The Too Many rules section

Rules and Regulations:

  • ALL RIDERS WILL NEED AT LEAST A REAR FLASHING LIGHT AND A FRONT FLASHING LIGHT IS PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED. 
  • ALL RIDERS MUST SIGN A WAIVER WHEN YOU PICK UP YOUR NUMBER. NO WAIVER, NO NUMBER. You can easily make this is done by signing your online waiver within your bikereg account. 
  • You must be present to sign the waiver to pick up your number. If you are a minor, you have to have a parent or legal guardian there to sign for you. Please do not ask a friend to pick up your number, because they will be turned away.
  • HELMETS ARE REQUIRED. ALL RIDERS MUST OBEY ALL STATE ROAD LAWS FOR CYCLING. 
  • THIS IS AN OPEN COURSE EVENT. If you need a refresher: https://www.bicyclegeorgia.com/galaw.html.
  • YOU ARE RIDING AT YOUR OWN RISK: You (the participant) understand that you are riding on public roads, that there are inherent dangers of riding your bicycle on them, that you are riding at your own risk, and that by participating, you accept those risks. You are ultimately responsible for your own personal safety.
  • MINORS must be accompanied by an adult.
  • BE COURTEOUS: We can’t stress this enough. We want everyone to have a wonderful day, and that means everyone. Please be aware of any traffic that is around you and work with them. Ride single file if needed, help them know if traffic is coming, and give them a thank you wave if warranted. We all need to work together, and we need to make sure that WE, the cyclists, are always taking the high road.
  • BUSIER ROADS: The vast majority of roads selected are cycling-friendly. A couple of roads and intersections are a little busier than others. These locations are clearly marked on your routes. Please be aware of them. Ride single file on these few roads and be extra cautious crossing them. You are responsible for reviewing the route before you ride. Again, you are responsible for you. Don’t follow someone else doing something stupid and think it’s ok.
  • STOP SIGNS: YOU MUST OBEY THEM. This is an open road course, meant to be a fun and safe ride with friends through the back roads of Georgia. You must stop at all stop signs. Failure to do so will result in the rider being removed from the event, and that rider will not be allowed back to any Independent Gravel or East Point Track Club event.
  • MUSIC & HEADPHONES: Riding a bike with headphones is illegal, so please leave them at home. We also ask that you keep your portable speakers at home as well. It is a hazard and distraction for you and others, and making other riders listen to your music is unfair.
  • COURSE MARKINGS: None of the courses will be marked. We will provide turn-by-turn files to use on your phone or cycling computer. We have worked very hard on these directions; please review them before the start of your event. Later on in this document, we will have specific instructions/information regarding ride distance.
  • ALL RIDERS SHOULD STUDY THEIR ROUTES PRIOR TO RIDING so that you can become familiar with some of the road names, support stops, and key intersections.
  • We WILL NOT BE PROVIDING printed cue sheets at the start. You can, however, print the cue sheet from the map on your routes web page. Click on the “View Full Version” within the map area. It will bring up a new page from ridewithgps.com. In the top left corner, click on the “More” button, and scroll down to print the cue sheet.
  • GPS ROUTES: We highly recommend downloading the route directly to your phone or GPS devise as cell coverage can get a little spotty. 
  • DOG CAUTION: We have ridden all of these routes numerous times and have modified the course to try to avoid any aggressive animals that could be on the course. We’re not saying there won’t be dogs, but we believe we have bypassed the worst offenders. We have never had problems with any dogs on the current courses.
  • DOG CONTACT RECOMMENDATION: Yelling at an aggressive dog, swinging bike pumps, and squirting them should be your last resort, not your first. A dog’s instinct is to chase, but most are just curious and won’t get too close to you or even leave the yard if you ignore them; when you start yelling, they feel threatened and are more likely to get more aggressive. Hold your line, because you might be around other riders. Stay calm and keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t get in your way. Try talking to them like your own (or your friend’s) pets.
  • SAG SUPPORT: We will have plenty of aid stops on all the routes, which will be marked on the final route maps. We will also have vehicles roaming the courses towards the end of the day. If you have a non-repairable mechanical, please contact Wayne Whitesides at 404-314-6983 or Brett Davidson at 678-596-9675 to let him know where you are. Make sure your mechanical is not fixable by you or another rider first! This should be your last option. We cannot guarantee when we can get you, but we will do our best to make it in a timely manner. You may end up having to wait at a SAG stop until we can get you back to the finish. Remember we have two other courses going on at the same time. Each stop will be well supplied with drinks, bars, snacks, and basic tools to keep you going. (e-Bike support, please see below e-Bike section) 
  • OUTSIDE SUPPORT: If you have your own support, please have them use the main roads to get to the SAG Support areas.
  • DO NOT LET YOUR SUPPORT DRIVE ON THE COURSE! Anyone found following the course in a vehicle will be removed including the rider(s) being supported. Please, please, avoid all the courses.
  • GEAR & YOUR BIKE: Please have your bike serviced before the event. Make sure your tires are in good shape, your brakes are working correctly, and your bike is shifting right.
  • BRING at least one extra tube (more if you’re doing one of the longer riders), CO2 cartridges or pump, tire levers, and maybe a patch kit.
  • CELL SERVICE: Be aware that cell service can become spotty for the longer routes, and it may be limited in places. We cannot do much about it but make you aware.
 

SAFETY & RIDE ETIQUETTE

We want everyone to have a great day out there. We also want everyone to make it back safely. These are open roads, shared with cars, trucks, farm equipment, residents, dogs, wildlife and everyone else who happens to be using them that day.

A little common sense goes a long way.

  • Be grateful guests to the area and respect the people, animals, and property around you.
  • Respect private and public property. Please make nature stops privately and respectfully.
  • Never litter. Pick up your energy tops, don’t just spit them on the road. Put everything in your pocket until you get an aid stop or the end of the ride.
  • Communicate: Let other riders know where you are. If you’re passing them, speak up and let them know.
  • Passing: Try to pass other riders on your left
  • Be nice: Assume the person you’re riding next to that this is their first ride and give them the benefit of doubt if something strange happens.

 

OPEN ROADS
This is an open-road event. Roads are not closed to vehicle traffic, and participating in the event does not give you the right of way.

All riders are required to follow Georgia traffic laws and ride responsibly.

You are riding on public roads and understand that cycling carries inherent risks. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety, your decisions and the way you ride.

DON’T BE A JERK
Seriously.

Be courteous to drivers, residents, volunteers and other riders.

Ride single file when traffic needs to pass. Be predictable. Communicate with the riders around you. If a driver gives you room, give them a wave.

We are guests on these roads, and we want the people who live here to be happy to see us again next year.

Take the high road — literally and figuratively.

100- & 62-MILE OPEN ROAD “RACE” POLICY
We chose these roads because vehicle traffic is generally very light. Generally is the important word.

The 100- and 62-mile routes are still completely open to normal traffic.

You will encounter stop signs and road crossings where you must stop, wait for traffic and proceed only when it is safe.

There are a limited number of major crossings where law enforcement may provide traffic control. Do not assume an intersection is controlled unless an officer is physically there directing traffic.

Yes, the 100- and 62-mile events have a competitive element. We know some of you are racing for a placing, a prize or simply the satisfaction of beating the person you’ve been staring at for the last three hours.

Race hard.

But don’t risk your life, another rider’s life or somebody else’s safety to save a few seconds.

The roads are open. The traffic laws still apply. And getting to the finish matters a hell of a lot more than how quickly you get there.

 

PRIZES, PAYOUT RULES & COMPETITION RULES

Dirty Sheets follows the same general competition standards used at the Homegrown Gravel Adventure and other Independent Gravel events. Where a rule applies equally to both events, we have tried to keep the language and enforcement consistent.

$5,000 MEN’S & WOMEN’S 100-MILE EVENT
The $5,000 overall prize purse will be split equally between the men’s and women’s fields.

Men’s Overall — $2,500
1st — $1,000
2nd — $700
3rd — $500
4th — $200
5th — $100

Women’s Overall — $2,500
1st — $1,000
2nd — $700
3rd — $500
4th — $200
5th — $100

PAYOUT ELIGIBILITY
There must be a minimum of 25 riders in the combined men’s field and 25 riders in the combined women’s field to be eligible for the full payout.

For payout purposes:

  • The men’s field includes Open, Masters, Singlespeed, Fat-Tire and Non-Binary riders.
    The women’s field includes Open, Masters, Singlespeed and Fat-Tire riders.
  • If either combined field has fewer than 25 riders, that field’s payout will be reduced by half. The other field’s payout will not be affected.
  • All eligible riders registered for the 100-mile event can compete for the overall payout. The first eligible rider across the finish line -regardless of category – in the men’s field and the first eligible rider across the finish line in the women’s field will be the overall winners.
  • Non-Binary riders will race within the men’s field and men’s overall payout this year. As participation grows, we will continue to evaluate a separate payout.
  • Singlespeed and Fat-Tire riders compete within their respective men’s or women’s overall field while also competing for their category award.
  • E-bikes are not permitted in the 100-mile event.
 

MEN’S & WOMEN’S FIELDS
The men’s and women’s 100-mile fields start separately:

Men’s Field — 8:30 AM
Women’s Field — 8:45 AM

Riders may work together within the field in which they started.

8:30 riders may work with other riders within the same time start. 8:45 may work with other riders within the same 8:45 start.

Riders may not intentionally pace, pull, draft for or otherwise provide competitive assistance to riders from the other start fields or distances. This includes teammates.

If the fields begin to overlap later in the event, the rule still applies.

Different-colored race plates will identify the all the fields, so it should be pretty easy for everyone — including us — to know who started where.

COMPLETE THE ENTIRE COURSE
You must ride the entire published course to be eligible for a payout, podium or category award.

We will have volunteers and electronic timing or verification points placed throughout the course. Some of these locations may not be announced in advance.

We also strongly prefer that riders record their complete ride using Ride with GPS, Garmin, Wahoo, Strava or another GPS device.

We may ask to review your GPS file if there is a question about whether you completed the entire course.

DON’T CUT THE COURSE
Cutting the course — including intentionally cutting through fields, ditches, corners or other areas to save time or gain position — is prohibited.

We all know the difference between riding around some mud, a downed tree or another obstacle and blatantly shortening the course.

So please don’t.

Intentional or repeated course cutting may result in disqualification.

If you accidentally miss a turn, you are responsible for returning to the course where you left it before continuing.

LEAD MOTO & OPEN ROADS
We will have a lead moto for the 100-mile event, but this is still an open-road event.

The lead moto is there to help identify the front of the race and provide an additional level of visibility and safety. It does not close the roads, give riders the right of way or override normal traffic laws.

You must still obey stop signs, yield to traffic and follow all applicable road laws unless an intersection is being actively controlled by law enforcement for the event.

Race hard. Ride smart.

Do not assume that because you can see the lead moto, the road ahead is closed or clear. It isn’t.

OUTSIDE SUPPORT
Personal or team outside support, including food, hydration, equipment and mechanical assistance, is allowed only within designated Aid Station areas.

No exceptions.

Outside assistance anywhere else on the course may result in immediate disqualification.

Friends, family and team support vehicles may not follow riders along the course or leapfrog riders to provide bottles, food, parts or mechanical support outside of designated Aid Stations.

RIDER-TO-RIDER SUPPORT
Registered riders may help one another anywhere on course using supplies and equipment they are already carrying with them or on their bikes.

That includes:

  • Hydration
  • Food
  • CO2 cartridges
  • Pumps
  • Spare tubes
  • Patch kits
  • Tire plugs
  • Multi-tools
  • Spoke wrenches
  • Other normal repair tools

This applies to teammates and other registered riders.

What you cannot do is receive equipment or supplies from a non-rider outside of a designated Aid Station.

ONE BIKE
You finish on the bike you started on. Period. 

  • Riders may repair, alter or replace components as necessary, but the frame and complete bicycle may not be replaced.
  • Bike swaps are not allowed.
  • Wheel or tire-set swaps supplied by outside support are not allowed outside designated Aid Stations.
  • Parts, equipment or mechanical support supplied by a non-rider may only be received within a designated Aid Station.
 

RESULTS & PROTEST PERIOD
Once the top 10 men and top five women have finished, preliminary 100-mile overall results will be posted.

There will be a 15-minute protest period after preliminary results are posted.

Any timing, course-completion or competition issue must be brought to event officials during that period.

Once any protests have been resolved, results will become official.

100-MILE OVERALL CASH PODIUM
The men’s and women’s 100-mile Overall Cash Podiums will take place approximately 30 minutes after the top 10 men and top five women have crossed the finish line, following the protest period.

You must be present at the podium to receive your cash prize. No exceptions.

100- & 62-MILE CATEGORY AWARDS
In addition to the 100-mile overall cash payout, we will recognize the individual categories listed during registration for both the 100- and 62-mile events.

And sure, cash is nice.

But the real prize is Ceramic Glory.

  • First place in each eligible 100- and 62-mile category receives a hand-thrown ceramic wildflower vase trophy from Grouchy Ass Pottery Studio.
  • Second and third place receive custom event medals to ease the sting.
  • A category must have at least five riders to qualify for the ceramic first-place trophy.
  • Categories with fewer than five riders will still receive medals for the top three finishers.
 

CATEGORY PODIUM TIMING
Category podiums for the 100- and 62-mile events will take place approximately 30 minutes after the fifth rider in that category finishes, as logistics allow. PLEASE BE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERM “AS LOGISTICS ALLOW”!

Riders must be present at the podium to receive their trophy or medal. No exceptions.

62-MILE E-BIKES
Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed in the 62-mile distance as ride-only participants and must be registered in the designated e-bike category.

E-bike riders in the 62 are not eligible for:

  • Competitive results
  • Category podiums
  • Trophies
  • Medals
  • Prizes

Please review the complete E-Bike Policy and E-Bike SAG Support Policy before registering.

RIDING WITH FRIENDS — NOT COMPETITIVELY
Here’s the sticky wicket.

A lot of you are not racing — probably the vast majority of you. You’re riding 62 or 100 miles with your spouse, friends, teammates or whoever talked you into doing this in the first place. They may be in a different category or even a different starting field.

Please ride together.

We are not going to create some ridiculous rule about who can ride with whom because somebody might get a slightly better advantage.

If you are registered for the 8:30 start and want to ride with someone in the 8:45 start, either start at 8:30 and sit up until they catch you, or simply wait and start with them at 8:45.

Please don’t do it the other way around. Riders assigned to the 8:45 start should not move up and start at 8:30.

But if you are actually racing for cash, a podium or a category win, don’t use someone from another field or category to intentionally pace, pull or provide a competitive advantage — and don’t be that person providing it.

You know what that means. Please don’t make us write twelve paragraphs trying to define it. Good god, the rules section is long enough already.

This is very much an honor-system rule, in the spirit of gravel.

And trust us on this one: the first time this creates real controversy, we will eliminate the racing, prizes and categories long before we start making crazy rules about who you’re allowed to ride with.

We would much rather have a great bike ride than referee a professional cycling race.

So if you’re riding with friends, ride with your friends.

If you’re racing, race fairly.

Please don’t be the person who makes us need another rule.

10- & 22-MILE RIDES
The 10- and 22-mile distances are non-competitive rides and do not have podiums, category awards or prize money.

ALL OTHER EVENT RULES APPLY

These competition rules work together with the complete Dirty Sheets Rules, Regulations & Ride Etiquette, including the same general Independent Gravel standards used at the Homegrown Gravel Adventure for open roads, rider safety, course completion, outside support, equipment and rider conduct.

You are responsible for knowing and following the rules before you start.

E-Bikes

We love true e-bikes and the mobility doors they’ve opened for so many riders. But the e-bike world is still a little bit of the Wild West — and while we may occasionally market our events that way, that doesn’t mean we don’t believe in rules. So here they are.

SO IN OUR SANDBOX, WHAT’S A BIKE AND WHAT ISN’T:

We are bicycle events, and we’re pretty simple about what that means.

If you have to pedal for the motor to help you, it’s an e-bike.

If you can push a button, twist a grip or use a throttle and move without pedaling, we don’t consider it a bicycle.

We don’t care if it has pedals.
We don’t care if it has gears and shifters.
We don’t care what the manufacturer, website or Amazon listing calls it.

At our events, throttle-powered means motorized vehicle. It is not a bicycle and it is not allowed.

CLASS 1 — ALLOWED, WITH DISTANCE LIMITS

Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are welcome at Dirty Sheets, but where you can ride one depends on the distance.

10- and 20-mile distances: Class 1 e-bikes are welcome.

62-mile distance: Class 1 e-bikes are allowed as ride-only participants and must be registered in the designated e-bike category. E-bike riders are not eligible for prizes, podiums or competitive results. Please read the E-Bike SAG Support policy before registering.

100-mile distance: Class 1 e-bikes are not permitted.

To qualify as a Class 1 e-bike at our event:

  • You must pedal for the motor to provide assistance.
  • There is no throttle.
  • Motor output is 750 watts or less.
  • Motor assistance stops at 20 mph.
  • The bike has a fully functioning pedal drivetrain.

Simple enough: YOU PEDAL. THE MOTOR HELPS.

CLASS 2 — NO
Class 2 bikes have a throttle that can propel the bike without the rider pedaling.

We do not consider Class 2 machines bicycles for purposes of our events. They are not permitted at any distance.

  • Having pedals doesn’t change that.
  • Having gears doesn’t change that.
  • Calling it an e-bike doesn’t change that.

If the motor can propel it without you pedaling, it cannot be ridden in our event.

CLASS 3 — SHORT DISTANCES ONLY
Class 3 remains a bit of a gray area, so for now we’re taking a more conservative approach.

A true Class 3 pedal-assist bicycle with NO throttle may participate in the 22-mile or 10-mile distances only.

Class 3 e-bikes are not permitted in the 62-mile or 100-mile events.

To qualify for the shorter distances:

  • The bike must be pedal-assist only.
  • It cannot have a throttle.
  • The rider must pedal for the motor to provide assistance.
  • It must otherwise function as a bicycle.

A machine capable of both throttle-powered operation and pedal assistance up to 28 mph is NOT our definition of a Class 3 bicycle and is not allowed at any distance.

E-BIKE SAG SUPPORT: E-bikes that meet the requirements outlined above are allowed in the 100- and 62-mile events as ride-only participants. E-bike riders are not eligible for overall placings, prizes, prize money or course records.

We are happy to have you out there, but there is one additional rule you need to understand:

We will not provide SAG support simply because your e-bike battery dies.

If you choose to ride an e-bike, managing your battery range is part of managing your ride. Know your bike, know your battery, know the distance you signed up for and plan accordingly.

Our support vehicles will assist riders dealing with legitimate mechanical or physical issues, including:

  • Shifting or drivetrain problems
  • Faulty or damaged brakes
  • A flat tire after you have exhausted the tubes, plugs or other repair supplies you are carrying
  • A broken bicycle or other true mechanical failure
  • A rider who has simply petered out and can no longer safely continue

But a dead e-bike battery is not a mechanical failure.

If the battery dies and the bicycle can still be pedaled, you are expected to pedal it.

And yes, we understand that petering out on a 25-pound gravel bike and petering out while trying to pedal a 50- or 60-pound e-bike with a dead battery are two very different things. If you have physically reached the point where you cannot safely continue, we are not going to leave you sitting on the side of the road.

But “my battery died” by itself is not a reason for SAG pickup.

We don’t have a problem with e-bikes. We think pedal-assist bikes can make cycling accessible to more people and allow riders to participate who otherwise might not be able to.

But we also have to draw a line in the sand around what we allow, how it can be used and what our event support is responsible for.

If you choose electric assistance, the battery is your responsibility.

Note: We understand that e-bike technology and classifications are changing quickly, and we’re doing our best to create a policy that is fair, clear and safe for everyone. That said, our policy will be strictly enforced. If you are found riding our event on a “bike” that does not meet the requirements above, you will be removed from the event and banned from participating in future Independent Gravel events.

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

At Dirty Sheets Gravel Grinder, Independent Gravel LLC, North Georgia Mountain Bike Association and the East Point Track Club, we are committed to providing and fostering an environment where everyone is welcome and feels safe. All harassment or discrimination based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, country of origin, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, military status, socioeconomic status or religion will not be tolerated. All participants, volunteers, spectators, and sponsors are expected to abide by this policy. Violation of this policy may result in removal from the event, prohibition from participating in future events, law enforcement involvement, or other appropriate measures, contingent on the circumstances.

Lastly, Have a great time!!! 

PACKET PICK-UP

Early Packet Pickup & Additional Registration

Thursday, October 15 5:00pm–8:00pm
S&S Fire Pits: 2411 Sullivan Rd, College Park, GA 30337
Beverages, Fire, S’mores

Friday, October 16
6:00–8:00 PM
Goodes Camp/MTB Atlanta HQ: Atlanta Newnan Rd. (3rd right, 1/4 mile from Hutchensons Ferry Rd)
Don’t forget about the Shakeout ride earlier

Day-of Packet Pickup & Additional Registration

Saturday, October 17
Serenbe Flower Meadows
(10690 Hutchesons Ferry Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268)
6:30 AM – 100-milers
8:30 AM – Everyone else.
Show up early. Sign your waiver. Grab your number. Snag your shirt.

Please arrive at least 45-minutes before your start time. You will have a waiver to sign if you haven’t already online. You will need to pick-up your number with timing chip and tshirt if you signed up before the cutoff.

Register now