Back for 2024!
The Quantico Epic
By Paul Haag
After a one year hiatus, the Quantico Epic, hosted by The Quantico Mountain Bike Club (QMTB), is back on the 2024 Mid-Atlantic event schedule.
The Quantico Epic, modeled after the MoCo Epic, held by the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) in the fall, gives regional riders an opportunity to ride along a trail system that is otherwise not open to the public.
The Main Side Trails aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico in Triangle Virginia are maintained by the Quantico Mountain Bike Club, and are a superb system of old-school trails that are both challenging and rewarding.
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Epic Rider
Photo: Bruce Buckley
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Epic Rider
Photo: Bruce Buckley
Those of us who ride Quantcio on a regular basis love to say that “if you’re not climbing, you’re climbing”. That is a little bit of a misnomer, because Quantico’s network of trails have some great descents. To run them, though, you have to earn them.
Saturday April 27, 2024 will be the 6th edition of the Quantico Epic and give you an opportunity to challenge yourself on a superb and unique trail system.
In anticipation of the event, the QMTB trail team has been hard at work getting the trails ready so that they can showcase their work.
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Epic Riders
The 35 and 50 mile routes make use of the extensive gravel road network abaord Quantico’s Officer Candidate School (OCS)
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Epic Riders
All routes will feature a pass along one of the most recognizable and anticipated sections of Main Side trails, the Woodpecker steps.
Just like previous editions, the 2024 Quantico Epic will feature multiple routes of varying distance and difficulty.
The most arduous will be Montezuma’s EPIC Revenge, a 50 mile route that includes trails on Main Side, the Officer Candidate School (OCS) network, and the Geiger system. Roughly 90% of this route is off road, with the vast majority on Singletrack and double track trails. Only a 5 mile portion of the route is along the base’s paved roads. That is necessary to connect Main Side with Geiger and the limited access OCS trails.
QMTB volunteers have been hard at work preparing the trails for the 2024 Quantico Epic
Next up is Give me Some PT - OCS Style. This 35 mile loop is similar to the 50 miler but cuts out some of the Main Side trails and gives you the opportunity to sample the OCS network.
By far, the most popular route, is the Main Side Singletrack Mayhem. This route samples virtually all of the Main Side trails and adds Geiger into the mix. Like Montezuma’s EPIC Revenge, this ride includes approximately 5 miles of pavement to connect the Main Side Trails with Geiger system. If you are a competent intermediate rider looking for a challenge, this is your ride.
If you are not quite ready for the beating that Quantico often dishes out, then the Main Side Mini-Mayhem is likely the ride for you. This 18 mile route includes some of the best singletrack aboard Quantico and should provide plenty of off-road and singeltrack excitement.
Riders will be supported by one of multiple aid stations sponsored by local shops. The aid stations provide participants with nutrition, drinks and general good cheer and offer Epic riders a chance to catch their breath before carrying on to the next challenge along one of the routes.
If you are not up for riding but want to experience this unique trail celebration you can volunteer and help make it happen.
Three sections from Quantico’s Main Side Trail System that are featured in the Quantico Epic.
Registration for the 2024 Quantico Epic opened up in mid December and is currently available on BikeReg.com.
QMTB is also looking for volunteers to help make the event happen. Volunteers receive special recognition, including post Epic led rides by the QMTB Trail crew. If you can’t ride, or if you want to bring along your partner or a family member to enjoy the event, please consider helping out.
Learn more about the Quantico Mountain Bike Club (QMTB).
Learn more about the Quantico Epic.