I think it's great the cross cup is getting big numbers out. I also think that overall course design for the cup hasn't been able to keep up with the numbers. There are much better ways to spread out the field than 100 yard sprints into hairpin bends - IMO this has led to the lunacy of having to line up 30 minutes beforehand. I've raced in 100+ fields before without any major problems, but there the course designers knew what they were doing. Personally, because I 'm such a poor starter, I'm very reluctant to do any race where the front row is given a free 30 seconds.

Yup, Badger prairie didn't have much atmosphere. Cam-rock was much better. Everyone was in a good mood. Free beer does that to you.

My observation is that the WI masters are much deeper and stronger than Chicago. Chicago cat 3s and 4s are much faster than WI though. WI does a better job of bringing better P12 racers out. I think that the Chicago 1/2/3 standard is very poor. With the increased numbers they can afford to increase the payout substantially. Best thing about the cross cup this year is the much larger Cat 4 Women and Juniors fields.

I'm all in favor of roadies doing cross.

fwiw, WI has three Cat 4 races, not one.

See you guys at St. Charles.