JOM’s Dirty 40 Race Bike

JOM’s Dirty 40 Race Bike

For those who don’t know me, I’m a bit of an equipment nut.  I source the parts and assemble most of my bikes myself.  Not a fan of out of the box, pre-assembled bikes.  This ensures I know what’s going into the bike, and have myself to blame when something screws up on the bike.  I also hate riding the same stuff as everybody else; it’s cool to have a unique bike.

I’ve yet to learn how to build my own wheels, because I’m lazy, but in most instances, I am using American Classic wheels, which are virtually handbuilt wheels any.  I eschew proprietary spokes and that sort of rubbish.  I choose reliable equipment, with parts I can easily replace.  I tote along spare parts (or a spare bike) to most races, so no worries there.  Onto the bike…

Dirty 40 Race Video – 2014 Edition

Dirty 40 Race Video – 2014 Edition

Greetings and salutations viewers, I have returned to Florida.  In between work, washing clothes, squeezing a slacker ride in, grabbing my mail, pulling weeds, and unpacking the car, I managed…
JOM’s Dirty 40 Race Report – 2014

JOM’s Dirty 40 Race Report – 2014

About the Race

The Dirty 40 was the 5th race of the American Ultra Cross Series, held in beautiful DerbyDirty40Logo, Vermont, very close to the Canadian border.  The second edition of the race took place on August 30, 2014.  While advertised as a 60 mile race with approximately 40 miles of gravel roads, in reality it is a 70 mile race (113 kilometres as I prefer) with about 55 miles of gravel.  I found this out first hand courtesy of my course pre-ride, or tribal knowledge scouting as I prefer to call it.

My race video documenting the experience is HERE.

Accommodations

I must give kudos to the Four Seasons Hotel in Derby, where I’d based myself for three days leading up to the race.  Uber convenient location to the race, beautiful surrounding scenery, and comfortable accommodations were perfect.  Because Derby is so close to Canada, people have no excuses to make a trip by bicycle or car, over the border.  Just don’t forget your passport!  Here is what I got up to on Thursday and Friday, before the race.

Dirty 40 Ride Preview 2014 – The Full Monty

Dirty 40 Ride Preview 2014 – The Full Monty

Trendsetters, greetings from Derby, Vermont.  I’m visiting this beautiful area of the country, because this weekend, I’m racing the next round of the North American Ultracross Series; The Dirty 40 (or the Dirty 70 as I prefer to call it).

Today, I rode the entire course.  How can I do that considering the organizers are keeping the course secret?  Answer: I begged the organizers to provide me with the course file.  Considering I’ve made the trip from Florida for this race (and a vacation), they were extremely nice and took pity upon me.   Earlier today, the organizers released the course, so the secret is out.