The Sturdy What?
Yeah, we've heard that question before, often accompanied by a quizzical...sometimes concerned look. The Sturdy Dirty Enduro Series is a mouthful, and the enduro race series behind the name is just as fun...and maybe even as ridiculous (in all the good ways) as you think it is.
In the Pacific Northwest, folks know every detail behind this iconic women's-only bike race in Seattle Washington; and now that the Sturdy Dirty is headed down the Pacific Coast to a trail near you (Snow Summit Resort!), here is what you need to know to get in on the party:
( All photos courtesy of the talented Collin Meagher and Chris McFarland - two of our biggest fans!)
Yeah, we've heard that question before, often accompanied by a quizzical...sometimes concerned look. The Sturdy Dirty Enduro Series is a mouthful, and the enduro race series behind the name is just as fun...and maybe even as ridiculous (in all the good ways) as you think it is.
In the Pacific Northwest, folks know every detail behind this iconic women's-only bike race in Seattle Washington; and now that the Sturdy Dirty is headed down the Pacific Coast to a trail near you (Snow Summit Resort!), here is what you need to know to get in on the party:
( All photos courtesy of the talented Collin Meagher and Chris McFarland - two of our biggest fans!)
1. The Sturdy Dirty Enduro Series is the first of its kind...and there is a kickass crew of ladies behind the scenes.
When the Sturdy Dirty Enduro started in Washington in 2012, it was the first women's-only enduro in the US - and one of only a handful of beginner friendly women's focused mtb races in the world. After three years of consecutive sell-out races, race promoters Katie, Ady, Angela, and Julie (ladies of the Sturdy B Racing team) were ready to take things to the next level. With the help of racers turned promoter Ash (of Roam Events) and Suzie (Snow Summit Resort), the Sturdy Dirty Enduro Series was born! With races in Seattle WA (June 17), Oakridge OR (Aug 19), and Big Bear CA (Oct 14), the Sturdy Dirty Enduro Series (SDES) is the very first women's-only enduro race series in the whole friggin' world.
2. The Sturdy Dirty was created specifically for BEGINNER racers.
Racing in general can be intimidating. Joining in on an often misunderstood race discipline like Enduro can be downright scary. The Sturdy B's fell in love with enduro racing, but recognized there were a lot of unknowns that kept other women from competing. What is an enduro? Are there any other women racing? Do I have to have an "enduro" bike? Do I have to have fancy gear? What if I can't keep up? These were all questions that came up often enough that the Sturdy B's decided it was time to make an event to help introduce beginner racers to Enduro in hopes that the Sturdy Dirty would be a stepping stone for ladies to compete in any enduro race.
3. Expert shredders will have a blast too!
We've had world-class pros race the Sturdy Dirty and the race consistently ranks favorite amongst expert riders. We make sure to kick it up a notch on expert/pro stages to get all the feels throughout the day.
4. The race course is created by women, for women.
The whole damn race is put on by women - why would the course selection be any different? We've got pros racing who can hit jumps with steezy style and flawlessly navigate the most technical terrain...but do we expect beginner racers to ride mandatory drops and sketchy jumps? Absolutely not. Each race category (Juniors, Beginner, Masters Beginner, Sport, Expert, Pro) will have an appropriate race course to ride that is hand-selected and pre-ridden by a crew of ladies to ensure everyone is safe, appropriately challenged, and having fun on course. We even have Red Tent Timing along to make sure the race timing is smooth as butter.
5. There are no secrets here! Racers will have plenty of opportunity to pre-ride and practice the course.
Racing a course blind is fun for some people...but we aren't those kind of people. Because we want racers to feel safe, confident, and relaxed on-course, we release the course details as soon as they are finalized so everyone has a chance to practice every nook and cranny of the race. We even have a mega fun pre-ride practice the day before the race! (Friday, Oct 13 in Big Bear)
When the Sturdy Dirty Enduro started in Washington in 2012, it was the first women's-only enduro in the US - and one of only a handful of beginner friendly women's focused mtb races in the world. After three years of consecutive sell-out races, race promoters Katie, Ady, Angela, and Julie (ladies of the Sturdy B Racing team) were ready to take things to the next level. With the help of racers turned promoter Ash (of Roam Events) and Suzie (Snow Summit Resort), the Sturdy Dirty Enduro Series was born! With races in Seattle WA (June 17), Oakridge OR (Aug 19), and Big Bear CA (Oct 14), the Sturdy Dirty Enduro Series (SDES) is the very first women's-only enduro race series in the whole friggin' world.
2. The Sturdy Dirty was created specifically for BEGINNER racers.
Racing in general can be intimidating. Joining in on an often misunderstood race discipline like Enduro can be downright scary. The Sturdy B's fell in love with enduro racing, but recognized there were a lot of unknowns that kept other women from competing. What is an enduro? Are there any other women racing? Do I have to have an "enduro" bike? Do I have to have fancy gear? What if I can't keep up? These were all questions that came up often enough that the Sturdy B's decided it was time to make an event to help introduce beginner racers to Enduro in hopes that the Sturdy Dirty would be a stepping stone for ladies to compete in any enduro race.
3. Expert shredders will have a blast too!
We've had world-class pros race the Sturdy Dirty and the race consistently ranks favorite amongst expert riders. We make sure to kick it up a notch on expert/pro stages to get all the feels throughout the day.
4. The race course is created by women, for women.
The whole damn race is put on by women - why would the course selection be any different? We've got pros racing who can hit jumps with steezy style and flawlessly navigate the most technical terrain...but do we expect beginner racers to ride mandatory drops and sketchy jumps? Absolutely not. Each race category (Juniors, Beginner, Masters Beginner, Sport, Expert, Pro) will have an appropriate race course to ride that is hand-selected and pre-ridden by a crew of ladies to ensure everyone is safe, appropriately challenged, and having fun on course. We even have Red Tent Timing along to make sure the race timing is smooth as butter.
5. There are no secrets here! Racers will have plenty of opportunity to pre-ride and practice the course.
Racing a course blind is fun for some people...but we aren't those kind of people. Because we want racers to feel safe, confident, and relaxed on-course, we release the course details as soon as they are finalized so everyone has a chance to practice every nook and cranny of the race. We even have a mega fun pre-ride practice the day before the race! (Friday, Oct 13 in Big Bear)
6. There will be costumes, cheering, and a heaping dose of revelry.
If you aren't having fun at the Sturdy Dirty, you aren't doing it right.
Volunteers and fans alike are highly encouraged to show up fully decked out in costume. Aid Stations are themed and have hosted treats such as Hooters BBQ chicken wings, s'mores, a taco bar, and bacon. So. much. bacon.
Race promoters work hard to ensure the race is a welcoming experience for riders. Expect encouragement and cheering from fellow racers, friendly pre-stage chatter, and enough smiles and high fives to wear you out - but not so much that you can't hang with us at the After Party.
7. Boys (aka grown men) are welcome too!
Many of us enjoy the support of our male counterparts - and we encourage them to help in a variety of ways! We absolutely love our volunteers (many of whom are fellas), and a cheer squad of costume clad baritone voices is welcome when we need that extra bit of support to hammer out the last few hundred yards. If you can't race with 'em, support 'em! Right fellas?
_____________________________________________________
Ready to Sturdy Dirty? REGISTER HERE for the Big Bear race hosted by Snow Summit Resort or check out www.sturdydirty.com for more race details.
Race promoters Ady (rhymes with eighty), Julie, Suzie, and Ash will all be joining us at the GGR Women's Weekend at Big Bear July 29-31 to answer all your questions in person!
Have more immediate questions? E-mail [email protected] or call Ash at 530-521-8913
If you aren't having fun at the Sturdy Dirty, you aren't doing it right.
Volunteers and fans alike are highly encouraged to show up fully decked out in costume. Aid Stations are themed and have hosted treats such as Hooters BBQ chicken wings, s'mores, a taco bar, and bacon. So. much. bacon.
Race promoters work hard to ensure the race is a welcoming experience for riders. Expect encouragement and cheering from fellow racers, friendly pre-stage chatter, and enough smiles and high fives to wear you out - but not so much that you can't hang with us at the After Party.
7. Boys (aka grown men) are welcome too!
Many of us enjoy the support of our male counterparts - and we encourage them to help in a variety of ways! We absolutely love our volunteers (many of whom are fellas), and a cheer squad of costume clad baritone voices is welcome when we need that extra bit of support to hammer out the last few hundred yards. If you can't race with 'em, support 'em! Right fellas?
_____________________________________________________
Ready to Sturdy Dirty? REGISTER HERE for the Big Bear race hosted by Snow Summit Resort or check out www.sturdydirty.com for more race details.
Race promoters Ady (rhymes with eighty), Julie, Suzie, and Ash will all be joining us at the GGR Women's Weekend at Big Bear July 29-31 to answer all your questions in person!
Have more immediate questions? E-mail [email protected] or call Ash at 530-521-8913
