The Dirty 130 is a classic Southern Appalachian gravel route that starts and finishes in Reliance Tennessee. Its a beast of a route! Boasting over 18,000 feet of climbing in just 130 miles, the route is truly demanding. Climbs such as Kimsey, Starr, Buck Bald and Ditney Mountain come one right after another challenging even the best riders. There is true beauty amongst all the climbing. Magnificent vistas, lush enchanting forests, open rolling fields, and time forgotten history abound in these often-overlooked mountains of southeast Tennessee and southwest North Carolina. 80% of the route is gravel giving it a unique, out in the middle of nowhere feel and the 20% pavement gives riders a chance to rest tired arms and legs from the punishment gravel can often dish out. Don't let the first and last 12 mile out and back to the loop deter you. The first 12 miles starts out innocently enough with a steady climb until finally topping out at 3000ft in elevation. That will be a distant memory upon your return when you experience the incredibly long, fast descent down to the finish. The Dirty 130 is truly a one of a kind route that will keep even the most hardened gravel rider entertained.
Whether you want to challenge yourself, train for upcoming events, or create a multi day sweet bikepacking adventure, the choice is yours. You can ride it anytime or wait for the Grand depart. You can also ride the route anyway you want to. You do not have to follow the ITT guidelines, BUT If you choose to have your efforts recorded as an ITT, it must be a solo, self supported adventure and observed as one stage. You also need to email your GPX file upon completion for verification. This is just a challenge against yourself. It is your responsibility to be prepared. This is just a route available for all to enjoy. It is your own decision on if/how you want to ride it.
THE CHALLENGE
If you decide to challenge yourself and have your effort recorded for posterity sake, you must email me your intent and date/time of departure. The Challenge is simple. Ride the route in one stage, remember that the clock runs non-stop and the intent is to ride SOLO and UNSUPPORTED at all times. The route briefly follows a double track road next to the Railroad Tracks. DO NOT go on the tracks. if you do, your effort will not be recorded.
The only MANDATORY checkpoint is a picture at Buck Bald, but don't be surprised if you find me out there somewhere checking up on you.
Even if you are out there riding and do not want it recorded, it would be an injustice not to spend some time on the top of Buck Bald. It's an absolutely beautiful panoramic view of the Tennessee, North Carlolina and Georgia mountains.
IMPORTANT NOTES
● If you choose to ride this route and want to park on the private property at the start, you MUST be granted permission first and sign a waiver, or your vehicle will be towed and you will be considered
trespassing. There are plenty of public parking areas along the route if you choose not to email yo.ur intent including date/time and permission to park.
● This is a route, not a race. The route is NOT MARKED. It is your responsibility to research the route before you ride it and prepare accordingly. It is the SOLE RESPONSIBILITY of each rider to successfully navigate and safely complete the entire route via bicycle.
● This ride is voluntary. PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK. This is an UNSUPPORTED ride. That means there is NO support, No sag stops, NO route markings, NO support vehicles, and NO printouts prior to the ride. You are 100% responsible for you, your navigation, your equipment and your own food and water. If you need a cookie and a big hug every 20 miles, this ride is NOT for you.
● Participation in the Grand depart is NOT mandatory and is at the discretion of the rider.
● ITT's can begin any Day/time of the year but if you want your time recorded, you have until December 15th to ride the route and turn in your file for verification.
● There are no time limits or cutoffs. The decision to continue or abandon the route is ALWAYS at the discretion of the rider.
● During an ITT, participants would be wise to follow all the rules of the road. Its up to YOU to ride safe. No one else can do it for you.
● If you are doing an ITT, support should only be expected and/or taken from local businesses on-site during their normal business hours if you choose to have your effort recorded.
● This is a route meant for experienced riders who are self sufficient and proficient in GPS and/or map reading skills. It is up to you to research the route. DO NOT email me with a lot of questions about the route. it is not fair to the riders before you that chose to take on the adventure without additional information. It is up to them if they want to share the information they worked hard for.
● Emails with complaints, threats, or wanting to change the spirit of the route to fit your needs (all while still wanting to have your efforts recorded) will NOT BE TOLERATED. It takes a lot of
time and money to put together routes and to create enjoyable experiences.
My email response will simply be a list of "pay to cater to me" events available to you. Preferably in another county far away.....
● There is a NO drafting rule in effect at all times
● NO support crews. It is up to you to arrange your own support to pick you up in case you need to quit for any reason while on the route. You need to be responsible for yourself out there.
● NO caches
● You can Leave the route at any time, provided that the return to the route is verifiable and within 100 ft of the point you leave the course.
● Complete the entire route under your own power
● During an ITT, assistance with navigation, supplies or lodging cannot be
received from friends, family or private individuals when it’s not available to all the riders
● NO sharing supplies between riders unless it’s an emergency or you are no longer riding for a recorded time
● NO motorized transport or hitch-hiking, except for travel to a hospital/medical care, or if you need to quite for any reason
● IT IS UP TO YOU TO BE PREPARED AND SELF SUFFICIENT!
TRAIL MAGIC
Trail Magic is an unexpected occurrence that lifts a rider's spirits and inspires awe or gratitude. During an ITT, obtaining an item from another person can only be unsolicited and accidental, otherwise, the receipt of assistance or supplies by private individuals when it’s not available to all the riders reflects a lack of self-sufficiency which renders an effort not self-supported.
