The fourth running of the Barry-Roubaix mountain bike race took place this weekend in the heart of Nowheresville, Michigan, and your Undercover Athletes were there to report on the event.
The race takes place in Barry, Michigan, and the clever title implies that it is intended to be tough, muddy, and for the intemperate. There were plenty of riders sporting Ice Man jerseys, Colorado sweatshirts, and other emblems of past glories. The weather was great though. During the prior week the midwest had blown apart the existing temperature records, hitting mid-80s every day. The trees were sprouting leaves, flowers were blooming, and everything smelled beautiful. In 2011 1,046 signed up for the event but nasty weather cut attendance to 950. This year, probably due to the great conditions, no one on the waiting list got in. (One of your reporters rode as a bandit)
We rode up from Indiana in the dark, and the closer we got to the race the more bikes we saw on top of cars. They fit a lot of people into a small park for the event, but it was very well organized. Check-in was smooth, the swag was good, and everyone was orderly. The T-shirts were a pretty light blue, and I'm glad I bought one. They also sold commemorative posters (I bought one) and bottle openers (I passed). Last year there was free beer, but the State of Michigan forbade that this year. It was pretty early in the morning anyway. The girl checking us in had a plastic baby in a papoose -- part of a school project to discourage teenage pregnancies; part of the local flavor.
1,500 riders is a lot to fit onto one road. We left in four waves a few minutes apart. There were three lengths. 61 miles which was for the hardy, 35 miles which they recommended for first-timers and which we rode, and 23 miles. Doug and I started in the ditch as our wave swarmed across the start line. The timing chips were incorporated into the race numbers, which was cool, and everyone got off pretty easily. I was in the final four across the start, but rode hard to get up towards the middle of the pack. Better planning would have allowed an easier beginning.
The route turned sandy and muddy. Every hill was doable, but with the sand most people clipped out at least once during the race. drafting was allowed, but with so much mud and sand you got a real face-full and you had to pick and choose your times to cluster together. The riders were all friendly, and camaraderie prevailed over competition. Two riders finished together, in uniform, placing pretty well in the 61 mile race:
The Barry-Roubaix is a nice race. There were license plates from Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. I think it was worth a drive of a few hours, but not worth a cross-country trip. The organizers did a very good job of making a friendly event, and if it fits your schedule I recommend it.
I rode a 29" mountain bike. Most riders had a cyclocross bike, and some had road bikes with 32cm tires. There was a separate category for Pugsley-type fat tire bikes. Each choice seemed to have advantages and disadvantages, but the cyclocross bike is probably best.
One final word of thanks. My friend wanted to register but the race closed out and he rode as a bandit. He had two flats. One just before the race and one during the race. The sag wagon helped him out beautifully and he was able to finish the race. We all came away happy.
