Disclosure: Two Wheel Tours is a sponsor of Dirty Deeds CX. Whilst they don't pay us, they do pay for some of the prize purses that you jerks win.
If you're reading this blog, you probably like cyclocross (or cyclo-cross if you're the UCI). Which means you wouldn't dare take a holiday during our winter as you'd miss out on all the sweet racing that's going on right now. So what to do with all that annual leave in the oppressive heat of summer?
TEN DAYS IN BELGIUM!
No, wait, ten days in Belgium, WITH NIELS ALBERT TEACHING YOU HOW TO DO A REMOUNT
There's ridin', racin', rubbin' shoulders with CX royalty and all the frites you can stand. For all the mayo covered details, head on over to the TWT site where it's laid out day by day. They also run a whole lot of other tours, road, MTB, and my favourite, the Haute Route, in case getting beer spilled on your muddy shoes by drunken Team Nys fans isn't your bag.
Do you like free stuff? So do we. So much so that we're giving volunteers a whole bunch of schwag for putting their hands up to help out on the day.
Wanna get some schwag? email ddcx.volunteers@gmail.com with your name, email, mobile number, and preference for job. Make sure you also let us know if you're racing or not.
LOOT CAKES!***
Here at the various DDCX HQs we are putting the plans together for another banger of an event, but we need to get some pertinent info out.
First up: SPOOKYCX is now November 8th, not November 1st. So your CupDay weekend plans won't be foiled again. Wow, June to November, what a long time between CX races. If only there were more races in Melbourne during winter.
Second up: All pertinent information for DDCX Round #2 can be found here. This page will get updated as things develop / change.
We should remind you that DDCX Round 2 is also Round 2 of the 'big dance' aka the National Cyclocross Series (aka NCXS).
What does this mean? Well apart from being your chance to watch the country's best CX racers rail around the undulating surrounds of Darebin Parklands it also comes with some special conditions.
If you want to race CX A Grade (Mens or Womens) you need to enter -->here<--. Entries for this close midnight 15th June. Yes, that's a week before the race. Don't forget.
If you want to race CX B (Mens or Womens) or CX C Grade (Mens) or Open (Mens or Womens) pre-reg will open this Friday is open. Keep an eye on social media for when Blakey lowers the online drawbridge. Support races (B/C/Open/Kids pre-reg
If you are racing A Grade/Elite and purchased a DDCX Season Entry (you know, the $80 one with the sick teeshirt), please let registration know on the day and we will refund you $20 via paypal, or, you can race elites and B/C! It's a bit convoluted but unfortunately that's the way it has to be with two disparate entry systems!
If you have a DDCX Season Licence (The $60 green cardboard thing with the red stamp), you cannot race elites. You can race B/C though. Elites require a full CA Gold or MTBA licence. You can however, use it for the Victorian State CX Championships (but not the elite races), which are on at Cranwell Park Saturday June 21.
For those that weren't present at the event last year, all I can do is share some of the shots!
So before we post a race report, or links to all the sweet photos and videos that are emerging from Sunday I'm going to have a little rant about the behaviour of some riders that I observed.
You don't ride the course unless you have a helmet. You don't ride the course unless you have a number on. This is pretty well understood and obeyed.
But you most definitely do not ride the course unless it's your race or designated course open time as detailed in the schedule &/or announced on the PA. If you can't make it there in time for course practice & recon, that's your problem.
I don't care if you are Paddy Oliver, Danny Kah, Lewis Rattray, Adam Blazevic or Allan Iacuone. You are no more important than any other racer, and are not entitled to affect the schedule or impact other riders' race and safety.
The above escaped with a warning yesterday, but riders caught breaching these rules in future will be fined and issued an automatic DQ, we do not care a whit if you're wearing the green & gold or in the running for a podium in the NCXS.
Rego will close on the Thursday prior so that we can adjust the grading and publish a start list. If there are still slots available (likely C is bursting, the rest are filling), you can register on the day.
If you don't have a CA/MTBA licence, or didn't purchase a DDCX Season Pass at the prologue, we will be selling them on Sunday. YOU MUST HAVE A LICENCE BEFORE YOU REGISTER/PAY/COLLECT YOUR NUMBER. We can no longer accept BMXA licences due to their insurance changing.
We will update this post with timing for the day and other details as they emerge.
Until then, tweak your tyre pressure, wash your skinsuit and practice your heckles.
Schedule:
(subject to minor variations on the day)
Volunteer arrival: 0830
Registration Open: 1030
Course Open: 1100
Kids Racing starts: 1200 Final Registration Closes: 1220
Kids Presentations: 1230
Adults Racing starts 1240
Racing ends: 1615
Stakes up, bunting down: 1620
Presentations: 1630
Race Times:
Kids: 1200
CXM C / Open M: 1240
CXM B: 1320
CXM W / Open W: 1415
CXM A: 1515
Start List
If you pre-registered, you should see your name and grade below. See ya Sunday!
