Known as the world’s largest gravel bicycle road race, the Founders Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race attracts several thousand racers for an early start on the 2017 racing season. If you’re not familiar with the event, Wikipedia even has a page on the event (yeah, we had no idea either). Anyway, as you’ll see from the event updates from a few of our WSI Cycling crew, they were all pretty happy to be done when they came across the finish line! Great job everyone… Continue reading “2017 Founders Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race – A Wet, Wild, Cold, and Muddy Time!”
Melting Man’s Muddy March Mayhem
Yup, that’s a lot of “Ms” in the title of this post, but that’s pretty much what the 2017 Melting Man Gravel Road Challenge was. WSI Cycling had a good contingent of riders present to enjoy the slop, but fun was had by all. As you can see by some of the pictures, staying clean was not an option for the day. Continue reading “Melting Man’s Muddy March Mayhem”
The Battle of Waterloo… the 50k Version
While several WSI Cycling team members were getting ready to the west side of the state for the Melting Man, first-year team member Laura Stuchell got an early start on on the weekend of racing and headed east for some gravel road fun. This was the second year for the Waterloo Grit and Gravel 50k road race, staging and starting from the Waterloo State Park near Jackson. It’s a 50k and 100k race on about 90% gravel. The first 12 miles are very hilly with rollers thereafter. It’s very well run (Epic Races) and the number of participants increased from its inception last year. Continue reading “The Battle of Waterloo… the 50k Version”
Dave and Danny Share More Race Reports From The Weekend – Mountain, Gravel and a Pair of Running Shoes
Dave’s Peak 2 Peak
On Oct. 15th I did my first Peak 2 Peak race. I was totally surprised by such a great little race (800 racers) this was. Race started at the beautiful Crystal Mountain ski resort and finish at the resort! Post race celebration was awesome. The coerce was mostly flowing single track with VERY challenging hills near the end! The Fall colors were absolutely beautiful. Definitely a race I will do again.
Danny and Dave’s Lowell 50
On Oct. 22nd I did the Lowell 50 Gravel Road Race. Once again this was a great race, with a fairly large crowd. Weather was a little cool, but perfect for racing. The roads were in great condition. As always the hills were non stop and very challenging. It was great to see several WSI team members. Can wait to do it again in the spring!
Hope to see many WSI members at ICEMAN !!!! ~Dave
I have never done the fall Lowell race before but since I missed the spring version I thought I would do this one. This is a fun race-less crazy than Barry and the fall colors were amazing. The roads were in great shape and fast. I raced the 50-54 age group for the first time and started in the back of the wave. Took a bit to get through the initial throng of people but was able to weave through and ride with a small group. With about 4 to go and left that group and finished 13th. Same time as last year (1.47) and had a great time. ~Danny
Danny’s United Way 10k in Marshall
10k – I woke up Sunday feeling good so entered the Halloween hustle 10k in Marshall. First time for this one and it was a beautiful day. I started with a small group of 4 and while it spread out we were all in sight of each other. I felt good and starting catching a few people and with about 2 to go ended up running with a cross country kid from Marshall. I would pull ahead and then he would. With about 200 yards to go, I pushed the pace a bit and figured I could beat him but then he unleashed a pretty fast sprint and I could not answer. Got second and close to my PR (41 minutes).
Barry-Roubaix
Saturday, April 16, thousands of riders lined the streets of Downtown Hastings awaiting their time to begin the Barry-Roubaix Gravel Road Challenge. It was a year of shedding layers, battling the heat and trying to see through the dust storm! In the words of WSI rider Jeff Cachero, it was a “hot, dusty mess!”
Riders picked their poison with routes at 22 miles, 36 miles and 62 miles. The majority of WSI riders opted for the 36 mile route, while a few brave souls (Matt Wright) ventured out for the 62 mile “killer” course. Some (Dwight) even decided to race on a fat bike. The common theme for all riders was the dust. It has been awhile since riders had seen dry, warmer weather at Barry-Roubaix, but Spring showed up, finally, for 2016!
Scott Bridges came in with an exciting ending. Rounding the corner and eyes on the prize, the rider to his inside touched his bars, was unable to make the turn as sharp as needed, and crashed into the barriers. In the midst of it the rider’s foot, or something, got tangled in his spokes. Knowing he had an injured bike, he coasted through the finish not wanting to risk pedaling. He held a strong 3rd place finish for his age group and 20th overall for the 36-miler. The crashed rider crossed the finish on foot, bike over his shoulders with a crowd cheering him on.
Katie Bridges moved up to the 36 miler for the first time this year and enjoyed the sights and scenery, despite Scott telling her she needs to pedal faster, while Kevin Bridges and Charles Elder set new PRs for themselves on the course.
David Goff and Jeff Cachero have vowed that this race has motivate them to work and train harder.
Overall, Barry-Roubaix and the town of Hastings do an amazing job at putting on a great event. Every year, regardless of times, PRs and conditions, it is a great start to the race season with fellow cycling friends form around the area. As Kelli Kramer put it, “I didn’t place this year, but I had fun anyway!” Jack Miner and his duck-calling dad even made a surprise appearance cheering on his old teammates.
Ride-on, all!