Hill of Truth 12 Hour raceHaw Ridge Park, Oak Ridge, TN
Clinch Valley Trail Alliance
October 5, 2019
Jess 1st solo female and 1st overall solo rider
Joël 1st solo male and 2nd overall solo rider
Not only a race, this is a festival. 2019 was the 21st year of bringing together local riders for a day and night of comradery and riding. The heart of the event has always been getting people together to share stories, no matter what their age, background, or riding ability. Typically there is a campfire, food truck, and beer. Riders camp both the night before and the night after the race; with post race festivities being filled with food, alcohol and the "Goodwill Tour" where riders travel from campsite to campsite sharing stories about their ride.
The event includes a 12 hour mountain bike race, for both solo and team riders. Teams members typically include a mix of kids and veteran riders, novice riders through seasoned pro-level speedsters. Some teams are out to be competitive and others are there to have fun and party. Along with the 12 hour race, there is a Big Wheel race, kids race, and trail running race.
Haw Ridge Park, the weekend venue, has been an establishment in the mountain biking community for over 20 years. What started as ATV and motobike trails is now being worked upon and established as an IMBA trail system. There are currently about 35 miles of trails that range from rough and rocky to smooth and groomed. Some of the trails contain additional features like skinnies, jumps, bridges, and berms. A skills park is being developed and a paved pump track is on the way. The trails loop about twisting upward and undulating downward along the lake edge. Views of the lake are frequent along with passing old buildings and a active power plant can be seen in the distance. A paved green way trail cuts through the middle of the mountain bike trials, perfect for trail access or days when one wants to take an easy ride. Just awesome trails overall with something for everyone.
So you may be wondering how we got to this race? It was already a long weekend for me. Joël and I had the urge to travel. So why not go somewhere we have't gone yet and find some new trails to ride; and what better way to do that than enter a race. After much internet searching for races, this one intrigued us and thus we added our names to the entry list. With our bikes race ready via Saucon Valley Bikes and bodies ready via Saucon Valley Massage, Dr. Qureshi at St. Luke's Spine, and Balanced Acupuncture, we (of course our dog Clifford came along also) all climbed into the Nankvan and off we went.We arrived at the venue the afternoon before the event. There were already some tents set-up and a few racers on-site. After talking to other riders we learned where the course passed through the transition area, where the timing tent would be, and orientated ourselves to the course. Finding a flat spot for sleeping in the van and a spot close enough to the course for our food, gear table, and awning is of the utmost importance for two self-supported solo riders. We found the perfect spot and set-up camp for the weekend.
Race morning went as usual. Setting up our table with food and gear and prepping bikes as is the norm. Along the way we chatted with other riders and the race directors. It was noticeable that others were not sure what to make of us; who were these people from Pennsylvania? Did we know we were set-up right along the course? Did we know about the trails and how to ride the "hill of truth?". Everyone was extremely nice, talkative, helpful and inclusive. But it was noticeable Joel and I were the unknown, the racers no one really knows about? Are they fast? Do we worry about them? Do they know what they are doing? Once it was ready for the race to get going at 10am, we prepped the van for Clifford for the day and headed to the race start.
As with all 12 hour races, this was a lap format. Each lap being eight miles, taking on average 50 to 75 minutes per lap for us. When passing through the timing tent electronic timing counted riders laps and this is also where team riders handed off the timing device to the next rider. Joel and I had our pit area set-up just after the timing tent; a convenient area to grab a snack, change bottles, do bike maintenance, and any other race related things that were needed.
The course was eight miles of single track goodness. A mix of terrain, there was a little of everything. After leaving the transition area and riding on the pavement for a few minutes, the first bit of the course was a smooth switch back climb with one little rock garden. A fun but a bit sketchy dry and loose descent followed. The course then wove and meandered throughout the forest traversing fun single track with techy roots, tight turns, and punchy climbs and descents. Two powerline climbs, one about 1/3 of the way though and the other about 2/3 of the way through were the real challenges of the course. The first was a long, gradual climb that was an energy sucking spin. The second, known as the Hill of Truth, was a long and exposed powerline climb. It was steep, washed out, with loose gravel and rocks. With the exception of the team riders who could expend the energy and deal with the burn, this was a hike-a-bike every time. After the Hill of Truth, the course was quite pleasant and super fun. It was predominantly downhill to flat, just a few little climbs. Coming to the end of the lap, the single track followed the lakeside giving beautiful views. After circling a grassy field it was back through the timing tent and the lap complete. A perfect course for my Liv Pique Advanced, a bike that can do it all and do it all well along with making it all fun. Joël reports that riding single speed made for numerous walking sections on the steep climbs but oh well, that is what happens when you only have one gear. He was was happy to have his Trust Performance fork to make the ride smooth and fast.Besides an amazing course, what made this race great was the spectators. Every time through the pit area people were cheering, cowbells were ringing, and support was everywhere. But what was the best were the spectators out on the course. Numerous places along the course people were camped out for just about the entire race heckling racers. At the top of the Hill of Truth revelers gave riders that little extra oomph to ride harder. The group at the tight right corner were always happy and supportive, always cheering. A group of women at the base of the lake were always smiling and clapping. Photographers, people out walking, and other riders along the course always gave a hello and cheer.
As for the Nankmans, how did our races go? Both of us had a great start, riding strong, smooth, and clean. We took our typical quick stops at our pit area, just to eat and grab a bottle. But then the noon-time heat took effect. It was as if all the energy was sucked out of us. I slowed down considerably, taking time at each pit stop to hold a cold towel on my neck and put ice into my sports bra. The heat was most oppressive on the Hill of Truth, and it hit Joel hard there. Hit hard meaning he literally hit the ground. Heat exhaustion taking it's toll, the next time through the pit area he took an extended period of time to sit for awhile while covering himself with cold towels and ice to bring his body temp down. Through these cooling techniques and slowing down a bit both of us were able to deal with the heat. As the sun started to set the temps cooled down and it was back to stronger and faster riding. Soon it was time to put our Lupine Piko lights on, which is my favorite part of the race. The sunset lap is always so beautiful as the sky changes colors and creatures come out. It always inspires me and brings back a little more energy and enthusiasm. As the race came to a close; Joël knowing he already had the win and still feeling the ill effects of the heat decided to opt out of a last lap. Even though I had the race won, I wanted to race until the end so I went out for a final lap. The rule being riders had to finish by 10pm; I started my final lap at around 8:15, more than enough time to finish even at an easier pace. Glad I went out for this final lap because it gave not only solidified my overall female win it actually gave me the OVERALL solo win. I beat Joël by a lap, he finished nine laps for the overall solo male win and I finishing with 10 laps.As the final racers finished, competitors and spectators gathered around the finish area cheering. Awards were done in a timely fashion just after the final riders came through. Having awards done right away was great; no waiting around and it meant everyone was still there to cheer. Cash prizes were given to solo riders; prizes and merchandise to team winners. Typically a bonfire, food, and alcohol would follow awards, but due to the dry conditions and high fire danger no bonfire or grilling this year. Many people still stayed for the night sharing stories of the days events.
To summarize-good and fun course, friendly people, great race venue, substantial prizes, and an event put on by a good group for a good reason. Definitely an event worth recommending and attending.
- words by Jess
- action photos by ALM Photo
- still photos by Joël