Our “Dirt Fondo” is adapted from a traditional Italian “Gran Fondo,” and will feature a singletrack adventure race consisting of casual riding between optionally-timed “segments” and Strava KOM/QOM segment challenges. Rest stops throughout the courses will feature local treats to keep you energized for the trail ahead. Don’t miss out on your chance to support and explore the Baileys Trail System this fall!

The Baileys Trail System is a planned 88-mile mountain-bike optimized trail system in the Wayne National Forest. 58 miles are currently open to the public. When complete, the Baileys Trail System will be the longest contiguous mountain bike-optimized trail system east of the Mississippi River. Visit our website to learn more about the trail system: www.baileystrailsystem.org/

All proceeds from the Dirt Fondo will support the management and development of the Baileys Trail System, the work of the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA), its nonprofit partner Athens-Wayne Outdoor Asset Development Corporation (AWOADC), and our mission: "To integrate conservation, outdoor recreation, and economic development to strengthen and inspire communities in Appalachian Ohio. Learn more about ORCA and our work: www.orcaohio.com/

Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact us at (740) 677-0113 or [email protected].

Want to volunteer? We need your help to put on this event! Sign Up Here: COMING SOON

Check out results and photos from the 2023 Dirt Fondo HERE.

Event Location:

Chauncey-Dover Park Trailhead

8433 West Bailey Road

Millfield, OH 45761

Parking

Parking will be available along the railroad tracks at the Chauncey-Dover Park Trailhead for participants, guests and spectators. After turning left on West Bailey Road from SR13, you will go up a steep incline and cross railroad tracks. Take the immediate left onto the gravel road marked “Parking” and find a spot. Parking will not be available in the regular parking lots unless ADA access is needed.

Event Schedule:

8:30am: Black Diamond / Long Course begins

10:00am: Blue Square / Medium Course begins

11:30am: Green Circle / Short Course begins

12:00pm: Youth/Family Fun ride begins

Race Information:

***Attention Riders: You must be at the starting line, ready to race 15 minutes before the listed start time of your race. We will have a mandatory pre-race meeting.***

Black Diamond / Long Course: 41 miles, 4 race segments, 4 KOM/QOM challenges, 3 rest stops Blue Square / Medium Course: 22 miles, 2 race segments, 2 KOM/QOM challenges, 2 rest stopsGreen Circle / Short Course: 11 miles, 1 race segment, 1 KOM/QOM challenge, 1 rest stop Youth/Family Fun Ride: 5 miles, start-to-finish automatic timing

All races will begin at the Chauncey-Dover Park Trailhead. Starters will be released in waves beginning at the designated start time of each course. Please arrive at the starting line 15 minutes prior to your race's start time for a pre-race meeting.

Race segments will be automatically timed. The overall course time will be timed for the Youth/Family ride. The overall course time will be timed for Black, Blue, and Green courses, but will not be judged for the sake of scoring. Segment timing is optional and can be selected during registration. All riders will be issued a timing device and bib number. For those who elect not to be timed, your name will be removed from the final results. Use of the timing device is mandatory and will be used to manage rider safety regardless of if the rider chooses to show their name in final results. Timed segment locations will be shared here by July 1st.

NEW! This year we will be adding Strava King of the Mountain / Queen of the Mountain segment challenges. In order to participate in the challenges, riders must upload their ride to Strava within 30 minutes of crossing the finish line. Prizes will be issued to the top segment male finisher and top segment female finisher per segment, regardless of race length (ex. the Green Circle courses' segment will also be a segment for the Blue Square & Black Diamond courses, and there will be one male and one female winner across all categories). As an added challenge, the KOM/QOM segment locations will be kept secret until you are out on the course, so keep an eye out on the course for segment start and finish signage!

Riders should come prepared to be self-sufficient for riding between rest stops. The route will be on singletrack trails in the Wayne National Forest with some short sections on gravel roads. Cell phone coverage is available in some locations and limited in other locations. Downloading and following the provided .gpx course is strongly encouraged. Drinks and food will be available at rest stops.

Routes:

COMING SOON! Routes will be available by July 1st, 2024.

Segments:

COMING SOON! Race Segments will be available by July 1st, 2024

Rest Stops:

COMING SOON! Rest Stop Locations will be available by July 1st, 2024

Route Turn Back Times:

COMING SOON! Route Turn Back Times will be available by July 1st, 2024

Race Rules:Helmets are requiredYield to vehicles at all road crossings. The course will be marked but we recommend having a personal navigation system as there will not be course marshalls at every turnBe respectful and welcoming to other racers and trail users. Announce when passing and be courteous when others are passing.Leave No Trace. Riders are responsible for the clean-up of all nutrition bars, gel wrappers and water bottles.

Race Volunteer Sign-Up:

COMING SOON!

Contact:

Please contact us with any questions by calling (740) 677-0113, or emailing [email protected].

Event Policies & Refunds

Participants may cancel their registration on or before September 15th, 2024 for a 50% refund. No refunds will be offered after September 15th for canceled registrations. No refunds will be offered should the event be canceled due to inclement weather or other “Acts of God”, however, registration fees will be rolled over to the following year's event if hosted. BikeReg service fees are not refundable under any circumstances.