Lime Rock Park Epic

New England's New Fall Classic, the Lime Rock Park Epic

Based at the legendary Lime Rock Park in Connecticut's Litchfield County, this gravel fondo showcasing waterfalls and covered bridges has emerged as an autumn classic in the Berkshires. This course and format are welcoming to riders of most abilities on a proper bike. For those who want to go hard, the timed segments will challenge them. For those looking for a nice fall tour, these roads will enrapture you…especially given the fall foliage that peaks earlier than the rest of New England.

 All rides will start and finish on the fabled raceway near the Sam Posey Bridge. Riders will be offered three distances: The Epic (70 miles), the Explorer (55 miles) and the Express (22 miles). The Epic and Explorer will feature chip timed segments. Cumulative times across multiple segments will be compared for podium places. All riders will receive meal and drink tickets for the post-ride celebration. 

ENTRY DEFERMENT POLICY: While Domestique Events DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS for any reason, organizers will allow entrants to either transfer their entry in the Lime Rock Park Epic to another person OR defer the entry to the 2025 Natchaug Epic being held March 30. Entries may only be deferred one time. The deadline to do so is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7. To request a deferment and/or transfer send email to [email protected]. 

The Routes

The Epic

70 miles, 5,200 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", “Old Asylum,” 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. 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, forces riders to grind out of the valley. The best of riders will be technically, aerobically and spiritually challenged. Regroup and recover at the top. The second rest stop, positioned in a classic Grange Hall converted into a fire house.  From there, a rider gets to celebrate a series of blissful ridges, eye-watering descents, scenic farmlands, a new challenging timed segment on Jeep track before dropping down to the covered bridge in West Cornwall. The final timed segment will be on the Lime Rock raceway….But organizers are cooking up a surprise for the riders. Then come home to an amazing meal, friends and stoies of the day with some cold ones. NOTE: Epic riders are eligible for the team-based Berkshire Cup competition. (Details below) 

The Explorer

55 miles, 3700 ft of elevation, 10 sectors, 3 timed segments, 2 rest stops

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 4.5-mile gravel step climb. This route provides riders a good taste of the Epic without suffering the agony of the Epic's descent into the infernal Kent Valley. The Explorer riders reconnect with the Epic route and enjoy the second rest stop together. Be warned, this route is truly a challenge for even an accomplished rider. 

The Express

22 miles, 1000 ft of elevation, 2 sectors, 2 timed segments, no rest stops.…

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. Experienced ride leaders will divide up the group based on skills and experience. While some will take on the challenging Pine Marsh Loops, others may stay on the paved route for the “tap-out” option to the covered bridge. 

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

Entrants To Receive 

All paid entrants to the Founders Edition of the Lime Rock Park Epic will receive the following: 

Free parking Pre-ride mechanical support courtesy of Berkshire Bike and BoardComplimentary pre-ride coffeeSAG service Rolling mechanical support courtesy of Bikers' Edge.Fully stocked rest stops featuring homemade and locally sourced food. Vegan and gluten free offerings made with love and affection.One post ride meal featuring a chef prepared buffet featuring gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan offerings Two drink tickets to enjoy the latest craft brews from Harpoon Brewery. One amazing course with chip timing services provided by Holeshot Events.Souvenir pint glassAwards presentation for the combined timed segments go to the top three Epic finishers in Open Men, Open Women, Men 45-plus, and Women 45-plus divisions.*If a participant places in both the Open and 45-plus Categories, they will get the higher placing in the appropriate Category and be ineligible for awards in the other.  (i.e. - No double-dipping on the awards.) Awards presentation for the combined timed segments go to the top Explorer finisher in Open Men, Open Women, Men 45-plus, and Women 45-plus divisions.*If a participant wins in both the Open and 45-plus Categories, they will get the higher placing in the appropriate Category and be ineligible for awards in the other.  (i.e. - No double-dipping on the awards.)