Three Services Offer Season-Opening Programs with Gravel Fondo
THOMPSON, Conn. – Organizers of the Natchaug Epic Presented by Specialized will again partner with three New England-based coaching services to develop off-season programs that set March 24 as an early season goal.
The gravel fondo format, the challenging course, and the calendar position afford a rare opportunity for a coach and client to be on the bike together in a semi-competitive event. Clients of the participating partner companies have a reserved spot at a discounted rate. The coaching firms get team status which affords VIP parking and special access for support staff.
“This format is a fantastic way to kick off the season,” said Ben Wolfe, one of the lead coaches of Charles Coaching and Nutritional Services. He also happens to be a former winner of the Natchaug Epic. “Rarely do coaches get to line up alongside their clients and do the same route. Because of the fondo format, we hit a timed segment hard, regroup, review, and then roll together to the next segment. It goes from fun to furious and back to fun.”
An 83-mile route featuring 21 technical unpaved sectors presents a major test for any rider in any season. In addition to the discounted entry offered to clients, each of these firms offers customized training schedules and promotional offers for new and existing clients.
“A good spring sets the table for a great summer, setting intentions with any client is an important part of building a schedule. This event in late March gives both coach and rider an early season target that pushes them through those dark winter sessions.” — Bart Lipinski
Chris Brits, founder of VeloLegitimo and two-time finisher of the Silk Road Mountain Race, uses this event for more than watts and heart rate. “This event is complex. To prepare our athletes for the Natchaug Epic we have to prepare them for skills, clothing, nutrition, equipment, and logistics,” said Brits. “There is so much more to this event than just fitness.”
All three coaching services can create custom coaching programs to prepare riders from novices to experts for the Natchaug Epic. For more information, use the web links below to learn about these great companies.
https://www.facebook.com/velolegitimo
www.ProThirteen.com
www.CharlesCoaching.com
The fifth edition of the Natchaug Epic Presented by Specialized will be held Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, Conn. Community partners include the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program, The Last Green Valley, Best Buddies Connecticut, the Wyndham Land Trust and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. For more information visit www.bikereg.com/natchaug-epic. Follow Natchaug Epic at: https://www.facebook.com/NatchaugEpic and https://www.instagram.com/natchaugepic/