Lime Rock Park Epic

Riders who opened the New England gravel season in Connecticut’s Northeast corner are invited to close out the season in the opposite corner. The same organizers will be presenting the second edition of the Lime Rock Park Epic Presented by Specialized on Sunday, Oct. 8.

“Coming off the success of the first event, we are eager to foster the growth of the event with a new camping option in year two,” said Emily Riess, events manager for Lime Rock Park, the storied race track nested naturally into the Berkshires.

“Last year’s inaugural event was the perfect pageant of fall foliage, which creates a cathedral of color through which these unpaved roads carry our riders to a glorious season finale,” said Richard Fries, co-founder of the event. “This region’s offerings of covered bridges, waterfalls, challenging climbs and meandering descents offers a route designer endless options.”

Organizers chose to develop a dirt road tour to establish a cornerstone for a spectacular cycling weekend in the Berkshires. This year organizers will ally with other event organizers to create a Berkshire Bikefest Weekend of events. Other events will include:

• The Fall Foliage Gravel Grinder in Tyringham, MA on Saturday, Oct. 7, is a popular and equally brilliant course just north the Connecticut border.
• The Great River Ride, also on Sunday, Oct. 8, one of the most fabled and challenging road tours that explores the Westfield River valley from nearby Westfield, MA.
• The Ciclismo Classico Bicycle Travel Film Festival, will be a special twilight showing of the popular film festival at Lime Rock Park on Saturday, Oct. 7.

Sunday’s Lime Rock Park Epic event will offer three options: The “Epic” will be a 68-mile route with nearly 6,000 feet of climbing and 13 unpaved sectors; the “Explorer” will be a 53-mile route with nearly 4,000 feet of climbing and 10 unpaved sectors. Organizers will also offer a gentle 18-mile “Express” route with just two easy dirt road sectors for beginners and novices.

All entrants will receive souvenirs, number plates, chip timing, pre-ride mechanical service, SAG support, fully stocked rest stops, beverages, post-ride lunch and craft beers as part of their entry. Saturday camping is available.

While the event is a recreational tour, some sectors will be timed to offer friendly competition with the top three finishers in certain categories recognized.

The second edition of the  Lime Rock Park Epic Presented by Specialized will be held Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. Organized by New England-based Domestique Events LLC, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program. Camping is available Oct. 7 with a special outdoor bike-in theater showing of the 14th Annual Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival.. For more information, visit www.bikereg.com/limerockepic.