Goodwin Trail Challenge
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NEW DATE - Sunday, October 19, 2025
Registration is required by October 18 at 5:00 pm Eastern time.
Please register on BikeReg
The new start/end location is Yankee Cider Company, 23 Petticoat Lane,
East Haddam, CT, 06423. The updated route will be shared with all registrants.
The new Goodwin Trail Mountain Bike Challenge is a unique 45-mile adventure loop
that utilizes the most interesting and challenging public preserves in East Haddam,
Salem, Lyme, and East Lyme, Connecticut. The most iconic portion of this loop is the
The Goodwin Trail. This is a unique, 13.5 mile linear trail that winds its way through
preserved lands owned by local land trusts, municipalities, the Yale School of Forestry, and Nehantic State Park.
The course is unmarked, so a navigation device will be required.
GPX route will be emailed to registrants the Thursday before the event.
A mountain bike with sturdy tires and low gearing is recommended.
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In addition to riding off-road on the Goodwin Trail, cyclists will be riding through The Lena Preserve, The Jewett Preserve, The Johnstone Preserve, and many others that will all blend together in a mind bender of a day out on the bike.
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The Goodwin Trail, and the other single tracks you will encounter (while 99 percent rideable) are a technical test of your off roading skills on a bicycle – this is the longest, most remote mountain bike event in the state, and entrants should be prepared for a physical test/challenge to remember. This will be a timed race for those who choose to race, and an all day trail adventure for those who want to take it at their own pace.
This will be a challenging event for many of us. Please give careful consideration before registering. We will create a rest/refreshment stops at Gungy Road, Grassy Hill Road, Darrow Pond (about the ½ way point), and Joshuatown Road, where snacks and water will be available. We will have vegetarian chili at Darrow Pond and TBD food at the end at Franklin Academy. However, please carry you own water, snacks, and other needed accessories as well. There are places where a water filter might come in handy.
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Cell service is very inconsistent on the trail. We strongly recommend participating with a buddy or two. We will provide a sweeper who could provide hands-off assistance. Please note that it could take skilled medical/mechanical staff up to two hours to reach you on the trail.
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We will host the event in light rain. We will cancel if there are strong storms. Please check the EHLT website and Facebook pages for last minute updates.
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Your registration donation will help East Haddam Land Trust preserve land in perpetuity for all of us to enjoy and earn you a 1-year membership to EHLT. Your membership entitles you to advanced notice to our hikes, paddles, and other fun events as well as allowing you to participate in members-only experiences. We are grateful for your help.
Please note that if this event is cancelled for any reason, we will continue to accept your donation to EHLT and not issue refunds. Thank you for understanding this.
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Please sign the online waiver form before you arrive.
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Please arrive to Franklin Academy from 7:30am- 8:15am. We will host a short meeting for all cyclists, then those who are racing will leave followed by the recreational cyclists.
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Comments from past participants:
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"If you're looking for a technical and challenging trail race, this is the event for you! Lots of rocks, roots,
and hills to keep you on your toes." - Dale Matheny, cyclist
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"The Goodwin Trail is a treasure. This event is a treasure! We had so much fun running in this event. The
aide stations were perfectly fueled and staffed. The cowbell at the finish gave us the boost and support
to finish smiling!" - Erin Gordon, trail runner
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"This course is a true test of your riding skills. It’s a peek at Connecticut’s rocky, punchy, demanding mountain biking trails. I had an amazing day, the weather was near perfect ... The volunteers were amazing the organizers made the day great." - Dr. Singletrax, cyclist
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"Wore me down to a smoldering nub." - Fabian Esponda, cyclist​​
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​Most of the Goodwin Trail is managed by the Eightmile River Watershed.
Visit https://www.eightmileriver.org/outdoor-recreation/ for information about the watershed
