Now in its 6th year, DirtyClean Challenges are authentic, stunning and tough gran fondo type races held on the borders of Anhui & Zhejiang. We are starting off the 2025 season with a road challenge of 75 & 150km on the 12th of April. Participants compete on time segments, on open roads, and races are supported en route with drinks, food, and tools. We have a loyal following of riders who join each year, not just to complete but to be social, make new friends and have a great weekend centred around cycling.
ROAD – CLEAN – 12th April 2025
Clean Challenges are Gran Fondo type challenges done on open roads on road bikes. Stunningly Tough! Clean challenges are well supported and are segment based.
This years Slate L & XL begining and end are on the same roads. The middle part is very very different!
75km L
A 75km route perfect for the start of your training season or for riders new to the hills. Not flat but nothing crazy steep or long.
8am roll out of the Wildhomestay down to the main road.
Cruise by the Sanyang train station
Hit your first segment, The Warm up, 8.7km 427m climb. The longest climb of day but nothing steep and your legs will be fresh so you will smash it.
Then a nice 20km rolling section with a fast downhill.
Then your second main climb of the day, at just under 5km 251m winding through forests. Then another little downhill followed by a short 1.5km segment with one steep corner taking you above a reservoir!
After this a rolling section finishing in the Jingchuan downhill (warm up in reverse). Its really fun but please be careful and mindful of oncoming traffic.
After that its a roll by Sanyang with the last segment leading to the finish at the homestay.
After that bang the gong! Grab some of the challenge food. Either head for a shower and to the recovery shed or get free trials of one of our gravel bikes and try one of the local routes. Available free to challenge participants on Saturday PM or Sunday AM. Offered first come first serve basis.
150km XL
A 150km route through the slate borders of Anhui & Zhejiang. Not that long but the climbs make it a proper challenge for the start of the season. 3 mid length climb segments and a couple of short ones.
8am Roll out of the Wildhomestay down to the main road.
Cruise by the Sanyang train station
Hit your first segment, The Warm up, 8.7km 427m climb. The longest climb of day but nothing steep and your legs will be fresh so you will smash it.
Then, there is a nice rolling section and a fast downhill, followed by a climb segment just under 5km 251m winding through forests.
You then have your longest climb of 10.5km 522m up into the slate hills. Nice and gentle, nothing too steep, save the legs.
Hopefully, the new road is open that you will take downhill, don’t worry, we have a plan if its not.
Then, the Queen Segment with Double Point, a 5km 388m 7% sprint up to Jinling village. Grab a coffee and break there at the town hall.
Head back slowly downhill for a 5km 350m climb segment, a little rest and then a 9.1km 600m segment. Enjoy the steep turns, probably the toughest of the day.
Then, carefully cruise down the slate mountains, following the river and through a gorge. You will hit a windy step segment followed by the Jingchuan downhill. Then, a final segment back to the homestay!
Q&A 2025
We have made quite a few changes for 2025. Best you read:
> What is the difference between a DC Challenge and a normal race! = the key difference is that the challenges are not timed from start to finish. We have 4 to 8 segments which are timed, not including downhills. This enables the events to be safer and also more social. You also need to record your ride with a GPS and upload it to Strava.
> What are the key differences between DC last year and in 2025: = No Dirty currently planned. =A sub 75km L format and a sub 200km XL. =Only good tarmac and concrete roads. =Switch the route if wet conditions or delay/cancel. =Markings for segment start and finish but still need a GPS to record times and upload to Strava.
> What is the key difference between L & XL. = obviously distance and elevation but also XL has steeper slopes making it more technical (and painful).
> I am a new rider, can i do an XL. = we suggest you first try a L. If you know what its like to ride around Wildhomestay and have done a L then yes.
> How hard is a L? = you should be able to ride for 3h to 5h over hills. You should be confident in descending hills. Don’t do an L or XL if you are not good with your brakes. Come to one of our learning weekends for that.
> What are road conditions like? = the same as what you would encounter cycling around Shanghai or Hanghzhou or anywhere else. Mostly good condition tarmac and concrete roads. In some small places, you might encounter minor road cracks, rocks or issues. We minimize these and try and get the government to clean the roads before an event.
> How steep does it get? = L we try to have a max grade of 8% uphill with maybe some steeper downhill short sections. XL’s might have anything upto 30%. Check the route files for specific challenges.
> What tires do you suggest? = given modern day wheels and tires we would suggest 32’s and nothing less than 28s. Tubless or proper innertubes, no rubbish TPU pls.
> What gears do you suggest? = standard road bike gearing for the L’s. For XL we would suggest 1to1 gear ratio but many strong riders enjoy their time on a normal compact or standard road bike ratio.
> What happens if rain is forecasted or there is heavy rain at the start? = we will check the forecast on thursday pm before the race. If heavy rain for most of the delay is forecasted we will delay or cancel the event. If very light showers are forecasted or near the time of the start we will go ahead, probably on a different “backup rain course”.
> What happens if it has been raining a lot recently? = it can be sunny but water still rushes off the mountains down the roads making them unsafe. We will switch the course to a “backup rain course”.
> Do I need to fix my own punctures? = yes or have your partner do it for you. Bring at least one spare inner tube, better two.
> What support is provided? = normally someone can help with minor things the night before the event but make sure your bike is well serviced before with fresh brakes and tires (good practice for any race). = we have one or two support vans. They have pumps, first aid and basic tools. they provide hot coffee, drinks and carb snacks. best to bring a gell or two incase. You should not be more than 20km away from a shop. = incase of a issue we can call in local vans to take you and your bike back (cost depending on where you are).
Accommodation
The DC events start and finish in a remote village that has easy motorway and high-speed train access. Stay at Wildhomestay or we can help organize rooms in other local hotels or turn up for the event on the day. A BBQ and fun awards ceremony is organized on the night of the event with a free flow of beer, lots of prizes and bonfire banter. Authentic local fondo’s not to be missed!
In Village Accommodation
Book a room in a Wildhomestay house
or one of our Yingchuan village partner houses a few hundred meters from the start and finish of the races.
Close by Accommodation
We have arranged a few local hotels 5 to 7km from the race start with prices between 300 RMB and 600 RMB a night per room. Our bookings include free van shuttle to the BBQ / Awards and back after.
See race detail pages for links and more info.
Categories and Supporters
Each race has various timed segments on which participants gain points on. These are added up for overall winner categories in top 3 Female / Male, 35 to 50 Masters, 50+ Grandmasters as well as a Team category. Many thanks to our supporters who very generously provide prizes.
More Info
Please read our bible if your new to the DC Races & Challenges
Gear Guide Comming Soon
For Dirty Riders learn more about all surface rides.
Homemade energy bars, sandwiches, coffee and cold drinks are provided along the way and along with post-race carbs.
We will also be arranging some children and family activities for those non-riders/ families that join us.
As always check out social media for participants viewpoints, recaps and reviews! #wildhomestay – Red, Instagram, Wechat etc…..
Race Recap
A few of our recaps from past Challenges to give you a sense about what its all about….
Gallery
ENDURANCE – HUIZHOU500
Want something longer and done at anytime in 2025? Try the endurance challenge which you will need to finish within 72h. Stunningly Epic. 500km over 3 days is not too hard but it won’t be easy with a few peaks thrown in!
500KM | Less than 9,000m with 9 Peaks | 98% Road
SELF SUPPORTED
More Info
