Dirty Grin Mountain Bike Festival


JUNE 23 – 25, 2023

HESS RECREATION AREA, DANVILLE, PA

 

—6/23/23 UPDATE —-

This weekend’s Dirty Grin Mountain Bike Festival will go on, despite the forecast of rain.

Riders are advised to come prepared for wet riding and camping conditions. All events (except concerts) will go rain or shine unless a National Weather Service warning is issued or lightning is detected.

Because of the sensitive nature of musical equipment, concerts may be canceled in the event of rain. If concerts are canceled, all festival registrants will receive an additional $5 voucher.

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FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

The Dirty Grin Mountain Bike Festival is a three-day / two-night celebration of all that we love about the sport of mountain biking. Our goal is to showcase the amazing trail networks and opportunities we have in east-central Pennsylvania while growing participation in the sport so that everyone feels like they have a place in this great community.

We’ll offer a wide range of opportunities for you to meet like-minded riders and learn from some of the best riders and teachers of the sport on this side of the Appalachian Mountains. We’ll introduce you to some outstanding local food, coffee, and beers, as well as several of our favorite local musicians. You’ll have the opportunity to ride some of our favorite local trail systems – each with its own unique character – that will test experienced riders while also offering plenty of opportunities for those learning and growing in the sport. The festival will offer a wide range of competitive and non-competitive riding options, from clinics to guided rides to games to full-blown races.  Cap off your weekend with the Pig Iron Enduro on Sunday!  The Dirty Grin truly offers something for every rider!

EVENT DETAILS

DATE

Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25, 2023

LOCATION (primary)

Hess Recreation Area, 843 Meadow Lane, Danville, PA 17821 USA

REGISTRATION CAP

250

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Day-of-event registration will be allowed, cash only.

PACKET PICK-UP/CHECK-IN

3pm – 10pm Friday, June 23, and 7:30am – 6pm Saturday, June 24, at the Hess Recreation Area pavilion

EVENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, 6/23/23

3pm – Check-in / registration opens (Hess Recreation Area pavilion)
3pm – QR scavenger hunt opens
6pm – Guided evening rides  — Geisinger Stewardship Forest and Hess Recreation Area
8pm-10pm – Live entertainment by Van Wagner (Hess Recreation Area pavilion)
11pm – Quiet hours begin

SATURDAY, 6/24

7:30am – Light breakfast & Boil Line Coffee (Hess Recreation Area pavilion)
7:30am – Morning yoga
8:30am – Hopewell Park / Danville Borough Farm Trail System ‘Lite’ guided ride
10am – Introduction to Mountain Biking Clinic (Hess Recreation Area)
12pm – Midway Cafe food truck opens (Hess Recreation Area)
2pm – Women’s Hopewell Park / Danville Borough Farm Trail System guided ride
2pm – Pig Iron Enduro Preview guided ride
4pm – Dirty Grin Games (Hess Recreation Area)
5pm – Ski Valley Bike Maintenance Clinic (Hess Recreation Area)
5pm – Old Forge Brewing Company beer tent opens (Hess Recreation Area)
7pm-9pm – Live entertainment by Randy Wehry & Friends (Hess pavilion)
8pm – Bike raffle drawing / QR Scavenger Hunt awards (Hess Rec. Area pavilion)
11pm – Quiet hours begin

SUNDAY, 6/25

7:30am – Light breakfast & Boil Line Coffee
7:30am – Non-denominational worship service (Hess Recreation Area pavilion)
8am – Midway Cafe food stand opens (Geisinger Stewardship Forest)
9am – Pig Iron Enduro (Geisinger Stewardship Forest)
5pm – Hess Recreation Area camping closes

Click here for a printable schedule.

GUIDED RIDES


Let us introduce you to our local trails. We’re proud of our local trail systems and we’re looking forward to showing them off!

Join us for one (or all!) of the weekend’s guided rides. Our local riders have been working hard for years to build and maintain an outstanding variety of trails that appeal to riders of all skill levels. All guided rides are included in your event registration fee.  Note: some guided rides require attendees to drive to the sites.

Geisinger Stewardship Forest Guided Evening Ride

6:00pm Friday, June 23

Meet at the Geisinger Office Building Parking Lot, located at the intersection of Life Flight Lane and Powder Mill Road, Danville, PA 17821.

Click here for driving directions to the meeting location.

Arrive by 5:50pm.

Headlamps / lights are mandatory.

THIS RIDE WILL BE CHALLENGING AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS OR FIRST-TIME NIGHT RIDERS.

Ride routes and lengths will be tailored to attendee experience levels.

Learn more about the site here.

 

Hess Recreation Area Guided Evening Ride

6:00pm Friday, June 23

Meet at the Hess Recreation Area pavilion.

This ride is ideal for beginners and first-time night riders.

Ride routes and lengths will be tailored to attendee experience levels.

Learn more about the site here.

 

 

 

Hopewell Park / Danville Borough Farm Trail System ‘Lite’ Guided Ride

8:30am Saturday, June 24

Meet at the Hopewell Park parking lot, 1758 Montour Blvd (US-11), Danville, PA 17821.

Click here for directions to the meeting location.

This ride will be moderately challenging.

Ride routes and lengths will be tailored to attendee experience levels.

Learn more about the site here.

 

 

Pig Iron Enduro Preview Guided Ride

2pm Saturday, June 24

Meet at the Geisinger Office Building Parking Lot, located at the intersection of Life Flight Lane and Powder Mill Road, Danville, PA 17821.

Click here for driving directions to the meeting location.

Ride leaders will take attendees through a preview of Sunday’s Pig Iron Enduro routes.

Learn more about the site here.

Learn more about the Pig Iron Enduro here.

 

 

Hopewell Park / Danville Borough Farm Trail System Guided Women’s Ride

2pm Saturday, June 24

Meet at the Hopewell Park parking lot, 1758 Montour Blvd (US-11), Danville, PA 17821.

Click here for directions to the meeting location.

This ride will be moderately challenging.

Ride routes and lengths will be tailored to attendee experience levels.

Learn more about the site here.

 

 

CLINICS

New to mountain biking? Want to improve the skills you already have? Are you a seasoned rider looking to learn something new? We’ll have clinics for every rider. Whatever your current skill level, you’re sure to learn something new here.

These clinics are free to all registrants.

INTRODUCTION TO MOUNTAIN BIKING CLINIC

10am Saturday, June 24, Hess Recreation Area

Our team of NICA-certified coaches, bike shop pros, and riders will provide the information any rider will need to get started in mountain biking. We’ll cover the fundamentals of bike setup, basic bike/body positioning, braking, etc., in a way that’s open and welcoming to all.

Meet at the Hess Recreation Area pavilion.

SKI VALLEY BIKE MAINTENANCE CLINIC

5pm Saturday, June 24, Hess Recreation Area

The team of bike shop pros from Ski Valley Bike, Board, Ski, and Skate in Danville will be on hand to keep you riding throughout the weekend and show off some of the latest and greatest gear. Join to team on Saturday, June 24, at 5pm for a Bike Maintenance Clinic to cover the fundamentals of caring for your bike and show you some tips and tricks to keep you out on the trail.

Meet at the Hess Recreation Area pavilion.

MUSIC

Join us at the Hess Recreation Area pavilion on Friday, June 23, from 8pm – 10pm for a live performance by Danville’s own Van Wagner!

On Saturday, June 24, join us from 7pm – 9pm for live entertainment by Randy Wehry & Friends!

CAMPING

Primitive camping at the Hess Recreation Area is free to all Dirty Grin MTB Festival registrants. Bring your tent and put it up close to the music, food, and games to be close to the action all weekend!

Camping at the Hess Recreation Area is intended for tents or car-top / van campers. There is not enough room, nor are there hook-ups, for RVs or trailers. If your rig is too large for the Hess Recreation Area, please visit the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau’s listing of local campgrounds that will be glad to welcome you.

QR CODE SCAVENGER HUNT

The search opens Friday, June 23, at 3pm and wraps up with awards at the Hess Recreation Area pavilion on Saturday evening at 8pm.

Mapping and details will be released on Friday, June 23.

FESTIVAL MAP


Located just outside of Danville, PA, the Hess Recreation Area offers recreational opportunities for a wide range of users. With more than 100 mostly forested acres and features such as 1.1 miles of Mahoning Creek (open to public fishing), 3.9 miles of trails (including the oldest rail-to-trail in the United States), two softball fields, one lacrosse/multi-use field, a concrete skatepark, a covered bridge (w/ fishing platform), year-round restroom facilities, a 20′ x 50′ pavilion w/ electricity and fire pit, a wetland wildlife viewing blind, picnic tables, charcoal grills and more, everyone from organized teams to individuals of all ages can find something to do at the site!

COMPETITIVE EVENTS


The Dirty Grin Mountain Bike Festival is thrilled to partner with the Pig Iron Enduro for 2023!  Held on the Geisinger Stewardship Forest Trail System (the home of the legendary Tour de Tykes), the Pig Iron Enduro will offer competitive riders an awesome new event.

Note: the Pig Iron Enduro will be part of the 2023 Mid Atlantic Super Series.

Separate registration is required, but register first for the Pig Iron Enduro, and receive a coupon code good for 20% off the Dirty Grin!

Learn more and register now!

THE TRAILS

With more than 1,000 trails at sites ranging from ridgetop state forests, to reclaimed coal country, to river towns, the trail systems in the ridge and valley region of east-central Pennsylvania have something to offer nearly every rider!

We’ve created this map for riders looking to experience the hundreds of miles of singletrack and bike-friendly trails located in east-central Pennsylvania, near Danville, Bloomsburg, Berwick, Shamokin, Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Mifflinburg and surrounding communities in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties.

From the coal region in southern Columbia and Northumberland Counties, to the gently rolling farmlands in Montour, Northumberland, and Union Counties, to the many forested ridges that define our region, residents and visitors alike can take their pick of the adventure they’d like to pursue.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTION:

What does my registration fee include?

ANSWER:

Your registration fee will include camping, parking, showers, admission to all group rides, events (except the Pig Iron Enduro), clinics, a $10 food / swag voucher, and Friday and Saturday evening concerts.

QUESTION

What does my registration fee not include?

ANSWER

Your registration fee does not include the Pig Iron Enduro. Separate registration is required for this event.

Your fee does not include t-shirts, meals, or beer, but we encourage you to use your $10 food / swag voucher toward those costs.

QUESTION:

Where is the festival being held?

ANSWER:

The main festival grounds will be at the Hess Recreation Area in Danville, PA. This is where parking, camping, music, food, clinics, and many other great events will be held!

QUESTION:

Can I ride my bike to the trails from the festival?

ANSWER:

Yes – you can access the Geisinger Stewardship Forest Trails with a short pavement ride that takes about 10 minutes. To access Hopewell Park, it is about a 20-minute pavement ride from the festival. There is parking available at both trailheads if you choose to drive.

QUESTION:

What food will be available onsite?

ANSWER:

We’ll have a food truck at the Hess Recreation Area on Saturday from 12pm – 8pm and at the Geisinger Stewardship Forest on Sunday morning.  We’ll also have food available Friday evening.  Light breakfast and Boil Line Coffee will be available to all registered attendees on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The Old Forge Brewing Company will have a tent set up beside the pavilion on Saturday evening from 5pm- 9pm.

All participants will be given a $10 voucher to use at any of these vendors during the festival. Other food is available for purchase.

If you want to check out restaurants in the area, be sure to check out the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau list of restaurants!

QUESTION:

Can I bring my travel trailer or camper?

ANSWER:

Camping at the Hess Recreation Area is intended for tents or car-top / van campers. There is not enough room, nor are there hook-ups, for RVs or trailers. If your rig is too large for the Hess Recreation Area, please visit the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau’s listing of local campgrounds that will be glad to welcome you.

QUESTION:

Is alcohol allowed?

ANSWER

Yes – alcohol is allowed at the Hess Recreation Area and we’ll have an Old Forge Brewing Company beer tent set up on Saturday evening. If you’re 21+, you’re welcome to bring your favorite adult beverages or partake from Old Forge’s offerings, but please keep in mind that this is a family event and we want all to have a good time. Please drink in moderation and be respectful of other visitors. Persons found to be excessively intoxicated may be removed from the property.

QUESTION:

Is there somewhere I can get my bike fixed during the festival?

ANSWER

Yes – Ski Valley Bike, Board, Ski, & Skate will be set up at the festival to get you back out on the trails. Look for their tent set up beside the park’s pavilion.

QUESTION:

Are showers available?

ANSWER

Yes – free outdoor shower facilities are located on the back side of the park’s restroom building.

 

Do you have other questions not answered here? If so, please contact Bob Stoudt at RStoudt@MontourRec.com.

ABOUT THE DIRTY GRIN / CONTACT US

The Dirty Grin Mountain Bike Festival is hosted and supported by a partnership of local organizations in the Danville, PA community dedicated to making and promoting our region as an outstanding mountain biking destination. We live, work, and ride here and look forward to sharing some of our favorite trails with you!

To learn more about the Dirty Grin Mountain Bike Festival, please contact:

Bob Stoudt, Director
Montour Area Recreation Commission | PO Box 456, Danville, PA 17821 | (570) 336-2060 or RStoudt@MontourRec.com

MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT!

Are you coming in from out of town and camping’s not your thing? Maybe you need recommendations for somewhere to eat or play while you’re in town? The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau will help you find just what you need.

 

– – – DIRTY GRIN SUPPORTERS – – –

REGISTER NOW!