MoCoEpic . This is a ride , not a race , held in October . We usually get about 1000 riders doing rides that vary in length from 10 miles to 70 miles . Yes , Montgomery County has a 70-mile loop that is over 80 % natural surface trails , with a few road sections . We continue our efforts to replace all road sections with trail !
One of our goals is to provide riding options for all skill levels and interests . We have group rides for kids ( called sMOREs rides , “ riding bikes and eating ice cream ”), women ’ s rides , beginner rides , clinics , and of course rides for long distance riders as well .
Our trail building programs are carried partially by volunteers hand building trails , and partially by professional trail builders using machines to dig trails . MORE has received a number of grants to build trails in the area . Seven miles
of Patuxent trails near Damascus were built in 2020 to 2022 using $ 130,000of federal recreational trails program ( RTP ) grants , plus 1500 hours of volunteer labor . MORE received another $ 100,000 grant from the state of Maryland to build another 2.2 miles of trail on the MoCo side of Patuxent . And we just received another $ 100,000 grant from the Maryland legislature to fix a dangerous short section of trail under Clopper Road . We especially want to thank State Senator Brian Feldman for his support of this grant .
We in the mountain biking community are very grateful to both Maryland DNR , that runs SCSP and Patuxent , and Montgomery Parks , that runs nearly all other parks in the county , for their support of our sport .
Most mountain bikers are polite and considerate to other users . And we at MORE spend time and effort teaching trail etiquette ( bikes yield to hikers who yield to horses ) and sustainability ( stay off muddy trails , especially in the winter ) to our community .
Dave Magill , a recently retired power company executive , got involved with MORE after moving to Rockville in 1993 . He was part of the team that built the Schaeffer Farm trail system and has advocated for , designed and helped build about 50 miles of sustainable natural surface trail in the DMV . A board of directors member of MORE since 2012 , he serves as the MD Advocacy Director , supporting about 60 volunteer “ trail liaisons ” and helps to raise grant funds , negotiate trail build contracts , organize training sessions and tool purchases , and recruit volunteers .
It ’ s summer ... time to get out and enjoy the countryside !
n Visit our farmers markets and on-farm markets for fresh local produce , meats and ice cream !* n Grab a cold beer or a nice glass of wine or cider at one of the Ag Reserve ’ s breweries , wineries or cideries . n Check out the Annual Farm Tour , July 27 & 28 , and the selfdriving tours of the Reserve at : www . montgomerycountymd . gov / agservices / farm-to-table / farm-tour . html
* Visit individual farm websites for hours of operation .
www . montgomerycountymd . gov / agservices