February 24
Make today a good one and be glad that you're here to cherish it for yourself, those you love and those who love you. Rest In Peace, Matt.
2011 Bicycle Film Festival
CCC's very own Brean has a hand in pulling this one off. You should definitely check out the Chicago chapter of the Bicycle Film Festival if you have the chance. Click the pic to get a glimpse of what a real post with all the info looks like.
offseason
rollin' with the home-eez...
The afterglow of AFTERGLOW
(Velogrrl's flickr) Well, Chris Jensen said it best. The only thing he understated was all the time and work he personally invested and for that we should all give him a big hug and a hearty thanks. It's quite a big deal for us at the Cuttin Crew to have been a part of a USAC sanctioned event and without his guidance as well as the example set by Half Acre Cycling we certainly would have not been able to make that leap. Thanks to them as well as all the other enablers that, through work like this, have made this passion an easily accessible reality within our growing community.
That said it is also important to give a second bit of credit to our event sponsors: Yojimbo's Garage, Tati Cycles, Twin Six, and Sportcrafters.
As for the day of racing? It was cold. (But not THAT cold.) Unfortunately it did happen to freeze over a lot of the wonderfully challenging off-camber sections as well as really neutralize the worst sand you'd ever could imagine having to ride through. On the flip side everyone brought their smiles and dealt with the elements.
(Bill Draper's set) The sketchiest drop in the world was compromised a bit by the ice but 166 people turned it into a whole lot of lemonade by the end of the day. With such choice announcing staff it was probably easy to turn out the crowd pleaser in everyone. (especially with techniques such as J's and Cousin Mikey's...)
There certainly wasn't a shortage of hype thanks to the Kirby's shaving ability and the day's hotly contested tandem race.
Aside from the laughs there was some great racing to be had as evidenced again by Mr. Draper. But also take in this cool run through of the first lap of the 1/2/3's (courtesy of Ryan O'Connell). See if you can tell what drop I'm talking about. (PS - 8:40 is a helluva lap time!)
When the race was all said and done, the night had really just begun. And Cousin Mikey, with twisted psyche, put together one great evening of fun.
Thanks to several more generous people (especially them bonebellers and those scantily clad tandemers) there was a good amount of dough raised to help West Town Bikes and their Youth Program.
All in all, it made for a great weekend. And many thanks to those that came from far and wide to help as well as participate in some good racing and good fun...
Cause ya know what? THAT'S what it's all about!
AFTERGLOW EVE
-Avi Neurohr, design team
AFTERGLOW MAP
Remember the latest news! Online pre-registration ends Thursday, December 16 at 5:00 PM. Medals are also being awarded to the top 3 finishers!
Afterglow update!
Please take note, the schedule is compressing down for the interest of keeping it less spread out and as warm, as bright and as fun as possible. Half Acre makes the most sense of it. We're just along for the ride, trying to look pretty.
AFTERGLOW
The close of the 2010 Chicago Cyclocross season is upon us. The big event is here. Turin hosts the Illinois State CX Championships this Sunday (12/5) to mark the apex of another successful Chicago Cyclocross Cup season! It's held yet again at lovely Montrose Harbor.
It's been quite a 'cross season. The usuals weren't always there in body but they were there in spirit. The highlights are aplenty across the board, including a great trip out to Michigan as well as one insanely awesome weekend in Indain Lakes. Results lean heavily in favor of what the ladies of the Cuttin Crew continued to do out there in the dirt. One lovely lady marked her triumphant return to the world of two wheels while the other two started a nasty little habit of cleaning up in the 4's.
With that, everyone's eyes are focusing on Montrose and what guarantees to be the biggest and coldest race of the season. ...let's hope until this next one...
BAM! (flier by teeners) The Chicago Cuttin Crew has taken the hand of Half Acre Cycling to bring you all one last legitimate opportunity for to perpetuate that notion you thought you had regarding your (lacking) sanity. We will be co-hosting the final race of Chicago's 2010 cyclocross season, entitled Afterglow - a Cyclocross Race, at Humboldt Park on the 18th of December.
It's gonna be good. Great. Historic! It will be the Cuttin Crew's first USAC sanctioned event and Half Acre's 946th. It's got its own official announcers, the one's that you all love. It's got its own single speed category. It's stupid cheap to register. AND, it's all ready got it's own after party host! Ha-a-ay! Check out the party flier courtesy of Michael Young and stay tuned to facebook and/or this site for further updates on what's really going down this December!
Further Details on Andre Gordon's Memorial Services
It was a nice moment at the park in memory of Dre. Some people got up to share stories and reasons why we all cherish and adore him and it was very nice. Our sympathies go out to all of you that have since moved too far away from the city and/or the scene and can't reach out to someone directly to share your wonderful memories of Dre. Find solace in knowing that everyone is always willing to talk about him whenever and you're not alone in feeling for him. His impression left on us all isn't gonna be going anywhere.
Memorial services will be held this weekend. Friday (11/19) will be visitation and viewing from 3 PM - 9 PM. The wake and funeral will be on Saturday (11/20) at 11 AM - Noon then Noon - 1 PM, respectively. The location is A. A. Rayner & Sons Modern Funeral Service at 5911 W Madison.
We will be organizing a group bicycle ride to the services on Saturday. Expect a departure around 10 AM from the Billy Goat's at 1535 Madison. If you believe in 4 day early forecasts I challenge your credibility as a Chicagoan but will humor you with pointing out it looks to be sunny but chilly. If things turn too difficult I will arrange for the bus to transport us all from Billy Goats.
Finally, this video has been making its rounds but I can't stress enough how beautifully this captures Dre in his essence. Man that laugh and energy says it all...
Dre
When I first started as a messenger in 2005 it was at a company with an impeccable knack for over-hiring and turning employees over. I was a rookie that could be seen from a mile away. A nickel/dozen type. "Summer help". I wore a fresh crease in my clean pants and bag, a bright yellow shirt, this overly confused expression below my spotless yellow helmet but above my brand new reflective vest (which had plenty of velcro left on it.) A true leper for any old schooler. Except Dre. Dre was the nicest, most open person to me and made me feel so special and welcome on first sight. He told me stories with references that went way over my head and he actually asked me questions to get to know me better and see what I was about...
Every opportunity I got, I would introduce Dre with that story. I must have explained that whole story at length in his presence at least 20 (thousand) times. Most of the time he would contain the rolling of his eyes ever so subtly and smile his big, polite smile as if it was the first time he heard it.
His laugh was so deep and joyful, he was always an attentive listener and you could count on him being on your side for every story of every situation. There really, truly is nothing bad to say about Andre Gordon. Just through his good nature, this man was an absolute inspiration to find and bring out the best in everyone. If you would have just met the guy you'd have considered him a friend and he would share the label. He's someone you'd wish the whole world could know.
Word is all over the place but apparently Dre was found lifeless at his home on the weekend of Sunday, November 14 presumably due to a cardiac arrest that occurred a couple days prior. He was only 53 years old. My heart goes out to those closest to him. Details on services will be up as soon as we can get them.