Barry Roubaix Race Report

 

The 2013 edition of the Barry Roubaix is in the books and it was one heck of a race.  The lead up to race day was packed with speculation about the course conditions, and included a course change from two seasonal roads which were still ice covered and trecherous. Other parts were lookign to be mud pits. With the possibility of some serious mud on the horizon, I made sure to pack a rear fender. I picked up my packet Friday afternoon at Hastings HIgh School and while at a gas station on the way to our hotel, I spotted an older gentleman with a mud covered mountain bike. Sure enough, he had been pre-riding the course and reported copious amounts of mud. The fender would be used. 

 

Come Saturday morning, we left our hotel in Kalamazoo and made the 50 minute drive to Hastings. I was in Wave 9, 30-34 y.o., 36 mile. We were set to go off at 10:24 and my wife dropped me off a little east of the start line at around 9:45. After warming up, I added my arm warmers under my long sleeve jersey, along with a pair of baggy shorts since my lower half was very cold. Nutrition was one hammer gel before the start, two bottle of Strawberry Heed, and another Hammer Gel around mile 20. I was then ready to head to the start line:

A "before" picture for the expected mud pit on race day.

Unfortunately, I found that I was near the back of Wave 9. The good news was, the race director was on his game, and each wave was being sent off right on time. As soon as the clock hit 10:24, we were off. Despite my now cold legs, I kicked it up and gained quite a few places on the starting pavement section before we hit dirt.



The menu for the day consisted of ice and dirt.
Photo: Daniel Bonilla

Now would be a good time to mention that although the BR is billed as a gravel race, I didn’t see much gravel. The majority of what we rode was pure dirt road, mostly nicely packed, although a lot was ice covered, with some chewed up sections. Anyway, my legs felt great and I kept up a good pace up to one of the first climbs, a kind if three summit hill I heard someone at the start refer to as the Three Sisters. Leading up to this, was the first of several mini pot holes in the dirt road, along with some wash board sections. These became a regular feature of the race and required some care to navigate, Unfortunately, since they were rather bumpy, there were dozens of water bottles littering the roads in the early part of the race. My water bottles stayed in place here and in later sections, but I know others weren’t so lucky.

In terms of the climb, it wasn’t so bad. My climbing legs showed up and I passed numerous people. After this, the race became a blur. Plenty of dirt, and a lot of dicey ice sections which claimed several riders. I took some care on the ice, and was more conservative on some of the dirt down hills due to a fear of ice. Like in my XC races, although I passed plenty of people on climbs some of them repassed me on downhills. Due to the number of hills, this back and forth continued and I was seeing the same riders over and over again.

Climbling one of many snowy/icy hills (in the green vest).
Only photo I have found of myself from the race so far
Photo Credit: Julie McGraw 

Around the 12 mile mark, we hit a Gun Lake Road, which was short paved downhill, followed by a long climb, followed by another downhill. I tucked in behind a rider named Luke, who I had meant at the start line. He was a triathlete from Michigan and had some good downhill speed. On the uphill, I hit the gas and passed quite a few riders. The next several miles were some pavement followed by dirt and more ice.

At mile 25 you hit a climb called The Killer, a steep wall-like climb with a left turn into more uphill. While steep, I had no problems climbing although the hill was crowded with racers (riding and walking) from all three races (24, 36, and 62 miles). The last 11 miles were fast with nothing terribly difficult.

During this time I ran across one of the stranger sights of the race. I had seen several people walking their bikes with shattered chains in hand or walking back to pick up a lost water bottle. However, I passed a lone bike left on the side of the road, and then its rider jogging away from the bike about 50 feet ahead of me. However, he was running with the race traffic, i.e. he was continuing on the race route without his bike. Still not sure what would cause someone to abandon their bike along a dirt road and start jogging, but to each their own.

Knowing the end was near I started charging hard, at one point passing an SUV which made the mistake of needing to drive on the race course. I hit final pavement stretch and pushed extremely hard. I had my sights set on a group of five riders in front of me but couldn’t quite get there. In the process I passed quite a few other people, and a few cars, before charging into the finish.

Being the first race of the year, my expectations were tempered. My goal had been to finish mid pack in my age group, and to fall into the 2:15-2:30 time spread. I missed the official clock, but in glancing down at my Garmin, I saw my time as 2:03. Well, one goal was met. The standings came out late Saturday and I found out I had come in 35^th out of 124. Not bad, and almost in the top 25%. Overall, I was very satisfied with my performance. The bike worked great with only a few skipped shifts on climbs, but nothing serious. The tires were perfect and only slipped a few times (and no flats!). The carbon fork was fantastic. While suspension would have been nice for the pot holes, the rigid handled those that I didn’t dodge with ease. Best of all, my fitness seems spot on, especially in terms of climbing. Links to GPS tracks can be found on Strava and Ride with GPS.

Also, the fender was not needed. I had little to no mud on me. A cloudy day, mixed with freezing temperatures the night before led to very little mud on the course.

Afterwards I chatted with a few people, and congratulated Luke who had come in a few minute behind me. I watched some of the other racers come in, including the first 62 milers. I also perused the race “village” with food, vendors, and this cool custom made fire pit:

The event itself was run very well, and the town of Hastings was the perfect setting for the start/finish. I had a great time, and felt like I put everything I had into the race. While the Gravel Grovel was more difficult for me, thanks in part to the longer distance, I think I had more fun in this race, despite the lack of gravel as I know it. (although I will always be up for the Gravel Grovel) Here are a few more post race pics:

On a more somber note, there was apparently a medical emergency on the course. A gentleman riding the 36 mile race suffered a heart attack and had to be airlifted out, following some prompt CPR and first aid from a few racers, including a doctor. In thinking back, I think I may have passed him just before this. As I was climbing a hill with a small group we passed a rider going slowly on the left side of the road. Just as we passed I heard a groan and a crash sound. Tossing a quick glance back, I saw this rider on the side of the road, followed by yelling from riders behind us. At the time I had thought he may have hit a patch of ice, or had a mechanical. Knowing that there was a life threatening situation is far more frightening, and I am thankful there were riders present who had the knowledge to render first aid. The last I heard on Facebook the rider was in a local hospital in stable condition. Hopefully he sees a full recovery and those who aided him are publicly recognized for their help.

Anyway, race season 2013 has started. Next event is the tune up race for the DINO series in Indianapolis on April 27. Time to hit some trail!