Win a Spot Longboard from Dirt Rag Magazine

by Karen Brooks

Yes indeed, Dirt Rag is holding the Literature Contest again this year, in fact for the sixth year running. We have some really awesome prizes from Spot Brand Bikes for the winners, and the deadline for entries is coming up on June 1st, so sharpen your pencils (you Luddites) and make sure your computer is in good working order (you slaves to technology), and get to writing.

Here's a refresher on the details:
Entry must include a reference to cycling, preferably mountain biking.
Length limited to 3,000 words. (This is not a quota. If you can get your point across in fewer words, all the better.)
Original, unpublished work only.
One entry per person.
Entries accepted by mail only, sent to 3483 Saxonburg Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15238.

To submit:
Include one cover page with the title, your name and contact information.
Don't place any personal information, such as your name or address, in the article itself (so that we can judge anonymously).
Entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2008.

Now for the good part—prizes:
First Place gets a Spot Longboard Single Speed Belt Drive bicycle, valued at $1799. The complete bike that was the talk of last year's Interbike, with the new belt drive by Gates and a full spec of sweet parts.
Second Place gets a Custom Colorado-Built Spot 29er Frame, valued at $1699. Made to order to your specs and including front and rear sprockets.


Both First and Second Place winning entries will be published in Dirt Rag, most likely issues #138 and #139. Other top entries may be published online to give everybody something good to read in those winter months when there's no new issue.

We got a lot of good entries last year, and already have a stack piling up, so if you've been thinking about trying out your writing skills, by all means give it a shot. Past winners have not only scored some sweet bikes, they've been able to contribute to Dirt Rag after the Contest in other ways—it's a great way to introduce yourself as a writer.

One hint of advice from the experts: chocolate is a good cure for writer's block. Good luck!