Sprocket Fuel XC Mountain Bike Race @ Harris Lake

Sprocket Fuel XC Mountain Bike Race

Harris Lake County Park in New Hill, NC

Saturday, August 10, 2024 (Rain Date - Saturday, August 24, 2024)

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 29 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.  This beautiful tract of land boasts gorgeous lake views, ponds, open fields, playgrounds, a disc golf course, and close to 20 miles of forested hiking and mountain biking trails. 

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.  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 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.  

Link to Full Lap

Link to Shortened Lap

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 now 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.  This new exit will offer less congestion near the trailhead and direct access to the field for the finish.We have adjusted some of the classes to better reflect the ability levels of riders.  Beginner last year is now Intermediate and First Time Racer last year is now Beginner.  (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.  Beginner 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 young 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 friends and family.We have switched the order of the Beginner/Junior race and the Intermediate race.  This 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.    

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.

RACE #1 @ 8am (Expert - 22.5 miles) (Sport and Single-speed - 16 miles)
•    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

RACE #2 @ 11:30am (Beginner and Junior 6-14 - 7 miles) (Super Junior 6-8 / 9-10 - 3.5 miles)
•    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

RACE #3 @ 12:30pm (Intermediate - 10 miles)
•    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

Registration:  This race is limited to 300 total racers.  Reg fees - $30-$55 depending on class and registration date with longer races priced higher.  Lowest pricing until 1/24, regular by 7/10, and late by 8/9.  If space permits, race day registration will be available for an extra $10.  REGISTER EARLY TO SAVE $ AND GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT ON THE STARTING LINE.

Your reg fee includes

healthy competition on a fun and challenging courseprofessional race operations and timingvolunteer supportmedical supportaid station supportpost-race food (free for racers and volunteers)free photo downloads (a professional photographer will be at the race)awards/prizes/giveaways (THANK YOU, Trek Chapel Hill!). other cycling giveaways from our other sponsors!$3/rider donation to Meals on Wheels courtesy of Coastal Credit Union - THANK YOU, Coastal! To keep the reg fee 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.  

Race Parking:  Enter the park and follow the signs to Hog Run Trailhead.  Volunteers will direct parking.  Carpooling is encouraged.  Overflow parking will be available in the Cypress Pavilion parking lot (about .3 mile bike ride to check-in).

Check-in:  After parking, check-in to receive your bike number and t-shirt (if you ordered one).  Athletes are encouraged to arrive at least 45 minutes before their start time to provide time needed to park, check-in, warm up, use the restroom, and attend the pre-race brief.   If space is available for race day check-in, please show up at least one hour before your start time.

Race Lineup/Pre-race Brief/Start:  Arrive at the start 10 minutes before your race start.  A pre-race brief will take place a few minutes before the start.  

Race Finish/Timing/Results:  This event will be chip timed.  Ensure your bike number (with timing chip) is affixed on your handlebars, visible from the front, with the twist ties provided.  Results will be posted online following each race and you can access the results using a QR code that will be displayed at the race.

Race Recovery/Medical:  Dr. David Berkoff, Dr. Greg Summerville, and their team of medical pros from UNC School of Medicine - Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute will be on site offering their expert medical care to our athletes. Visit their tent after the race to assist with recovery or to treat an injury. 

Post-Race Beverages/Food:  Water, Gatorade, soft drinks, and non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing Company will be available after the race.  Post race food includes items such as fresh fruit, trail bars, chips, cookies, etc.  FREE food and beverages will be available at the finish line for all racers and volunteers.

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.  

Thank You TORC!:  TORC (Triangle Off-Road Cyclists) 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.