It is Spring in the Mountains of Western North Carolina! Our beautiful hills, forests and streams are coming back to life. Soon they will be lush and full of the sounds and smells of summer - and we hope full of cyclists riding the 8th Annual Hot Doggett - either on the Doggett Mountain Challenge (100 miles) or the Devils Fork Metric Challenge. The chatter has already started on facebook - tune in!
Early scouting of the course tells us the roads are in as good a shape as last year and in some places much improved. The Rotary Club of Madison County, which is the organizing group for the Hot Doggett series, has already assembled its team to make sure we bring you the same incredible experience as in prior years - in fact we strive every year to make sure the experience is better than the last. Last year we added some great sponsors that helped provide great swag - we welcome back many of them again this year (see our sponsors' page). Their logos will be emblazoned on the 2nd annual souvenir rider jersey (cost $75 plus NC State sales tax).
We will again have discounts for early registration and prize drawings for early registrants. We will have the same opportunity for early packet pick-up (3 pm to 6 pm on Friday July 12), the same early morning camaraderie at the start-finish line, the same well-stocked rest stops and friendly volunteers, plenty of SAG support on the course, and the cold wet towels and the post ride meal at the finish - and the same tough climbs and screaming descents. Showers will again be available after the ride and Mars Hill College has dorm rooms available for $25/night for those who want to stay really close by.
We are very fortunate to be able to partner with Mars Hill College, which serves as host to all of our event preparations, our logistics and our start-finish operations - we do hope you will come out and ride our quiet mountain roads on July 13 and enjoy the beauty of the Mars Hill College Campus. If you are bringing friends or family, they can find all sorts of things to do in Madison County - just go to visitmadisoncounty.com to get some ideas.
We look forward to welcoming new and repeat riders alike.
Rick and Connie Molland,
2013 Event Chairs
