MoCo Epic

The MoCo Epic is back for 2024! Prepare to experience some of the best singletrack with rides showcasing over 70 miles across 11 different parks in Montgomery County. There is an epic adventure awaiting every rider!

Saturday, October 12 will feature two youth rides, a self-guided family ride, and the Gravity Soul Jump Jam. Registration for Saturday activities will open on July 1.

Sunday, October 13 is packed with 13-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 55-, and 70-mile routes plus an inaugural adaptive course! 

The MoCo Epic is an organized RIDE, not a race, which allows you to enjoy your adventure at your own pace and experience the renowned epic aid stations which have historically featured hula dancers, inflatable flamingos, and jambalaya. The 2024 MoCo Epic promises to be loads of fun!

Sponsor an Epic rider! Last year, we were able to offer five riders the opportunity to experience one of the biggest mountain biking events in the region. Maybe you've done the MoCo Epic before and want to share the stoke with a member of our trail community who may not otherwise afford to participate in this event. Under Merchandise, you have the option to select “Sponsor a Rider” ($80). Funds from this category will cover Epic registration of riders who have expressed need for financial assistance.

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

Are you a MORE member? Be sure to take advantage of exclusive member pricing for Sunday rides. Register for rides labeled for MORE members.

No refunds or transfers after October 9. Once registration closes on October 9, all transactions are final. This will give us time to prepare bike tags, swag bags, and shirt orders. We will be accepting day-of registrations but swag bags are not guaranteed.

Shirts. Event t-shirts will remain optional and must be ordered by 9/19/2024. To keep costs down, we won't be ordering extras so be sure to order yours during registration.

Registration. Grab your bike plate, meal and beverage tickets, wristband, and shirt (if ordered) when you check in before your ride. Be sure to stash your beer and meal and beverage tickets in a safe place while you ride.

Stay fueled. No one likes to be hangry, especially after a long day on the bike! When you return from your ride, we'll have a quick refueling station at the finish line so you can have a cold drink and snack before heading into the beer garden. We're working to get a variety of food vendors that can provide quick, yummy food at the post-race party.

Win a bike! Get a chance to win a Cobalt Diablo Hardtail MTB frameset. Entries to the random draw are available under event items/merchandise.

Bring guests. Have family and friends who aren't riding but want to participate in Epic festivities? Under merchandise, you can select a Post-Ride Party ticket which gets your guest a meal and two beverages.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

rain date: October 19-20

Festival & Family Fun Day - Saturday, October 12
Schedule and registration will be published on July 1.

Epic Rides - Sunday, October 13

6:15 AM – Registration opens 
6:45 AM - 12:00 PM – Rides depart
12:00-8:00 PM – Post-ride celebration (beer garden and food trucks open) 

REGISTRATION

Your MoCo Epic Ride registration includes:

Giving back to local trail systems! Downloadable GPS track (available by August 1)An epic ride on a route of your choice Flagged trails Food, drinks, and basic mechanical support at aid stations Sweepers with first aid supplies and a staffed first aid center Two free beverages after your ride One meal ticket to redeem at your choice of food truck or catering Post-ride party Rain date of Oct 19-20, 2024 

DISCOUNTS & SPECIAL PACKAGES

MORE membership price - $20 off
Current members get $20 off their Sunday Epic ride. Simply choose your ride from the “MORE Member” category (yes, we check your membership status when you sign up).  Join/renew here or add a membership from the Merchandise section when you register to avail of special pricing.

Tiered registration pricing
Register before August 1 to take advantage of the lowest price on Epic rides. Prices go up again on September 1.

MORE Trail Liaison price
Trail Liasons enjoy a special discount on Saturday and Sunday rides. Contact jali.fernando@more-mtb.org if you did not receive the coupon code.

Epic volunteer discount - additional $15 off any ride
Volunteer on Friday (10/11) or Saturday (10/12) and receive a $15 refund on your Epic Ride! We need an army of volunteers to set up course marking and event equipment the day before the Epic. Help us out, and you’ll be rewarded with a $15 refund that will be processed within two (2) weeks after the MoCo Epic. Just register to volunteer on Bike Reg, and you’ll receive an email with additional details. You must show up at your registered volunteer shift and a minimum of four (4) hours of volunteer time is required to be eligible for the discount. Only one $15 Epic Volunteer Discount may be applied per Epic Ride and are non-transferrable between riders.  Registered Volunteers that do not want to ride will still receive meal/beer tickets and event shirt.

 

2024 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SATURDAY RIDES

Mini Epic 6-miler
Route and registration available on 8/1

Bring the kids out on a ride geared just for them. A 6-mile ride through Diabase and yellow and blue trails in Schaeffer, plus one pit stop for the complete Epic experience. Parents are welcome to join the ride at no additional cost.

Mega Epic 9-miler
Route and registration available on 8/1

We also have something a little more challenging for our youth riders. A 9-mile loop through the Diabase and yellow and green trails in Schaeffer, plus a pit stop for the complete Epic experience. Parents are welcome to join the ride at no additional cost.

Gravity Soul Jump Jam
Registration opens on 8/1

Our friends from Gravity Soul will be back this year to host the super rad Jump Jam competition. Get some air in the South Germantown Bike Park and compete in different categories like highest jump, best trick, and crowd favorite.

SUNDAY RIDES
Start windows are subject to change. Please check schedule a few days before the event and the rider email communications.

Infiniti HR 13
Course start window: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Pink
GPS route available on 7/20

New route for 2024! We heard you – no more riding on the Pepco Trail. We’ve put together a fun route through Diabase and Schaeffer green, yellow, and white trails, plus two aid stations to complete your Epic experience.

Cognative MTB 20
Course start window: 9:10-10:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Yellow
GPS route available on 7/20

Looking for a little more mileage, scenic trails, and enough time to party after? Not sure you can commit to 30 miles but want to keep the option open in case the legs are feeling good? This route is it! Start your ride on Hoyles Mill and through the fun and flowy Ten Mile Creek and Black Hill Regional Park trails. Depending on how you feel, there will be some options to make your adventure even more epic by adding loops along the way. Loop back down and on to the finish line at South Germantown for the post ride party.

Erik Scudder, CFP® 30
Course start window: 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: White
GPS route available on 7/20

The sweet spot of Epic routes which gives you just the right amount of challenge, three aid stations, and plenty of time to party after your ride. Your Epic adventure begins as you head north through Hoyles Mill and on to the fun and flowy Ten Mile Creek and Black Hill Regional Park trails. There will be options to make your adventure even more epic by adding optional loops along the way. You will loop back to the Diabase trail that flows into Schaeffer Farms. Then it’s the home stretch to South Germantown where the post ride party awaits!

Fine Earth 40
Course start window: 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Blue
GPS route available on 7/20

This scenic southern loop offers the highest percentage of dirt trails of all the Epic routes. Starting off with the Diabase trail, you’ll twist through a quick tour of Schaeffer and continue to the fast flow of Seneca Ridge Trail. From there you will head out for a tour of Muddy Branch that ends as you drop down into the historic beauty of the C&O Canal. This is the final stretch as you'll climb up Seneca Bluffs and pop out at Black Rock Mill, then into Schaeffer Farms and onto the post ride festivities! Five aid stations will help keep you going.

Cobalt Bikes 55
Course start window: 8:00-9:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Orange
GPS route available on 7/20

Get ready for an adventure with five aid stations to help you keep going. Start by heading north through Hoyles Mill and on to the fun flow of Ten Mile Creek and Black Hill Regional Park trails. You will then begin climbing through Little Bennett and Damascus Regional Parks. Swing south on the Greenway Trail toward Seneca Creek State Park and connect with the Seneca Ridge Trail for the long, fun run to Black Rock Mill. One last aid station and then it is off through Schaeffer Farm and back to South Germantown’s post ride party for refueling! This route is about 85% singletrack with occasional paved country roads between parks.

First Citizens Bank 70
Course start window: 6:45-8:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Orange to AS6 then Blue to end
GPS route available on 7/20

Are you ready for an EPIC day on the bike? This course is not for the faint of heart, with over 4,000 ft in elevation but lots of opportunities to party at seven aid stations. This year you’ll start your Epic adventure by heading north through Hoyles Mill and on to the flowy Ten Mile Creek and Black Hill Regional Park trails. You will then begin climbing through Little Bennett and Damacus Regional Parks. Swing south on the Greenway Trail toward Seneca Creek State Park for a tour on the Powerline trail, Muddy Branch, and finally the historic beauty of the C&O Canal. The final stretch takes you on a climb up Seneca Bluffs to Black Rock Mill, through Schaeffer Farms, and onto the finish line and post-ride party. Be prepared for an 8 to 9-hour adventure you’ll never forget!

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*** VOLUNTEER NOTES

Early Sunday Shifts

This includes Parking at 5:30 am, Aid Station Support Drivers at 6:00 am, and Registration at 6:30 am.
Volunteers who sign up for these specific early shifts will be provided breakfast and will also receive a special limited edition MORE swag! 

Sweeper/ Course Marking/ De-marking

Sweeper/ Course De-Marking volunteers will be selected on a merit based system. Not all volunteers registering for Sweeper/ Course De-Marking will be assigned Sweeper Slots. Preference will be given to volunteers that: 1) Have the ability to complete the expected tasks; 2) Volunteer for Course Marking; 3) Volunteer for other MoCo Epic volunteer slots; 4) Register early for Sweeper/ Course De-Marking and Course Marking.

Sweeper/ Course De-Marking volunteers have expected tasks to perform on Sunday. 1) Depart at the specified Course cutoff time from the specified location. 2) Complete the designated course. 3) Offer support to participants: fix flats; perform minor bike repairs; assist medical emergencies; call MoCo Command Center for SAG pick up. 4) Report to MoCo Command Center at Aid Station arrivals. 4) De-Mark designated sections of the course.

Sweeper/ Course De-Marking volunteers are required to carry a cell phone on Sunday while performing their duties as Sweeper/ Course De-Markers and provided their cell phone numbers to the MoCo Epic Planning Team.

Course Marking and Contingency Course Marking volunteers are required to carry a cell phone on Friday, Saturday, and/ or Sunday while performing their duties as Course Markers and provided their cell phone numbers to the MoCo Epic Planning Team.

Friday and Saturday Event Setup

These positions can provide flexible start times. Do you have just a couple hours in the morning to help out? Want to hang out all day and help where needed? Can't help until school is out? Regardless of when you can help, if you want to  volunteer for event setup on Friday or Saturday, sign up using those options, and we will reach out for your availability.

Aid Station Staff

Please use this volunteer position signup only if you have already been assigned to help with an aid station. Aid stations rely on sponsors and local non-profit organizations to supply volunteers to work that day, and this position is intended to track those volunteers. Aid station volunteers receive riders, provide mechanical support, and keep food and hydration stocked, and are then invited to attend the party after closing!

Aid Station Support Drivers

We need help stocking the aid stations early in the morning on Sunday, as well as resupplying throughout the day and picking up after the sweepers pass through! Please sign up for this position only if you are comfortable driving the moving van and/or delivery truck that the MoCo Epic supplies for this task.

Sunday Course Marshals

The course marshal positions are always rewarding because you get to see and guide every rider on the 30-miler, 55-miler, and 70-miler courses! This is a key role this year due to a course change that will send the riders down Clarksburg Road in Boyds. There are two positions where a course marshal will be needed: one is on Clarksburg Road at the Cool Spring end of the 10 Mile Creek trail, and the other is on Clarksburg Road where the riders will need to cross onto Black Hills Road. You will help the riders know where to go as well as promote safety at the road crossings. MORE will provide the marshals with orange vests and flags, and will place orange cones and advisory signs along the road the morning of the event.

THANK YOU TO OUR EPIC SPONSORS!