Hi all,

We’re sure you’ve all been wondering what’s going on with the Master 40+, Men 3, Masters 50+, and Women 1/2/3 results from Jackson Park.

1. First off, we’re very, very sorry these results have been so delayed. The CCC directors and xXx put on what we thought was a great race and there was one small, albeit very important, piece of the puzzle that went missing somewhere around 11:45am on Sunday… that being timely results for the first 2 start waves.
2. What Happened? Plain and simple… too many of you showed up! The CCC and USAC officials were planning on more growth in the number of riders in this year’s CCC, but we vastly underestimated how much more (130 more starters than in 2008!). Consequently we all were completely inundated with the number of riders. Thankfully pre-reg helped (a lot) and we got everyone started on time, but we unfortunately did not have enough officials to properly run the race that day.
3. What Happened Next? After the 30+/40+ race there were a few protests in the 40+ results. Nothing new there… but that pulled away one of the 4 officials away from the finish line to deal with the protests. Already being shorthanded that left only 2 officials (1 official runs the race and does not score) to score the Men 3, 50+, and Women 1/2/3 race. These 2 officials did the best they could, but were overwhelmed by the 90+ riders who were on the course at that time.
4. So then what? Luckily the next race was the Women 4 and Juniors (the smallest race of the day) and the officials got back on track, but the damage was already done for the 11am race.
5. Okay, so now what? We’ve been in constant contact (read: every day since Sunday) with the USAC officials trying to rectify the situation and come to an acceptable conclusion. As you’re reading this all 4 officials are going back over their notes from that day and re-scoring the 11am races. As soon as they’re done (they all have day jobs too you know) the USAC IL Technical Director (Dave Fowkes) and the CCC Directors will compare all of the re-scored races and produce final results. Please be advise this will likely not happen until early next week… but will be done in time for Dekalb.
6. What is the CCC and USAC doing to correct the problem? For the rest of the season every CCC race will have at least 5 officials. In cases where pre-reg hits 275 riders USAC will add a 6th official. The CCC promoters are also discussing splitting up the first 2 races of the day into 3 races. Something to the tune of 40+/Women 123, 30+/50+, and Men 3.
7. What about chip timing? Chip timing is not the holy grail that everyone thinks it is. The CCC took a serious look at chip timing last year and determined it would cost at least $7 to $8 per rider, per race. Last year’s Montrose race did not cost extra because the company was demo’ing the equipment for us (with poor results). If however the CCC promoters were to purchase chips and run the system themselves, the biggest problem is not really the cost, but the manpower needed to distribute and collect the chips, the space needed to store them, and then the people to run the equipment. The CCC is still a small organization with limited resources. If we had the time, money, and human resources to have chip timing and a FinishLynx camera at every race we’d be doing it… but the reality is that’s not going to happen, at least not this year.
8. Is there anything I can do to help the current situation? Yes! If you raced in one of the affected races and know where you placed, please email us at [email protected] and let us know the race you were in, your name, place, and bib # if you still remember (if not we can look that up). We will then compare these emails when we compare the results from the officials. We’re not letting you pick your own place though… if you think you got 4th, but all the officials say you got 14th, then its obvious where you’re getting place, so please only serious replies.
9. What can I do to help going forward? Get involved! IL needs officials and will likely have an introductory seminar sometime this fall. Even though there are 60+ officials in the Chicago area, take a look at the start/finish line at every road, track, and cross race and you’ll see the same 7 or 8 faces every time. We can’t have 30% growth in racers without a corresponding increase in officials. Think its easy to score a CX race? Hang out at the finish line, introduce yourself to the officials, and give it a try… scoring CX might actually be harder than racing itself!

Thanks again for all of your patience and understanding in this matter. We’ve already received many emails about the race, and with only one or two exceptions everyone has started off by saying how great of a course (thanks Greg Heck!) it was and how much fun they had (big thanks to these guys!). We know we have to get that last mile covered and we’re on it. Believe us, if anyone is frustrated by the situation its us.

See you all at Dekalb!
CCC Directors and Promoters
[email protected]

Sorry this is a short one, but we’ve been busy putting on races and racing ourselves. If you’ve got vids you’d like to share with everyone… email us.

Moto pacing behind a dirt bike? Full story here.

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3450199&w=425&h=350&fv=]

A few local media articles about CX and specifically about the CCC.

Cyclocross is one crazy, muddy bike race Chicago Tribune article by xXx Racings’ Luke Seeman (thanks Luke!)

Follow up articles in the Trib:
10 Things to Know About Cyclocross
How Cyclocross Races Work
What You Need to Get Started in Cyclocross
And the seminal… How to be a Good Cyclocross Spectator

Another CX interview on the BoneBell of CCC Series Director Jason Knauff

– Please remember to update your BikeReg rider profile here with your current USAC annual license. If we don’t have your license number you may not be properly scored in the overall standings. If your license is pending and in the mail, input the license number anyway. If you don’t remember what your license number is, you can look it up on the USAC site here. If you never plan on buying an annual license (shame on you) please input “ONE DAY”, but please DO NOT put “Pending” in the field. We match all riders to their USAC annual license numbers to help with scoring.

– Pre-reg is open for Bicycle Heaven’s St. Charles/Campton race. See all CCC races here.

– Two of our sponsor shops made it on CX Magazine’s list of best CX shops!

– Need another or new set of tires? VeloNews does a good review of lots of rubber.

– Want to see what each course looks like before you race on it? We suggest showing up early (hey, you can watch other races too!) and pre-ride the course in between races. There’s usually a small gap in time between when the previous race ends and the next race begins. The best way to know when you are allowed on the course is to hang out at the finish line as a race is finishing. The officials will let you know when you are allowed on the course. However, be aware that your are NOT allowed on the course to pre-ride while another race is in progress, and you MUST wait until an official tells you it is okay to enter the course. All riders finish on lead lap, so as the winners cross the finish line the officials should allow you to get on course. Need more time and want to get in a little more riding while you see the course? Just ride on the outside of the course tape next to the course. This will give you a good idea of what the terrain is like without actually being on the course. Just be careful when the course doubles back on itself that you don’t actually enter the course.

– On a similar note, if you are pre-riding, never ever ever ever pass a rider who is still racing and do not ride through the finish chute. The finish line will always be on a flat, straight section of the course so you shouldn’t have to pre-ride this section anyway. Plus, riding across the finish line may confuse the officials who may think you are finishing the previous race.

Jackson Park starters… the largest CCC race ever!
30+ = 27
40+ = 55
Men 3 = 61
50+ = 24
Women 1/2/3 = 13
Women 4 = 27
Juniors = 14
Men 1/2/3 = 33
Men 4A = 76
Men 4B = 76
Total = 406

Thanks again to everyone who came out to race, cheer, and be a part of the fun!

We don’t have all day long to find the gagillion pictures and videos we know you all took at Jackson Park. Please post links in the comments below.

Here’s a few to get you started!
Vids after the jump…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/niccyp/sets/72157622422188744/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neverdrownout/sets/72157622296884149/

What can we say??? Wow!
Today was the largest Chicago Cross Cup race… ever.

406 of you crazy crossers toed the line today and it was amazing. At one point during my own race, I thought I was in the middle of a Texas high school football pep-rally with all the cheering, cowbells, honking horns (thanks Newt), whistles, more cheering, more cowbells, a “DJ”… and the list goes on and on. xXx Racing was even cooking up brats and funnel cakes. I think the best line heard all day was from Pony Shop owner and 30+ racer Lou Kuhn who took time during his race to exclaim… “Its no fair we have to wait 9 months to have this much fun!”

We know we have a few kinks to work out, especially with the scoring, as it seems we’re a victim of our own success and have grown into a monster. Please be patient as we figure these things out. If you have any constructive criticism or ideas you think will help with any aspect of the races… please send them our way. We’re always looking for help too, so please contact us at [email protected] if you’d like to lend a hand!

Final results and CCC overall standings will be posted as soon as possible this week (hopefully tomorrow). Results are posted for all fields except the 40+, Men 3, 50+, and Women 1/2/3. Just a reminder you can always find the link the overall standings here and how the Cup is scored here. We know some of your team names, etc are missing or may not be updated from the road season. As the USAC database is updated this info will be updated.

Thanks again to everyone who came out to race, cheer, and have a great cross time.
Good luck to all of your heading up behind the Cheddar curtain to race the USGP in Madison next weekend.

The CCC will be back in 2 weeks in Dekalb for the Hopkins Park race hosted by North Central Cyclery and Half Acre Cycling. As always, pre-reg’ing is suggested.

– CCC Directors and Promoters

FEEDBACK NEEDED

Did you race Jackson Park?  Your feedback is needed to continue to bring you this great series. Please join our newsletter distribution list by sending your name and email address to C[email protected] or [email protected]. On Monday, September 21 we will be sending out a quick Jackson Park post event evaluation survey and would appreciate your feedback.

Thanks!
Your CCC Promoters and Directors

The Men 4A field has filled up and is now closed!

Please note you will not be allowed to register for the Men 4A event on race day.

‘Nough said… see you all on Sunday!

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3303604&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

Just another reminder that online registration for Jackson Park closes tonight at midnight.

– Just another reminder that online pre-reg for Jackson Park closes tonight at midnight. Thanks for the more than 225 of you that have already pre-reg’d… you’ll make things run a lot smoother on Sunday. The 4As are almost full (75 rider max), but there is still plenty of room in all other fields. If you haven’t pre-reg’d… what are you waiting for? Do it now!

– Please note, you can always see who’s pre-registered for each race by going to the ‘Confirmed Rider‘ link at the top of each race’s main BikeReg page. If you’re wondering if a race is still open, see how many riders are pre-registered (number at the bottom of each field) and then check the field limit column on the main reg page. When a race is full, its full.

– If for some reason you really don’t like pre-registering, remember there is an additional $5 late fee for day-of registration. Save time and money… register now. Tell all of your friends who don’t have computers.

– Number pick up and day-of registration will open at 8:30am for all races in the series… that gives the masters 30+ and 40+ 1.5 hours to get their numbers and warm up. However, if you are racing later in the day, please let the earlier fields register first so they can get ready. Thanks!

– There will be no call ups at Jackson Park since no one yet has any series points. Top 10 category call ups will begin at Dekalb/Hopkins Park.

– Results will be posted as quickly as possible after each race and there will then be a 15 minute protest period. If results need to be changed due to a protest they will be fixed and reposted. However, after results are posted and considered final they will NOT be changed. If you need to leave and can’t wait around for final results, then make sure you have someone else checking for you. We will NOT change results after they are considered final on race day, so please do NOT email us next Tuesday (or Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, etc…) asking for your placing to be changed.

– And finally… please be respectful of your fellow competitors, the park, spectators, and random people walking by trying to figure out what the “H E Double Hockey” stick we’re all doing out there. Use the trash cans, porta-potties, and designated parking spots. We’re all out there to have a little fun, so don’t do anything silly that would prevent us from coming back next year.  Thanks!!!