Balance Sheet

Actual take	2965
clipboards	33.17
printing	15
Prizing	620
16x rolls of tape/flags	176.05
commissaire fees	210
medical (one shift)	30
Steve
volunteer food	124.58
water	10
wood stakes	61.7
development fee	590
race fee	108
group stakes	0
Jaron's kitty fee	0.00
Total expenses	1978.5
Net	986.5
	+500.00
	1486.5

Net take from the race was $986.50 and as promised I topped that up by $500. Thanks to Steve who donated his time and Darcy who donated his time for his medical shift. A total of $1486.50 has been donated to the nationals committee. Thanks for all your support!

Help Danick and Sophie

Tragically Danick's father passed away suddenly on Sept. 25th.

Have me deposit your prize money directly to the TimsHeartBeatsOn memorial fund to help Danick and Sophie and I'll personally match the amount.

More for Sale

2 sets of  alloy tubulars in great shape with new tubular tires. One Dugast, One FMB.
1 set Zipp 303s as new. Ridden twice in warm-up and that's it. Sad, but true. There's not even a mark on the hub body from the cassette.
Details to come.

Reviews coming

Wahoo KICKR vs Computrainer vs Elite Digital Qubo vs Kurt Kinetic vs CycleOps Fluid2
Tubulars vs Tubeless vs Clinchers
Discs vs Cantis

Anna, Ollie, and Danick

While we were busy playing at Whittier Anna (Elite W), Ollie (Cat 2) and Danick (Elite M) were tearing it up in Wisconsin at the TREK CX Cup. Results are here if you missed them.

Photos

My friends Alex and Greg were out taking photos Saturday. Check back later for a link.
Alex's photos here.
Greg's photos here.

If you have photos you'd like to share please send me a link or send the photos and I can create an album for you.

Lost and Found

1) Wheelset left in the pit
2) Hoodie
3) Jacket
4) Tights
5) Track pump
6) Men's shirt
7) Camera lens cap

If any of them are yours email me (gsewell at mymts dot net) with a description so we can arrange to get them back to you. If I don't hear within a couple of weeks the clothes will go to Goodwill.

The Cost Of Organizing

Maybe not the cost you anticipate. Yes it is expensive in terms of dollars to host a cyclocross race and extremely expensive in terms of hours needed, but here I'm talking about the physical cost of setting up the course and running the race.

Those organizers who commit to a well run race have always known that there is a physical and mental cost to be borne. We're all volunteers who do it because we love the sport and without professional organizers there's no way around that. We just accept that our worst race of the year will be our own, but how much is the handicap? This year I've used a power meter on my cross bike for the first time and the cost at least to me seems to be 30 watts. Not insubstantial.

Nationals

I'm pleased to announce we were able to raise almost $1500 for Nationals (almost $1000 from the race and as promised a matching amount of a further $500) PLUS also offer a substantial prize purse.

Prizing

Prize Purse:
$620

Depth of prizing:
One level per every 5 competitors (one per every 3 in women's) to a maximum of five deep.

CX 1/2 Men  (5 of 28  -  $60->$20)
Jason Wiebe
Chris Prendergast
David Hamm
Dylan Harris
Matthew Blenkinsopp

CX 3 Men (5 of 30  -  $40->$20)
Scott Snider
Kailen Shackleton
Trevor Ketler
Travis Malcolm
Bob Friesen

CX 2/3 Women (3 of 7  -  $40->$20)
Becca Mann
Charlene Guenter
Sonia Tessier

CX 4 Men (5 of 30  -  $30->$10)
Ron Neufeld
Cody Brown
Gord Dalling
Chris Harrington
Steven Hawrysh

CX 4 Women (4 of 13  -  $30->$10)
Cindy Brown
Zoe Penno
Miriam Huebner
Cheryl Koop


Look for Gary Sewell next weekend at Southern Cross.

Thank You

Thanks to all who came out and helped us achieve a Thanksgiving record!

My deepest thanks to co-organizer Jarret LaBuick, Tania Gottschalk, Dave Dorning, Seema Saini, and Dave Bartel who gave whole days or more and asked nothing more than just tell us what needs to be done.

Big thanks to:
- Chris Harrington, Tom Slymkevich, Daniel Enns, Darcy Beer for hours of help with set-up.
- our awesome registration crew: Michael Feldschmid, Alex Reinhardt, Mike Ducharme, George Kroupa, Leslie Anthony, Sheila Cailleau, Bonnie Penno, and Karen De Blonde.
- race commentator extraordinaire Steve Scoles
- medics Darcy Beer and Patrick Palfreeman
- commissaires Nicola Bistyak, Deanne Weibe, and Scott Wiebe
- Karl Thordarson of the City of Winnipeg
- and anyone else who chipped in with fixing tape, marshalling, or just being awesome

There is a tradition in the cyclocross community of helping tear down at the end of the race. If you're not helping tear down sometimes you're not really getting it. A huge thanks to all those that just jumped in to help; Darcy, Fernie, and especially Tom, Dave B, Marc Fournier, Seema, Albert Falk, and Cam McLaren who after a long day stayed a good couple hours after the race till everything was done.


We'll see you all next year at our traditional date on the penultimate weekend of October. I can't promise 25 degree weather, but we'll have our usual European flair with free wieners/sausages for racers AND spectators and as has been our tradition some fabulous draw prizes.

The timers had planned to use electronic timing, but ran into some technical difficulties.
Results sheets:
CX 1/2 Men
CX 3 Men
CX 2/3 Women
CX 4 Men
CX 4 Women
Citizen
Kidz

Gary Sewell
Race Organizer

Course Maps

Adult Course

Adult Start

Kidz Course

Pain Cave

It'll hurt. You'll love it.

Important Timing Information

There have been a number of issues with race timing lately.

The timers have asked that when you show up on race day to sign-in and show your race licence to the commissaires that you also bring:
1) your numbers
2) your helmet with the timing chip attached

This is for your benefit. Racers have been passing along incorrect information (race numbers and/or chip numbers) requiring the timers and officials to spend hours trying to adjust results. That is going to end. Incorrect number will equal no result. Make sure your effort is properly rewarded by bringing your chip and numbers along to the registration desk.

At 15 minutes prior to start time (5 minutes before seeding), riders will be asked to assemble by the timing structure to test that their chip is working and then will move directly to call-up by seeding. Note: this process will just ensure that your chip is being picked up by the timer. It won't associate the chip with you. That has to be done at the registration desk as above.

CrossTastic 2015 Race Info

We're keeping it tight and simple again this year in order to support Cyclocross Nationals. Get in, get some good hard laps in before Provincials and Nationals, tear down, and get out. All proceeds will go to Cyclocross Nationals and like last year I'll make a matching donation up to $500.

Links are up. Please note the race bible has been updated with new information on timing. See the bottom of the post.

Volunteers: We need race day volunteers please to work the registration desk from 10:30 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 2:30.
-We also need a medic, ideally from 11 until the end of the A event, but if someone could help from 1:00 until the end of the B event that would also help. We will supply a first aid kit. The medic will have a first aid area in a prime vantage point at the top of the hill. The odds of being called upon are slim. There is a $70 honorarium if someone takes the full shift.
-If you can help please email me at gsewell at mymts dot net

Registration: opens at 10:30 and closes 30 minutes before your race. Links to Waivers and Race Bible are below. EVERYONE will need to hand in a signed waiver. Please print out and bring a completed waiver to the race. It will speed things up for everyone.

Licenced Riders Only: All riders require an MCA/UCI race licence or citizen's licence. All rider's must show their licence to the commissaires and sign in.

Fee: $25 for all riders except Kidz Race. As per last year, net proceeds will go to support Cyclocross Nationals. No pre-registration. On site only. Cash only please (That means no cheques. Thank you.)

Schedule:
10:30 - registration opens
11:00 - course open for pre-riding*
12:00 - C Event
 1:00 - Kidz Race
~1:30 - course open for pre-riding
 2:00 - B Event
 3:00 - A Event

*if there is enough time between races pre-riding may also be allowed immediately following the C and B Events.
*cross has lots of cool people, but unless you're one of the volunteers setting up and have been cleared to do so pre-riding the course the day or morning before the course officially opens is never cool.

Categories:

Category	Event	Race Time	Race Day Fee*
Citizen Licence	C	12:00	$25
CX4 Men	C	12:00	$25
CX4 Women	C	12:00	$25
Kids (10 and younger)	Kidz	1:00	Free
CX3 Men	B	2:00	$25
CX2/3 Women	B	2:00	$25
CX1/2 Men CX1 Women	A	3:00	$25

*cash only please. Sorry no cheques, no credit cards.

Kidz Race is 1 or 2 laps of the Kidz course
C event is ~30 minutes
B event is ~40 minutes
A event is ~60 minutes

Safety:

You must wear your helmet whenever on your bike.

The race takes place in an active and open city park. Keep your head up at all times.

Next Year:
Next year we'll return to our traditional weekend on the penultimate Sunday of October and the full on BBQ will be back. We may even give away 5 bikes again!

Race Bible is here.

U18 waiver is here.

Adult waiver is here.

Carbon Ridley For Sale - ** SOLD **

Black Ridley X-Fire that served as my back-up bike.
Fits like a 54 road bike.
Carbon frame and fork. Ritchey carbon WCS seatpost. Crazy light EuroX Magnesium brakes. FSA KForce Light carbon crank set (172.5). 46/36 rings. SRAM Force carbon 10 speed groupo.

It's the little upgrades to make it faster or lighter that quickly kill you: KForce Light $900, EuroX Mag brakes $400, tubular wheels and tires $1000. Original build without the Zipps was just over $5500. The Zipps and pedals are not part of the sale. Saddle will be Fizik Antares.

$1775 with wheels (alloy tubulars with Sapim cx-ray bladed spokes and brand new Dugast Typhoons) or $1475 without. The wheels and tires themselves are worth $1000. Note the tires are 34mm which is legal in Manitoba Cross and so new I'll have to glue them up for you (which will take a couple of days before you can ride them).

For comparison a bare frame and fork are available on EBay right now (in a smaller size) for $1000 with shipping, not including import charges/taxes.

email me (gsewell at mymts dot net) if you have questions

CrossTastic 2015

We're going to be "Turkey Cross" again this year to accommodate Nationals. Same idea and categories as last year; try to keep it quick and simple and proceeds will go to supporting Nationals. It is a bit of an awkward date for us so I hope you can help us by racing and volunteering. More to come.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Thanks to everyone, especially our awesome volunteers. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I'll have the results up later today.

CX1/2 Men
CX1/2/3 Women
CX3 Men
CX4 Men
CX4 Women
Citizen

Course

1100 stakes and miles of tape. Fast, flowing, and lots of pain. Hope you enjoy it.

Waivers and Race Bible

EVERYONE will need to hand in a waiver. Please print and fill out ahead of time to help speed things up for everyone.

Waivers have been formatted to print on normal 8.5 x 11 letter size paper.
Adult waiver is here.
U18 waiver is here.

Race Bible is here.

Volunteers

We need a few volunteers please to help the commissaires at the finish line and with registration (10:30-2:00). Ideally we'll split those jobs up so you'll only be needed for about 2 hours and we'll try to ensure that if your child or significant other is racing that you'll be able to see the end of their race.
Please email me at gsewell at mts dot net if you can help out.

Registration

Registration will open at 10:30 and close 30 minutes prior to your race. As soon as registration closes I will post the updated seeding list for your race. Please see below for important information about seeding for this race.

Seeding

With the last points available to propel you to the front of the cyclocross cup you'll want to be seeded as far up as possible.

As there is no pre-reg, seeding will be done the old fashioned way: you'll need to initial the TWO seeding lists by your name at registration. Marshalling will take place 10 minutes before your scheduled start time. One of the lists will be posted ahead of marshalling to give you an idea of what row you are in.

Sorry we need to keep this tight. If you don't initial the seeding lists because;

• You forgot - you'll get to start from the back
• You couldn't find the list - you'll get to start from the back
• You missed marshalling - you'll get to start from the back
• You thought someone said you don't need to sign the seeding sheet- you'll get to start from the back
• You thought we weren't seeding - you'll get to start from the back
• Anything else - well you get the idea

Race Day Details

You'll need to print out the waiver and bring it to the race. If you could please do that ahead of time that will speed things up on race day. The waiver will be up late tonight.

Here is the schedule:

Category	Event	Race Time	Race Day Fee*
Citizen Licence	C	12:00	$20
CX4 Men	C	12:00	$20
CX4 Women	C	12:00	$20
Kids	Kidz Race	1:00	Free
CX3 Men	B	1:30	$20
CX1/2/3 Women	B	1:30	$20
CX1/2 Men	A	2:30	$20

*cash only please

Pre-Riding: the course will be open for pre-riding at 11:00.

Kidz Race is 1 or 2 laps of the Kidz course
C event is ~30 minutes
B event is ~40 minutes
A event is ~60 minutes

CrossTastic 2014 is TurkeyCross

CrossTastic has moved from it's traditional weekend this year to accommodate Cyclocross Nationals. This is the Saturday of the long weekend so we're keeping it tight and focused and going to run it throwdown style (meaning we need help from the community; set-up, race, tear down, and we're outta there). With lots of hands it'll seem like nothing at all.

Traditionally cyclocross is very community based and we need volunteers to make it happen this year; the equivalent of three volunteers from 11:00 till about 3:30 to help with registration and to help the commissaires with the finish line. Each position can be shared amongst people.

This year it's all about the racing. Get in, have an awesome race, and get out so there's lots of time for the weekend. This will also be the last of the five cyclocross cup races. There will be no pre-reg. Just $20 cash at the desk. All proceeds will go to support Cyclocross Nationals. Sorry, there's no open race this year. You need a licence.

Whittier Park is the last original local cross venue and the longest continuously running Manitoba cyclocross race.

More details to follow.

Lost

Dave Dorning lost his wallet while working on the course. It's grey in colour. If you happened to find it please let me know.

Results

Thanks to all our great volunteers and especially Qualico Communities and Unicity Eye Clinic. See you all next year.

Results are here.

Cyclocross Number Return Sunday

A reminder that Sunday, we'll be collecting numbers after people race and handing back deposits.

We'll set up beside wherever registration is. Numbers should be returned without pins in them. We will launder them on return.

We'll be around for only a short time after the 60 minute race, so riders should make a note to return them immediately after their race.

If you can't make it to The Forks on Sunday anyone can bring your numbers in for you.

BTW There were a couple issues with results, but they will be up soon.

2013 Course

The course is set. It's fast. It's challenging. It's awesome. You can start pre-riding at 11:00.

Big thanks to Jarret LaBuick, Anne-Marie Palfreeman, Daniel Enns, David Dorning, Seema Saini, Jane Payment, and Allan Robertson.

Gold Sponsor: Qualico Communities

Qualico Communities has joined long term sponsors FOG Cycling Club and Unicity Eye Clinic allowing us to hold an open race, provide free food for everyone (racers, volunteers, spectators), and give away two cyclocross wheel sets!

Prizes

You can't have enough wheels if you've a cyclocross racer. We're giving away two sets of hand built wheels from Revolution Wheelworks (value about $1300); one tubular, one clincher. The tubular pair has been upgraded to Sapim CX Ray spokes, about the best spokes you can buy. These are light and strong wheels with aluminum rims so you don't have to worry about switching around brake pads. Perfect for cyclocross.

Michael Van Den Hamm on Revolution

Please lend a hand with course clean up. Prizes will be drawn for AFTER the course is taken down. You must be present to win. Prizes are only available to fully licenced racers who paid the full pre-reg or race day fees or season pass (CX1 to 4 men and women).

Make sure to take a card when you sign in, write your name on the back, and deposit it in the box.

Pre-registration is open

Pre-registration is open and will close Friday night at 11:59 pm.

Details

Sunday October 27 at Whittier Park

Thanks to our friends at Qualico we will have open and kids races.

Category	Event	Race Time	Pre-Reg Fee	Race Day Fee
Open  (riders without an MCA licence)	Open	12:00	$20	$35
Citizen Licence	C	12:45	$10	$20
CX4 Men	C	12:45	$20	$35
CX4 Women	C	12:45	$20	$35
Kids (10 and younger)	Kids	1:45	Free	Free
CX3 Men	B	2:30	$20	$35
CX1/2/3 Women	B	2:30	$20	$35
CX1/2 Men	A	3:30	$20	$35

Pre-Registration:

At CCNBikes.com

Pre-registration closes at 11:59 pm on Friday October 25th.

Race Day Registration:

- Opens at 11:00 am and closes 30  minutes before your event

Sign-In:

-Opens at 11:00

-All riders, including those that pre-registered, must sign-in

Free European weiners and sausages, hot chocolate, and coffee for everyone: racers, volunteers, and spectators!

Please read the race bible here for more complete information.

The race waiver is here.

CrossTastic 2013

CrossTastic 2013 will take place on Sunday, October 27th. Whittier Park is the longest continuously running cyclocross race in Manitoba.

In the CrossTastic tradition there will again be free European weiners and drinks for everyone, riders, volunteers, spectators...

And of course there will some over the top prizes. Stay tuned!

More Photos

David Coughlin. Love the burrs!

More photos. This time from Greg McNeill.

Updated Results

There were a couple of errors in the results.  Updated complete results are here.

In the Senior Men's race Zach Peters was 5th and Jonathan Millions 6th.

Tidying Up

Results:
Full results here. Note that the order of finishers that was initially reported on Sunday for the Senior Men's race was incorrect. These results reflect the correct order based on the official time sheets. Our apologies.

All the Pain and All the Exhilaration:
The race in pictures here.

Lost and Found:
Found: A pair of gloves and a pair of shoes.
Lost: "2 umbrellas, 1 black, 1 kids green patterned. If you picked them up pls let me know. Thanks." vpat.peters@gmail.com

Odds and Ends:
In the excitement of all the racing there are a couple of unsettled IOUs. Please contact me to clear things up. Thanks.

CrossTastic Photos

Some great photos from Rod Colwell, Jared Falk, Mark Reimer, and Jonathan Millions.

The rooster is pretty sweet, but with apologies to my good friends at Dark Red err Brown err Whatever Racing THIS is still the sweetest skinsuit in the world.

Young Luc in the sweetest skinsuit demonstrating what probably wasn't the most popular line.

Black is slimming. Too bad the new Rabobank err FOG skinsuit isn't.

Thanks

Thanks to everyone! I would have been completely lost without Jarret LaBuick, Dave Dorning, Seema Saini, and Daniel Enns. Big, big thanks to Ian Hall, Martin Krowina, Sheila Terrien, Nicola Bistyak, Alan Robertson, Steve Scoles, Arlene Woodcock, Moni Robertson, Anne-Marie Palfreeman, Qualico, and many many more. Congratulations to all our champions.

Please Download A New Waiver

I goofed. There was a small error with the waiver. If you already downloaded one please download a new one. If you have yet to download one, the new one is here.

Saturday Update

48 person hours of work, 750 stakes, 15,000 feet of tape, and we'll be back at it early tomorrow morning. The course looks great. The rain softened the grass just a little so we're not riding on bumpy green concrete. The grass isn't slick at all. The river bank section is slick in spots. Confidence will help, but don't get too confident. There is no mud pit. Bikes and wheels will definitely get dirty, but I rode it yesterday in jeans and today is a little drier yet. It is a little narrower at times than I would normally accept, but we are severely limited as to where and where we cannot ride. The wall will have you cursing. See you tomorrow. Should be awesome.

Friday Update

The course is in great shape and the forecast looks perfect. The rain this week is a godsend and means we'll actually get to race on grass instead of green concrete. The course by the way is different than years past.

The rain does make the course a little fragile. We are guests of the City of Winnipeg and responsible for any damage we create. Pre-riding will therefore be limited. I'm aiming for 11:30 or 12:00 on Sunday. Check at the registration desk for when the course is open. Please, absolutely no pre-riding on the course before then. Violators will be disqualified or given time penalties.

Forms

Waiver here.

Grocery Shopping

Ringing cowbells takes a lot of energy. At CrossTastic we've always made sure we feed the masses; free coffee, hot chocolate, and european wieners and sausages for everyone who comes out; racers, spectators, volunteers... everyone. 8 dozen Oktoberfest sausages, 10 dozen European wieners, 5 dozen jumbo hotdogs, 2 dozen vegan dogs for the veg-heads, litres of German Ketchup, 3 kinds of German mustard, litres and litres of coffee and hot chocolate... I used to worry about choosing whole wheat or white hotdog buns. Now I just walk into the store and take everything they have; white and whole wheat.

Eat, drink, and be merry on us. And ring those cowbells!

Citizen Correction

I noticed an error in the race fees for citizen riders. If you've pre-registered you'll be credited $10 back when you sign in.

The Last Open Race

Sunday is the last open race of the cross season; open in that anyone without a race licence can compete in the open race.

This is a bit of an experiment for the cross committee. Open races cost the organizer a lot of money in additional insurance. We'd like to offer more open races, but they often put us in the hole. Turnout at this race will determine how many open races we continue to offer. If you'd like to see more open races drag your friends out.

Registration is Open

2012 Cross Provincials Details

Cross-Tastic IV

Sunday October 21, 2012

Location: Whittier Park

Provincials are different than every other cyclocross race of the season. In the other races riders compete in categories that are determined by ability. In Provincials categories are determined by age and gender (except the Kidz and Open/Citizen races). Remember that all categories are based on your age as of the END of 2013.

You must possess a race licence (not a citizen licence) to participate in the championship races. Out of province racers are welcome, but only Manitoba registered racers are eligible for medals. Non championship races will be held for those without a race licence.

Open Races (no licence required)
12:30 - Kidz Fun Race     - 2 mini laps
  1:00 - Open/Citizens race     - 30 minutes

Provincial Championships (race licence required)
 2:00 - 13 and 14 year olds (M/F)     - 40 minutes
           - 15 and 16 year olds (M/F)     - 40 minutes
           - junior, senior, and master women     - 40 minutes
           - 40+ Men     - 40 minutes
           - 50+ Men     - 40 minutes
 3:15 - 17 and 18 year old Men    - 60 minutes
           - Espoir (U23) Men    - 60 minutes
           - Senior Men    - 60 minutes
           - 30+ Men    - 60 minutes

Registration/sign-in will open at 11:00 and close 30 minutes before your race.
Groups will be assembled in aged tiers (faster groups to slower groups).
Medal presentation will take place after course tear down.

Kidz race: free, register on site
Pre-reg: $25 (Closes 8:00 p.m. Oct. 20th)
Race day reg: $35 cash only
All proceeds to the cyclocross committee.

All riders must use a CSA certified bike helmet. You may not use studded tires, bar ends, or aero bars (time trial bars) in any of the races. See the cross blog for other rules.
Free european sausages and weiners as well as hot chocolate for everyone: racers, volunteers, and spectators.

Volunteers are still required to help with registration. If you can help please email gsewell at mts dot net.

2012 Cyclocross Provincials

CrossTastic will be the host event for 2012 Manitoba Cyclocross Provincials on Sunday October 21st.

Stay tuned for details.

Thank You

Thanks to everyone who came out and to everyone who helped out. Big, big thanks to Jarret Labuick, Dave Dorning, Seema Saini, and Brad Enns who put in a full days work Saturday and were out early again on Sunday and still the last to leave after the race. Results and more thanks coming.

Prize Winners:
Frame and fork: Tim Loewen
TRP brakes: Vanessa Peters
Keg gift certificate: JP Peters

PRIZES

Over $1000 dollars worth of stuff.

Of course we're giving away a bike frame.

- 1st prize: Frame and fork - Redline Conquest Pro (or similar) choice of size
- 2nd prize: TRP EuroX brakes
- 3rd prize: $50 KEG gift certificate

Prizes will be drawn after the course is torn down. You must be personally present to win.

Cross-Tastic III

Cross-Tastic III takes place Sunday October 23, 2011 at Whittier Park. Volunteers are always appreciated. Contact gsewell@mts.net


Times:

Kids (U11): 12:30 PM

Race C (CX 4 men, CX 4 women, citizen): 1:15 (20 min + 1 lap)

Race B (CX 1,2,3 women and CX 3 men): 2:15 (30 min + 2 lap)

Race A (Elite men): 3:00 (45 min + 2 laps)

Cost:

$15. Cash only.

$5 for citizen racers holding an MCA citizen license. Cash only.

Kids race: free.

Race bible here
Registration form here
Waiver here

More details to follow. See you Sunday!

Minnesota State Championships