Author: Bob

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DC Clean 2021 #3: Something Sharp Recap

A warmer and sunnier day than expected full of punishing climbs, coffee stops and fun. Congratulations to all the participants and winners!

Simple briefing the night before
A early start to try and get back while it was still light.
Rolling to start. Only one flat(ish) segment
Small groups formed!
5 tough hill segments
A few sharp non timed downhills
Well supplied coffee stops
More ups & downs
Eating, drinking and getting brakes enroute
More & more ups and downs
Some tired smiles 🙂
Challenge BBQ
A few sore heads!
Awards and some great prizes from our partners.

Gallery of photographs. Many thanks to the photographer and all our participants who provided the photos!

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DC Dirty 2021 #3: The Big Dirty Recap

A long day on a epic cycling challenge. The last dirty of the 2021 season had kind of everything. Think the photos do a better sum up than us writing it.

Well done to everyone who started and who enjoyed the day! Well done to those that nearly finished, just finished and easily (impossible) finished to get top points!

Many thanks to our partners for providing them great prizes Specialized | Chemical Guys | the clinic | Namedsport | Suunto | Therabody | Restrap | Castelli

A big gallery from participants, a local photographer and us. Many many thanks to everyone for all the photos. Download

Bit of a wet start
First big climb
People warmed up
People setting out from the first drink stand
A relaxed downhill followed by a river segment
The new segment 4 with the hill top pagoda finish.
A very smooth and groomed flagstone cobble section along the river.
A not so flat forbidden by the coach!
A visit to the pigs!
A relaxed last segment 8 for some!
Dinner
& Awards – then bed!

Another gallery from YilanRyan 黄一澜. Many thanks for that. No so easy taking pictures while slipping down a hill!

And a few quotes from the day:

“Don’t stand up or the back wheel will spin”

“Sh@t that was steep”

“We love getting dirty”

‘Is this the end of the segment?!’

“So, that was the slippery road you were talking about…”

“do you have lights”

in my professional opinion its fu****

not another fu***** hill

not another fu***** cramp

this walk is wonderful

Doctor Justin!! /:,@P/:,@P

“is there another hill? Are you kidding me..?” hahahaa…how often have we heard this sentence [Facepalm]

the last part was worthy to call it real dirty gravel ride! 

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Easy(ier) Cycling Challenge

On the 24th of April we will be holding the first Somewhat Dirty Cycling Challenge aimed at people wanting to gain a taste of “gravel” or off road riding. Our Dirty Challenges are designed and are described as the toughest 1 day mixed surface cycling Challenges in the region with many of the participants not finishing. This “Somewhat” Dirty Challenge is suitable for newer and less endurance or experienced riders, is still a real challenge and lots of fun. 

Somewhat Dirty Pigs (the easier one)

  • Date: April 24th 2021, 8am.
  • JR’s Intro: A little bit of everything for the less experienced adventure “gravel” rider.  At the end it will leave you wanting to explore more on your bike.  The route takes in the broken concrete of the river out of Sanyang and segment #1, followed by perfect tarmac towards Poshan.  Crossing the river you head up through segment #2 to the first real off road section and segment #3.  Segment #4 takes you to the highest point of the day and the ability to get a great view.  The downhill is fun but be very careful.  When you hit the main road there is segment #5 which rolls back the way you came.  Then relax until segment #6 which is the final stretch back to the homestay. 
  • Time: Depends on your level but assume 3h for fast rider and 6h to 8h for slow rider with some pushing. 
  • Level: Basic with strong fitness. You need to be confident braking downhill. You need stamina to spin uphill for more than an hour! If you’ve  just starting out on a bike this is not for you. Come up another time for one of our Tanqi Adventure Riding weekends.
  • Equipment: Gravel, Mountain Bike, Hybrids, Road bike with 32 or wider tires. MTB or flat shoes.
  • Sign up: Choose the Somewhat Dirty Basic or Full options at this link: https://www.wildhomestay.com/product/dirty1cork/

The top of the main climb on the Somewhat Dirty. 

Adventure bikes & Tanqi

If you don’t have a suitable bike we might be able to provide you one through our Tanqi Adventure Riding program with Specalized. We have a great range of Diverage adventure gravel bikes and mountain bikes with gravel tires which are highly suited to the challenge.

Just before the main downhill after the Pig Farm ClimbThe range of Tanqi Specalized Diverges. Fantastic carbon adventure bikes!