So... There we were. Just hangin' out. Enjoying ourselves with a few laughs, some deep conversations, lively chats, some heart-to-hearts..
Ya know. Straight up chillin'..
B
Then, naturally, it came time for one of us to part ways..
G
I went about just soakin it all in. Then I noticed Sweet Justice left something behind..
I
Now. I ain't one to snoop but something DID catch my eye..
J
Ummm....
K
That. Is. Uh. Strange..
What's this all about??
textsfrom SG
...
For those of you who didn't win the M1/2/3 Illinois State Championship yesterday...
Afteglow Food Drive Flyer
Remember how you were supposed to obtain a fat bike? Well let me let you in on a little secret...
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is hosting a competition between teams----the team that brings the most food BY WEIGHT will be declared the winner and awarded a TROPHY, much akin to a certain 2010 cup! The team's name will be engraved, and they will hold possession of it til Afterglow 2013, when the cup is up for grabs once again. Sign up at afterglowfooddrive.blogspot.com!
AAAND, if you bring ANY amount of food, you will get the most coveted of prizes: a CALL UP. We might even give you a head start...
And stay tuned for even MORE tricks we've got up our sleeves, including a certain barista and a certain hero...
Afterglow - A Cyclocross Race - December 15 2012
Step 1: Buy/borrow Fat Bike from your local bike shop.
Step 2: Pre-reg, then tell your friends to pre-reg.
Step 3: Relivelast year'sexperience as preparation.
Step 4: Roll deep with your Crew.
Step 5: Raceracerace. Then double up!
Check back the following weeks for more *secret* tips on 2012's BRAND NEW COURSE!
cranksgiving 2012
A tradition unlike any other. Cranksgiving. Big ups to Nico for being a fine gentleman and a scholar. Super proud of him getting this together for Chicago this year. Details here.
Try to be an exceptional person today.
image
It's been a busy year for us Cuttin Crew'ers, but not too busy to take great consideration into paying tribute to our favorite man of the great machine behind the Chicago Cross Cup, JASON KNAUFF!
Teaming up once again with the one and only SuperGirl, Pacifico is providing the drink special and the Crew is providing the party! As always, Indian Lakes Resort's Cave Bar is the place to be before AND after you've wrecked your legs!
To get to the Best Weekend of the Year: driving directions or Metra directions.
See you there!
mumford 2
I have been affiliated with many racing organizations in the past. It all started in 1999 with TEAM PAST/ Titus Cycles. T.P. was a gang of cyclists headed by an archaeologist based out of my home Tucson, AZ. From there I made the switch to NO BRAKES racing. They were a downhill outfit whom competed primarily in Big Bear, CA (side note, me and Scott Mac were at the same NORBA National in 2002 at that venue). Fall of 2002 I moved to a junior development called Team NOVA. I was the most obnoxious member which lead to being threatened with removal. In college I raced for the world renowned cycling program Fort Lewis College. I made it to the A squad for regional collegiate competition in 2004 and removed myself from academic probation level two. From 2004-2008 I was on somewhat of a racing hiatus doing some regional competition in both downhill and xc. 2008 was a really big year and my wicked awesome come back to the cycling community. Team Krunk Shox was born consisting of me and Alex McGuinnis (Yeah the same McGuinnis whose brother is a Navy Badass, and Mom is the Operations Officer of Exelon, yeah that Alex McGuinnis). TKS established ourselves as delightful characters and enthusiasm consultants. People still come up to me and ask "Are you the guy who was shouting at me from the lift that one time two years ago?" 09 I relocated back to Chicago and traveled way far for DH racing. In 2010 John Felke and myself raced the WORS Sunburst Showdown. It was my first xc race on a bike that had a seat to sit on in 5 years. Given my vast racing past, I raced on a one day license in beginner bringing new meaning to sandbagging. I won that display of fitness by sprinting past first place after he crashed. I still mainly raced Hare Scramble and Enduro off road motorcycle events locally here in Illinois. 2011 I dated Nikki Munvez (pronounced MOON VAY). After she broke her hand on a date to Ray's Bike Park Milwaukee she invited me to Mike Morell's birthday Fiesta Grande. I didn't know too many cyclists in Chicago. Most people I knew were either Chicago Freeride or dirt jumpers. I was blown away at Mike's party by the attendees' (Chicago Cuttin Crew) personality and grit. Most of my life I thought of roadies as self absorbed knowitall egomanics. These cycling enthusiasts changed my whole perspective on Chicago racing. I wanted in on Chicago Road competition. Lucky for me Cousin Mike Young had an Orbea Onix tdf for sale. I trained on it at the Milwaukee Messenger Invitational alley cat, then raced Gapers Block Crit on my third ride. At Gapers Block I got lapped by the entire field in my Mountain Dew jersey. I was still enthralled with racing, making the switch from motorcycles back to XC mountain bikes. Yamaha was done, opening the door for Trek Top Fuel. I sent Jeff an email requesting an entrance to his team. After two weeks I figured Cuttin Crew admission had to be earned. Racing every XC race I could that summer left me undefeated in the sport category. Initially my goal was to breach top five in sport, my only expectations. Unfortunately I made it to expert my first season back. And well I'm sure you know the rest of my racing history as far as the cyclo goes. Now to my point. You see, I admire all my teammates for their personality characteristics and passion for cycling. It's hard to describe what it's like to be on a team contained of truly fascinating people. If it wasn't for Cuttin Crew I would not be doing good at racing. Thank you Cuttin Crew.
bari
Not one, but TWO reputable sources have kind words for our favorite sandwich sponsor, BARI!
Their "no condiments, no fuss" Meatball Sub gets a healthy rank of 16th Best Sandwich in Chicago, beating out all those fancy, complicated hoagies and paninis. But don't take Chicago Magazine's word for it...
Via Mumford:
My work orders Bari for all its employees on Fridays. On Bari Day they are the happiest.
Located at Grand and May -- if you happen to stop by, grab an Andrew Nordyke staple: Proscitutto Mozz! Better yet, follow Mumford's advice and make Friday YOUR Bari Day! You won't be disappointed.
ella hopkins
Are you, like our very own Ella Neurohr, a LADY JUNIOR? Are you a lady junior who placed in the top 5 in your category (10-14 or 15-18)?
If so, then we have a medal or ribbon for you! Some of you have very kind and patient parents who stuck around to see you stand proud on that podium. And, understandably, some of you had to return to the life that is outside of cyclocross.
If you are a lady junior who didn't get a chance to grab your medal or ribbon from Hopkins Park, Chicago Cuttin Crew will have it for you at Dan Ryan Woods this weekend! If you aren't going to be able to make it to Dan Ryan, then email us at chicagocuttincrew AT gmail DOT com, and we'll mail it to you.
For the rest of you: The Official Mumford Race Report
mumford hopkins alter
First and foremost I would like to state that I won cat three Hopkins Park last year. So on Saturday night I had a team get together at my condo. Many folks were in attendance. In the morning Mike drove me to the race in his 2004 Toyota Tacoma TRD. Its black and in top working order. He brought two Cannondales with him. At registration I snuck up behind Chris J and grabbed his butt with both hands. He turned around with a flustered look on his face and grumbled "I would have punched you in the face if it wasn't you." Lesson learned, don't grab butts. I rode two practice laps all slow with no feeling of how the course would feel fast. In the future I will be scrumping my practice runs just like DH. On the start line I was all nonchalant and the whistle caught me way off guard. During the race those awful people who watch cyclo races were all like "hey catch Scott and Brian." If I could have I would have. DONT TELL ME WHAT TO DO YOU'RE NOT MY BOSS! I got third in the mans race. Mike got some real nice looking wheels from Rob at P S I MET. We took them to Roscoe Village Bikes to get tires glued. Then I bought a single can of beer from Lush. You see I can have one beer and feel real good. I have a low body mass index thus making me sensitive to caffeine and alcohol. Oh yeah and big ups to my competition. Dave Lombardo I know you have my number, it's only a matter of time before you beat me. Keep it up. However by then Matt Silvia will be beating us all.
Photo courtesy of SnowyMountain Photography
So I get to da race and I'm feeling good. I do a good warm up by riding fast. I ride the course with Chase, he rides real fast. I see the single barrier, I can jump this. I go to the start line. I'm not nervous because I have done loads of races this year. Some of these folks I have raced in the woods. I have a consistent start, got away from the start crash. CRASH! I race Scott (pictured). He is a good rider. He is a handsome man. I got second.
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