Greetings, 'cross fans. I've been taking a fair number of inquiries from our neighbors to the north (Canadians), primarily about licensing. The short, easy answer is: No, you don't need one! The entry fee you see is the entry fee you get. Insurance is all inclusive.

I'm taking away a few things from these inquiries. One, there is widespread demand in our region for cyclocross races in January. This is not a national issue. It is a Northwest problem! Canadian CX Nationals have been in November, and in 2009 were in freakin' October. That is a problem! U.S. Nationals are two weeks before Christmas. That is a problem! I don't know where Mexico stands, but we've got to get with the Euro program!

There have been a few rumors circulating that U.S. Nationals may one day soon be moved to January, and plenty of surveys have come back with the majority of riders wishing to continue racing into the new year. We agree, and Bellingham is here to show you the way! We've been racing on snow and ice at Nationals every year in my memory since RI in 2005, so what's the diff? On the flip side, temps hit the mid-60s (18ºC) at 7 p.m. today, so we can't exactly say this is not 'cross weather!

The other takeaway is that there needs to be more 'cross pollination between the B.C. and Washington cyclocross scenes. In fact, myself and another B.C. promoter already have a Cross Border Clash concept in the works for 2010! This smells like a good healthy battle brewing, starting with Chilly Cross.

Another interesting reaction I've been getting from folks when talking about this weekend is my use of the word “exclusive” to describe the party on Saturday. The only thing exclusive about it is the limitation to people who attend Chilly Cross and one guest! There are two reasons for this: 1) I am using every incentive possible to get people out to Cornwall Park in January, and 2) with free food & beer on the menu, I have to limit it in some way to those who participated in the series. Spectating counts nearly as much as racing! If you are on the scene at Cornwall Park, you are in the cool club.

Speaking of Belgium and racing in January, Steve Fisher has just returned to Bellingham last week from a successful January racing campaign in Euro Cross Camp VII, one of several such journeys for him in his career as an Elite Junior and now U23 rider. Look for him to not only challenge for the A win on Saturday, but perhaps tell you a few tales at the after party!