Photo: Luke Seemann

– Super masters racer/promoter Jim Nowak, Athletes ByDesign, and Prairie Path Cycles return for 2010 with another classic course at Sunrise Park in Bartlett, IL. As crazy as we here at the CCC are about CX, Jim is about about 1,765,233 times more so and always sets the bar a little higher each year with his course designs. This year, in addition to bringing back what many people consider one of the defining moments of 2009’s CCC, Jim pays tribute to the SuperCup series of the late 1990’s with a barrier “6 pack” (or possibly just a 4 pack).

– The Bartlett venue has perhaps 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.

– ABD has increased payouts across the board above the CCC standard payout, paying 10 deep in all categories except 50+ and Cat 4A’s which still go 5 deep.

– We’ve had sunny skies at every race this year but the forecast for Sunday looks a little iffy… either way with temps in the lower 60’s there’s a 50% chance of awesome. However, this weekend is notoriously windy… so if you plan on setting up a tent, bring metal stakes or weights… and wear your wellies, knit caps, gloves, and maybe pack an umbrella.

– The 4B’s and 4A’s are closed but just like at all races we’ll start a wait list on race day for those wanting to take any no-show spots. The Louisville USGP races are taking a few more of you away than last year, but there are still 291 of you pre-reg’d. With so many people away in Louisville the overall team standings are sure to shake up a bit, plus we’ll have a few special call ups this weekend. Remember next weekend is Halloween in Campton where anyone in costume also gets a call-up. So plan ahead.

– Speaking of planning ahead, online pre-reg for Northbrook is finally open.

– Back to Sunrise Park, please remember this course 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 let’s keep the streak alive.

– 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 Dogfather who will be serving up hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, brats, chips, and drinks.

– And finally the venue… the Sunrise Park course is one of the CCC’s longest at roughly 2.2 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 since racers will likely be coming at you from both directions. The Course runs counter-clockwise (that’s anti-clockwise in Europe) this year. Registration will be in the same spot as last year, just NorthEast of the Finish line. The wheel/bike pit is double entry and just SouthWest of the finish line. The start chute will be just to the NorthEast of the finish line next to registration. Numbers will go on your left. Heckle Hill returns (how could it not) but you will hit it from a different direction.

– Double thanks to Ted Schweitzer, Verdigris, Jeff Provisor, Main St. Bikes, North Branch Cycling, and everyone else who made this past weekend’s double header a success. The two races were vastly different, but if the comment sections have been any indication, equally fun and enjoyed by all. Carpentersville even got some press in the Daily Herald.

– Notes from the weekend… Johnny Sprockets got new skinsuits, Flannel Mike and Greg got callups, as did guys with helmet cameras, and the racing was exciting all weekend long. Cookie hand ups returned (and were then promptly tossed), as did twinkies and dollar bills. Dave Lombardo finally got that elusive win in the Junior 15-18’s, and Walid hit the podium twice with his uber secret Cannondale prototype. After taking commanding wins in the Cat 4’s on Saturday, we had two riders (Liz So & John Kalnins) cat up and join the Cat 3 ranks overnight… and they road fantastic on Sunday, as did everyone else… which just goes to show that in CX, we’re all winners. Trackies and others still need to work on their handling, as do a few 4B’s, while the juniors showed off their mad BMX skillz, and lest we forget… firemen are strong. And Brian Conant may be the best CX coach in the land, but we bet he can’t dance like this!

– Up next this Sunday is another classic CCC course in Barlett’s Sunrise Park hosted by Athletes By Design (ABD) and promoter Jim Nowak. ABD is increasing the payout, but we all know the real glory is at the top of the original Heckle Hill. As always, look for the course preview Thursday morning.

– Chicagoland local rider and one time CX racer Bill Hatch is battling cancer. The Colavita Cycling Team is holding a fundraiser for Bill on Thursday October 28th at Flatlanders Restaurant and Brewery. Check out the Facebook page for more on how you can help.

– This just in from series sponsor Tipping Point Photography… Any cross racer/cross family/dedicated cross spectator who books a portrait session of 2 or more hours with Tipping Point Photography between now and December 31, 2010 will get a free matted 8×10 of the photo of their choice from that session ($45 value). We are pretty loose in our interpretation of “portrait session”: it could be you with your spouse/partner/betrothed; your children; you and your children; your pet(s); your extended family; or just awesome and fantastic YOU! With your bike, if you like! We are open to just about anything you have in mind that fits this description. (We don’t consider weddings and other celebratory events to be portrait sessions, but we do offer services for these kinds of events, too. Contact us for more info.) Send an e-mail to liz -AT- tippingpointphoto.com to talk to us about what you have in mind, and we’ll pull together a custom quote for you. Make sure to mention this special offer in your message! Check out our Portraits + Stories and our Weddings + Celebrations collections for some inspiration. Gift certificates are available, too, and make great holiday presents, though this offer does not apply for sessions booked with a gift certificate.

– Do you ride a bike on more than grass and dirt and drive a car? Illinois now has permanent, year-round “Share the Road” specialty license plates! Find more details here.

– And finally… for those of you not traveling to Louisville or Wisconsin this Saturday, Burnham Racing is hosting their annual Demilitarized Donut Ride / Apple Haus World Championship this Saturday (10/23) at 7:55AM leaving from Wicker Park in Wicker Park (if water is not falling from the sky). The ride is about 60ish miles with a turnaround and face stuffing feast at the Apple Haus in Long Grove. Leave your knobbies at home and join the Burnham boys on their annual trek to the Northwest for AppleCider Donut bliss.

Lots of losts looking to be found this weekend. Anyone lose a Minolta light meter?

If you’re missing some gear please post in the comments below or email us directly at [email protected].

Also, it seems someone picked up Will Pankonin’s wheels by mistake (see below). Thanks!

Left at the start line, 3 thermal jackets (Pony Shop, Turin, xXx). We’ll have them at registration tomorrow at Carpentersville.

– For the 3rd year in a row the Carpenter’s Park race, hosted by Main St. Bicycles (owned by CCC director and jack-of-all-trades Jeff Provisor) & North Branch Cycling, will be hosted along side the Carpentersville Oktoberfest. As you may have guessed the festival will have a beer garden (which will be located right next to the course). Great food vendors, live music, raffles, kid rides (inflatables), and much more. Full details of the festival and a sample of some of the Oktoberfestivities are here.

– Remember the previous day the CCC is just up the road in Wauconda at Psycho Cross. See the preview for Saturday’s race here. Online pre-reg on BikeReg.com closes for both races tonight (Thursday) at midnight.

– The Holiday Inn Express in Lake Zurich on Rt. #12 (Rand Road) is offering $20.00 off on a night’s stay for Saturday night for those of you who want to stay local and not drive home after the Wauconda race… just mention “Psycho Cross” for the discount.

– Registration is back in the bandshell in the NorthEast corner of the park. The Start/Finish has also moved back to North Side of the park. Right now there are 291 of you pre-reg’d, which is less than last year, but online pre-reg is still open until midnight tonight (Thursday)! The 4A’s are closed but there are still a few spots left in the 4B’s. Just like at all CCC races we’ll have a waitlist for any race that is full to try and give everyone a chance to race.

– The weather forecast looks fantastic again, but Autumn seems to finally have arrived… so make sure to bring some warm, dry clothes for after the race

– Jeff and the village of Carpentersville have asked that we please keep the beer drinking in the beer garden… you know, so the beer flowers can grow. This being ‘cross we’re sure someone won’t read this and a can or two of High Life will find their way to the side of the course, so please be respectful of the park, other spectators, and every racer.

– Overflow parking will be East of the park – in the school lots off of Spring St (to the South), and at Cross Container off of Maple (to the North).

– New this year is live beer hall style music, in the new beer garden (did we mention there is beer) located on the NE side of the course. There will be many tasty food options, including the return of Kenny’s famous Chubby Spud… a brat wrapped in a potato blanket with cheese and kraut… for a post race recovery coma induced nirvana in a wrap.

– Bring a canned food item for the local FISH food pantry, and the $2.00 I.D. wrist band fee to purchase adult beverages in the Beer Garden will be waived. Leinies’ Oktoberfest brew will be featured in the garden as well as other brews.

– For all you kids who aren’t yet old enough to race in the 10-14 category, the Oktoberfest will feature a Free Kids race for 5-10 year olds held at high noon near the bandshell. Just bring your bike and a helmet!  Also for the kiddies, a huge inflatable jumpy things to keep ’em busy & happy for .50 cents a ride.

– This year’s course is a mix of classic Carpentersville features such as creek crossings, one of the CCC’s longer sand pits, a little nub of a hill that always gets people. Returning from 2009 but still somehow new for 2010, the course now goes through 100 yards of sweet black mother earth in the adjoining bean field to the East of the park. The dirt stretch will contain a section of plump dirt rollers (aka the pump/rhythm section) finely tuned for your pleasure. Dirty Mudders, pray for rain. Check out Sven Nys flying through one here (0:11).

– Returning after a one year hiatus, race promoter Ted Schweitzer (who hosted the Hawthorne Woods race way back in 2008) returns with the Verdigris Custom Homes CX team with a new and improved Psycho Cross race in Wauconda at the Golf Farm. The race also has a website at: www.psychocrosschicago.com.

– Remember the next day the CCC travels just down the road to Carpentersville. See the preview for Sunday’s race here. Online pre-reg on BikeReg.com closes for both races tonight (Thursday) at midnight.

– First some ground rules… per the owner of The Golf Farm, please leave your beer coolers and/or grills at home. This is private land and there is a restaurant/bar, so we have to play by the owner’s rules. The main parking will be on the South side of the course. Limited parking is available next to the restaurant/bar.

– Next some travel assistance. The Holiday Inn Express in Lake Zurich on Rt. #12 (Rand Road) is offering $20.00 off on a night’s stay for Saturday night for those of you who want to stay local for Sunday’s race in Carpentersville… just mention “Psycho Cross” for the discount.

– Now the fun stuff… Yes, the rumors and tweets are true, Verdigris Custom Homes has constructed the CCC’s 2nd ever flyover… deemed “The Bridge of Sighs“, which is 22’ tall, 51’ long, and 11’ wide. The structure was designed and built to look like an old world bridge, complete with covered roof, stone ‘look’ arched lower, and nice handrails. 13 steps leads you to the top… but from there you have to figure out how to get down yourself. A lot of work went into building this monster and we look forward to hearing your sighs, wales, screams, or whatever it is you do on such a piece of architecture.

– SRAM Neutral Race Support will be at the race with wheels and bikes. Swing by and say hello to José.

– Continuing with the goodies, Ted will be holding a silent auction for a set of Reynolds Strike 66 mm carbon clinchers (valued at $1550). These wheels are new in the box, and come complete with ti/alloy skewers, rim strips, tire levers, valve extenders, and carbon specific brake pads.

– Psycho CX will also have an increased payout of merchandise above and beyond the CCC standard payout. Look for goodies like Reynolds mountain bike wheels, Uvex helmets, Blue Competition Cycles pint glasses, Road ID gift certificates, BaileyWorks messenger bags, and more. If that wasn’t enough there will also be a raffle for merchandise donated by Speedgoat.

– Ted’s orthopedic surgeon and his physical therapists will also be at the race disseminating information about stretching, physical therapy, and injury prevention.

– If a rave doesn’t spontaneously start on the far side of the course, there will be a band performing towards the latter part of the day and a guy playing Led Zepplin and Deep Purple songs on accordion.

– The Gold Farm is a full service facility with a bar and restaurant (and we hope bathrooms), and… if for some reason the CX action isn’t enough for you (we can’t really imagine such a scenario but thought we’d just put it out there)… putt-putt golf for kids and a sand volleyball court.

– Finally the course itself. There isn’t much terrain to speak of but the Verdigris crew has been very creative in designing a long, fast, power course with all the trimmings including grass, dirt, gravel, mulch, twists, turns, straightaways, and of course the flyover.  At just around 2 miles you’ll get a little taste of everything.

– Ladies and gentlemen may I have your attention… Elvis has left the building. Thanks again to Bevery Bike-VeePak, Psimet, and Team Pegasus for helping to make Elvis Cross a success. The weather was hotter than a Hound Dog, which had a bunch of riders getting All Shook Up, leading to a few Heartbreak Hotels… but at the end of the day we think everyone had a great time. Congratulations to Steve Paslawsky from Cary, IL who won this week’s Sister Sprocket Flying Pig Award. Thanks also for the peanut-butter and banana sandwiches and fried chicken!

– This coming weekend is the CCC’s first ever double race weekend with Psycho CX on Saturday in Wauconda and Carpentersville in (you guessed it) Carpenters’ Park in Carpentersville. Online pre-reg for both races closes Thursday night at midnight. Look for the double course preview on Thursday morning at 9am.

– Just a reminder that we start closing down registration on race day 30 minutes prior to the start of each category. If you show up 5 minutes before your race is scheduled to start you will not have time to reg and get to the starting grid. We make every effort to get every rider we can into each race, but if you are tardy it throws a wrench in our gears and throws off the schedule for the entire day worse than 2 meters of yellow caution tape wrapped around your rear cassettes.  So… please be courteous to all your fellow racers and be on time so we can all stay on schedule.

– It was brought to our attention this week that there are numerous categories where several riders are tied on Overall Series Points. In situations like this we rank riders based on their most recent placing. However, going forward if there are racers in the top ten who are no shows on race day and there are extra spots available in the front row we will call up those riders tied for 10th place to fill the front row.

– And finally… Bicycling Magazine will be hosting a screening of The Cyclocross Meeting at the Music Box Theater on Monday, October 25, at 7:30 pm. Brian Vernor and Barry Wicks will be there for a Q&A, and there will be an after party as well. Seating is limited and advance tickets are on sale now via www.brownpapertickets.com. The Cyclocross Meeting is a documentary on the sport of ‘cross (and the human connections it inspires around the world) by Brian Vernor who has previously filmed such treasures as Pure Sweet Hell, Where Are You Go, and We Just Work Here.

– Back for their 2nd year, the fun loving crew at Beverly Bike-Vee Pak (who brought you such memorable characters as Geisha) with some help from Psimet Racing (how do you say that anyway?) bring your the rebranded Elvis Cross at Dan Ryan Woods. BBVP tells us the best entrance is off either 83rd street (just East of Western) or 85th and Western. All parking lots will be open.

– Please remember the Chicago Marathon is being run this weekend and starts at 7:30am… so if you’re traveling out of the loop to get to DRW give yourself some extra time. See the course route here.

– Why Elvis? We’re not quite sure ourselves, but BBVP is offering $5 off registration for anyone dressed like Elvis. BBVP didn’t say whether or not you need to dress like young Elvis, in the army, “The King” in his prime, or on his downward slide… but apparently the only rule is this means more than just hair and glasses. The CCC and USAC officials also require that you can see through any eyewear, and can pedal your bicycle without capes, leis, jumpsuits, etc getting stuck in your gears.

– Free fried chicken and peanut butter & banana sandwiches for everyone (while supplies last). The hunka-hunka love would have been so proud!

– Its not quite Memphis, but the weekend weather forecast is calling for sunny skies and 74 degrees. Leave your MAE Madness at home.

– Please remember this race takes place within the boundaries of the city of Chicago which means open containers of alcohol are not permitted… and the friendly park service law enforcers will be there. So remember to use good judgement so that the CCC can return to Dan Ryan Woods next year and for years to come.

– Please remember that the CCC standard payout goes 5 deep. There were several of you who didn’t pick up your cash at Hopkins Park. We’ll have it for you at Elvis CX, but if you don’t pick it up we’ll send it back to Dekalb or donate it to WBR.

– Online pre-reg on BikeReg.com closes tonight at midnight. The 4’s are full (again) but we’ll run wait-lists starting Sunday morning. There’s still plenty of room in all other categories though. Thanks to the 16 of you (so far) who gave a little extra and donated to WBR while registering online.

– If you’re getting to the park early Sunday morning, please let the 40+ racers get their numbers first so they can take their geritol, rub in their bengay, and get warmed up for their race (which starts at 8:45am). The 30+ are next and the rest of you should have plenty of time to get reg’d and warm up.

– The name might have changed but the course is for all practical purposes the same. A lung busting hill, lots of long power straight-aways, and a few off-camber turns to spice it up. The course runs clockwise. Please note that from here on out, to get to the individual race maps (like the map below) from the main CCC map of races you’ll need to click on one of the blue balloons and then the link for “Detailed Map”.

Hi all,

It is with great sadness we report that Jeff Littmann, the president of the Wisconsin Cycling Association, coach, and owner of Attitude Sports in Fond du Lac, WI, passed away today at Froedert Hospital from injuries sustained after being struck by a car on a training ride. Jeff suffered head injuries after a driver hit him and Lauren Jensen. The driver claimed he was blinded by sunlight. Thankfully Laruen was not seriously seriously injured. More information will be posted at WICycling.org as it becomes available.

Read more here, here, here, and here.

We all love to ride, race, and be competitive but its moments like this, when one from our own cycling family it taken away from us, that we realize we’re more alike than we are different. So the next time you’re in a tough situation, remember to smile and that this is just bike racing. That guy or gal next to you on the start line, or hopping that barrier in front of you can be gone in an instant and might not be there next week.