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Cycling Thu Oct 15 2009
Dan Ryan to Carpentersville
The first really chilly day of the season hit last Sunday just in time for the Dan Ryan 'Cross race hosted by Beverly Bike-Vee Pak. The toboggan hill run-up shredded fields apart, but lots of flat power sections allowed riders to glom back together and fight their own small battles inside the now-massive fields. Results are here. Remember: don't eat the BBQ until after you're done with your race.
Elsewhere in the region, a large number of 'crossers went down to Ohio and Northern Kentucky for the OVCX triple-race weekend. Scott McLaughlin of the SRAM Factory Team and Greg Heck of xXx-Athletico made the long drive to race Friday and Saturday, returning to the Windy City to romp the Men's 1/2/3. Ben Popper of HRS/Rock Lobster came and put in a crushin' against the Pros such as Jeremy Powers and Ryan Trebon. A whole passel of Half Acre represented well in Ohio, passing out their namesake beverage to all manner of pros and race fans.
The action heats up this weekend in the northwest suburb of Carpentersville. As in years past, this is a fast going course with lots of furniture to clamber over, including a hill, sandpit, creek, and ditch. Those with the ability to bunny-hop and lift the front wheel off the ground will have a distinct advantage of those who, well, can't. The ability to also ride really hard and fast will prove helpful, too, but that goes without saying.
And can I reiterate the importance of pre-registration? You save money, you ensure a spot on the line, and you make the officials' job easier. It's win-win.