Registration
Click here to register on Bikereg.com
Date:
March 26-28, 2021
Location:
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, CT
The inaugural edition of The Natchaug Epic proved successful in 2019. Dubbed “The Quiet Hell,” this bicycle exploration not only pitted riders against the most challenging unpaved roads of Connecticut’s Windham County but also the mercurial March weather of New England.
The arrival of COVID 19, however, interrupted the promotion of the second edition. A postponement to August again pitted the event against public health guidelines. The organizers, Domestique Events LLC, respected both the spirit and letter of those guidelines and postponed again to March 28, 2021.
The inaugural edition of The Natchaug Epic proved successful in 2019. Dubbed “The Quiet Hell,” this bicycle exploration not only pitted riders against the most challenging unpaved roads of Connecticut’s Windham County but also the mercurial March weather of New England.
The arrival of COVID 19, however, interrupted the promotion of the second edition. A postponement to August again pitted the event against public health guidelines. The organizers, Domestique Events LLC, respected both the spirit and letter of those guidelines and postponed again to March 28, 2021.
Since last year there have been some major outdoor cycling events, including the Tour de France, successfully conducted under tight guidelines. Not a single viral transmission occurred amongst riders. The challenges seem to be with management of registration, toilets, rest stops, indoor facilities, and interaction with the general public.
Hence, the organizers of The Natchaug Epic propose conducting the event on the final weekend of March, 2021, under “DIY” guidelines that are well within the local, state and federal guidelines. Organizers look forward to a resumption of a mass start event in 2022 but believe a modified event can be conducted with the courtesy and safety of participants and host communities involved.
Domestique Events will list The Natchaug Epic on BikeReg.com as Natchaug Epic DIY for the dates of March 26-28, 2021, from the Raceway Restaurant, Thompson Speedway, in Thompson, CT. Riders must also sign on to be members of The Natchaug Epic Strava Club, which creates an online community.
The entry waiver will specifically require riders to assume all responsibility to comply with pertinent and current health guidelines, which may require those traveling from out of state to have a negative COVID 19 test within 72 hours of the event.
Like a golfer signing on for a tee time, riders select which time slot they wish to ride. There is a field limit of 10 riders per time slot. The time slots are spaced at 10 minute intervals between Friday, March 26 and Sunday, March 28.
Riders will receive the Ride With GPS course file via email on Thursday, March 25.
Upon arrival there will be self-service registration. Riders simply look up their last name race packet and draw it from the bin. Touchless day-of registration will be available on Sunday, March 28 only, via a kiosk with a BikeReg link. Wifi will be available inside the Raceway Restaurant to enable this registration and subsequent packet pickup. Day-of reg. Paper cue cards will be available and inside each race packet. There is a $5 day of fee added. Day-of registrants will be subject to available openings within the departure schedule.
Riders will be called to the start line five minutes prior. Riders may not start prior to their start time but may leave up to five minutes AFTER their start time should they seek to ride solo or within their “bubble” of trusted friends and/or family.
The Natchaug Epic is not a race by timed tour. Riders must abide by all traffic laws. The course will be minimally marked. Riders will be expected to have a functioning GPS-enabled bike computer and/or a Smartphone for navigation. The camera function on the phone will also be vital.
Timing will be managed and aggregated by Strava, which also records their geographic position using GPS.
Riders must wear appropriate face coverings at the start-finish venue and during any stops.
Upon departure riders will face 19 unpaved sectors. Riders will receive a top tube sticker index with each sector’s start point, distance and degree of difficulty (easy, intermediate, expert, and savage). Roughly 30 of the 75 miles – about half of the estimated time spent on course – will be unpaved.
There will be two checkpoints along the route. These include The Corner Market in Eastford and the Overlook on Bull Hill Road. Riders must take and post a “selfie” photo at those locations and upload those Strava upon completion of the event. There will not be a rest stop. But a portable toilet will be provided at The Corner Market. Riders are encouraged to support that store. Private support and gear (SAG) may be provided there as well (vehicles may not follow on course).
The course will not be marked save for some environmentally benign chalk on the roads in a few navigationally challenging spots. Riders are expected to manage navigation by GPS and/or the paper cue sheets.
Riders will receive a meal and drink ticket redeemable at the Raceway Restaurant. There will be outdoor seating and takeaway containers available. Beer must be consumed on premises. The riders will be subject to house rules pertaining to COVID 19 policy.
Results will be available and aggregated on Strava.
Organizers will have a hose and rack set up for post-ride bike cleaning. The locker room will be available.
The awards ceremony will be held via Google Meet on Monday, March 29, at 7 p.m. Top three finishers in each category will be mailed awards.