1 gran fondo event in Millfield, Ohio

[2026_Fondo Social Media Posts-RGB_Instagram.png]

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.