Ain't it Fun

The darkness has faded into gray dawn outside my window. I am listening to an American Tapes release by Dead Machines called Life Recording 1. As I sit and wonder, I think come one come all boys and girls. It's time again to scare the shit out of yourself again and I'm not talking Halloween. No, I mean the next 'cross race at Fort Wayne in lovely Detroit, Michigan. I've heard this race described as Ghetto 'Cross. Maybe so. Detroit is pretty scary and this part of town is no exception. Set in the midst of an industrial era gone by the way side, Fort Wayne is the home of an old military fort that protected us from...wait for it...Canada. As one would expect, not one shot was fired.

That was until last year. In the inaugural event, Vinny Roberge came out and laid it down. Some skinny old tall black dude tried in vain, but even the whole deck of cards on his helmet wouldn't have helped him that day. The Wolverine boys and girls had their fun in the Masters and Women's race. A bunch of dudes tweaking on Black Coffee were not blue in the B race. And the C race had so many people, there were lapped riders.

Some cat named Mad Anthony is responsible for this whole thing. I don't know what he's mad about. Maybe it's the pirate hat and swords on the end of those guns. Two of those things are bad and the other is a bad fashion statement. You decide which. He does want you to drink beer and storm the place though, but I'm not sure in what order. Maybe he's mad like a hatter. Did you know that mad hatters were mad due to the amount of mercury that was used back in the day to flatten and stiffen the rim/bill of a hat? Crazy (pun intended). Whatever is making him mad, he should channel that anger into course design. I know this is a grassroots effort, but it's 2010 and too many people have come before you Mr. Anthony to let you forsake certain features. With all the land available, you could stand the lengthen the course a tad. This might create a better start/finish area for you. The pit also needs to be addressed and should never be in a u-turn. The run up is fun and the tunnel is cool. I think this year may show some improvement. But one thing that I hope remains is the scallywag that shot that big gun before the start. The only thing better than that would be if Kwame could come back and text it instead while wearing a Made in Detroit ensemble.

With the USGP circus going to Louisville, the Fort might lose a few, but it should still be fun all the same. Look for DC to take the C race, a coffee repeat in the B race, a bike shop owner takes the Masters, a woman winning the women's race, and yet another Elite Men's winner in as many races. Could this get any better? I think it could, bring your appetite and head to Mexican Town when it's over. Just don't get back in my van when it's over.....