Lime Rock Park Epic
Date: Sunday, October 13, 2024
Location: Lakeville, CT

Based from the legendary Lime Rock Park in Connecticut’s Litchfield County, this gravel fondo promises to become an autumn classic in the Berkshires. Riders will be offered three distances:
The Epic (9:30 AM)  70-mile course with 5,000 feet of elevation and 20 gravel sectors, 5 of which will be timed. Includes full ride support, souvenirs, two rest stops, and a post-ride feast with craft beers and ciders.
The Explorer (9:30 AM) 55-mile course with 3,700 feet in elevation and 14 gravel sectors, 4 of which will be timed. Includes full ride support, souvenir, two rest stops, and a post-ride feast with craft beers and ciders.
The Express (11:00 AM) 25-mile route with 5 gravel sectors and a paved option around the challenging section. Includes on-bike ride support featuring Olympian Jimena Florit, a pint glass, and a post-ride meal/beer.
Rocky Road Ice Cream Ride (11:00 AM) Led by two-time Olympian Jimena Florit, this 25 mile ride is for riders Under age 14. Mixed with the Express Riders, all finishers will receive the meal, a prize, podium ceremony and ice cream!!!

The Epic and Explorer will feature chip-timed segments. Cumulative times across multiple segments will be compared for podium places. All riders will receive a meal and drink ticket for the post-ride celebration.

THE EPIC, FEATURING PRO NATIONAL CHAMPION BEN WOLFE – 9:30 AM

70 miles, 5,200 ft of elevation, 20 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 “Race Track,” 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 and Rattlesnake Ridge in the opposite direction. Then come home to an amazing meal, friends and stories of the day with some cold ones.

Former Pro Men’s National Champion Ben Wolfe will be christening the off-season with this ride on a format he loves. He’ll be in the mix for all the timed segments, providing some guidance and tips, but between those hard hits he’ll mix in some laughs and stories riding with his friends on perhaps the most beautiful course in America.

NOTE: Epic riders are eligible for the team-based Berkshire Cup competition

THE EXPLORER, FEATURING WORLD CHAMPION JAN BOLLAND TANNER – 9:30 AM

55 miles, 3700 ft of elevation, 14 sectors, 4 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.

Former World Champion Jan Bolland Tanner will be in the mix but riding with a group focused honing their skills while having some fun.

NOTE: PEDAL-ASSISTED E-BIKES ARE WELCOMED ON THE EXPLORER RIDE (but are EXCLUDED from any timed competitions).

THE EXPRESS, FEATURING OLYMPIAN JIMENA FLORIT – 11:00 AM

25 miles, 1000 ft of elevation, 5 sectors, no timed segments, lots of snack stops and clinics

The Express offers an approachable route for the “gravel curious.” There are five unpaved sectors, three of which offer paved “bailouts.” Two-time Olympian Jimena Florit and other members of the Pink Patrol will divide up the group based on skills and experience. While some will take on the challenging Mount Easter Loops, others may stay on the paved route for the “tap-out” option to the covered bridge. From there we will descend down to the picturesque West Cornwall Covered Bridge. There the route turns north to traverse the third unpaved sector of the ride, a flat three miles along the Housatonic River. Five miles of rolling roads with a photo stop and snacks at the Great Falls will bring you back to Lime Rock Park.

NOTE: PEDAL-ASSISTED E-BIKES ARE WELCOMED ON THE EXPRESS RIDE.

The Express will feature five unpaved sectors; approximately one fourth of the route is unpaved. There will be frequent photo stops with snacks. Riders will be timed but not scored.

Two-time Olympian Jimena Florit Dolzadelli will guide a series of clinics to develop competency on unpaved surfaces, both going up and down!

ENTRANTS TO RECEIVE

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

• Free parking 
• Pre-ride mechanical support courtesy of Berkshire Bike and Board
• SAG 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 
• One drink ticket to enjoy a cold brew. 
• One amazing course with chip timing services provided by Holeshot Events.
• Souvenir pint glass
• Awards 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.)

https://www.bikereg.com/limerockepic

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