• Here we go! The 11th and final event in the 2017 Chicago Cyclocross Cup and the 2017 Illinois State CX Championships at Montrose Harbor hosted by Ten27 Cycling Club and Spidermonkey Cycling!
• Online pre-reg on BikeReg closes tonight. Preliminary staging will be posted here.
• In order to win a USAC State Champion jersey you must be:
  • A USAC annual license holder
  • An Illinois resident per your driver’s license or state issued ID (or passport)
  • A citizen of these great United States of America
• The Masters 45+/55+ starting wave is closed and has gone on a waitlist. We will follow the waitlist protocol described at the bottom of the this page. Remember we cannot charge your credit card at the venue so please bring money. Waitlisted riders who prereg online and make it into a race will still be staged by their CrossResults.com points. Riders registering Day Of will be staged at the back of the pack. So make sure to pre-reg for the Waitlist if your category is closed.
• A reminder from One2Go to please, please, please pin your number properly (see the image below) and put any long hair up in pony tails. If One2Go can’t see your bib number you won’t be scored properly. 
• Also, since this is the State Championship our USAC officials will be pulling riders out of contention early at the finish line. If you are told you are being finished early, please exit the course, you will be scored appropriately. Thanks!
• The weather looks positively lovely compared to last year but be mindful that the wind off the lake is no joke, so please secure your tents.
• The Big Star food truck will be serving tacos and other food between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Heritage General Store van will be on site with hot coffee.
• Speaking of Heritage, their new(ish) bar Larry’s, located inside Lawrence House nearby to the venue, is offering an after/bike wash party. Bike washes will be on the back patio while you drink hot beverages inside or out by the fire.
• Here’s your friendly reminder that Montrose Harbor is a public city park where people who might have no idea what cyclocross is might be wandering through. Yes we’ll be celebrating another great season of cyclocross with drinks and food and more dranks, but please be on your best behavior and show the city what a classy bunch we are.
• Please pay a visit and give some love to our venue sponsors:
  • The Autobarn of Chicago, Evanston and Oak Park 
  • Chicago Chiropractic
  • Watchfire Sign
  • Holland Design Group
  • E.J.’s Place
• In addition to the usual cash prize payouts, E.J.’s Place has graciously supported the event with $200 dining cards, which will be awarded to the newly crowned Illinois State Champion in each of the following races. Thus, you will be able to celebrate your State Championship win in style and thank loved ones who have supported your training and racing throughout the ‘cross season.
  • Men Cat 1/2/3
  • Women Cat 1/2
  • Men Masters 35+
  • Men Masters 45+
  • Men Masters 55+
• As in the past few years we are closing Simonds Drive to thru traffic in order to allow the course to cross the road. What is different this year is that parking inside the barriers will be restricted to officials, sponsors and only those who choose to purchase a spot (no equipment drop off permitted inside the barriers). This is offered in order to help offset the increasing costs associated with this venue and closing the street. Any vehicle/trailer left without a parking pass will be relocated. Please don’t make us have to do that.
• Parking spaces within the barriers (near the finish) are available for $50 per vehicle on BikeReg. This includes those with a trailer, so if you want to sleep in or are a big deal operation please consider purchasing a spot to make your life easier and help defray venue costs. Spaces can be purchased in the merchandise section of the registration page on BikeReg. List your license plate number(s) when ordering. We will use that for entry. Enter only from Montrose Ave at the south end of Simonds Drive.
• Equipment drop-off will ONLY be allowed before the turn-around on the south end of Simonds Drive near the staging grid, and the driver must remain with the vehicle to expedite unloading and keep traffic flowing, just like the airport.
• Please do not say “But I know Dean Okun!” That trick won’t work.  =)
• Regular parking will be along Simonds Drive and Montrose Drive, entering and exiting the way you came in. Per the Park District, NO PARKING ON THE GRASS, ANYWHERE! Please adhere to volunteer requests regarding your vehicle parking and movement.
• The course will largely be the same as in the past few years, although reversing the direction from last year. The sand section at the southern end of the venue was mysteriously removed sometime this summer. But fear not, there will be plenty of sand to go around, including more runs to the north of the ‘Daniels Concession’ building.
• The Junior 9-14 and Women Cat 4/5‘s will have a cut-off to bypass this sand section, as well as a part of Cricket Hill.
• Please be considerate while the course is being constructed on Saturday. In general, avoid riding on the course areas this week to keep it in good condition for the race, and especially for when the Park District looks at it on Monday morning.

• Looks and sounds like the Big Marsh Black Friday and Region Riot Cross events were a success over the holiday weekend. Results can be found here and here.
• This coming weekend the CCC finishes up at Montrose Harbor in downtown Chicago on the lake front. The weather is forecast to be much more pleasant than last year, so come on out to watch, cheer, and celebrate the entire day. Online pre-reg on BikeReg closes Thursday evening. Look for the course preview at the normal time on Thursday.
• Note there is a new parking option/charge at Montrose for those that want to park up close. Look at the bottom of the BikeReg page.
• If you happen to be in Mol Belgium this Friday or Saturday make sure to check our Masters CX World Championships.
• Remember the cyclocross season is not over after this weekend though.
  • The USAC Midwest Regional CX Championships are Saturday 12/9/17 in Sun Prairie, WI.
  • Afterglow hosted by the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew has moved to Sunday December 17th and back to Douglas Park.
  • USAC Cyclocross National Championships are in Reno, NV this season 1/9/18- 1/14/18. Remember next season CX Nationals moves back to December 2018.
  • There are quite a few CX races in Europe in December and January, and then CX World Championships are in Valkenburg Limburg, Netherlands on 2/3/18 and 2/4/18.
• And finally… Sunday 12/17/17 at NOON we’re hosting the CCC Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie. Buy your tickets here on BikeReg.

Hope everyone is having a relaxing Thursday, but tomorrow it’s time to burn off those calories by blasting around Chicago’s Big Marsh Bike Park. Bring friends & family and make an afternoon of it! The weather is going to be perfect.

• Date: Tomorrow! Friday, November 24th 2017
• Address: 11599 S Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60617
• Parking: Parking in the primary lot will be tight. Please pack in cars as closely as possible. Make sure to not block the fire lane (curbs marked with yellow paint). Auxiliary parking is located 1/8th mile north on the east side of Stony Island Ave.
• Registration: Located in the white, Big Marsh trailer near the parking lot.
• Bib numbers on your left.
• Water: There is no running water on-site. Please pack accordingly and bring plenty of water for you, family, team-mates, and pets. We will have portable restrooms on-site, with a hand sanitizer station.
• Map: Review the course map before arrival to understand the layout. We ask that everyone use the gravel pedestrian path to access Start/Finish, Podiums, Staging, and “The Bridge”. Please do not walk down the asphalt road, this is part of the course. A course preview video can be viewed here.
• Staging: Located on the asphalt road, west of “The Bridge / Plaza”. Call-ups are based (1) Non-perishable food donation, (2) Order of registration. Preliminary staging is posted here.
• Food Donations: Donate a bag of non-perishable food items and receive a premium staging position. Food items should be dropped-off in the white, Big Marsh registration trailer. All donations will be delivered locally to St. Kevin’s Catholic Church.
• Food Consumption: The crew from Let’s Roast Bikes will be on-site grilling up some meats and veggie-friendly options. They will also be raffling off some stuff, so stop by and give them a high-five.
• Results: Note, this race is not part of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup series, thus will not affect your CCC Series Standings. Although, this IS one of your last opportunities to improve your CrossResults ranking prior to Montrose!
• Tear-Down: After the conclusion of the Open 4/5 race we would love some help picking up stakes, tape, and fencing before the sun sets. Everything needs to be moved back to the “Plaza” area for loading into the trailer. Huge thanks in advance!
• Finally – remember, Big Marsh is a Chicago Public Park so it’s open daily to the public. If you enjoy racing down there, we plan to host our 2nd Annual Short Track Mountain Bike Race Series June/July/August 2018, plus a whole lot more! Follow the Friends of Big Marsh on Facebook and Instagram. And, if you are interested in helping with future events or trail build days, consider volunteering with the Friends of Big Marsh, a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and developing the site.
• Course: SRAM Stairs, REI Run-up, Clif BARriers, oh my!!! As always the final course may be different on race day.

Montrose! Thanks Snowy Mountain Photography

Except for a couple of really frustrating laps the season has flown by once again!  There are 2 important things to focus on over the next month; getting to Montrose ready to rip and then planning for next year.

Assuming you’ve had a proper rhythm of building and recovering to date, this week and next week are the time to knuckle down.  Wednesday is a good day for some tough intervals (tabata?).  If you’re up for a hard ride on Friday this would be perfect.  If not Big Marsh then a bandit race with some friends this coming Saturday or Sunday works as well. Do your normal routine next week and hopefully it all comes together in the city.

Unless you’re gunning for nationals  you need to take a little break post Montrose.  This transition phase , which consists largely of nothing, is an important part of your 2018 season.  Enjoy the time off and if you ride make it purely for the fun of it, no structure allowed!

If you are thinking of stepping it up next year you can find us via our website. The coaches at TrainingBible Cycling have experience in all disciplines and specialize in taking the time and tools at your disposal and helping you get the most out of the effort you put in.

See you at Montrose.

Rob Kelley

• Yet another mudder, this time with ice! Thanks to the Northbrook Garner Bicycle Club for warming us up with some hot CX racing action at Wheeling Heritage Park. And thanks to everyone who put on multiple layers to race and cheer on a cold and windy day. Results are all linked here.
• More great overall results, congrats to Karson Glass (Single Speed Men) Katie Isermann (Women Cat 1/2) and Cole House (Men Cat 1/2/3) for sewing up their respective overall titles this past weekend. Only 1 race left and many categories are still only separated by a few points! The leaders of the Masters 45+, Junior 15/18’s, Women Cat 3’s and Men Cat 4’s are separated by less than 10 points!
• Next weekend the CCC finished up at Montrose Harbor in downtown Chicago on the lake front for the 11th and final stop of the series. As we ask every year, come on out and watch, cheer, etc the entire day. Spend some time with your fellow pedal bikers before we all hibernate for the winter. Online pre-reg closes next Thursday evening. Look for the course preview at the normal time on that morning.
• If you’re looking to keep your CX skills sharp this weekend, Friends of Big Marsh is hosting the second annual Black Friday CX Race @ Big Marsh Park this Friday November 24^th. Donate a bag of non-perishable food items, and receive priority staging. All proceeds from the event will go towards future development of the park. Check out the Facebook event page for details & updates.
• Then 2 days later Region Racing is hosting Region Riot Cross just over the IN border on Sunday November 26th. Details and online pre-reg are on USAC here.
• Afterglow hosted by the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew is moving to Sunday December 17th and back to Douglas Park. Need more details? Just ask someone on the Cuttin’ Crew. This event is super chill(y) but so fun.
• Sunday afternoon December 17th we’re hosting the CCC Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie. Details and tickets for the PARTY (its not a banquet) will be available soon.
• And finally… this weekend the CCC takes a break so we can all fill up on turkey, mashed taters, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry, pumpkin pie, and all the works. Or for those of you looking for a State Champ podium, maybe just twigs and berries. Either way, enjoy this much earned time off with your family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

• Cyclocross returns to Wheeling, Illinois hosted by the Northbrook Cycling Club. The Wheeling Heritage Park CX will be held at 333 W. Dundee Road. Extensive Park renovations were completed in 2014, adding athletic fields, walking/riding paths, a pavilion with a band shell, and lots of parking. They even managed to fit in a cyclocross course for one fine November day.
• Note Again, the venue has changed from last year’s location at Melas Park. DO NOT GO TO MELAS.
• Heritage Park hosted the Wheeling CycloCross Grand Prix in 2004, stop #3 in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup series in its first year. Nine categorized races were crammed into a 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. race day schedule. No start grids, pits, neutral service, announcers, etc. The Northbrook Bicycle Club and Wheeling Park District take us back to those simpler times, but now with all the amenities you’ve come to expect and enjoy.
• Situated blocks from Wheeling’s famous restaurant row, the Chicago Executive Airport, the Des Plaines River Trail, Metra’s North Central Service (Sorry, for scouting only. The line doesn’t run on Sundays). Bring your appetites, planes, helicopters, gliders, canoes, cars, and/or bikes. The park is very accessible.
• The Wheeling Park District will be hosting a Pizza and Chili Garden with Beer too. Pizza is delivered from a famous, local pizzeria, and chili with optional toppings provided is by the Chevy Chase Country Club for the CCC. Hot cocoa, coffee, and soft drinks too.
• Sorry drones are not allowed due to proximity to the airport. You’ll be racing in restricted air space, at least your lungs may feel that way. The aerial views will have to come from the top of the anti-basin we’ll call “Heritage Hill”.
• Warming Up: The park paths will be open. Please be mindful of others in the park and yield to any pedestrians / other park users. The buildings on site are open to warm up from the weather. The recreation center situated between the two larger parking lots has facilities available for use. Please do not bring bikes into the buildings.
• Speaking of warm, temps are forecasted for the upper 20’s and low 30’s on Sunday, so please dress and pack appropriately.
• No alcohol per park rules except for purchase in the designated Pavilion Garden. Please be respectful of the park and behave so we can come back again next year.
• Parking: The lots are huge. Please use them and stay off the grass and trails with any cars or trucks. Please use the two large east and west lots and leave the angled center lot open for rec center patrons.
• Pavilion grass. Please refrain from setting up any tents in the pavilion lawn. There is an irrigation system that could be compromised by any overcooked stakes. Suggested tent spaces are on the map below.
• Volunteers needed: Robert Paetsch is looking for a few volunteers to help with course set up, marshalling, and repair. Please email your interest and sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b45aca6292-wheeling. Volunteers race for free and have lunch provided.
• Weather – Its going to be cold. Please bundle up and plan accordingly.
• Preliminary staging will be posted here.
• The course: Flatlandia’s ace course designer Ted Burger is back to inflict help find the best layout and lines in this unique space. The first third of the course is flat, but transitions to off camber as the course traverses the outdoor pool embankment over to the featured hill. There will be a short course option for the Women Cat 4/5 and Junior 9-14 races. Course runs anti-clockwise. Please note the location of course crossing and how to get from the East side of the course and staging grid to the west side of the course and equipment pits. This is a new venue for everyone, so please work with us and the Northbrook Cycling Club. 

• Wow, that was a tough weekend all around. Thanks to the South Chicago Wheelmen for persevering through the weather and still hosting a great double weekend at Pheasant Run Resort. Congrats to everyone who braved the elements and mud to race and spectate. Links to all the results you’re looking for are here.
• Speaking of results, congrats to Tim Strelecki (Masters 35+) and Marcus van Mieghem (Junior Boys 9-14) who both locked up their respective overall titles this weekend. Only 2 races remain and many categories are only separated by a few points so its still anyone’s game! The Men and Women Cat 3’s and Cat 4’s are the closest will likely be decided at Montrose.
• Next up the CCC travels to Wheeling Heritage Park for the 10th stop of the series. Please, please do NOT go to Melas Park or you’ll be riding around the bottom of the basin all by yourself. Online pre-reg closes Thursday evening. Look for the course preview at the normal time on Thursday morning.
• Also with another venue and date change, Afterglow hosted by the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew is moving to Sunday December 17th and back to Douglas Park. This is a great way to wind down after the season and benefits the great programs of West Town Bikes and Blackstone Bicycle Works. Look for more details soon or swing by the pink Cuttin’ Crew tent and make some new friends.
• Sunday December 17th will also be the date of the CCC Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie. Please stop calling it a banquet. Details and tickets will be available soon. Come celebrate with us!
• If you’re not traveling at Thanksgiving remember Friends of Big Marsh is hosting the second annual Black Friday CX Race @ Big Marsh Park Friday November 24^th. Donate a bag of non-perishable food items, and receive priority staging. All proceeds from the event will go towards future development of the park. Check out the Facebook event page for details & updates.
• And if that’s not enough CX for you next weekend, Region Racing is hosting Region Riot Cross just over the IN border on Sunday November 26th. Details and online pre-reg are on USAC here.
• And finally… riding through all the mud, rain, sand, grass, and who knows what else this past weekend wreaks absolute havoc on your bike, so make sure to take your ride to your favorite Local Bike Shop ASAP to get it cleaned and tuned up. There’s nothing worse than a bad result due to an avoidable mechanical, so take care of your bike and it will take care of you. Your LBS wants to help you and work on your bike. Many shops like our series sponsors The Pony Shop, Spin Doctors, Main St Bikes, and VeloFix are even running tune up specials to get us all through the end of the year, so take advantage of it.