This is where you will find dirtbaggin’ teams in Chicago. These teams represent fairly regularly at MTB and Cyclocross events across the city and the midwest (and in some cases nationally or internationally!).
Some teams have a larger dirtbag base than others – but participate wholeheartedly and encourage others to join in on the fun. You are encouraged to visit their website to read more about them if you are interested in joining a team or contacting them for more information.
If you feel that a team should be represented on this page – simply e-mail us the contact information for that team using our web contact form on the right.
xXx Racing-AthletiCo is the largest cycling team in Chicago. Their emphasis is development of riders. The team was originally founded by messengers who had dirty roots in MTB endurance events – back when there was still the 12 Hours of Palos. The team hosts the annual start to the Chicago Cross Cup by hosting the Jackson Park Cyclocross race. You can find xXx racing in XC events, endurance MTB events, and even internationally at MTB stage races.
Half-Acre Cycling is a fast growing team with an excellent Chicago brew behind their kits that pay homage to Chicago’s colors. They cycle in every discipline and represent heavily as a dirty contingent at MTB endurance events, MTB XC events, and even offer up a fly trophy to the most cyclocrosserific team in Chicago. There’s a dirtbagger behind every kit.
Killjoy is the squad that is as fierce as their namesake skull logo makes them out to be. Don’t be afraid (unless they’re on your wheel at a race!) – they are a grand bunch of dirtbags that represent incredibly well at MTB XC events and MTB Endurance events. Rarely, if any road events are entered by this squad, truly making them an entirely dirtbaggin’ exclusive collective.
Courage Cycling is a new team for 2009, but with old players. In fact, this team is more like ‘The Transformers’ as they are Killjoy on the MTB scene and then quickly transform into Team Courage on the Cylcocross scene. Much like a Transformer, they’re equally powerful in either form. This is probably the only team in Chicago that has a Portland bike builder backing up their endeavor in our neck of the woods – now that is legit!
Beverly Bike-Vee Pak, Inc. Racing is one of the largest south side contingents. This team puts on a great effort to promote off-road cycling in the city’s south and southwestern neighorhoods truly adding to the Chicago geography of accessible off-road cycling teams in the area. Representation is great at the CX and MTB races and if you ask nicely, they’ll show you where you can turn yourself into a baseball card stud.
Flatlandia gathers the congregation that is known as the ‘Church Cross’. This multi-disciplined team has a dirty side indeed; these riders are fast and super furious at CX and MTB events across the midwest.
Mox definitely has appeal for the dirty kindred souls! This is an old shop come new shop that is delivering the CX and MTB goods in advice and equipment. They are easily recognizable in their pink jerseys – and typically moreso because you could be chasing one in a CX race! This shop is as urban as it gets – especially when CX practice meet up is by the heart of the downtown district.
The Chicago Cuttin’ Crew puts the fun back into the local racing scene in every endeavor they attack – and attack they do well. They are a messenger based contingent, but don’t let the skinny tires fool you because they throw it down on the dirt handily. Their mightiest team member may also be, their greatest advocate to keeping you motivated at a race on the dirt near you!
Johnny Sprockets has had a strong presence off-road since 2007 sending National Championship caliber riders to the endurance racing scene. They preach the good word of the dirt to all their customers at their shop, and have started growing their team to represent more on the MTB and CX racing scene to great success. This shop is a CAMBr supporting shop member.
Tati Cycles has a team dedicated to the virtues of keeping their kits down to earth in both color and material. They have brought a creative presence that is bound to to the virtues of wool and giving an off-road chance for cyclists in a neighborhood best known for economists and presidential awakenings. You cannot miss them – hook-up on their weekly Sunday Ice Cross offerings through the spring from December!
