Racer Surveys Improve Over the Hump

Your racer surveys improve Over the Hump. We’re already hard at work to implement the insights you shared.
9 years ago John and Matt asked racers to be the best part of OTH by sharing directly, through open communication WHAT YOU LOVED AND HATED ABOUT OTH. We’ve always wanted hear and improve; making OTH what you envisioned with us. We’re back at the drawing table, and thrilled you joined us to make our little race series better than ever.
3 weeks ago, we surveyed racers from the past 2 years, and received a monumentally huge percentage of responses, because you love the Hump and want to help us make it the best possible mountain bike race.
THANK YOU for participating in this survey. We couldn’t think of a better way to spend our time on a summer Tuesday night than with our Over the Hump family, playing in the dirt on two wheels at OTH.
And, WE HEARD YOU. Now we are working to implement what you shared.
A sneak peak into OTH’s 2018 Model:
New Race Staging Location: Spectators will get race course-side seats reminiscent of the original OTH staging location…but better!
We are moving the staging and start location to the Baja Beach area of the current area! Better viewing location for the best parts of the course, and an opportunity to see racers multiple times per lap.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? Packaged with the new staging area is CELL RECEPTION and DATA SERVICE! Text, share, and extend your workday….you won’t miss a thing.

The red shaded area serves as the new staging area.
Race Course Improvements
One of the things you told us is that the course doesn’t have enough mountain bike elements. In 2018 we will be fixing that.
Here’s what we are doing:
- Adding more course elements like berms, whoops, and other features to the course where it is allowed. Have suggestions? Comment on this article below!
- Yes we are limited in usable space, based on designated Parks land usage requirements, etc…AND OC Parks and Irvine Company have always been generous with helping us find a creative footprint at Irvine Lake. If land designations evolve in 2018, we will definitely focus on maximizing creative use of the allowed elements.
- BETTER DIRT FOR THE KIDS RACE: Moving the start area which will let us provide an improved kid’s course for the kids, with more dirt, gentle climbs, less gravel, and some main course dirt features,
Look for a new and improved kid’s course in 2018
New Women’s Initiatives
We are rethinking the women’s experience at OTH for 2018 and will have some awesome things to announce very soon!
A Diligent Ongoing Focus on Getting Racers in the Correct/Fair Race Classes
No small feat, but “Fair and Fun” is THE THING to create incredible race competition. We will clarity and implement guidelines to ensure correct racer placement and appropriate moves to improve the whole competition element for every class. An added focus will be placed on helping racers find and stay in competitive classes for them, early in the series.
Expect a more clear definition of race classes from us soon.
One BIG Thank You to Our Sponsors
The 2017 OTH season was a HUGE success and we couldn’t do it without our amazing sponsors. Thank you to Mazda, our Presenting Sponsor, and all the Sponsors who make OTH possible. When you’re out for a purchase please consider our World-Class Sponsors’ offerings…and support them, as they support SoCal Racing with a passion.
Thank you again to all of you racers out there for making this the best year yet, and for telling us how to make your experience even better!
See you in 2018!
Matt, John, Suzanne, Flint, and Adam (The OTH Team)
8 Comments
right on guys… can’t wait to see it for real
Definitely more technical mtb elements are needed with down hills and bermed turns. Perhaps a complete change of venue if possible (Oaks, luge, etc) I would copy some of Santiago oaks trails at irvine lake area if possible
Some rock gardens and drops/jumps would be fun! (provided there are B lines)
The enthusiasts want more tests of skills and daring – they always have. But it seems to me that OTH’s huge popularity for 9 years is rooted in part to a course philosophy that has more focus on riding and not more daring challenges. Course changes every other week or so provide variety and some variation in skill sets that lead to better finishes…sometimes more climbing, sometimes more flat out speed.
Perhaps in the June/July time frame – when the daylight is the longest – there could be longer or more loops. And I have been thinking that the closed BMX track could be partially included.
Whatever – OTH has rocked for 9 seasons and I have no doubts it will rock for the 10th season and beyond.
More variety overall in each course (hard climbs, much more challenging downhill sections, technical sections, etc.). Many of my die-hard MTB friends have aren’t interested in OTH, calling it a “dirt crit.” Also, more room to pass. Long stretches where it’s impossible to get around slower riders are a huge bummer.
Definitely have B lines for less technical racers. OTH is often the gateway into more technical MTN racing. Don’t let technical additions become a barrier for new riders.
Kenji, you for sure get the heart of what we’re doing with the Community at OTH, and we will never loose sight of keeping the course ridable…and with the volume of riders there definitely will be a wider path to allow for the dynamics of a larger field…no one likes a bottle neck.
I like bottle necks as long as it is behind me!! Just kidding. You guys are awesome and I can’t wait for another great year of racing with everyone. Keep up the good work!