Picking up from where we left-off Tuesday is our interview with local race officials Nikki Cyp and Loch Miwa;
Q: As a Race Official, your efforts are certainly not thankless, but they require a great deal of your time – how do you stay motivated?
N: For me personally, it’s being a part of something that is bigger than any one person or specific race. Seeing friends every weekend and getting “it” right so that we all have a fun day. The efforts are worth it when your friends appreciate that you’ve been out there all day helping make it happen and know that you care about making it great. In our cross scene, we have a pretty awesome director, group of promoters, and awesome riders that want to create something that is unique and our own. Being a part of that and helping make it happen is very rewarding at the end of the day. When it seems effortless on race day, it’s because we got it right leading up to the whistle blowing starting the race and we had support from those surrounding us week after week.
L: When you get to the end of the day and suddenly realize that it’s the last race and it seems like you just started. When everything runs smoothly and everybody is having a great time, it’s extremely rewarding to be a part of making that happen. And having the support of Jason Knauff as the CCC director and the entire group of promoters makes it so much easier for us to help them deliver the best possible event for their riders.
Q: You obviously get to work with a LOT of personalities, both professional and amateur – are there any true standout moments with any of them, and what are they?
N: This year in particular has had a few personal moments that have reminded me of how genuine our community is. As some know, my brother had brain surgery earlier this year that included a few complications right as my officialing calendar went into full gear. It meant a lot to have friends like JPow and Molly Cameron ask how he was doing after a busy race day out of the blue when I was stopping by to congratulate them on a good day or wish them good luck for the next. So many riders (especially in cross) from teammates to pros have that “we’re family” kind of personality. The cross family is going to cheer you on and heckle you and support you, and that desires you to want to do the same for them because that’s how it works.
L: For me, it’s seeing riders progress over time – juniors that I knew when they were little kids now riding as elites at the national level; local riders moving to the pro ranks; friends vying for the top spots at national and international events.
Q: Cyclocross has seen explosive growth both locally, and nationally – what challenges do you foresee for the sport in the near future?
N: I think all of us are seeing the explosion, we certainly are here in the CCC. Growing pains of leveling out previous losses to some profits is being worked through by promoters. Dealing with higher raised bars for greatness for events is pointing to wanting better and faster technology. Lap times for riders and instant results postings to emails are all slowly working their way into even amateur race series. For now, it’s focusing on making it through single digit temperatures and falling snow for races that used to end by early December and are now going well into the next year.
L: I think cyclocross is experiencing such rapid growth because it provides an enjoyable experience for everyone at every level. Providing a continually improving “product” that meets those “customer expectations” means continual effort on the part of everyone involved. Finding ways to grow without becoming too big will certainly be challenging.
Q: What do you love the most about our local series?
N: Hands down the people and community atmosphere that has become the Chicago Cross Cup. It evolves each year with direct feedback from our riders, our officials, our promoters, and the even the fans. It’s unique and each year everyone brings something special helping us define it to be our own special blend of greatness.
L: The whole cyclocross community that we have here – it’s getting to spend Sunday with 600+ friends. While we certainly take our roles as officials very seriously, it still somehow manages to feel like a really big party!
Q: What do you think of Nationals being in Madison, WI?
N: Brrrrr! I’m super excited to have Nationals close to our area so I can be there to cheer on so many friends. If I was a racer who had to deal with the elements that a January in Madison brings, I’m pretty sure I’d be less thrilled but even that is a different strength some riders will be bringing to the race. I’m going to enjoy that it’s close and being able to be there to cheer friends and teammates on, and begin saving up for future destination venue road trips!
L: I’m trying to figure out what clothes I could possibly wear that will be warm enough! But having the opportunity to be there will certainly make it worth it. Can’t wait!
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
N: Cross is an amazing sport and it offers up so much for both riders and fans. It takes a true community however to build it up to what is has become here in the US and especially here in Chicago. It took some dedicated people like Adam Myerson to help lay the foundations, and Jason Knauff to come here and help organize Chicago rider’s wish lists, but above people like them all around the country doing their part, it takes each of us to show up on race day and to cheer and heckle and race and have an all out good time enjoying each others company. I can’t think of a better way to spend my weekends through-out the Fall.
L: Let your enthusiasm be infectious. Let it show to others you come in contact with. Let them know why you love this insanity and get them hooked too! And then let it show by becoming involved with improving the sport. Find a way to give back some of what you’ve received from others who have so generously given to make this sport possible.
On behalf of Chicago.CX I want to thank you both for your time. Hats-off to you and your colleagues for being there for us!
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