The DirtFund Project aims to #Senditforward, supporting privateer racers – We’re more than a tiny bit partial on this one here at Bikerumor (more on that in a second). But we love the idea of supporting grassroots racers looking to step up to the next level. Established just last November by Daniel O’Shea and “a bunch of dirtbag mountain bike mates”, The DirtFund Project turns mountain biker passion into support for up-and-coming local racers.
Run entirely on volunteer labor & as a non-profit effort, the goal is simply “to help privateer EWS & World Cup DH racers from the UK & Ireland fulfill their racing dreams”. For the 2021 race season, this has already developed into the opportunity where money donated by the mountain bike rider community is being converted to one-time cash grants of £1000/1000€ handed directly to several selected privateer racers.
“To date, thanks to the amazing MTB cycling community and some uber cool brands in and around the cycling industry”, The DirtFund has already been able to deliver 5 x 1000 cash grants to help 5 “phenomenal privateer racers” in their path to stepping up their race game.
Those riders (click on each to follow their racing exploits on Instagram) are:
Calum McBain from Scotland
Harry Byrne from Ireland
Fergus Ryan from England
Jessie-May Morgan from Wales
Niall Clerkin from Northern Ireland
(Now, do you notice our own Jessie-May in there? She works full-time for us, but we pay her to write and test stuff, not sneak away to race every weekend. I kid, but Jessie-May lives a double life as a cycling journalist and a privateer EWS racer, so the fact that she was awarded a DirtFund grant is pretty exciting.)
Daniel O’Shea tells us they plan to grow The DirtFund Project even more for the 2022 race season, and are currently searching for bike industry supporters & partners to grow the project. They’re even offering cool prize opportunities for donors in fundraising raffles, which we’ll keep you updated on. Read more, find out how to support the DirtFund, or how to apply if you are a UK or Irish privateer at: TheDirtFundProject.org
Contest & Deals
- Ride 100mi Solstice Century Challenge & Win with Restrap – Restrap are back with their bi-annual Solstice Century challenge, this coming weekend of June 19-20. The concept is simple: ride 100 miles (160km) in one ride during the Solstice weekend, win prizes! All riders who complete the century will receive an exclusive Summer Solstice Century Patch for their efforts (real not virtual). There’s also a chance to win a pair of Alba Optics Delta sunglasses and a Canister Bag to carry them in, by tagging your ride #solsticecentury on social media. Restrap.com
- Seize the Night, Save on Quoc – Sadi to have been inspired by legendary through-the-night summer rides, Quoc’s Night road shoes are built for long stints in the saddle. With a pressure-relieving foam footbed and a tailored fit that only laces can offer, the Nights get more comfortable with every mile. Save 30% off all Night shoes until June 27th. Hmm… we wonder if that might suggest some Night refresh in the works? Quoc.cc
Where to Ride and Ski?
- Sage x Volkl: Means to Ascend – Pro cyclist Maxx Chance and pro skier Johnny Egan strapped touring skis to their SAGE Titanium gravel bikes and attempt to summit Mount Blackmore on a 100% human-powered mission. Blackmore is a peak whose northside can be viewed from just about anywhere in the city limits of Bozeman, MT, and is a renowned mountain for backcountry enthusiasts. During the mud season in April to May, the canyon road that leads to the trailhead is closed to motor vehicles. So, the only way to access the area is by bike and Sage says their US-made Storm King is the perfect tool for the pre-ascent. SageTitanium.com
Industry News
- Felt & USA Cycling team up in Pursuit of Tokyo Gold – Into a very small track niche, Felt pooled all of their resources to adapt cutting edge tech and their own internal passions to develop the unique lefthand-drive TA FRD, and the even newer righthand-drive mass-start TK FRD. Working closely to support Team USA at the upcoming Olympics, Felt hopes to see track cyclists Jennifer Valente and Maddie Godby ride to new personal bests on the bikes in Tokyo. FeltBicycles.com
