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 is BACK 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 26 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 6.2 miles for a lap, north of County Park Drive, and 3.5 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.  

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.  Beginner last year is now Intermediate and First Time Racer last year is now Beginner.  
• We have lowered the age for the Intermediate junior classes.  What was Jr 15-18 last year, is now Intermediate 13-18.
• We have added a Jr 6-10 option for the longer 7 mile race to accommodate 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.    

Link to Full Lap

Link to Shortened Lap

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.  If space permits, race day registration will be available for an extra $10.  The registration fee will increase after 100 racers register and then again after 200.  Check the start list online to see how many spots remain.  REGISTER EARLY TO SAVE $ AND GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT ON THE STARTING LINE.

Your reg fee includes

• healthy competition on a fun and challenging course
• professional race operations and timing
• volunteer support
• medical support from UNC Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute
• aid station support
• post-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.