 | Thank you for signing up for the upcoming Blankets Creek Dirty 15/30 MTB Race on April 3rd. This race update goes over our race day and start procedures for the upcoming event. Knowing these procedures will help us ensure we have a safe and smooth event for everyone. We are looking forward to seeing eveyrone on April 3rd! KEY DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW/ACTION ITEMS: ▪ OPTIONAL early check-in Thursday April 1st from 4 to 7 pm Outdoors at OutSpokin' Bicycles, 3422 Sixes Rd, Suite 110, Canton, GA 30114. If you check in early, you can go straight to the start line on Saturday morning. (RECOMMENDED, but you can still pick up on Saturday morning 10 - 11:15 am)
▪ Waivers need to be printed at home, filled out ahead of time, and brought to the race check-in CLICK HERE FOR EVENT WAIVER
▪ No race day changes or rider swaps - if you want to change distance or category, you need to contact me via email no later than 3/29. No changes after 3/29. Click on the rider list below and ensure your details are correct...if not, please contact me now.
▪ If you can no longer attend, you may sell your entry to someone else, but this needs to be done by 3/29. Payment is between buyer and seller..all I need is the new rider's name and email no later than 3/29. No late rider transfers, no transfers to other events at this point.
▪ START TIMES ARE PRE-ASSIGNED, this year's event will be time-trial format. Riders will start in groups by category. Large categores are split into two start waves - you were assigned to a wave in the order you registered, wave will be written on your race plate when you check in. Please do not come down to the start staging area until 5-7 minutes before your assigned start time. Look for the "Wait Here to Start" signs and stand at the appropriate cone - listen for instructions. Your time starts when you cross over the start/finish mats. CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF START TIMES
▪ Please do not arrive at Blankets Creek before 9:30 am - bike race check-in will not be available until 10 am, as there is a trail run in the morning before the bike race.
▪ When you exit Mosquito Flats Creekside near the start/finish, 15 mile riders turn RIGHT to finish and 30 mile riders turn LEFT to go out for another lap. Know which way your're going at this point. ONCE YOU START, YOU DO NOT CROSS UNDER THE FINISH ARCH UNLESS YOU ARE FINISHING. YOU DO NOT GO UP INTO THE PARKING LOT IN BETWEEN LAPS.
| ▪ | OPTIONAL early check-in Thursday April 1st from 4 to 7 pm Outdoors at OutSpokin' Bicycles, 3422 Sixes Rd, Suite 110, Canton, GA 30114. If you check in early, you can go straight to the start line on Saturday morning. (RECOMMENDED, but you can still pick up on Saturday morning 10 - 11:15 am) | | ▪ | No race day changes or rider swaps - if you want to change distance or category, you need to contact me via email no later than 3/29. No changes after 3/29. Click on the rider list below and ensure your details are correct...if not, please contact me now. | | ▪ | If you can no longer attend, you may sell your entry to someone else, but this needs to be done by 3/29. Payment is between buyer and seller..all I need is the new rider's name and email no later than 3/29. No late rider transfers, no transfers to other events at this point. | | ▪ | START TIMES ARE PRE-ASSIGNED, this year's event will be time-trial format. Riders will start in groups by category. Large categores are split into two start waves - you were assigned to a wave in the order you registered, wave will be written on your race plate when you check in. Please do not come down to the start staging area until 5-7 minutes before your assigned start time. Look for the "Wait Here to Start" signs and stand at the appropriate cone - listen for instructions. Your time starts when you cross over the start/finish mats. CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF START TIMES | | ▪ | Please do not arrive at Blankets Creek before 9:30 am - bike race check-in will not be available until 10 am, as there is a trail run in the morning before the bike race. | | ▪ | When you exit Mosquito Flats Creekside near the start/finish, 15 mile riders turn RIGHT to finish and 30 mile riders turn LEFT to go out for another lap. Know which way your're going at this point. ONCE YOU START, YOU DO NOT CROSS UNDER THE FINISH ARCH UNLESS YOU ARE FINISHING. YOU DO NOT GO UP INTO THE PARKING LOT IN BETWEEN LAPS. | | CHECK-IN ▪ Saturday Check-in hours are from 10 am to 11:15 am. Please do not arrive before 9:30 am - there is a trail run earlier in the morning and we are trying to prevent overcrowding at the trailhead. When you arrive, parking helpers will direct you where to park - please park where directed as we are trying to fill spots as they empty from the morning run.
▪ Proceed to appropriate check-in line with waiver. Only one person/family group at each table at a time. If there is a line, please wait at a cone in front of your respective table and maintain 10' spacing between groups. You will receive your race bib, Dirty 15/30 swag, and any additional merchandise you ordered at this time. Hand sanitizer will be available.
▪ We are asking all participants to please wear a face covering to pick up your race packet, however you are not required to wear a face covering while racing.
▪ Port-o-lets as well as permanent bathrooms with running water will be available at this venue.
| ▪ | Saturday Check-in hours are from 10 am to 11:15 am. Please do not arrive before 9:30 am - there is a trail run earlier in the morning and we are trying to prevent overcrowding at the trailhead. When you arrive, parking helpers will direct you where to park - please park where directed as we are trying to fill spots as they empty from the morning run. | | ▪ | Proceed to appropriate check-in line with waiver. Only one person/family group at each table at a time. If there is a line, please wait at a cone in front of your respective table and maintain 10' spacing between groups. You will receive your race bib, Dirty 15/30 swag, and any additional merchandise you ordered at this time. Hand sanitizer will be available. | | ▪ | We are asking all participants to please wear a face covering to pick up your race packet, however you are not required to wear a face covering while racing. | | ▪ | Port-o-lets as well as permanent bathrooms with running water will be available at this venue. | RACE PROCEDURES ▪ Make sure your number plate is attached to your Handlebar (twist ties will be in your race bag) - do not bend the foam timing chip.
▪ No pre-race group meeting - Consider this your pre-race meeting. Any last minute additions will be posted at check-in so you can photograph and read back at your car.
▪ No Aid Station on 15 mile course - short course riders must be self sufficient and carry their own water and nutrition. There will be a Hammer Gel and Fizz all race packets.
▪ 30 mile riders may pre-stage bottles, coolers, etc anywhere within the skills yard area for access at the start of their second lap. ITEMS MUST BE STAGED BY 11 AM WHEN THE RACE STARTS, NO EXCEPTIONS.
▪ Course will be well marked with pink ribbons and pink/black arrow signs at turns by NOON THURSDAY 4/1. Pink ribbons indicate the direction you want to head and are also used to designate that you are on-course if it has been a while in between turns. Course marshals will be positioned throughout the course for your safety. YOU MAY NOT PRE-RIDE IN RACE DIRECTION ON FRIDAY AS THE TRAIL IS DIRECTIONAL BY DAY. To pre-ride in race direction, you must visit the trail on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday.
▪ Give other folks not in your family/riding group at least 6' spacing while at the race venue.
▪ ANNOUNCE if you are passing to riders ahead and say PASSING RIGHT or PASSING LEFT and give them a chance to move to the side. PLEASE BE PATIENT, WORK TOGETHER, BE NICE and give each other space out on the trails.
▪ Because we have nearly 20 start waves, the faster 30 mile riders may catch beginner riders in the middle/end of their second lap. Again, PLEASE BE PATIENT, WORK TOGETHER, BE NICE and give each other space out on the trails.
▪ Once finished, please do not congregate near the finish line. Blankets Creek is a large venue, so please spread out and find your own safe space.
▪ COURSE MAPS, DESCRIPTIONS, and GPX FILE CAN BE FOUND HERE
| ▪ | Make sure your number plate is attached to your Handlebar (twist ties will be in your race bag) - do not bend the foam timing chip. | | ▪ | No pre-race group meeting - Consider this your pre-race meeting. Any last minute additions will be posted at check-in so you can photograph and read back at your car. | | ▪ | No Aid Station on 15 mile course - short course riders must be self sufficient and carry their own water and nutrition. There will be a Hammer Gel and Fizz all race packets. | | ▪ | 30 mile riders may pre-stage bottles, coolers, etc anywhere within the skills yard area for access at the start of their second lap. ITEMS MUST BE STAGED BY 11 AM WHEN THE RACE STARTS, NO EXCEPTIONS. | | ▪ | Course will be well marked with pink ribbons and pink/black arrow signs at turns by NOON THURSDAY 4/1. Pink ribbons indicate the direction you want to head and are also used to designate that you are on-course if it has been a while in between turns. Course marshals will be positioned throughout the course for your safety. YOU MAY NOT PRE-RIDE IN RACE DIRECTION ON FRIDAY AS THE TRAIL IS DIRECTIONAL BY DAY. To pre-ride in race direction, you must visit the trail on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. | | ▪ | Give other folks not in your family/riding group at least 6' spacing while at the race venue. | | ▪ | ANNOUNCE if you are passing to riders ahead and say PASSING RIGHT or PASSING LEFT and give them a chance to move to the side. PLEASE BE PATIENT, WORK TOGETHER, BE NICE and give each other space out on the trails. | | ▪ | Because we have nearly 20 start waves, the faster 30 mile riders may catch beginner riders in the middle/end of their second lap. Again, PLEASE BE PATIENT, WORK TOGETHER, BE NICE and give each other space out on the trails. | | ▪ | Once finished, please do not congregate near the finish line. Blankets Creek is a large venue, so please spread out and find your own safe space. | RESULTS/AWARDS ▪ Finish times wlll be uploaded to our results website, mgaresults.com , so you can view them on your mobile device from your car or elsewhere at the venue. Keep in mind that with staggered starts, someone who starts after you can still beat you, so your placing may change depending on when you look at it. Some categories start in multiple waves.
▪ Social Distanced 15 mile awards at approximately 1:45 pm and 30 mile awards at 3 pm in the Festival Lawn area where we can spread out. AWARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED - THEY MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE RACE
| ▪ | Finish times wlll be uploaded to our results website, mgaresults.com , so you can view them on your mobile device from your car or elsewhere at the venue. Keep in mind that with staggered starts, someone who starts after you can still beat you, so your placing may change depending on when you look at it. Some categories start in multiple waves. | | ▪ | Social Distanced 15 mile awards at approximately 1:45 pm and 30 mile awards at 3 pm in the Festival Lawn area where we can spread out. AWARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED - THEY MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE RACE | | Hammer Nutrition endurance fuels will be on the course at the 2021 Blankets Creek Dirty 15/30 Bike Race! Hammer’s been supplying athletes with natural products free of added sugars, artificial colors, flavors, chemicals, and preservatives for over 30 years. BLANKETS CREEK DIRTY 15/30 BIKE RACE TIP #3: REPLENISH ELECTROLYTES WITH A BALANCED FORMULA (NOT JUST SALT!) IN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATE FOR CONDITIONS FACT: Salt (sodium chloride) cannot fulfill your entire requirements for electrolytes. The minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium also must be replenished to ensure the proper functioning of key body systems. In addition, your daily dietary sodium intake, fitness level, acclimatization, and the environmental conditions (heat, humidity, etc.) all affect the number of electrolytes you will need to replenish during exercise. For a balanced, full-spectrum formula of electrolytes, replenish with Endurolytes. Choose regular Endurolytes, Endurolytes Extreme, or Endurolytes Fizz in doses appropriate for the conditions. Follow Hammer Nutrition to their website at Electrolytes to learn more HERE. | BLANKETS CREEK DIRTY 15/30 BIKE RACE TIP #4: BEFORE WORKOUTS AND RACES, CONSUME 300-400 CALORIES. COMPLETE YOUR MEAL 3 HOURS BEFORE YOU START EXERCISE To perform and feel your best during races or workouts, consume no more than 300-400 calories. Choose easily digested, complex carbohydrates, along with a small amount of protein and a little healthy fat. Avoid fiber, simple sugar, and acidic foods. Finish your meal 3 hours before exercise. Eating within 3 hours can seriously hurt your performance by 1) reducing the conversion of fats to fuels, and 2) accelerating glycogen depletion. Tip: If your race is early, don't sacrifice sleep to eat! Instead, consume a small amount of supplemental fuel, such as one Hammer Gel, about 5 minutes before starting. Follow Hammer Nutrition to their website at Pre-Exercise Fueling to learn more HERE. | Want to check out our other events? Our 2021 calendar is below - we focus on mountain bike races, trail runs, and off-road duathlons. April 3, 2021 - Blankets Creek Dirty 15/30 Mountain Bike Race April 3, 2021 - Blankets Creek Trail Run May 15, 2021 - Rope Mill Trail Run June 5, 2021 - Assault on Garland Mountain 10k and 13.1 mile trail run June 19, 2021 - Blankets Creek 3/6 Hour Race September 11, 2021 - Fools Gold 38 and 60 Mile MTB Races TENTATIVE October 2, 2021 - Old Copper 30/Big Frog 65/Cohutta 100 MTB Races TENTATIVE October 3, 2021 - Big Frog 50k - 13.1 mile - 7 mile Trail Runs November 13, 2021 - Rope Mill Dirty Duathlon and 5k Trail Run | | |
