2 cycling events in Millfield, Ohio

Team Athens Cycling presents:

The Athens Gravel Challenge

‘Gravel Tortoise Edition’

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July 26th, 2025

featuring Baileys single-track

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The Athens Gravel Challenge, a part of the 2025 Ohio Gravel Race Series, is hosted by Team Athens Cycling. This year, our race will include 3 awesome ‘tortoise-themed’ courses (the ‘Enduring’, the ‘Steady’, & the ‘Nimble’) and 23 race categories departing from the Baileys' Chauncey-Dover Park, winding through hills and dells over a mix of paved, gravel, and Baileys Trails single track, ending up back at the Baileys' Chauncey-Dover Park for great post-race food, soft drinks, music, and podiums with awards to the top 3 finishers of each category!

The 2025 AGC will be the 6th annual event and will include single-track in the Baileys Trail System for all 3 courses: the 54.0-, 37.5-, and 22.5-mile races. These trails are smooth and flowy, perfect for a gravel bike. The 54.0-mile (Enduring) course will include 8.4 miles of Baileys trails and is our OGRS points qualifying course. The 37.5-mile (Steady) and the 22.5-mile (Nimble) courses will each include 2.4 miles of Baileys trails.

The Baileys Trail System, managed by ORCA (the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia) includes 58 miles of mountain bike trails running through the Wayne National Forest, with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to expert.

In total, there will be 23 individual racing categories, each of which will be scored by overall Start-to-Finish time with awards to the top 3 finishers in each! Also included in every racer's entry (registration) fee is the after-race meal consisting of pizza and a beverage, a custom T-shirt (note: register by June 1st to guarantee your T-shirt), and a custom Jackie O's pint glass!

To encourage female athletes to take part in the gravel racing scene, we are offering discounted entry fees in all 10 Women's racing categories.

The 3 Athens Gravel Challenge courses will test the legs and skills of even the most experienced gravel riders. Southeast Ohio is well known for its many hills and hollers, and riders will undergo a series of ups, downs, twists, and turns on their way to gravel glory.

Important changes in 2025:

We took a survey of former AGC participants, and we are adjusting the race in response to the feedback we received from the survey and the feedback we received at last year's race.

1. we created a new race of intermediate distance (the ‘Steady' 37.5-mile) having only 2.4 miles of Bailey's trails for those riders who don't want as much trail riding and not quite as much time in the saddle

2. we changed the start for both the new 37.5-mile and the 22.5-mile races, so they avoid Coal Run Rd and instead go up West Bailey Rd which is much smoother

3. we added a Masters 60+ category for all 3 races (54.0-, 37.5-, and 22.5-mile)

4. we added 2 Junior races (Boys & Girls 12 - 18 yrs old) in the 22.5-mile ('Nimble') race

5. we expanded the tandem event to include all 3 races (54.0-, 37.5-, and 22.5-mile) as well

Following is an overview of the AGC 2025.

The Start with a Taste of Baileys: For the Enduring course (also the OGRS Points qualifying course), the event starts with a neutral rollout starting at the Baileys Chauncey Park at mile 0 in Chauncey, Ohio. The race will remain neutral until turning onto Coal Run Road. After safely turning onto Coal Run Road, the race will be officially “ON”. There will be no stop and restart. The action will heat up on the famous Coal Run Climb.

The Steady and Nimble courses also begin at Chauncey-Dover Park, but they will not take Coal Run; instead, they will start on West Bailey Road, ride up to the intersection with Utah Ridge Rd, and turn right.

All three courses will exit Utah Ridge onto the Holler Collar Trail (at mile 4.7 for Enduring riders and mile 3.4 for Steady and Nimble riders).

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The Mixed Gravel and Road Section. Emerging from Holler Collar, riders will merge back onto Utah Ridge Rd which begins a long section of mixed gravel and road of distance 40.8 miles for Enduring riders, 31.4 miles for Steady riders, and 16.7 miles for Nimble riders. These sections include awesome winding gravel with a little paved mixed in.

The 3 routes split at the end of Carr Bailey Rd where Nimble riders turn left while Enduring and Steady riders turn right.

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The Finish. Nimble riders will pass through the town of Buchtel, eventually turning back onto West Bailey Rd and continuing for another 5 miles, finally turning right into Baileys Chauncey-Dover Park, and from there proceeding to the finish line.

Steady riders turn left onto West Bailey Rd at mile 37.0, and then they turn immediately left again into Bailey's Chauncey-Dover Park and proceed directly to the finish line.

Enduring riders turn left onto West Bailey Rd at mile 46.2, and then enter the Baileys Wild Turkey Trail at mile 48, switching to the Tipple Top Trail at mile 50, then onto the Coal-Train Trail at mile 52, turning into the Gob-Pile Loop Trail at mile 53.4, and finally onto the Chauncey Depot Trail which leads to the finish at mile 54 in Baileys Chauncey-Dover Park.

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There will be a wide selection of benefits of registration:

1. custom T-shirt (note: register by June 1st to guarantee your T-shirt)

2. custom Jackie O's pint glass

3. Plenty of convenient parking at the Baileys' Chauncey-Dover Park (nearby Chauncey, Ohio)

4. Indoor restrooms and Porta-Johns at the Baileys Chauncey-Dover Park

5. Strava routes for the courses

6. Three staffed and stocked aid stations including snacks and drinks, locations to be announced later

7. Radio club operators to check riders and alert the organizers if there is a problem

8. Emergency (EMT) personnel ready for accidents on the roads and within the Baileys

9. Post Event Meal at the Finish Line at the Baileys Chauncey-Dover Park Trailhead including pizza and a beverage

(water, soft drinks, and a keg from Jackie O's Pub & Brewery)

10. Music and race/podiums announcer

11. Prizes for the top 3 finishers in each category

The AGC 2024 will be insured through USE (US Endurance). Every rider will be required to follow the USE Race Rules (see below).

The event is to be held Rain or Shine. However, if weather conditions are really unsafe, as in excessive lightning & thunderstorms, we may delay the start.

Race Routes:

The 54-mile Enduring route:

Strava file for AGC Enduring route HERE

Distance: 54.13 mi

Elevation gain: 5,840 ft

Est. time: 3:20:53

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The 37.5-mile Steady route:

Strava file for AGC Steady route HERE

Distance: 37.25 mi

Elevation gain: 4,369 ft

Est. time: 2:23:07

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The 22.5-mile Nimble route:

Strava file for AGC Nimble route HERE

Distance: 22.51 mi

Elevation gain: 1,981 ft

Est. time: 1:20:18

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Overnight accommodations: Athens has multiple hotels and Bed and breakfast places. It will be convenient to stay overnight in one of these places if you decide to drive to Athens the day before the race. There are also campgrounds and/or cabins close by at Strouds Run State Park, Lake Snowden Campground, Lake Hope State Park, and Burr Oak State Park.

Here is some information for those who would like to camp the night before or after the race:

Bailey's Trail Tent Camping: limited camping spots

Benton's on the Baileys: limited spots but really close to the trails

Baileys Base Camp: limited spots but really close to the trails

HipCamp: all kinds of camping options at this site

Custom T-shirt (note: register by July 1st to guarantee your T-shirt)

• this year's t-shirt made from a super-soft cotton/polyester blend

• included with your registration (choose size when registering)

• this year's theme - the ‘Gravel Tortoise’

Special Note concerning ‘tortoises’ - tortoises are amazing creatures which adapt to survive under a wide range of harsh environments, from deserts to rainforests. They can endure long periods without food or water. They always wear their shells (i.e. helmets) when they go out on their bikes. They can endure very challenging conditions. And they are also very steady and nimble.

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Custom JackieO's ‘Gravel Tortoise’ Pint Glass

• one pint glass included with every registration

• the famous 'Jackie-O's' on one side

• image of the custom wood-block print ‘Gravel Tortoise’ on the other side

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The Gravel Tortoise design will be included on the t-shirt and the pint glass in 2025.

USE Race Rules:

1. Think and act responsibly throughout the entire event, and ride safely at all times. You are here to have fun.

2. A bicycle helmet is required in order to participate. No helmet, no racing.

3. You are required to ride a single bicycle throughout the whole event. This means no bike swaps during the race.

4. Obey all city, county, state & federal laws, and "Rules of the Road". Watch and yield to traffic as the roads used on this course are open to public traffic.

5. Obey the centerline rule. When on gravel roads, this means staying to the right whenever possible, especially when coming around corners having no visibility.

6. When passing or being passed on trails, be courteous at all times. Shout out “May I pass please?” and move over to let a rider get around you.

7. Race number plates are required to be mounted at the front of your bicycle on the handlebars.

8. Individual riders are responsible for providing their own navigational computer and uploading the race route to their cycling computer.

9. Riders are required to follow the designated course routes. Riders taking a wrong turn must return to the point at which they deviated from the route and resume the race from that point.

10. Riders must obey all course marshals while out on course and follow any changes in route directions which are indicated by the race director or course marshals, for example in the case of inclement weather or unexpected problems with the roadway.

11. The only allowed means of advancement along the racecourse is by bicycle or by foot. You may walk or run your bicycle if you are unable to ride it.

12. Drafting off of other event participants advancing along the same route is allowed. Drafting off of non-participants or off of motorized vehicles is not allowed.

13. Your bicycle must be equipped with fully functioning and hand-operated front and rear brakes.

14. Participants may help other participants with mechanical support, navigational assistance and sharing food or water. Participants may not assist other participants with their forward propulsion.

15. Participants may purchase food, bike parts and other supplies at stores and businesses along the route.

16. Participants may receive assistance from any registered competitor in the race. Participants may receive assistance from any unplanned source that would be available to any other racer in the competition (for example stores, bike shops, faucets on the side of a building). Participants may receive assistance from the general public, defined as unplanned assistance from people who have no connection or affiliation with the race and that is freely & equally offered to all participants from a stationary, non-movable location (for example, assistance in the form of mechanical help, food, water, bike parts would all be acceptable). Participants MAY NOT receive outside assistance from spectators, team managers or friends who are viewing the event.

17. Any participant not reaching a specified checkpoint before the established cut-off time will not be allowed to continue past that point. Cut-off times may be adjusted, as deemed necessary by event staff, to account for unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather, poor course conditions, etc. Cut-off times are established for the purpose of rider safety and will be strictly enforced.

18. Riders should call out obstacles, dogs, cracks in bridges, cars up or back to fellow riders.

19. Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. Foul/ abusive language and/or un-sportsman-like conduct will result in disqualification.

20. Respect the environment, and do not litter. Riders are required to carry out all trash including empty gel packets, spent CO2 cartridges, used inner tubes, or any other such materials.

21. No alcohol or illegal drugs shall be used by any participant during the race.

22. Challenges to event results may only come from a participant registered in the category for which the challenge is being made.

SPONSORS

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Join us for the fourth annual Baileys Dirt Fondo and Fundraiser on Saturday, October 24th, 2026!

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. 75 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/

Check out results and photos from past events below:

• 2025 Dirt Fondo

• 2024 Dirt Fondo

• 2023 Dirt Fondo

2026 Event Sponsors:

Double Black Diamond:

Black Diamond:

• Athens Bicycle Club

• All Out Nutrition

Blue:

• Happy Snacking

• Precision Imprint

• Visit Athens

Green:

• Bagel Street Deli

• Shagbark Seed and Mill

• Yerba Madre

Interested in sponsoring this event? Check out our SPONSORSHIP PACKET. You can contact us at (740) 677-0113 or [email protected].

Want to volunteer? We need your help to put on this event! Volunteer Opportunites will be announced soon.

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.

Fundraiser Event Details:

TBD

Race Information:

Attention Riders: You must be at the starting line, ready to race 10 minutes before the listed start time of your race. We will have a mandatory pre-race meeting.

• Black Diamond / Long Course: 45 miles, 5 race segments, 3 KOM/QOM challenges, 3 rest stops

• Blue Square / Medium Course: 25 miles, 3 race segments, 2 KOM/QOM challenges, 2 rest stops

• Green Circle / Short Course: 12 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 10 minutes prior to your race's start time for a pre-race meeting.

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.

NEW: Race Discount for Baileys Volunteers

Regular volunteers with the Baileys Trail System will receive a discount towards their registration for the 2026 Dirt Fondo! We would like to thank you for all your hard work in maintaining the Baileys Trail System, so you will receive the following discounts based on hours volunteered:

5 hours: 5% off

15 hours: 10% off

25 hours: 15% off

50 hours: 20% off

Please fill out the form linked here, and email it to [email protected], to receive your discount code! Any hours worked between the 2025 and 2026 Dirt Fondo's, 9/27/2025 to 10/24/2026, can count towards the discount. This can include attending Volunteer Work Days or other events at the Baileys, monitoring if you are a trained trail monitor, or clearing downed trees from the trails. Please reach out to [email protected] for a list of your past hours beginning 9/27/25.

Race Packet Pickup:

Details TBD.

Race Timing:

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 number plate. 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.

KOM/QOM segment challenge participation is optional. To participate, riders should record and upload their ride to Strava upon finishing. Riders must upload their ride within 30 minutes of finishing in order to be eligible for KOM/QOM prizes.

Participants will be issued a number plate, which should be placed on the headset/handlebars of their bike with the provided zip ties. Participants will also be issued a timing device, which must be worn on the left ankle (opposite side from the derailleur). After the race, the participant may dispose of the timing device. The number plate can be used as a meal ticket at the finish line. Race organizers will collect number plates for reuse after it is used as a meal ticket.

Race Scoring:

For the youth course, the team with the fastest average time will be the winner. The top three teams will be honored on the podium. Selecting team members and a team name is required during sign-up.

For the Green, Blue, and Black courses, segment placement rankings will be combined into an overall score, and the individual with the lowest overall score will be the winner. Podium awards will be issued to the top 3 competitors in each category.

KOM/QOM segment challenges will not be factored into overall podium placements. A prize will be issued to the top KOM and top QOM on each segment, regardless of race category. KOM/QOM participation is optional, and participants must upload their race into Strava a maximum of 30 minutes after finishing to be eligible for prizes; they must also have their Strava privacy settings updated so segment times can be viewed publicly.

Routes:

TBD

Segments:

TBD

Rest Stops:

TBD

Route Turn Back Times:

TBD

Race Rules:

• Helmets are required

• Yield 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 marshals at every turn

• Be 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.

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 24th, 2026 for a 50% refund. No refunds will be offered after September 24th 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.