The Pittsburgh Dirty Dozen Bike Race To Be Broadcasted Live

This Saturday, hundreds will gather to ride the Dirty Dozen, a race to the top of 13 of Pittsburgh steepest hills. Hundreds more will join the group at some of the larges hills to watch the cyclists attempt this feat. Join in the fun on Saturday by participating in the race, heading out to watch and support the riders, or watching live video at this link beginning at 9:30am on Saturday.

From Cycling Fusion & Global Ride Productions:

Beginning in 1983 The Dirty Dozen has punished the legs of every cyclist who dares call themselves a “climber”. Thirteen of the steepest hills within a 10 km radius of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have been the site of a race that is scored only for the climbs and leaves the group rides between ascents to allow the riders to commiserate about the previous climb.

In the 31st year of its running, The Dirty Dozen will be broadcasted live, by local film group Global Ride Productions, creators of virtual cycling DVDs, with help from additional staff from indoor cycling experts Cycling Fusion. There will be no fee for watching the event, and many local riders have hung up their helmets to help man the more than 15 cameras, drivers and navigators that will cover the event. Here’s the link to watch.

“The Pittsburgh Dirty Dozen is the signature race for cycling in Pittsburgh. The grit and determination it takes to just finish the hills within the rules (no touch downs, pauses or restarts or the hill must be repeated) reflects the entire can-do attitude this city has had since my dad worked in the steel mills back in the day.

The logistics will challenge the filmmakers almost as much as the vertical feet challenge the climbers. In addition, this will be the first time a lead car will film the top riders as they “sprint” to the top of each hill while the rest of the 200 to 250 riders slog up the hill with every bit of strength they can muster. Given that the grades of these hills, typically exceeding 20%, will be an additional challenge to the driver of this lead car to stay out of the riders way, as was the mandate by organizer and founder, Danny Chew. In particular, one hill that can’t be underestimated is purportedly the steepest in the world, Canton Avenue; the steepest coming in at 37%.

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