Red Clay Ramble Race Held in Hillsboro

Last Saturday about 150 people gathered at Ben Hill School in Hillsboro for the Red Clay Ramble, a bicycle race on dirt roads. 

Gravel racing, as it’s called, has become the most popular type of bicycle racing in the United States over the past decade.  With its multitude of dirt roads, Jasper County is gravel racing paradise. Chainbuster Racing directed the Red Clay Ramble. They offered two distances, 29 miles and 65 miles, in several categories, including Open, Junior, Masters (40-49 years old), Grand Masters (50-59), Ultra Grand Masters (60-69), and Hero (70+). 

Jasper County residents Betty Jean and Robert Jordan raced the Red Clay Ramble along with several of their teammates from the Riverside Ford/Freudenberg race team: Bill Causey, Cody Haddock, Brian Rogers, and Cal Till.  Wiley Jordan from Jasper County also participated.

The race attracted people from several neighboring states.  For example, of the 37 entrants in the men’s Grand Masters category, one of the most competitive groups, 22 were from Georgia, and the remainder were from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Betty Jean, Brian, Cody, and Robert raced the long option, which started at 9:a.m. Bill, Cal, and Wiley raced the short option, which started 15 minutes later.  The routes followed mostly dirt roads through Jasper, Jones, and Putnam Counties.  Because the Red Clay Ramble is held during the summer, heat is a significant factor in race strategy.  Several aid stations are located along the course. However, stopping at aid stations adds time; therefore, the most competitive racers try to carry enough food and liquids so that they don’t have to stop.

The finish line was staged in a pecan orchard in the front yard of a house owned by Mary and Matt Tumlin on Turner Road.  This is one of the most picturesque finish lines gravel racers are bound to find anywhere. Exhausted racers then were treated to a delicious chicken-que dinner inside the Ben Hill School, prepared by Sudy Stuckey and others who help maintain the historic building.

Thank you to all the Jasperites who helped welcome the Red Clay Ramble participants to our community. Next time you see a cyclist on our roads, give a friendly wave and remember what treasures Jasper County has to offer.