Dick Lane Velodrome Psycho Cross

I was under the impression that on Halloween there were ton of racers who dressed up for the cross racing. That in fact the people not in costume would be the minority. That's how cyclocross rolled... Wild, crazy, no hold backs! That however, didn't turn out to be the case. Out of 46 racers in the C category I was 1 of 6 who came in costume... My intentions had been to try and blend since in fact Psycho Cross was my first CX race. Regardless in the 11th hour I came up and got together in my opinion a neat costume. I present to you Fastus Mustachius!

Photo Cred Chris Kelly

But enough about silly fabric and face painting talk. On to the race ramblings...

To answer the obvious first question... What did I think?
I liked it. Ney, I loved it. It had me at bike. I'll admit it takes some getting use to and adds a whole new set of skills that I lack, but it gives me the opportunity to ride and see more things I might not usually see road riding and track racing. Namely trees, rocks, and roots. You know...nature. It was full of sharp turns, quick descents, loose dirt, leaves, climbs and boards. Boards... Its like it wasn't hard enough so they threw in some boards to hurdle. Did i say climbs. No i don't mean like get out of the saddle and climb. I mean like on belay scale a mud incline lugging your bike with you. Mt Kilimanjaro ain't got nothing. That' right Jim. I said it. What you gonna do now?

Jason Atwood starting his accent to the summit. Photo Cred Chris Kelly

Okay so it wasn't that bad. Many riders did in fact take the hill in the saddle. I however was never able to. I tried once and got half way up before a redneck went sideways in front of me there by obstructing my path. When i say redneck I mean he was dressed as a redneck for Halloween. Then my all time favorite a sharp turn with loose soft dirt into a descent with leaves at the bottom and trees. The culmination of CX as it were. Just throw a few boards at the bottom and an immediate climb and you could bury me right there wheels up in the soft dirt. It was a blast. Best part of it all was of course the end. Sit back have a nice cold frothy recovery drink and watch the next heat endure the treachery knowing that the dirt is a little softer cause you stirred it up taking the turns all crazy like.

The Stats:
Cs 3 Racers Bob Donlan, Jason Atwood and Myself. They quit scoring after 12, but we had a strong presence and a good show none the less.
Master's representation by Bob Bourne
17th in Bs by Masochist Jason Atwood - Didn't get enough punishment from the Cs
6, 7th in As by Alex Clifford and Eric Nicoleti respectively
1st by Rebecca Graham she literally took flight with those wings

Who doesn't like pictures?

Rebecca Graham Podium Photo Cred Chris Kelly

I FOUND HIM (Waldo)! Bob Donlan at the gun Photo Cred Chris Kelly

Eric Nicoletti Rocking the A's Photo Cred Chris Kelly

Alex Clifford & Eric Nicoletti forces to be reckoned with Photo Cred Chris Kelly

Complete pictures available at here and here