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Lime Rock Park Epic

October 06 2024

Lakeville CT

Unconfirmed

Distances: 18, 53, 68 miles

Difficulty: Difficult terrain with longer, steeper hills

Introducing the Lime Rock Epic

Based from the legenday Lime Rock Park in Connecticut's Litchfield County, this gravel fondo showcasing waterfalls and covered bridges promises to become an autumn classic in the Berkshires. All rides will start and finish on the fabled raceway beneath the Sam Posey Bridge. Riders will be offered three distances: The Epic (68 miles), the Explorer (53 miles) and the Express (18 miles). The Epic and Explorer will feature enduro-style timing; cumulative times across multiple segments will be compared for podium places. All riders will receive meal and drink tickets for the post-ride celebration.

The Routes

The Epic

68 miles, 5,000 ft of elevation, 14 sectors, 5 timed segments, 2 rest stops

If Ralph Lauren could design a bike ride, this might just be the product. With road names "Wildcat Hollow," "Dark Hollow" and "Rocky Lane," we knew that Paul and Bob found some good stuff for our course. And that's all BEFORE Rest Stop 1. The Epic will send riders north by The Great Falls along the Housatonic River before cutting "Between the Lakes." The route turns south and carries riders through several rolling gravel sectors to Sharon. Then we truly make it epic. A 3.3 mile gravel climb sets the tone before the long haulers whistle down a seven-mile "pedalers" descent, 3.5 of which is un-paved. We regroup at Rest Stop 2 along the Housatonic in Kent. The course offers some autumnal heaven along the river before spooning out a taste of hell: a 3-mile climb, most of which is unpaved, gets us out of the valley. The best of riders will be technically, aerobically and spiritually challenged. Regroup and recover at the top. For while the remainder is a touch "lumpy", rider gets to celebrate a series of blissful ridges, eye-watering descents, scenic farmlands, and the covered bridge in West Cornwall. The final un-paved sector along River Road will reward the efforts of a solid group that knows how to work together. Provided you are still on speaking terms. Then come home to an amazing meal and cold one craft brew.

The Explorer

53 miles, 3600 ft of elevation, 10 sectors, 3 timed segments, 1 rest stop

The Explorer is comprised of the northern loop of the Epic route. The first half is fairly flat with the same gravel sectors. After the rest stop the challenging stuff really starts, with a long gravel step climb. This route provides riders a good taste of the Epic without suffering the agony (and enjoying the ecstasy) of the Epic's descent into the infernal Kent Valley. Be warned, this route is truly a challenge for even an accomplished rider.

The Express

18.5 miles, 1000 ft of elevation, 2 sectors, no timed segments, no rest stops....but an adorable cafe just beyond the covered bridge!

The Express offers an approachable route for the "gravel curious." With only four miles of the route unpaved, it is an excellent opportunity for those new to cycling on un-paved surfaces.

The Express starts out heading southwest and gets the bulk of its climbing out of the way early, with several uphill miles plateauing at the first of two flat gravel sectors. After some undulating, paved terrain we will descend down to the picturesque West Cornwall Covered Bridge. There the route turns north to traverse the second unpaved sector of the ride, a flat three miles along the Housatonic River. Five miles of rolling roads will bring you back to Lime Rock Park.

The Express will feature two unpaved sectors; approximately one fifth of the route is unpaved. There will be no no rest stops and no timed segments but there will be a brief water stop in West Cornwall near the covered bridge!

Lime Rock Park Epic