What to Expect

Comraderie 

Scenic Rides

Time to Chill
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  • A five-night, 4 full-day biking retreat in Maryland's scenic Catoctin Mountains, just one hour from DC & Baltimore
  • Open to riders at all levels, a choice of three rides/day (will be adjusted according to participants' experience): 
    • high octane: ~50 miles & 4700 feet of climbing/day: focused on scenic Gran Fondo course 
    • intermediate: ~35 miles & 3500 feet of climbing/day: focused on scenic Gran Fondo course 
    • relaxed: ~20 miles & 2000 feet of climbing/day: focused on parts of scenic Gran Fondo course​
  • Sharing triumphs and challenges with fellow bikers over campfires and family-style, farm-fresh meals 
  • Staying in the rustic luxury of one of Maryland's premier, climate-friendly gathering venues: ZigBone Farm Retreat
  • Learning from speakers, including Gran Fondo National Series Founder and Director Reuben Kline, Dr. Tom Little, who will speak about staying healthy on the bike, and Jill Patterson, 2022 Gran Fondo National Women's Champion​
  • Bike support from Gettysburg Bicycle



​A Taste of the Tour de Fondo & Fun

​Sunday
5pm Welcome Reception -- delicious dinner around the wood-fired oven

Monday-Thursday (all rides optional)
Breakfast at ZigBone
Ride with lunch on the road (choose from relaxed, intermediate, or high-octane riding levels)
Afternoon rest  (massage available at extra cost)
Family-style dinner 
Speakers (on some nights)

Friday
Breakfast 
11am Departure (luggage storage for those who want to ride that day)
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ZigBone Farm's Tour de Fondo & Fun -- Catoctin Mountains!

A one-of-a-kind cycling retreat for riders of all levels with
​4-Time Gran Fondo Maryland Champion Cheryl Sornson 

May 7-12, 2023

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Take a forest bath as you ride
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Bike right out the door of ZigBone Farm Retreat
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Forests, valleys, farmland make the course
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Cycle through scenic Catoctin Mountain National Park. photo by Garman

Ride the scenic hills and valleys of the popular Gran Fondo Maryland course at your leisure. Rumble over historic covered bridges and through the forests of the Catoctin Mountains.  At day's end, ZigBone Farm Retreat awaits, with cozy meals, campfires, and the comraderie of fellow riders. 

​Planning on racing the Gran Fondo Maryland in fall 2023? ZigBone's Tour de Fondo & Fun is a great opportunity to get to know the course -- and have a great time along the way! 
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Your Lead Guide, Cheryl Sornson

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Cheryl Sornson is an experienced competitive and recreational cyclist, mountain and road bike guide, and a mountain bike coach and wellness counselor. She takes pride in sharing her vast knowledge of all things cycling through tours, camps, and blog posts.

Notable cycling achievements include:
● 4x Gran Fondo National Champion 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
● 3x National Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike Champion
● 2nd Place Pro Women US Marathon Mountain Bike Nationals
● 2x Transylvania Epic Mountain Bike Stage Race Champion
● Competed in 2 of the 6 toughest Mountain Bike Endurance Races: Cape Epic in South Africa and La Ruta de Los Conquistador in Costa Rica

She has cycled in the Catoctin and South Mountain Range for over 30 years and believes that it offers cyclists a variety of beautiful scenery and safe quiet roads and trails within several different state parks, municipal forests, and protected watersheds. It is very unique in its diversity of routes, its highest ratio of elevation gain per mile, and its picturesque landscape.

Having been associated with the Maryland Gran Fondo event as an overall women’s champion, volunteer, and event associate since its inception, Cheryl is motivated and passionate to share her knowledge of the event and course with riders at all levels. Cycling in and around Catoctin Mountain region has brought her much joy and provided a training ground for her to pursue cycling goals.
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Cheryl continues to enjoy riding but has put competitive racing behind her. Still full of energy, she splits her time between working as a Professional Licensed Counselor and bike shop employee, co-partnering with Wicked Girl Jersey Company, and taking all opportunities to ride her bike.

The Dream of ZigBone Farm Retreat & Pricing

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Your Host
Dena Leibman, along with her wife Marijke Torfs, is co-owner/operator of ZigBone Farm Retreat. Since 2015, they have been renting out the warm, welcoming, naturally built buildings and gardens on the farm for weddings and other gatherings. But while they love sharing ZigBone this way, they also wanted to curate their own retreats for people to learn about art, writing, music, natural building, and the outdoors. The Tour de Fondo & Fun -- Catoctin Mountains and the other first-ever retreats ZigBone is offering in 2023 are this dream come true. When not working behind the scenes, you'll find Dena and Marijke on the "relaxed" rides at the Tour de Fondo & Fun.
Your Place
ZigBone Farm Retreat provides naturally built, light-filled, artistic spaces for people to gather, celebrate, teach, and learn. The complex consists of the main ZigBone Eco-Lodge, the Springhouse Cabin, and the Event Hall. The 100-acre farm – a series of mountainside pastures bordered by old stone hedgerows – grows sheep, goats, and vegetables sustainably. Learn more at www.zigbonefarmretreat.com. 

Pricing: The retreat base price is $1200
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What's Included: 
  • Reception and dinner on arrival night; breakfast on departure day: three full meals, and snacks the four full days of the retreat
  • Ride captains for three riding levels
  • Tours curated to take in local sites, historic towns, scenic courses, and, for those interested, reconnaissance of the Gran Fondo race course, which winds through the Catoctin Mountains
  • Support van
  • Professionals speaking about staying healthy on the bike
  • Luggage storage for departure-day riding
  • Overnight bike storage during the retreat​
What's Not Included:
  • ​Accommodations: Participants are required to stay at ZigBone Farm Retreat. Room prices vary (see below)
  • Bicycles (cyclists must provide their own)
  • Non-cyclist participant activities ​​
​What To Bring:
  • Road bike in good working order, set up for paved roads and climbing (we advise check up by qualified mechanic prior to tour)
  • Bike shoes and clipless pedals recommended
  • Water bottle or hydration pack
  • Sunglasses or clear lenses 
  • Sunscreen
  • Spare tube
  • Pump or CO2
  • Tire levers
  • Multi-tool
  • Bike helmet
  • Cycling jersey and bike shorts (chamois cream)
  • Bike gloves
  • ​Weather dependent layers: windbreaker, rain jacket, sleeves, leggings, warms gloves, cap, etc.

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@taylorsmithphotovidoe

Springhouse​
​Stand-alone cozy cabin to yourself and a plus one, near Lodge, with king plush bed, coffee bar, outdoor deck with meadow view,  walk-in shower.  Single occupancy, add a one-time fee of $500 to the retreat  base price; double occupancy, add $750 .​

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@taylorsmithphotovideo
ZIGBONE LODGE
 A three-story, eco-building with hardwood floors throughout and light-filled spaces for gatherings. Participants can choose from a variety room options (see photos to right).

Springhouse plush king bed.  

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PRIVATE EN SUITE LOG CABIN ROOM: Spacious room in ZigBone  Lodge, large bathroom w/ bath, in original log cabin part of lodge. King bed can be made into two singles. Single occupancy, add a one-time $500 fee to the retreat base price; double occupancy, add $750.
SHARED ROOM W/ SHARED BATH: In ZigBone Lodge, shared by up to five people. Privacy screens available. Add a one-time $300 fee/bed to the retreat base price.

Springhouse view toward sitting alcove and walk-in bathroom

PRIVATE ROOMS W/SHARED BATH: In ZigBone Lodge. Five private rooms available: two queen rooms, two twin/king rooms. Single occupancy, add a one-time $400 fee to retreat base price; double occupancy add $600.
SHARED ROOM W/ SHARED BATH:  In ZigBone Lodge, shared by up to four people. Add a one-time $300 fee/bed to the retreat base price.