Name: Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo 2025
Start: 2025-05-24T08:00:00-05:00
Location: Oxford Middle School, Bramlett Boulevard, Oxford, MS, USA

North Mississippi Gnarmadillos, Composite MTB Team

Raised: $244.74

83%

Donate now

Participants

List

North Mississippi’s Premier Cycling Event

Oxford, MS

Saturday

May 24th, 2025

The Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo is a non-competitive bicycle ride, meaning there will be no awards for fastest times. The ride will take place on open roads, so rider discretion is advised.

As long as you want to pedal, all bikes are welcome: Big Box Bikes, Commuter bikes, E-bikes, Gravel bikes, Mountain bikes, Recumbent bikes, Road bikes, Tandem bikes, etc.

You will appreciate the police escorted Ride of Silence to start the ride…the challenging routes, the rest stops with goodies and Radlers. Then the Molly Barr climb to finish where you earn a special patch. After that, cruise in to finish and recover with great music, food, and drink at the Old Armory Pavillion. Routes are for all levels with SAG.

Sign up early! We limit 325 participants for this event for safety reasons.

Route & Distances

20-Mile Route

Clocking in at 22.4 miles, this route extends out to Smith’s Chapel, just outside the Holly Springs National Forest. This route involves approximately 1,150 feet of elevation gain.

https://www.strava.com/routes/2941745423309423984

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39235767

45-Mile Route

This route measures up to around 46.75 miles and 2,300 feet of elevation gain. This route will continue beyond Smith’s Chapel, traversing up to Abbeville, over to Hurricane Landing, and then taking College Hill Road back into town.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2940640750006954182

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39235766

70-Mile Route

Around 71.5 miles, this longer ride will cover 3,425 feet of elevation adding turn-around extensions to Coon Town Landing and Clear Creek Landing.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2940637357850629854

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39235765

62-Mile Route aka Maddigan's Metric Century

This route is similar to the 70-mile route but turns around on CR 100 to the pavilion to make it 100 km. Total elevation gain is 2,458 feet. The route avoids the bumpy road entering Clear Creek Landing.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10372019947

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45151784

2025 VDGF Merchandise

TBA

Fundraising

Proceeds of this ride will support the North Mississippi Gnarmadillos Composite MTB Team. This team is made up of middle and high school mountain bikers from the Oxford and North Mississippi area. More information about the team can be found on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NorthMSGnarmadillos/. You can support the team by making a donation at https://raceroster.com/events/2025/99012/velvet-ditch-gran-fondo-2025/fundraising-organization/68159

A check will also be donated toward the on-going maintenance of the Tanglefoot Trail during the Tour de Bodock Bicycle Rides.

The Yalobusha Greenways Alliance (YGA) is working to build a connected, bikeable, walkable pedestrian trail that spans from Water Valley to Oxford to the north, Coffeeville to the south, and beyond. You can support this project by making a donation at https://www.yalobushagreenways.org/donate

Lodging and Dining

Check out Visit Oxford’s website for lodging, dining, and other attractions around town: https://visitoxfordms.com

Bike Shops

Core Cycle + Outdoor

https://corecycleandoutdoor.com
(662) 238-0155
902 Sisk Avenue, Ste A; Oxford, MS 38655

Safe Cycling

The event will begin with a short ride of silence to honor the Oxford cyclists who have died cycling on bike. You don't need to register to join the ride of silence at the beginning of the ride.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

Online registration is available at https://raceroster.com/events/2025/99012/velvet-ditch-gran-fondo-2025. Online registration closes at 8:00AM on May 24th Central Time.
Registration includes an event T-shirt, a pair of socks, and some goodies from our sponsors. Don't forget to register early to guarantee T-shirt size.

Packet Pick-up

Location: The Old Armory Pavilion (1801 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655)
Friday, May 24th (5:00 - 7:00 PM)
Saturday, May 25th (6:30 - 8:00 AM)

Age Restriction

There is no age restriction for this event. Anybody of any age can ride. Age of 18 or under gets 50% discount on registration fee.

Countdown to event

Registration fees

20 Mile Ride

Price changes in 2 months 18 hours

1. $45.00
  
  Dec 9 – Feb 2
2. $55.00
  
  Now registering Feb 3 – Apr 5
  
  Register for 20 Mile Ride
3. $65.00
  
  Apr 6 – May 24

45 Mile Ride

Price changes in 2 months 18 hours

1. $45.00
  
  Dec 9 – Feb 2
2. $55.00
  
  Now registering Feb 3 – Apr 5
  
  Register for 45 Mile Ride
3. $65.00
  
  Apr 6 – May 24

70 Mile Ride

Price changes in 2 months 18 hours

1. $45.00
  
  Dec 9 – Feb 2
2. $55.00
  
  Now registering Feb 3 – Apr 5
  
  Register for 70 Mile Ride
3. $65.00
  
  Apr 6 – May 24

Maddigan's Metric Century (62 miles)

Price changes in 2 months 18 hours

1. $45.00
  
  Dec 9 – Feb 2
2. $55.00
  
  Now registering Feb 3 – Apr 5
  
  Register for Maddigan's Metric Century (62 miles)
3. $65.00
  
  Apr 6 – May 24