Even the fat-tired folks enjoy a decent “Race of Truth”, and certainly no mountain bike race in the state offers as well-run a TT as Yankee Springs. A week after roadies took on the Fisk Knob Time Trial, knobby-loving people take on their own chronological challenge.

Riders from around the Mitten head to Yankee Springs Recreation Area near Middleville for a 12 mile jaunt around the Devil’s Soup Bowl loop. The trail is notoriously diverse, offering an outstanding mix of roots, tight corners, sharp inclines and twisty descents along its route.

The two-man format offers an excellent way to ride on your own, but with a target on the trail as well. The race kicks off on a fast descent amongst the trees, skidding over sand pits and through a handful of fast turns before winding further northwest, skimming a small ridge on the way out and back.

The race has, always, drawn out some great talent for the 2012 edition, including Mitchell DeYoung of the On2Wheels squad. DeYoung is fresh off a great showing at the Rust Shaker, but he’ll be facing competition just as stiff at Yankee. Geoff Kuyper, Dan Korienek, and Neil Scharphorn are the usual suspects for the win, along with Farm Team’s Shawn Davison. Earl Hillaker of Founder’s will also be on hand, and will be sure to put down a strong challenge.

The Women’s Elite is a two-woman showdown, barring some last minute registrants. It will be an exciting race as Kim Luks and Heather Spencer have a 12 mile, head-to-head showdown right from the gun. If anyone has a Go-Pro, throw one on one of these women and watch the battle take place, please.

Here’s the Strava read-out of the course. As the title of the route points out, this includes only the trail portion and does not include the data from the part of the route that runs along the parking lot or through the start/finish area.