’s to let everyone have a chance to race) and jump in another race if there is room (still only $10 for your 2nd race on race day)… it is not the CCC’s job nor responsibility to hand out mandatory upgrades. If you are worried about not getting a spot in a Cat 4 field, we encourage you to race faster, you to earn your points, and you to upgrade to a higher category. There are always plenty of spots each week in the Cat 1/2/3 and Women 1/2/3 races. Pre-reg for all CCC races has also been open since August 30th, and no category at any event sold out in the first 5 minutes like a Lady Gaga concert… so if you’re still worried about not getting a spot, pre-reg now! You are also welcome to keep track of the people you think are sandbagging and send emails into the USAC upgrade coordinator… but you know what they say about those kinds of things. Okay, now let’s go race!

– If you didn’t already notice, the Woodstock and Northbrook races have switched dates. Woodstock will now be on Sunday 11/7 and Northbrook will be on Sunday 11/21. If you pre-reg’d for Woodstock you are still entered in that event, but on the new date. Pre-reg for Northbrook will be opening on BikeReg.com soon.

– Thanks to all those who braved the 70 degree temps and slight breeze and came out to what we hope will be the first of many CCC Kick-Off parties at Iron Cycles. Everyone seemed to have a blast and we had a chance to unveiled something new for 2010. Big thanks to ThinkBig! and Goose Island for supplying the 312, and to Brandon and everyone at Iron Cycles for hosting the event.

– Don’t forget to vote for your favorite t-shirt design by this Saturday night (at midnight the voting poll turns into a pumpkin)!

– We’ve received a few questions concerning wait-lists for the Cat 4 races… here’s how it all goes down… 20 minutes prior to the start of each race category, sign-in for pre-registered riders will close. At that point, any unclaimed start spots will be given away in order of waitlist sign-up order to those waiting to race. Racers must be present at registration in order to be given a bib number.  If you are not there we’ll give the bib # to the next person waiting in line. We wish we could let everyone race, but we (and USAC) have limits to how many racers we can realistically allow on the course at one time. Starting last out of 100+ racers is no fun, even in the 4B’s.

– Our inbox has also been peppered with questions about how call-ups will be handled at Jackson Park. We will make call-ups for 10 pre-reg’d riders in each category, but the call-up order will NOT be based on order of pre-registration nor your place in last year’s overall standings. The fastest riders will have just as much of a chance to earn a call up as the slowest riders (assuming they are pre-reg’d). However, after the first ten spots everyone else is on their own, just like at any other CCC race.

– We’ve also received a few questions from riders new to the sport on which category to race in. Here’s a primer from last year, but always feel free to email us and ask. But please remember you must race within your category and age group. We check all licenses before races, so if you’re reg’d in the wrong race you will not be allowed to start.

– Why didn’t I get scored in the race? We and the USAC officials get this question all the time. So let’s start with the basics… we absolutely need everyone to pin their numbers correctly for each race. How do I know if my number is pinned on correctly? Funny you should ask! Imagine someone trying to read your number from the side of the race course… if your number is on the wrong side, on the top of your back, upside down, in your jersey pocket, folded into an origami crane, on your stomach (it happened at Jackson Park last year!), etc, etc, etc you will not be scored properly. The officials will attempt to identify those on the starting line that need to re-pin their numbers, but please be proactive and do it right the first time. Here’s an example of a wonderfully pinned number… and here’s one that should have been pinned lower on the rider’s side.

– New for 2010 the CCC institution that is Super Girl now has a sidekick and is please to announce The Sister Sprocket Flying Pig Award which will be awarded to the Cat 4B rider at every race who successfully manages to suppress fear, pain, and embarrassment and hurl his (or her) suffering sack of human clay through the chaos of his earthly existence to temporarily defy universal gravitation and take flight into a fleeting state of Grace. That’s the long way of saying the CCC’s newest icon Sister Sprocket will present a spirit award  in the shape of a flying pig to the most worthy 4B rider (not based on placings) on the CCC podiums as the last award of the day. Look for Sister Sprocket as she cheers on the 4A’s and 4B’s at each race.

– Look for a Jackson Park course preview on Thursday. There are already more riders pre-reg’d than last year!

– And finally… each promoter sets up their course in a certain way on purpose. The direction, contents, physical composition, and boundaries of each course are NOT subject to interpretation by anyone (racing or otherwise) during the day. You all were great about this last year, but just remember you cannot alter the course in any way, shape, or manner during the day. This includes adding water, sand, sticks, stones, and even the occasional golf ball… as well as removing or rearranging course markers, stakes, tape, sand, sticks, stones, and yes… even the occasional golf ball. Heckle Hill, Bacon Alley, small sand pits, and other famous specific course locations can always get a little nutty… but let’s please keep it safe, fun, and fair to everyone. Now’s let’s go race!

– P.S. Don’t forget WI has the ‘No Good Double Cross‘ on Saturday if you’re looking for a good pre-JP warm up… or a reason to snap a derailleur hanger right before the IL season officially starts. Also the Planet Bike Cup is the weekend after JP (and before Dekalb). We purposely do not hold a CCC race on this weekend so you all can see what a national level, UCI race is like. If you can go, even just to watch, we highly suggest it!

– The CCC Kick Off Party is this Saturday 9/11/10 at 4pm at Iron Cycles! If you’re on Facebook, please RSVP here. Music, food, drinks, and some special giveaways and deals will be waiting for you. Support the series sponsors as well as Team Iron Cycles sponsors and maybe get yourself some new race wheels or other schwag!

– More new series sponsors continue to pour in… please help us welcome two more!
– Carbo Rocket – Staying hydrated is key, especially when you start racing CX in August!
– Enzo’s Cycling Products – Keep your button happy.

– Just a friendly reminder that Cyclocross racing age is calculated as of 12/31/2011… not 12/31/2010 like on the road. For example, if someone was born November 13, 1996… as of today, that rider is 13. As of December 31, 2010 they are 14 but as of December 31, 2011 they are 15. So even though right now this rider is 13 years old, their cross age is 15. Juniors, please make sure you are racing in the correct age group! This rule also applies to the masters, but to their benefit since a 38/39 year old can race 40+ or a 48/49 year old can race 50+. Of course then you have to race against these guys. Good luck!

– Also for juniors… Paul Swinand’s “beginning cycling training” for CX starts this Friday in Evanston. Check out the Facebook page here.

– Concerning rules, guidelines, regulations, and such… now might be a good time to review the CCC overall series standings rules on the ‘Series Rules and FAQs‘ page. It is your responsibility to make sure you are signed up for the correct race, and as we mentioned a while back we’ll let you know if you really need to upgrade (especially out of the 4A’s or 4B’s), but don’t be afraid to send us an email if you are unsure. However, actual upgrades are handled by USAC (not the CCC).

– Pre-reg for all CCC races (except Northbrook… coming soon!) is now open on BikeReg.com. Jackson Park is already starting to fill up. While registering, please consider making a donation to World Bicycle Relief to help us reach our goal of donating $5,000 by the end of the series. That’s enough to purchase one nice new Blue Norcross SL for yourself… or 37 WBR bikes that will equip almost an entire school with simple, sustainable mobility. Think about it. Update: Planet Bike has just pledged $5k to WBR as well… let’s make sure we match our friends from Madison!

– Speaking of, pre-reg for Jingle Cross just over the border in Iowa Thanksgiving weekend is now open.

– Our friends up North in WI are putting their races on BikeReg.com as well. See all the WI reg pages here. Besides the USGP Planet Bike Cup there are 2 other races that sound fun at the No Good Double Cross which will have a working bar for those of legal age (and apparently if you race fast you win a prize) and the Cross the Domes (which The Pony Shop has $5 IL toll vouchers for).

– But if you’re heading up North on that Saturday just make sure to save some energy for our own CCC Hopkins Park/Dekalb race hosted by North Central Cyclery & Half Acre Cycling. Tobie at NCC and the good folks at Half Acre always host a great event, and rumor has it there will be a special surprise awaiting everyone who makes the trek out to Dekalb. Half Acre is also hosting a Women’s Cyclocross Clinic on Saturday 9/11/10 (the morning of the CCC Kick-Off party).

– A new CX racer pointed out that the old links to the VeloNews.com series of CX how-to videos was broken. Thankfully VN kept the videos and just moved them here. We found these videos invaluable when we first started out racing and hope you will too. Have a watch and then go practice in your local park.

– Ever wonder why your comments take a while to show up here on the CCC site? Become a registered user and your comments will be displayed almost immediately.

– And finally… Don’t forget about this year’s CCC t-shirt design contest. Entries are due this Thursday… so sharpen up your pencil’s and Photoshop skills.

– That’s right… give yourselves a big pat on the back. Following the last race of the year at Montrose we’ve been getting lots of emails and posts on the site about this person did this, and that person did that to make the season so great. Well, there would be no CCC at all without all of you who show up week in and week out to race, heckle, give handups, give postups, be awesome, do whatever this guy’s doing, crash, get back up again, and ride your bikes like there’s no tomorrow. If you look back at our very first post ever on this new site we said “The ChiCrossCup is all about you, the racers…” Well you all ran with that idea and transformed our little Sunday party into something truly special. So for that, we at the CCC THANK YOU!

– The 10th and final race of the CCC at Montrose was amazing. We figure there were probably 300 people watching and heckling the 4B’s at the end of the day… just crazy. Big thanks again to Turin for putting on another great race and for wrapping up the IL CX season in style.

– While we’re all winners at the end of the day… congratulations again to those riders who earned a few more points than everyone else in their respective CCC overall categories. We have something special for each of you at the CCC Awards Banquet on January 10th at EJ’s Place in Skokie. Tickets are on sale now here!

– Congratulations also to the IL State CX Champions.
Masters 40+ – Christando Lombardo (Verdigris Cycling)
Masters 30+ – Eric Sondag (The Pony Shop)
Masters 50+ – Wayne Simon (Verdigris Cycling)
Women 1/2/3 – Debbie Dust (Roscoe Village Bikes)
Men 3 – Ron Bridal (Bloomington Cycle & Fitness Racing Team)
Women 4 – Gina Champion (Team Mack)
Junior Boy – Brandon Feehery (South Chicago Wheelmen)
Junior Girl – Jessica Prinner (ABD Cycling Team)
Men 1/2/3 – Scott McLaughlin (SRAM FACTORY)
Men 4 – Jason Rassi (Proctor Cycling Team)

– In case you still want more CX before the holidays, CX Nationals are being held this coming weekend in Bend Oregon. We know at least a few CCC’ers are heading out west… so good luck to you (Holly, Scott, Ben, Mike, Steel, Kevin, and Bob) and anyone else we don’t know about!

– If you didn’t pick up a t-shirt you ordered or left anything else at the race (or any other race), please contact us at [email protected] to arrangement a handup (in the Loop or Wicker Park) . We have a very small random assortment of extra t-shirts left over. If you can fit into a Men’s XL (Blue) or Women’s M (Blue or Orange) we have a shirt for you. Main St. Bikes, MOX Multisport, The Pony Shop, and Tati Cycles have a small inventory of shirts on sale as well.

– And finally… would you like to be part of the team that makes the CCC happen in 2010? Please email us at [email protected] to get involved.

We leave you for now with a few pix from Montrose…

SuperGirl and Jacob

Photo: Amy Dykema

Flannel Mike

Photo:Liz Novak

The 3 stages of CX… Riding, Running, Falling

Photo: Arnold Klein

Pretty

Photo: Luke Seemann

Mmmm Bacon (see what West Coasters have to say here).

Photo: Luke Seemann

Betcha didn’t know a chicken could lay a dollar bill did ya?

Photo: Amy Dykema