MoCo Epic, sponsored by REI

Posted on July 20, 2011 by

The MoCo Epic is a supported mountain bike ride connecting many of the major parks in Montgomery County. More than 80% of the ride is on singletrack. All proceeds benefit MORE. Five supported rides will be offered, all starting at Schaeffer Farm:

  • 25-mile, 3 parks
  • 35-mile, 5 parks (MoCo South)
  • 45-mile, 8 parks (MoCo North)
  • 62-mile (metric century), 9 parks
  • Kid’s Ride (ages 8 to 14), 2 parks

Post ride party at the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg, with free hot dogs and beer and plenty of swag.

The MoCo Epic is an official IMBA Epic.

To register, please click here.

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To riders and volunteers

Posted on October 27, 2011 by

You should have now received your final thank you email.

In it:

Continue reading →

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The 2011 MoCo Epic in numbers

Posted on October 27, 2011 by
  • 382 riders (420 registered) on 80 miles of trail in 10 different Montgomery County parks
  • Riders coming from 2 continents, 4 different countries and 12 US states
  • $15,300 net income raised for MORE
  • 17,700 total miles ridden
  • 110 MORE memberships sold (12% of MORE members; include 56 new, 16 lapsed, 38 renewals)
  • 70 volunteers
  • 850+ volunteer hours
  • 72 pounds of gummy bears consumed
  • 23 local and national sponsors
  • $15,000+ retail value of donated items and services
  • 6,800 emails sent/received/answered
  • 2 pro riders
  • One 7-year old super-rider completing the 25-miler
  • One 17-year old completing the 100K
  • 1 ambulance called
  • 2 unicycles
  • 1 hula dancer
  • A couple hopelessly lost riders
  • A few dozen legs cramping
  • Several thousand smiles (and a few curse words)
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Lost and found at the Epic

Posted on October 27, 2011 by

Found: A GPS

Lost: A pair of Rudy Project blue and white sunglasses

Click on link(s) for details.

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MoCo Epic Thank You Ride

Posted on October 26, 2011 by

To thank all the MoCo Epic organizers, volunteers and sponsors, and especially those who gave up their ride that Sunday to help make the event a success, we are organizing a 45-mile “Thank You Volunteers” MoCo Epic ride on Sunday, Nov 6. If we can, we’ll even try to have a couple “aid stations“, manned by some of those who rode it.

When: Sun, Nov 6, 2011
Time: 8:30am
Location: start from Schaeffer
Ride what: MoCo Epic 45-miler (MoCo North)
Who: The ride is reserved for organizers, volunteers and sponsors who donated their time to the official MoCo Epic on Oct 16.

Continue reading →

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Photos are posted

Posted on October 26, 2011 by

Edward Lee Photography’s photos for participants (Use the participant code that was included in your ride packet for access)

Edward Lee Photography’s photos for everyone else

Photos by Michael DeNino, courtesy of Bike Bistro

Pete’s photos

Shmmy_disc

Muddy Branch Alliance

My photos

If you have other photos, please post the link in a comment and I will put it in the post. Thanks.

 

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Final pre-ride Brief!

Posted on October 16, 2011 by

All trails are flagged with checkered tape and yellow arrows. The trails today were in good shape, apart from a limited number of chronic problem areas.

Trails flaggers reported several creek crossings were high, and the water was cold. A change of socks is highly recommended.

Continue reading →

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Ride is on!

Posted on October 15, 2011 by

All trails are flagged. The trails were in good shape, apart from a limited number of chronic problem areas.

Trails flaggers report several creeks were high, and the water was cold. A change of socks is highly recommended.

See you tomorrow!

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Pre-ride brief #3

Posted on October 15, 2011 by

Dear MoCo Epic Riders and Volunteers:

Let me start with the weather! Continue reading →

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Maps and Cue Sheets

Posted on October 15, 2011 by

Maps and cue sheets are now available for download. Please note that the 35-m, 45-m and 100K maps is on 11×17 so you may not be able to print it. We will have maps and cue sheets printed on waterproof paper in your ride packets. However, you might prefer to print one from the web site and laminate it for example, or put it in a transparent sleeve. Either way, it’s probably a good idea to take a look at it prior to the ride.

Map/Cue Sheet 25-m
Map/Cue Sheet 35-45-100K

Huge thanks to Raymond Crew and Shawn Punga for designing these awesome maps and cue sheets, respectively. Kudos also to Chris Crowley and Yueqing Xie for the directions on the cue sheet.

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Pre-ride brief #2

Posted on October 14, 2011 by

Hi MoCo Epic riders and volunteers:

First, a few brief words about the history of this ride.  There are some threads on the MORE board dating back to 2006 where a few people speculated that you could stitch together the area parks: Schaeffer, Black Hill, Little Bennett, and the Seneca Greenway to make a loop that is mostly trail.  David Kegley, Ed Rangel and Jim Weber were the first to do it. The first “official” MORE Epic ride took place on November 18th, 2007 with 7 riders. I was a part of it and it was certainly an epic one! Continue reading →

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Volunteer Plan Now Available

Posted on October 13, 2011 by

If you are volunteering on Saturday or Sunday, either as an individual or as part of your sponsorship, please download the Volunteer Plan. Assignments are at the bottom of the document.

Download the Volunteer Plan here

Once you have read the document, please email me to confirm that the plan works for you.

If you want to volunteer and have not registered yet, please do so here first.

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MoCo Epic International

Posted on October 13, 2011 by

Riders for the Epic will be coming from 2 continents, 4 different countries (US, Canada (2), England and France) and 12 US states (Maryland, Virginia, DC, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, North Carolina, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan and Ohio.) Detailed map here.

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Pre-ride brief #1

Posted on October 13, 2011 by

The following was sent on 10-13-11 to all registered riders and volunteers. Let me know if you haven’t received yours.

Hi MoCo Epic riders and volunteers:

This is the first of several emails I will send you this week to keep you updated and informed about the event. We have now closed registrations and the Epic is sold out! Thank you all for registering.

First, we want to remind you that the MoCo Epic is also on the list of IMBA Epic Rides. IMBA identified this ride as an epic because it meets the length and challenge of an epic, as well as demonstrates the vision of riders in close proximity to a large metropolitan area to produce an epic ride. Long Live Long Rides! http://www.imba.com/epics

Now on to some important info about the ride:

Continue reading →

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Weather today: crappy! Weather Sunday: glorious!

Posted on October 12, 2011 by

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GEIGERRIG: The Official Hydration Pack of the MoCo Epic

Posted on October 12, 2011 by

The MoCo Epic wants to welcome GEIGERRIG as our newest sponsor, and the official hydration pack of the MoCo Epic. GEIGERRIG is an innovative and cutting-edge company specializing in pressurized hydration packs. Four GEIGERRIG hydration packs will be raffled away at the Holiday Inn’s post-ride party.

Spray to Drink: Hydrating from a hydration pack should be easy and continuous, not hurried and gluttonous. GEIGERRIG, pressurized hydration packs spray the water into your mouth with no more effort than a quick pinch of the bite valve or a light bite with your teeth.  Convenient, easy, comfortable…NEVER SUCK AGAIN!

Spray to Cool: Staying cool and comfortable during activity is an essential part of maintaining performance, not to mention an essential issue of health and safety. Having the ability to use your hydration pack to spray a fine, cooling mist over your face, neck and body can enhance your performance and possibly save a life.  GEIGERRIG hydration packs provide this unique benefit.

Continue reading →

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New Sponsor: Spokes Etc.

Posted on October 12, 2011 by

Spokes is not a company that gives “cookie cutter“, “one size fits all” service. Nor do they spend a lot on marketing hype. Instead, they prefer to support the local cycling community by sponsoring race teams, charity rides and other events. Most importantly, they concentrate on providing excellent customer service to all who visit their stores.

Spokes’ selection of brands includes Trek, Specialized, Seven, Salsa, Surly and Serotta. Spokes can also arrange for custom-made bicycles for the cyclist looking for the ultimate fit. Thanks to their 15,000 square foot warehouse, they are able to keep a large inventory of bicycle models and sizes on hand to accommodate everyone, from children through adults.

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Shirt proofs

Posted on October 12, 2011 by


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Look cool, volunteer!

Posted on October 11, 2011 by


To volunteer, register here. .

Posted in Volunteers | 2 Comments

GPS Files Now Available

Posted on October 8, 2011 by

Download GPX files:

25-miler
35-miler
45-miler
100K

Continue reading →

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Kids’ Ride

Posted on October 8, 2011 by

Kid’s Ride Leader Todd Bauer answers a question about the route:

Q: Has the route for the kids ride been determined yet?

A: Unlike the adults’ rides, the kids’ ride is not set in stone. It is not flagged or GPSed. We will adapt as needed for the kids. We will likely have 2 ride leaders so we can split off if needed. This will let the kids ride at a pace and distance they are most comfortable with. We will start as one large group and re-group as needed.

Continue reading →

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MoCo in the WaPo

Posted on October 7, 2011 by

The MoCo Epic is featured today in a Washington Post article. Click to read online.

 

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Crossing fingers….

Posted on October 5, 2011 by


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Edward Lee Photography – Sponsor and ride photographer

Posted on October 2, 2011 by

Edward Lee Photography is a Washington D.C. Area photographic and graphic artist team. The team consists of Edward, the primary photographer/graphic designer and Tina, the associate photographer/coordinator. They specialize in event and lifestyle photography. Their work has been featured by Getty Images and Dirt Rag Magazine. They are a member of Canon Professional Services (CPS).

And don’t be surprised to see Ed at the turn of a trail during the Epic. He will be taking great pictures of the riders, and will make them available for you on his web site afterwards. Practice your wheelie!

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Shirt order ready to go

Posted on October 2, 2011 by

Reminder: Shirt order is almost set and will go out to Fairfax Screen Príntíng tomorrow morning (Monday, Oct 3) around 9:30am. No guarantee of a shirt in your size, or even a shirt at all, after that date.

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Clopper Lake re-route is done!

Posted on October 1, 2011 by

Thanks to all who came out for the workday. Fantastic job out there. I think there were exactly 40 of us, and we got the entire re-route done in one work day. There might be some kinks to work out later, but it’s rideable and that was the important thing. Give yourselves a pat in the back.

Additional kudos to Dave Magill for a heck of a trail design and a great plan to implement it. Thanks also to Dave Powell and Josette at Seneca Creek State Park for their invaluable help.

Here is the GPS track of the trail all the way from the bridge over the swampy area to AS6:

Continue reading →

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Look cool!

Posted on September 29, 2011 by

Attention all MoCo Epic riders and volunteers: which color shirt do you prefer, cardinal, gold, navy or black?

Continue reading →

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You ain’t gonna get lost!

Posted on September 28, 2011 by

Just got delivery of 15 rolls of that checkered flagging tape. No excuse if you get lost!

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35-miler is GPSed!

Posted on September 25, 2011 by

I GPSed the 35-miler today with my buddy Yueq. It’s actually 34.8 miles and it’s a gorgeous course! Harder than you’d think, too. Can’t say that we were pushing it, with the trails being slick, but it took us 3:40 wheels rolling, 4:30 total, and we didn’t have to stop and eat all those home made cookies and stuff… By the time you guys get on the Black Rock Rd climb, some of you are really going to hate me! 

Posted in MoCo Info, Rides | 3 Comments

Big Trailwork Day coming up – Oct 1 – Please help us!

Posted on September 22, 2011 by

Alright, the MoCo Epic has a problem!

2 weeks ago, Tropical Storm Lee did that to the trail that connects Clopper Lake to the new Seneca Ridge Trail:

It’s now 15 days later, and this is what has now happened to that trail:
Continue reading →

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Download flyers and posters

Posted on September 21, 2011 by

Please help us make the MoCo Epic a successful event by distributing flyers and posters.

Some of the places you can post them to: trailhead signposts, bike shops (give them a  stack), sport shops, community bulletin boards in grocery stores, your office break room, etc… You can also give some to your friends.

Download 8.5 x 11 flyer

Download 11 x 17 poster

If you get a chance, shoot us an email with the places you were able to put or distribute the flyers/posters, or any question you may have. Thanks.

Many thanks to Shawn Punga for the design of both the poster and flyer, and to Ricky DeLeyos for the logo.

Get your own MoCo Epic countdown, and display it on your blog/web page

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