What could you say about Oak Brook that hasn't already been said? Registration, yellow line violations, people getting pulled too early and people choosing what place they came in. We understand that it is easy to arm chair quarterback. So that being said, the course is good enough and we would do it again.
The Chicago Time Trial series was held in Willowbrook today which we also sponsored along with yesterdays cat4/5 masters. The results aren't posted yet. We appreciate all the riders who came out and enjoyed a great course with great weather. We understand that one corner was a little hard to navigate and will correct that in the future. A big thanks goes out to all the volunteers who helped.
Let cross season begin!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
'Cross Training Tip
This is why you need to lace up your running shoes now and start working on your running skills. With several new courses this year, the Chicago Cyclocross Cup may be throwing a bit more running at us then previous years. You don't want to find out race day that the most difficult section of the course is on foot, so make running an integral part of your training this year.
In my opinion, working running drills into your 'cross routine will make you not only faster on foot, but also on the bike. The high intensity needed to hoof it up the run ups balances nicely with the high intensity work outs required to be competetive in 'cross. Running also has the added benefit of helping to correct some of the muscle imbalance that most cyclists are prone to by building the hamstrings. Plus at this point in the season, long endurance rides are no longer necessary. And the short intense efforts required for 'cross are a nice break from the monotony of grinding out long miles on the road.
So get out to your favorite park this weekend, preferably one with a run-up of some sort or even a sand volleyball pit and spend some time on your feet. These are the last crucial weeks before the longest and most most competetive 'cross season we have ever had in the Chicago area. Time spent running now will pay dividends in the upcoming weeks as you are able to trot past those who didn't feel the need to cross train.
In my opinion, working running drills into your 'cross routine will make you not only faster on foot, but also on the bike. The high intensity needed to hoof it up the run ups balances nicely with the high intensity work outs required to be competetive in 'cross. Running also has the added benefit of helping to correct some of the muscle imbalance that most cyclists are prone to by building the hamstrings. Plus at this point in the season, long endurance rides are no longer necessary. And the short intense efforts required for 'cross are a nice break from the monotony of grinding out long miles on the road.
So get out to your favorite park this weekend, preferably one with a run-up of some sort or even a sand volleyball pit and spend some time on your feet. These are the last crucial weeks before the longest and most most competetive 'cross season we have ever had in the Chicago area. Time spent running now will pay dividends in the upcoming weeks as you are able to trot past those who didn't feel the need to cross train.
Words Of Wisdom
"The goal is to look back and not say that I shoulda, coulda, woulda and know that I left it all on the line everyday"-Christian Vande Velde
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
'Cross Practice Thursday Night
As half of the team prepares for the upcoming races at Downers, the other half have started preparing for the upcoming 'cross season which kicks off on September 21st at Jackson Park. In order to train and prepare our bodies for the rigors of cyclocross we have begun training at the Dan Ryan Woods . We will be starting practice around 6:15 or so and spent a good portion of Tuesday evening laying out the course.
Even without the barriers, the course can be quite a challenge. 100 meters off the start line you find yourself working through a chicane of trees followed by a nice power section along the tree line. We will eventually break this section up and include a single if not double set of barriers. After the power section and a quick dismount over a parking barrier, there is about 300 meters of asphalt with another transition back onto grass. At this point you power through the grass and get onto pavement for 75 meters before diving back into the grass and a power section before the hill. For now we are only using half of the hill, so only about 35 feet of climbing after which you dive back downhill for the last power section before the last chicane section and back into the start finish chute. The total distance for each lap is about a kilometer, if not a tad bit longer.
Jim and I sprayed the course to mark the route to follow. After a few weeks last year we started to have a nice groove going through the grass. The grass was a bit long in places, so hopefully the FPD can keep the grass nice and short like they did for us last year. Everyone is encouraged to join us for practices, and it looks like we will be holding at least two sessions per week. For more info on our practices or anything else 'cross related you can also check out the new 'Cross Forum put together by Ben.
Even without the barriers, the course can be quite a challenge. 100 meters off the start line you find yourself working through a chicane of trees followed by a nice power section along the tree line. We will eventually break this section up and include a single if not double set of barriers. After the power section and a quick dismount over a parking barrier, there is about 300 meters of asphalt with another transition back onto grass. At this point you power through the grass and get onto pavement for 75 meters before diving back into the grass and a power section before the hill. For now we are only using half of the hill, so only about 35 feet of climbing after which you dive back downhill for the last power section before the last chicane section and back into the start finish chute. The total distance for each lap is about a kilometer, if not a tad bit longer.
Jim and I sprayed the course to mark the route to follow. After a few weeks last year we started to have a nice groove going through the grass. The grass was a bit long in places, so hopefully the FPD can keep the grass nice and short like they did for us last year. Everyone is encouraged to join us for practices, and it looks like we will be holding at least two sessions per week. For more info on our practices or anything else 'cross related you can also check out the new 'Cross Forum put together by Ben.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
'Cross Practice Tonight
We will be out at the Dan Ryan Woods tonight around 6:15 for the first cross practice of the season. We won't have the barriers out tonight, but will have them out very soon.
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