Photo: Luke Seemann

– Thanks again to Rob Kelley and Bicycle Heaven for upping the ante another year at Campton Cross. A slightly new course used many of the favorite and classic parts of the park, while a few new sections challenged and delighted… as did the bag piper! There were costumes in nearly every category, and 454 racers toed the line. Rob and Bicycle Heaven also chipped in an extra $500 to the WBR pot, helping us get even closer to our season long goal of raising $5k!

– Weekend Update: We’re sorry we can’t find links to everyone’s costumes… but you all looked amazing… much better than these people! Sister Sprocket got knocked up, while ghosts roamed the course. We’re not sure what happened to this guy, but you really don’t want to know what’s in that bottle. Luke Skywalker (above left) showed up and won the best costume award (thanks for making sure Yoda was safe with a helmet) and we heard he was headed to the Death Star Canteen shortly afterwards for some Penne alla Arrabiata. Frenchy upgraded and went straight to the front middle of the Cat 1/2/3’s, while eventual race winner Mike Phillips showed off his mtb skills by bunny hopping the barriers! The Hemme is back and showed Rassi how’s to show off Blue Steel. Brandon Leach made his final CCC appearance before shipping off to Norway (we’ll miss you B!) and Soda Popinksi fought his way to his first CCC Cat 3 podium. Gumby stayed at home, but Pokey made it to the race. Buzz Lightyear flew to the top of the juniors podium, even after a 2nd turn tumble… but this weekend’s sportswomanship award definitely goes to Tess Anderson… check out Spin Doctor Cyclewerks’ FB page for the reason why. Meanwhile an Ooompa Loompa was dancing through the Women 1/2/3’s but couldn’t quite make it to the podium to enjoy a CCC Snuggie! The scarecrow used his brain to win some Mad Alchemy and Tati-bot made his debut. Nixternal is always willing to lend a hand to the 4B’s, even if its only a liquid bandage (when is someone going to bring score cards for face plants??)… but Dave Knauff is a true man for others. As far as we know, #532 kept his cookies down… but it looks like he had some trouble with another sensitive area. Magnum P.I. flew in from Hawaii, but still couldn’t win the heaviest bike award… which went to Junior Ryley Zeller.

– Up next this coming weekend, the CCC heads North to Woodstock where Dr. Jim Kearns and the crew from Psimet Custom Wheels have a few new tricks (and maybe treats) up their collective sleeves. Just a reminder that alcohol is “NOT allowed” in Emricson Park. We know some of you will still sneak in an Old Style or PBR… so please be on your best behavior and clean up after yourselves. Look for the course preview on Thursday at 9am.

– There’s quite a spread in the November Chicago Athlete about the CCC… in fact we’re on the cover! Gihugimous thanks to ABD’s Gina Kenny for helping with our response to the magazine.

– For those of you into photography and bikes (we think there are a few of you out there) Thought You Knew has shot and will be selling their TyK 2011 Men & Women PinUp calendars soon. Check out the FB page here. As the name implies, these aren’t your typical pin-ups and Johnny Sprocket‘s own Becky Welbes is Ms. October. 100% of sales go straight to the Chicago Women’s Health Center in Wrigleyville, a non-profit health care and education center that  has been providing sliding scale care to women since 1975. TyK’s Gala launch party will be held at COOP on Fulton Market on Friday November 19th, followed by a Sadie Hawkins Style Ride on Saturday, and then Bike Polo Friendlies in Garfield Park late afternoon Sunday. So if you’re stuck in the city and not able to race Northbrook, swing down and say hello to TyK.

– In case you were living under a rock last week, we’re sure you’ve all heard that the USAC CX national championships will be held just North of the Cheddar Curtain in Madison, WI in 2012 & 2013. Nationals are also being pushed back to January (they are currently held in December). 2012 races will be held January 4th-8th in the Badger Prairie/Reddan Park. We’re not yet sure what that means for the CCC, but if we were betting people (we’re really not) we’d bet there might be a few more races in the Chicagoland area in December and January to keep everyone’s CX legs sharp and entice non-locals to see how we roll here in the Midwest. More to come later.

– VeloNews recently ran a great article from Leonard Zinn on fork chatter and cantilever brake set-up (specifically series sponsor Avid’s new Shorty Ultimates). VeloNews and others also ran an article detailing a bunch of changes being made to the USAC rulebook. Juniors, Helmet Cam-er’s and Single Speeders will want to take notice.

– And finally… speaking of USAC rules… let’s have a quick chat about hand-ups. Our USAC officials have asked us to remind you that food and drink hand-ups are technically considered feeds in CX, which are specifically forbidden in the USAC rulebook unless allowed and announced by the chief referee prior to the race start due to high temperatures. However we all know hand-ups happen in the CCC and we’re not naive enough to pretend the CCC’s success in the past few years isn’t owed in at least some way to the fun, excitement, and shenanigans that the 4B’s bring to each event.

We here at the CCC think know that cyclocross is supposed to be hard yet fun at the same time… but there always needs to be a good balance between the two to ensure rider safety and to make sure no rider is given an unfair advantage. However, that balance doesn’t necessarily need to be the same in every category due to the speeds (or lack there of) involved. So how do we justify letting Cat 4’s take hand-ups but not the Cat 1/2/3’s? We think neither the “rider safety” nor the “competitive advantage” issues are being violated in the less experienced categories and we and the USAC officials are usually watching closely to make sure things don’t get out of hand… and quite frankly you all do a great job of policing yourselves anyway.

So for those people who may gripe about not allowing illegal hand-ups in the Masters, W123, 3’s, and Men 1/2/3’s… we’ll remind you first that our USAC officials don’t have to allow them at all in any race, and 2nd, there are many races around the country where hand-ups are not allowed at all… even in the 4’s… so we’re all pretty lucky here in Chicagoland. We’ll also remind everyone that non-food hand-ups are technically not illegal (since just about anyone would have a hard time reasoning that a dollar bill is considered a feed)… and from some other grumblings we’ve heard, we’re pretty sure the fast guys and gals would appreciate $20 and $50 hand-ups anyway.

So, to be clear as mud…
Categories higher than 4 = hand-ups not okay
Cat 4 = what hand-ups… we didn’t see any hand-ups…

Great… now that we have that out of the way… let’s go race our bikes and have fun!

Photo: Jason Knauff

– One of the original CCC races, Camption Cross returns for another year hosted by race promoter Rob Kelley and Bicycle Heaven. Being held on 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.

– What amazes us all the time is how CCC riders and promoters find ways to keep all the things that work but continue to innovate and raise the bar every weekend, year after year. Bicycle Heaven is bringing back $20 first lap primes for each category for another year (its a gamble to go out so fast, but if you do, you will be rewarded)… but Rob says he also has a little surprise in store for everyone that may “blow your mind“. Unfortunately for all of you we were sworn to secrecy so you’ll just have to come to the race to find out what it is.

– A local 4-H club, the Kane County Fantastics, will be having a bake sale. Support a great cause while eating… or feeding someone else.

– Speaking of great causes, WBR donations have been a little light the past few races and we’re still quite far away from our end of season goal of raising $5,000. Please donate anything you can when reg’ing for future races… it may be cliché, but every little bit does help.

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

– We’ve had some rain, and more to the point wind this week, but the weather forecast for Sunday looks like another fabulous day for a CX race.

– 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.

– In addition to call-ups for anyone in costume, Rob Kelly and crew will have a best costume contest with prizes TBD. Lest we forget there were more than a few gems last year, but we’re sure a few of you can top them this year!

– The Campton course will for a 3rd year be nearly identical to the last two year’s.  As always, the course can change on race day depending on conditions. The course goes anti-clockwise.

– Don’t forget… Bicycling Magazine will be hosting a screening of The Cyclocross Meeting at the Music Box Theater tomorrow (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 at 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.

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).