Welcome to the 4th Annual Sprocket Fuel MTB Race coming up this Sunday, August 24 at Harris Lake! Get your game face on and prepare for an excellent day of MTB action!
This email contains everything you need to know about race day — logistics, start times, course info, parking, awards, and more. Please take a few minutes to read through it so you’re ready to roll.
TRAIL CONDITIONS and WEATHER
I rode the course yesterday (Monday, 8/18), and it was in great shape — dry, fast, and clear of debris. The weather this week is predicted to be dry, which is great considering all the rain we’ve had this summer. Race day weather is looking good, with mostly cloudy skies, temps in the low 80s, and a low chance of rain. I’ll send a trail conditions and weather update email by Friday at 10pm.
START LIST and REGISTRATION
You can view the list of currently registered racers HERE. Please help spread the word to any MTB friends — now’s the time to sign up! Fees go up at 11:59pm on Saturday (8/23) and online registration will remain open through race morning. Register HERE.
VOLUNTEERS
We can still use the help of some more volunteers, mostly with course marshalling from 8am-10:30am and 12:30pm-2pm and sweepers of the 8am and 12:30pm races (riding behind the last racer so we know the course is clear). Volunteers get free food, a race tee, $15 off a future RR event, and our sincere thanks. Plus, volunteering is fun! If you have friends or family that would like to volunteer, they can SIGN UP HERE. If possible, please ask them to sign up by Wed 8/20 so we have time to incorporate them into the volunteer plan. THANK YOU!
RACE CLASSES AND STARTING PROCEDURES
To prevent overcrowding on the trails and to ensure riders of similar ability are racing together, we are separating the field of racers into three distinct races – expert/sport/single-speed/beginner (8am), juniors (11:30am), and intermediate/adapted (12:30pm). Within those races, we will further separate into start waves, spaced 1-3 minutes apart (see below for exact start times).
NOTE – Beginners will not race with Juniors this year. Beginners will start in the last wave of the 8am race and be off the course before the front running expert and sport racers finish. Juniors ONLY will be on the course for the 11:30am race.
CLASSES / START TIMES / SCHEDULE
8am Race
Experts (22.5 miles / 3 laps)
Sport and Single-speed (16 miles / 2 laps)
Beginners (7 miles / 2 shortened laps)
- 6:45am – 7:45am – Check-in
- 7:50am – Race line up and pre-race brief
- 8:00am – Expert Male Open, Expert Male Masters 50+
- 8:02am – Sport Male Open
- 8:05am – Sport Male Masters 40+
- 8:07am – Sport Male Masters 50+, Sport Male Masters 60+, Single-speed Male Open
- 8:10am – Expert Female Open, Sport Female Open, Single-speed Female Open
- 8:14am – Beginner Male
- 8:16am – Beginner Female
- 9am – 10:45am – Post-race food/beverage (free for racers/volunteers)
- 10:15am – Awards/Giveaways
11:30am Race
Juniors 6-14 (7 miles / 2 shortened laps)
Super Juniors 6-10 (3.5 miles / 1 shortened lap)
- 10:45am – 11:15am – Check-in
- 11:20am – Racer line up and pre-race brief
- 11:30am – Jr 13-14 Male, Jr 11-12 Male
- 11:33am – Jr 13-14 Female, Jr 11-12 Female, Jr 6-10 Open
- 11:35am – Super Junior 9-10
- 11:37am – Super Junior 6-8
- 12pm – 1:15pm – Post-race food/beverage (free for racers/volunteers)
- 12:50pm – Awards/Giveaways
12:30pm Race
Intermediate (10 miles / 1 lap)
Adapted (1 mile / 1 lap)
- 11:15am – 12:15pm – Check-in
- 12:20am – Racer line up and pre-race brief
- 12:30pm – Intermediate Male 19-39, Intermediate Jr Male 13-18
- 12:33pm – Intermediate Male Masters 40+
- 12:36pm – Intermediate Male Masters 50+, Intermmediate Male Masters 60+
- 12:39pm – Intermediate Female 19-39, Intermediate Jr Female 13-18, Intermediate Female Masters 40+, Intermediate Female Masters 50+
- 12:45pm – Adapted (any recumbent trike or handcycle in either Class 1 E-assist or Non E-assist)
- 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Post-race food/beverage (free for racers/volunteers)
- 2pm – Awards/Giveaways
PRE-RIDING
The course will be lightly marked (with arrows at intersections) by Friday evening. You can pre-ride the lightly marked course on Saturday.
We will finish marking the course (with additional arrows, caution tape blocking off non-course trails, and staging area marking) by Saturday evening. You can pre-ride the fully marked course on race day from 7am-7:45am and from 10:30am-11:15am, and the trails north of the main entrance road from 10:30am-12:15pm. VERY IMPORTANT – NO PRE-RIDING ON RACE DAY OUTSIDE THE TIMES ABOVE, AS ATHLETES WILL BE ON THE COURSE RACING.
ON RACE DAY, THE COURSE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL NON-RACERS.
VENUE ADDRESS
Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill, NC 27562
PARKING / ARRIVAL
After entering the park, follow the ‘race parking’ signs. Park in the field near the Hog Run trailhead. Please arrive early and carpool, if bringing family or friends. Our staff/volunteers will be controlling the flow of traffic to maximize available space. If and when all the space fills up near the staging area, vehicles will be directed to our overflow parking at the Cypress Pavilion (1st priority), then Longleaf Pavilion (2nd priority). Both are about a .3 mile trail ride to the staging area. If parking at Cypress or Longleaf, follow the check-in signs to the staging area. Please factor parking, check-in, warming up, and using the restroom into your travel plans. We recommend arriving AT LEAST 45 minutes before the start time for your group (arrive by 7:15am for the 8am race, 10:45am for the 11:30am race, and 11:45am for the 12:30pm race).
CHECK-IN
Check-in at the staging area near the Hog Run trailhead. Check-in will be open from 6:45am-7:45am for the 8am race, 10:45am-11:15am for the 11:30am race, and 11:15am-12:15pm for the 12:30pm race. At check-in you will receive your race number and t-shirt (if you ordered one). VERY IMPORTANT: Your timing chip will be on the back of your race number and should be affixed to your handlebars, with the twist ties provided, so it is fully visible from the front. At check-in we will also mark your calf with your class number.
CALF MARKING
At check-in, we will be marking your right calf with your class number. Calf markings help us with race start efficiency and will help you know who else is in your class during the race.
PORTAJOHNS
Portajohns will be located near check-in and the race start.
PRE AND POST RACE STRETCH
To help you prepare for and recover after the race, the good folks from Stretch Zone will be at the race offering up free pre and post race assisted stretching from licensed practitioners using their patented strapping systems and proprietary tables. Visit their tent before and/or after your race to help you stretch your muscles and enhance your athletic performance. THANK YOU to Stretch Zone Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Apex for generously contributing their expert assisted stretching services!
RACE LINEUP / PRE-RACE BRIEF
The races will start on the gravel road near the trailhead. Racers should line up 10 minutes before the start of each race. We will be calling out the starting order of each class to ensure an orderly flow and less moving around after the pre-race brief. The pre-race brief will begin at 7:55am for the 8am race, 11:25am for the 11:30am race, and 12:25pm for the 12:30pm race. The pre-race brief includes important safety and logistical information.
RACE START
See Classes / Start Times / Schedule above for exact start times.
RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Depending on class, athletes will start in waves and complete 1-3 laps on a course that includes smooth, twisty, and flowing single-track trails and short punchy hill climbs. These trails are fast and FUN! The race will start with .25 miles of wide gravel road, open field, and double-track trails, before hitting the single-track. The course measures 6.3 miles for a lap, north of County Park Drive, and 3.4 miles for a shortened lap, south of County Park Drive. The shortened lap is less technical. Expert, Sport, and Intermediates will complete one shortened lap and 1-3 laps north of County Park Drive. Juniors 6-14 and Beginners will complete 2 shortened laps for a total of 7 miles and Super Juniors 6-10 will complete one shortened lap for a total of 3.5 miles. Adapted riders will complete one lap of the beginner course measuring 1 mile.
To view interactive course details and elevation profiles for each course, click on the links below:
Link to Full Lap
Link to Shortened Lap
TRAIL ETTIQUETTE / PASSING
There are passing opportunities spread throughout the course but passing may be challenging on many of the tight trails. Passing riders should use audible signals such as ‘passing on your left’ or ‘passing on your right’ and, when possible and safe to do so, slower racers should allow them to pass. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – BE COURTEOUS OUT THERE AND REMEMBER, THIS IS JUST A RACE AND THERE ARE WAY MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE. RACING SAFELY IS AN EXPECTATION. RACE HARD, BUT DON’T BE RECKLESS. THANK YOU!
COURSE MARKING / TRAIL CLOSURE
The course will be marked with arrows at all turns or areas of decision. Caution tape will block off trails that are not part of the course. Course marshals will be placed at key spots along the course and at the road crossing. The MTB trails at Harris Lake will be closed to other MTBing traffic for this race. With this said, there is always a chance a non-racer finds their way onto the course, so please keep your eyes open for other users.
NEXT LAP COURSE MARKING
Racers in the classes below will complete two or three laps. We will have course marshals near the next lap intersection, but it is the responsibility of each rider to know which lap they are on. NOTE – we will help the juniors to ensure they take their second lap but for all you adults out there, please remember your lap count.
- Experts will complete three laps of the course north of County Park Dr and should TURN LEFT the first and second times they see the ‘TO NEXT LAP’ signs (to start lap 2 and lap 3). On their third time through this intersection, expert riders should follow the ‘TO FINISH’ signs.
- Sport and Single-speed racers will complete two laps of the course north of County Park Dr and should TURN LEFT the first time they see the ‘TO NEXT LAP’ signs (to start lap 2). On their second time through this intersection, sport and single-speed racers should follow the ‘TO FINISH’ signs.
- Beginners, Jr 13-14, Jr 11-12, and Jr 6-10 racers (excluding super jr 6-8 and super jr 9-10 that do one lap) will complete two laps of the course south of County Park Dr and start their second lap after going through the finish chute the first time.
MILE MARKERS
We love to use mile markers in our races but given the nature of this course, mile markers would be more confusing than helpful. With this said, we will have a mile marker at the aid station for Lap 1 (6.6M), Lap 2 (12.9M), and Lap 3 (19.2M). Obviously, the Lap 3 marker will only apply to experts and the Lap 2 marker will only apply to expert, sport, and single-speed racers. There will also be a ‘½ Mile To Go’ mile marker, which will apply to all racers on the last lap.
AID STATIONS / HYDRATION
We recommend that every racer bring their own filled water bottle/s or hydration pack to use in this race. We will have one aid station on the course (every 6 miles for the 8am and 12:30pm races only) and one at the finish line. The aid stations will have water, Gatorade, a first aid kit, and a staff member with emergency communications. A bike pump will be available for use at the aid station and also at the finish of each lap for the 8am and 12:30pm racers (near the road crossing).
NO EARPHONES OR AUDIBLE MUSIC
Using earphones or playing audible music in a mountain bike race is a significant safety risk and is NOT PERMITTED. This will be strictly enforced and is grounds for disqualification. Please don’t make us be the bad guy.
NO DOGS (OR OTHER PETS) ON THE COURSE
We love our furry friends, but for the safety of all racers (and dogs), they are NOT PERMITTED on the racecourse. Spectators are welcome to bring LEASHED (6′ leash max) and SUPERVISED dogs. Please tell your spectator that dogs are not permitted within 10′ of the racecourse.
PHOTOS
Professional photographer Tim Skelding will be at the race capturing images from the event. All photos will be available for FREE download a few days after the event, and we will send you an email when they are ready. Smile big when you see Tim out on the course!
CHIP TIMING / RESULTS
Your timing chip will be on the back of your race number, which you will receive at check-in. Affix your race number on the front of your handlebars with the twist ties provided (see photo below for an example of stellar number placement). Your race number must be visible from the front (cables behind is better but in front is OK also). Results will be posted online and a QR code to the results will be available after you finish the race. We will also send you an email with a link to the results.
RECOVERY / MEDICAL
EMTs from the Apex Fire Department will be on-site to provide any needed medical assistance or emergency response. Thank you, to the Apex Fire Department for the awesome support!
POST-RACE FOOD
Water, Gatorade, soft drinks, and Athletic Brewing Company non-alcoholic craft beer will be available after the race. Food includes yummy stuff like sliders, bagels/peanut butter, hummus/veggies, fruit (bananas and watermelon), trail bars, chips, cookies, little cups of M&Ms, etc. Food and beverage is complimentary for all racers and volunteers.
AWARDS / PRIZES / GIVEAWAYS
We will have three separate awards ceremonies, at 10:15am for expert, sport, single-speed, beginner, at 12:50pm for juniors, and at 2pm for intermediate and adapted racers. Awards (1st-5th place pint glasses) will be presented to the top five in each class. In addition to the pint glasses, the top three in each class will receive prizes (swag and/or gift certificates to Trek Chapel Hill). Giveaway swag will be randomly distributed at the award ceremonies. You must be present at the awards ceremony to claim your award/prize or win a giveaway – THEY WILL NOT BE MAILED.
AWESOME SPONSORS
THANK YOU to all our generous sponsors for providing product, services, donations, and giveaways in support of grassroots racing and our community. Please show your love and support our sponsors in any way you can. Athletic Brewing Company, Coastal Credit Union, Delta Cycle, Stretch Zone, and Trek Chapel Hill.
SWAG AND GIFT CERTIFICATES FROM TREK CHAPEL HILL
Trek Chapel Hill has generously contributed $3000 in gift certificates and swag that will be used for prizes and randomly as giveaways. Trek Bicycle Chapel Hill is one awesome specialty bike shop, offering high-quality bikes and accessories and outstanding service. Thank You, Trek Chapel Hill!
SWAG FROM DELTA CYCLE
A big shout out to Delta Cycle for providing some great swag for prizes and giveaways. Two lucky randomly drawn winners will grab a very cool Pivot Rack and they have also furnished a few Stwaps for random giveaways. Also, most of the top spot podium finishers will receive a Stwap or Quick Mount Phone Holder. Delta Cycle has pioneered enhancing the cycling experience for over 30 years through innovative, design-driven bike accessories and storage solutions. Thank you, Delta Cycle for your generous support!
COASTAL CREDIT UNION DONATION TO MEALS ON WHEELS
Not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, that provides member dividends, teller service 7 days a week, better rates, low fees, and safe/secure banking, Coastal Credit Union has been putting community over profit for over 50 years, and we are thrilled to partner with such an upstanding corporate citizen. At this race, and at many of our events, Coastal has committed to donate $3/athlete to the local chapter of Meals on Wheels to support its mission of providing meals and connection to homebound seniors in need. You rock, Coastal Credit Union – THANK YOU!
TORC
Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) will be on-site promoting the club, signing up new members, and supporting the MTB community. Thank you, TORC for supporting this race, hosting rides, and for all the great work you do to build/maintain the trails we all love. We would also like to thank all those that donated to TORC during registration, and a special shout out to the $1000 anonymous donor – NICE! $1422 has been raised so far and 100% of those funds + a 10% match from Roadless Races will be handed over to TORC to further their mission to build and maintain trails in the Triangle.
Whew, I know that was a lot – thank you for taking the time to read this message and THANK YOU for participating in the Sprocket Fuel MTB Race. Prepare for an excellent day on the trails!
I will be in touch Friday night with updates and reminders, and look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
