What is Super D?
Super D is one of the fastest growing types of mountain bike racing. A Super D is best described as a downhill cross country race that pits individual racers against the clock. Super D races lack most of the technical, danger-packed elements of downhill racing, and in most cases the courses have some uphill and flat pedaling sections; testing both a rider's endurance and bike handling skills.
What will the course be like?
The Sub-9 Super D is a 5.5 mile course consisting of 1.25 miles of short, easy climbing and 4.25 miles of downhill including a 2+ mile technical downhill! The Sub-9 Super D is 100% sweet single track! The course begins at Hesitation Point and ends at the North Gate Entrance main mountain bike parking lot. The course will utilize the entire Hesitation Point trail and North Tower connector trail as well as portions of the North Tower Loop and Aynes Loop. Times will range from 20-45 minutes for most riders. See last year's results. Pine Loop will be open throughout the event for warm up. Check out this video of the first two miles of the Sub-9 Super D course.
Junior riders ages 14 and under will race a shortened course of approximately 2.5 miles beginning at the North Lookout Tower trail entrance.
Click here for a printable version of the Sub-9 Super D course map.
What will the start be like?
The Sub-9 Super D will have individual time-trial starts. All Open/Pro/Elite, Cat 1 and Cat 2 riders will have 1 minute between riders. Category 3 and Juniors 14 and Under will have 2 minutes between riders. Riders may start in any order within their category/class. All racers MUST check-in at starting location no less than 15 minutes prior to their category/class start time. It is the responsibility of the rider to make sure they have transportation to and from the Start/Finish location. SHUTTLE SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE.
Any racer overtaken by another racer MUST yield immediately.
What category should I sign up for?
The Sub-9 Super D is a USA Cycling sanctioned event (permit # 2011-1703) and will use standard USAC categories and classes. Categories are defined as follows:
Cat 1 ~ (current Expert and Semi-pro): Racing skills, strength, race experience, and stamina have reached an exceptional level; racing is very competitive.
Cat 2 ~ (current Sport): Racing reflects improved skills, strength, race experience, and stamina.
Cat 3 ~ (current Beginner): Racing is for the entry-level rider. Racers have limited racing experience and have a lower fitness and skill level than in Category 2.
We recommend that all riders be able to complete the course in under 45 minutes.
What prizes and awards will be given to winners?
Medals (and bragging rights) will be given to the top three finishers in each category:
Men's Open/Cat1, Cat2, Cat3
Women's Cat1, Cat2, Cat3
We have logs of great prizes from our sponsors!
Overall winner will receive a special prize.
The 2011 Sub-9 Super D is recognized as part of the Alison Dunlap Junior Mountain Bike Race Series (ADJ-MTB).
Juniors will receive medals for the top three finishers in each class.
NOTE: Junior riders 10 and under may have an adult follow behind while on course.
Male Female
Junior, 10 and under Junior, 10 and under
Junior, 11-12 Junior, 11-12
Junior, 13-14 Junior, 13-14
Junior Cat 3, 15-16 Junior Cat 3, 15-18
Junior Cat 3, 17-18 Junior Cat 2, 15-18
Junior Cat 2, 15-16 Junior Cat 1, 15-16
Junior Cat 2, 17-18 Junior Cat 1, 17-18
Junior Cat 1, 15-16
Junior Cat 1, 17-18
Photo courtesy of Michelle Spitz
What is the cost of this event?
The Sub-9 Super D is only open to 250 riders, so be sure to register online to guarantee your spot!
$35 General registration beginning March 1.
$45 On-site registration ~ available only if spaces do not fill in advance.
$25 Junior riders 18 and under.
In order to compete in USA Cycling races, riders must present a valid racing license from USA Cycling or an international license from another national federation that is affiliated with the UCI. Current USAC license holders will be able to enter their information during registration. Non-license holders will need to purchase a 1-day USAC license for $10. This is not included in the registration fee. One-day license can be purchased on-line or day of. Cash or check only on the day of the event. Annual licenses are available for purchase on-site for $60 or online through the USA Cycling website.
What is the SRAM Speed Trap?
The SRAM Speed Trap will be located along one of the fastest sections of the course. Each riders speed will be clocked with a radar gun. The fastest rider(s) will receive a special prize!
Where is the best place to stay while in town for the event?
If you like camping, the best place to stay is at the official on-site camping area at the Rally Campground in Brown County State Park. The cost is only $10 per person (anyone 18 years of age and younger are free). You do not need to be a registered participant in order to enjoy the camping and race festivities. Online pre-registration is available. State park camping rules will apply. Camping will open promptly at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 19. Rally sites are non-electric primitive camping. There are no water hook-ups, but water is available. Rally sites do not have designated parking pads. Picnic tables and campfire rings are scattered throughout the area. Firewood, ice and basic food stuff is available at the campground store nearby. Direct access to an additional 12 miles of mountain bike trail including Walnut Trail, Limekiln Trail and Schooner Trace, not included in the Super D race course.
If you aren't planning on staying at the on-site camping, please keep in mind that this is a very busy time for the Brown County/Nashville area. Nashville is a very popular tourist location. If you are planning on staying in the area, please keep in mind that accom0dations book quickly.
Browncounty.com is the best resource to find lodging, restaurants, or just about anything around the area. Hotels.com is also a good resource for finding a "chain" hotel 15 miles east in Columbus, IN or 20 miles west in Bloomington, IN.
The Abe Martin Lodge and rustic cabins at Brown County State Park are popular places to stay. Call the lodge at (812) 988-4416 to make your reservation or book online. You can ride your bike from the lodge to the event check-in located at Upper Shelter. A property map can be downloaded here.
Additional camping is available in Brown County State Park. Reservations may be made online at the park's official site. Go to www.browncountymountainbiking.com/camping.html.
A local favorite with mountain bikers is Valley Branch Retreat. With cabins, camping and over 25 miles of mountain bike trails on the property, Valley Branch Retreat is a nice, mountain bike-friendly place to stay. It is only about a 10 minute drive from Brown County State Park.
For those looking for a bed and breakfast lodging, The Story Inn is a popular mountain bike-friendly choice. It is within riding distance of the Nebo Ridge Trail and is a scenic half-hour drive from the start/finish in the state park. Rawhide Ranch is also mountain bike-friendly and is centrally located in close proximity to Nashville and all of the trails in the area. The Abbey Inn is a nice romantic getaway that is very close to Brown County State Park.
Finally, free primitive camping near the road is available on first-come, first-serve basis in the Hoosier National Forest. "Backcountry" camping is also permitted.
Photo courtesy of Alex Stewart
What is the best way to enter Brown County State Park for the event?
The best entrance to use is the North Gate entrance located just east of Nashville on Indiana State Highway 46. CAUTION: If you use the North Gate Entrance, you must go through a covered bridge. Clearance is only 9 feet, so large trucks, vans, campers or RV's may not make it through. Also, if you have a roof rack with bikes on top, BE AWARE THE HEIGHT OF YOUR VEHICLE. If your vehicle will not clear, you will need to use the West Entrance, located west of Nashville on Highway 46.
The Horseman's Camp entrance on the south side of the park CANNOT be used to enter. It is for the horse camp only.
REMINDER: You just pay an entrance fee to Brown County State Park. This is NOT included in your registration fee. There is a $5.00 Gate Fee for Indiana license plates and a $7.00 Gate Fee for Non-Indiana license plates. This fee admits the driver and all passengers.
Where will the start/finish be located?
The Check-in/Registration area at Upper Shelter is located just south of the main mountain bike parking lot inside of the North Gate entrance. Check-in, limited parking and spectator viewing will be located in this area. Additional parking is available at Lower Shelter or the pool parking area.
The start of the race is located at Hesitation Point. All racers MUST check-in at starting location no less than 15 minutes prior to their category/class start time. It is the responsibility of the rider to make sure they have transportation to and from the Start/Finish location. SHUTTLE SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE.
Exciting spectator areas are located a short walk from the Hesitation Point parking lot. Parking is limited as this is a popular spot for tourists. Additional parking may be available in picnic areas near Hesitation Point. Please refrain from parking alongside the road near Hesitation Point if possible.
Will trails be open to the general public during the event?
The trails from Hesitation Point heading north will be closed throughout the event, with the exception of Pine Loop. Pine Loop will be opened as an out and back throughout the weekend. These trails include Hesitation Point, Aynes Loop, Green Valley Loop, North Tower Loop, and North Tower Connector. Trails will be closed for pre-race practice on Saturday, August 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Trails will close Sunday, August 21 from 8 a.m. until after the last rider has finished.
The trails from Hesitation Point heading south to the campground will remain open. This additional 12 miles of trail includes Walnut Trail, Limekiln Trail and Schooner Trace. Download a copy of the Brown County Mountain Bike Trail Map.
Where will the spectator areas be located?
The Sub-9 Super D will have several exciting spectator areas within easy access to both the Start and Finish. Spectators and participants will be able to see the high-speed action as riders head past the Upper Shelter and make their way toward the final turn into the field approaching the finish line at the North Gate mountain bike trail head. Bring the cowbells and bullhorns and cheer on your friends and favorites. For the 2011 event, the SRAM Speed Trap will be located within easy access of the road just south of Upper Shelter.
From the top of Hesitation Point, spectators can watch as participants start the course or take a short walk down a fire road bed for more racing action. One section is a high speed S-turn with technical rock features located less than 1/4 mile from the top of Hesitation Point.
If you have a question that has not been answered in our FAQ, please send an email to info@sub-9.com.
