Hi all, super quick and short update… USA Cycling Cyclo-cross Nationals are happening this week in Hartford, CT. Good luck to everyone racing. This year’s 45+ series overall winner JW Miller from Madison, WI already won today’s 50+ non-championship race!). USAC is all over the Twitters, Instagram, and the Facebook with real time updates and One2Go is providing the same live results as we use during our series over on LiveLynxResults.com. USAC will also live stream the Elite races on Sunday on their YouTube channel. If you don’t have Internets or just want to hang with a bunch of local Chicago CX’ers to watch all the action, join the Rapha Chicago Clubhouse for their US Cyclocross Nationals Viewing Party from 12pm to 2pm on Sunday January 8th. Rapha will be providing snacks and beverages while showing the racing action live on their TVs. See you there!

• Thanks to everyone who came to the 2016 Awards Party at EJ’s Place on Sunday. We had a good time sharing stories, more than a few laughs, and a great recap of the season. We can’t wait to hear those series winner bells ringing next season.
• Congrats to everyone who raced on Saturday up in Madison at the MidWest Regional CX Championships. Results are here and it looks like 2 Chicagoland riders took home jerseys!
• If you weren’t at the Elbo Room to see Los Borrachos on Friday night, you missed out. It was a stellar show and so much fun to catch up with so many of you off the bike.
• Good luck to anyone and everyone heading to Hartford, CT for the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships. We’ll be watching and listening between 1/3/17 and 1/8/17 to see how everyone races.
• And finally… this website will be settling down for the long winter as we retreat into the CCC evile lair to plot out next year’s awesomeness. While we won’t be posting anything new here for a while our email address is always open and active, so if you have any suggestions, criticisms, praise, or just want to chat don’t hesitate to drop us a line.
• And finally, finally… we here at the CCC wish everyone a very Merry Christmas (or however you may celebrate the holiday season) and Happy New Year! Whether you’re spending time on the (fat) bike, racing into and through January, or just chillin’ and drinking eggnog every night for the next 3 months… please enjoy the off season with your family and friends and we’ll see you again next September for the 2017 Chicago Cyclocross Cup!

• Before we get started, Happy Birthday to Dr. Nathan Schneeberger, the man behind the lens of Snowy Mountain Photography!
• Afterglow was a bunch of fun and relaxing. The weather didn’t show up as expected, which was a good thing after Montrose, but the Cuttin’ Crew still knows how to throw a party. Thanks to everyone who race or donated to benefit West Town Bikes & Blackstone Bicycle Works. We also handed off the accumulation of our season long donation collection in the form of $700 each to West Town and Blackstone to help them move forward into 2017. So THANK YOU to everyone who donated this year.
• Tickets are now on sale on BikeReg for this Sunday’s 2016 CCC Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie. Doors open at noon and we’ll be finished by 4pm. Besides the sweet winners’ cowbells we’ll also have prizes provided by SRAM, ABUS, Main St Bikes, The Pony Shop, Smart Bikes Parts, and others. We look forward to seeing you all there.
• Also at the awards party, unfortunately Tyger Johnson will NOT be joining us as he has some family matters to attend to. Still please read about his fantastic story here and we will try to get him out to party next year.
• Speaking of parties, don’t forget Los Borrachos hit the stage at the Elbo Row this Friday at 8pm.
• And finally… it is with great sadness for us but loads of excitement for her that we say goodbye (for now) and safe travels to the CCC’s media coordinator extraordinaire Kelly Clarke as she leaves town and heads West to accept a position at USA Cycling in Colorado Springs, CO. Kelly came to us several years ago saying she wanted to help and be involved in some way. She then proceeded to take over our Twitter feed to capture every.single.podium.ever., write press releases, heard more than a few cats, and do more behind the scenes work than we can remember. We’ll miss you a lot a lot but can’t wait to see the work you’ll do at the national level.

Its not a CCC series race, but hey its our website so we can do what we want. From the race organizers…

• Please use #AfterglowCX, very important to remember the “CX”.
• The weather forecast looks like Montrose+. So dress appropriately, for a CX race that is.
• Preliminary staging, as if you really care, will be posted here on Friday.
  
• The Chicago Cuttin’ Crew has once again partnered with the Chicago Park District to bring the ‘Glow back to Humboldt Park!
• When registering to race, please consider donating those extra dollars you’re saving on the cheaper reg to the wonderful and very important programs at Blackstone Bicycle Works and West Town Bikes. Not racing? Help cheer the youth in the Juniors, Single Speed, and Cat 4/5 races! We will also have a donation jar at registration for you to throw in your change.
  
• If you’re coming in from somewhere that doesn’t have easy public transportation (hint), please leave the field house parking lot for volunteers and officials. There is plenty of parking on Luis Munoz Marin Drive in the park, just on the outside of the course.
• Day-of registration and number pickup opens at 9am near the start/finish near the field house parking lot. 
• The field house will be open from 11am-6pm, but since it is not officially part of the event, we ask that you respect the other park users who may be using the facility. DO NOT bring your bicycles inside. Leave no trace!
• As with all CCC races and all proper CX races, bib numbers will go on your LEFT side.
• Just like Chicago politics, call-ups and staging will be based on how much money you donate at pre-reg/reg. 😉
• A wheel/equipment pit will be available, but we’re gonna let SRAM NRS have a break and party with us. Wheels/bike in, wheels/bikes out.
• Our top men and women Single Speeders will win free entry to Barry Roubaix, courtesy of a very special OG race director!
• GRUDGE MATCH/Fatbike/FIXED GEAR CX/Etc Open Category will allow any fun bike you want (BMX, tandem, cargobike, fixed gear cx, fatbike, unicycle, tricycle, et al). Registration fee is per bike, so both tandem riders will need to fill out USAC release forms and require USAC licenses. We will try to score categories separately, but no guarantees unless you race super fun/slowly. We will definitely figure out who wins each GRUDGE.
• You thought the snow and mud at Montrose was challenging? InsaneDeOmnium is back to bring the toughest obstacle yet: race all day races. Scoring and details located here.
• Podiums will be presented shortly after each race, and we will have limited edition 2016 Cuttin’ Crew gear for those victorious!
• Not only is Humboldt Park full of delicious Puerto Rican food trucks, Doughnut Vault will once again pay us a visit! Clif Bar will also have fuel and recovery snax for riders who pre-reg.
• As for the course, note the location of parking, the staging grid, and the equipment pit. Give yourself plenty of time to get your bib number, put your gear in the pit, and get to staging on time. The course runs CLOCKWISE.

• Well, that was certainly a day at the beach… Holy schmokes, we haven’t seen weather like that at Montrose since the day before Melas CX last year.
• In spite of the forecast (or perhaps because of it) thanks to EVERYONE who came out to race, spectate, take pictures, make videos, spend time in the hot tub, (yes, even the bagpipes) and make Montrose the fantastic, crazy, awesome day that it always is, regardless of what mother nature may throw at us.  As co-race director Chuck Judy commented to us late in the day, the Montrose event is like a stick of dynamite. He just lights the fuse, throws it out there, and sits back to see what happens.
• Links to official results, CrossResults, and laps times (provided by One2Go) for Montrose and the entire season as well as Overall Series winners are all here.
• That’s a wrap for the CCC series… but don’t hang up that mud and sand crusted CX bike just yet. Please, please, please clean you rig and/or take it to your local bike shop for some TLC… unless you plan on purchasing a new bike next year. Either way there are lots of local shops who will gladly help you.
• And there’s still a bunch of CX races throughout the region and nationally still to go. Good luck to everyone who races between now and then beginning of January!
  • This coming Saturday 12/10/16 at Humboldt Park the other CCC (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew) host Afterglow to help us unwind after a hot season and help some awesome kids get and stay on bikes.
  • Then on Sunday 12/11/16  Heart of Illinois CX (HICX) series has their last race at Miller Chill CX.
  • Next weekend on Saturday 12/17/16 our friends up North in Wisconsin host the Midwest Regional CX Championships at Sun Prairie.
  • The next day on Sunday 12/18/16 the CCC series officially finishes up with our annual Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie. We’ll award the coveted cowbells, final jerseys, and prizes to the series overall winners, share a few drinks and laughs, and hand out enough door prizes to outfit a mid-sized pro-tour team. Reg details will be posted soon. We can’t wait to see you all there.
  • And then finally after the new year (01/03/17 – 01/08/17) USAC hosts the US CX National Championships in Hartford, CT.
• And finally… extra special thanks to Cat 1/2/3 Series Winner Dan Teaters and Team Wheel & Sprocket for generously donating all of his race winnings from the ENTIRE season back to the CCC and the groups we support with our year end donations. If you would like to make an initial or additional donation to the series donation please email us ASAP at ChicagoCrossCup at gmail.

• As usually, lots to go over for this coming weekend’s finale. We know there’s a lot to read below, but please read all the way to the bottom. We know what’s going on but post this information so everyone else knows as well.
• Please make sure to use the hashtag #MontroseCX in all your social media accounts.
• Ten27 Cycles and Spidermonkey Cycling jointly host the last stop of the 2016 CCC… the Illinois State CX Championships at Montrose Harbor… the 13th year at this location! We ask everyone to bundle up, bring your umbrellas, cowbells, photographic and video recording devices, etc and make a day out of Montrose.
• Please thank the race sponsors for helping to make this event happen. They are:
  • The Autobarn of Chicago, Evanston and Oak Park – Richard Fisher Dealerships.  They will have Volvo and VW station wagons, ideal cars for cyclists, on site for you to check out.
  • E.J.’s Place Restaurant in Skokie has supported the race every one of the 13 years it has been held at Montrose Harbor, and
  • Wheel & Sprocket will have fat bikes on hand for you to test ride.
• The weather usually makes Montrose the special event it is. Right now the forecast is for low to mid 30’s and probably snow! The wind can also change on a dime, especially next to the lake, so bundle up, dress appropriately before during and after you race(s), and come prepared with extra warm & dry gear.
• Registration: We’ll be running reg the same way as every other CCC race. Please allow all 35+ racers to pick up their numbers first since they have to get ready first. Several fields are either already full or very close. Online waitlists are on BikeReg. After No-Shows are removed we put in the online waitlisted riders, then its first come, first served until we hit the field limits. Online pre-reg closes tonight… so if you’re not yet reg’d, do yourself a favor and reg now!
• Staging: Staging will follow the same protocol we’ve been using all season long in the series. See the procedure here which we have found is the fairest and simplest system for everyone.
• Preliminary staging will be posted here. Email us at ChicagoCrossCup at gmail if you have problems.
• State Champion Requirements: Ten27 Cycling, Spidermonkey Cycling, and the ICA will be presenting 20 Illinois State CX Champion Jerseys (on the podiums) to the first IL rider to cross the finish line in every category (excluding the 4/5’s). This means Junior 15-18, 15-16, 9-14, 9-12 Boys AND Girls, Women Cat 3, Masters 65+, and new this year Women Single Speed! Riders making it to the State Champion podium will be presented with gold, silver, and bronze medals.
• To win the Illinois state championship you must be a permanent Illinois resident (we’ll be checking state/federal ID’s), a US citizen or permanent resident, and hold a valid and unsuspended 2016 USAC annual license before the start of the race (yes, we’re looking at you Cat 4’s). There must also be a full podium of IL riders (that means 3) to win the state jersey. This should not be a problem in any category.
• In combined age groups, if a younger rider podiums in the overall category they take that place and are not replaced by any older riders finishing behind them. For instance, if a 16 year old wins the overall 15-18 race they win both the 15-16 sub age group and the 15-18 overall age group. This also applies to Women Cat 3 in the Women Cat 1/2/3 race and (in reverse) the Masters 65+ in the Masters 55+.
• In addition we’ll also be presenting race podiums (before state champion podiums) for all categories, including Junior 9-10 Boys AND Girls and the Cat 4/5‘s. So that’s another 23 podiums. If you haven’t done so already this year, find Kenny Labbe and thank him profusely for organizing everything so well.
• The Chicago Cuttin’ Crew and Pony Shop dads will be awarding Junior prizes and Junior sub age group and girls medals as they have been all season.
• Podiums presentations for each will be presented immediately after each race finish. The exception being the Junior 15-18 at 11:45am and the Junior 9-14 at 12:15pm.
• Speaking of results. While we, the USAC officials, and One2Go strive to produce results as quickly as possible, our first priority, especially since this is the state championship, is to produce accurate results and not have to revise and repost. We have to score everyone in each race, not just the top 3, and in order to do this we need your help with properly pinned bib numbers that are visible to the camera and officials at the finish line. Please read our explanation of what constitutes proper technique from our 11/15/16 post here.
• Payouts remain 5 deep per the 2016 CCC minimum payout schedule. Payouts will be distributed in the Registration tent after results are final, starting around 10:45. Payouts will also be distributed to Single Speed Women and Category 3 Women in the same amount as the Men. Men & Women Cat 1/2/3 State Champions will also receive dining cards for E.J.’s Place, so they can celebrate their victory in style. There will also be 8 pairs of Oakley Flak Jacket sunglasses awarded to the Junior categories.
• Wheel & Sprocket has also commissioned another poster by Jay Ryan for the event. The poster will be on sale at the race and all 3 riders on the podium of every state championship will receive a copy.
• While 6 riders have already locked up their CCC overall titles (see riders in yellow), there are still 9 very, very, very close categories still to be decided on Sunday, some categories still only separated by a few points. Overall titles will be  posted Sunday, but all official overall series awards will be presented at the CCC Awards Party on Sunday December 18st at EJ’s Place. Details TBD and we look forward to celebrating with all of you.
• The Big Star food truck will be serving their famous tacos and other food at the curb between 11am and 3:30pm.
• A few series and race sponsor tents (SRAM, Mike Keating, and Nuun) will be gathered into an Town Square/Expo Area between registration, the finish area, and the podiums where the state champion jerseys will be awarded throughout the day of racing.
• Team Tents: Given the ever present potential for strong winds, bring weights and stakes. Also, Ten27 will have an expo area near registration with designated tent spots for race sponsors, so please do not set up your tents in these spots or you will be asked to move.
• Parking: As in years past tarking will be on the street only along Simonds Drive. That road will be closed to through traffic between the staging grid and finish line.  You may approach the race course on Simonds Drive from either Wilson Avenue or from Montrose Avenue, but you will have to turn around and leave the same way you came in.  Please do not park adjacent to the road closure barricades, as Ten27 is required to leave enough room for all cars to turn around at the barricades.  Only authorized vehicles (i.e. officials, CCC staff, event organizers, BigStarTruck, etc) will be allowed within the road closures. Please do not give the traffic marshals a hard time about this, they are just doing their job. No Parking at all on the grass, anywhere, period (except for the SRAM NRS car).
• Team trailers: Plan to arrive early between 6:00-6:30am to park your trailer. The streets will be closed at 6:30am. Please drop your trailer and move the tow vehicle to the general parking area. We are trying to keep the barricade area as car free. It is possible to park your trailer Saturday evening by 5:00pm. Security watching the area overnight. Please contact the race directors through BikeReg to make any other special arrangements.
• Alcohol is prohibited in the park without permit, so please act appropriately and responsibly.
• Pack out what you pack in. A large trash dumpster will be provided in the street for any refuse.
• Another reminder about Bib Numbers: On your LEFT SIDE as always. All riders with longer hair are reminded that their hair MUST be pulled up and can not obstruct your bib # while racing. Riders are reminded to not sit up while coming across the finish line, this is especially noted for Juniors – wait to post up until AFTER you’ve safely finished and have been properly scored by officials. Numbers must also be clearly visible to the officials checking you in at staging. Failing to have numbers visible slows down and delays starting fields on time.
• One2Go Event Services will again be providing camera timing and lap times. However if your bib number is on the wrong side, you will NOT be scored. So pin those numbers correctly. If you’re not at the event or just want to follow along from the warm of your team tent head over to LiveLynxResults.com for real time updates.
• Since Montrose is the State Championship and the last race of the CCC series, the USAC officials will be pulling out-of-contention riders so the race leaders have a clear course. However, everyone will be placed, even if you are several laps down. The only way riders will be listed DNF (did not finish) is if they stop voluntarily. So keep racing until the chief referee tells you to stop. Riders will only be asked to exit the course at or after the finish line.
• SRAM Neutral Service will be in the equipment pits helping throughout the day in the case of a mechanical.
• The equipment pit is on the other side of the road from the start and finish lines. Please do NOT leave your spare bikes and wheels in the pit after your race. The next category needs to use the pit too.
• The Hot Tub CX Machine will be back again this year. The BBVP has asked that anyone who wants to receive “priority boarding” for the hot tub bring a canned food item for donation.
• Pay attention for a possible mannequin video before the start of the 4/5 race.
• The Course: Ten27 Cycling and Spidermonkey Cycling has tweaked last year’s course again while retaining most if not all of Montrose’s classic features while managing to find even more sand. The course runs clockwise beginning at the staging grid which will now be on the North East side Simonds Dr. The start chute will be longer than last year, and wide, and mostly without sharp turns. The finish line and registration tent will be in nearly same location as years past, just off the road to the North and near the sand. The main sand section will of course be in play where the Hot Tub will be set up. As always the final course track will be determined Saturday afternoon and may be altered from the map below. If you’re getting a head start and going out to pre-ride the course, please give the folks out there setting up the course some room and maybe even give them a hand.
• Please NO GROUP PRACTICES on the course. We want to leave the grass in as good of shape as we can after Sunday so we can come back and race next year and the year after that and the year after that and the year after that… Thanks!
• Finally, if you are able to stay late and help tear down the course and pack everything away, please do so. The Cat 4/5 race finishes just as it gets dark and Ten27, the Spidermokeys, and the Cuttin’ Crew (all the equipment goes to Afterglow next) will very much appreciate your help.

• We hope everyone had a great, long Thanksgiving weekend. Whether you were chillaxing with family and friends or shredding the gnar at Big Marsh the last weekend in November is always a great time to take a step back and give thanks for all that is cycling and awesome.
• Speaking of awesome… we only have one race left in the series and it just happens to be our 2016 Illinois State Cyclocross Championship event held at Montrose Harbor in downtown Chicago, hosted by Ten27 Cycling Club and Spidermonkey Cycling. Lots of details headed your way on Thursday morning, but in the meantime make sure you get your tush pre-reg’d over on BikeReg. As of right now all fields are still open (i.e. not waitlisted) but we do expect the Masters, Juniors, Single Speed, and Women Cat 4 to fill.
• Other events still ahead:
  • 12/10/16 – Afterglow – A Cyclocross Race (Douglas Park, Chicago, IL) – SATURDAY
  • 12/16/16 – Los Borrachos at the Elbo Room (Chicago, IL) – Friday
  • 12/18/16 – CCC Awards Party – EJ’s Place in Skokie
  • 12/17/16 – Midwest Regional CX Championships (Sun Prairie, WI) – SATURDAY
  • 01/03/17 – 01/08/17 – US CX National Championships (Hartford, CT)
• And finally… start ’em young they say.