Upgrade to Trails

Overview

The Sprocket Fuel XC MTB Race returns this August to challenge mountain bikers of all ability levels on the AWESOME trails at Harris Lake. Get your game face on and race on some of the best single-track in the Triangle Area!

During registration, choose from 27 skill and age-based classes. Depending on class, racers will start in waves and complete 1-3 laps (3.5-22.5 total miles) on a course that includes smooth, twisty, and flowing single-track trails.

Harris Lake County Park

This 680-acre park forms a peninsula on Harris Lake in New Hill, NC.  Harris Lake is owned and operated by Wake County and located in the southwest corner of the county, and has a beautiful tract of land that boasts gorgeous lake views, ponds, open fields, playgrounds, a disc golf course, and close to 20 miles of forested hiking and mountain biking trails. 

Courses

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.  The course measures 6.3 miles for a lap, north of County Park Drive, and 3.4 miles for a shortened lap (less technical), south of County Park Drive. Expert, Sport, Single-Speed, and Intermediate racers will complete one shortened lap and 1-3 laps north of County Park Drive. Juniors 11-14 and Beginners will complete 2 shortened laps for a total of 7 miles and super juniors 6-8 and 9-10 will complete one shortened lap for a total of 3.5 miles.

CLICK HERE to view interactive map and elevation profile of full race course

CLICK HERE to view interactive map and elevation profile of shortened race course

NEW FOR 2024

• The shortened lap has been extended from just under 3 miles last year, to 3.5 miles and includes the beginner trail at Harris Lake.
• We have changed the finish, which will not take racers completely around the field and into the finish chute (counterclockwise). This will provide plenty of runout into the chute. We have also changed the location where racers will transition from the trail to the field. The new exit provides direct access to the field for the finish.
• We have adjusted some of the classes, which better reflect ability levels of riders. Beginner last year is now Intermediate and First Time Racer last year is now Beginner. The distances of the races have not changed much, just the class names (See definition of classes below).
• We have lowered the age for the Intermediate Junior classes. What was Jr 15-18 last year, is now Intermediate 13-18. Beginning riders 18-U should race in the Junior or Beg M/F Open classes. Sport or Expert level riders 13-18 should race in Sport M/F Open or Expert M/F Open.
• We have added a Jr 6-10 option for the longer 7 mile race to accommodate and challenge highly accomplished younger riders. The Super Jr 6-8 and Super Jr 9-10 will run 3.5 miles (just over .5 miles longer than last year).
• We will capture lap 1 split times for those classes that are completing 2 laps in the 11:30am race. This will provide great spectating for family/friends.
• We have switched the order of the Beginner/Junior and Intermediate races. The new starting order will ensure that only those of equal ability are using the trails during their race window. Beginners/Juniors will NOT be on the course with Intermediate racers.

Classes, Start Times, and Distances

During registration, athletes will self-select their class from 27 skill and age-based classes.  

• Expert classes @ 8am (3 laps / 22.5 miles) – Expert M/F Open, Expert M Masters 50+  
• Sport and Single-Speed classes @ 8am (2 laps / 16 miles) – Sport M/F Open, Sport M Masters 40+, Sport M/F Masters 50+, Single-Speed M/F Open
• Beginner and Junior classes @ 11:30am (2 shortened laps / 7 miles) – Beg M/F Open, Jr 13-14 M/F, Jr 11-12 M/F, Jr 6-10 Open
• Super Junior classes @ 11:30am (1 shortened lap / 3.5 miles) – Super Jr 9-10, Super Jr 6-8
• Intermediate classes @ 12:30pm (1 lap / 10 miles) – Interm M/F 19-39, Interm M/F 13-18, Interm M/F Masters 40+, Interm M/F 50+

Schedule of Events

SPROCKET FUEL RACE #1 @ 8am (Expert/Sport/Single-Speed)
•    6:45am-7:45am:  check-in
•    7:50am-8am:  racer line-up/pre-race brief
•    8am-8:10am:  staggered wave starts (classes separated by 1-3 minutes)
•    9:15am-10:45am:  post-race food/beverage available (free for racers and volunteers)
•    10:15am:  awards/giveaways

SPROCKET FUEL RACE #2 @ 11:30am (Beginner/Junior 6-14/Super Junior 6-8/9-10)
•    10:45am-11:15am:  check-in
•    11:20am-11:30am:  racer line-up/pre-race brief
•    11:30am-11:36am:  staggered wave starts (classes separated 1-3 minutes)
•    12pm-1:15pm:  post-race food/beverage available (free for racers and volunteers)
•    12:45pm:  awards/giveaways

SPROCKET FUEL RACE #3 @ 12:30pm (Intermediate)
•    11:15am-12:15pm:  check-in
•    12:20pm-12:30pm:  racer line-up/pre-race brief
•    12:30pm-12:38pm:  staggered wave starts (classes separated 1-3 minutes)
•    1:15pm-2pm:  post-race food/beverage available (free for racers and volunteers)
•    2pm:  awards/giveaways

Definition of Classes

Sprocket Fuel Racers self-select between 27 different age and/or skill-based classes.  These classes have been created so riders can race and be scored with athletes of similar age and ability. For age-based classes, race age is determined as of 12/31/24.

Definition of Skill-Based Classes.  Use the following to guide you in selecting your class.

• Beginner – you are an occasional rider, honing your mountain biking skills. When you ride, you generally stay on the less technical trails. You have never raced before or you do not race often.
• Intermediate – you ride often and are comfortable riding most terrain. You may have raced before but do not have tons of racing experience (1-3 races per year). Your endurance is good but you rarely ride more than 15 miles in one outing and you would have extreme difficulty maintaining race pace for more than 12 miles.  You might have raced in the beginner or intermediate classes before and have not broken the top three finishers on a consistent basis.
• Sport – with how much you ride, you feel very confident on your bike.  You are in very good riding shape, ride fast, and can ride 20+ miles in an outing.  You have podiumed at the beginner or intermediate levels or you have raced in the sport class, can keep up with other sport riders, and feel comfortable competing at that level. You might have raced in the sport class before and have not broken the top three finishers on a consistent basis.  
• Expert – you ride very often and feel extremely confident on your bike.  You are in excellent riding shape, ride very fast, and can easily ride 20+ miles in an outing.  You have podiumed at the sport level or you have raced in the expert class, can keep up with other expert riders, and feel comfortable competing at that level.

Registration Fees

The race limit is 300 total racers. Online registration closes when full or on 8/9 @ 8pm. Race day registration will be available for an extra $10 (if space is available). Register early to save $ and guarantee your spot on the starting line.

• $30-$55 online registration fees depending on class and registration date with longer races priced higher. Lowest pricing until 1/24, regular by 6/10, and late by 8/9.

Expect Excellence. Your Sprocket Fuel Registration Fee Includes:

• Healthy competition on a fun and challenging course
• Professional race operations and timing
• Volunteer support
• Medical support
• Aid station support
• Tasty post-race food (fresh fruit, trail bars, chips, cookies, soft drinks, water, Gatorade, etc – free food for racers and volunteers)
• Free photo downloads (a professional photographer will be at the race)
• Awards/prizes/giveaways (THANK YOU, Trek Chapel Hill!). 
• More cycling giveaways from our other sponsors!
• $3/rider donation to Meals on Wheels courtesy of Coastal Credit Union – THANK YOU, Coastal!
• To keep registration fees as low as possible, a t-shirt is optional. Our tees are very nice though, so you might want to consider ordering one when you register.   

Awards, Prizes, and Giveaways

We will have three separate awards ceremonies – 10:15am for expert, sport, and single-speed, 12:45pm for beginner, junior and super juniors, and 2pm for intermediates. Awards (1st-5th place pint glasses) will be presented to the top five in each class.  Prizes (race swag / cycling gear from Trek) will be presented to the top three for several classes. 

TORC!

Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) hosts rides and builds/maintains triangle MTB trails.  Thank you, TORC for supporting this race and for all the great work you do to build/maintain the trails we all love.  To learn more or to become a TORC member, CLICK HERE.

Venue

Safety, Rules, and Policies

Rules:

• Bike helmets (certified by CPSC, ANSI, or SNELL) must be worn and buckled.
• Each Sprocket Fuel racer will receive a bike number.  Bike numbers should be affixed to the front of your handlebars and must be unobstructed and completely visible at all times.  
• Cyclocross and e-bikes are not permitted in this race.
• Earbuds are not permitted in the race.  Wearing earbuds during a mountain bike race is not safe and is frustrating for those trying to pass.
• Pets are not permitted on the course. 
• Respect the environment.  No littering.
• Please inform our timer if you drop out of the race.
• Riding racers have right of way over racers walking, pushing, or carrying their bikes.  Walking racers should use the least rideable portion of the trail when being passed.
• Passing riders should vocalize when overtaking another rider with commands such as ‘passing on your left’ or ‘passing on your right’.  The passing racer is responsible for passing safely.  When vying for position the leading racer does not necessarily have to yield to the challenging racer.  A racer may not, however, bodily interfere with the intent to impede the progress of the challenging racer.
• Follow all course marking.  Short cutting the course is grounds for disqualification.
• Abusive or profane language toward other racers, volunteers, or race officials or foul riding will not be tolerated.  Unsportsmanlike conduct is grounds for penalty or disqualification and will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the race director.  Please exercise good sportsmanship.
• Roadless Races reserves the right to alter the course at any time before or during the event.  For no reason shall a participant or anyone other than a Roadless Races staff member make alterations to the course.

Policies:

• Refunds – Receive a full refund (minus $10 and the bikereg processing fee) if you must cancel your race 14 or more days before the race. No cash refunds within 14 days. To cancel, email request to info@roadlessraces.com
• Credits – Receive a coupon code for future Roadless Races if you must cancel your race within the following time periods:  Cancel 14 or more days before the race to receive a 100% credit of your registration fee.  Cancel 4-13 days before the race to receive a 50% credit of your registration fee.  To cancel, email request to info@roadlessraces.com.
• Transfers – Transfer your entry to another racer if you are not able to attend the race.  Transfers must be initiated online at least 3 days prior to the race.  We do not allow race day transfers.  We do not allow transfers to another race, but you can cancel your race for full or partial credit (see credit policy above).  To transfer to another racer, go to bikereg and follow directions to transfer. 
• Cancellation/Postponement – Racers will receive a full refund or coupon code for 100% credit of the registration fee paid, should we need to cancel or postpone the event for any other reason. Use credits for future Roadless Races events.

Sponsors

Win with Our Sponsors