Natchaug Epic

March 23 2025

Thompson CT

Date Confirmed

Distances: 32, 45, 60, 82 miles

Difficulty: Moderate terrain with rolling short steep hills or moderate, sustained climbs

Limited to: 500 or less Participants

Beginners Discouraged. Novices Warned. Weather be Damned. The fifth edition of "The Quiet Hell" will feature some modest changes to this exploration of the most formidable roads in Connecticut's Northeast corner. Here are some details:

WEATHER PROTOCOL: The event is held rain-or-shine. Organizers reserve the right to shorten the route due to extremely foul weather. Rain bag service available Epic, Endeavor and Explorer categories. (See below for details.)

ENTRY DEFERMENT POLICY: While Domestique Events DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS for any reason, organizers will allow entrants to either transfer their entry in the Natchaug Epic to another person OR defer the entry to the 2024 Lime Rock Park Epic being held October 13. Entries may only be deferred one time. The deadline to do so is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 18. To request a deferment and/or transfer send email to admin@DomestiqueEvents.com.

INSURANCE SURCHARGE. A rider's entry includes a $5.30 surcharge to pay for USA Cycling's insurance underwriter. (Hence, our fee increase.)

WAITLIST POLICY. THE TOTAL CAPACITY OF THIS RIDE IS 850 AND IS EXPECTED TO SELL OUT. Organizers studied registration history to determine field limits in each category. Field limits in each category will be observed until February 1 when organizers may then adjust the the limits based on rider demand and waitlists. On Wednesday, March 20 organizers will “re-balance” the field limits to allow riders on the waitlist to participate in categories with open slots while respecting the total capacity of the event.

RIDER COMMUNIQUE: Final Communique with complete route maps and event details will be distributed to registered riders on Wednesday, March 20. (Please don't pester us for the routes prior to that date.)

WEATHER POLICY. We ride rain, snow, sleet or shine. See our “Rain Bag” policy under “Epic/Endeavor Shared Details.” Cancellation with full refunds will be considered ONLY If the State of Connecticut announces a state of emergency.

RIDER BENEFITS. All entrants will receive a groovy musette, a number plate, timing chip, route inventory sticker, two well-stocked stops with freshly prepared food, one hydration/comfort stop, SAG service, neutral mechanical support, professional psychological support (no, seriously, we have a guy), spiritual guidance from resident yogi (no kidding, we have one of those, too!), post ride meal, beer/drink ticket, full results and access to a photo gallery distributed post ride.

ADDITIONAL MEAL TICKETS. Additional meal and drink tickets will be available at registration at $25 and $7 respectively. Support staff, friends, and family are welcome to join. There is a full restaurant and bar at the start-finish venue.

SUPPORT ROUTE. Private support vehicles are encouraged and welcome in key locations. A Support Route auto map will be available online and at registration. Support vehicles are welcome at rest stops to help serve their riders. The map will guide supporters to key course locations as well as bakeries, cafes, orchards, farm stands, a winery, a cidery, a distillery, shops and scenic elements of the region. NOTE: This is a savage course in early spring conditions. Organizers strongly recommend supporters use a four-wheel drive vehicle with high-ground clearance if they wish to drive the Support Route. Organizers cannot, and will not, assist in the extrication of stranded vehicles.

START PROTOCOL. There will be a mass start for each category for which flaggers will provide guidance for ONLY the first six miles. Riders may start on their own during the 20 minute period after the designated start time. Riders may not start early. Riders who reach the first timed segment prior to 9:02 a.m. will not be eligible.

FIELD LIMITS. The total event field limit is 850. No single field may exceed 300. Organizers will draw from wait lists after March 20 for any categories sold out while staying within the total event cap.

EXPRESS DETAILS

The 32-mile Express option will be at a tourist pace with several support riders.
The route has six unpaved sectors, one of which is challenging, and 1,730 feet of climbing.
Although the route includes the first timed segment (a.k.a. Le Cuisinart), timid riders may take a paved bailout route.
The Express route will have a water stop at Putnam Cyclery.
The Express is a friendly tour, but each rider will be timed for two segments.
EPIC/ENDEAVOR/EXPLORER SHARED DETAILS

There will be one aid station (water, toilets, nutrition, mechanic and SAG) and two fully stocked rest stops including warm, freshly prepared food for the Epic and Endeavor riders. Vegan, gluten free and dairy free options available.

The Explorer route will have one aid station (water, toilets, packaged nutrition and SAG) and one fully stocked rest stop shared wit the above routes.
The Express route will have one full stocked rest stop courtesy of Putnam Cyclery. Vegan, gluten free and dairy free options available.

The Epic, Endeavor and Explorer routes will be scored as Gravel Fondos with timed segments using computer chips. Course signage will be placed to alert riders to the start and finish of each timed segment.

Riders will be scored based on the cumulative time of all segments.
For the Epic, Endeavor and Explorer categories, gift baskets and awards will be presented to the top three finishers in the following age groups for each gender: Open, 45-plus, 55-plus.

Epic, Endeavor and Explorer groups will have a lead moto that will provide escort on all sections save for the Airline Trail. Abandoned Village and West Thompson Lake section.

Riders must finish by 3 p.m. to be eligible for awards,
All riders must finish by 5 p.m.
Although the course will be marked, riders are responsible for navigation. Digital routes will be distributed via email prior to the event. Cue sheets will be available at registration.

Although SAG service and rolling mechanics will patrol the route, riders should be equipped and prepared to make their own basic roadside repairs.
Rain bag service will be available at Rest Stops 2 and 3. Riders may pack dry clothes at the start area and/or shed clothes at each Rest Stop to be returned to the finish area. Drawstring bags will available upon request at Rest Stops 2 & 3 to drop off wet clothes. Those will be returned to the finish celebration by 3 p.m.
Team Support Vehicles are welcome at each of the three rest stops subject to parking guidelines.

EXPLORER DETAILS

The Explorer route is 48 miles with 12 unpaved sectors and 2,900 feet of climbing.
The Explorer is a friendly tour, but each rider will be timed for three segments.
The Explorer will have an aid station and one fully stocked rest stop.

ENDEAVOR DETAILS

The Endeavor route is 61 miles with 15 unpaved sectors and 3,900 feet of climbing.
The Endeavor will have a minimum of four timed segments.

EPIC DETAILS

The Epic is 82.5 miles with 20 unpaved sectors and a minimum of five timed segments.
The total elevation gain is 4,600 feet.

Natchaug Epic