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Affectionately known as the Prologue, Bite 1 covers the first and last last sections of the Bluff 50K course. From the school to route 80 the single track trail the going can be rocky and slippery in wet conditions, north of route 80 you are still following single track but the going is less technical.
- Start at Guilford Lakes School, 40 Maupus Rd, Guilford, CT. After looping the field once, cross Maupus Road onto single trail in Timberlands. Follow white blaze heading north, in 2015 the white trail was modified so you no longer follow white cross markers, follow white blazes until they change to yellow. Then bear left on yellow, to red then back onto white to a trailhead on route 80.
- Cross route 80 (watch for traffic) and follow un-blazed trail that borders Guilford Sporting Association (GSA) property. Not far into the trail you will come across a creek crossing. The old log crossing has been replaced by a bridge, but this can still be slippery in wet conditions! Continue until you cross a narrow paved road (Hart Road, this leads to the GSA shooting range, watch for traffic), there will be a race check point here. There is another creek crossing shortly after that has stepping stones, and these will almost certainly be slippery – beware! Shortly after the creek, watch for yellow posted signs for the GSA on your right and then an orange No Hunting sign ahead. Turn right keeping the yellow signs on your right until you reach a wider track (Race Hill Rd).
- On race day you would turn right and continue on Race Hill Rd. For the Bite, turn around and retrace your steps back to Guilford Lakes School. The distance shown on the map includes both directions of the Bite route.