RACE and FESTVAL faq

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE RACES?

The Dirty Dozen 10k Trail Running race is Friday August 2, 2024 at 6pm. The race starts and ends at VIX Ranch Park.

The Dirty Dozen MTB race is Saturday August 3, 2024 at 7am. The race starts and ends at VIX Ranch Park.

The Dirty Half Dozen MTB race is Saturday August 3, 2024 at 9:30am. The race starts and ends at VIX Ranch Park.

WHEN AND WHERE IS RACE NUMBER PICK UP?

You can pick up your race number Friday August 2, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm at VIX Ranch Park. You can also pick up your race number Saturday August 3, 2024 at 6am.

ARE DOGS ALLOWED?

Due to the small, intimate venue of VIX Ranch Park, DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE FESTIVAL.

ARE KIDS FREE?

Kids ages 13 and under are free but need a 13 and under ticket. Kids 14 and up need to purchase a ticket. Purchase tickets for the Festival here.

ARE SHELTERS ALLOWED AT THE FESTIVAL?

Shade shelters for the Rides and Reggae Festival are allowed on a first come first serve basis. When the designated shelter areas are full you will not be allowed to set up your shelter so arrive early to grab your spot. Shelters will be allowed to remain all weekend so arrive early Friday to set up your spot and it can remain throughout the festival. All shelters must be removed Saturday night so plan accordingly. Please be respectful of others when setting up the shelter for the day. Please make sure you are prepared to secure your shade shelter, it can get breezy up at VIX Ranch Park. Bring shelter weights, stakes or buckets that we can help you fill with water.

ARE THERE E-BIKES ALLOWED IN THE EVENT?

E-bikes are NOT permitted on the Dirty Dozen Race.

IS FOOD & DRINK ALLOWED IN THE EVENT?

You can bring food and non-alcoholic beverages into the event. Coolers inside the event are allowed, provided they are loaded up with non-alcoholic beverages.

IS CAMPING AVAILABLE?

Camping is available at the nearby Elk Creek Campground (https://elkcreekcamping.com). The venue is a short bike ride or drive from the campground so this is a great option. And Elk Creek Campground is an event sponsor so please support them!

ARE THE DIRTY DOZEN RACES HARD?

The Dirty Dozen MTB race is hard. While only 20 miles, the amount of climbing and occasional technical sections will make it feel much longer. Riders unfamiliar with the trail network or new to racing should evaluate their ability before registering. If you are unsure about the Dirty Dozen MTB race consider signing up for the Half Dozen which is 7 miles long and has far less climbing, but is still a great sampling of the New Castle trail system.

The Dirty Dozen Trail Running race is also hard, but can be a great introduction to trail running racing provided a beginner racer respects the amount of climbing on the course and paces themselves accordingly.

DO THE RACES HAVE AID STATIONS?

The Dirty Dozen 10k trail running race has ONE water/Scratch station at the top of East Colorow at the Half Time intersection. This is a fill station so plan on running with a bottle. So plan your hydration and nutrition accordingly.

The Dirty Dozen MTB race has three aid stations on course. The first aid station is at mile 6.5 at the top of East Colorow. The second aid station is at mile 11 at the start of the Sallee Key climb into the Highlands area. We will have Scratch and water at this aid station. The third aid station is at mile 16.5 where Tuck and Roll crosses the ranch road. We will have ice water at this aid station. Neither aid station will have food so plan your nutrition accordingly.

WHAT ABOUT DRINKING WATER?

We encourage everyone to stay hydrated at Rides and Reggae. It’s a long event and it’s August in New Castle so it will be hot. We will have bottled water for purchase but we strongly encourage everyone to bring your refillable water bottles to the event and use our water refill jugs to keep them full. Help us limit our plastic consumption at the event by refilling those bottles.

WHERE DO WE PARK?

We strongly encourage locals to walk/ride their bikes to the festival, that is a perk of living in a small town right. For those that must drive to the festival, parking will be at the Riverside/Kathryn Senor School parking lots. There will be message boards directing those driving to the festival to the parking lots. Do not follow google maps to VIX Ranch Park as there is no parking there. Please do not park in the neighborhoods adjacent to the festival. We need to respect the homeowners in close proximity of the festival, so please do not bypass the parking areas and park in the neighborhoods. From the school parking lots it is a short walk through the school grounds up to the festival.

If you need to make special arrangements to be able to park closer to the venue please email newcastletrails@gmail.com and we will accommodate you and get you parking at VIX Ranch Park.

CAN WE LEAVE AND COME BACK?

Yes. We do allow you to leave and re-enter the festival. Please keep you festival wrist band on so security knows you have a valid ticket. You will be required to have your bag/coolers checked again when you re-enter. But if you need to go back home or to your hotel or want to go downtown and eat at one of our local restaurants feel free to do so.

WILL THERE BE FOOD VENDORS?

Yes. We will have several vendors on site serving lunch and dinner for purchase. Please support our local food vendors.