AR Catoctin-South Mountain Climber 43 mi 4000 ascent

Bring your legs! Earn a Tour of MD County and three ABC Mountain Climber Climbs! Ride will only run in good weather, due to need for dry roads to be safe on the downhills. 

In the northern reaches of the blue ridge mountains, Catoctin and South Mountains merge into a hilly mess. This ride is 43.5 miles long, with an elevation gain of 4,145 feet. This ride sells off three climbs in ABC's Mountain Climber Challenge, as well as Washington County in ABC's Tour of MD!

Chris Higgins is the ride leader...and will probably average 14-15 mph. 

This ride starts at the Thurmont Community Park and makes 3 ascents on South Mountain, although most of the elevation on the first ascent is climbing Catoctin. 

Ascent 1: Germantown Bethel Cemetery: Category 2 6.5 miles 3.5% average grade for 1,162 feet. Sound easy? Sure, except the max grade of 12% on a gravel section near the top. If your legs are dead tired from this ascent...bury them at the top. 

Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a well earned downhill into Pennsylvania to prepare for:

Ascent 2: High Rock: MD's highest point on a public road on the South Mountain. PJAMM's 12th rated hardest climb in MD. It is a Category 2 3.5 miles 1,100' at a 6% average. The steepest portion is the Maryland portion. Bring your hang glider for the launch pad at the top!

We will speed down high rock, hit Pennsylvania again then ride to Cavetown for a pitstop, prior to:

Ascent 3: Raven Rock, an easy Category 3 3.5 miles 832 feet average 4.4% takes us back up to the top of South Mountain and gets us ready for a speedy descent of Catoctin back into Thurmont. 

Route is here. 

Join the Ride!