MJH2

You looking to putz around on a bunch of bikes, or are you wanting to try racing one?

If it's the latter, let me know. I've got a size 58. As long as you're not wanting to try it in 30+, you're welcome to borrow it. Bike swapping ain't all that unusual in cross. Hell, I think everybody on Tati races on the same bike.

Psimet2001 

Not trying to incite anything, just a comment, but your team hosts one of the more popular races on the CCC calendar. I understand the mechanics of the budget for that event (in 1 or 2 people's heads only and not to be shared with anyone else), but if the payout is to be bigger it starts with the promoters. Seems like you should have more of a team than a series issue - at least with that specific event.

Luckily we are helping host 2 of the races this year. While helping we are not on the permit or allowed to really take a role in the construction or execution of the budgets.....but I get to race for a nominal fee as a result. Me likey.

I like racing cyclocross. I like seeing my friends every week. I like being able to race within a short drive from my house. I have never received a payout and probably never will....therefore the purse is meaningless to me. Distance I have to travel, race time, course friendliness to families....these are my concerns. So far everyone gets an A+.

MJH2

What are you talking about? The rider numbers at our race were well below the average numbers for the last two years (not sure how long they've been keeping track), especially last year (Halloween). How does that make it one of the more popular races? And I'm not sure that I have an "issue" with anything (except the high entry fees). Opinions, I have.

I freely admit that my opinions seem to be in the extreme minority. I'm ok with that.

MJH2

Rider numbers from a few races last year (picked at random EXCEPT for Woodstock, which has the potential for "worst" combination of distance from population center and potential for bad weather):

Campton 404
Indian Lakes 442
Bartlett 424
Woodstock 446
Northbrook 430 (and they, sadly, were forced to make that race tentative pending favorable weather)

Mr. Scrooby

He may have been referring to me, and it's true: We're lucky to have a great position on the calendar, and thanks to the timing, the weather and proximity to Chicago, we've had a couple of great years. (So great that we came up with the relay race to take advantage of the late-summer demand.)

Proximity, I think, has a much bigger bearing on turnout than payout. Then again, Hopkins Park, which is one of the farthest flung of the series, had a fantastic turnout this year. I think it has to do with Half Acre's reputation for knowing how to have a good time. And the buzz over the flyover helped.

AFAIK this is the first year the series has tried to double up on weekends, and I'm bummed that it appears to have split the turnout, especially in the women 4's and men's 3's. On the other hand, it's allowed for some overflow in the 4's, so more beginners will get a chance to race this weekend, and that's a good thing.

carlosflanders

This is a joke, right?

Nickel

thanks for the offer but I am definitely more of a 50 I am with my partner on a job interview and I thought I might check out the racing scene but we might be a bit busy looking around at housing. Too bad!

Speedster22

Badger Prairie yesterday. Not a fan of the course at all. Grass paths through, you guessed it, a prairie. A small amount of technical stuff, but more of a grass crit than anything. 17th in the 4s for me. I think the venue has potential, but needs work.

Kletzsch Park next weekend. That's a fun one. Me likey.

Now if I could only get my bike back from Blue....

Mr. Scrooby

Forget it. We apparently just have different definitions of what "put to shame means."

I don't care where people choose to do their cross, so long as they choose to do so. The more, the merrier!

carlosflanders

That's cool. Cross on!

carlosflanders

I did that race last year and fully agree. Cam-rock next week is a fantastic course.

Spring Water

I like money.
I like winning money.
I don't need money to be on the line to race or enjoy racing.
I guess I'm a chump.

MJH2

I just want everybody to be happy. Can't we all get along?

Mr. Scrooby

Don't take us too seriously, Spring Water. We just like to argue.

Whether road or cross, I always say payout should be the last reason anyone chooses to race. That said, I'll point out that ABD is more than doubling the payout for this Sunday's race, and the South Chicago Wheelmen are more than tripling the payouts for the two days of Indian Lakes in November.

I expect boffo turnouts as a result!

Spring Water

Oh I know this, trust me.

nixternal

I sure hope so! I will be working this event, go figure, but I will also be heckling, so be prepared. If you didn't know, I am the 240+ pound dude in Adidas attire talking major trash. Trash that I can't and probably will never be able to back up PBR handups, or should I get a fine Octoberfest and some funky cups?

Psimet2001 

Did you slap my ass on the pump section? If not will you slap my ass on Sunday?

nixternal

Maybe. Fore sure! Actually, I didn't slap an ass, but there were a couple of people who did, xXx jersey on one, and I think the other jersey was either BH or Village.

MJH2

It looks like I am officially, unofficially retired from cross competition this year. Only part of this decision is based on flashbacks from the sudden cold/wind snap of Bartlett '08 that left the entire Cat 4b field freezing mid-race and lead to the official tent being torn down before the end of the race (to hasten departure). I'll still be out there each week, though.

Now, can we get back to bickering? That was amusing.

Spring Water

Quit being a girl and hurry up and register for your race.

MJH2

You can't make me. I'm done, and have permission from da Coach to be done.

I'll be out there watching the ladies of BH duke it out, though. Then helping tear down for Campton.

carlosflanders

I remember that well. I think I had to sprint off course in order to avoid being taken out by the officials tent, must have been a good dozen people trying to hold it down.

MJH2, your Dolan is going to be very sad.

nixternal

MJH2, tomorrow is going to be warm, cloudy, with a very slight chance of rain. We have gone over the weather and it looks like any rain or storms will skirt just west of us, and that doesn't happen until after sunset almost. Come on man, I need more people to heckle

John Wilke

James LaLonde kicked some ass at Kletch Park today.

ColorChange

Wa Happen MJH2?

Unfortunately this is going to give you even more time to heckle me isn't it?