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Wild Ride 2024

June 15 2024

West Portsmouth OH

Date Confirmed

Distances: 9, 17, 30, 35, 61, 100 miles

The outdoor adventure club from Portsmouth, Ohio, Portsmouth Connex, is hosting the 4th Annual Wild Ride. Cyclists will begin in Shawnee State Park and roll in and around Ohio’s largest and hilliest state forest, Shawnee State Forest. The Wild Ride offers 5 paved and 2 gravel routes, roving SAGs, and aid stations along every course. The Wild Ride is unique as Portsmouth Connex brings together road riders and gravel riders who take off and finish at the same location. Registration and Finish Line festivities include a warm Southern Ohio welcome, music, and an official finish arch to top off the accomplishment.

The Wild Ride is a cycling adventure, not a race. For those interested in adding a competitive component, three-segment challenges, one each in The Storm, the Rattlesnake, and the Tick will award prizes to top riders. Participants must have a Strava account and a connected ride to be prize-eligible. E-bikes may be ridden but are not eligible for segment challenges.

Park Release Form: A completed release form signed day of the event is required to participate.

Rider Support: There are aid stations throughout the routes and roving SAGs with limited tools/supplies. See route maps for details. Cellular coverage is minimal throughout many of the courses. Download your route maps in advance. Cellular coverage at the ride start and finish is not available. Bring your own bike repair supplies.

Helmets: Required.

Weather: Rain or shine. No refunds.

Location Details: The ride begins in the Shawnee State Park Beach parking area. The Shawnee State Park and Forest offers many family-friendly activities and amenities. Plan your weekend getaway. Save up to 15% when you book a two-night stay at Shawnee Lodge. Call 740-858-6621 and ask about the Wild Ride discount!

E-bikes are welcomed on all routes. E-bikes cannot compete in segment competition. Maps can be viewed or downloaded from Ride with GPS.

The Cottontail: Clearly marked with PINK arrows, this route is a fully paved road ride offering a family-friendly, yet challenging out-and-back route. The route mileage totals 9 miles and dishes out about 600 feet of elevation climb. There is one aid station located along this route.

The Bear Cub: Clearly marked with BROWN arrows, this route is a fully paved road ride offering 16.5 miles and 1000 feet of elevation climb within an out-and-back route. There is one aid station along this route.

The Bobcat: Clearly marked with GREEN arrows, this route is a fully paved looping road ride offering a healthy dose of Shawnee hills. The route mileage is 30.2 miles with 2100 feet of elevation climb. There are two aid stations on this route.

The Rattlesnake: Clearly marked with YELLOW arrows, this route is a fully paved looping road ride offering the best of hills and terrain that the area has to offer. The route mileage is 60.5 miles and there is >3400 feet of coiling hills to navigate. There are three aid stations along this course. Thinking about making this a century metric? Head on up to the top of the hill to the lodge before you finish. We dare you. One marked competitive Strava segment is along this course.

The Storm: This gravel challenge is aptly named in honor of one of the Connex founders. Stormy Hayes was an inspiration to cycling around Portsmouth. Stormy coined the local phrase that we should be “INGing”. He meant anything we could do to inspire others to move, like biking, hiking, kayaking, and more. The course is clearly marked with BLUE arrows and stand-up signs at turns. The 60-mile gravel route with 5800 feet of elevation takes you past the infamous Copperhead Fire Tower (the oldest fire tower in Ohio) and around some of the most scenic and best gravel riding you can find in the Midwest. There are three aid stations along the route and another that is < 1 mile off the route if needed. One clearly marked competitive Strava segment is along this course.

The Hawk: Clearly marked with ORANGE arrows when possible and stand-up signs at turns when gravel road markings are not visible, this GRAVEL loop serves up just over 35 miles and 3400 feet of elevation. There are two aid stations along the course and another aid station accessible with that is 3400 feet of coiling hills to navigate.

The Tick: Clearly marked with RED arrows, the Tick is designed to challenge the best riders with the most challenging hills Southern Ohio has to offer. You will know you completed a challenge after you handled this critter. The Tick bites with 101 fully paved road miles and slightly over 6000 feet of elevation. Those tackling the Tick are required to be on the course no later than 8:00 am. There will be access to five aid stations. One competitive Strava segment is along this course.

Wild Ride 2024

Start Located At: 4346 State Route 125 West Portsmouth, OH 45663

Riders can access packet pick up by 7am. See further details about start and SAG availability under the packet pick up information.

Registration Fees

Through Date of Event (June 15, 2024)

Cottontail 9 miles (paved)- $25

Until June 1

Bear Cub 16.5 miles (paved), Bobcat 30.2 miles (paved), Hawk 35 miles (gravel), Rattlesnake 60.5 miles (paved), The Storm 60 miles (gravel), and The Tick 101 miles (paved) - $45

Beginning June 2 Until June 14

Bear Cub 16.5 miles (paved), Bobcat 30.2 miles (paved), Hawk 35 miles (gravel), Rattlesnake 60.5 miles (paved), The Storm 60 miles (gravel), and The Tick 101 miles (paved) - $50

Day of Event

Bear Cub 16.5 miles (paved), Bobcat 30.2 miles (paved), Hawk 35 miles (gravel), Rattlesnake 60.5 miles (paved), The Storm 60 miles (gravel), and The Tick 101 miles (paved) - $60

Included

The registration fee includes a Wild Ride t-shirt, commemorative pub glass, access to professional photos a week after the event, and an edible medal. Portsmouth Connex will provide a voucher for one drink of your choice from the historic Portsmouth Brewing Company, the oldest brewery in Ohio. Participants may pre-order a commemorative jersey with registration prior to May 15th. The voucher is redeemable for 2 weeks post-event. Same day registration is available, however, t-shirts, pub glasses and medals are not guaranteed.

Packet Pickups

Check-in for all routes begins at 7am. Portsmouth Connex suggests beginning your route early. Aid stations are open until 3pm and the finish line festivities will wrap up by 5pm. If you are on the course after 3pm, aid station and SAG support may not be available.

Prize / Race Categories

The Wild Ride is a cycling adventure, not a race. For those interested in adding a competitive component, three-segment challenges, one in The Storm, the Rattlesnake, and the Tick will award prizes to top riders. Participants must have a Strava account and a connected ride to be prize-eligible. E-bikes may be ridden but are not eligible for segment challenges.

Facilities

Parking

Changing Rooms

Toilets

Registration On the Day

Pre-Packet Pickups

Support for Participants

Route Signposted

First Aid

Emergency Contact No

SAG Wagon

Features