We are back for 2022….

2021 was the biggest year so far for the Dirty South Roubaix and we plan to go a bit bigger again this year. The 6th installment of the Dirty South Roubaix is coming up on March 5 2022. Last year we had 400 registered and we are going to bump it up to 500 this round. Alto Pass has been so welcoming, that we will be back there again. Like last year, we are planning to offer the 100k+ as the main event of the day, but will also offer a shorter course for anyone who doesn’t want to tackle the full 100k. The short course will be somewhere near half of the 100k. Don’t worry, it will still have hills and gravel 😉 The racers from the Half Dirty sure didn’t feel shortchanged after their race.

If you are looking for an awesome route, great challenge, killer scenery, beer, food and cool peeps to hang out with for a day, come check it out.

Thanks for your interest!

Registration opens at 8:00am CST on 11/28.

COVID is still around so we will be following whatever precautions may suggested by the CDC and local governments. A few things to note though…

We are planning this race with full intentions of making it as safe as possible with several precautions and procedures in place.

First and foremost – If you are sick or do not fell well please please please do not come. We will gladly defer your registration to the event of 2023. Let us know as early as possible that you will not be there. If you do not let us know, we can’t defer your entry.

In the event that our registration numbers are reduced by some state or local restrictions due to COVID before the race, we will use the order in which people registered to select who is racing. Those who register later and are past the imposed limit will be offered a deferral to the 2023 event or a refund. The deferral is free and you will be automatically entered into the 2023 event. Unfortunately, bike sign up does have a fee associated with the refund and that will be lost. That is approximately $8 per participant.

Some of you took advantage of the referral discount last year, so we are running it again this year. If you share the link provided to you after you register and 5 of your friends use that link to register, you get a refund of $10.

St. Nicholas Brewing Company is stepping up again to provide the post race hydration. There will be some killer post race food after you finish. Please select vegetarian option if that is what you prefer when registering so we know what to order. We also plan to have the “Dirty South Roubaix” ale again this year…….

The Catalyst Race Series Signup

The Catalyst Race Series is back and with new venues and more fun!

Stop #1 Is at Lake Glendale Recreation Area. You can expect flow, chunky rocks and roots, lung and leg burning climbs and some of the fastest downhills in all of the Shawnee! These trails have been hand tuned and are maintained by members of the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association and other volunteers. These are the first trails to be designated for MTB use in the Shawnee National Forest and are some of the best riding we have in our area.. All proceeds from this race will support future trail building and maintenance by the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association.

Stop #2 is The first ever Cannonball MTB race on the rocking CampO MTB course. Come experience the fast and flowy CampO trail network. This course is custom built MTB specific trails that cut through the ~800 acres of CampO private property. These trails have been built over the last four years by the staff at Bike Surgeon and many volunteers to be used for the Southern Illinois Fat Tire Festival. It’s time we host another MTB event here. This singletrack includes creek crossings, rocks, roots, punchy climbs and some flowy downhills. It is in some of the most scenic property in all of Southern Illinois. All proceeds for this racing series are dedicated toward trail maintenance and improvements. May 22nd

Stop #3 Is at the professionally designed and built MTB trails at SIU Touch of Nature in Makanda, IL. The first phase of completed trails officially opened on May 1st 2021 after five years of planning, fundraising, construction, and thousands of hours of volunteer work. This trail system is the fastest and most flowy of the three locations. Although most of this trail system is fast flowing singletrack, a few creek crossings and small rock gardens are thrown in to keep everyone on their toes and keep things exciting. All proceeds for this racing series are dedicated toward the ultimate goal of constructing 30 miles of trails at Touch of Nature. June 25th

Racing will start at 10AM on Saturday, April 30th with the Experts starting their 3 laps. 15 minutes later at 10:15AM the Sport/2 lap race will start and at 10:30AM the Beginner and Youth race will start. Finishing up with the kids class at 10:45. Registration and check-in will open at 8AM.

Each course will be between 8 and 10 miles per lap. The course will be taped and spray painted for fun and fast racing, helping even first time riders on these trails easily fly through the woods.

When the racers are finished, there will be a fun podium ceremony for the winners followed by lunch, a post race meal with ice cold drinks . Approximately 30 minutes after a full podium we will recognize the top three male and female riders in each category, and points will be awarded for every race for our overall series winners to be announced.

The Shawnee Mountain Bike Association, Bike Surgeon of Southern Illinois, and Touch of Nature Environmental Center are proud to announce the first annual Catalyst Race Series for Fall 2021.

On May 1, the first phase of trails at Touch of Nature opened after five years of planning, fundraising, construction, and thousands of hours of volunteer work. Now is the time to race.

Crush for a cause. Thrash for the trails. Party with a purpose. The Touch of Nature Trails were born of, built for, and have quickly become the lifeblood of our local riding community.

The goal of the Catalyst Race Series is to take that energy, celebrate it, and focus the building momentum towards the goal of constructing over 30 miles of trails at Touch of Nature. All proceeds generated from the race series will go directly back to the cause in support of ongoing maintenance and new construction.

Whether you’re a seasoned specimen of muscle and grit, a young buck with a thirst for adventure, or you’ve just picked up a new whip and it’s waaaay too clean, there’s a category for you.

Come to race or come for the spectacle: we’ve got you covered. Food, beverages and activities will be available for all attendees. To cap off a hard fought season, the final race on November 20 will coincide with a weekend full of activities at the inaugural Touch of Nature Bike Fest.

Come one, come all! Our aim is true and the psych is high. We have the trails and it’s time to race. Race for results, race for community, race for the trails. The Catalyst Race Series is here to usher in the new era of mountain biking in Southern Illinois.

Join us!

Race Dates: August 28 – September 18 – November 20