Psycho-Cross at the Dick Lane Velodrome was back—and it arrived with a squishy wet course after days of never ending rain, lots of costumes, many cowbells, more than a few slides down the painted surface of the track or elsewhere on the course, and so much fun! For the uninitiated, Psycho-Cross was a (not really) annual event in the late aughts at the DLV. There was mud, pro racers in banana costumes (or maybe it was the pro racer’s dad in the banana costume), and much hilarity—with photos to prove it.
The Women’s 1/2/3 race saw a small but strong field start. This was relayed to me by the racers. Maria Carrelli (706P) took off from the beginning with Grace Anne Ingram and Junior Sophie Zents (Mission Devo Cycling p/b Tyler Perry Studios) hot on her rear wheel. They stayed with her for the first two laps. A bobble on the steep downhill cost each of them some time, and Maria rode away. Grace Anne would nearly catch back up to her by the mid-point of the race but could never quite do so. Sophie settled into third. Maria took the win followed by Grace and and Sophie.
The highlight of the day had to be the combined but scored separately Masters 4/5 35+, Women 3-4, and Single Speed. Costumes, handups, and much much heckling were the orders of the race. Jame Carney (Piedmont College Cycling) schooled the other masters single speed racers and rode the hill every lap. There was some concern from the crowd that he sported wider than 33 mm tires, which might have helped. The real race was in the Women’s 3-4 with Darcy Grimes (Sorella Cycling p/b Hincapie Sportswear) taking the lead on the first lap with Sophie Zents and Amelia Hicks (Mission Devo Cycling p/b Tyler Perry Studios) less than a few bike lengths back. By lap 2, Sophie and Amelia had a small lead, which would only grow bigger. The two teammates stuck together like Velcro. Sophie tried to ride the big run up, and Amelia ran it-usually coming out just ahead. It came down to a sprint finish. Both of these juniors are experienced track racers; it was a question of who was stronger. They both stood up at the same time. Sophie put in just a slightly stronger kick to take the win. Amelia was 2nd with Darcy in 3rd.
Costumes seen included a mad hatter, some shorts that none of us can unsee, lots of tutus, a bee, Captain BikeLaw, some other super heros, and a lot of people in lycra.
