Dakota Dust and Dirt Tour

New race and a new place for 2024, plus chip timing!
 
The Dakota Dust and Dirt Tour is back this year with a brand new location and race routes. It’s going to be dirt cheap and dirty fun! This is a two day gravel stage race with either a short or long distance to choose from.  You also have the option to just race on a single day if you feel like you are not able to tackle a two day gravel race yet, or if you are unable to commit to both days.  So what a stage race means is that each day’s race is considered a “stage” and the overall winner is determined by the best time for both stages.  However, each day is viewed as single race and the top 3 competitors will be awarded for their efforts on that day in both female and male divisions. The first day’s short race is 29 miles and the long race is 62 miles. Day one will start in downtown Saint Anthony on CR 136  close to Rusty’s Saloon and Grill and will traverse some of the finest gravel that ND has to offer heading out into the wild west of Morton County. Day 2 short race is 35 miles long and the long course is a 52 miles of pure gravel bliss but heading east of Saint Anthony.     The top three riders each day in both female and male categories will receive a custom made medal from Dakota Awards. In keeping the tradition of stage racing, the leaders in each race will be awarded a “leader’s jersey” (ankle strap) on Day 1 to signify who is in the lead; and for the competitors to mark who to go after when racing on Day 2. In addition to that, at the conclusion of the second day the top three riders with the best combined time will also be awarded for both divisions in the short and long tours.
     Camping is available in Saint Anthony. You can call Jeff 701-934-5126 and also one mile north is a place with hookups 701-400-7340.  I was also informed that people can camp by the rodeo arena but there are no hookups.
   Basic safety information: please ride with caution. Not all the hills are steep but stay to the right on any hill you crest and are not able to see beyond.  Cars, pickup trucks, and semi trucks come flying fast and you will have no reaction time to get out of the way.  Stay to the right side of the road in general as it is also difficult to hear any vehicle approaching from behind. Let’s all ride smart and get back home safely.     There will be aid stations with water available in both races. However, remember to pack enough fuel and hydration for your ride, as well as the tools and parts to make basic repairs. Helmets are mandatory. If you do not wear a helmet, you are not allowed to ride. Please show respect for the people and facilities, since they were so generous to allow the use of their town and property.  Please pick up after yourself and show common decency. Thank you in advance as this will help foster positive attitudes towards yourself and your fellow cyclists as people encounter us on the open roads.    The coarse will be very well marked, gpx files will be available.
Day 1 short route 
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/275944811
Day 1 long route 
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/275939617
Day 2 short route 
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/279076352
Day 2 long route 
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/276054420
 You can also find the routes on Strava under Eleno-rides Somewhere (look under profile and then go to saved routes).
 Schedule of events:
Friday August 9th
5:00-7:30 packet pick up at 701 Cycle and Sport parking lot 
Saturday August 10th
8:30 Pre-race meeting
9:00 Long race starts with a neutral roll out. You will head west through town on a paved street and then you will shortly hit gravel. That’s when the race begins!
10:00 Short race starts 
2:00 awards and presentation for short course will start and long course awards after participants are in
Sunday August 11th
Saint Anthony, ND
8:30 Pre-race meeting
9:00 long race starts just east of highway 6 and will head out east and will cover some familiar roads if you have ridden in the Alkemist or Elixir gravel race. But don’t fret your spandex, there will be new roads and most of the routes that cover the same roads will be ridden in a reverse direction to keep you feeling spicy in the saddle!
10:00 short race starts 
2:00 awards for short course as well as celebratory fist bumps and high fives!