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Dirt Rag Articles
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There was an article in an old copy of Fat Tire Flyer that told of an event called the Punk Bike Enduro. A bunch of friends gathered for a ride/race/party somewhere in Northern California circa 1980-something. It sounded like fun, so we put one together ourselves. This year's will be the 13th annual. Here's how:
1) Pick a favorite loop, planning on a two- to five-hour ride, depending. You ride this loop as a group, stopping occasionally to race. Pick which sections of trail will be good to race, and which will be better ridden in parade mode. For example, when we come to a good downhill section, we start a stage, and finish it at the bottom. Same with uphills. The group regroups, reminiscing about what crashes might have occurred, who has the sharpest elbows—that sort of thing. Since the event takes place in a semi-suburban setting, there are a few road sections that are always ridden in parade mode.
2) Rent your local fire hall, or find a place for the party.
3) Get some volunteers to help. These people are the key to a smooth event. If you have enough volunteers, divide them into groups so they can ride ahead of the pack (or behind as it may be). We usually have three teams of volunteers: starters, finishers and marshals.
4) Draw a map. This is as easy as photocopying a topo map and drawing the trails on it, then copying it again. This way, if anyone gets lost, they have no excuses. If you've got more technology, use it.
5) Print tickets on your computer. Each ticket is good for a certain number of points, and points are given to the first seven riders in each class.
1st 10
2nd 7
3rd 5
4th 4
5th 3
6th 2
7th 1
Multiply by the number of stages and number of classes. We usually do three classes: Men, Women and Junior. That's 21 tickets per stage, which fits on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of postcard paper quite well.
6) Mark the course. We usually mark the course with surveyors tape so people don't go off the trail too much. Two pieces of tape on one branch indicates a turn. Marking the trail offers a good opportunity to do some extra trail work, too.
7) At the appointed time, the ride leaves the staging area, and will cruise in parade formation to the trailhead. When you come to a good starting point, line ‘em up and say go! Race to the finish line, where a group of volunteers with tickets are waiting. Tickets are handed to the first seven riders in each class, and riders are responsible for knowing what order they finished in. Regroup. Enjoy.
8) Continue on into the day, racing and riding as you see fit. It doesn't matter if you are fast or slow or really want to race. It's just a fun ride. We do it every first Sunday in December. 100-125 people show up. It used to be wet and cold until the Earth dried up. Back then we hurried back to the party as soon as possible. But since it's become warm and dry in early December, we usually take our time, staying in the woods as long as possible, this aided by the appearance of the beer van on the trail.
9) Diversions. We hold ancillary events on a how-we-feel-that-day basis. For example, you might put on a trials section somewhere on the course, where everyone gathers around and tries to ride over something technical. Each rider who cleans the section gets points.
Another way to get points is to find a punk in the woods. We print punks on 8 1/2 x 11 postcard stock, laminate them, and tie them to trees in the woods. If you're going slow enough, you jump off your bike, grab the punk and get points.
Or how about a widow-maker hill climb? And then there's the Derby. Find a parking lot somewhere along the route and go at it! With these diversions, it's pretty easy for everyone to get some points.
10) Have a party! For the first few years, we actually had the event at the home of Dirt Rag. Now we've graduated to fire halls. Last year we even had the pleasure of a real punk band, The McCarthy Commission. Make sure everyone brings food if they want to eat, and it will end up quite a feast. And don't forget soft drinks for those who don't indulge in alcoholic beverages.
11) Awards. Everyone who got points tickets turns them in, the scores are added up, and a winner is declared. We even have a prize table of sorts, although this is the least important aspect of the day.
12) Have fun! Encourage individuality in the form of odd bikes, odd clothing and odd behavior. People love to cut loose.
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| Comment from Joefi on 2008-12-24 |
| Okay, i'm in for next year. I can't believe i've been in the burgh all this time and haven't done this. The pics throughout the years are hilarious. Well done and looking forward to 2009. |
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