MARCOP – Sunday 40K is a 25.8-mile loop starting in Fauquier County, with 1,745 feet of climbing. About 11.7 miles (45%) are on gravel or dirt roads and 14.1 miles are paved. The longest unpaved stretch runs 6.3 miles on Young Road, Old Carters Mill Road, Crenshaw Road near Rectortown.
Route snapshot
What to expect
This loop front-loads the gravel: 7.8 gravel miles in the first half and 3.9 in the second. Along the way it links Marshall, Rectortown and Delaplane.
The course tops out at 698 feet around mile 1.7 and drops as low as 399 feet. Expect 12 climbs of 80 feet or more; the biggest gains 163 feet over 1.8 miles starting near mile 21.1. The steepest quarter-mile averages about 7.5% near mile 15.9. At roughly 68 feet of climbing per mile, we rate it intermediate.
- 6.3 miles of continuous gravel on Young Road, Old Carters Mill Road and Crenshaw Road near Rectortown.
- More unpaved stretches on Rokeby Road and Prince Road.
- 45% of the distance is on gravel or dirt.
- Paved connectors include Whiting Road, Frogtown Road, Maidstone Road and Rectortown Road.
- A steep pitch of about 7.5% near mile 15.9. Choose gears that let you stay seated on loose gravel.
- Carry water, a spare tube and a plug kit.
Ride notes. Start and finish in Fauquier County. These are working farm roads shared with horses, tractors and local traffic: slow down and pass wide around horses, and see VeloSafe for more. Gravel changes with the weather, so expect loose stone after a fresh grading and soft spots after heavy rain. Spring and fall are our favorite seasons out here.
Elevation and surface
Gravel sections
Unpaved stretches of half a mile or more, in riding order:
- Mile 1.2–2.8 (1.6 mi): Prince Road — near Marshall
- Mile 3.6–9.9 (6.3 mi): Young Road, Old Carters Mill Road, Crenshaw Road — near Rectortown
- Mile 14.8–18.2 (3.4 mi): Rokeby Road — near Delaplane
- Mile 22.8–23.3 (0.5 mi): Whiting Road — near Marshall
Photos from the route
Photos taken along this route on our rides.
Get the route
Surface data comes from Ride with GPS. Road names come from OpenStreetMap. Gravel roads change with weather and maintenance, so check conditions before you ride and follow our VeloSafe guidance on rural roads.
