2023 MoCo Epic

13th MoCo Epic: October 7-8, 2023
South Germantown Bike Park
Boyds, MD

The MoCo Epic is MORE's largest annual fundraiser and community event. Profits from the MoCo Epic support MORE's work to provide sustainable, natural surface, public trails for everyone.

For the past five years, a portion of the proceeds have been placed in a fund dedicated to improving MoCo Epic trails! Past projects include: 

• Creation of a true novice loop at Schaeffer through the complete rebuilt of 3/4 mile of the orange trail 

• Professional builder Refurbishment of the Schaeffer white loop including moving 1/3 mile of trail off the gas line ROW and into the woods 

• Purchase of three brush mowers and multiple gas and battery powered hedge trimmers to keep Schaeffer Farm trails open in the summer 

• Replace rotting bridge on the Seneca Ridge Trail 

Planned future projects focus on upgrading 3.5 miles of the Seneca Greenway trail to open this trail to bikes, including two miles along Game Preserve Road.

• Build safe passage under Clopper Road 

• Redo several steep sections to be passable by bikes 

An equal amount initially went into MORE's general funds. Of this amount $50,000 has since been transferred to MORE's General Trail Fund, and has helped finance new trail at Patapsco, Bacon Ridge, Lake Fairfax, and Locust Shade, among others.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Festival & Family Fun Day 
October 7, 2023 

Epic Rides 
October 8, 2023 

REGISTRATION

MoCo Epic 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 

Tiered registration pricing 
Register before August 1 to take advantage of early bird pricing. 

Sponsor an Epic rider - $80

Share the stoke with a member of our trail community who could use some help with MoCo Epic registration fees. Sponsor an Epic Rider is listed under Merchandise on the MoCo Epic BikeReg page.

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

• SHIRTS. 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.
  
  
• REGISTRATION. Grab your bike plate, beer tickets, wristband, and shirt (if ordered) when you check in before your ride. There will be no day-of registration
  
  
• 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 or one of two Prevelo kids' bikes! Raffle tickets 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.

2023 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

[GPS routes will be uploaded soon]

Infiniti HR 13 Miler

Course start window: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Pink
GPS route

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: 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: White
GPS route

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 - 9:30 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Blue
GPS route

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
GPS route

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: 6:45-8:00 AM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Orange to AS6 then Blue to end
GPS route

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!

Mini Epic Kid's Ride (Oct 7)

Course start: 12:10 & 12:15
Course arrows/bike tag color: Yellow
GPS route

Bring the kids out to enjoy a special ride geared just for them! MORE volunteers will lead an organized kids ride option that will run approximately 5 miles and swing by a MoCo Epic aid station. Parents are welcome to participate at no charge.

Mega Epic Kid's Ride (Oct 7) 

Course start: 12:00 & 12:05 PM
Course arrows/bike tag color: Green
GPS route

Is your youth looking for a little more challenge than the Mini Epic Kid's Ride? For the more advanced child riders, we'll also have a longer course option that will tour 10 miles on new Schaeffer trails and even hit an aid station for a full Epic experience! Parents are welcome to participate at no charge.

The MoCo Epic is made possible by the following sponsors

LOCATION DETAILS

South Germantown Bike Park
18031 Central Park Circle
Boyds, MD 20841

Enter through main entrance and drive around the circle towards the golf driving range. Turn left on the driving range access road onto the paved path which is only open during special events.