– #ABDcx Remember to check out the standard preview page here.

– Preliminary staging will be posted here sometime on Friday.

– Parking is not permitted on Foster Ave this year. This is very, very, very important. The village of Barlett was kind enough to give us and ABD a warning last year so please park in the designated areas so we can come back and race next year.

– ABD has once again increased payouts deeper than the CCC minimums. See here. However, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PAYOUT AT THE RACE VENUE. The race director will only hold onto unclaimed payouts until the Campton event. After Campton any unclaimed payouts will be donated to the Bartlett Park District Foundation.

– Sandwichville has closed their doors. ABD will have North Of the Border serving food this year… Mexican and American w/ veggie options.

– Kiddie race at 2pm!!

– Sorry, but per park rules, No Alchohol.

– Porta-potties at Sycamore Trails as well as at the race venue.

– The Course: Similar to years past… but in reverse!

Photo: Kate Gresock

– Another double weekend in the books. 2 vastly different course, but still cyclocross all the way. Thanks again to Ted Schweitzer, Verdigris-Village CX, Jeff Provisor, Northbranch Cycling, and Main St. Bicycles for another great weekend for racing.

– Up next the CCC heads to Barlett for ABD Sunrise Park hosted by ABD and CX Superstar Jim Nowak. Thursday preview at the regular time but lots of details already here. #ABDCX

– Remember when reclaiming your gear from the equipment pits to make sure you are taking what belongs to you and NOT someone else. Check the tyres, check the hubs, etc, etc. We’re sure no one is stealing wheels or bikes, but there have been a few mistaken items recently. Check here and here for who’s missing what.

– The 2014 Masters World Championships will be held in 1/4/14 and 1/5/14 in Gossau, Switzerland.

– We’ve  had quite a few Pactimo Series Leaders Jerseys changing hands at recent races. Please double check the series standings and if you’re due a jersey please let us know at [email protected] and we’ll get it to you at Sunrise Park. Congrats also to everyone putting on their big boy and big girl pants and upgrading to the next category. Chapeau!

– Just a reminder, If you have pre-reg’d or especially if you are a parent pre-registering your junior and won’t be able to make it to race, please let the race promoter know, not us here at the series. You can contact each individual race promoter through BikeReg using the ‘Contact Event’ link. Thanks!

– Now in its 7th year, VeloCX on 11/2 and 11/3 hosted by Little Guy Racing takes Minnesota cyclocross to a higher level by jumping on the 2013 USAC National CX calendar. This year payout are larger than ever ($2,000 for the elite men both days and $1,000 for the Women) . $6000 over the two days in the Elite races, same awesome racing in all other categories, great course, (unofficial) SS Midwest championship, bouncy castle and an all around fantastic event. 2013 promises to be the best year yet! This year’s sponsors include Behind Bars Bicycle Shop, Portland Design Works, Nice Ride MN, Peace Coffee, race fuel by Hammer Nutrition, and beer by Dangerous Man Brewing. If you’re in the area come out, race, and stick around for what’s sure to be some of the best racing in Minnesota. Free beer and food of course. Check out the race flyer and promo video!

– And finally… did you know Chicagoland is the birthplace of cyclocross? Well perhaps not, but it was the host to the first USA National CX Championships in Palos Park way back on 10/20/1963. This past Sunday marked the 50th anniversary of the USA’s first national championship, won by none other than Tyger Johnson from Rockford. Please, if you do nothing else today, take 20 minutes before watching BtBTV and read through this great archive about our great sport.

– #CarpenterCX and more on the preview page. Preliminary staging will be posted here Friday morning but Saturday’s results will affect Sunday’s staging.

– Following the rollers there is a short section twisting through the tall corn.

– Kiddie race, put on by Ted Burger, starts at 2:00 pm

– Bike wash station set up near the entrance (for riders finished racing) and exit (in case of very muddy conditions for racers during the race) of the corn field.

– The Corn Chucker (converted water balloon launcher) will be set up near the corn field to shoot at a big Sasquatch lurking in the corn field.

– Detours and parking: Maple Ave is closed West of Carpenter Blvd. There will be access to the parking along Maple Ave if you take East Main Street to Lord Ave and turn left. Overflow parking can be had at the school lots off of Cleveland Ave a block or two East of the park.

– The course: Similar to last  year with a few changes.

– The majority of #PyschoCX info is over on the preview page. Preliminary staging will be posted here.

– As we mentioned on Tuesday, Psycho Cross After Dark on Friday night is cancelled, but Saturday’s race is still full steam ahead.

– Remember this is a Saturday race and online pre-reg closes TONIGHT (Wednesday).

– Sorry, but there will be NO Kiddie race on Saturday.

– There is road construction at the intersection of Route #12 (Rand Road) and Old McHenry Road, which is about six miles due south of The Golf Farm. You would do well to avoid this intersection if possible as it can bottleneck, even on weekends. You may be able to access Route #12 from Route #176 about four miles north of Old McHenry to avoid this intersection if you are coming from the South and/or East.

– Dogs are allowed at The Golf Farm, but please clean up after your pups and keep them on leash!

– As in the past, the owner of The Golf Farm has asked that you not bring in coolers or grills, as there is a restaurant/bar that sells food and drinks. If you do choose to bring food or beverages, please be discreet.

– First aid will be by registration which will be under the tee box awning.

– Goody bags are available for the first 300+ racers and will be at the registration area.

– Please pick up your payouts. The PsychoCX race director will not track you down and will not be at any of the other races in the series. This generally goes for other races in the series as well. If you do not pick up your payouts on race day they will be donated to charity unless you make immediate arrangements with the promoter.

– As with any race in the Series, if any spectators, other teams, shops, etc. would lend a hand at break down time, we would greatly appreciate it as it is crucial that we tear down the course, stage things, and get the trailer loaded in an efficient manner, so Sunday’s race promoter has everything they need to get to Carpenter Park and perform their magic.

– The course: Sorry, WordPress and the new GoogleMaps Engine still won’t play nice together. See here.

Photo: Eric Heuser

– Thanks to the Bevery Bike VeePak crew for anther great race at Dan Ryan Woods. Hills, bunny hops, food, hills, great weather, hills… oh and did we mention hills?

– For those of you that pre-reg’d and have an email address in your BikeReg rider profile, you should have received Results and Lap Time Reports shortly after your race from One2Go Event Services. Nikki Cyp of the BBVP crew brought in One2Go specifically for this race as an added bonus with no incremental costs to any racer. Its amazing what these guys can do with just a camera and without the hassles of chip timing. Lap Time Reports were emailed per category, but if you want to see how fast or slow you are vs. racers in other categories we’ve posted all of the reports below.

• Masters 40+
• Masters 30+
• Single Speed
• Women Cat 1/2/3
• Masters 50+
• Cat 3
• Women Cat 4
• Junior 15-18
• Junior 10-14
• Cat 1/2/3
• Cat 4
• Cat 4/5

– And if that isn’t enough data for you, One2Go was kind enough to share all the data with us and allowed us to repost it here in one big table. Feel free to copy the data and slice and dice as you wish to see how you stack up to your friends and CX Clash foes.

– Next up, the CCC heads NorthWest to Psycho Cross and Carpenter Park for the first of two double race weekends. Look for the course previews on Wednesday and Thursday.

– We regret to inform those of you looking for even more racing that Friday night’s race at the Golf Farm has been cancelled. However, the Saturday CCC series race will take place as scheduled.

– Remember 2013 CCC Series tshirts are on sale here.

– And finally… remember if you want to take 1/2 your CCC points with you to the next higher category you MUST upgrade before Sunday’s race at Carpenter Park. We here at the CCC want everyone to enjoy themselves and move up to the next level when you feel you are ready, but that being said many of you have had a very fast start to the season and we will be mentioning those of you in “mandatory upgrade territory” to the USAC upgrade coordinator this week (looking at you Men and Women Cat 3’s and 4’s).

– This Sunday stop #3 of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup (CCC) heads to Chicago’s Southside at Dan Ryan Woods, hosted by Beverly Bike*VeePak.  @BBVP   #DRWcx

– Additional details can always be found on the preview page.

– Food: For all pre-registered racers, BBVP has once again graciously contracted a grill master – this year it’s Moe’s Onsite Catering, Inc. – who will be grilling free Mild Italian Sausage, Bratwurst, and Vegetarian Links. BBVP is paying for all of this food… so preregister and ENJOY! Tickets for your choices will once again be attached to your bib #’s. Do not lose them as you will need them to retrieve your food! Additional sandwiches are available for purchase on BikeReg.com. Please preorder for friends and family! Day of extras to purchase will cost more and be limited. There will again be a tip jar (for those that like to tip and enjoy the eats) near the grill and tips will be put towards the BBVP team and the team’s Junior Development.

– New this year, BBVP has hired One2Go Event Services (@One2Go_Results) for professional timing and results. All preregistered riders (with valid email addresses included in their BikeReg profiles) will receive race results and lap times for their race via email. Riders must be preregistered to enjoy this feature. **Please remember the emails are informational only.**  As always, results are a rider’s responsibility to check ONSITE and any questions regarding them are to be made timely and in person to your Chief Judge.

– Ted Berger and his crew will once again be hosting a kids’ race! Reg at 1:30, racing at 2pm.

– Series sponsor NovaCare Rehabilitation will have physical therapists (and CCC participants) on site providing complimentary injury screens. Get that training injury, crash injury or non-cycling related injury checked out or stop by for more information on our bike fitting services and physical therapy services. Look for the green NovaCare tent from 10:00am – 1:00pm.

– Water: BBVP will NOT be supplying water. There are two water fountains on site, but hydration by riders should be planned for by bringing fluids with.

– Safety Pins: The CCC supplies pins for riders but we ask that riders recycle their pins and use them each week.  We also ask that if you forget pins, that you only take the 4-5 needed, not small handfuls that would take care of 2-3 other riders.

– Parking: Parking is free, and the best spots are off of the 8500 S Western Ave entrance to the park… follow parking lot to the South.

– The Chicago Marathon is being run on Sunday so please plan your travel times to and from the race accordingly.

– Online pre-registration on BikeReg.com closes TONIGHT at 11:45 PM. Please remember on-site registration closes 30 minutes prior to each race’s scheduled start time. All bib #’s must be picked up prior to registration closing so please be timely and considerate to all those you race with and don’t show up 20 minutes before your race expecting to still get in.

– Weather looks great with 100% chance of awesome.

– The Course: Runs clockwise. The course will once again be offering a little something for everyone. It will have straight power sections, hills (big), technical turn sections, and the infamous bunny hop barriers will be back – although spread out on the course this year!  Energy management will be key!  Bring your awesomeness!  Oh, and bib numbers go on your left SIDE!

Photo: Ten Speed Hero

– Just a short one this Tuesday.

– Thanks again to Robots <3 and Axeltree for hosting yet another great event at Hopkins Park in Dekalb. The weather was darn near CX perfect, the slow food was delicious… and the racing was great too!

– Just a reminder the CCC has a standard payout schedule. Please remember to pick up your winnings if you earned them BEFORE leaving the race.

– Starting this coming weekend at DRW we plan to present the Women Cat 1/2/3, Women Cat 3, Masters 50+, and Masters 60+ podiums at high noon to give the officials enough time to sort out the results and let everyone get cleaned up and back to the podiums. Please watch the clock and get back to the podiums if you’re due up on a step. Thanks to our CCC Series Volunteers for organizing and presenting our podiums.

– Speaking of Dan Ryan Woods, look for the Thursday preview at the regular time, but check out the standard stuff over on the preview page. Also, the official hashtag is #DRWcx,looking at you Tipping Point ; ) .

– Juniors! Paul Swinand host a free USA cycling insured kids cross practice at the Northbrook Velodrome (east fields) on Friday nights. Meet at 5:45pm, be ready at 6pm, lights from soccer fields, open to all and free! Any age, just bring a helmet, bike, and a good attitude. Sponsored by the Northbrook parks association, Northbrook bike club, and Paul Swinand.

– And finally… the CCC’s collective heart goes out to the friends and family of Amy Dombroski who passed away last week in Belgium. Amy may have been pint sized but she was living the dream, racing her bike, and literally brimming with life. So the next time you start to get worried about what tire pressure to run, or realize you left your lucky socks at home, or you’re concerned your CrossResults.com points should really be 303.67 instead of 303.75, remember we’re all still here, having fun, and racing our bikes together.