.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Turin)

Luke et al,

It’s likely that this will get lost in the internet ether, though I hope not.

I’m sitting here having a beer or three and considering the end of my own cx season in the NE, primarily in NY and NJ.  I raced my first cx race in Chicago, and I raced road out there for 4-5 years and got to know the guys in the group ride and race scene.

They say that the key spots for cx in the country are the NW and the NE, but let me take a moment to tell you all something you likely already know. 

You are doing it right.  Your series is something extra special.

I had the lucky opportunity to visit Chicago over the Jackson Park weekend and jump in the race, and I had a thoroughly wonderful experience.  Coming back to the NE has done nothing to match that experience. 

i’ve had a great season personally, and I’ve done some stellar races—well-run and well-attended.  However, keeping tabs on your series through race reports and photos, it is clear that you’ve had a season that beats mine hands down.

The consensus seems to be hat this was the year that took the Chicago series from fun local subculture to full-fledged phenomenon.  You had exceptional crowds.  You sold out TWO 4s fields week after week.  Your spectator participation was off the charts.  Everyone loved the races, and you made multiple noobs not only feel welcome, but you transformed them into celebrities.

Now, I’m not one to suspect all good things of turning to sold-out catastrophes before they barely get off the launch pat, but for godsakes don’t change a thing! 

You have this thing figured out.  Do not turn it into some horrible aberration of its former self.  Purity is a too-frequently idealized load of horseshit (so says some philosopher), but the Chicago cx series is pure pleasure, pure fun, pure positivity. 

Keep it that way.  Keep loving the sport and each other. 

Damn, I wish I was there for every race instead of just one.  But I can tell you this: you made one displaced Chicagoan super, super proud.  These NYC jerks have been getting an earful about how things are done in the Midwest and how they’re done right—I promise you that.

Ok, enough gushing.  Time for a refill.

-Chris

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Turin)

You mock me.