Folks-
I started riding religiously a year ago, got a great deal on an '06 Conquest Pro and put 1,000 miles on it riding around Chicago before it got stolen a month ago. Thanks to my awesome insurance company I got myself the '07 Conquest Pro, which I love even more.
My problem is this - I am only commuting on this bike and riding around the city. I want to use this bike for what it was intended for and get involved in Cyclocross but have no clue where to get started, what it means, how to train for races, blah blah. I really want to SEE a race - either live or on video/internet.
I get some information on this forum but sometimes feel lost with the jargon, etc.
I know a very broad question from a beginner but your help is appreciated - thanks

search cyclocross on youtube- all kinds of footage out there. Also, two cool documentary videos are Transition and Transition 2...good luck and welcome to the madness!

Also, don't forget to checkout the Chicago Cyclocross Cup race series this Fall.

http://www.chicrosscup.com/

Wow - what insurance company do you have?

Like another poster said, race the Chicago series. Do any teams do skills workshops in the Chicago area? If so, going to one of them would be ideal.

The 2007 worlds vid is up on http://race.cx/ -- check it out!

Watch how the big boys do it. (no footage of T-gel patches or blood transfusions though):
http://nathanspear.com/movie/default.htm

As far as training.....ride lots.....learn to dis-mount and re-mount. Find a rider or group that trains togeather and ask them to teach you the moves. Pin a number on and Giv'er!

Thanks folks - great start for me. You've all already provided me enough info that my wife is already annoyed. Get used to it, huh?
USAA is the insurance co., winstonc - they are legit

I used to tell people that track racing was the hardest thing I'd ever done on two wheels but was the most fun at the same time...

...then I raced cross!

Its a hoot, but it ain't easy. But, if you like it, you REALLY like it!

Ask around locally. There's BOUND to be some cross guys to get together with and practice. I was lucky. Lived 'down the street' from some seriously good guys that let me in on their weekly practice sessions. Learned lots.

M