Velvet Ditch Gran Fondo 2026
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The wait is over. Oxford MS has experienced the historic ice storm last winter. Clean-up work for the streets has come to an end. We welcome you back to the 2026 Velvet Ditch Grand Fondo cycling event. This year we have moved the date to August 8th and thank you to the Lafayette County and city of Oxford, we have a new road riding out of town this year. It will be a less hilly start. And we've still got great aid stations!
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.
NEW THIS YEAR:
Starting time: 7:00am to start for the summer temperature
Start/Finish location: The concession stand of the mTrade park at 328 Old Sardis Rd, Oxford, MS 38655
Routes: All routes have updated due to new start/finish location. There are three route options:
22 miles (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54825769)
46 miles (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54825779)
67 miles - metric century - (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54825780)
Packet pick up location: The pavilion at the mTrade Park (this is also the starting location).
Pricing: Simplified and more affordable
2026 VDGF MERCH:
T-shirts and socks guaranteed for the first 100 registrants!
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.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Registration:
Online registration closes at 6:00AM on August 8th 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 Pavilion at the mTrade Park
Friday, August 7th (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
Saturday, August 8th (5:30 AM - 6:30 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.
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.
NEW THIS YEAR:
Starting time: 7:00am to start for the summer temperature
Start/Finish location: The concession stand of the mTrade park at 328 Old Sardis Rd, Oxford, MS 38655
Routes: All routes have updated due to new start/finish location. There are three route options:
22 miles (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54825769)
46 miles (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54825779)
67 miles - metric century - (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54825780)
Packet pick up location: The pavilion at the mTrade Park (this is also the starting location).
Pricing: Simplified and more affordable
2026 VDGF MERCH:
T-shirts and socks guaranteed for the first 100 registrants!
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.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Registration:
Online registration closes at 6:00AM on August 8th 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 Pavilion at the mTrade Park
Friday, August 7th (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
Saturday, August 8th (5:30 AM - 6:30 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.
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Where is it happening?
MTrade Park, Oxford, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherVelvet Ditch Gran Fondo
