Advocating off-road cycling is some mighty fun work – and of course, there is a ton of it. There are at least four robust race calendars from several series. There are other Chicago based groups with off-road events happening. Local bike shops that support the off-road cycling scene have roller races, cross races, and training offers - oh my! What is a small Bonebell Crew to do? Expand, thats what!

Photo: Ed White

We’ve got lots of news to share, and lots places to spread the derka. It really didn’t take us to look far to know that we had a friend who was most gracious to say ‘yeah I wanna help!’. We have grown the Bonebell Crew and are proud to announce Greg Heck (nickname forthcoming!) as our latest addition. It was fitting as Greg has an equal love of off-road cycling and has been preaching the joys of cyclocross well before the era of beer being an option as a handup at a race. He is the man behind the Jackson Park Cyclocross Race hosted by xXx Racing-AthletiCo, and has been a gracious host for friends and teammates who have ventured south to Kentucky for MTB and CX races. He is bringing his perspective, and his helping hand in keeping us up to date on the off-road racing scene and other activities. We are honored!

Upcoming Interviews
Here’s another way to start off the New Year – we have interviews coming up with Scott Tedro, Chairman of the US Cup Mountain Bike Race Series. In a brief phone conversation we had with him, we got the sense that he is incredibly ecstatic about filling us all in on the greatness that his series will be providing pros and privateers alike in the MTB racing scene this year. We also have a great interview lined up with the hero of the zero hour, the 24 Hour King of Endurance, Chris Eatough! Can you hear Nevada Dave salivating on his twigs and berry cereal over that one?

Celebrate Chicago Cyclocross!
Come one, come all! Its the Cyclocross Cup Banquet – always proven to be a great time and it helps everyone bond in this great love of Cyclocross, and win AWESOME door prizes. Register here –> I wanna buffet handup! If you’re a good hearted soul who wants to keep the Chicago Cross Cup a rollin’ then you register, show-up, and then mingle with the fine folks who you can also considering volunteering for. They have a call to action every year to make the series, better, and brighter than the previous year.

In addition – don’t forget to order your Chicago Cyclocross Photo Collective Book! Shipping is FREE until January 15th and you can pick it up from the mighty fine folks at The Pony Shop in Evanston, IL. While you’re there – drool over their inventory and give Lou Kuhn a great big bear hug!