Photo: Tipping Point

– Thanks to Rob Kelley and all the folks at Bicycle Heaven for hosting another great Campton Cross. The weather might have turned slightly ugly perfect for CX racing late in the day, and last minute softball games caused major course modifications, but we all adapted and had a great time. Rob Kelley tells us the Pink Panther won the best costume contest.

– Note the women’s races are UCI and Cat 3/4. If you are a Cat 2 woman you will either need a UCI license or race Masters or Cat 2/3.

– We could still use a few extra volunteers for course set up, marshaling, etc… so if you (or a spouse, significant other, teammate, etc) can help out for at least a 4 hour shift and you’d like to race for a deeply discount rate please contact us at [email protected].

– If you’d like to be involved with host housing for out of state pro’s (and non-pro’s alike) please get in touch with Nikki Cyp.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Eric Goodwin (773) 495-6373, [email protected]

October 28, 2011

CHICAGO CYCLOCROSS CUP UNVEILS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
Two-day UCI 2.0 event will draw international-caliber talent to Chicagoland;
High demand expected for amateur racing slots

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cyclocross Cup is proud to announce the official launch of the New Year’s Resolution, an ambitious international-caliber cyclocross competition that will take place on December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2012 at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Ill.

Having been awarded Union Cycliste International (UCI) 2.0 status and situated one week before the USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championship in nearby Madison, Wis., the New Year’s Resolution will draw elite cyclocross talent from across the country to Chicagoland this holiday season.  Organizers are also pleased to announce that during the two-day event, 18 amateur fields will have the opportunity to compete on the same course used by the professional UCI competitors.  Attendance in this fall’s Chicago Cyclocross Cup has risen to an all-time high and amateur starting spots at the New Year’s Resolution are expected to fill quickly.

“In the Chicago Cyclocross Cup, we believe we have a truly unique ‘cross culture here in Chicago,” said series Director Jason Knauff. “Staging an event of this caliber around a festive time like New Year’s Eve will take the atmosphere we’re famous for and turn it up a notch.  Introducing this level of competition to the local scene is also going to have a positive effect for our local racers and we’re hoping to set up the elite competitors for success at National Championships and Masters Worlds.”

Registration for the New Year’s Resolution opens on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 10:00 ET (9:00 AM CT) on BikeReg.com.  The event is governed by USA Cycling and valid licenses are required for all races. Competitors should visit ChiCrossCup.com/NYR or BikeReg.com for details. Rooms at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort are available by calling (630) 529-0200 or visiting indianlakesresort.com. Group discount rates are available using code “CYC”.

Photo: Jason Knauff

– One of the original CCC races, Campton Cross returns for another year hosted by race promoter Rob Kelley and Bicycle Heaven. Being held the day before Halloween and ‘cross being the spectacle that it is, we’re looking forward to all the costumes you all bring to the party. Just remember to make sure you can still ride you bicycle (safely) and wear a helmet.

– Payouts have be increased $1000 spread out across the board, including to the Cat 4B’s. Note however that registration still closes down 30 minutes prior to each race.

– Rob Kelley will be the decider of the winner of the costume contest. You must race to win and based on the prize, hopefully you are of legal adult beverage imbibing age.

– Campton is one of the “further away from Chicago” venues, so give yourselves plenty of time to get there.

– Campton’s food vendor will be T-Dogs BBQ Inc. who will have a couple different types of soup, turkey legs and BBQ pork. Rob Kelley tells us “I do not like turkey legs and it’s hard to describe how good the one was that they made for me.  The guy built his own smoker!”

– If you don’t like turkey legs there are plenty of food and caffeine vendors along Randall Rd on the way out, so stock up as there isn’t much food close to the park.

– The weather forecast for Sunday looks like chilly by delightful.

– The best spectating area will again be near the kids playground equipment… but as always we’ll let you decide. There is however more than enough legal parking for everyone, and spot-a-pots… so please use both.

– A bag of lost and found jackets, gloves, sweatpants, cowbells, and glasses will be near registration.

– Due to the new staging procedure we unfortunately will not be making special call-ups for anyone in costume. However, if a majority of riders decide on the start line certain costumes are in fact worthy of a call up we will be happy to oblige. Note that Cat 4B’s are NOT subject to staging procedures beyond the top 10 in the CCC Overall… so we will make call ups for riders in costumes for the 4B’s!

– Preliminary staging will be posted here.

– The Campton course is very similar to the last two years although changed slightly to accommodate the staging grid. Note the position of the staging grid on the NE side of the baseball diamonds. At the start of the race the course goes around the out fields of  the two Eastern ball fields before the first hard left turn near the walking path. Upon the completion of each lap after passing the finish line and going behind registration the course turns right at the Eastern edge of the ball fields to continue the laps. Note the equipment pit is a fair distance away from the start, so please pay attention to the time and announcements for staging. As always, the course can change on race day depending on conditions. The course goes anti-clockwise.

Photo: Tipping Point

– Thanks Jim Nowak and ABD for another great Sunrise Park race. Sunshine and 60 degrees always makes for a great day, as does lots of grass, 180’s, a six pack, and of course… the original Heckle Hill. We saw numerous breakout performances (again) as riders are obviously coming into CX form and fighting for every last series point. We can’t believe we’re “only”  half way through the CCC series but there’s still plenty of racing to do this year.

– Speaking of more racing, online pre-reg is now open on BikeReg.com for Ted’s Excellent Dbl Track Adventure. Hosted by the Northbrook Bicycle Club and Flatlandia Cycling this race takes the place of the old Northbrook course. TEDTA will be held at the YMCA Camp Duncan just up the road from the Psycho CX course.

– Speaking of end of the season, online pre-reg should be open not later than next week for the CCC’s New Year’s Resolution race. Watch for plenty of details soon!

– But back to more near term events, this Sunday the CCC heads just West of St. Charles/Geneva for round 7 at Campton Cross. Promoter Rob Kelley and Bicycle Heaven host their 7th annual event, which was one of the original CCC races way back in 2004. Being the day before Halloween costumes are of course optional mandatory, and from the playlist requests we’ve been getting, we can’t wait to see what you all have up your collective sleeves. Look for the course preview at the regular time on Thursday.

– Just a reminder that series sponsor MNO Sport Chiropractic is offering a CCC discount:

$50 account credit to any/all CCC riders who schedule and bring in their race number.  The account credit can be used toward chiropractic services regardless if the patient has insurance or not.  The credit is only redeemable once regardless of how many races you participate in. MNO is also offering a one-time $10 discount towards an hour massage for CCC racers and staff.  Mention this deal when calling to schedule your appointment.

– All CCC embro, shirts, & socks are in and available for pick up at races (either at the Spidermonkey 312 tent or from CCC staff). All items are pre-sale only. Shirts are sold out (except for XL) but we have plenty of Mad Alchemy Pome d’Émbre embro. Due to popular demand we put in another order with SockGuy for socks yesterday… so watch for details about when and where they will be available for purchase.

– Speaking of custom, we still need volunteers to help put on this year’s CCC New Year’s Resolution race. If you’d like to help out and race for an extremely discount rate please contact us at [email protected].

– And finally… Our apologies to all the women, masters, and juniors racers on the last minute scheduling changes over the last few weeks. The CCC has been growing what seems like exponentially over the last few years and we’re experiencing the inevitable and associated growing pains along the way. Thanks for your patience and for working with us to find the best solution for everyone involved. Your continued constructive criticism and comments are helpful more than you know.

– Masters racer & super promoter Jim Nowak, Athletes By Design, and Prairie Path Cycles return yet again in 2011 with their classic ABD Sunrise Park course in Bartlett, IL. There’s been lots of discussion recently on differences in course design, and in our opinion what makes CX and specifically the CCC so great is the diversity in our courses. Jim always sets the bar a little higher each year with his course designs and this year is no different as he pays tribute to the SuperCup series of the late 1990’s with the “6 pack”. And of course Heckle Hill will be back in all its glory.

– Two quick warm up events:

– Pretty. Fast. is hosting a ladies meet and greet on Friday at Star Lounge Coffee (2521 W. Chicago Ave) from 6-9pm. Lots of great prizes, drinks, and conversation… and an after party across the street.

– Burnham Racing host their 2011 Apple Cider Donut World Championship Demilitarized Ride Saturday morning. Please RSVP.

– The Bartlett venue always has the trickiest parking situation of all the CCC races. Parking is actually a good ways away at the Sycamore Trails School. See the map below. Please park at the school and follow the signs on the path to the course and registration. Its probably a good idea to ride your bike, but per USAC regulations you must wear your helmet at all times when on your bike at a race. You can’t finish the race if you don’t start because you brains are spilled all over the sidewalk… so please keep it safe and don’t make us ask you twice… better yet once. See page 54 here.

– Please remember registration closes 30 minutes prior to each race start time.  Also, please allow the 40+ racers to get their numbers first thing in the morning so they can warm up for their race. Thanks!

– Online reg via BikeReg.com closes tonight at midnight. Preliminary staging will be posted here on Friday.

– ABD has again increased payouts above the CCC standard payout.

– Sunrise Park is notoriously windy… so if you plan on setting up a tent, bring metal stakes or weights. Sunday’s forecast calls for upper 50’s and a possibility of rain, so please dress and pack accordingly.

– Sunrise Park is smack in the middle of a housing community. Please respect the neighbors at times while at the race… this includes not peeing in places you shouldn’t (we have Spot-A-Pots), using foul language, and anything that would make it so we can’t come back next year. You all are always great about this, so please keep it PG.

– Since the park is in the middle of a residential area there are no food or beverage establishments in the immediate vicinity. However this year ABD has brought in local food vendor Sandwichville who will be serving up wraps, pulled pork, and maybe beef sandwiches.

– UPDATE: All pre-ordered merchandise will be available for pickup. Please see the Spidermonkeys for your shirts, embro, and SockGuy socks!!!

– The course: Sunrise Park is one of the CCC’s longest courses at nearly 2.5 miles. All categories will still be racing the same amount of time as all other CCC races though, but you’ll obviously be completing fewer laps… so pay attention to the lap counters. Since the start chute and Finish line are on the interior of the course… please be careful when crossing the course as racers will likely be coming at you from both directions. The course runs anti-clockwise again this year. Registration will be just NorthEast of the Finish line. The wheel/bike pit is double entry and SouthWest of the finish line. The starting grid will be just to the NorthEast of the finish line next to registration. As always, numbers will go on your left.

– Thanks to Ted Schweitzer, Verdigris-Village CX, Jeff Provisor, and North Branch Cycling for hosting this past weekend’s race. Wind then rain… but all CX!

– Next up, ABD Sunrise Park hosted by who else but Athletes By Design (ABD). Promoter Jim Nowak has something new which is really something old for everyone this year. Payouts have  been increased courtesy of ABD. Look for the course update on Thursday at the regular time.

– If you are NOT racing the 40+ category (first race of the day) please let those 40+ racers work their way up to the reg desks first thing in the morning. The 40+ racers have a very limited amount of time to get set up, pinned up, and warmed up before their race, so please give them all the help possible. There should be plenty of time for everyone else to get their numbers. We and the 40+ racers thank you.

– More mud? That’s two races already and we’re not even half way through the season. Iron Cycles continues to run their CX bike cleaning and maintenance specials.

– If you upgrade from this point further your CCC points do NOT travel with you to the next category (only applies to Cat 4A, Cat 3, Women 4). Please review the Series Rules & FAQs (yes we know we need to update the staging procedure section).

– Sorry for the delay, CCC Overall Standings will be updated by Thursday.

– All CCC merchandise will be available this weekend at Sunrise Park.

– And finally… did anyone eat a Chubby Spud on Sunday?