Dirty Dozen is a unique cycling challenge. What makes this unique, you ask? This is a multi hillclimb event of some of the steepest hills in the country with neutral disposition between hill segments, a rolling start into the hill, and a roadrace style finish for points.( if you are competing). Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned competitor, this ride can put you to the test. Some basic ride details and rules follow. Additional information can be found at the main event web page: http://www.dannychew.com/ddinfo.html
Route: Strava Route This link is good for training purposes in small groups. It may be updated at the last minute to account for road construction. It has all the hills, but it may not be the course followed by every ride leader. Competition heats in particular will follow different routes to Canton and Boustead.
Number Pickup: This year you can pick up your number and possibly some swag at Biketek in Squirrel Hill an Forbes Ave from 5 pm to 7pm on Friday October 23rd. It will be warm and dry. By doing this you can avoid the cold line at the park in the morning.
Number Pickup link ( old)
If you elect to wait until Saturday morning the number pickup and Registration will open for 1 hour starting at 8am. Bikereg will be live until the start. No cash.
Start Location: This year’s start is located at the Rhododendron Pavilion in Highland Park. This is on Lake Dr near the lake.
Parking: There is plenty of parking on either side of the street along Lake and Reservoir Dr. Please be respectful of the Dog Park and leave space in front for other patrons.
Safety: Remember—safety first. You will be on open roads with vehicle traffic. Always be alert for road hazards and traffic. When riding in a pack remember that you are among cyclists of all different abilities. Follow instructions given by ride leaders and marshals in your group.
Weather: This is Pittsburgh. Although the October event should prevent a whole day of snow or freezing rain, it is still known to be wet and chilly at this time of year. Dress in layers with a waterproof layer on top if necessary. Remember to overlap the waterproof layers so that water does not flow into your clothes...think roof shingles.
You are responsible for determining when the weather has gotten the best of you. Have an escape plan if things get unsafe for you or others. I do not think there are 400 Ubers in Pittsburgh.
Your numbers: For non-competitors, a helmet sticker will be provided. Competitors also receive frame, bar numbers, or saddle numbers (TBD). The helmet number is to be mounted on the front, center of your helmet, just above the brim. The frame number is to be mounted towards the front of your bike’s top tube where it is clearly visible from either side. These will be needed for identification throughout the ride, and are essential for participation in the points competition.
Heats: This year there may be as many as 9 heats including a separate heat for the women's competition and a handcycle heat. Come to the Start line 5 minutes before your start time.
Heat 1: Open Competition (9:00am)
Handcycles. (9:00am)
Heat 2: Licensed ( 9:10)
Heat 3: Club Heat (9:15)
Heat 4: Women's & Nonbinary Competitive (separate) (9:20)
Heat 5: DD Fan Club (9:25)
Heat 6: Rouleur (9:30)
Heat 7/8: Party Bus (9:40)
Food stops and restrooms: Food stops and portable restrooms are at Millvale Riverfront Park, on River Front Drive in Millvale, and at after Boustead at the Pauline St Park. The Cobden Street Block Watch and the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association will provide some refreshments at the top of Eleanor Street, the 12th hill.
Being an official finisher: You must successfully ride every hill in the event to be an official finisher. Successfully riding a hill means that you make continuous uphill progress to the top under your own power, and the only contact points with the ground are the two wheels; falling down, putting a foot down, grabbing poles or other stationary objects, jockeying in place, etc. are disqualifying, and the hill must be restarted from the bottom if any of these occur. “Finisher” ribbons will be awarded to riders certifying they successfully rode every hill. To receive one, ypu will need to follow the provided route to the Awards Ceremony location ( East End Brewery)
Points competition: To remain eligible for a placing in the points competition, riders must be official finishers as described above and finish the final hill within 20 minutes of the first finisher of that hill. The pace between the hills is neutral and riders must stay together. When approaching the start of a hill, riders must stay even with or behind the riding official who signals hill starts. This is a rolling start. We do not stop at thebottom, or time your results. The official blows a whistle at the beginning of each contested hill at their discretion as they approach the bottom of the hill. Only then may riders go as hard as they want to the top in an attempt to score points. The first ten competitors in each competative heat on each hill receive points in their respective competitions.
After Party and Awards Ceremony will (Likely) be held at East End Brewing Company on Julius St in Larimer.
The GPS route ,linked above Will directing you back to Highland Park will lead you past the awards ceremony location.
The Final letter sent the day before the event will have all the latest information such as route, rest stops, schedule, locations, in case they change.