• Online pre-reg opened this past Sunday evening for xXx Racing’s Relay CX race on xXx’s website. NOTE the venue has changed this year to Warren Park on Chicago’s North side West Ridge neighborhood. Grab your partner, get your ridiculous team names and high fives ready, and doh-see-doh to the unofficial kickoff race of the CCC season. And make everyone’s life easier and pre-reg now.
• Speaking of online pre-reg, we have set up BikeReg pages for all of the series races and reg will open next Monday morning for Hopkins Park and Caldwell Woods. Reg for the rest of the races in the series will open in early September after the events have been permitted by USAC.
• The Svens are coming again! Catch xXx Racing’s Sven-nado Clinic on 9/15 or 9/16. Details on xXx’s site here.
• A few reminders if you haven’t been reading this site over the last few weeks:
  • The Single Speed ladies will have their own separate start this year immediately after the men.
  • Hopkins Park will be the first race of the series this year on 9/9 with Caldwell Woods 2nd on 9/16.
  • Wheeling Heritage CX also moves up a week to 11/11 and Pheasant Run back a week to 11/17 – 11/18 (the weekend before Thanksgiving and the last races before Montrose).
  • Payouts will only be going to the Women Cat 1/2 and Men Cat 1/2/3 fields this year. But the top 3 in every category will still get their 15 seconds of fame on the podiums.
• And finally… there are still a few spots left in UPB CX Camp for Junior on 8/19. Online reg and details are over on BikeReg.

• A few updates to get you going now that road season is over.
• One larger change we’re making this year is something we’ve been thinking about for a while and also following a trend we’ve seen around the country in cyclo-cross and road events. This year the series will not have cash payouts for any categories except for both men and women Cat 1/2‘s. We’re still working out the final details, but the Men and Women Cat 1/2 fields will pay deeper than last year’s 5 deep (probably 10) and we’ll of course maintain parity. Given that probably half of payouts are never picked up anyway or are donated back to the series’ charities, we’re 99.9% sure no one is financing their kids’ college tuition or their next full suspension gravel bike with CCC payouts. Final details to come but let us know if you have any questions.
• Trek Bicycle in Wicker Park is having a Ladies’ Night Out party on Thursday 8/9/18 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm geared towards women cyclists of any level and discipline. There’ll be food, drinks, giveaways, and speakers during the event. You can find more details on their facebook event page.
• Remember the UPB Juniors CX Clinic on August 19th.
• The Svens are coming, again, this time in a Sven-nado. Saturday, Sept 15th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm OR Sunday, Sept 16th, 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm (riders may only attend one day). Check out xXx Racing’s site for more details.
• Half Acre is again hosting their CX Eliminator race on Saturday 9/29/18 at Big Marsh. We’ll publish details when we receive them.
• Blackstone Bicycle Works is hiring a Full-time Program Manager. Strong candidates will be people-focused and strategic thinkers. Deadline to apply is August 8th. More information is here or contact Matthew Searle (773.241.6044, [email protected])
• And finally… our friends at the Rapha Clubhouse Chicago are again hosting our 2018 CCC Kick Off party, on Thursday evening 9/6/2018. We’ll have dranks, maybe some food, a raffle to benefit West Town and Blackstone, and all the normal cheer to help start the season off right on the right foot (or left if you’re a goofy foot like Kevin Powels). We hope you’ll join us for an hour or two in casual street clothes (or dress up if that’s your thing) before we start racing!

• We’ve been making a bunch of website updates so take a look around and see what’s new. We’ll have some more significant updates next week.
• Do you have any feedback from last season you’d like to share with us? We’re always trying to make the series better and want to hear from anyone and everyone. Email us and let us know!
• Second call for Series Sponsors and Volunteers. Email us if you would like to be involved this year.
• And finally… UPB is hosting a UPB Juniors CX Camp on Sunday 8/19 from 9am-12:30pm in Willow Springs. Details are here and registration is over on BikeReg. There is NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION for this clinic/camp. Time to get RAD!oactive!

Hey gang! Its been a while but THE CX season is less than 8 weeks away and we here at the CCC have been away at summer camp and getting ready. Just a few quick updates this week about some small changes we’re putting into production to make the series the best it can be. Be on the look out over the next few weeks for a few more updates as well.

• Or friends at SRAM are returning once again as the series title sponsor.
• We’ll also have One2Go on timing, the new in-house SRAM NRS in the pits, and as always Kenny on the mic.
• Online pre-registration for all races will again be hosted on BikeReg.com. Don’t worry, you’re not missing anything, we’ll have the reg pages online sometime in mid-August.
• Today we’ll official kick off our annual volunteer and sponsor drive. If you’d like to be involved with the series in a consistent way and/or sponsor the series please email us at [email protected] and let us know.
• This year the Single Speed Women will have their own start time immediately following the Men but before the Junior 15-18’s. This will put all the SS ladies on equal footing at the start of each race for series points, make it easier to score, and probably make it more fun for everyone too. As with any men’s USAC field the ladies can still race with the guys if they want to.
• Although last year we originally planned to convert the Women Cat 3/4 field into just Women Cat 4 for 2018 we’ve had several requests to keep the Women Cat 3/4 field as is, so that’s what we’re going to do for 2018.
• A few scheduling changes. Hopkins Park will start the series this year followed by Caldwell Woods. We’ll then have a 2 week break for the nearby World Cup races (see below). Wheeling Heritage and Pheasant Run are also swapping dates later in the season. These changes are already reflected over on the schedule page.
• Speaking of schedules, the dates of the two UCI World Cup races here in the states, Jingle Cross and the Trek CXC Cup, as well as several other larger races are on the schedule page. We’ll have the HICX and Wisconsin series dates updated on our site soon.
• Remember also that USA Cycling National Championships are [back] in December this year and being held in Louisville, KY.
• Juniors, pencil in Sunday 8/19/18 for local clinic. Details TBD but coming soon.
• And finally… reports that #RoadIsDead are completely false. Our good friends and fantastic coffee roasters & baristas over at the Intelligentsia Cup kick off their series this Friday. If you’re not already racing it as prep for the CX season, definitely try to catch one or more of the races. The production is top notch and the racing is fast and hot. We might be even swing by to see what all the fuss concerning this young series is about.

• We hope everyone had a great holiday season and has stayed warm through the coldest few days we’ve seen in a while.
• This will more or less be the last post here on the site for a while. We’ll be back sometime in late Spring or early Summer with updates for 2019.
• But follow us on Twitter and Instagram as we’ll be watching the rest of the National and International CX races there.
• Speaking of Nationals, today kicks off the 2018 USA Cycling National Championships in Reno, NV. Our fantastic timing and results company One2Go will be supplying real time results for the rest of the week so follow them or watch on LiveLynxResults. Good luck to everyone, but especially any Chicagoland racers headed West to race.
• And finally… a big, big, big thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for our end of year Zipp Wheel Raffle. There was one lucky winner but we will not be releasing that person’s name right now. However the real winners were Big Marsh, Blackstone Bicycle Works, and West Town Bikes. Because of everyone’s ticket purchases we raised $3,590 to be split 3 ways between each group (i.e. $1,197). And when including everyone’s donations throughout the series ($995) and the series’ match ($1,005) we all raised a total of $5,590 and donated $1,865 to each group on behalf of the entire CCC community. So thank you again!!!

• The Afterglow hosted by the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew was rad as it always is. Lots of good racing and all for the great cause of supporting Blackstone Bicycle Works and West Town Bikes. This race is all about fun, but it was scored and results will be posted soon.
• Speaking of results, we hosted the 2017 Series Awards Party on Sunday. Lots of good cheer and conversation. Congratulations to all the series winners.
• And finally… our Series Title Sponsor SRAM hooked us up with a set of ZIPP Firecrest wheels to benefit the entire Chicagoland cycling community. We want to share the love as far as possible so we’re holding a raffle to benefit our 3 series charity organizations Big Marsh, Blackstone Bicycle Works, & West Town Bikes. Between now and New Years Eve on BikeReg buy as many $5 raffle tickets as you like. All proceeds will go directly to and be split evenly between these three great organizations. Seriously, buy as many as you like, all the money is going to great causes. Have too many wheels already? You can purchase raffle tickets in someone else’s name. Don’t live anywhere near Chicago? No problem, we’ll ship to anywhere that’s legal for us to do so (sorry DPRK). Not bad for a $5 raffle ticket. The only thing we ask is that you use these wheels yourself or give them to a friend, family member, or someone who will appreciate them. In the spirit of the holidays and doing the right thing, please do NOT resell these wheels for more money than you paid for them. Thanks. The winner will be drawn at random on New Year’s Day as soon as we shake off our malort hangover get back from our first great ride of the new year. The winner will receive: One (1) shiny brand new set of Zipp Firecrest Wheels (front & rear), Model 202, 303, 404, 808 (sorry NO NSW), Rim brake or disc, SRAM or Campy. Learn more about Zipp’s Firecrest technology at  http://www.zipp.com.
• Happy Holidays from the entire Chicago Cyclocross Cup community!!!

• Please use #AfterglowCX, very important to remember the “CX”.
• December is the official Chicago Cuttin’ Crew pledge drive for West Town Bikes and Blackstone Bikes youth programs! The idea was born 8 years ago, and the Cuttin’ Crew are proud to bring another round of bike racing in the name of equity to Chicago. This year’s race is back to Douglas Park Golf Course, home of the best 3-hole cyclocross race in the country.
• Online pre-registration is at bikereg.com/afterglow. When registering to race, please consider donating a few extra dollars you are saving on the cheaper reg. There will also be a donation box on-site. Maybe it’s your off season, your first race of the year, or you recently upgraded — in any case, don’t forget that DONATIONS = CALL UPS!
• Day-of registration and number pickup opens at 9am near the start/finish. Bib numbers will go on your RIGHT side, and course runs counterclockwise. Best place to park is on South Sacramento Drive, just on the outside of the course.
• A wheel/equipment pit will be available. Wheels/bike in, wheels/bikes out.
• GRUDGE MATCH/Fatbike/FIXED GEAR CX/Etc Open Category will allow any fun bike you want. Registration fee is per bike, and all riders will need to fill out USAC release forms and require USAC licenses. The Cuttin’ Crew will try to score categories separately, but no guarantees unless you race super fun/slowly/in an awesome costume.
• Podiums will be presented shortly after each race, and the Cuttin’ Crew will have limited edition 2017 Cuttin’ Crew gear for those victorious, including prints of the wonderful flyer! InsaneDeOmnium will be awarded once the Cuttin’ Crew calculates the score after the final race.
• The Cuttin’ Crew asked the weather gods for ideal cyclocross weather, and it’s looking like their prayers will be answered. 40 degrees and snowing!
• With great weather comes great responsibility, and Tailwind Cycles is offering a $25 bike wash and lube! They will have the van on-site, so no worries on muddin’ up your own vehicle. They will load the bikes and bring them to the shop for proper care. Pick up will be at Tailwind, and half of the profits will be donated to West Town Bikes and Blackstone Bikes!
• Thank you for continuing to support the young people of our city — their programs not only provide transportation to/from the races and food and snacks, but also a sense of home and accomplishment. The Cuttin’ Crew is bringing the #flamingoparty, you bring the donations! See you Sunday!
• The course: Yes, the map is labeled 2014, but this is the course at Douglas Park. Please do not got to Humboldt Park.

• Congrats to everyone who raced at USAC Midwest Regional CX Championships on Saturday and Miller Chill Cyclocross on Sunday. Results are here and here respectively.
• This Sunday Afterglow is hosted by the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew in Douglas Park in Chicago. All proceeds go to Blackstone Bicycle Works and West Town Bikes. The grudge matches are always fun to watch. No word yet on the whereabouts of Sweet Justice.
• Speaking of donating to great causes, thanks again to everyone who donated to this year’s series long group donation pot that will be split evenly between Big Marsh, Blackstone Bicycle Works, and West Town Bikes. Combined donations totaled just under $1,000. As in years past the CCC will match that number, so we’ll be making a $666 donation to each of these groups in the name of the entire CCC community before the end of the year. THANK YOU again for all your generous donations!!!
• Final reminder from us that USAC Cyclocross National Championships are in Reno, NV 1/9/18- 1/14/18. If you’re going to race or watch you probably have already made plans, but there will likely be video of the Elite races online somewhere. We will tweet out that info if/when it happens.
• And finally, one last reminder that our end of season CCC Awards Party is at EJ’s Place in Skokie this Sunday 12/17/17 at NOON. Tickets are on sale on BikeReg. There won’t be any waitlists as there are always plenty of seats but please purchase your tickets in advance. That being said we have tons of awards to award and door prizes to give out, so everyone always goes home with something. We hope to see you there!

• What a way to end the season on a high note! Perfect CX weather and a beach full of sand, swimming pools, and cheers at Montrose Harbor. Thanks to everyone and especially the Ten27 and Spidermonkey crews to hosting the event. We crowned 20 state champions and 16 series winners. A complete list of all series winners and state champions is here on our results page. Links to all results and lap times are here on the Overall Standings GoogleSheet.
• SnowyMountain Photography was back out again and captured plenty of photos of the entire day. The Chicago Aussie Jack Brandtman was also taking videos and John Gatto was back out with his GoPro and drone. We saw plenty of other cameras so hopefully all those pictures and videos find their way to the Internet at some point.
• And in case you weren’t there earlier in the day, our series announcer Kenny Labbé was presented with his very own, brand new pop-up tent. Thanks to everyone who kept the secret and chipped in to get Kenny this great gift that will last for year and years to come.
• Obligatory mentions for the final CX events of the season:
  • Miller Chill Cyclocross Sunday 12/10/17 in Bloomington, IL.
  • USAC Midwest Regional CX Championships Saturday 12/9/17 in Sun Prairie, WI.
  • Afterglow hosted by the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew Sunday December 17th in Douglas Park (Chicago).
  • USAC Cyclocross National Championships in Reno, NV 1/9/18- 1/14/18.
• Our end of season CCC Awards Party is at EJ’s Place in Skokie Sunday 12/17/17 at NOON. Tickets are on sale on BikeReg.
• Don’t let your bike go into hibernation all dank and dirty. Your local bike shop might be in the middle of the busy Christmas selling season, but the service departments probably aren’t too busy. Get your bike in there for a tune up so it’s charging out of the gates in 2018, instead of limping across the start line a rusty, seized up mess.
• And speaking of local bike shops, many of our series sponsors are bike shops or other local retailers. Before buying Chrismahuanakwanzika gifts this year please consider purchasing from our series sponsors or other local merchants.
• Congrats to CCC regulars Graciela Viale-Val (Evanston, IL) and Bob Downs (Belleville, WI) on their 2nd place finishes at Masters World Championships in Mol, Belgium in the Women 75+ and Men 60-64 years young categories respectively.
• And finally… the unofficial CCC holiday party is happening (again) at the Elbow Room on Thursday 12/21/17 at 8pm where Los Borrachos will take the stage and entertain us in a way only they can. If you’ve ever been to this party you know you won’t want to miss it!