Registration for Seventh Natchaug Epic Opened November 3rd
Deep Alumni Discounts for Early Birds for March 29 Season Opener

The seventh edition of the Natchaug Epic will be Sunday, March 29, at the Thompson Speedway in Thompson, CT. Featuring chip-timed segments, this gravel fondo offers riders a choice of four distances with courses of varying degrees of difficulty.

Registration opened this week, Monday, November 3rd at www.bikereg.com/natchaug-epic. Organizers have set an early-bird discount rate of just $79 through the month of November. Alumni of both the Natchaug Epic and the Lime Rock Park may use the discount code “Alumni2026” for an additional $10 off for the first 100 users. Those discounts all expire on December 1.

“We don’t just organize rides, we ride rides,” said co-founder Richard Fries. “We recognize the rising entry fees can be a challenge. We also respect the expectations any rider should have for an event. We try to sweat those details to ensure riders have a smooth registration process, they ride on a well-marked course, we have great rest stops, we offer solid rider support, and feature a great post-ride gathering.”

Known as “The Quiet Hell,” this event has become the de-facto season opener for the New England gravel season. There are four categories:

• The Epic, 84 miles, $79
• The Endeavor, 68 miles, $79
• The Explorer, 55 miles, $79
• The Express, 35 miles, $55

Also returning for 2026 will be the Apex Technology Tri-State Kids Ride, a safe and welcoming 12-mile ride for kids and grownups alike. Organizers will also have a dedicated kid zone with a strider course, bike rodeo, and access to the “Little T” oval nearby.

For more information, see www.bikereg.com/natchaug-epic.

About the Natchaug Epic: First held in 2019, the seventh edition of the Natchaug Epic will be held Sunday, March 29., 2026, at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Dubbed “The Quiet Hell”, this challenging event is the de-facto season opener of New England’s unpaved cycling season. Riders can select one of five different categories of varying distances and degrees of difficulty. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Other non-profit partners include The Wyndham Land Trust, the Last Green Valley, Quinebaug Valley Multi-sport, and the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program. The event is produced by Domestique Events LLC.

The Comfort Inn and Suites in Dayville (Killingly) is our official lodging partner. They can be reached at 860-779-3200. The hotel is located at 16 Tracy Road, just off Interstate 395. This is a clean and affordable hotel. They offer a discounted rate for Natchaug Epic riders for those who book prior to Feb. 26. Please Use discount code: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/HO53E1

There will be limited on-site camping at the Thompson Speedway on a first-come, first-serve basis. Portable toilets will be in position and the Raceway Restaurant is open Saturday until 11 p.m.

These premier coaching services are offering discounted packages and select amenities for riders seeking to use Natchaug Epic as an early season test of both fitness and skills.

Each coaching service will be offering unique packages to guide a client up to and through the event. Participating riders will receive a discounted entry and enjoy special on-site amenities established for each coaching service.

Please contact coaches for more information and how to register.

“We get to look at a lot of fitness data from our clients but the Natchaug Epic format allows us to actually ride alongside our clients, hit those segments hard, and then offer some coaching adjustments throughout the event,” said Aidan Charles, founder of Charles Coaching and Nutritional Services. 

“There is so much more to riding an event such as this than improving your power-to-weight ratio,” said Chris Brits, founder of Velo Legitimo coaching. “It’s a long event that presents great challenges for athletes who have only 12 weeks to prepare.” 

“To have a stable of athletes all on the same calendar schedule is a fantastic coaching opportunity,” said Bart Lipinski of ProThirteen Coaching. “Moving them from a lot of indoor work to a challenging outdoor event – which includes logistics, clothing, nutrition and hydration – will be like prepping a pro team for a spring classic.

From absolute beginners to world-class pros, we work with individuals and teams to help them achieve their goals. Not only is our coaching staff knowledgeable, but we are active racers, involved in the cycling community every single day.

TTEndurance is not only dedicated to providing you with an excellent training experience, but we now offer custom cycling retail, bike fitting, and maintenance services.  At TTEndurance, our pursuit of excellence is matched only by our belief that the client comes first.  

The CT Cycling Advancement Program aims to put every child in Connecticut on a bike. Click to learn more.

The Last Green Valley is the 35-town National Heritage Corridor in eastern Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts. Click to learn more.

The Wyndham Land Trust is working hard to protect land in the Quiet Corner of Northeast Connecticut. Click to learn more.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is providing medically-supervised summer camps and programs free of charge to children with serious illnesses and their families throughout the Northeast. Click to learn more.

WINY is a heritage radio station that transmits in AM stereo on 1350 kHz. Its studios and transmitter are located in Putnam, Connecticut. Click to learn more.

Ron Manizza’s weekly podcast, Bicycle Talk. Click to give it a listen

Founded by Jordan Zack Bike the East is derived from a passion to share the love of East Coast cycling!