The Golden Cycling Club is thrilled to announce the return of one of downhill mountain biking's most iconic races - Psychosis. On June 22nd, 2024, racers will return to the Mount 7 "Race Line" under the official Psychosis banner for the first time since 2008 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this legendary race. Dubbed by Red Bull “the world's most demented downhill race”, this promises to be the event of the decade!
After a hiatus, Psychosis is making a spectacular return, honoring the pioneers and celebrating the good times had at previous races. Andy Bostock from the Golden Cycling Club reflects on the journey:
"Every year since we closed the doors on Psychosis [in 2008] people have wanted to know when Psychosis would return. Covid happened, Crankworx hosted an A-list event, and the response was amazing...Fast forward 15 years since the last race in its original format, we're honouring the 25th anniversary, remembering the pioneers of the event...giving another chance for all those who were too young to race back then, and another kick at the can for some of us who are probably too old to race it again. It used to be classified as an XC event by Cycling BC, so it can’t be that hard, can it?" - Andy Bostock
[Psychosis is back, and it’s going to be wilder than ever! Photographer - Reuben Krabbe]
Psychosis, first raced in 1998, quickly gained fame as one of the most physically demanding and technically challenging downhill races. Legendary riders like Chris Kovarik, Stevie Smith, Sam Hill, Tyler Morland, and Claire Buchar left their mark on this treacherous course. Claire Buchar, a three-time Psychosis winner, expresses her excitement about the race's return:
“It is still, to this day, one of the most insane tracks I’ve ever raced. Especially with where I was at with my skills back then and the DH Bike geometry, wheel size, tires, brakes and equipment we had. I’m stoked to see it return to the race schedule so that the current generation of Psychos can get a taste!" - Claire Buchar
The "Race Line" at Mount 7 is no joke – spanning 7.3km with 1200m of vertical descent, it includes an 80-degree scree slope, a mid-run hike-a-bike, and fast, tight and high-consequence straights. The event course record stands at 12:35.14, set by Chris Kovarik in 2008, but in 2020, during the Crankworx Summer Series, Henry Fitzgerald blazed through with a time of 11:19.1.
This 25th-anniversary event is both a celebration and a throwback to simpler times. The first 100 entries will be reserved for previous racers, offering a chance to relive the adrenaline. The remaining 100 spots will be open to the public, and they are expected to sell out fast. Registration for the first 100 spots will open on January 15, 2024.
The race categories are keeping it old school with Amateurs and Pros racing together in Open Men’s and Open Women’s categories, and a nod to the past with the return of the Hardtail and 26” categories for anyone brave enough to put it all on the line.
Now some of you may be wondering about the dates, thinking to yourself that something doesn’t quite add up. You’d be right! While technically 2023 was the 25th anniversary, we needed a little extra time to put it all together and get the details confirmed. But we can assure you, the wait was worth it! Psychosis is back for a one-time-only appearance, and this 25th-anniversary celebration event will be one for the history books.
More information regarding the event and registration will be available via the Golden Cycling Club website, Instagram, and Facebook page. For now, save the date - June 22nd, 2024 - for this special one-off celebration event not to be missed.