ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
When does Dirty Dames take pace?
Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 10am.
How do I enter?
Registration is available online. Click on the Register Now button above to sign up.
Race-day registration will also be possible.
What is the cost?
Race entry: €35
Junior/under-18: €15
Race-day registration: €40
What is included in the cost?
Race entry, race number, goody bag, refreshments, great prizes, free parking, toilets...fun, lots of fun!
Are the race stages timed?
Yes, each rider will be given a timing device, which will automatically record the time taken to complete each stage! Riders will receive a printout of stage times upon finishing the race.
Do I have to pay for the timing device?
All riders must pay €20 for the timing device, which will be refunded on safe return of the tag.
Do I need a Cycling Ireland license to compete?
If you do not have a Cycling Ireland license, you will be able to purchase a race-day license (on the day) at a significantly reduced rate.
What is Enduro?
This is a discipline of mountain biking that involves a number of timed downhill stages with untimed transitions (sections in between the stages – normally uphill). This means that riders can take their time between the downhill stages, but go as fast as possible on the downhill stages.
What sort of bike do I need?
A fully working mountain bike is essential. This can either be a full suspension bike (ie. front and rear suspension) or a hardtail (ie. front suspension only, no rear suspension).
Before race day, you must ensure that your bike is in good working condition.
Please check out this video from Global Mountain Biking Network (GMBN) and follow the stages of the M check: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBPTDWT6aK4
What level of experience do I need?
Although this race is geared towards all levels of mountain bikers, we recommend that you have off-road riding experience, eg. on Coillte trail centres such as those in Ballinastoe, Ticknock, Derroura and Ballyhoura, or Mountain Bike Northern Ireland centres such as those in Rostrevor, Castlewellan and Davagh.
There are four categories: junior; baggy shorts (beginner-friendly); experienced and pro.
Junior: Riders from 14-17 years’ should enter this category. All riders under-16 need parental consent.
Baggy shorts: If you are relatively new to biking and/or have never raced a mountain bike race before, this is the category for you.
Experienced: Enter this category if you are a regular rider and have entered a mountain bike race in the past.
Pro: Are you an experienced rider, a regular racer, and/or have you had top-three podium wins in the past two years in any mountain bike discipline? Enter this category.
The schedule for the day will be released in early March.
RACE ETIQUETTE
Trailside manner
Dirty Dames are a friendly bunch but there are a few race rules to abide by on the day to ensure a safe, enjoyable and fun experience for all!
Faster riders: if you are approaching a rider from behind and you are planning to overtake, only do so when it is safe to do so.
Rider up! Riders can’t see what is happening on the trail behind them, and it is difficult to hear if a faster rider is closing the gap on you. So, if you are planning to overtake a rider in front - when safe to do so - alert the rider of your intentions by shouting ‘rider up’ - two words that say a lot!
Stay trail safe: If you experience a ‘technical’ - flat tyre, chain off etc. - on the trail, be sure to move yourself and your bike off the trail to ensure your safety and that of your fellow riders who may come upon the scene at speed.
All OK? If you come upon someone who is off their bike, a simple ‘are you OK?’ goes a long way!
No earphones: listening to music on earphones is not allowed - your ears and eyes are required 100 per cent of the time. Save the music for the after party!
Helmets: must be worn at all times including the transitions!
