The Filthy 50 returns in 2018 for its sixth year and has become a tradition for many gravel enthusiasts. Cyclists come from all over Minnesota and neighboring states to the small town of Stewartville to race on the rolling gravel roads of Olmstead and Filmore Counties. The scenery along the route is amazing and at the end of the race you will know why it was named The Filthy 50.
The Filthy 50 has introduced many to the joys of riding gravel and for some it was their first gravel race. October gravel is amazing with the Fall colors, scenery and weather this area offers to those that take the challenge. I highly recommend that you register and experience this race that is very special to me and many others that continue to do it year after year. Below are the details, rules and a special message from race director Trenton Raygor.
The Details
- The 6th annual Filthy 50 will take place on Sunday, October 14th, 2018.
- The event will start and end on the north end of Stewartville, MN. The mass neutral rollout will take place at 10am and the riders will have until 4pm to officially finish.
- Thanks to our incredible sponsors and those from the community who have taken the time to donate or volunteer, registration for The Filthy 50 will continue to be FREE for the 6th year in a row! That’s right, no payment required, though donations are accepted and greatly appreciated.
- Registration will open on Tuesday, March 20th at 12PM CST and can be completed quickly online. Visit http://the-filthy-50.com/registration to register before the 1000 rider cap is reached. You must register with us to ride. There will be no walk-up registration on the day of the event.
- In addition to our 50 mile route, we are bringing back The Pretty Filthy (24 Mile) and The Little Filthy (12 Mile) alternate routes for a third year due to popular demand. We hope that these routes inspire more rookies to see what riding gravel is all about.
- We know that many of you love the results at the end of the day, so we aim to continue that tradition. However, this year we will also be offering a category for those who would prefer to remain unaffiliated with the results. Look for it on the registration form.
- IMPORTANT: This event is completely unsupported. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU. Bring EVERYTHING that you need for the distance you are choosing to ride. Expect absolutely NOTHING to be provided to you on the day of the event before or during the ride. Remember, it can get rough out there, so be prepared.
- GPX and TCX files, as well as cue sheets, will be made available for download to all riders who end up on our official roster. The course is unmarked, so this is critical information. Make sure to have your cycling computer loaded or cue sheets printed prior to checking in.
- Elevation profiles of the course and other exciting pieces of information will be provided through Filthy 50 social media prior to Sunday, October 14th. Find us and follow us!
- Between registration and October 14th, those on the official roster will be sent email communications regarding event day logistics as well as some other crucial information on what to expect. Wait for it and don’t forget to check those “SPAM” and “Promotions” folders.
The Rules
- You are 100% on your own. Be prepared.
- You must REGISTER to ride with us.
- This ride is unsupported. Bring EVERYTHING with you that you will need.
- Always wear your helmet.
- Respect the course and those who live there. Please do not litter. Leave no trace.
- Obey all TRAFFIC LAWS.
- If nature calls during your ride, please do not please do not answer it in front of others.
- Ride safely.
- You are responsible for you.
- Have fun and use good judgement.
Here’s a little throwback video to 2013, which was the first year of The Filthy 50.
"Race it and set a record. Ride it and take in the beauty. Either way, get filthy." - Unknown
Sponsors
In addition to many fine people like yourself, these very generous sponsors help make The Filthy 50 happen. Please support them like they support us!
ADAM TURMAN - A professional illustrator & poster artist from the Twin Cities.
BANJO BROTHERS - Tough. Practical. Affordable. Bike Bags.
BELCH - Comfortably unrefined.
BUCKNELL CONSTRUCTION, INC. - Meeting your construction needs, located in Stewartville, MN.
FAREWAY - An economical food store located in Stewartville, MN.
GLATT PHYSICAL THERAPY - Physical therapy. Bike Fitting. Wellness.
HED - The best wheels on the planet. Period.
THE HUB BICYCLE CO-OP - The Twin Cities’ only cooperatively owned bike shop.
JUST RIDE MINNESOTA - Cycling apparel. Just ride.
KATE'S REAL FOOD - Real Food. Real Energy.
KURT KINETIC - Making the BEST indoor trainers from Minneapolis, MN.
MARKMAN OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY - Capture the great outdoors.
PANARACER - Between you and the ride.
JUST RIDE MINNESOTA - Cycling apparel. Just ride.
PENN CYCLE - Your Twin Cities bike shop since 1957.
RIDING GRAVEL.COM - The gravel enthusiast’s resource.
RIDING GRAVEL.COM - The gravel enthusiast’s resource.
ROCHESTER CYCLING - A Rochester, MN bike shop for all of your bike needs.
SUNSHINE SANITATION - Sanitation professionals from Stewartville, MN.
SURLY BREWING - Give a damn. Do good. Drink beer.
TWIN SIX - Classically influenced cycling.
Despite this being a free event, it wouldn’t be able to happen as intended without the support of these amazing sponsors and incredible volunteers. If you are interested in sponsoring this year, please send an email to thefilthy50@gmail.com. You can also show your support by donating to The Filthy 50 here. For those not racing that would like to volunteer you can do so by sending an email to the above address.
The late great Mike Hall used to say, “Nothing that’s worth anything is ever easy”. I suppose that’s why all of you keep coming back every year, oh yeah...and for the Surly as well. Is The Filthy 50 easy or is it hard? For many of you, just showing up at the start line for your first gravel ride traversing unfamiliar countryside at a distance that you’ve never attempted before is hard. For you riders who are experienced, I would argue that your Filthy 50 will be as hard as you make it. Even for me as an organizer, I’ve been told by many of you that I’ve chosen the hard way. Maybe.
Here’s one incredible thing about The Filthy 50. I’ve been fortunate enough to have folks riding alongside of me this entire way. Whether I take us into a roaring headwind or up a seemingly endless climb, just when the legs can’t take it anymore, someone steps up and takes a pull. [cycling metaphors you guys] To our amazing sponsors, to those of you who have participated in the "MEAT RAFFLE", to those who have donated anonymously, to my mom, dad, brother, sister, my wonderful family and talented friends who have volunteered time, skills, and ideas, to the first time rider, to the veteran racer, to the surrounding communities; Thank you. I wouldn’t have made it here alone and I couldn’t keep this up without you.
This year, we plan to bring back some of your favorite Filthy traditions, including the perfect weather [just kidding, this year it’s going to be 35 and raining], the “Meat Raffle”, “The Fast 50”, as well as “The Filthy Party” which will be waiting for you at the finish line. Beer lovers rejoice as Minnesota’s finest, Surly Brewing Company, is back and has once again promised to pour you free pints AND our friends at Fareway have assured us that they will be supplying another free crate of ice cold Root Beer for all of you non beer drinkers to enjoy. How amazing are our sponsors? “But I need post ride brats and burgers!” Never fear, the Rochester High School MTB Team will be slingin’ grilled eats for you as well.
This year, we also plan on trying some new things. We intend to celebrate the mid-pack and lantern rouge riders with a special something for “The Last 50”! Our chip timing system will be back in action this year [thanks to my brother Jackson] and will allow us to make the aforementioned possible. We also plan to add a course photographer or two and will be throwing in a few new features at the finish. Lastly, I cannot divulge too much at this point, but for those of you arriving in Stewartville the day before, there will be a VERY SPECIAL something happening here on Saturday, October 13th. Stay tuned for more information on that as the plan unfolds.
When we started this ride, I thought I knew where we were going. Turns out, five years in is when I finally realize that the only thing I truly know is where we’ve been. As our friends over at Twin Six would recommend, keep moving, “Forever Forward”, and we do. However, after reaching a mile marker like this one, we appreciate you all for putting a foot down with me, allowing me to crack this pocket beer and reflect on the roads, rivers, valleys and vistas that we’ve discovered together. You’ve already got me looking forward to what’s next. Thank you for riding with us.
-Trenton
