DS&G 2008

[TNcaveman]

Hey Grant - can you post up the number of people / teams that will be doing the DSG event?

I'm really looking forward - this is going to be a blast - I'll be sore Sunday


Steve

[GNC]

Originally Posted by TNcaveman

Hey Grant - can you post up the number of people / teams that will be doing the DSG event?

I'm really looking forward - this is going to be a blast - I'll be sore Sunday


Steve

Steve,

We are in the last minute rush at this point, so it's hard to say what we will get for totals, but as of a week ago, we were 100 riders ahead of the same time last year. I'm thinking close to 300 riders.

We will look at the numbers tomorrow and decide if we want to keep it open a couple more days. It really depends on the number of solos we get as we don't want too much traffic to spoil the fun.

Thanks,

Grant

[cooper58]

Grant,

Don't add too many more riders as this will cut into my chances of winning my new bike and I9 wheels..

Thanks for keeping us updated!!!!!!

[twolfcon]

Originally Posted by cooper58

Grant,

Don't add too many more riders as this will cut into my chances of winning my new bike and I9 wheels..

Thanks for keeping us updated!!!!!!

What do you mean your bike Chris?
I'll have you know I plan on winning not only a new bike, but the lottery on Sat. night also, my horoscope said so.

Mike

[Ricky D]

Step away from the blingy wheels and nobody gets hurt!! I got dibs! That's the only cool thing I can afford to fly back with me without busting my weight limit. :plane:

Of course if I won the Ellsworth, I suppose I could scrounge up 50 bucks to get it home.

[edrod]

I quit me job today, so dsg I am there..,. also had a great day today sitting on my back porch in the sun drinking beer, playing on the laptop with me dogs, does anyone know how I can get paid for that????

[twolfcon]

Originally Posted by edrod

I quit me job today, so dsg I am there..,. also had a great day today sitting on my back porch in the sun drinking beer, playing on the laptop with me dogs, does anyone know how I can get paid for that????

First thing Eddy, you & the dogs on top of the lap top will probably void your warranty, as for getting paid for sitting on the back porch drinking beer, I've been doing that for years & I'm broke.
Your young, you'll find something better to do when your not riding to fill your days.
See ya at DSG!

Mike

[toochickens]

The moose out front should have told you.


Too wet folks. Rain last night. More on the way today.

We'll keep you updated.

[GNC]

All,

Being life long procrastinators ourselves, the gang at DSG can relate. For that reason, we have left the gate unlocked to the registration tent till Monday 4/28/2008 at 12 AM.

Thanks,

Grant

[1cor1422]

Anyone else feel like they aren't ready for this race? I've not gotten in the amount of saddle time that I wanted too. It seems that when I've had the time to ride the trails have been too messy. Oh well, it's still gonna be a great time< I'm looking forward to seeing everyone down there!!!

[WadePatton]

Originally Posted by 1cor1422

Anyone else feel like they aren't ready for this race? I've not gotten in the amount of saddle time that I wanted too. It seems that when I've had the time to ride the trails have been too messy. Oh well, it's still gonna be a great time< I'm looking forward to seeing everyone down there!!!

Heckfire and tarnation, I've never been ready for a race. And I'm way not ready for this one. Think I'll regear and pray for good conditions.

[TheNextLevel]

Originally Posted by toochickens

The moose out front should have told you.


Too wet folks. Rain last night. More on the way today.

We'll keep you updated.

Nice touch with the Marty Moose, Clay. Looking forward to seeing you and Amy this weekend.

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by toochickens

The moose out front should have told you.

Shouldn't that be "The Mule out front should have told you"?

[GNC]

I'm nearly recovered from the weekend and my face is still sore from all the smiles associated with seeing everyone out tearing it up on two wheels at SSUSA and DSG 2.0.

I want to thank everyone who attended and offer my admiration for all those fearless racers that toughed out the first two laps in brutal conditions. The course is was in amazing shape by the afternoon and has a nearly perfect single track line smoothed out at this point. That clay that caused all the pain in the early laps kept this course from becoming rutted and it is freaky fast now.

I also wanted to let everyone know that your participation helped out a few really important causes:

• The American Cancer Society will walk away with $2,500 thanks to DSG and SSUSA participants, Vassago Cycles, and Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles.
• SORBA / IMBA is leaving with $2,100 thanks to riders and the generous contributions of Maverick Bikes and one lucky new Maverick Matic Owner.
• Also, thanks to everyone that stepped up to help out local racer, Harpeth Super Wrench, and all around good guy Rick Harmon. That is what these events are all about.

The list of GREAT Sponsors is long, so please forgive me if I miss any here:

• Swiftwick Socks
• Outdoorzy.com
• Harpeth Bikes
• MOAB
• The Biker's Choice
• REI
• Vanderbilt Sports Medicine
• Wood n' Wave
• Thomson
• Bicycles Etc.
• Trailhead, Inc.
• Cahaba Cycles
• Sprecher's
• ProLink
• Hammer Nutrition
• Tifosi
• Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles
• Vassago Cycles
• Gary Fisher
• Specialized
• Maverick Bikes
• Blacksheep Cycles
• Dirt Rag
• OS Nutrition
• LW Training
• SideTracked Magazine
• Hoss
• Ergon
• Sun and Ski
• Yazoo Brew
• Terrapin Brewing
• Niner Bikes
• New Belgium Brewing
• Genuine Innovations
• The Next Level
• NationalMountainbike.com

Thanks to all the great racers who made the trip. Nat Ross, Rebecca Rusch, and Yuri H. for calling SSUSA in big style. Dejay Birtch and Fuzzy John Mylne for rocking it in a way that only they could. Rebecca Tomawicki-wicki-wicki for representing big time. Josh Tostado, Pua and Ron Sawicki, Carey Lowery, Brandon Draugalis, Sandra Tomlinson, Jake Kirkpatrick, SSlohioRob, The Beer Team, Curtis Ingliss, etc. Too many to list here, but we are truly grateful for all the memories you all offered up.

Let's do it again next year!

Thanks,

Grant

We should haved pics up at the DSG site later today.

[Johnny5]

Thanks for a great weekend trip bunny gRant and Clay!

[scuba steve]

I just want to say that this was one of the best racing experiences that I have ever had. Everyone was so nice and supportive all day long. The people at the registration tent could hand out pointers to a lot of other people at other races on kindness and ease of the process. I just can't say enough good things about Grant( for letting me register late) and Clay and family (for letting us play on their farm) and everyone else who was involved. It was just awsome all day.
THANKS!!!!

[Chewieez]

I enjoyed riding in your clay Clay! And it was wonderful seeing you and Grant with your baby/walkie talkie carries all day!

You guys put on one KICKIN' weekend of fun!! I can't wait for next year!

[Jmac]

Originally Posted by GNC

so please forgive me if I miss any here:

• Swiftwick Socks
• Harpeth Bikes
• MOAB
• The Biker's Choice
• REI
• Vanderbilt Sports Medicine
• Wood n' Wave
• Thomson
• Bicycles Etc.
• Trailhead, Inc.
• Cahaba Cycles
• Sprecher's
• ProLink
• Hammer Nutrition
• Tifosi
• Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles
• Vassago Cycles
• Gary Fisher
• Specialized
• Maverick Bikes
• Blacksheep Cycles
• Dirt Rag
• OS Nutrition
• LW Training
• Hoss
• Ergon
• Sun and Ski
• Yazoo Brew
• Terrapin Brewing
• Niner Bikes
• New Belgium Brewing
• Genuine Innovations
• The Next Level
• NationalMountainbike.com

.

Outdoorzy.com was representing during DSG.

[GNC]

Thanks Jmac! The Outdoorzy Team was great and made more than a few smiles with the Gift Certs!

Pics are Up at the DSG Site!
http://www.dirtsweatandgears.com/

Grant

[BikeSwimmer]

Huge shout out to Grant and Clay, the volunteers, the sponsors, spectators, and the racers who make this event happen. It is top notch. Well done with putting on a great SSUSA on Friday, then following that up with a 12 race on Saturday! How could it get any better. It is impressive how smooth this event was run and the details were addressed. The swag is second to none. The whole atmosphere was geared towards having fun and fun for everyone, not just the racers. I was not sure how the DSG crew was going to top last year, but they did. Grant in bunny ears is still cracking me up.

This race is without a doubt, not one to be missed. It is circled on calendar for next year. Thanks again!

[Hollis]

New Belgium Brewing?
Was the Beer there or just the racing team?
New Belgium's 1554 Black Ale is just delicious
I'd do 2 laps in da mud for 1 tall pint of 1554

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by Hollis

New Belgium Brewing?
Was the Beer there or just the racing team?
New Belgium's 1554 Black Ale is just delicious
I'd do 2 laps in da mud for 1 tall pint of 1554

New Belgium is coming to TN. 22oz bottles first. We were downing 1554 and Mothership wit in Iowa last weekend. Almost every pub had it all on tap too. Craft brew in TN is picking up.

[GRiD]

I have to echo the big shout outs to Clay and Grant for putting on a great race. It was great to share the course with the pro riders and the atmosphere was really kickin'.. Great swag, competition and stories to share

I want to give a special thanks Mark at the Swiftwick booth for letting us hang in the front row and drink Yazoo in between laps. He hooked Teri up with some new socks and a couple of pints of awesome Yazoo Pale Ale......nice.

Thanks also to everybody on NMB for setting up a cool home base and Scott for bringing the Ham Creek Brew for us to enjoy. To bad we didn't make provisions to camp on Sat. night, because we were TIRED trying to get back home at Midnight.....

[Bdraugelis]

I just wanted to thank Grant and Clay for hosting such a great event and everyone else who had a part in getting the race together this year. You can count me in again for '09. I'll try and get some more people from the Mid-Atlantic to make the trip down.

Brandon Draugelis

[GNC]

Originally Posted by Bdraugelis

I just wanted to thank Grant and Clay for hosting such a great event and everyone else who had a part in getting the race together this year. You can count me in again for '09. I'll try and get some more people from the Mid-Atlantic to make the trip down.

Brandon Draugelis

Thank you Brandon! You absolutely rocked your race. Congrats on your podium spot. We're looking forward to seeing you battle with Tinker, Nat, Josh, and the rest of the crazies next go round.

Grant

[Bikeme]

Class A event. I'm very impressed in the quility of this race in only two years.Wow! Maybe Grant and Clay could start their own local race series....

Of all the years I've been racing I belive the last two races I've done (Cohutta & DSG) are two of my favorites ever..I will never miss this event again. This is great course for 12 hour event. And that mud on the first two laps was just retarded. Man now that was challenging. I think I used at least two laps of energy dragging my bike around for 11 miles.

I look at a 12 hour race as a all you can eat buffet. And I left still hurgry. I could have done other lap. I just ran out of time. See ya next year.

Jeff Scott

[bikerchickie]

Grant, Clay, organizers, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, all....AWESOME JOB! Thanks! I am definitely coming back next year, mud or no mud.

[lmiller]

I was wondering if someone could give a few pointers on the DSG race? I used to live down in Nashville but am back in Michigan now and hoping to get down to the race. I was wondering what gear ratio is recommending for the race? Looks like a good bit of climbing but I wanted to make sure I didn't choose a gear that would cause me to pedal out but also allows me to still climb.

Any and all thoughts are welcomed...thanks all!

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by lmiller

I was wondering what gear ratio is recommending for the race? Looks like a good bit of climbing but I wanted to make sure I didn't choose a gear that would cause me to pedal out but also allows me to still climb.

Any and all thoughts are welcomed...thanks all!

By gear ratio are you referring to single speed gearing or a specific cassette cluster to run?

For SS I usually run 34x18 on a 26" wheeled bike, 34x19 if it's muddy. Others I know ran 32x20, 32x22, & 34x20 on 29" wheeled bikes.

There isn't a lot of spots to "rest" on the trail. It's work pretty much all the way around. The only spot I got spun out at all on my SS was in the field, and it's usually welcomed by that point each lap anyway.

If I were running a geared bike I'd run a 34 tooth single ring up front and 11-28 in the back.

[meanjoe]

I rode 32x21 on a 29er. Like Thad said, the spin out in the field was a welcomed relief. might i advise having a skinny rear tire ready for the rear just in case it rains again. You'll want as much clearance as you can get. it was so muddy last year that my 2.1 nano raptor stopped spinning several times (rear tire that is). This was on a Karate Monkey where fatties fit fine. folks with fat tires were hating life.

Adam