Natchaug Epic (The Quiet Hell)
Gravel is back on the calendar! I usually wait until the weather warms up and the mud clears before adding gravel events to my schedule. But after reading Tom and Greg’s 2023 Natchaug report, I knew I had to make an exception for this early-season ride.
It was a painfully cold morning in Thompson, Connecticut. I spent too long sitting in my car, debating whether I had enough layers or if I needed one more jacket to survive the day. At the last minute, I threw on an extra pair of gloves and socks before riding over to the start to meet James and Tom. While the temperature was brutal, at least we had a relatively dry forecast—this event is notorious for pushing the limits of how much mud a person can handle.
Photo by Peter Cheung
Our route was the Endeavor course—a 68-mile ride with 4,500 feet of elevation and four timed segments. Thankfully, the infamous Le Cuisinart segment wasn’t timed for this year, making for a calmer-than-expected start. We rolled out at a steady pace, cutting through the Thompson Speedway Motor Park, down a short stretch of pavement, and straight into the woods. The first third of the ride was a relaxed Zone 2 effort, as the first timed segment didn’t kick off until mile 27.
Eventually, a 100-meter marker signaled the start of Segment 1—a 2.8-mile stretch of rolling hills, smooth gravel, and, thankfully, no mud. By the time I crossed the line, I was gassed but quickly regrouped with James and Tom at the next aid station. A quick snack, and we were back in the woods en route to Segment 2. This next section was my favorite. At 2.2 miles, it had a bit more technical riding, a longer downhill, and some of the best gravel conditions of the day. I found a solid line and pushed myself, fully enjoying the trail. After rejoining the guys, we settled back into our rhythm before hitting Segment 3—a short but punchy 1.1-mile effort with an uphill finish. Nearly dodging a mud pit before the climb, we all made it to the end and took a quick break at the Azuluna Farms rest stop.
The rest of the day was all about enjoying the ride, taking in the scenery, and making the most of the early-season gravel. We paced ourselves wisely between segments, keeping a steady pace between segments while making the most of the ride.
