– #CamptonCX

– More details here. Preliminary staging will be here.

– Remember reg closes 30 minutes before the scheduled start of each race. If you’re late, you’re not racing. We’re even giving you an extra hour to sleep in this year.

– Don’t put your Halloween costume away just yet. Race director Rob Kelley will be the judge in the annual costume contest. A bottle of an adult beverage to the winner if they are of drinking age, otherwise gift certificate to Bicycle Heaven if you are younger than 21. The bar has been set very high by the NECX. Let’s show ’em what the CCC is made of.

– TDogs BBQ will be back again and Bicycle Heaven is bringing in a 2nd food vendor that will be selling brats… so plenty of food.

– Campton CX has also upped the prize money, again and with a total of $2610.

– Kiddie Race at 2pm.

– The Course: Very similar if not exactly the same as last year.

– Thanks again to Jim Nowak and the entire ABD crew for another great ABD Sunrise Park race. The weather was delightful and the winds were much lower than in years past, but the racing action was still red hot.

– The 2013 CCC season is now half over, or the other half is still left to be determined… can you believe it? Next up, stop #7 takes us to Campton CX where Rob Kelley and the Bicycle Heaven crew takes us up hills, through woods, and over dale. Thursday preview at the regular time and place, but get started with the static preview here.

– Another reminder, if you have pre-reg’d and for whatever reason (we won’t judge) don’t plan to race, especially in a filled & closed and/or combined category, please get in touch with the race promoter via the “Contact Event” link in BikeReg to let them know. We still have lots of riders wanting to race and it makes it easier on everyone if we can get those waitlisted riders into the event before race day.

– Concerning lapped riders, we are now in the 2nd half of the season and the guys and gals at the front of each race are really duking it out for every last series point. Accordingly we would like to give those riders challenging each other for the overall series title every opportunity to earn those points of their own, er, accord. What this means is those of you out of contention for a top placing and either being lapped or about to be lapped on the final lap, can expect to be pulled (and placed) early. The chief USAC referee will make the final decision (based on the application of the 80% rule, see page 115) during each race about who gets pulled. We are not trying to penalize anyone here, but simply give the lead riders a clear track to race on.

– Similarly, never, ever, ever, evar, enter the race track to preview it before the USAC officials say it is okay. Furthermore, never, ever, ever enter the race track in front the finish line. You could seriously impede racers finishing (as happened this past Sunday) or worse cause a crash and injury. No one wants that. So, very simply… you are only allowed to enter the race track past the finish line and once given the okay by the USAC officials. To facilitate this and make it clear as mud, we are going to borrow an idea from our CX friends in Colorado. Look for the green flag at the finish line. When it is raised you may enter the race track AFTER the finish line. When the red flag is raised no one is allowed on the race track except those riders in the current race. No exceptions. Ever. Violators can and will be disqualified.

– And finally… just because the Euro Pros do it and don’t get penalized doesn’t mean we are allowed to.

– #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.