ALL MY SINGLE (SPEED) LADIES, REDUX

December 02, 2015  /  avi neurohr

We've had the hamster wheels in our brains all spinning over Afterglow, and we nearly forgot that we're once again going to award the women's top SS State Champ finishers, bandit-style.

That is, if you're a woman, come race the Single Speed field at Montrose this Sunday at the State Championship, be one of the first three women across the line, and we will reward you with a special, decidedly non-official State Champ trophy and some cash.

We're throwing prize parity out the window too: whatever the top three SS dudes get, you'll get that plus a dollar!

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GRUDGE MATCH

November 29, 2015  /  Marie Snyder

With Jeff and Supergirl retired, Sweet Justice now reigns over a time of great peace. But something doesn't feel right. We've got a history of settling scores at Afterglow. Sweet Justice demands blood sport, and she wants to spread glory and humiliation in the world.

There are so many debts left unsettled at the end of the season. Every one of you has a rival, someone you may battle every week, or less often...and you've heard all the excuses: I would have crushed you, but...
"I was staged two rows back because my crossresults points are wrong."
"I got stuck behind a crash at the start."
"I'm not allowed to race your field because I'm too old/young/not your gender/category."

Well now's your chance to settle that score, starting SIDE-BY-SIDE at the line, with your own wager in the balance. It will be a field start, but you're guaranteed a spot right next to your rival. Bring your smack talk and your dirty pool, but please don't ruin the race for anyone behind you. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SPACE. Remember, it will be a loooooong winter, and you want to be on the giving side of the abuse, don't you? You choose what you're battling for, whether it be cash, a sixer of beer that doesn't suck, or 'loser cleans the cat box for a month.' Wagers will be periodically published by us, which is a 100% binding legal contract.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1st: Register BOTH riders at bikereg, in the GRUDGE MATCH category. Don't waste time, because we will be staging in order of BOTH riders being registered at bikereg.*

2nd: Fill out the form below, letting us know who the rivals are.  Don't forget to fill in your stakes!

3rd: WIN. Find your way to the podium and stage your own two-deep award photo. Make sure someone gets a shot of your shining moment of glory, or deepest depth of shame. Use it as your profile pic until the first race of the spring.

*The fine prints:
STAGING ORDER
In general, we want to reward those of you getting your @&*%*#$ together and registering quick, but we also reserve the right to 'adjust' staging based on factors like your ability and level of grudge.

WHAT ABOUT FATBIKES/TANDEMS/PEDICABS/CARGO BIKES, I'VE BEEN WAITING ALL YEAR FOR THIS.
We will do everything we can to put fatbikes, tandems, and other oddballs in the same row. If you are racing one of these silly machines, challenge a frenemy, and above all, let us know in the 'wager' field so we can line you up accordingly.

Example:

GRUDGE

Michael Kirby vs. Jason Fergurson: Winner gets Intergalactic Title Belt/loser is Fox River Grove(ler)

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Junior Girls Cyclocross Clinic w/ Kaitie Antonneau

October 19, 2015  /  Maria Larkin

The second annual Junior Girls Cyclocross Clinic took place at the UCI weekend at the Trek CxC Cup. We are oh so lucky to have such a great race within a stone's throw of Chicago, just a quick jaunt through the Cheese Curtain and you have some of the best fields, toughest courses and most exciting racing in the region. 

 This year Kaitie Antonneau returned to lead the clinic and went on to win her second C1 race the very next day. We'd like to thank Snowy Mountain Photography for grabbing some awesome shots of the girls in action, Renee Calloway for helping to organize the clinic again, and Kaitie herself for generously donating her time to the girls who made it out. 

Less talk more pictures. 

 

Introductions - We heard from each of the girls, where they were from, how long they'd been racing. 

Getting tire pressure just right with Kaitie's expert help. 

Out on course. 

Kaitie stopped with the girls to discuss and explain various features and techniques. 

Barrier practice. 

Barrier practice. 

It can be tough for some of the shorter girls to manage the tall barriers, but Kaitie was on hand for advice. 

Fly (under) Over

Running some of the tougher features. 

'When I was this tall'

'When I was this tall'

Afterwards all the girls received a perfectly sized jersey/vest/jacket from Kaitie's own supply. Pizza was had. 

Brianna Urban of ABD Cycling Club went on to win her category the next day. 

Brianna Urban of ABD Cycling Club went on to win her category the next day. 

All of the girls raced the next day, and some raced both days. We heard stories of the girls sleeping in their new jersey that night. We are proud to support Junior Development at the Crew. 

Skillz pay the bills. Proud of my ladies after a tough weekend of racing. @trekcxccup #trekcxccup

A photo posted by Maria Larkin (@_marlar_) on

Kaitie went on to take the C1 race the very next day. 

Photo by Jeffery Corcoran

All the photos by Snowy Mountain Photography

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The Photoshoot: Leopard Style

May 13, 2015  /  Maria Larkin

Every year the Chicago Cuttin Crew gets together to document our growing team. A package arrives filled with hope and dreams for the coming season. The result of a drunken vote in December, the winning kit always ensures that we retain our crown as most stylish team in the Chicago peleton. 

This year's kit, an exclusive design from the Jamie G-S collection, aims to channel the animal inside in all of us. Adept at hunting, stalking, speed, strength & grace (and also napping), the Leopard is our power animal for 2015.

Some say this year's kit is yellow, some say it may actually be spun gold, we're not too worried though, we'll be so far off the front this season that you won't even get to see it. 


WE PRESENT TO YOU CCC TEAM KIT 2015 - The Leopard Edition 

A few words of thanks: 

We're lucky to have good friends on the crew. One of those friends has been with us since the start, and just happens to be one of the best photographers in the country, if you need confirmation of that you can just drop Vice President Joe Biden a line and ask him. Every year Chris Dilts makes us look like the most baller team in Chicago (which we are). Landscapes, wet n rainy, blacklights, leopard print, the man can do it all. He graciously fits us in to his tight schedule, and deals with our raucous behavior.

Dilts at work

Dilts at work

No photo shoot would be complete without a buffet table of delicious treats, and Tresa knows how to bring it. Pulled pork and lentil soup, a selection of drinks for all tastes, coffee on tap and a patient lady who let us invade her house on Mother's day.  

Our beautiful host

Our beautiful host

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