The folks who are putting on the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships put out a release this week advertising cheap flights to Kansas City, where the event will be held Dec. 13-16.

Ticket prices for flights from major hubs to MCI are very reasonable at the present time. Here is a look at roundtrip flights (weekday arrival and Monday departure) for the week of the championships:

Dallas-Fort Worth International ($139)
Denver International ($139)
Logan (Boston) International ($144)
Los Angeles International ($142)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International ($237)
O'Hare International ($119)
Philadelphia International Airport ($225)
San Francisco International ($152)

There is also a terrific dining, shopping and entertainment complex near the course:

More than two dozen hotels in the Wyandotte County area offer inexpensive lodging within walking distance of The Legends at Village West, an extensive shopping, dining and entertainment zone. The Legends features 36 restaurants and specialty food shops, along with the 14-screen Legends Theatre, a 12-lane "Pin-up Bowl" bowling alley and nightclub, a Dave & Buster's and the Sanford and Sons Comedy Club.

And finally, they remind USA Cycling members that there are discounts on airfare, car rental and hotels available:

*    Hampton Inn and Hilton family properties (10 percent).
*    Hertz Car Rentals (up to 15 percent).
*    United Airlines (up to 10 percent off regular flights, and an additional 5 percent off tickets that are issued 30 days or more prior to the flight).