TRAILS & EVENTS

FOLLOW THE RAINBOW TO MOCO EPIC

MoCo Epic is less than two weeks out! MORE will be hosting the Epic on October 10 & 11 (rain date October 17 & 18) at the South Germantown Bike Park in Boyds, MD!

Did you know the MoCo Epic is our biggest fundraiser of the year? For the past five years, half the event’s net proceeds have been placed in a fund dedicated to improving MoCo Epic trails.

Projects include: 

• Creation of a true novice loop at Schaeffer through the complete rebuild of ¾ mile of the Orange Trail. 
• Professional and volunteer refurbishment of the Schaeffer White Loop to make it both accessible and challenging for adaptive riders. 
• Purchase of brush mowers, string mowers and multiple gas and battery powered hedge trimmers to keep all the MoCo trails open in the summer. 
• Opening 10 miles of the Seneca Greenway previously hiking only. The project includes replacing rotting bridges, constructing safe passage under Clopper Road, and upgrading multiple sections of trail to make them more sustainable. 

An equal amount of net proceeds went into MORE’s general funds. Of this amount, $50,000 has helped finance new trails in Bacon Ridge, Frederick Watershed, James Long, Lake Fairfax, Locust Shade, Patapsco, River’s Edge, Windy Ridge, and a paved pump track in the City of Frederick. 

So what are you waiting for? Come ride your bike at the MoCo Epic and support the trails you love! 

We could use additional volunteers! Specifically, we need a few early risers for Sunday parking and sweepers for the 10-miler, 20-miler, and a section of the 70-miler. If you have friends and family who are not riding but plan to hangout at the MoCo Epic, please encourage them to help out.

SPEAK UP FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING IN SWEET RUN STATE PARK

Last year, we asked you to advocate for mountain bike access to Sweet Run State Park in Loudoun County. Virginia DCR has taken that feedback and presented its master plan draft at a Public Comment Meeting on September 22nd, where this presentation was shared. 

We learned the following: 

• Due to the easement restrictions, no new mountain bike or equestrian trails will be built on the land. 
• The existing 9 to 11 miles of trails are currently being reviewed for maintenance and may become open to multi-use, including mountain bikers. 
• To solve the easement restrictions, DCR is looking into purchasing nearby land; that could one day be a location for mountain bike trails. 

How can you help? 



Send a letter during the public comment period, which is open through October 22nd. You can use this sample letter. Please email your comments to PlanningResources@dcr.virginia.gov with “Sweet Run State Park Master Plan” in the subject line.  

More information can be found on The Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) Master Plan webpage.

SAWYER TRAINING

Do you have a chainsaw, PPE, and want to help with clearing trails?

Maryland DNR is hosting a sawyer class at SCSP on 10/1 and 10/2 from 0900-1500. There is a 1-hour break for lunch.

The class is two days with a classroom portion and a practical session. Both sessions are mandatory.

This class is free to MORE members. With this class, you will become certified as a Sawyer in all Maryland DNR Parks.

You must have your own saw and PPE.

If you can attend the above dates and times, send Sean an email at seanp@more-mtb.org with your name and phone number so he can forward the list to DNR. Spots are limited and you must be pre-registered.

HUNTING SEASON

Hunting season is coming up! As we head into the season, remember many trail systems are multi use, and hunting may be permitted in the area you plan on riding.  

Before your ride, check these resources to see if hunting is permitted. 

If hunting is active in the area you're riding, be sure to:

• wear bright orange or other bright, visible clothing 
• stay on the designated trail(s) 
• make your presence known 

GRAVITY SOCIAL DUAL SLALOM, 10/02-03

Gravity Social race weekend will have a whip-off competition, camping, kids strider race, live music, and an after party! Check out Gravity Social for more information.

TRAIL WORK THIS MONTH

Pick up a tool and give back to the trails you love to ride. More info on each trail work day, including a signup link, can be found on the MORE calendar.

• Hashawha, 10/3
• Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park, 10/3
• Hashawha, 10/4
• Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park, 10/4
• Fountainhead, 10/4
• Little Gunpowder, 10/10
• Hashawha, 10/10
• Fountainhead, 10/18
• Fountainhead, 10/25
• Trail Vegetation Management Workshop at Rosaryville, 10/31

GROUP RIDES

Please note that group rides may be cancelled because of weather or poor trail conditions. More info on each ride, including a signup link, can be found on the MORE calendar.

THURSDAY, 10/01

• Get to Know Hashawha Casual Ride
• Get to Know Hashawha Intermediate Ride
• Lake Fairfax NOVA Composite Team Fans Ride
• Patapsco-Elkridge
• Cabin John Women's Ride
• Wakefield TNR

FRIDAY, 10/02

SATURDAY, 10/03

• Gravity Social Dual Slalom
• Patapsco with Dirt Rooster (Beg/Int)
• Little Gunpowder Ride

SUNDAY, 10/04

MONDAY, 10/05

• Lake Fairfax NOVA Composite Team Fans Ride
• Patapsco Monday Ride with Dirt Rooster (Beg/Int)

TUESDAY, 10/06

• Lake Fairfax sMORE's Ride
• MoCo sMORE's at Muddy Branch
• Patapsco-Avalon with Dirt Rooster (Int/Adv)
• Wakefield TuNR
• Wakefield Women's+ Ride *New Time*
• Schaeffer Farm Ride (Beg/Int)

WEDNESDAY, 10/07

• Patapsco MVD Hump Day Ride
• The Bike Lane Wednesday Night Ride at Lake Fairfax

OTHER EVENTS

Save the Date: SHED Fall Happy Hour Hang 11/1

The Frederick Watershed Trails Fall Happy Hour Hang is set for November 1 at Olde Mother Brewing in Downtown Frederick, MD.

Join us for food and drinks to celebrate the year. There will be info on trails, work days, upcoming projects, fundraising, and recognition of folks who have helped advocate for, build, and maintain our local multi-use trails. All are welcome!

She Shreds Shed Rides

Save the date for She Shreds Shed rides on October 12th and October 17th.  Start time & deets are posted in their private WTFNB Facebook group. Don’t have FB? DM on IG or email SheShredsShed@gmail.com.

MORE MoCo Epic, 10/10-10/11

MoCo Epic registration is now open! The event will take place on October 10 & 11 at the South Germantown Bike Park.

Sign up to ride or volunteer!