Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo

The Francis Marion National Forest is 90 years old today! President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the proclamation establishing the forest on July 10, 1936. Ever wonder how we got our name? Here's the letter to the Chief of the Forest Service from then Regional Forester Joseph Kircher recommending the forest be named for the Revolutionary War hero. The letter reads "I recommend the name of 'Francis Marion National Forest'. Marion, an early patriot hid his legions in a swamp bordering on the Santee River, a spot which the British soldiers soon learned was a 'Hell of a Hole' to be in, due to the Swamp Fox's (Marion's) activity. 'Farewell Corner' on the edge of Hell Hole is also named from the rather complete demoralization of a British company at that point. Marion was born, lived, died and is buried in the low-country, is typical of the early patriots of that section, and no more fitting name for the Forest can be found."

Looking for photos from last weekend's Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo?

Icon Media Asheville has them all!

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THANK YOU!

It’s hard to believe that yesterday was the ninth

We want to thank our sponsors, volunteers, and you - our dedicated supporters (both new and returning riders)!

What started as an idea between us on an evening group ride has now spanned nearly a decade and we simply could not (and would not) do it without everyone’s support!

We cannot wait to see what year 10 will bring!

Weekend Schedule:
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Friday
9:00 AM - Course preview ride! 21 miles, chill pace. Leaves from the corner of Steed Creek and Eccles Church Roads (same as SFGF start location).

3-6:30 PM - Early packet pickup at Commonhouse Aleworks. Come join us at the brewery for early number pickup and a few beers!
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Moultrie Militia Gravel Raid (MMGR) - we will be at the start location beginning at 10:00 PM. All riders must arrive and check-in no later than 10:30 PM. The MMGR departs at 11:00 PM. Live tracking hosted by Follow My Challenge USA!
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Saturday
6:30 AM: Day-of packet pickup begins. There will be no "day-of" registration.

8:10AM - 100-mile all categories

9 AM - Mens/Womens 50-mile Open
9:10 AM - Womens/Mens 40+ and 50+ 50-mile

9:30 AM - 27-mile route departs

Sunday
9 AM - Post Swamp Fox Dirt Church rides from Witherbee Work Center

The weather is looking great for this weeknd! Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!

All registered riders and volunteers were sent an email with all the information you’ll need (link also below) for this weekend’s Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo

We’re looking for are to seeing our gravel family this weekend!

Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo | mysite The Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo presented by Lauf will take place on the gravel roads in and around the Francis Marion National Forest just outside of Charleston, South Carolina.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

We are a grassroots, local event and that means we need local support to make the magic happen!

We're looking for some volunteers to help with packet pickup (Friday night (3/20)- at Commonhouse Aleworks) and with parking, registration, and aid stations Saturday (3/21). All volunteers receive an event shirt, food, and free entry into one of our events for the next year! And there's more...

We're excited to have again partnered with another local community event LOWVELO in the fight against cancer. Here's how:
Signup for LOWVELO and signup to volunteer Saturday at the Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo. We'll donate $50 (up to the first ten volunteers) towards your LOWVELO fundraising goal.
Signup to volunteer at our BikeReg page:

Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo p/b Lauf Online Registration BikeReg - online cycling event registration

COURSE REVEAL
As promised, here are all of the courses for this year’s Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo!

As always, at the U.S. Department of Gravel, we strive for no less than 80% unpaved (most are closer to 90% unpaved).

We’re no longer marking the courses in an effort to minimize our impact on the forest, so be sure to download to your preferred device (links on our website).

👉 https://www.mtpleasantvelo.org/swampfoxgravelfondo