The Cyclocross Mafia is pleased to announce another $800 donation to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Through partnership with MOB Racing and the Des Moines Cyclocross Weekend, a generous donation was made from the event promoters.

Through promotion of cyclocross racing in Iowa the past seven years, the Cyclocross Mafia has donated nearly $7,000 to the organization and helped raise visibility of the disease through the midwest.

Fixie Commuting This Fall

I've had a good time relaxing and not riding my bike because I have to, but because I want to. I've decided that bike racing is not something I care much for anymore, so may as well do what I enjoy. This year I've tried a few new things...

1. Bagged It - Rode 150 miles in 24 hours with a fully-loaded touring cyclocross rig. RAGBY with Kent Carlson, Sam Lopez and Ryan Hanser was wicked. I forgot I could have so much fun riding so slow. Definitely in the gameplan for next year.
2. Fixed It - I still need to punch Andy Lueke in the face, but I guess I can let bygones be past at this point. Despite the fact riding a fixie takes talent and finesse, both of which I'm lacking, I've gotten pretty good at it. Charlie Wittmack gave me the pointers on a good kickstop and I could barely walk a day later from sore hips and hammies. This is definitely my fave mode for cruising around town now.
3. Ride As One - Three of my bikes are now 1x1. It's a choice of equipment, not a bike racing category.

Definitely adopting my new mantra for the rest of the year... exbikeracer

How Close is Des Moines to Valhalla?

I pulled this from Outside a few years ago as a quasi-report card for our progress as a community. We're getting there.

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VALHALLA

Somewhere between a community's basic necessities (good schools, low crime, reasonable real estate) and its most coveted luxuries (singletrack in the backyard, Class III whitewater on the outskirts of town) are the little perks that can make the difference between a fine outdoor-sports town and a downright dreamy one. Here's our highly subjective recipe for perfection, the ingredients in no particular order: 

* Seasonal farmers market 

* Outdoor lap pool 

* Artsy movie house 

* Bike lanes 

* natural-foods grocery 

* Resident oddballs 

* Water running through it 

* Climbing gym 

* International-magazine newsstand 

* Plans to fight sprawl 

* Clean air 

* Outdoor music venues 

* Dog parks 

* Local parades 

* Alternative weekly 

* Good local public radio 

* Fresh-fish vendor 

* Outdoor-skills clinics 

* Juice bar 

* Summer mountain-bike racing series 

* Minor League baseball 

* Big trees 

* Sunshine

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LAST MINUTE PREP FOR TOMORROW'S CCFA PRESENTATION.

I'll be presenting the keynote "IBD for Dummies: Perspective From a Dummy." Basically, it is asking what is IBD to the uninformed (moi)? Honestly it is no different than any other health issue out there, whether cancer, heart disease, diabetes - it is important to talk about the disease, treatment, coping and connecting.

Also, I'll be talking with youth & teens about "If You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It." It is a quote from Yogi Berra, but says a lot about Crohn's and Colitis. What did Crohn's and Colitis take from you? What did it give to you? I contend it gives people a voice - something to talk about and help spread information and acceptance within the community.

In other news, I've started physical therapy for my quadricep and IT band pain. Looks like some lack of stretching is coming back to haunt me. Oops.

Learn more at the CCFA Iowa website. 

We took over Newton with cyclocross once again! Thanks to the racers, family, friends, volunteers, Rick Paulos, and our sponsors for the sweet prizes and schwag! 

Cash prizes were supported by UME COMPETE - stay tuned for more information about this exciting organization!

The Jasper Winery had a case of their finest for sampling and prizes for the Masters and Women's winners.

Greg Rasmussen and the gang at Rasmussen Bike Shop sponsored killer schwag and prizes - also providing the great sound system.

Active Endeavors has joined in a big way as supporters of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter and threw out some great gift cards.

Bike World Merle Hay had a HUGE box of schwag to distribute.

Thanks to Goodtimes Mfg and Garrett Davis Graphic Design logos...check out the great shirts at the cool 'cross kids this fall!

Graziano's Italian Grocery in Des Moines and Hy-Vee in Newton supplied great Italian Sausage patties, hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. Thanks to my father, Tom Hollander, for running the grill for racers and fans all day!

Oakley had a great schwag bag for the raffle!

Court Avenue Brewery threw us a keg of their famed India Pale Ale and three growlers of Root Beer for Junior winners.

And the raffle was the best part of the day - we gave away two cyclocross bicycles from Rasmussen Bike Shop and Specialized to Lane Anderson (TriCross Sport) and Steve Fuller (Singlecross). Congrats to the other TEN winners of BOS Schwag bags! Thanks to everyone who participated so we could make yet another great donation to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter.

YOU'RE ALL RACING AND I'M NOT!

Knee is totally screwed up, so as they say, "are you racing for the next two weeks, or twenty years?" I'll take the latter and get a professional to look at it next week.

So that means I'll be cheering and jeering everyone on tomorrow - see you in the morning!

G-Marco

Cross Raffle 2008 Final List - the final 48 tickets will be sold on Sunday at the race. Drawings will be after the final event!

1. Randy Catron
2. Mitch Matthews
3. Brent Hauser
4. Dave Olson
5. Kyle Sedore
6. Kyle Sedore
7. Cara Hamann
8. Matt Gumm
9. Matt Gumm
10. Travis Jass
11. Cully Todd 
12. Taylor Webb
13. Taylor Webb
14. Chad Vandelune
15. Todd Gillihan
16. Jimmy DeMatteis
17. Jimmy DeMatteis
18. Doug Klahsen
19. Amy Jardon
20. Jeff Corcoran
21. David Vanderhorst
22. Kurt Benson
23. Kurt Benson
24. Sheri Robinson
25. Tre Wilson
26. Molly Wince
27. Steve Fuller
28. Mike Johnson
29. Mike Johnson
30. Mike Johnson
31. Mike Johnson
32. Jamie Jorgensen
33. Darcy Sanford
34. Molly Wince
35. Jerome Rewerts
36. Matt Scotton
37. Barbara Hardy
38. Duke Reichardt
39. Paul Kruse
40. Tom Eaton
41. Mike Shumway
42. Mike Shumway
43. Mark Easler
44. Jason Plunkett
45. Jason Plunkett
46. Rik Shannon
47. Rachelle Little
48. Rachelle Little
49. Kristen Burgess
50. Kristen Burgess
51. Michelle Pohlmeyer
52. Michelle Pohlmeyer

Two days to go before we take over Newton with cyclocross once again! I made the rounds to our sponsors and picked up some sweet prizes and schwag yesterday. 

Cash prizes are supported by UME COMPETE - stay tuned for more information about this exciting organization!

I stopped by the Jasper Winery  to see the Groben family, try out their incredible new Norton red, and get a tour of the new facility. Wow - it is totally incredible what they did. It is like stepping off Flagg Parkway and into Napa! Kudos on the great space and look forward to some great events going on, too! Let's just say I have a case of their finest ready for  Sunday 

 Greg Rasmussen and the gang at Rasmussen Bike Shop are truly special. I've had the pleasure of working with them since developing the Waterworks Park Omnium a few years ago. They stepped up in a big way to make bike racing rise to a whole new level with their support and AWESOME sound system to make us look legit. They're helping us with the raffle yet again and providing some prizes on the day as well.

 Active Endeavors has joined in a big way as supporters of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter. I picked up some excellent gift cards from Jason and Missy yesterday and a pair of running sandals I've had my eye on for the last year. That's what it is all about - supporting the businesses that support you!

Justin at Bike World Merle Hay is one of my all-around favorite guys. He's the most loyal and giving supporter I know. I've had the opportunity to really work with him at the store and the Warehouse Sales. He knows his stuff about bikes, product selection and how support the sport. Let's just say I've got a BIG box of stuff to open on Sunday!

I don't have the Goodtimes Mfg and Garrett Davis Graphic Design logos... if they even have 'em ;) but, Terry, Angela and G have been fantastic in designing and putting together the most rad cyclocross t-shirt around. It is humbling to hear how much people prize these things - so I'm going to enjoy distributing over 100 this weekend!

 

Graziano's Italian Grocery in Des Moines and Hy-Vee in Newton are being so kind to help us out with something I've wanted to do for years! My dad will be grilling Italian Sausages, hamburgers and hot dogs on the course on Sunday (yes, like in Belgium!) - so if you think cyclocross is tough... wait until Sunday. We'll take it to a whole new level when you're drooling from the pain and salivating for a good sammich!

Oakley has had the best product on the planet for as long as I can remember and it is always getting better. Check out the latest Radars and specs on the market. They fit great and look rad! Oakley has always been a huge supporter of cyclocross. Thanks for the great O-wear and support.

I'll hear from Mike G. at Court Avenue Brewery this afternoon, but expect a big can of hoppy goodness for the big kids and some root beer for the little kids. I won't tell you how much sugar goes into the root beer, so the kiddie's reaction will be a surprise!

Oh yeah - We made the Newton Daily News yesterday! CHECK IT OUT!

So... you wondering what Godfather G has in store for you this weekend?

Rock out and props to the man! See him here:

http://ridewithgarrett.wordpress.com/

T-shirts courtesy of Terry Beenken and Angela at Goodtimes Mfg.

I am excited to announce another seriously cool raffle for a 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport Cyclocross Bike courtesy of Rasmussen Bike Shop and other prizes as a fundraiser for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, Iowa Chapter.

I would like to offer tickets to cyclocross supporters to win this bike. The winner of the bike* will have their new rig ordered to size by Rasmussen Bike Shop and the envy of every racer out there.

We will have runner-up prizes including:
***2009 Specialized Tricross Singlecross Cyclocross Bike
***Oakley Schwag Pack
***Bike World Schwag Pack
***Copy of Simon Burney's updated Cyclo-Cross book - signed by Tim Johnson
***Rasmussen Schwag Pack
***more prizes to be announced!

Buy one, buy ten - I appreciate your support in helping raise funds and awareness for this cause that we believe in and Iowa bikers support strongly - we have donated over $6,000 so far.

What I'm asking is: EMAIL me with the number of tickets you would like to purchase. The tickets are $25 apiece and only 100 will be made available. The raffle will take place on Sunday, October 5 in Newton after the Cross Out Crohn's Intergalactic Cyclocross Championship. Like last year, I will send updates with names and numbers of tickets purchased via BikeIowa, IORCA, and DSM Tri yahoo e-groups.

When the tickets are gone, they are gone!

Thanks in advance - so send me your rsvps for tickets and bring your cash (or check to CCFA Iowa Chapter) to Newton on Sunday, October 5, 2008! (Let me know if you need to mail it.)

Marco
###
The Fine Print: Only 100 tickets will be sold at $25.00 each. Raffle will be held Sunday, October 5, 2008 at Cross Out Crohn's Intergalactic Cyclocross Championship. Grand Prize Winner and Runner-UP need not be present to win. Grand Prize Winner will receive a 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport Cyclocross bicycle (http://twurl.cc/56d). Runner-up winner will receive a 2009 Specialized Tricross Singlecross Cyclocross bicycle (http://twurl.cc/56f). No substitutions. At discretion of Des Moines Cyclocross Mafia, if all tickets are not sold, winner will receive either the Specialized Tri Cross Sport Cyclocross Bicycle or 50% of raffle proceeds as a gift certificate to Rasmussen Bike Shop, West Des Moines , IA. No discounts, offers or coupons may be used with raffle gift certificate. All net proceeds to be donated to the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter upon completion of contest. Des Moines Cyclocross Mafia, Rasmussen Bike Shop, Bike World, Oakley and other sponsors reserve all rights and deny any liability. Raffle Contact: Marc Hollander 515-371-6275 or marcthollander@gmail.com.

So... what is the Cyclocross Mafia? Listen and learn. We'll see you at Mc Rae Park this weekend and in Newton next weekend.

http://www.bigdreamgathering.com/2008/09/another-bdg-pod.html

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Another BDG podcast with BIG dreamers Mark and Rob!

Hey gang -

We've got another inspiring podcast with BIG dreamers Marc Hollander and Rob Versteegh!  (Click here to check out the podcast or hit the Blogtalkradio player below.)

These guys have combined two very different passions to make one BIG dream!

They've taken a passion for a new form of bike racing called "CycloCross" and a passion for growing awareness about Crohn's Disease.

Listen in as you hear about Mark's story of overcoming Crohn's and how Rob has come along side him to put some freakishly cool events together... to get people out... having fun... getting muddy... and growing awareness for Crohn's!

You can check out bikeIowa.com to find out more about their upcoming event in downtown Des Moines on September 27 and 28.

You can also check out Mark and Rob's website at cyclocrossmafia.blogspot.com.

Then, join in the conversation. 

Just click comments below and let us know if you have some ideas, some inspiration or some contacts for Mark and Rob. 

 Thanks for dreaming BIG!

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The Cyclocross Mafia to be recognized by the CCFA Iowa at their 2008 Patient and Family Education Conference on Saturday, October 11, 2008 in Ames Iowa.  Through promotion of cyclocross racing in Iowa the past seven years, the Cyclocross Mafia has donated over $6,000 to the organization and helped raise visibility of the disease through the midwest. 

This one-day conference will feature leading experts discussing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and how they affect the body, the role of the immune system in the diseases, different medications used to treat IBD adn how these medications work in the body and beneficial coping mechanisms used in chronic illness. 

Marc Hollander will be the featured keynote speaker, presenting "IBD for Dummies: Perspective From a Dummy," about the importance of a strong medical team, alternative therapies, diet, activity, and goal-setting. He will also be involved with the Youth and Teen Session - "If You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It." The chat session will be an opportunity for questions and answers about Crohn's, coping, communication with friends and family, and spreading information to their community.

Hollander, diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 1999, is co-director of the Cross Out Crohn's: Intergalactic Cyclocross Championship in Newton, IA on Sunday, October 5. The race will be a fund-raiser for the CCFA, featuring a raffle of a 2009 Specialized TriCross Cyclocross bicycle from Rasmussen Bike Shop. Event sponsors include Court Avenue Brewery, Graziano's Italian Grocery, Jasper Winery, Active Endeavors, Bike World Iowa, Rasmussen Bike Shop, Oakley, UME COMPETE, and Oakley.

More information on the event can be found on the CCFA Iowa Website here.

Just Plain Sexy

This just in from our friends @bikehugger on Twitter. This definitely ain't yo daddy's Raleigh.

THE CYCLOCROSS MAFIA IS GOING INTERGALACTIC IN 2008

The race is a non-profit venture to support the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Iowa.

• Beer by Court Avenue Brewery.

• Fine wines provided by Jasper Winery

• Grilled Italian Sausage Sandwiches by Graziano's Italian Grocery

• Limited Edition Cross Mafia 2008 T-shirts by Godfather Garrett

• 2009 Specialized Cyclocross Bikes Raffle by Rasmussen Bike Shop

• BOS (Bags of Schwag) Raffle by Oakley and Bike World

WHEN: Sunday, October 5:

WHERE: Maytag Park, Newton, IA

Categories Entry Fee Start Time Distance Prizes

Women $30 11:00 AM 45min + 2 laps $125/3

Juniors $15 11:00 AM 45min + 2 laps ROOT BEER

CX 4 $30 12:30 PM 45min + 2 laps PRIZE = :)

CX 1-2-3 $30 2:00 PM 60min + 2 laps $125/3

Masters 30-39 $30 2:00 PM 60min + 2 laps PRIZE = :)

Masters 40-49 $30 2:00 PM 60min + 2 laps PRIZE = :)

Masters 50+ $30 2:00 PM 60min + 2 laps PRIZE = :)

Race Info: Maytag Park, Newton. From I-80, take Hwy 14 North. Turn right onto South

12th Avenue. Turn left at stop sign, then immediate right onto 12th Avenue. Turn left at

West 6th Street (HA Lynn Field) and right onto South 11th Avenue West to Maytag Park.

Cash prizes sponsored by: UME COMPETE

Contact Marc Hollander @ marcthollander at gmail dot com for more info.

www.CyclocrossMafia.blogspot.com

Race supported by MOB racing

Announcing the newest sponsor of the Cross Out Crohn's Cyclocross on Sunday, October 5.

We are excited to have the renowned Jasper Winery come aboard to provide their acclaimed beverages for racers. They specialize in premium quality wines using grapes sourced from vineyards throughout central Iowa.

Visit them online at www.jasperwinery.com

Cyclocross Mafia Announces the "Josh & Jake Comp" for Capitol City Cyclocross and Cross Out Crohn's (Sept 27-28, October 5).

As we've been blessed by some great out-of-state racers the past few years to push our competitive spirit, we're formally starting the Jake Stechman & Josh Johnson comp program*. 

Out-of-staters, please send us your race resume, and we will award four starting positions, gratis, for each race, for two men and two women.

Elites will be posted here the week of September 20.

* Josh & Jake always get comp'd.

Capital City Cross is on!

September 27 - 28

Des Moines, Iowa

www.bikeiowa.com for info

CROSS OUT CROHN'S 2008

Sunday, October 5. 

Maytag Park, Newton, Iowa

Cyclocross Racing on one of Iowa's best courses.

• Beer by Court Avenue Brewery
• Grilled Italian Sausage Sandwiches by Graziano's Italian Grocery
• Limited Edition Cross Mafia 2008 T-shirts by Godfather Garrett
• 2009 Specialized Cyclocross Bikes Raffle by Rasmussen Bike Shop
• BOS (Bags of Schwag) Raffle by Oakley and Bike World

All of this and more, to benefit the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter. 

Kindly brought to you by MOB Racing.

Stay tuned.

I doubt we'll do a Specialized TriCross Pro... but you know some lucky winners will roll out on pimp new cross rides later this fall.

Paul Varnum
Jeff Anker
Doug Klahsen
__RU_NEXT???___

Stay tuned.

Congratulations to Doug Klahsen and Jeff Anker, winners of the 2007 Cross Out Crohn's Cyclocross Raffle. Doug won a Specialized TriCross SingleSpeed and Jeff won a Specialized TriCross Comp, complete with custom fitting by Donny Quixote.

Thanks to Specialized Bicycles, Rasmussen Bike Shop, and Donny Quixote for the support that has helped us provide over $6,500 to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter in the past few years.

Keep your eyes here for big news in the next week about what the Cross Mafia has coming up next!

Pictured: Greg Rasmussen, Doug Klahsen, and Marc Hollander.