Blog Post
Dirty Double Cross
- By tom@oswaldcycleworks.com
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- 07 Dec, 2016
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200 miles of dirt roads in the PA Wilds -- Cancelled for 2020 :( -- You now have zero excuses to be ready for 2021 :)
Dirty Double Cross is a 200-mile no-fee, no-frills, you're-on-your-own adventure on the fabulous dirt forest roads in the Wilds region of north-central Pennsylvania.
Here's the route. Planning to keep it the same as 2019 unless roadwork or something else forces us to change it. The course will not be marked. Put it in your GPS or phone to navigate, and make sure you have enough battery power for 16-24 hours. Print a cue sheet for a last resort backup, but don't rely on it solely - many of the roads out there lack signage.
Not up for the full grind? There is a 200k option. It uses the first 64 and the last 46 miles of the 200-miler, so kinda the same thing, just less of it. Hang out at the Burnin' Barrel long enough and you could even meet back up with some of the long course riders and buy them a drink :) The 200k route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/22291313
· It's not a race. It's a personal challenge. But we will keep track of finishing times for the sake of posterity and bragging rights.
· It will be the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
· In traditional Oswald style, there will be no support
or course markings. This is a YOYO (you're on your own) style ride. We will not be riding as a group. You must navigate by GPS. There will be local stores and bars every 40-60 miles for food and drinks - bring cash. There is very little cellular service out there. Don't plan on being able to call for help. Plan on being self sufficient.
· If you need accommodations the Mansfield Inn, Microtel are good choices. Camping is also an option at Bucktail, Tanglewood and Hills Creek State Park. And if you want to keep it super low-buck we can probably help arrange some yard camping.
· Entry - also in traditional Oswald style, there is no fee. But organizing events like this does tend to make a person thirsty. And nothing quenches a powerful thirst quite like a tasty, high quality beer. Or a larger quantity of lower quality beer. Plus, we might want to crack a couple to celebrate the completion of a great ride. You take it from here.
For equipment, you're going to want tires 30-40mm wide. They don't need to be super tready, but totally slick isn't a great idea either. Tubeless is ideal. For gearing, you'll want a compact crank and a cassette with at least a 32t on it - it's going to be a long, hilly day. For hydration, it's highly recommended that you have 3 bottles, or at least 2 bottles and a means to filter or treat water - it's pretty far between stops but there are plenty of creeks out there you can get water from if you treat it. Finally, you will need lights and reflective gear. No exceptions. You absolutely will be riding in the dark at the beginning and again at the end.
If you want a peek, the event pages from previous DDX's have some photos and discussion.
The event page for DDX 2020 is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1201286566742867/
Questions or comments? Post them there, or email me: tom@oswaldcycleworks.com
Questions or comments? Post them there, or email me: tom@oswaldcycleworks.com
-Tom Oswald