Proctor - Illinois Criterium State Championship

06/29/08By BrynnBringing home a gold and a bronze at the state champs isn't too bad, for a new team. Sunday turned out to be a good day for us, up early we loaded up the bus with all the bike stuff and el presidente drove three hours south to the State Crit Championships or as some say "we were just trying to get to da bike race."Though the weather was questionable, just a few sprinkles hit. The course was full of turns and short allowing for lots of passes through the crowd and the cowbell. Women raced a short one. Only fifteen minutes with a lap on top of that. So after what turned out to be six laps, Brynn ended up rolling through the finish solo after a mishap between two Proctor girls to take the gold for the women's cat 4's and better, the Cuttin' Crew.Later in the day the boys were up with a forty minute race plus three laps and Stanley crossed the finish grabbing a bronze for the Cuttin' Crew, a couple of crashes at the last few turns caused the tactics in place to not go as well as we hoped but hey that's what happens sometimes and that's why we sign that piece of paper before we race, right?Everyone had a sloppy joe or two and a good time despite some poor sportsmanship from a girl in the 4's. The bus was loaded up again and we headed to the skyline. After a coupla bathroom breaks and some Steak n' Shake everyone was sleeping and you would have never guessed how loud we can be with cowbells and cheers and, even better, how fast we can ride them bicycles.It only gets better and better.

He's back at it!

I really don't think anyone could possibly sum it up better than this:

Cuttin' Crew has a new member! Just check out that smile!

We proudly present the great addition of Avi Neurohr!

It's a boy!!!

Cuttin' Crew OG and messenger extraordinaire, Mr. Michael Gipson and his wife Kathleen just had a baby boy, Luke.  Born June 17, 2008 at 8:00 AM. Congratulations!

The little guy was ahead of schedule. He's probably so punctual because he didn't want to miss an opportunity to operate fireworks legally. 2 for 2, eh? Like father like son...

Snaxwell

Ever wanted to get to know Max? Ever wanted to peel away at those layers of mystery to find out what really makes him tick? Join the club. dispatch101 got his grips on him and yielded yet another nice one-on-one.

Cycle Messenger World Championship Race Report

06/15/2008 By Jeff

I dropped my bike into Lake Ontario.

Worlds, pt. um, 3?

Departure is set for tonight. The latest projection? 9 hours of sleep, 15 people, 1 bus, 3 days, 600 messengers, one great fucking time...Shout out to our two big sponsors for helping us as we lead the charge for this great city and team.

Parts, time, and a smile, thanks Marcus.

North X Northeast music festival in conjunction with the racing? Toronto is showing out, true Hideout style.

Spring Prairie Report

6/8/2008 By Al (photo by Chris Dilts)

My attack was kinda accidental. I was trying to set up Adam just after I fought my way to the front by stringing out the pack going into the climb and making it harder for people further back to catch him. We were trading pulls at the front in the 4th stretch before the big climb. I noticed a lot of the Cuttin' Crew had moved up to the front now. XXX was either anticipating our attack or planning one of their own because they started swarming too. I started the climb maybe 2nd or 3rd wheel on the right side. XXX kept streaming up to my left and were effectively boxing Adam and I in, intentionally or not. I got pissed. I don't just let people box me in. I shouldered my way out to the left, finally got some open road, and my frustration powered me up that hill. I was still expecting Adam to attack, but when I got to the top, I had a pretty good gap. I rode tempo to see what was going to happen. Peter Strittmeyer of XXX chased me down along with a Wheaton rider. I realized between us and XXX, we would combine for some pretty serious blocking. A Tower Racing guy caught up pretty quick too and yelled "Let's go!" So I did.

I still wasn't intending to really break away so much as give Adam something to counterattack. I wasn't going to win this race. I got dropped climbing Holy Hill and in Baraboo last year. There was no way I could hold it over all the climbs. Adam is the climber. He's from Wisconsin. This is his race. But our gap increased, and I went with it. Next lap, I pushed it kind of hard on the hill because this was where the aerodynamics of riding in a big pack wouldn't matter, and we needed to put time in on the big group. But the other guys in the break faded in the climb. I realized that my hard work on my mashing a big gear and my short intervals had paid off. My plan changed to working to maintain the break, chasing down anyone who attacked, and winning the final climb. But what if that was what they wanted me to think? What if someone was hiding their talent? Sitting in just to fly by me at the end? Well, I wouldn't be able to attack on the flats anyways since my new front shifter cable had stretched enough to not shift any more. I had no big ring, just a 39. The climb was all I had.

The die was cast. The attack never came. We just rotated pretty evenly after I caught my breath. I put everything I had into that hill. I looked back near the top and had a nice gap. I still wasn't sure. I wheezed up to the line and kept my head down, sure I would get caught at the line if I sat up and celebrated. I didn't want to be that guy. But I still had enough left to carry me over the line with a nice gap.

Go big and get home

We've got a whole new ride, everyone should please be nice and welcome the Cuttin' Cruiser.

Those interested in being a part of this, please contact us at chicagocuttincrew@gmail.com.

World's, pt. 2

In the running for greatest race report is Ben's race in Philly, and this one by our friend, Avi. His experience is an inspiration. World's are incredible and we're gonna to be going out in style but I don't think we'll ever top the tube sock incident:

Canadian Cuttin' Crew?

Who's nervous? Don't be, the terminology is intimidating but the passport for re-entry by LAND does not go into effect until June 1, 2009. Anyone flying to Canada will need a passport. Here's the summary provided by the U.S. consulate of Toronto... -------------------

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), for entry into the United States at land or sea borders, as of January 31, 2008: - Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted; - U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate; - Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate; - Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, FAST, and SENTRI - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel. All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by this change. A passport has been required for air travel since January 23, 2007. [read more on WHTI] NEW. Entry requirements at land or sea borders in effect June 1, 2009: Washington -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced today the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a core 9/11 Commission recommendation. The WHTI final rule requires travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. WHTI establishes document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. These document requirements will be effective June 1, 2009 [Press Release] [FAQs] .