Registration
Registration open on BikeReg

Discounted Fee Deadline: Wednesday, Feb 15, 2023 at 12:00 AM ET

Date:
March 26, 2023

Location:
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, CT

Beginners Discouraged. Novices Warned. Weather be Damned. The fourth edition of “The Quiet Hell” will feature some modest changes to this exploration of the most formidable roads in Connecticut’s Northeast corner. Here are some details: 

• All entrants will receive a souvenir bandana, a number plate with timing chip, route inventory sticker, rest stops, SAG service, post ride meal, beer ticket, raffle ticket and results. 
• Additional meal ($25) and drink ($6) tickets will be available at registration. Friends and family are welcome to join. 
• A Supporter’s Tour auto map will be avaiable online and printed out at registration. The map will guide supporters to key course locations as well as bakeries, cafes, orchards, farm stands, a winery, a cidery, shops and scenic elements of the region. 
• There will be a mass start for each category for which flaggers will provide guidance for ONLY the first six miles. Riders may start on their own during the 30 minute period after the designated start time. Riders may not start early.
• EXPRESS DETAILS
• The 32-mile Express option will be at a tourist pace with three support riders. 
• The route has six unpaved sectors, one of which is challenging, and 1,730 feet of climbing. 
• Although the route includes Sector 18 (aka Le Cuisinart), timid riders may take a paved bailout route. 
• There will be a Junior Express Category. Boys start two minutes before girls. There is a single timed segment. Top three finishers in each category will be recognized. 
• The Express route will have a water stop at Putnam Cyclery. 
• The Express is a friendly tour, but each rider will be timed for one segment. 
• EXPLORER DETAILS
• The Explorer route is 61 miles with 15 unpaved sectors and 3,900 feet of climbing.
• The Explorer will have a minimum of four timed segments. 
• EPIC DETAILS
• The Epic is 82.5 miles with 18 unpaved sectors and a minimum of five timed segments. 
• The total elevation gain is 4,600 feet.
• EPIC/EXPLORER SHARED DETAILS
• There will be two rest stops for the Epic and Explorer riders. 
• The Epic and Explorer routes will be scored as Gravel Fondos with timed segments using computer chips. Course signage will be placed to alert riders to the start and finish of each timed segment.  
• Riders will be scored based on the cumulative time of all segments. 
• For the Epic and Explorer categories, gift baskets and awards will be presented to the top three finishers in the following age groups for each gender: Open, 45-plus, 55-plus. 
• Riders must finish by 3 p.m. to be eligible for awards. 
• All riders must finish by 5 p.m.  
• Although the course will be marked, riders are responsible for navigation. Digital routes will be distributed via email prior to the event. Cue sheets will be available at registration. 
• Although SAG service and rolling mechanics will patrol the route, riders should be equipped and prepared to make their own roadside repairs. 
• Rain bag service will be available at Rest Stop 1. Riders may pack dry clothes at the start area and/or shed clothes at each Rest Stop to be returned to the finish area. Drawstring bags available upon request at Rest Stop 1. 
• Organizers reserve the right to shorten the route due to foul weather.

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.

Registration for the coaching promotion ends on February 15, 2023. Please contact coaches for more information.

“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.”