Phil : Do you ever have déjà vu, Mrs. Lancaster?
Mrs. Lancaster : I don’t think so, but I could check with the kitchen.
Why is this race called Groundhog PSI-Clocross? Well, in 1992 the downtown square of Woodstock, IL was used to film the movie Groundhog Day. Rob Curtis and the PSIMET crew have carried some parts of the movie into the venue.
- Registration closes Friday at midnight. There will be day of registration available at a higher price but only through BikeReg.
- Preliminary Staging will be posted here on Saturday.
- Remember that Daylight Savings ends the morning of the race so be sure you have the right time!
- There is plenty of parking throughout the park. As with all previous years there is NO PARKING ON THE GRASS. This is the strictest rule the park and city have for the facility. This also means no vehicles on the grass to drop off gear early in the morning <looks at masters teams>. We say this every year and yet it still ends up being a problem at some point in the day. No cars on grass anywhere for any length of time. Police are ticketing and will patrol throughout the day
- Enter from the Park’s North entrance (Kishwaukee Valley Rd) then you can drive right up to the “tent city” field and drop off gear. The Jackson Entrance will be closed this year. You can park in the lower lot by entering off of South St but will not be able to drive through to the rest of the course or park.
- Speaking of Deja-Vu – Rob had a hankering to see old throwback Chicago Kits this weekend. So if you have an old school kit bring it out and help celebrate Chicago Cycling Heritage.
- There is an Open Event at Noon. The course will be shortened (will stay on the East Side of the course with no road crossings for this even only). Everyone is invited to ride the course. No Fee. 20 Minute event. This is your opportunity to try a cross course or wear a great costume or throwback kit and ride with your friends. We are hoping we can get some of the family friendly circus of the CCC of old to help cheer everyone on. All can participate we just need you to sign up so we have a waiver. Sign up on the BikeReg page.
- Food: Perk and Pickle Food Truck will be on site all day long serving breakfast, lunch and an early dinner if needed. Serving hours will be from 8am-5pm. The menu for race day is available on their site now – https://perknpickle.com/crosstown-classic
- This park has “always” had a “no alcohol” policy. So when you bring in cups for your soda and lemonade PSIMET asks that you pack out what you bring in. It helps PSIMET make sure the park doesn’t think we’re a drinking series with a cycling problem if there aren’t a lot of juice boxes laying around.
- Equipment Pits will be single width and will not use the orange fencing this year. There will NOT be any water or washing facilities at the race though, so if conditions look to be getting worse please plan your own support accordingly. The city sent notice they shut off all the outside water at the park but would turn on one spigot for race day. Maybe you can find it if you’re lucky.
- Weather looks great, but chilly. Please dress and plan accordingly.
- There won’t be much if any daylight left after the last race ends, so please plan accordingly. Also if you can, please help PSIMET tear down the course so they aren’t doing it all in the dark.
- There is an informal Car Show that we are hosting on site like we did last year. If you bring a notable car for display (classic, antique, etc.) we will have an area for you to park at the top of the hill near the food truck. You will also receive a free food truck meal voucher from the PSIMET coordinator.
- As another reminder, if you are pre-riding while anyone is finishing up, please make sure you are NOT inadvertently riding in front of people still racing. Just ride slowly behind them and offer words of encouragement or ring a cowbell. Thanks!
- If you’re interested in looking over the filming locations for the movie there is a great map for self-guided tours here: http://www.woodstockgroundhog.org/walking-tour/
- Remember to use #psiCX on X and Instagram.
- The Course:
A collection of no less than half a dozen pinwheels/toilet bowlsRoughly the same course as last year with a few small modifications.