The MoCo Epic is back for 2023! In celebration of the 13th edition of the MoCo Epic, we are offering a 13-mile route which will take the place of the 10 & 15-milers, as well as some refreshes to the 30-, 40-, 55-, and 70-mile routes you know and love. Prepare to experience some of the best singletrack in the Mid-Atlantic in an all new way. Showcasing over 70 miles across 11 different parks in Montgomery County, there is an epic adventure awaiting every rider. This event offers 5 unique Epic Ride Courses and 2 Youth Rides (Saturday) that feature twisty singletrack, rocks and roots to skip over, and the scenic beauty of Montgomery County. Don’t miss out on the rad Jump Jam competition plus free clinics for MORE members happening on Saturday.

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 2022 MoCo Epic promises to be loads of fun.

*New for 2023: Sponsor an Epic rider! 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) until August 1. Funds from this category will cover Epic registration of riders who have expressed need for financial assistance.

Other things to note

• Event t-shirts will remain optional and must be ordered by 9/15/2023. To keep costs down, we won’t be ordering extras so be sure to order yours during registration.
• Grab your bike plate, beer tickets, wristband, and shirt (if ordered) when you check in before your ride. 
• 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.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Festival & Family Fun Day – Saturday, October 7
Registration opens July 1st
8:45 AM – Registration and check-in for Saturday events and clinics
9:00 -10:00 AM – Youth MTB Clinic
10:00 -11:30 AM – Youth MTB Clinic
11:00 AM -12:30 PM – Adult Beginner Clinic
12:00 – 2:00 PM – Kid’s group rides and Family-led rides
1:00 – 2:15 PM – Adult Beyond Beginner Clinic
3:00-6:30 PM – Gravity Soul Jump Jam Competition
4:00 PM – Early registration pick-up closes 

Epic Rides – Saturday, October 8

6:15 AM – Registration opens 
7:00-11:30 AM – Rides depart
12:00-8:00 PM – Post-ride celebration (beer garden and food trucks open) 
5:00 PM – Awards 
8:00 PM – Party ends 

REGISTRATION

Your MoCo Epic Ride registration includes:

• Giving back to local trail systems! 
• Downloadable GPS track 
• 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 14-15, 2023 

DISCOUNTS & SPECIAL PACKAGES

MORE membership price – $20 off
Current 2023 members get $20 off their Epic ride at check out. This non-transferable member discount code can be found at the bottom of all MORE weekly newsletters beginning June 7. If you are a current member but are not receiving the newsletter, please email jali.fernando@more-mtb.org . Not a MORE member but want to get in on the action? Join now!

Tired registration pricing
Register before August 1 to take advantage of the lowest price on Epic rides. 

MORE Trail Liaison price – $20 for any ride
This non-transferable code will be emailed to Trail Liaisons on June 7. Contact jali.fernando@more-mtb.org if you did not receive your code.

Epic volunteer discount – additional $15 off any ride
Volunteer on Saturday, October 7 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 receive meal/beer tickets and event shirt.

2023 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Infiniti HR 13 Miler
Course start window: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Pink

New for 2023! To celebrate 13 years of the MoCo Epic, we’ve put together 13 miles of fun on Schaeffer and Seneca Ridge trails plus two aid stations to complete your Epic experience. By popular demand, we reversed the direction from last year so riders go downhill on the Powerline trail and finish with Seneca Ridge Trail and Schaeffer. 
 

Erik Scudder, CFP® 30 Miler
Course start window: 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: White

The sweet spot of Epic routes which gives you just the right amount of challenge, three pit stops, and plenty of time to party after you 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. You will loop back to the Diabase trail that flows into Schaeffer Farms where you can fuel up at a new aid station. (That’s right, no more two way traffic to Black Rock Mill and back!) Then it’s the home stretch to South Germantown Rec Park where the post ride party awaits!  

Fine Earth Landscape 40 Miler
Course start window: 8:30 – 10:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Blue

This southern loop offers the highest percentage of dirt trails of all the Epic routes and five aid stations. 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!

Cognative MTB 55 Miler
Course start window: 8:00-9:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Orange

The route of choice for the brave at heart! Five aid stations help you keep going. This year you’ll be 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 some long climbing through Little Bennett (where we’ve added some trails) and Damascus Regional Parks. From there you will 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 Miler
Course start window: 7:00-8:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Orange to AS6 then Blue to end

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 flowtrack of Ten Mile Creek and Black Hill Regional Park trails. You will then begin some long climbing through Little Bennett (wher we’ve added some trails) and Damacus Regional Parks. From there you will 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!

THANK YOU TO OUR EPIC SPONSORS!

The MoCo Epic is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors

Featured sponsors

Supporting sponsors

Aid Station sponsors

Bike Doctor Frederick
Bikenetic
The Bike Lane
Catoctin Mountain Cyclery
Darius Mark State Farm
DCMTB
G-PARC
Handy Bikes DC
Muddy Branch Alliance
NOVA Cycleworks
Terrapin Bicycles