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2023 Groundhog Psi-clocross Preview

November 2, 2023

Phil : Do you ever have déjà vu, Mrs. Lancaster?
Mrs. Lancaster : I don’t think so, but I could check with the kitchen.

Why is this race called Groundhog PSI-Clocross? Well, in 1992 the downtown square of Woodstock, IL was used to film the movie Groundhog Day. Rob Curtis and the PSIMET crew have carried some parts of the movie into the venue.

  • Registration closes Friday at midnight. There will be day of registration available at a higher price but only through BikeReg.
  • Preliminary Staging will be posted here on Saturday.
  • Remember that Daylight Savings ends the morning of the race so be sure you have the right time!
  • There is plenty of parking throughout the park. As with all previous years there is NO PARKING ON THE GRASS. This is the strictest rule the park and city have for the facility. This also means no vehicles on the grass to drop off gear early in the morning <looks at masters teams>. We say this every year and yet it still ends up being a problem at some point in the day. No cars on grass anywhere for any length of time. Police are ticketing and will patrol throughout the day
  • Enter from the Park’s North entrance (Kishwaukee Valley Rd) then you can drive right up to the “tent city” field and drop off gear. The Jackson Entrance will be closed this year. You can park in the lower lot by entering off of South St but will not be able to drive through to the rest of the course or park.
  • Speaking of Deja-Vu – Rob had a hankering to see old throwback Chicago Kits this weekend. So if you have an old school kit bring it out and help celebrate Chicago Cycling Heritage.
  • There is an Open Event at Noon. The course will be shortened (will stay on the East Side of the course with no road crossings for this even only). Everyone is invited to ride the course. No Fee. 20 Minute event. This is your opportunity to try a cross course or wear a great costume or throwback kit and ride with your friends. We are hoping we can get some of the family friendly circus of the CCC of old to help cheer everyone on. All can participate we just need you to sign up so we have a waiver. Sign up on the BikeReg page.
  • FoodPerk and Pickle Food Truck will be on site all day long serving breakfast, lunch and an early dinner if needed. Serving hours will be from 8am-5pm. The menu for race day is available on their site now – https://perknpickle.com/crosstown-classic
  • This park has “always” had a “no alcohol” policy. So when you bring in cups for your soda and lemonade PSIMET asks that you pack out what you bring in. It helps PSIMET make sure the park doesn’t think we’re a drinking series with a cycling problem if there aren’t a lot of juice boxes laying around.
  • Equipment Pits will be single width and will not use the orange fencing this year. There will NOT be any water or washing facilities at the race though, so if conditions look to be getting worse please plan your own support accordingly. The city sent notice they shut off all the outside water at the park but would turn on one spigot for race day. Maybe you can find it if you’re lucky.
  • Weather looks great, but chilly. Please dress and plan accordingly.
  • There won’t be much if any daylight left after the last race ends, so please plan accordingly. Also if you can, please help PSIMET tear down the course so they aren’t doing it all in the dark.
  • There is an informal Car Show that we are hosting on site like we did last year. If you bring a notable car for display (classic, antique, etc.) we will have an area for you to park at the top of the hill near the food truck. You will also receive a free food truck meal voucher from the PSIMET coordinator.
  • As another reminder, if you are pre-riding while anyone is finishing up, please make sure you are NOT inadvertently riding in front of people still racing. Just ride slowly behind them and offer words of encouragement or ring a cowbell. Thanks!
  • If you’re interested in looking over the filming locations for the movie there is a great map for self-guided tours here: http://www.woodstockgroundhog.org/walking-tour/
  • Remember to use #psiCX on X and Instagram.
  • The CourseA collection of no less than half a dozen pinwheels/toilet bowls Roughly the same course as last year with a few small modifications.

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20231031

October 31, 2023
  • Happy Halloween!
  • Thanks to Guaranteed Rate Cycling for hosting another great Campton CX. Lots of great racing and costume out there. Thanks to Tim Radcliff and Ned Bowen for taking pics!! Links to all results are here.
  • Next up the series heads to Woodstock for Groundhog PSI-clocross. Note for the ‘Local Event’ PSIMET will be holding a free Open Event at noon. Get on the course with everyone! Course will be shortened (will stay on the East Side of the course with no road crossings). Everyone is invited to ride the course. No Fee. 20 Minute event. This is your opportunity to try a cross course or wear a great costume and ride with your friends. Anyone can participate, we just need you to sign up and sign a waiver.
  • If anyone lost a Wahoo Element Roam at Sunrise Park CX, please email us, a local resident found it on Monday.
  • If you’re free on Saturday 11/4 from 12-3, Big Marsh is hosting an event to launch the ‘Big Hill’ and present more details on the big hill alongside the debut of the Chicago Park District’s new master plan.
  • And finally… we know there are still a bunch of you out there who haven’t updated your CX team name on your USAC license. Please check your team name in the Overall Standings tracking GoogleSheet. If your team name is not listed next to your name then we do not have it and you are not contributing to your team’s overall total. If you’re not worried about that, then that’s okay. But if you are, please email us this week so we can correct the situation. Thanks!

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2023 Campton CX Preview

October 26, 2023
  • The Guaranteed Rate Cycling team host us again at Campton CX for the series’ second hilliest race.
  • Anderson Park in Campton Township (5N180 Brown Rd, Campton Hills, IL 60175). Need directions? From I-90: Randall Road South, to Rt. 64 West, past LaFox Road, turn right onto Brown Road and park is on your left. There are other Anderson Parks in the Chicagoland area, so please go to the correct one. The map on BikeReg is correct.
  • Pre-reg closes Friday night on BikeReg .
  • Preliminary staging will be posted here on Saturday. Make sure you double check your preliminary staging on Saturday, not Sunday.
  • Dave’s SLO Food will be serving up some fantastic BBQ.
  • Sorry, but NO alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park.
  • Campton is our Halloween race. Wear a costume, or not… keep it fun, maybe a little weird! There may be a costume contest. We can’t wait to see what you all come up with this year.
  • Please do NOT warm up on/around the soccer fields to the East of registration. The village has asked us to keep off the areas visible when you pull into the park. If you carefully ride North on Brown Rd for about 200 meters you can hop onto the Great Western trail, which is a great place to warm up. Thank you.
  • It’s warm right now, but temps will be dropping quickly and the forecast is for a chance of rain all day. Please plan your clothing accordingly.
  • There is plenty of parking on site. Please do not ride or drive on the grass surrounding the course.

Categories: Course Preview

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20231024

October 24, 2023
  • Thanks to ABD for hosting yet another great day at Sunrise Park. Results links are all here.
  • Next up, the CCC heads a little further West to Campton on Sunday 10/29/2023 for Campton CX. This is of course the Halloween costume race (if you want to). We can’t wait to see what great costumes you all come up with this year.
  • Final reminder that if you upgrade your USAC category you can take 1/2 your points with you to the next category (for overall standings and staging), but you must do so THIS WEEK. Details on the Rules and FAQ page and if you do upgrade you need to email us and let us know.
  • And finally… here’s your annual reminder that in order to race not only does your body need to be in tip-top shape, but so does your equipment. There are many, many amazing local bike shops in the Chicagoland area that are ready to help keep your rides in fully functional working order, especially after the punishment you may have been dealing them over the last few weeks. Schedule some maintenance to make sure you keep flying through this CX season!

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2023 ABD Sunrise Park Preview

October 19, 2023
  • The CCC heads to Bartlett for ABD Sunrise Park hosted by Athletes By Design (ABD).
  • #ABDcx
  • Preliminary staging will be posted here Saturday morning. Please check your staging on Saturday, not Sunday morning. Thanks!
  • Pre-reg on BikeReg closes Friday night.
  • PLEASE no parking on grass.
  • Parking on Foster Ave is usually allowed but on NORTH side only. There should be “No Parking” signs along the park (south) side. If not, please respect this. Also Parking is allowed on Struckman Blvd (better option), or at Sycamore Trails School (preferred).
  • No alcohol.  Sorry Park rules.
  • Weather forecast looks good but it will be chilly in the morning and we’ve had a lot of rain this week, so bundle up and come prepared. Also, please remember to collect your clothing from the staging grid after your race… the lost and found bin is only so large!

Categories: Course Preview

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20231017

October 17, 2023
  • Congrats to everyone who traveled North behind the cheddar curtain this past weekend to race at the Trek CX Cup. Conditions looked cyclocrossy to say the least.
  • Next for us, the CCC picks back up this coming weekend on Sunday 10/22/2023 at ABD Sunrise Park, a deceptively difficult race and the home of the original Heckle Hill. Get ready for a sweet, sweet 5 week block of racing. Here we go!
  • Another reminder that if you upgrade your USAC category you can take 1/2 your points with you to the next category (for overall standings and staging), but you must do so before 1/3 of the way through the season plus 1 race. This year that’s BEFORE Campton CX, so this coming weekend will be your last chance to earn overall points before upgrading. Details on the Rules and FAQ page and if you do upgrade you need to email us and let us know.
  • And finally… there’s always a lot going on in the world… some great… some down-right horrible, especially this past two weeks. Remember we’re all here as bike racers and more alike than we are different. So flash a smile, let out a laugh, give someone a high-five, make your day and someone else’s better than it started… and have fun racing your bike!

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20231010

October 10, 2023
  • Thanks to xXx Racing for keeping us racing this past weekend and using every last shred of available land in Jackson Park to fit the course it. Results are on USAC and CrossResults, lap times are here… and as always we have links to all results and overall standings here. There were a bunch of photographs and videos recorded as well which are posted in the comments of the Jackson Park Course Preview here.
  • The CCC takes a break next weekend but there’s some hot & spicy CX action up in Waterloo, WI at the Trek CX Cup. Good luck to everyone traveling to race, spectate, and get their photo taken with Sven.
  • The week after on 10/22/2023 the CCC continues at ABD Sunrise Park which is the start of 5 week block of racing every weekend. Buckle up, the season’s just getting started!
  • A quick note on Team Names. We match all riders’ USAC license numbers to the USAC rider database, not the team name you have listed in BikeReg. You need to have your CX team name correct in your USAC rider profile for it to properly flow through to CCC results and to contribute to your team overall standings. We can update previous results in the CCC overall standings, but please let us know now and not at the end of the season. Email us at ChicagoCrossCup at gmail.
  • Speaking of overall standings, remember if you upgrade your USAC category you can take 1/2 your points with you to the next category (for overall standings and staging), but you must do so before the 1/3 of the way through the season plus 1 race. For those following along at home that’s BEFORE the 4th race of the series (i.e. Campton CX). More details here on the Rules and FAQ page. We no longer have a way to track USAC upgrades, so if you do you need to email us and let us know. Congrats to those of you who have already upgraded!
  • And finally… a huge thanks to our USAC officials, camera/results crew, and of course the best announcer a CX series could wish for Kenny Labbé for making our first 2 races operate and run efficiently. Its not easy being at our venues all.day.long. and all.season.long. and ensuring things flow smoothly. So make sure to thank them, give them a high five… or a hug, or maybe just a tip of your helmet at the next race and the rest of the season! Thanks everyone!

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2023 Jackson Park Preview

October 5, 2023
  • Jackson Park? Weren’t we just there? Yes – xXx Racing received short notice that Schiller Woods was not available and Indian Lakes is definitely no longer available so we’re back at Jackson Park in the Chicago Park District. REPEAT: The race is at Jackson Park on Sunday. There’s not a lot of space in this location, but we’ll make it work, and its better than no race at all. Let’s all pitch in and make it another great CCC race.
  • Pre-registration is open on BikeReg until tomorrow (Friday) night at midnight. Don’t delay, reg today!
  • Staging: Remember for the 2nd race and the rest of the series the front row of each category will be staged by series points, while everyone else is staged by CrossResults.com points. See full staging protocols over on the Rules/FAQ page.
  • Preliminary staging will be posted here on Saturday. Sometimes the link between BikeReg and CrossResults is not correct, so please, please check your staging on Saturday and not Sunday on the start line. We will NOT be able to adjust incorrect CrossResults points on Sunday.
  • Directions: Set your GPS to 1987 E Hayes Drive in Chicago. While there is still construction in the area for the Obama library, Hayes Drive should once again be accessible both from Stony Island Ave and Lake Shore Drive. Check the link below for any last-minute road closures: https://jacksonparkimprovements.org/traffic-updates
  • Parking: DO NOT PARK in the boat launch lot adjacent to the course. Ample parking is available in the PAID lot on the north side of Hayes Drive. You can drop off equipment, tents, etc. in the boat launch parking lot but then you MUST move your vehicle. Thanks!
  • The Chicago Marathon also takes place on Sunday morning and while there are no closures on the highways, Lake Shore Drive, or any of the nearby surface streets, please allow for extra travel time just in case.
  • Food: Unfortunately with the late venue change xXx Racing was not able to arrange for a food truck so please plan to be self-sufficient for food and beverages.
  • Autumn weather looks to be heading our way with Sunday morning temps in the 40’s. Please dress and pack extra clothes accordingly.
  • Bib numbers are always on your left side for all CCC races.
  • The course: while we are using the same patch of land as Relay CX, we’ll be changing things up by running the course counter-clockwise (i.e. backwards from the direction Relay CX was run), with an all new start/finish and other tweaks throughout.

Categories: Course Preview

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20231003

October 3, 2023
  • We hope everyone had a great weekend off and got out on your bikes in some amazing Autumn weather.
  • The CCC is back again this weekend for race #2 on Sunday 10/08/2023 at Jackson Park. We’ll be at the same venue as Relay Cross, but with a different course. Please pre-reg over on BikeReg.com before Friday night at midnight.
  • We take another break the following weekend 10/14 & 10/15 but if you want to see some pro-level racing and event production, head up to Waterloo for the Trek CX Cup. They have amateur racing all weekend as well as the World Cup on Sunday, not to mention the Legends Race on Saturday.
  • And finally… as we do every year we ask everyone to race hard but also make it as easy as possible for our USAC officials and timing/results pros on the finish line to identify everyone so we can get accurate results out as quickly as possible. Below are a few images from Glenwood of what those folks actually see on the camera at the finish line. #252 was awarded best bib placement of the day, #224 was solid, #1 and #2 were also good… #266 was too high but it was the first race of the year so we know you’ll do better going forward. Thanks everyone for your attention to detail and consideration!

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CCC Tuesday Updates – 20230926

September 26, 2023
  • Thanks to everyone who came out to Glenwood Academy to enjoy the first race of the series. And thanks to the South Chicago Wheelmen for hosting such a great event.
  • Full results are online here and here and series standings are here and directly here.
  • Next up the series takes a week off and then heads into the city at Jackson Park CX hosted by xXx Racing. Note this race is on Sunday 10/8/2023… NOT 10/1… and at Jackson Park in the same venue as Relay CX (NOT Schiller Woods). This is also the same day as the Chicago marathon so please plan your travel time accordingly.
  • And finally… all series events are now open on BikeReg.com. You’ll still notice Wait List categories at the bottom of each event, but those will only open if the actual categories completely fill up, which probably won’t happen. Pre-Reg closes for all events at midnight the Friday before a race. Please remember to have your correct USAC license number in your BikeReg profile as we match everyone’s name, team name, age, etc. to that license number for consistency throughout the series. If something is wrong, just email us. And if you pre-reg we also pull in your CrossResults.com points for staging (beyond the first row). Just remember to check the preliminary staging posted on Saturday before the race. Everyone did great with all of this before Glenwood, so let’s keep it up for the rest of the season. Thanks!

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