With summer coming to a close and winter creeping in, it is time to think about cross training and racing.  What is a better way than to participate in CYCLOCROSS; one of the best ways to stay active and competitive through the fall and and early winter.

The Chicago Cyclocross Cup has a great series and plenty of races:

Sat Sept 13- CX Clinic Chicago IL
September 21- Jackson Park
October 5- DeKalb
October 12- Hawthorn Woods
October 19- Carpentersville
October 26- Bartlett
November 2- St. Charles
November 8 - TBD
November 9- Northbrook
November 16-Lansing
November 23- Woodstock
December 7- Montrose - IL Cyclocross Championships

More info

Colorado host some of the best 50 miler ultra marathons, Leadville, San Juan solstice and the steamboat run rabbit run. If you missed out on the first two Colorado ultras this year you may want to check out steamboat which takes place on Sept. 13 2008.

• What- Steamboats springs 50 miler Ultra run
• When- Sept 13, 2008 6:00 am
• Where- Steamboat Spring ski area
• Why- You will get to run through beautiful mountains and the gorgeous fall colors of the Routt National forest. Also you’ll get to run up to 11,000 and across the continental divide.

*Warning this race is not for a beginner they say you will encounter steep uphills and downhills, two miles at very high altitude, there may be rain, snow, wind, or heat, and the possibility of running into a huge wild animal!

Sign up here

Waterproof Mp3 play designed by Speedo.

Specs

• 1GB (up to 250 MP3 and 500 WMA files)
• Playtime up to 9 hours.
• Available in 3 colors.
• Weight 35g.
• Waterproof compact design (can be used safely down to 3 meters).
• Waterproof earplugs.
• Floats for easy retrieval.
• Ergonomic buttons allow ease of use while swimming.
• Comes with Playlist Editing Software enables quick and easy adding and sorting of music files.
• Easily recharges through PC or laptop through USB port.
• Short ear phone cord for easy wear.

Price-136.99

Gracie’s clothing makes these convenient pocket tanks, for storing your ipod. Doesn’t exactly hide your gear, but a easy spot to store your goods. Also you won’t have to worry about cords wrapping around your arms when you lifting weights.

Specs:

Body-88% Polyester/12% Spandex

Liner-85% Polyester/15% Spandex

Racer Back

Inside liner

Price-39.00

Okay so here is a race that I personally signed up for a couple years ago, paid the money and everything, just didn’t show up for it. I alway regretted this, because I had trained so hard for it, but didn’t train right; I had complete burn out a month before the race and didn’t show. So when I got the email that 2009 reregistration was open, I was completely tempted to try again! I’m still undecided and uncommitted to the idea, but the field is limited to only 400 participates so don’t your all go signing up yet!

What- American triple T Multi day event!

Where- Shawnee State Park Ohio

When- May 22-24 2009

Why- If you are a endurance junkie and love triathlons this is your idea of heaven! Four triathlons over a three day period. Thats right on the second day you will do a triathlon in the morning and then do it again in the evening!

Price-200.00 (so be sure before you sign up!)

Swiss army just released this new knife and its simple and easy use. Plus it has grip pads on the side to keep it from slipping out of your hand.Specs:

3 1/4 ” closed
Double-cut wood saw
2.75″ Blade
Springless scissors Serrated self-sharpening
Locking screwdriver
Cap lifter
Wire stripper
Can opener
Nail file and cleaner
Phillips® head screwdriver
Reamer/Awl
Toothpick
Tweezers
Key ring

Weight 3.1 oz.

Price-42.95

To celebrate they 25th anniversary in the business Zoot releases this are super sweet and very limited sports shoe. The Ali’i Shoe is named after the famous Ali’i drive in Kona. Technically it is the same show as the Ultra race shoe, but with a complete color makeover. The Kona inspired theme is bright and can’t be missed when your racing. There is only 1800 of these babies being released out there each printed with its own number. Pretty cool shoe if you can find it.

Price-150.00

The Gary Fisher Wahoo is a pretty sweet bike and the first model you would use to bring out on the trails! I have been sampling this bike out and loving how it handles. Usually I’m riding specialized, but I decided to try out this Genesis Geometry everyone has been raving about! You feel like your more in a racing position and you weight is over the back tire more making your feel more stable on downhills, its pretty great, I’m reallying lovin’ the position! You can pick up one of these bikes for about 560.00 and even luck out on finding last years model around 450 out the door. This is a great fit for someone looking to not bust there budget and starting out on trail riding!

more info

Sick of seeing you kayak on your garage floor, hang it up! This new kayak hanger is a pretty stylish solution, your gear now becomes artwork!

Specs
-Includes hardware

-Loops for paddle storage

-Extra loops for hanging an additional Kayak hanger to one another

Price-21.00

What- Chicago Flat Water Classic- Canoe and Kayak 7.25 mile race

Where- Chicago River / Start-3400 N. Rockwell - Finish- 300W 19th Street

When- Sunday Oct. 5 2008

Why- Only Canoe and Kayak race to be hosted in the Chicago river. Very scenic Urban paddle; along the way you can check out the North Neighborhoods, goose Island, Skyscrapers of Downtown and finally finish up in Chinatown.

More Info

What- Northstar Resort Downhill Mountain Bike Series

Where- The Village at Northstar/Lake Tahoe

When- 11 AM June 15th 2008

Why- “Tooth Rattling Downhill”

More Info

Is your bike computer screen looking old, dirty and boring. Are you sad that you have a shiny new bike with a crappy lookin’ computer attached to it, wishing it was brighter and matched your ride. Well now it’s possible and as easy as changing the face of your cell phone; with these interchangeable front covers.

Choose from over from 30 styles and colors. Everyone in the peloton will be really jealous!
Price-5.00 (not including Computer)

The Teva games host events in Climbing, biking, kayaking and running; this year there was 30,000 in attendance. Besides getting to race, you get to check out and sample the latest outdoor gear from some of the hottest vendors. The biggest event this year was the World cup Bouldering Competition, where Daniel Woods Took home his third consecutive victory! Fifteen climbers total, ten invited and five qualifiers competed in elimination-style bouldering competition.

Results Pro Bouldering

Men

1. Daniel Woods
2. Paul Robinson
3. Rob D’Anastasio
4. Charles Fryberger
5. Sean McColl

Women

1. Alex Puccio
2. Paige Claassen
3. Angie Payne
4. Laura Griffiths
5. Natasha Barnes

The Muddy Buddy series is the ultimate dirty run/bike race! This series has been around and has blown up now. People consider this the ultimate fun mud run, you can dress up in funky costumes and race in a team format. At the very least you will be covered from head to toe in MUD!

Series

San Jose-June 8th

Atlanta-June21

Richmond-July 13th

Chicago-Aug. 3rd

Boulder-Aug. 17th

More Info-Here

I think its worth the extra weight you would have to carry through a race in order to have a customizable bike tail light!

21×9 LED Taillight with user defined message is a new product by Gleeman.

Price- 65.00

Keep the dirt clean, by thinking about the environment and the products your using for your recreational enjoyment. EnviroMountain sports does just that by releasing a environmentally friendly wax. Whats the big deal you say its just a little wax your put on your board every once in awhile it can’t possibly be hurting the environment. Well if you do the math it quite scary…..think of it like this the US has appx. 60million skiers per year, that is potentially 2.813 million POUNDS of toxic ski wax depositing there chemicals into our ground and water. Think of when the snow melts and it runs into are Mountain springs and into our water bottles we are pretty much drink our own ski wax!Switch you wax to EnviroMountain sports eco-friendly products. Remember Wax on Wax off!

Price- 15.97

Don’t leave home without it!

If you know your going to be traveling and your even in question about the water quality pick yourself up so potable Aqua to mix up in it.

It treats up 25 quarts of water and kills off viruses. Its very light weight as well you can slip into your pocket, make sure you read the directions and follow them!

Price-4.95

Danskin has sponsored the most popular womens only triathlon the last few years and most of the series fills up quickly. There is still time to enter a few of the races, but don’t hesitate because these spots will fill fast!Still Open:

Austin-June 8th

Chicago-June 15th

Denver-June 29th

Races consist of: 1/2 mile swim/12 mile bike/3.1 mile run

Sign up Here