Afterglow - A Cyclocross Race bringing racing and donations for Chicago youth cycling

December 16, 2013  /  Marie Snyder

With the increased license fees for the 2014 USA Cycling season, Chicago Cuttin’ Crew and ROBOTS <3’s fundraising initiative aspires to increase donations to Blackstone Bicycle Works and West Town Bikes.

Chicago, IL (December 2, 2013) -- For a fourth year, Chicago Cuttin’ Crew and ROBOTS <3 have partnered to bring Afterglow - A Cyclocross Race to the Douglas Park Golf Course in Chicago on December 21, 2013. Pre-registration is available at www.bikereg.com/Afterglow, and day-of registration will open at 9:00 am. Like last year, proceeds from the race directly benefit two Chicago youth cycling not-for-profit programs, Blackstone Bicycle Works in the Woodlawn neighborhood and West Town Bikes in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.

Blackstone and WTB were able to use last year’s race donations for their youth racing clubs, working with youth between the ages of 10-18. Both clubs aim to practice teamwork and sportsmanship; promote fitness and healthy lifestyle habits; and provide sponsorship, mentorship, and coaching to underrepresented populations in the cycling community who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in cyclocross events.

Blackstone and WTB use the donations for team registration, USAC insurance, USAC licenses, race/practice food and nutrition, and race registration. Nearly a third of the donations from Afterglow offset Blackstone and WTB’s youth USA Cycling licenses.

For the 2014 racing season, USA Cycling plans to implement a 50% increase to the one-day license fee and a 16% increase to the annual license fee. This increase will be yet another challenge these youth will face in participating in competitive cyclocross events. Afterglow seeks to provide even more fiscal support through donations in order for Blackstone and WTB to continue their mission of making cyclocross bike racing an accessible option for their youth, benefiting not only the youth involved, but the cyclocross community by creating diversity and providing a broader perspective.

For additional information on Afterglow - A Cyclocross Race, visit www.bikereg.com/Afterglow. Donations for Blackstone Bicycle Works and West Town Bikes will be accepted at BikeReg and on site at the race.

Contact:
Marie Snyder
Chicago Cuttin’ Crew
chicagocuttincrew [at] gmail.com
www.chicagocuttincrew.com

Chris Jensen
ROBOTS <3
robotspblove [at] gmail.com
robotspblove.wordpress.com

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Photo Credits: Blackstone Bicycle Works and West Town Bikes

 

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tags / afterglowcx

All the single (speed) ladies!

December 03, 2013  /  avi neurohr

We're a little late to the party, but the Cuttin Crew noticed that, while it's admirable that Illinois has come to its senses and reinstated the official Championship for the Single Speed CX category, the ladies have been left out.

We simply can't let this injustice stand, so we're digging deep into our trophy vault for official-looking awards for the top three finishers.

The rules are simple:

1. Ride a single speed bike in Saturday's Single Speed Championship race. You may zip-tie a Sram shifter into place or somehow lock your bike irrevocably into a single gear. While this is considered less than pure form, it's late in the game, so we'll try not to judge you. We will not be inspecting your hardware.

2. Be a woman. Since USAC has little guidance on the subject, we're going with OBRA rules, since they consulted various international racing bodies and came up with a policy: If a male cyclist has gender-reassignment surgery, she can then race in her new gender's category. We will not be inspecting your hardware.

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Team Tall Guy gets just a little bit taller!

September 27, 2013  /  Maria Larkin

We here at the Cuttin Crew like to think of ourselves as being at the forefront cycling talent recruitment.  It's like that movie Money Ball.  We never saw that movie but I think we get the gist of it from the previews.  Instead of recruiting jerks like Jose Canseco though we scooped up two of the nicest and vertically gifted riders out there.  It is with great excitement that we announce the signing of Adrian Redd and Erik Herro.  These guys are fast so please, if you happen to be riding in front of them, move over and let them pass when you have a second.  If it's not too much trouble.

By Maxwell

 

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BEST DAY EVER

August 23, 2013  /  avi neurohr

by Avi

1. Rode along with Langston's first-ever fixed gear laps during the warmup.
2. Ella raced 6x: 3 with the juniors, 3 with the women. She attacked a pack of 15-18 year old boys at the whistle and finished better than DFL 3 times. She pulled in 50% more money than I did.
3. Nelson Vails, Olympic Silver medalist, former NY messenger, and Kevin Bacon's muse in Quicksilver, showed up as we were taking the line for the cat 3 State Championship Points race. NO PRESSURE
4. I countered the counter after the first points lap, and soloed for 23 laps to win.
5. Tresa and Langston witnessed me win a bicycle racing event, for the first time ever, instead of hearing about it later.
6. Nelson helped me into my quote/unquote jersey at the podium, and I got a million pictures with him.
7. I dumped my winnings into raffle tickets to fund a movie about his life story.
8. I won the raffle. The prize was a signed (copy of a) painting of Nelson, inscribed on the back that we're "cycling friends for life."
9. My luck ran out and my seat clamp cracked 2 minutes into the next race and my saddle dropped to the frame. whew.
10. This "jersey" is for Tresa, because I couldn't be a half decent bike racer, dad, or human being without her. Podiums to Al Urbanski and Jeff Perkins for teaching me how to track race, and honorable mentions for the crew, for bringing the noise.

tombstone.jpg
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The Bob Pfarr: Kenosha, WI

August 14, 2013  /  Daphne Karagianis

The un-racer's CCC guide to kicking ass at Bob Pfarr classic:

  1. Pack plenty of blankets for grassy hillside.
  2. Pack adequate snacks for everyone. Ever. Always.
  3. Accessorizing with friendly Golden Retrievers is not entirely necessary but comes highly recommended.
  4. Always put up some cash for a prime. It's 150 laps for chrissakes..
  5. Remember this is Wisconsin. Oat sodas are a must when mingling with the Romans.
  6. No matter your allegiances, cheer for every dude that does a 50 K track race.
  7. Keep track of points and laps on your own scorecard and share constantly.
  8. Mid-race Hot Shot Points from riders are ALWAYS worth $20.
  9. Force winners to drink beer out of their trophies... assuming they are old enough.
  10. Post-event trips to The Spot for homemade sodas and milkshakes comes recommended.
  11. Gas is cheaper up there. Get it.
  12. Go home pretending like you'll have the fitness to do it next year.
  13. Rinse.
  14. Repeat.

 

 

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Tour of Elk Grove

August 05, 2013  /  Daphne Karagianis

Competing in this 3-day, 3-stage race was a great experience. Racing with such talented women, some that have been racing professionally for eleven years, was incredibly exciting. With my recent Cat 2 upgrade I was ready to throw myself into the mix. Overall I had some highs and lows but I am optimistic and excited for what's come! Gotta start somewhere.

Check out the racing on Comcast Sports Net on Sunday, September 8 at 4PM. Look for the HighViz yellow crew jersey!

Photo by Liz So

Photo by Liz So

This is how you get aero, Crew style.Photo by&nbsp;Jeanette Vidmar

This is how you get aero, Crew style.

Photo by Jeanette Vidmar

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