Evan's story: Lime Rock Park Epic

BaseCamp athlete Evan McGregor shared his experience at the 2025 Lime Rock Park Epic gravel bike race in Connecticut.

I've been doing this gravel race since its first edition in 2022. My son, Calum, turned six months old that day. I had a few race goals that year that I wanted to hit for Cal, but I came up short through the year. His first race in attendance was Green Mountain Stage Race, and I really wanted to get the Climber's jersey on stage 2, but I came up woefully short due to a brilliant solo breakaway... I went into a bad sort of funk with the bike and wasn't sure why I was still competing. I sold my registration to unPAved and then went to this new race, Lime Rock Park Epic, instead, with the sole goal of getting my mojo back.

That day was stellar. The New England fall was hitting peak. The course was absolutely beautiful, and the segment style of racing was way lower stress. I found some good riding buddies during the event and we had a blast throughout. At the end of the race, I was very proud to see that I made the overall podium and was able to get Calum up on his first trip to the winner's circle. That day rejuvenated me and I haven't looked back since.

Today was an extra special day. They've added a 5k running race on top of everything else, and Amanda (Mrs. McGregor) went out for it with the kids and grandparents spectating. She set a 5k PR for herself and I couldn't be happier or more proud. For the bike race portion, I had a pretty hot start. The first two timed sectors are non technical punchy climbs, the first with a flat run in. From halfway through the first sector and on I was solo. Maybe it's not the same level of camaraderie I had in year 1, but having your own moto for a race is pretty cool.

After the second sector, though, my rear derailleur broke and I was stuck in the hardest gear on my bike. I had to crazy low cadence grind my way to an aid station. I called Amanda, got the great news on her 5k PR, and asked her to drive out to meet me since I had a spare bike, tools, etc. with the car and I was only 20 miles from the finish. She 100% saved the day by driving out. I swapped my wheels and other accessories over to the other bike (it has a more road style loadout typically), and was able to go crush the rest of the course. While my times on the first two sectors were strong, I really sent it on the last two. Those were way more technical, single track sections, and the gravel skills camp work came to the forefront. Seconds off of a KOM and the fastest time of the day on the most technical portion.

At the end, it was a top step at the place where I was first able to bring Calum on the podium. This time I was joined by Cal and Aoife. Having the family at the finish cheering me on made my day, and that Amanda raised the bar, yet again, in her 5k is the icing on the cake.

My race reports are usually a little more poetic, but to be honest, I'm exhausted. It's been a long season, with one more race to go. I'm in a good spot, though. This is the place where I get that mojo back. It was an epic day at Lime Rock Park.