• Thanks to the Chris Henning and everybody who helped make the George Garner Sr. Memorial CX Race @ Melas a success! Thanks also to Mother Nature for not dropping a foot of snow on us the day before. Temperatures were downright frigid but the racing action was hawt! Results are here and photos are on Snowy Mountain and Tipping Point. 
• Remember 12 months ago when we had to cancel the Melas race? For anyone who last year commented “The Belgians would have raced” in the snow, did you hear they had to cancel the Koksijde World Cup on the coast of Belgium this past weekend due to a storm and destructive high winds? That’s not a 10X10 pop-up tent in that link. Safety first… always.
• Up next and finally… but still 2 weeks away… the CCC heads back to the city proper for its finale and the 2016 Illinois State CX Championships at Montrose Harbor hosted by Ten27 Cycle Club and Spidermonkey Cycling. We’re not even going to try and guess what the weather will be like this far in advance. In the past we’ve had everything from 60 degrees and sun to negative temps and a bunch of snow. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
• In the meantime, this weekend why not check out Big Marsh? THIS BLACK FRIDAY 11/25 choose to #OptOutside @ BIG MARSH for the inaugural race at the newly completed BIG MARSH BIKE PARK! This event is a fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting Friends of Big Marsh for continued build out of park features. There are categories for all levels, and your neither your USAC, CCC nor CrossResults standings will be impacted from consuming too much turkey and stuffing because this is NOT a USA Cycling sanctioned race. Pressure’s off! However, you’ll want to make some effort because the prizes are AMAZING. Effort not your thing? Then buy yourself a race lead with a purchase of a Big Marsh Cycling Kit or Chainring Donation! Or just come take a walking tour of the park then throw down come cash and win yourself one of our many equally impressive raffle prizes. Either way online pre-reg closes TONIGHT 11/22 @ 11:59PM CT. This park was built for YOU, the off-road cycling enthusiasts of Chicagoland, and a ton of work has gone into race prep from your fellow racers across several teams – so if you are in town on Friday, do your part to say THANKS by showing up to participate. We’re still looking to fill some volunteer spots too – contact Chris McAuliffe with your availability between 7AM – 4PM. See you there!
• The week after Montrose don’t forget about Afterglow – A Cyclocross Race hosted by the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew, which gets back to its roots in Humboldt Park! This race is serious about having fun, sitting back and enjoying the Afterglow of a great CX season here in Chicagoland. Online pre-reg is open on BikeReg and all profits go to the great causes of West Town Bikes and Blackstone Bicycle Works which are 2 of the 3 places all series donations go toward (the 3rd being Big Marsh).
• And finally… we’ve mentioned it many times over the years, but especially during this week it bears repeating that we like to think of the entire CCC as one big family and we are very thankful for all of you racing with us. Sure there are many different teams and maybe at times we’re a little dysfunctional, but what family isn’t? However, in the end we’re all here because we enjoy riding our bikes and being in each other’s company. That’s what makes all CX communities so great. Our differences, strengths, weaknesses, merits, faults, and perspectives make us stronger and better as a whole. With that in mind we wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Whether you’re enjoying tofurky and kale or bacon wrapped turkey with a side of Twinkies and a handful of Skittles… have a wonderful long weekend off with your non-cycling families and we’ll see you all in 2 weeks at Montrose Harbor.

• Last minute event name change to “George Garner Sr Memorial Race @ Melas“. Read more about Mr. Garner here. Please continue to use the hashtag #MelasCX.
• This marks the 13th year of the original Northbrook CX race, started by Mark Harris in 2003 to raise money to “Save the Drome” (that’s short for velodrome, as in track cycling for all the rookies out there).
• First things first, there is NO snow in the forecast, but temps will be dipping quite a bit so please bundle up (especially the little ones) and bring appropriate clothing for before, during, and after your race(s)!
• Chris Henning and Ted Berger (Northbrook Garner Bicycle Club and Flatlandia) take us racin’ through the basin.
• Parking will be at Multi Pack Solutions @1804 W. Central Rd., Mt. Prospect, IL which is behind (to the North of) Robert Bosch Tool Corporation.  Registration and S/F are adjacent to the Multi Pack lot.  There is a pedestrian gate to access Melas Park from the Multi Pack lot.  The Multi Pack lot is located to the West of the Melas Park entrance, just east of S. Arthur Ave.
• There is no parking at Melas Park. We need to keep the lot clear for the locals using the dog park. You may drop off team tents in the park parking lot, but must move your vehicle to the Multi Pack lot.
• Team Trailers.  Please e-mail Chris Henning if you’re planning on bringing out a trailer, he will try and coordinate a setup location for you.
• Preliminary staging will be posted here.
• No alcohol, park rules. Please be respectful of the park and behave so we can come back again next year.
• Warm Ups:  Please stay off the ball fields while warming up and if you do use the walking paths please making sure to yield to any pedestrians / other park users.
• Speaking of cars, no parking on the grass – anywhere.  There is plenty of parking available.  This includes team vehicles intending on dropping off team tent and compound equipment.
• Dog Park:  Unfortunately you must have a membership to get inside the fenced dog park which is available from either Mt. Prospect or Arlington Heights and unfortunately they don’t sell daily passes. Dog park membership
• If you can, please help tearing down the course after the Cat 4/5 race. It will get dark and cold quickly.
• Cleaning up: The race does not have access to a public water. There is a self-serve car wash (Z Auto Wash) just west of the Bosch lot @ 820 S Arthur Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 less than a half mile away.
• Due to the cold temperature there will NOT be a kids race this weekend. Sorry, keep those kiddos warm.
• Food truck: The Chicago Pizza Boss food truck will be onsite serving brick-oven pizzas.
• Volunteering: Chris Henning is still looking for a few volunteers spots to be filled. Volunteers race for free & lunch is provided. Please sign-up here.
• The Course: Similar to years past but without a foot of wet snow. Tough hill(s) getting out of the Basin and 3 trips through the beach volleyball sandpits. Course might change based on conditions encountered during setup.

• Many thanks to the South Chicago Wheelmen and everyone else who helped make the long weekend at the Indian Lakes Resort another success… including Luke Perry and Tori Spelling! Results are here and photos are on Snowy Mountain (Saturday) and Tipping Point (Sunday). As Kenny Labbe mentioned many times on the mic, this was the last time we will be racing at Indian Lakes since the golf course and resort will be shutting down. Thanks for the memories ILR…
• Up next the CCC heads to Mt. Prospect for Melas CX Basin Racin’… which will also be known as the George Garner Memorial Cross Race after the late and great George Garner. Temps will drop dramatically over the weekend but thankfully there isn’t any snow in the forecast (fingers crossed).
• What’s up with so many people not wearing their helmets while riding their bikes around? Seriously, it’s a USAC rule there for your safety and just good common sense. Our USAC officials have informed us that going forward they will be handing out warnings, DQ’s, and even fines. So do everyone a favor and please wear your helmet at all times.

• A quick note on bib number placement. We know we and One2Go can sound like a broken record sometimes, but proper bib number placement really does make a difference in helping One2Go and the officials score each and every one of you each and every lap. In an effort to show you what One2Go is looking at, take a gander at the above images. In the 1st pic JP McCarthy’s (SRAM) number is perfectly placed on his side, with the bottom of the number aligned in the middle of the side panel of his jersey/skinsuit, while Walid Abu-Ghazaleh’s (Pony Shop) number is too high on his back. In the 2nd pic the numbers are again too high on the Junior riders’ backs and their long hair is on top of the numbers (get those long locks up in a pony tail, pun intended). We realize smaller riders may have space issues, but please do your best to have your numbers on your side, not the top of your back. You all have been doing a great job all season, but as temps drop and we start wearing more layers its important to keep those numbers visible so everyone is scored correctly, especially at the State Championship at Montrose where field sizes will be maxed out. MORE

Saturday pics, vids, and race reports are here:

2016 Hilton Indian Lakes – SATURDAY – Pics, Vids, and Race Reports

Remember, new numbers and new staging tomorrow!

• Remember to use the hashtag #ILRcx. More venue/course info here.
• The South Chicago Wheelmen have pushed back the closing of online pre-registration on BikeReg until tonight. Rejoice in that you haven’t missed the pre-reg cutoff and still have time to pre-reg and be staged by your CrossResults points.
• Preliminary staging will be posted here for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s CCC points will affect Sunday’s staging.
• As per usual this time of year the forecast is for wind but temperatures should be quite pleasant. SCW asks that everyone take down your tents, all the way, Saturday night. You may leave your tent(s) on premise overnight.
• Not that anyone should need it given the forecast, but there may be a hose available to wash your bike(s), but not in the equipment pit. The hose is located next to the pro-shop just outside the door to registration.
• Registration is inside, next to the pro shop and the Masters restaurant. How convenient!
• Do NOT bring your bikes inside when coming to the registration room. Please leave them outside. Thanks!
• Remember to pick up your Sunday bib number on Sunday. You will have a different numbers both days for each race and you will NOT be scored on Sunday if you wear your number from Saturday.
• Heat bathrooms are located just past the pro-shop.
• No warming up on the fairways or west of the course. The other courses are still open to golfers and given the decent temps there will likely be people out playing the small ball.
• Please stay off the putting greens at all times.
• Bring your bathing suit for the pool and hot tub after your race(s).
• The Cave Bar will be open as well as an all you can eat buffet in the Masters restaurant, which comes in quite handy on Sunday morning.
• Speaking of the Cave… there is always an informal party Saturday night. Come say hello!
• The course: This year the course runs clockwise, hits the volleyball sandpit early and the hill late. GoogleMaps version will be posted soon but in the meantime click here.

• Its election day. We will never ever ever discuss politics here on the site but if you’re >=18 years old, a US citizen, and not a felon (and/or Chicago mayor)… Get out and vote!
• PSIMET and crew put on another great event in Woodstock on Sunday! All the results you are looking for are here. Snowymountain Photos are here.
• PSIMET and crew put on another great event in Woodstock on Sunday! All the results you are looking for are here. Snowymountain Photos are here.
• Next up the CCC travels to Bloomingdale for the series’ only double weekend at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort (ILR). Each race is part of the series but still its own individual race, so that’s reason for separate BikeReg pages, entry fees, staging, etc. We will update series standings and CrossResults points Saturday night so Sunday’s staging will be affected by Saturday’s race. Look for the normal course preview on Thursday morning.
• If you are still looking for discounted room rates at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort, please call Marilyn directly at 630.523.5326. Just mention you are coming to the Cycling Race. UPDATE: We are being told there are no more rooms available for the weekend.
• The following weekend the series races at Melas Park in Mt Prospect. Chris Henning and crew are in need of some volunteers who will race for free & receive lunch on race day. Please consider helping out and signing up here.
• And finally… speaking of helping out… the CCC series directors and USAC officials can’t be everywhere and see everything. If you see something going wrong or have an idea for a way to improve the series let us know. Leaving comments here on the site is great (thank you, we read them all) but sending us an email at ChicagoCrossCup at gmail is even better. We can’t promise miracles overnight and we might not necessarily agree with you, but we do listen to all feedback. Also, if you’re going to leave comments here on the site, be an adult, have some skin in the game, and use your real name. Thanks!

Phil: Do you ever have déjà vu, Mrs. Lancaster?
Mrs. Lancaster: I don’t think so, but I could check with the kitchen.

In 1992 the downtown square of Woodstock, IL was used to film the movie Groundhog Day. That filming location is 0.8 miles from the starting grid of this Sunday’s race. Rob Curtis and the Psimet crew have decided to carry some of the themes of the movie into the race this year. If you’re interested in looking over the filming locations for the movie there is a great map for self-guided tours here: woodstockgroundhog.org/pages/tour.html

• Remember to use #psiCX on Twitter and Instagram.
• Psimet has extensively condensed the course and moved it to the ridge/sled hill area on the North-Eastern section of the park. The only road crossing will be closed. These two factors increase rider safety and will help make viewing for everyone a whole lot more fun.
• With this in mind there will be some logistical obstacles for all in attendance. There is plenty of parking throughout the park but parking that is close to the reg tent is in short supply. We have therefore designated 2 gear drop off areas for teams hauling their encampment supplies as well as riders with an entourage of bicycles that need to get into the pits. We ask that you use these areas for drop off then park farther away to help others do the same.
• There is a baseball game scheduled to take place at 10 am at the “Dream Field”, the large ball field next to where the start line has historically been. While there is plenty of parking throughout the park – please be mindful you might have to roll around to other locations before finding a spot. Plan you timing accordingly.
• As with all previous years there is NO PARKING ON THE GRASS. This is probably one of the strictest rules the park and city have for the facility.
• This park has “always” had a “no alcohol” policy. So when you bring in lots of cups for your soda and lemonade Psimet asks that you pack out what you bring in. It helps Psimet make sure the park doesn’t think we have a drinking problem if there aren’t a lot of juice boxes laying around.
• The Chicago Pizza Boss food truck will once again be in attendance. You know the lines can be long and it’s a long trip for them – might not be a bad idea to have a backup just in case.
• Equipment Pits will be nearly full UCI size with stalls. There is NO water or washing facilities at the race though so if conditions look to be getting worse then please plan your own support accordingly. Just know that you have a full sized pit to utilize.
• Currently the weather forecast is for 100% chance of awesome with race time temps between the mid 40’s and mid 60’s.
• Daylight savings time ends the morning of the race this year so don’t forget to move you clocks back – otherwise you’ll be an extra hour early for your race. There are worse things that can happen though. You’re welcome.
• There won’t be much if any daylight left after the last race ends, so please plan accordingly. Also if you can please help Psimet and the South Chicago Wheelmen tear down the course so they aren’t doing it all in the dark.
• The first rider up Heckle Hill each race will be the winner of a “Tip Top Café” blueberry pie prime baked by PSIMET’s own Sydney Guagliardo through Whisk Bakery and Coffee in Wauconda, IL. Rob had a great discussion with Sydney about racing on his Road Is Dead Podcast this week. If you haven’t listened to the podcast yet Rob covers a bunch of CCC related topics. You can find Syd’s episode here (we apologize in advance for all the graphic innuendos).
• Preliminary staging will be here.
• Psimet will award payouts to the Women Cat 3 field. $200, 5 deep.
• UPDATE: Kids race at 2pm!
• The course is also available for virtual pre-ride right now using BKOOL. You don’t even have to use a BKOOL device. Any smart trainer should interface and the accounts are free.
• As mentioned above the course is A LOT different than in years past. The Western woods and sand are gone. But there are still hills, and lots of them. Direction is anti-clockwise, meaning you will exit the start chute to the left and head South on the first lap.