Women’s Downhill Race

Oct 12-13, 2024
Dry Hill, Port Angeles, WA

Race Info

ABOUT THE COURSE

Pro/Open & Cat 1 Course | Aces High - Braeburn - Hecklers Row - Lower Pro

Cat 2 Course | Wayne’s World - Short Shorts - Super Pump - Lower Pro

Cat 3 Course | Mini Muffin - Bobcat - Cakewalk

Dry Hill, Port Angeles, WA

COURSE PREVIEWS

RACE CATEGORIES & AGE GROUPS

Pro/Open | Age groups are not applicable to this category.
Cat 1 | 17 and under, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Cat 2 | 14 and under, 15-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Cat 3 | 14 and under, 15, 27, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+

ABOUT THE CATEGORIES

All categories (Pro/Open, Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 3) will start and finish in the same location but will race different courses. The length of each course will be similar, but the terrain will be less challenging for Cat 2 and 3, and more challenging for Pro/Open and Cat 1.

You do not need a UCI license to race in the category of your choosing as ours is NOT a UCI-sanctioned race. You should choose the category that most closely fits the level of difficulty you are most comfortable RACING. You should be able to ride everything on the course for the category that you choose. You will be able to change your category up to the day before the race.

You can make changes to your category via your the account center up until 5pm on Friday 10/11. See the FAQ section for instructions. After that you have until 1pm on Saturday to make changes at the venue. Just check in with us at the Registration tent.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I WIN?

We award 5 deep for each category and age group for Cat 1, Cat 2, and Cat 3. So if you happen to be one of the fastest on race day, you will have a spot on the podium, bragging rights, and a fantastic cowbell from Cowbells.com.

And if you happen to be racing in the Pro/Open category, we award 5 deep and have a modest cash prize purse $500 (1st), $300 (2nd), $200 (3rd).

WHAT IS A DOWNHILL MTB RACE?

Downhill racing is a relatively short (3-7 minutes) one-stage race where the trail trends downhill for the majority of the track. You may think of it as having a one-stage enduro race, although you are typically shuttled/take a lift to the top of the race course instead of having to pedal yourself. Racers are sent off individually and while passing can occur, it is less frequent than other kinds of racing due to the shorter race course.

Downhill racing has a higher focus on the details - knowing the course well, selecting the fastest/cleanest lines, shifting at the right times, using technical bike handling skills - compared to cross country and enduro style racing.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

Race weekend consists of practice day (Saturday) and race day (Sunday).

By the end of practice, you should be comfortable riding the entire course at speed, including any difficult features. On practice day(s), you will be shuttled to the top of the course and then ride down, working to get as familiar with the course as possible. Walking sections, sessioning challenging features, and repeatedly riding the track are the focus on practice days.

You may not do many entire “top-to-bottom” runs before you race until you’ve worked your way down the track, getting comfortable with any technical features. We recommend a slow top-to-bottom roll-through of the whole course on your first ride down, followed by picking apart the course on your subsequent runs, where you stop to scout lines, ride a challenging section multiple times (being careful not to interfere with riders coming down as you push up the trail), or walk through a section to see details that are hard to pick out while on your bike. Once you feel like you’ve mastered all the technical bits, it’s good to get in several top-to-bottom runs, as that will feel different than stop-and-go run-throughs (i.e., more tiring!). You will repeatedly shuttle to the top of the course and ride down, but you don’t want to wear yourself out the day before the race! So watch your energy levels, hydration, and food intake on practice days.

Race day is Sunday. Usually, you will only ride down the course once on your "race run," although sometimes there is the option for a practice run on the morning of race day. People are assigned race times and shuttled to the top in a group with their category. At the start line, racers are sent off individually, with time between each racer, and ride their course to the bottom as quickly as possible. Results are immediate.

After the racing concludes, there will be a raffle and podiums. Food will be available at the venue for purchase.

THIS IS FUN!

The information here may sound intimidating. But while it can be challenging, downhill racing is very social and very fun. You can practice with your old and new friends, view lines together, session tough features together, talk while in the shuttle, commiserate over that tough feature that is giving you fits, etc. Overall, this is fun first, and racing is only as serious as you want to take it. And hey, isn’t a challenge a good thing as well?

We are excited to see you at the Dirty Downhill!

Event Details

VENUE

We will be racing the fantastic downhill trails at Dry Hill in Port Angeles, WA. Click here for Google Map directions. From Walkabout Way, take a right through the first gate and follow the signs to the parking area. Please be careful not to block anyone in. You will need a Discover Pass to park at Dry Hill.

Food and drink will be available for purchase onsite. Java Gypsy Coffee will be onsite Saturday and Sunday to help get you fueled and caffeinated.  Food trucks will also be onsite.

We recommend bringing your camping chairs and other items to be comfortable hanging outside all day when you aren’t on course practicing or racing.

CAMPING & LODGING

There is NO CAMPING at the race venue (Dry Hill), but there will be camping available at Elwha RV Park. Book directly through Elwha by visiting this link: https://elwhadamrvpark.com/damrvpark.com

We do not have lodging partners. We recommend that lodging be reserved in the Port Angeles, WA area.

RACE RULES

Gear requirements: A full-face helmet is MANDATORY. You should also have eye protection, body armor, and a full-suspension bike designed for more aggressive downhill mountain biking terrain.

Racer Start List: You will be given a starting order by late Saturday afternoon - it will be posted on our website and it will be emailed to you. You will race with others in your category and age group. You will start in the posted order (no changes).  

Racer spacing: Racers will be sent off in 30 or 60 second increments depending on the category. Please do not request a ghost rider. 

Passing: If you are the racer passing someone, you MUST call out clearly that you are there and need to pass. Communicate with each other to negotiate safe passing. If you are caught by the racer behind you, you MUST let them pass when it is safe to do so. 

No headphones: It is imperative that you hear your surroundings while you are racing so that you can communicate with other racers generally and pass or be passed safely.

No partner/friend/family member ride-alongs: If you need support during the race, please have your support rider obtain permission from the race organizers. 

 No dogs on course and dogs discouraged from the event:  While we love dogs, we have had some unpleasant experiences with them disrupting riders on course and in the staging area. We strongly encourage you to leave your dog at home. If you must bring your dog, they must be leashed and in YOUR control at all times. And again, no dogs on course. This applies to everyone.

Race Schedule

SUBJECT TO CHANGE


SATURDAY

7:30 | Gate Opens

8:00 - 1:00 | Sign-in & Registration

9:00 - 4:00 | Practice (All categories and age groups)

1:00 | Riders Meeting

5:00 | Gate Closes


SUNDAY

7:30 | Gate Opens

9:00 - 9:45 | Cat 3 Site Lap

10:00 | Cat 3 Race

Please note that times are ESTIMATES.

Please check the list to make sure all your information is correct (check plate # and category).

If there are any mistakes, GO TO THE TIMING HUT AT THE FINISH LINE (near the stage) SUNDAY MORNING NO LATER THAN 9:30AM, and we will make necessary corrections.

Who’s Racing?

Oct. 12 - 13th, 2024 | Dry Hill | Port Angeles, WA

If you need to change your registration information, visit out our FAQ page.

VOLUNTEER

We need a few timers for Sunday. Contact us if you can help out.

FAQs

  • Yes! Get ready to ride with World Champion Jill Kintner and Elite Coach Kat Sweet on October 11th at Dry Hill! For just $250, you’ll enjoy expert tips, skill drills, and personalized coaching, plus convenient shuttles. Whether you’re Cat 3 or Cat 1+2, they've got tailored sessions to boost your race game. SIGN UP HERE

    Check out our events page for more details and to catch other opportunities to ride Dry Hill.

  • We are not offering shuttles on Friday. You will get PLENTY of practice on Saturday!

  • Step 1: Login to your account https://sturdydirty.account.webconnex.com/. If you haven't logged in yet, you'll need to claim your account, create a password and provide some personal information. 

    Step 2: Click on "Registrations" [On mobile the menu might not show up right away. If it doesn't, tap the area between the Sturdy Dirty logo and the "Your personal information..." and it will show up OR just rotate your phone and the menu will magically appear.]

    Step 3: Click on "Dirty Downhill"

    Step 4: Click "Edit"

    Step 5: Make necessary changes.

    Step 6: Click "SAVE"

    If you have issues, contact us!

  • To cancel your registration, contact us.

    The refund policy is as follows…

    UP TO 14 DAYS PRIOR to race day: PARTIAL REFUND of race registration less $50 refund fee. 

    LESS THAN 14 DAYS from race day: NO REFUND.

    NO TRANSFERS

    NO EXCEPTIONS

  • Race Registration fee includes 2 days of shuttling (Saturday practice and Sunday race). Everything else will cost ya.