Good day MoCo Epic riders and volunteers:
I am just returning from checking several trail systems that are part of the Epic, including Schaeffer, Hoyles Mill, Little Bennett, the Seneca Greenway and Muddy Branch and after talking with the entire MoCo Epic team, MORE, IMBA, Montgomery Parks, as well as park managers, we have taken the decision to postpone the event until next weekend (Oct 19 and 20)
While the trails seemed to in fact be holding up pretty well (a tribute to MORE and all the volunteers who have spent so much time building them the right way), the main reasons for the postponement are as follows:
– The forecast is for more rain, some of it heavy, right into Sunday.
– While many trail sections will likely be holding up well, it is also pretty obvious that there will be other sections that will not do so well.
– The original idea behind the Epic is to help raise money to help build and maintain trails, not risk destroying them. Putting 1,000 riders on wet trails is not a reasonable proposition for an organization which prides itself on promoting responsible riding.
– Safety was also an obvious concern. It’s not just the trails that are wet, but also bridges, logs, etc. 65 miles in such slippery conditions is simply not a good idea.
– This wasn’t on the top of the list as the event is built as an “epic”, but it simply didn’t look like it would be a very fun weekend! And we’d rather you have fun!
Please know that this was a very difficult decision that we did not take lightly. We realize it is a huge inconvenience for many of you. We cannot promise that every single aid station sponsor and every single festival vendor or exhibitor will be able to make it next weekend, but we certainly will do our best to try and make it as good an event as can be.
PS: as you can imagine, this morning we have been flooded (no pun intended…) with phone calls, messages and emails and it will take us a while to respond to each and every one of you, but we are determined to do so. Your patience is appreciated.
Thank you very much for your understanding, and hopefully we will see you next weekend for 2 great days of fun mountain biking!
See you next week!
Denis Chazelle
On behalf of the entire MoCo Epic Team
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