Oh man that one looks good. Think I need to sign up.
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I might consider Natchaug Epic, but it’d be on my XC Bike, and probably a little last minute (How is it that it’s next Month already???).
Will have just finished a VO2 Block a week or two earlier and starting up my Dedicated Threshold / Aerobic training that week, so not sure if 80+ miles on the MTB will be in the cards unless I want to take it pretty easy. Hell, I’m still building up the bike and not even sure I’ll have many outside rides in!
I suppose I could just go for one of the shorter routes, but what fun is that 
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Natchaug uses combined times of segments for placing, so noodle away with the group between segments and then use up the vo2 max! Bonus points if you win overall with the longest total ride time!
Last year it was 5 segments on the Epic, and minimum of 5 this year.
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Good point. I’ll be in my best VO2 shape of the year so it could be a long base ride with some timed segment fun.
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Okay, just signed up for the Natchaug Epic. Have kind of regretted not signing up for it in years past. Gosh it feels soon though.
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I’m thinking of signing up for Natchaug Epic and was looking though a few youtube videos to get an idea of the terrain. Seems like there’s a decent amount of pavement, but there will likely be mud given the time of year. What would you run for tires? I ran into similar mud in other rides last year and my Conti Race Kings were sliding everywhere, but they also felt draggy on pavement. I’ve got some Tufo Thunderos to try this year but wonder if they’ll be even worse than the Race Kings in this stuff…
To my recollection, it had rained a bunch in the days leading up to the race last year, including the night before/morning of the race. There was also snow on the ground at least a week prior that was melting. That particular section looks like the Cuisinart, which is right at the start. When I rode 3 days after the race, that was the only significantly muddy section. Run whatcha brung (on that day, I had 40 mm Ramblers).
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There is a crit series in Scarborough Me every spring, usually every Sunday for 4 weeks skipping Mothers Day weekend. It’s a great course for beginners. It’s hosted by Downeast Racing.
For those so inclined…IRR is up. Same date as Grateful Gravel unfortunately.
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For New England/New York folks: Tunbridge Ranger registration is up now, until it probably sells out in the next hour or so.
First year I’ve managed to register and I’m very excited about it. It’s a super event by all accounts.
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Just jumped in on the Ranger myself, thanks for posting this and reminding me 
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Looks like registration opens 2/24.
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Yep, registration is live now at the link in @FrankTuna 's post above.
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It usually has wet-muddy sections, but is generally pretty manageable. I’ve done it on gk sk and pathfinders, and thought both were fine.
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Couple more in the Finger Lakes of NY
Dirty Hector Gravel (May 26) Dirty Hector 2024 Online Registration
Keuka Lake Gravel Classic (June 2) Keuka Lake Gravel Classic Online Registration
It seems everything in this thread is gravel…I’m looking for some (non competitive) road events for this summer. Anything good in that arena??
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I’m looking forward to having my butt kicked at the VT Gran Fondo 
I did this one last year and it was great.
I’ve heard good things but never done B2VT.
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UCI XCM In Lake Placid, NY on Sept 29th. Should have “Open” registration I believe.
Slate Valley Epic open registration started at 8:00 EST today and is filling up fast, in case anyone is hoping to get in. See you there!
Circus Ride is back on! thanks for including us in the list!
Last year went off amazing, despite an absolute deluge for two days straight before the event. I had to be talked off a ledge from canceling/ changing a few times, and it was hectic as could be. But, got a few re-assuring texts letting me know everyone knew what they were in for, and it went off amazing. Fastest time came from a junior I coach, just under 4 hours, the weather kept my FKT safe, ha. Wont hold this year I imagine.
Small numbers (60 or so riders), which was fine for last year, this year I’d like to hit 150. It was confirmation we could put on an awesome event, and even in the worst conditions possible, people loved the route.
Moved to September 15th this year, due to conflicts with the youth racing schedule, means less chance of rain, and less leaves on course hiding the rocks.
Big discounts for early reg, check out the instagram for whats included: Circus Ride | Braintree 357 (@circusride_braintree357) • Instagram photos and videos
Cool additional note, the originator of the route (back in the early 90’s) started 2 hours early and got it completed, 26" mtb and all, in 9 or so hours.
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